
About this episode
A Russian spy ship has directed lasers at Royal Air Force pilots monitoring its movements near UK waters. What is President Vladimir Putin trying to achieve with this latest provocation? Scotland has qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Can this rare moment of sporting joy help unite the nation? Meanwhile, councils are weighing up the sale of youth and community centres. What consequences could these closures have for local communities?
Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Assistant Sports Editor, Jessica Hayden, Data and Graphics reporter, Becky Pinnington, and Contributing Editor on National Security, Bernard Gray, as they battle it out to pitch the top stories of the day.
Get your ticket for the News Meeting Live HERE
**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 Whitell
Producer: Amalie Sortland
Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore
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 Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get every episode summarized
Each time The News Meeting publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from The News Meeting

Will the fight for Keir Starmer’s seat make or break the Green Party?
The News Meeting

What’s behind the Nepal flash flood?
The News Meeting

Has Tupac Shakur’s murder finally been solved?
The News Meeting

How vulnerable is global shipping?
The News Meeting
