Why do some young voters buy Trump's lies about Ukraine and what’s behind the violence in the DRC?
Why is it so hard for journalists to report on Trump’s blatant lies? Tens of thousands have died and been displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo - so why is the war missing from the front pages? And what does the conversation between Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and controversial podcaster Jordan Peterson reveal about the UK’s political right?Giles Whittell is joined by journalist and author Marie Le Conte, plus Tortoise’s Ada Barumé and Cat Neilan, as they pitch and battle it out for today’s top story. **February’s edition of the News Meeting Live has sold out! So grab a ticket for our March and April shows while spots are still available! Get your ticket hereWe always love to hear your thoughts. Send a voice note to: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.com Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise.Producer: Casey MagloireExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21 Feb 35min
Is Europe irrelevant in Trump’s new world order and will the UK send troops to Ukraine?
As Trump and Putin negotiate a peace deal without Europe or Ukraine, where does this leave Nato members? Can Keir Starmer establish himself as a key figure in European defence? And as the US and Russia meet in Saudi Arabia this week, what does that tell us about the future of geopolitics? Giles Whittell is joined by Tortoise’s Jasper Corbett, Stephen Armstrong and Cat Neilan, as they pitch and battle it out for today’s top story. **Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live! We host live recordings on the last Thursday of every month. Get your ticket for February 27th hereWe always love to hear your thoughts. Send a voice note to: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.com Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise.Producer: Casey MagloireExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
17 Feb 33min
The Trump-Putin phone call shocks Europe and mayday for universities in Wales
With a single 90-minute phone call has Donald Trump sidelined Europe in the Ukraine discussion? Why is Donald Trump criticising South Africa’s land laws and what does Elon Musk have to do with it? With Cardiff University announcing major departmental cuts, will other institutions follow suit to save higher education in Wales? Giles Whittell is joined by the former opposition leader of South Africa and founder of Futurelect, Lindiwe Mazibuko, CNN presenter Max Foster and Tortoise’s Patricia Clarke as they pitch and battle it out for today’s top story. **Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live! We host live recordings on the last Thursday of every month. Get your ticket for February 27th hereWe always love to hear your thoughts. Send a voice note to: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.com Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise.Producer: Casey MagloireExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
13 Feb 37min
The rise and rise of Reform and the posthumously published diary of Joan Didion
What are the ethical dilemmas of publishing a writer's private works after their death? A new poll reveals that Nigel Farage’s Reform Party may be the UK’s most popular political party. How have Labour and the Conservatives responded to the news? What does the latest round of Trump tariffs tell us about the President’s negotiating tactics?Jeevan Vasagar is joined by Tortoise’s Cat Neilan, Katie Riley and Patricia Clarke as the pitch and battle it out for today’s top story. **Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live! We host live recordings on the last Thursday of every month. Get your ticket for February 27th hereListen to Cat’s episode of the Slow Newscast - The Rwanda Plan: How to lose £70 million here from Tuesday 11th FebruaryWe always love to hear your thoughts. Send a voice note to: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.com Host: Jeevan Vasagar, contributing editor at Tortoise.Producer: Casey MagloireExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10 Feb 36min
The Taliban refuses to return $7bn of US arms and Doge takes on USAID
A gang of young officials from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency targeted the US Agency for International Development. What does that tell us about his loyalty to Trump?Despite overseeing the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Trump now demands the Taliban return 78 aircraft, 40,000 vehicles and 300,000 weapons left behind.As the US steps back from a key NATO committee, is this the UK’s chance to get closer with Europe again? Basia Cummings is joined by Moby Media Groups’s Saad Mohseni, plus Tortoise’s Stephen Armstrong and Giles Whittell as they battle to pitch the top story.**Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live! We host live recordings on the last Thursday of every month. Get your ticket for February 27th hereTo read the BBC’s analysis of Hollywoodgate, the documentary Basia mentioned about US military equipment left behind in Afghanistan, click here.We always love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Send a voice note to: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.com Host: Basia Cummings, editor at TortoiseProducer: Casey MagloireExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
7 Feb 36min
Why is the Royal Family off limits in Parliament and could Trump force Palestinians out of Gaza?
What are the 180-year-old rules that prevent MPs from debating issues about the Royal Family? As Donald Trump floats the idea of “clearing out” Gaza, what lies ahead for Palestinians returning home? And President Trump promised tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China - but how will this affect foreign relations with the US’ closest neighbours? Giles Whittell is joined by NPR’s International Correspondent Lauren Frayer, plus Tortoise’s Patricia Clarke and Jasper Corbett as they battle to pitch the top story.**Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live! We host live recordings on the last Thursday of every month. Get your ticket for February 27th here: https://www.tortoisemedia.com/our-events/the-news-meeting-live-1Learn more about House of Lords with Tortoise’s Peer Review here: https://www.tortoisemedia.com/intelligence/peer-review Read the Ezra Klein article that Giles recommended here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/02/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-trump-column-read.html Read The Observer Patricia based her pitch on here: https://www.theguardian.com/global/2025/feb/01/stop-shielding-uk-royals-from-parliamentary-scrutiny-says-labour-peer Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at TortoiseEmail: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.comProducer: Casey MagloireExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
3 Feb 29min
An art heist in the Netherlands and will there ever be a third runway at Heathrow Airport?
Why were priceless ancient Romanian artefacts stolen from a Dutch museum and what does this tell us about the global black market in stolen art? Will the government’s latest plans to expand Heathrow airport bring the growth Rachel Reeves has been promising? And why did Donald Trump offer federal government employees money to quit their jobs?Giles Whittell is joined by Tortoise’s Katie Riley, Claudia Williams and Jasper Corbett as they battle to pitch the top story.**Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live! We host live recordings on the last Thursday of every month. Get your ticket for February 27th here: https://www.tortoisemedia.com/our-events/the-news-meeting-live-1Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at TortoiseEmail: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.comProducer: Casey MagloireExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30 Jan 35min
Israeli settlers in the West Bank and the millionaire paying to dodge death
How much is tech guru Bryan Johnson willing to put his 19-year-old son through in his quest to avoid dying? Why 33% of surveyed Gen Z-ers say they prefer the army to run the country? What happens to the West Bank during a Trump administration?Basia Cummings is joined by scientist and broadcaster Adam Rutherford, plus Tortoise’s Cat Neilan and Stephen Armstrong, as they battle to pitch the top story.**Get tickets for our next News Meeting live on Wednesday 29th January here: https://www.tortoisemedia.com/our-events/the-news-meeting-live/book ** Listen to the ‘Immortality Bros: The business of living forever’ here: https://lnk.to/XSGGvM ** Listen to Jordan Peterson and the making of man here: https://lnk.to/YAYX7Y Host: Basia Cummings, editor at TortoiseEmail: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.comProducer: Casey MagloireExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
27 Jan 40min
