If the book is good, do we care if it was written by AI? Should we be concerned by the distribution of aid in Gaza by non-UN services? A team of British climbers recently reached Everest’s summit in just five days after using xenon gas to boost performance. Does this kind of enhancement challenge traditional ideas of mountaineering achievement? Giles Whittell is joined by author, political adviser, and foreign policy specialist Chloe Dalton along with the Observer’s Claudia Williams and Vanessa ...
May 30, 2025•37 min•Ep. 613
What links Elon Musk’s business ties in South Africa to the US president’s attack on Cyril Ramaphosa? Will AI hit women in the workforce hardest? And could the case of Adriana Smith - a brain-dead pregnant woman being kept alive because she’s pregnant - reshape abortion laws in states like Georgia? Giles Whittell is joined by writer and journalist Marisa Bate, along with Observer reporters Stephen Armstrong and Phoebe Davis, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day. **Join us at the News...
May 23, 2025•35 min•Ep. 612
Alex Thompson and Jake Tapper’s book, Original Sin alleges that officials working for Biden’s administration tried to keep what they describe as the president’s mental decline hidden. Is the media guilty of sensationalising Cassie Ventura’s testimony and the trial involving Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs? Why are changes to the fisheries policies between the EU and UK causing such a fuss? Giles Whittell is joined by Anu Anand, Stephen Armstrong and Patricia Clarke as they battle to pitch the top story of th...
May 19, 2025•38 min•Ep. 611
Why did Bradley Wiggins seek advice from disgraced former cyclist Lance Armstrong to help him recover from cocaine addiction? What does the indictment of a US judge tell us about President Trump’s plans to take on the judiciary? How is a law from the 1800s being used to criminalise women who have abortions in 2025? Jess Winch is joined by Marie Le Conte, Rowan Moore and Andrew Butler, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day. **Join us at the News Meeting Live: LIVE from Hay Festival on ...
May 16, 2025•30 min•Ep. 610
Is youth mobility on the cards for Labour’s post-Brexit plan with Europe? Why is it so hard to record incidents of spiking? How will Labour’s immigration plan affect international students and higher education? Giles Whittell is joined by Rebecca Myers, Katie Riley and Cat Neilan, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day. **Join us at the News Meeting Live LIVE from Hay Festival on Thursday 29th May - with Chloe Dalton LIVE at SXSW on Wednesday 4th June - with Coco Khan LIVE from the Obs...
May 14, 2025•32 min•Ep. 609
How will Labour’s immigration legislation affect the UK’s care sector? What are the potential conflicts of interests if Trump accepts a jet from Qatar? The Indian Premier League is set to return after the competition was suspended amid rising tension in Kashmir, but what does this tell us about India's power in international cricket? Rebecca Moore is joined by Orwell Prize winning Pete Apps, alongside The Observer’s Patricia Clarke and Jessy Parker Humphreys, as they battle to pitch the top stor...
May 12, 2025•35 min•Ep. 608
As tensions rise between the two nuclear powers and US remains noticeably missing from the world stage, who will be the guarantor of peace between India and Pakistan? What does the new US-UK trade deal tell us about the new world order? Elon Musk is stepping away from Doge, was his time in government a success or costly failure? Jess Winch is joined by author Quinn Slobodian and The Observer’s Rebecca Moore and Jasper Corbett, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day. **Join us at the ne...
May 08, 2025•35 min•Ep. 607
Why are there calls to return British art like the original Winnie-the-Pooh doll from America to the UK? Trump and Zelensky have finally signed the US-Ukraine mineral deal, but who is the real winner? With wedding season approaching, what lengths are people willing to take to look slimmer on the big day? Rebecca Moore is joined by Jeevan Vasagar, James Tapper and Vanessa Thorpe, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day. **Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live on Tuesday 29...
May 02, 2025•37 min•Ep. 606
What do councils do with the money they get from renting public spaces out for festivals? How will the Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of a woman impact our day-to-day lives? And North Korea has confirmed it sent troops to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine. Giles Whittell is joined by Rebecca Moore, Chloe Hadjimatheou and Miranda Sawyer as they battle to pitch the top story of the day. **Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live on Tuesday 29th April here: https://observer.co...
