Is HS2 a high-speed failure?
Plus: Adidas’s single-use super shoe and the asteroid sample that could hold the secret to how life began
What should lead the news and why? Come inside our newsroom, every Monday and Friday, to hear three journalists pitch the story they think matters most to editor James Harding.
Book your place at an upcoming live recording of The News Meeting at our newsroom in central London.
Latest episodes
Are journalists too obsessed with bad news and did Rupert Murdoch make a secret deal with Prince William?
Steven Pinker, Harvard professor and author of Enlightenment Now, criticises the news machine. Plus whether Prince William reached a secret out of court settlement with Rupert Murdoch and News Group over phone hacking and Canada’s row with India.
The Russell Brand allegations and is climate change to blame for the Libya disaster?
Basia Cummings is joined by Giles Whittell, Jeevan Vasagar and Coco Khan to discuss the accusations against Russell Brand, flooding in Libya and the American XL bully ban.
Keir Starmer on the offensive and is the UK in a recession?
Andy Haldane, former Bank of England chief economist, offers his assessment of the UK economy. Plus Keir Starmer begins to set out his stall in two Murdoch-owned papers and Bernard Looney’s resignation from BP.
Why do we struggle to care about climate stories?
James Harding is joined by Jess Winch, Jeevan Vasagar and parliamentary sketchwriter Rob Hutton. They discuss the researcher arrested over alleged spying for China, Woking council cutting services and efforts to reduce global warming.
Isn’t it time The Rolling Stones admitted they’re a PR stunt?
Plus: Yalda Hakim on the difference between Melania Trump and Olena Zelenska, and Toyota’s plans to build fuel cells
Is the NHS “fobbing off” the mother of a girl who died of sepsis?
In this special episode of The News Meeting, James Harding is joined by Merope Mills, the mother of 13-year-old Martha who died unnecessarily from sepsis, and Polly Curtis from Demos, who are campaigning for “Martha’s rule” – the right to call for a second opinion – to understand how to make the change happen.
What a needless death teaches us about a toxic NHS culture
James Harding is joined by Tortoise editors Basia Cummings, Jeevan Vasagar and Giles Whittell. They discuss the risk of collapsing schools, an EU report on Kremlin disinformation and why the parents of Martha Mills, who died from sepsis, are campaigning for patients to have the right to a second opinion if they have concerns about their care.
Can the US and China be the best of frenemies?
James Harding and the team are joined by the FT’s US Financial editor Brooke Masters to discuss Gina Raimondo’s trip to China, the ULEZ expansion and massive pandemic relief fraud.
Are the British Museum thefts more than just a whodunnit?
Ben Bradshaw joins to discuss the thefts from the British Museum, Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood u-turn and the Republican primary debate
Bonus episode: After Prigozhin’s reported death, what now?
In this special episode of The News Meeting the team discuss what Yevgeny Prigozhin’s reported death means for Vladimir Putin, the Wagner Group, Ukraine and the West.
Women’s football requires changes – some of them controversial
Plus: Donald Trump’s refusal to attend the Republican primary debate, and why wasn’t Lucy Letby stopped sooner?
Why is the US failing Afghan refugees?
Plus: the ongoing impact of the PSNI data breach and what makes Elon Musk a “space dictator”
What do you do when somebody is dying at the top of a mountain?
Plus: what’s happening in Niger and why King Charles is getting a pay rise
Zelda Perkins on toxic workplace culture
James Harding and the team are joined by campaigner Zelda Perkins. They discuss claims about the culture at ITV, Conservative grumblings over the ECHR and the Ohio vote that delivered a win for abortion rights campaigners
What happens when you’re switched at birth and what does Rishi Sunak believe?
James Harding and the team discuss the jailing of Imran Khan in Pakistan, two Canadian men who discovered they were switched at birth and dozens of swimmers getting sick at the world triathlon championship.
Why is the latest Trump indictment so significant and who cares about wild camping?
Giles Whittell and the team discuss the latest charges against Donald Trump, assisted dying and wild camping returning to Dartmoor.
Why should you care about a coup in Niger and what is carbon capture?
Liz Moseley and the team discuss Rishi Sunak’s new carbon capture scheme in the North Sea, the coup in Niger and the death of Rianna Cleary’s baby in prison.
How do you report climate science and should UFOs ever lead the news?
What should lead the news? Three journalists pitch the story they think matters most to deputy editor Giles Whittell. They discuss a new law that curtails the power of Israel’s Supreme Court, Nigel Farage’s war on Coutts and whether the Gulf Stream will really collapse by 2025. They also find time to talk about the US congressional hearings on UFOs.
Odesa cathedral, green policies reconsidered and Cookham Wood
In this episode Liz Moseley is in the editor’s chair. The team discusses the Russian attack that damaged Odesa cathedral, the fallout from last week’s by-elections and shocking failures at a young offender institution.
Post Office scandal, Starmer benefit row, and grain deal
In this episode, recorded in front of an audience in the Tortoise newsroom, James Harding is joined by Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff, Liz Moseley and Katie Gunning.
