In a stunning turn of events, rebel forces swiftly reclaimed Aleppo from President Assad's troops, leaving many wondering about the regime's next move. The podcast delves into the impact of chemical warfare in urban combat, the emotional family reunions amidst chaos, and the rising influence of rebel groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. It also explores the complex dynamics that have shaped the Syrian civil war, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and the significant challenges Assad now faces in re-establishing control.

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 SwinburneProducer: Casey MagloireHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 Vladimir Putin has threatened to deploy more Oreshnik missiles against Ukraine. He boasted that they’re equipped with multiple warheads and have destructive power comparable to a nuclear strike.Writer: Nina KuryataProducer: Eleanor BiggsHost: Casey MagloireExecutive Producer: Rebecca Moore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giles Whittell is joined by three journalists, each competing for the top spot in today's news bulletin. They discuss Joe Biden issuing a ‘full and unconditional pardon’ of Hunter Biden, President Bashar al-Assad losing control of Aleppo and Ireland's general election.Guests:Jess Winch, Tortoise’s News EditorKatie Riley, Tortoise’s Data EditorYasmeen Serhan, London-based correspondent for TIME MagazineHost: Giles Whittell, deputy editor at Tortoise Email: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.comProducer: Casey MagloireExecutive producer: Rebecca Moore 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 premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Singer-songwriter Kate Nash has hit the headlines for starting an OnlyFans account to pay for her tour. She says that selling pictures of her butt online is the only way she can make money in an economic landscape that squeezes musicians.  Writer: Eleanor BiggsProducer: Casey MagloirePhotography: Joe MeeHost: Tomini BabsExecutive Producer: Rebecca MooreTo find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rebecca Moore and guests debate the top stories of the day and decide what should lead the news. They discuss the veterans demanding access to their missing military medical records, the financial structure of the music industry and why the UK is so ill prepared for flooding.Guests:Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater ManchesterDave Haslam, Hacienda DJ, author and journalistDr Anita Sethi, journalist and author of the award winning book I Belong Here: a Journey Along the Backbone of BritainHost: Rebecca MooreEmail: newsmeeting@tortoisemedia.comProducer: Casey MagloireTo 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 premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The House of Lords rarely gets much scrutiny, either by the media or the public. A team of Tortoise journalists has put a spotlight on the UK’s second chamber and asks whether some of its members are working for us or themselves?Writer: Cat NeilanProducer: Katie GunningEpisode photography: Joe MeeExecutive producer: Jasper CorbettTo find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel and John are joined by James Kanagasooriam to discuss the trends that explain the attitudes, values and voting patterns of Britain’s ethnic minorities. Guests: James Kanagasooriam, chief researcher at FocaldataTo 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 premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about trendy@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gynaecology waiting lists are at a record high in England and Wales, with over three-quarters of a million people waiting to be treated. How did it get this bad?Writer: Phoebe DavisProducer: Patricia ClarkeEpisode photography: Jon JonesExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 million people have signed up to use Replika, “the AI companion who cares”. The chatbot can text you, flirt with you, and promises to love you unconditionally. But what are the risks that come with loving an AI?This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center. Writer and producer: Patricia ClarkeEpisode photography: Jon JonesExecutive producer: Rebecca MooreTo find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.