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The News Meeting

The Observer
The News Meeting
Latest episode

668 episodes

  • The News Meeting

    Who might challenge Keir Starmer’s leadership?

    14/05/2026 | 37 mins.
    Wes Streeting, the health secretary, announces he’s resigning from government in an attempt to force Sir Keir Starmer out of Downing Street. Has the Labour leadership contest officially started? What can we learn from US Donald Trump’s summit with China’s Xi Jinping? And why are young people facing a significant retirement crisis?

    Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Stephen Armstrong, Cat Neilan and Caitlin Macdonald as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.

    **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: [email protected]

    Follow us on Social Media:
    @ObserverUK on X
    @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok
    @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky

    Host: Giles Whittell

    Producer: Amalie Sortland

    Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett

    To find out more about The Observer:

    Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content
    Head to our website observer.co.uk
    Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • The News Meeting

    How worried should we be about hantavirus?

    07/05/2026 | 27 mins.
    There are council elections in England and votes for the Welsh Senned and Scottish Parliament today. What could the results mean for Keir Starmer, Labour and for the future of politics in the UK? Where did the mysterious hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship come from, and what happens next? And has there been a coverup of Britain’s nuclear weapons testing programme in Australia and the Pacific during the 1950s?

    Jeevan Vasagar is joined by The Observer’s Jon Ungoed-Thomas, Poppy Bullard and Jess Hayden as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.

    **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: [email protected]

    Follow us on Social Media:
    @ObserverUK on X
    @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok
    @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky

    Host: Jeevan Vasagar

    Producer: Amalie Sortland

    Executive Producer: Gary Marshall

    To find out more about The Observer:

    Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content
    Head to our website observer.co.uk
    Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • The News Meeting

    How will Britain respond to a rise in anti-semitic terror attacks?

    01/05/2026 | 44 mins.
    In the wake of the terror attacks in Golders Green, what can Britain do to stop antisemitic violence? With a historic marathon record broken, how did Sabastian Sawe achieve his sub 2-hour time? And as the May elections approach, exactly how bad are Labour's prospects?

    Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Jeevan Vasagar, Jess Hayden and Andrew Rawnsley as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.

    Live at The Royal Society of Arts!

    **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: [email protected]

    Follow us on Social Media:
    @ObserverUK on X
    @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok
    @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky

    Host: Giles Whittell

    Producer: Ada Barumé

    Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett

    To find out more about The Observer:

    Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content
    Head to our website observer.co.uk
    Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • The News Meeting

    Is this the worst hay fever season yet?

    23/04/2026 | 32 mins.
    What do the latest revelations about Peter Mandelson’s appointment tell us about Keir Starmer’s leadership? What are the long term implications of Iran and the US blocking the Strait of Hormuz? And is climate change’s impact on pollen the source of our hay fever problems?

    Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer reporter James Tapper, producer and reporter Poppy Bullard and sports reporter Jessy Parker Humphreys, to decide the top story of the day.

    **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: [email protected]

    Follow us on Social Media:
    @ObserverUK on X
    @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok
    @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky

    Host: Giles Whittell

    Producer: Casey Magloire

    Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett

    To find out more about The Observer:

    Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content
    Head to our website observer.co.uk
    Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • The News Meeting

    Why are Trump and the Pope feuding?

    16/04/2026 | 25 mins.
    Pope Leo has publicly criticised President Trump’s actions in Iran, but what does this mean for the Christian MAGA followers caught in the middle? Is the UK government divided over defence spending? And how consequential is the end of Victor Orban’s grip on Hungary, following his sweeping election defeat?

    Jeevan Vasagar is joined by The Observer’s Cat Neilan, John Simpson and Stephen Armstrong as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.

    **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: [email protected]

    Follow us on Social Media:
    @ObserverUK on X
    @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok
    @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky

    Host: Jeevan Vasagar

    Producer: Casey Magloire

    Executive Producer: Matt Russell and Jasper Corbett

    To find out more about The Observer:

    Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content
    Head to our website observer.co.uk
    Download the Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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About The News Meeting
Every Monday and Friday three journalists battle it out to try and convince the editor that their pitch should lead the news. Discover what goes on behind the scenes in a newsroom. Why do some stories dominate, while others fail to make the cut?Tell us if you agree with the final running order - email [email protected] Book your place at a news meeting live in our newsroom - https://www.tortoisemedia.com/our-events Executive Producer: Rebecca MooreProducer: Casey MagloireSubscribe to The Observer today and get access to:Our podcasts before anyone elseA daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a weekPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordRecipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or onlineClick here to subscribe today for just £1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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