European heat storm, inheritance tax, and Hollywood strikes
The team discusses the record-breaking heatwave in southern Europe, potential plans to scrap inheritance tax, and why Hollywood’s actors and writers are going on strike. James also reflects on The Sun’s coverage of the Huw Edwards allegations.
El Niño, mortgage costs, and missing migrant boats
Basia Cummings is in the editor’s chair. She’s joined by Cat Neilan, Claudia Williams and Stephen Armstrong who pitch rising mortgage rates, migrant boats missing in the Atlantic and catastrophic weather in the US.
Bonus episode: the BBC presenter and privacy
In this special episode James Harding explores why the media is reluctant to name the BBC presenter accused of paying a teenager for explicit images. He’s joined by Pia Sarma, editorial legal director at Times newspapers, and former BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw.
BBC presenter suspended, NHS & big pharma, and cluster bombs
Before founding Tortoise James Harding was head of BBC News. In this episode he’s joined by journalists Liz Moseley, Will Brown and Ceri Thomas, a former editor of Radio 4’s Today programme, to discuss the scandal surrounding a BBC presenter and what it means for the corporation.
They also cover the US government’s decision to send cluster bombs to Ukraine, and the links between the NHS and big pharma.
Threads vs. Twitter, OnlyFans billboard, and Horizon membership
The team discusses Meta launching Threads to challenge Twitter, the billboard advertising an explicit OnlyFans account that sparked complaints and the UK edging closer to rejoining the EU’s Horizon programme.
France riots, Ukraine’s counteroffensive, and affirmative action
The team discusses the violence that has erupted in France, Ukraine’s faltering counteroffensive and the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn race-based college admissions.
Russian infighting, Thames Water, and Nicola Bulley’s inquest
James Harding is joined by Tortoise journalists Basia Cummings, Claudia Williams and Cat Neilan. They discuss Russia after the failed Wagner rebellion, the politics of water amid fears that Thames Water could collapse, and a coroner’s ruling that Nicola Bulley’s death was accidental.
Titanic sub, interest rate rise, and short children
James Harding is joined by Tortoise editors Jess Winch, Liz Moseley and Giles Whittell. In this episode they discuss the hunt for the missing Titan submersible, British children being shorter than their international peers and the Bank of England’s latest hike in interest rates.
Jailed for abortion, Pacific warming and peerages
James Harding is joined by Tortoise editors Basia Cummings, Cat Neilan and Giles Whittell. In this episode they discuss a British woman jailed for using abortion pills, the El Niño effect in the Panama Canal and Boris Johnson’s honour’s list.
The News Meeting Live: Trump’s toilet troubles, wildfires and the allegations against Crispin Odey
In this episode, recorded at Kite Festival on Sunday 11th June, James Harding is joined on stage by Tortoise editors Alexi Mostrous, Basia Cummings and Jeevan Vasagar.
Ukraine dam explosion, Saudi sport washing and economic policy
James Harding is joined by Tortoise editors Jess Winch and Giles Whittell, and Tortoise chairman Matthew Barzun who was US ambassador to London. In this episode they discuss the Kakhovka dam, the real difference between the economic policies of major political parties and golf’s PGA Tour merging with its Saudi-backed rival LIV Golf.
MeToo in the media, Whitehall WhatsApps and deep-sea mining
James Harding is joined by Tortoise editors Jeevan Vasagar, Jane Bruton and Giles Whittell. In this episode they discuss the sexual harassment allegations against former Observer columnist Nick Cohen; the Cabinet Office’s battle over Boris Johnson’s WhatApp messages; and a new frontier in the fight against climate change – deep below sea level.
Cardiff riots, rape trials and Tina Turner
James Harding is joined by Tortoise editors Liz Moseley, Keith Blackmore and Mark St Andrew. In this episode they discuss Cardiff police’s response to a fatal e-bike crash which sparked a riot, proposals to block using rape victims’ sexual history as evidence in a trial and the death of music legend, Tina Turner.
The News Meeting Live: immigration, Ron DeSantis and Zelensky’s European tour
James Harding is joined by Tortoise’s Alexi Mostrous, Liz Moseley and Katie Gunning in front of a live audience at London’s Picturehouse Central.
Contraceptives, monarchy and Trump liable for sexual abuse
James Harding is joined by Liz Moseley, Phoebe Davis and Keith Blackmore to discuss the stories they think mattered most this week.
Artificial intelligence, house building and the TV writers strike
Liz Moseley is joined by Tortoise’s political editor Cat Neilan, investigations editor Alexi Mostrous and head of live events Mark St Andrew. In this episode they discuss the American writers strike, the Conservative Party’s problem with housing and dire warnings about the future of artificial intelligence.
Sudan, the resignation of Dominic Raab and Joe Biden
James Harding is joined by Tortoise news editor Jess Winch, political editor Cat Neilan and audio editor Basia Cummings. In this episode they discuss the escalating situation in Sudan, the resignation of Dominic Raab and US President Joe Biden running for reelection.
The News Meeting Live: Fox settles, Musk’s rocket and the SNP
James Harding is joined by comedian Rosie Holt and Tortoise editors Liz Moseley and Giles Whittell in this special episode recorded in front of an audience in the Tortoise newsroom.
