The News Meeting

Giles Whittell and Jess Winch take a look back on some of the biggest stories of the year and share some of their favourite pitches. From the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine to domestic issues like the Grenfell inquiry and the first Labour budget, along with cultural stories such as Gary Lineker's departure from Match of the Day. Guests: Basia Cummings, editor at Tortoise Jeevan Varsagar, contribut...

How the fallout from the TV show sparked a nearly two hundred million dollar lawsuit.  Thanks for listening to the Sensemaker. This episode was written and mixed by Eleanor Biggs. Photography by Jon Jones.  The executive producer is Rebecca Moore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How a young woman from Gaza who chronicled life in the Strip after October 7th and became one of the most influential women in the world.  Writer : Chloe Hadjimatheou Producer : Gary Marshall Host : Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2024, Chappell Roan went from relative obscurity to playing to some of the biggest crowds in festival history. What toll did this meteoric rise take on her? Writer: Katie Riley Producer: Katie Gunning Photography: Lola Williams Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Post Office scandal was one of the largest miscarriages of justice in the UK with hundreds of people wrongly prosecuted for theft or false accounting. So why did it take an ITV drama to bring about change?  Writer : Sophie Fenton Producer : Tomini Babs Host : Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time ever, the top ten grossing films of the year are all sequels.  What does this tell us about the film industry?  Has Hollywood run out of new ideas? Writer: Casey Magloire Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giles Whittell and guests debate the top stories of the day. They discuss the conclusion of the mass rape trial that found 50 men guilty of raping Gisele Pelicot, the new new terrorism and federal charges brought against accused CEO murderer Luigi Mangione and if the Guinness shortage is real or just great marketing.  Guests: Katie Riley, data editor at Tortoise  Stephen Armstrong, repor...

The man accused of killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, is alleged to have used an untraceable 3D-printed firearm. What is that and why is it so controversial? Writer: Xavier Greenwood Producer: Xavier Greenwood Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Mark McDonald announced he is trying to bring Lucy Letby’s case back to the Court of Appeal. What reasons does he give for believing the circumstances have changed since her initial trial? Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Claudia Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  Saudi Arabia has been awarded the tournament despite widespread concerns about human rights violations and environmental issues. What does this tell us about the changing face of global football? Writer: Andrew Butler Photography: Joe Mee Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  A new cryptocurrency linked to the identity of Luigi Mangione, the suspected killer of Brian Thompson, has reached a market value of $76 million. Writer: Barney Macintyre Producer: Matt Russell Photography: Joe Mee Host: Claudia Williams Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giles Whittell and guests debate what stories should lead the news. They discuss calls for Stephen Cottrell to step down over his handling of a sexual abuse case, failures of the UK’s privatised water industry, and ABC News’s $15 million defamation settlement with Donald Trump. Guests: Pete Apps, Inside Housing contributing editor and Orwell Prize winning author Basia Cummings, editor at Tortoise...

  Billionaire rapper Jay-Z is the first celebrity to be named as a co-defendent in an allegation concerning Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Jay-Z vehemently denies the allegation – that he raped a 13 year old girl in 2000 along with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Jay-Z’s legal team has sued the attorney who filed the claim against him. So who is the lawyer bringing multiple lawsuits against Sean Combs and his assoc...

Jess Winch and guests debate what should lead the news. They discuss the thousands of people disappeared by Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the controversy surrounding Saudi Arabia hosting the tournament amid human rights concerns, and a proposed new law banning marriages between first cousins. Guests: Dr Adam Rutherford, scientist, broadcaster and scientist Basia Cummings, editor at Tortoise  Clau...

The ousting of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad has revealed the full scale of how he used the prison system to lock up, torture and execute his opponents.  What do we now know about what went on?    Producer: Eleanor Biggs Photography: Jon Jones Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk and property tycoon Nick Candy have been named as considering multi-million-pound contributions, which could change the face of British politics forever. Reform could become the best-funded political party in the UK.  Writer: Cat Neilan. Producer: Katie Gunning. Photography: Jon Jones.  Executive producer: Rebecca Moore. To find out more about Tortoise: Downloa...

France’s government has been toppled, making Michel Bernier the shortest serving prime minister in the history of the modern French Republic. What does it mean for France – and the rest of Europe? Writer: Claudia Williams Producer: Claudia Williams Photography: Jon Jones Executive producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app  - for a listening experience...

For more than half a century, the Assad family ruled Syria with brutality and repression. It took less than two weeks for rebels to bring that rule to an end. What does this mean for Syria and the region? Writer: Xavier Greenwood Producer: Xavier Greenwood Host: Claudia Williams Photography: Jon Jones Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giles Whittell is joined by three guests pitching an angle on the toppling of the Syrian regime - the only story leading the news.  Guests: Charlene White, Loose Women panellist Chloe Hadjimatheou, narrative editor at Tortoise  Cat Neilan, political editor at Tortoise  Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise Email: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.com Producer: Eleanor Biggs ...

MPs voted in favour of proposals to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. The bill has many more stages to pass before it becomes law. So what happens next?  Writer: Phoebe Davis Producer: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jess Winch is joined by three guests who bring a story they think should lead the news. They debate reports that Elon Musk may donate millions to Nigel Farage’s Reform, the collapse of France’s government and a scientific breakthrough that has the potential to reduce the energy required to store data. Guests: Patricia Clarke, technology reporter at Tortoise  Chloe Hadjimatheou, narrative edit...

The carmaker behind Fiat, Jeep, and Citroën says the closure of its Vauxhall factory in Luton is due to new zero-emission policies. But is that the full story? Writers: Barney Macintyre Producer: Matt Russell Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this season finale, Rachel and John look at some of the major trends shaping how we live today and those that are going to matter in the future. To find out more about Tortoise: - Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists - Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content - Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's...

In just 24 hours President Assad’s forces just “melted away” in Syria’s second biggest city. How did the rebels seize control and what might Assad do in response?  Writer: Chloe Hadjimatheou Producer: Gary Marshall Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app  - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscri...

A banana taped to the wall with duct tape sold at a Christie’s auction for $6.2 million to a cryptobillionaire. At the same auction, a Henri Matisse remained unsold. What does this sale tell us about the state of the art market?  Writer: Jess Swinburne Producer: Casey Magloire Host: Tomini Babs Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.