The News Meeting

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.

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.

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.

In this engaging discussion, Adam Rutherford, a scientist and broadcaster, explores the bizarre tactics of tech millionaire Bryan Johnson's quest for immortality. Cat Neilan, Tortoise's political editor, shares eye-opening insights into Gen Z's inclination towards authoritarian governance, revealing that many prefer military leadership. Stephen Armstrong contributes analysis on the shifting politics of the West Bank amid a Trump administration. Together, they unravel the intertwining complexities of wealth, health, and political preferences in today's society.

James Harding, a contributor to Tortoise, shares his insights from the World Economic Forum in Davos, revealing the intricate ties between politics and business. Patricia Clarke discusses the resurgence of cryptocurrency, highlighting Bitcoin's recent boom amidst AI discussions. Katie Riley emphasizes Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde's heartfelt appeal to Donald Trump for compassion towards marginalized communities, igniting debates around mercy and political responsibility. The conversation reflects on the chaotic intersection of finance, politics, and social issues.

Katie Gunning, a senior audio producer at Tortoise, delves into the serious allegations against Neil Gaiman, discussing the challenges of consent in the context of power dynamics. Cat Neilan, Tortoise's political editor, and Chloe Hadjimatheou, the editor, analyze the recent ceasefire in Gaza, exploring its implications for peace in the region and the complexities of media representation in the conflict. The trio also tackles Donald Trump's potential plans upon returning to power, discussing impacts on foreign policy and international relations.

Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, share crucial insights on how the media must adapt to a potential second Trump presidency. They discuss the lessons learned from past coverage and the ongoing struggle with misinformation. Katie Riley, Tortoise’s data editor, emphasizes the need for innovative business models in journalism. The conversation dives into the challenges of maintaining journalistic integrity, navigating political fear, and focusing on serious issues rather than sensationalism in a rapidly changing media landscape.

Join Cat Neilan, political editor at Tortoise, along with reporters Patricia Clarke and Stephen Armstrong, as they delve into Shein's alarming labor practices, discussing harsh working conditions and ethical quandaries for the fast fashion giant. They tackle the implications for the UK economy and whether Chancellor Rachel Reeves can navigate these turbulent waters. The conversation also shifts to Glasgow's innovative approaches to drug addiction, including the UK's first legal consumption room, sparking a broader discussion on public health challenges.

Join Giles Whittell, Deputy Editor at Tortoise, as he unpacks the catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles and their implications for local communities and the insurance industry. Claudia Williams dives into Mark Zuckerberg's controversial decision to scrap Meta’s fact-checking processes, raising concerns about misinformation and political speech. Patricia Clarke brings to light the ethical dilemmas surrounding the potential fate of captive orcas, sparking a discussion about animal welfare and changing public perceptions.

In this engaging discussion, guests Alexi Mostrous, an investigations editor at Tortoise known for his work on 'Who Trolled Amber', Jeevan Vasagar, a contributing editor focusing on business and economics, and Cat Neilan, the political editor, dive into controversies surrounding Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's allegations. They also tackle Elon Musk's influence on British politics and Biden's recent veto on a major deal, exploring how these stories reflect deeper societal issues and media dynamics.