Pentagon leaks, China’s war games and sewage dumping
Journalist and broadcaster Rachel Johnson is joined by Tortoise reporter Will Brown, climate editor Jeevan Vasagar and producer Katie Gunning.
In this episode they discuss the leak of classified US intelligence documents, Chinese military exercises around Taiwan and the report which revealed that sewage was dumped in UK waters for almost a million hours last year.
Pork fraud, Trump arrested and a lonely death
David Aaronovitch is joined by Tortoise reporter Claudia Williams, editor Liz Moseley and head of live events, Mark St Andrew. In this episode they discuss the case against Donald Trump, large-scale fraud in British food supply chains and how a woman lay dead in her flat for two and a half years before her body was found.
Manchester United, Israel and treatment of asylum seekers
James Harding is joined by Tortoise news editor Jess Winch, head of investigations Alexi Mostrous and head of social media Andrew Butler. In this episode they discuss the sale of Manchester United, Israel’s government pausing a judicial overhaul after protests and attitudes towards asylum seekers around the world
Boris Johnson, Met Police report and life expectancy
In this episode Tortoise’s editor-in-chief James Harding is joined by political editor Cat Neilan, editor Dave Taylor and head of investigations Alexi Mostrous. They discuss Boris Johnson’s future, Baroness Casey’s scathing review of the Metropolitan Police and the life expectancy gap between the wealthiest and poorest areas.
Cladding crackdown, the collapse of SVB and Xi Jinping
Former Sky News political editor Adam Boulton is this week’s guest host. He’s joined by Tortoise journalists Mark St Andrew, Patricia Clarke and Cat Neilan who pitch the story they think mattered most this week.
Stanley Johnson’s knighthood, river rights and another Met apology
Former cabinet minister and Good Morning Britain presenter Ed Balls is in the editor’s chair. He’s joined by Tortoise journalists Liz Moseley, Claudia Williams and Mark St Andrew who pitch the story they think mattered most this week.
Hancock’s WhatsApps, Fox News and bird flu
Three journalists pitch their top story of the week to Tortoise’s editor-in-chief James Harding. In this episode James is joined by Tortoise editors Liz Mosely, Mark St Andrew and Cat Neilan.
A year of war in Ukraine, the tomato shortage and cash-strapped councils
Three journalists pitch their top story of the week to Tortoise’s editor-in-chief James Harding. In this episode James is joined by Tortoise editors Jess Winch and David Taylor, as well as leading UK barrister Hashi Mohamed.
Nicola Sturgeon, Ford cuts jobs and BBC offices raided in India
Three journalists pitch their top story of the week to guest editor Sonia Sodha, who is chief leader writer and columnist at the Observer. She is joined by Tortoise’s climate editor Jeevan Vasagar, head of live events Mark St Andrew and Jane Bruton, former deputy editor of The Daily Telegraph.
Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, Man City and BP
In this episode Tortoise’s editor-in-chief James Harding and the team discuss how the news should respond to major humanitarian disasters like the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
Dominic Raab, Adani vs. Hindenburg and the British Army
Three journalists pitch their top story of the week to Tortoise’s editor-in-chief James Harding. In this episode James is joined by Tortoise reporter Claudia Williams, head of programming Mark St Andrew and investigations editor Alexi Mostrous
German tanks, Dartmoor and Chinese infrastructure
Three journalists pitch their top story of the week to Tortoise’s editor-in-chief James Harding. In this episode James is joined by Tortoise’s climate editor Jeevan Vasagar, news editor Jess Winch and head of programming Mark St Andrew
Britishvolt, David Carrick and online harms
Journalist and broadcaster Adam Boulton is the guest host of this week’s News Meeting. He’s joined by Tortoise editors Liz Moseley, Alexi Mostrous and Dave Taylor
Prince Harry, Brazil and the Westminster Accounts
Tortoise Editor James Harding is joined by Alexi Mostrous, Cat Neilan and Keith Blackmore to discuss the stories they think mattered most this week
NHS crisis, Congress chaos, Parthenon marbles
In the first episode of 2023 James Harding is joined by Liz Moseley, Dave Taylor and Mark St Andrew to discuss the stories they think mattered most this week
Fusion breakthrough, FTX boss arrested, corruption scandal
In the last episode of 2022 James Harding is joined by Liz Moseley, Dave Taylor and Tortoise political editor Cat Neilan to discuss the stories they think mattered most this week.
German plot, ChatGPT, World Cup
In this episode James Harding is joined by Alexi Mostrous from the hit podcast Sweet Bobby, and Tortoise editors Liz Moseley and Keith Blackmore, to discuss the stories they think mattered most this week
Balenciaga, Alzheimer’s drug and protests
James Harding is joined by Tortoise journalists Liz Moseley, Andrew Butler and Dave Taylor to discuss the stories they think mattered most this week
World Cup, winter of discontent, Disney hero?
In the first episode James Harding is joined by Tortoise editors Cat Neilan, Dave Taylor and Liz Moseley to discuss the stories they think mattered most this week