The News Meeting

What does a bomb explosion in the Ukrainian city of Lviv tell us about where Russia’s war in Ukraine might be going? How will the UK be affected by President Donald Trump’s new 15% global tariff? And what might be behind the killing of El Mencho, the most-wanted cartel boss in Mexico?Jasper Corbett is joined by The Observer’s Poppy Bullard, Elaine McCallig and Bex Sander as they battle it out to see who can pitch the story that should lead the news.Please come and see us this Thursday, the 26th of February, for the next The News Meeting Live: https://observer.co.uk/our-events/the-news-meeting-live-8 **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk Follow us on Social Media: @ObserverUK on X @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok@theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky Host: Jasper CorbettProducer: Amalie SortlandExecutive Producer: Casey MagloireTo find out more about The Observer:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentHead 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.

Rachel Sylvester, Political Editor at The Observer, offers quick political analysis. Anna Whitelock, professor of monarchy history, gives historical perspective. John Simpson, Home Affairs Editor, explains policing and procedure. They discuss the surprise arrest, rare royal arrests in history, questions about palace records and transparency, and implications for royal roles and public reaction.

Why are Britain and its European allies backing the conclusion that the Kremlin poisoned Alexei Navalny? What’s driving a growing measles outbreak in London? And why is the UK’s top military official framing rearmament as a moral necessity?Jasper Corbett is joined by The Observer’s Hannah Schuller, Phoebe Davis and Francisco Garcia as they  battle it out to see who can pitch the story that should lead the news.Please come and see us at the next The News Meeting Live on Thursday, the 26th of February: https://observer.co.uk/our-events/the-news-meeting-live-8 **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk Follow us on Social Media: @ObserverUK on X @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok@theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky Host: Jasper CorbettProducer: Amalie SortlandExecutive Producer: Casey MagloireTo find out more about The Observer:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentHead 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.

James Tapper, seasoned political reporter who also covers climate and geoengineering, Ada Barumé, politics and public policy reporter who raised the student loans story, and Andrew Butler, deputy sports editor with cultural and economic takes. They debate frozen repayment thresholds and whether loans function like a stealth tax. They also tackle immigration’s impact on football and the return of carbon removal to the agenda.

Cat Neilan, Whitehall editor at The Observer, outlines ministerial resignations and political risk. Elaine McCallig, Digital Production Editor, tracks mass layoffs at The Washington Post and newsroom consequences. Casey Magloire, Producer, explains Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance and the cultural backlash. They debate leadership pressure, media cuts and why a halftime show became a political flashpoint.

Jon Ungoed Thomas, investigative reporter known for political probes, warns Mandelson/Epstein revelations threaten Keir Starmer. Serena Cesareo, migration and Middle East researcher, outlines Iran's internet blackout and repression. Steve Bloomfield, international editor, assesses Ukraine’s harsh winter and its strategic consequences. Multiple short debates on politics, information blackouts, and wartime pressures drive the conversation.

Cat Neilan, Whitehall editor and political journalist, outlines new material linking Peter Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein and the pressure on Number 10 and Lords accountability. Bex Sander, data and graphics reporter, explains Pornhub's UK withdrawal and the Online Safety Act’s age verification fallout. Serena Cesareo, international reporter, reports on the Rafah crossing reopening and its human impact.

Jeevan Vasagar, journalist who explains science reporting puzzles. Patricia Clarke, tech reporter who broke the story on OpenAI's planned erotica feature and safety concerns. Jess Hayden, newsroom presenter with political reporting chops. They debate ChatGPT's new erotica tool and child-safety risks. They also tackle assisted dying stalled in the Lords and doubts about microplastics research.

Poppy Bullard, audio producer and reporter at The Observer, flags Trump’s Board of Peace and Gaza implications. Serena Cesareo, researcher and reporter, pitches coverage of the Minneapolis/ICE killing and video verification. Stephen Armstrong, political reporter, explains the Andy Burnham/Labour NEC ban and wider party fallout. They debate media responses, grassroots organising, and whether international plans or local scandals should lead the news.

Join Deputy Sports Editor Andrew Butler, who dives into the dynamics of celebrity culture through Brooklyn Beckham's media interactions. He critiques the commodification of celebrity childhoods and family brands. Alongside him, Jon Ungoed-Thomas, a seasoned reporter, discusses China's ambitious space race, linking geopolitical implications with humanity's quest for exploration. Together, they weave an intriguing narrative about media influences, celebrity life, and the future of interstellar ambition.