Apr 28, 2025•32 min•Ep. 605
Donald Trump has failed to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, how frustrated is he with Russia’s latest round of attacks on Kyiv? Ofcom published its news set of rules tech firms must comply with - or else. And how have the devastating attacks in Kashmir reignited tensions between India and Pakistan? Giles Whittell is joined by Rebecca Moore, Stephen Armstrong and Cat Neilan, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day. **Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live on Tuesday 2...
Apr 25, 2025•32 min•Ep. 604
What does the government’s takeover of the Scunthorpe steelworks mean for the future of UK industry? Why is a bin strike in Birmingham exposing deep cracks in Britain’s social fabric? And who’s paying the price for Trump’s cuts to US foreign aid? Rebecca Moore is joined by Katie Gunning, Stephen Armstrong and NPR’s Lauren Frayer as they battle to pitch the top story of the day. **Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live on Tuesday 29th April here: https://www.tortoisemedia.com/our-ev...
Apr 14, 2025•36 min•Ep. 603
A few hours before he announced a 90-day pause on tariffs, the president posted “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!! DJT” on social media. Why has this led to accusations he manipulated the market for his own gain? The popularity of companion AI chatbots is rapidly increasing, but what safety nets are in place to protect young people? How have Big Law firms in America reacted to Trump 2.0? Rebecca Moore is joined by Hashi Mohamed, Patricia Clarke and Katie Riley, as they battle to pitch the top story...
Apr 11, 2025•37 min•Ep. 602
The United Nations says 15 medics have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, could this mark a turning point in how the West responds to the war? Is Keir Starmer right to suggest Donald Trump’s tariffs spell the end of globalisation? And with trillions wiped off global markets, will the President retreat from his punchy new policy? Giles Whittell is joined by Jasper Corbett, Chloe Hadjimatheou and Cat Neilan, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day. **Join us at the next edition of the...
Apr 07, 2025•34 min•Ep. 601
Will President Trump’s global tariff hike force countries to forge new alliances beyond the US? What is the government’s plan to tackle the problems involving young boys in Netflix’s Adolescence ? And why are doctors sounding the alarm over the return of Victorian-era diseases? Jess Winch is joined by the Observer’s Rebecca Myers, along with Jasper Corbett and Stephen Armstrong from Tortoise, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day. **Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live...
Apr 04, 2025•30 min•Ep. 600
One of the largest earthquakes in decades has wrecked parts of Myanmar, but how does a country still grappling with civil war and military rule handle a natural disaster of this scale? The Guardian investigates why senior Tory Lords and MPs are lobbying to thwart the renters’ reform bill. What does Prince Harry’s bullying allegations, brought forward by his former charity chief, reveal about the way we provide aid? Basia Cummings is joined by the Guilty Feminist’s Deborah Frances-White, pl...
Mar 31, 2025•35 min•Ep. 559
Will there be any repercussions after top US security officials accidentally added the editor of the Atlantic to a Signal group used to plan airstrikes in Yemen? New government, new Spring Statement, but is this the same old politics? And why we need to talk about the growing fashion scene in Bath. Giles Whittell is joined by journalist Anu Anand, Bath Spa University Chancellor Sharanjit Leyl and Tortoise’s Chloe Hadjimatheou, as they battle it out and try to pitch the top story of the day. ...
Mar 27, 2025•34 min•Ep. 558
Have the disruptions at Heathrow airport revealed key weaknesses in the UK’s infrastructure? Is the US looking to pull out of Ukraine so it can focus on a potential war with China? And what will happen to millions of people’s genetic data now that 23andMe has declared bankruptcy? Giles Whittell is joined by Sky News’ Yalda Hakim, alongside Tortoise’s Patricia Clarke and Cat Neilan, as they each pitch a story they think should lead the news. **Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting...
