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 here

We always love to hear your thoughts. Send a voice note to: [email protected] 

Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise.

Producer: Casey Magloire

Executive producer: Rebecca Moore 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 here

We always love to hear your thoughts. Send a voice note to: [email protected] 

Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise.

Producer: Casey Magloire

Executive producer: Rebecca Moore 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 here

We always love to hear your thoughts. Send a voice note to: [email protected] 

Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise.

Producer: Casey Magloire

Executive producer: Rebecca Moore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 here

Listen to Cat’s episode of the Slow Newscast - The Rwanda Plan: How to lose £70 million here from Tuesday 11th February

We always love to hear your thoughts. Send a voice note to: [email protected] 

Host: Jeevan Vasagar, contributing editor at Tortoise.

Producer: Casey Magloire

Executive producer: Rebecca Moore 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 here

To 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: [email protected] 

Host: Basia Cummings, editor at Tortoise

Producer: Casey Magloire

Executive producer: Rebecca Moore 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-1

Learn 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 Tortoise

Email: [email protected]

Producer: Casey Magloire

Executive producer: Rebecca Moore 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-1

Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise

Email: [email protected]

Producer: Casey Magloire

Executive producer: Rebecca Moore 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Tortoise

Email: [email protected]

Producer: Casey Magloire

Executive producer: Rebecca Moore

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s direct plea to Donald Trump has led a Republican congressman to demand her deportation. Should Democrats buy Trump’s meme coins? And what’s the point of Davos?

Giles Whittell is joined by Tortoise’s James Harding, Patricia Clarke and Katie Riley as they battle it out to see who can pitch the top story of the day.

**Get tickets for our next News Meeting live on Wednesday 29th January here: https://www.tortoisemedia.com/our-events/the-news-meeting-live/book 

Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise

Email: [email protected]

Producer: Casey Magloire

Executive producer: Rebecca Moore 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Tortoise first reported on the allegations made against author Neil Gaiman. Does a ceasefire in Gaza mean peace? And what are Donald Trump’s plans for day one in the White House?

Jeevan Vasagar is joined by Tortoise’s Cat Neilan, Katie Gunning and Chloe Hadjimatheou as they battle it out to see who can pitch the top story of the day.

Listen to Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman here: 

https://lnk.to/NG-Master

**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 Making Sense of Sustainable Farming here: 

https://lnk.to/MSOSF

Guests:

• Katie Gunning, senior audio producer at Tortoise
• Cat Neilan, political editor at Tortoise
• Chloe Hadjimatheou editor at Tortoise

Host: Jeevan Vasagar, editor at Tortoise

Email: [email protected]

Producer: Casey Magloire

Executive producer: Rebecca Moore 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.