Mar 24, 2025•34 min•Ep. 557
What is President Trump’s “voluntary transfer plan” for Gaza residents? As Trump clashes with a federal judge over mass deportation, is the Supreme Court willing to stand up to the President? Who were the Navajo code talkers, and why was their wartime legacy briefly erased from US military websites? Jess Winch is joined by Tortoise’s Katie Riley, Chloe Hadjimatheou and Jasper Corbett, as they each pitch a story they think should lead the news. **Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Li...
Mar 21, 2025•34 min•Ep. 556
Are welfare reforms Labour’s only hope of saving money ahead of the Spring Statement? Who are the hundreds of Venezuelans who have been forcibly removed from the US? And what is the media getting wrong when it comes to reporting on femicide by an intimate partner? Giles Whittell is joined by Media Storm podcast hosts Mathilda Mallinson and Helena Wadia, along with Claudia Williams from Tortoise, as they each pitch a story they think should lead the news. **Join us at the next edition of the News...
Mar 17, 2025•35 min•Ep. 555
Is potential deportation of Mahmoud Khalil proof that Donald Trump will use cancel culture against his loudest critics? If misogyny is a political ideology, should the Southport murderer's crime be classed as terrorism? Why health professionals are struggling to treat teenagers addicted to vaping. Giles Whittell is joined by founder and host of The Young Turks, Cenk Uygur. Plus,Tortoise’s Katie Riley and Claudia Williams, as they each pitch a story they think should lead the news. **Join u...
Mar 14, 2025•36 min•Ep. 554
Is King Charles’ new Apple playlist a savvy PR move or just a bid for relevance? Mark Carney is Canada's new prime minister; are technocrats the best leaders to combat Trump 2.0? How will the Reform party’s internal battle impact the next British election? Jeevan Vasagar is joined by Orwell Prize-winning author and Inside Housing contributing editor, Pete Apps. Plus,Tortoise’s Katie Riley and Katie Gunning as they each pitch a story they think should lead the news. **Join us at the next ed...
Mar 10, 2025•29 min•Ep. 553
Could Europe unlock frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s fight against Putin? Why Elon Musk’s DOGE remains a mystery despite promises of transparency. And how climate change is reshaping Alaska’s iconic dog sled race. Jasper Corbett is joined by Tortoise’s Chloe Hadjimatheou, Patricia Clarke and Katie Riley as they each pitch a story they think should lead the news. **Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live! Get your ticket for Wednesday 26th March in Bath here: ht...
Mar 07, 2025•32 min•Ep. 552
After a frantic weekend of diplomatic chess, has Sir Keir Starmer emerged as the new leader of Europe? Will Israel agree to enact the second stage of the ceasefire deal and pull troops out of Gaza? Why is the government spending £100m on a bat cave for HS2? Giles Whittell is joined by Tortoise’s Stephen Armstrong, Chloe Hadjimatheou and Hashi Mohamed as they each pitch a story they think should lead the news. **Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live! Get your tick...
Mar 03, 2025•32 min•Ep. 551
Will Keir Starmer’s meeting with Donald Trump cement him as the pragmatic leader the UK left has been missing? With the TV industry struggling, are we witnessing the end of our beloved British TV dramas? Giles Whittell is joined by comedian Matt Forde, critic Scott Bryan and Tortoise’s Cat Neilan as they each pitch a story they think should lead the news. **Join us at the next edition of the News Meeting Live! Get your ticket for Wednesday 26th March in Bath here: https://www.t...
Feb 28, 2025•39 min•Ep. 550
Germany’s Friedrich Merz has vowed to secure “independence” from the United States following his party’s victory in parliamentary elections. In 2023 the Crown Prosecution Service found black people are 16 times more likely than white people to face prosecution under joint enterprise laws, so why is a review only happening now? For the first time, Apple has agreed to withdraw its highest-level data security tool from UK customers after the government demanded access to user data for s...
Feb 24, 2025•34 min•Ep. 549
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...
Feb 21, 2025•35 min•Ep. 548
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 Meetin...
Feb 17, 2025•34 min•Ep. 547
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...
Feb 13, 2025•37 min•Ep. 546
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. **J...
Feb 10, 2025•36 min•Ep. 544
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...
Feb 07, 2025•37 min•Ep. 543
