It’s not just the players’ bodies that feel the effects when World Cup temperatures rise, as I found out

This episode is a sports desk takeover ahead of the World Cup. What's going to happen when Iran plays their first match on US soil? Why is FIFA facing allegations of trying to sell tickets using unofficial platforms? And could England win the World Cup?    Andrew Butler, is joined by George Simms, Jessica Hayden and Rory Smith - as they battle it out to pitch the top World Cup story of the day.    **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: Andrew Butler   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

Gunners fans around the world were left with a familiar taste of what might have been

As another season draws to its close, Observer sports writers pick their most memorable moments from the campaign

AI videos depicting London rife with gangs, violence and crime may be driving overseas tourists away from the capital.   Writer: April McLennan Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Andrew Butler Episode photography: Lizzie Tucker Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Clips: BBC Panorama, NBC News, LBC  

Married at First Sight UK has been pulled off air after allegations of rape during filming were made by former participants. What does this tell us about safeguarding in reality TV? Why might Rachel Reeves's newly announced cuts on food tariffs negatively affect our health? And why has a football club admitted to spying?   Jeevan Vasager is joined by The Observer's James Tapper, Madeleine Parr and Andrew Butler as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.    Note: This episode contains mentions of sexual violence and suicide.   **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: Jeevan Vasager   Producer: Amalie Sortland   Executive Producer: Poppy Bullard   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

One night in Coventry – experiencing the agony and ecstasy of a Premier League promotion party

The Kenyan runner became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours yesterday. What’s next for long-distance running?

Who is the ‘real’ Rory behind the golfing hero? The challenge for biographers is that the boy from Belfast still calls the shots

What does AI chatbots have to do with violence against women and girls? Why have Meta and Google been found liable for social media addiction? And could Nigel Farage's visit to Ipswich Town's Portman Road be the start of Reform's relationship with football?   Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's technology reporter, Patricia Clarke, deputy sports editor, Andrew Butler, and data reporter, Hannah Schuller, to see who can pitch the top story of the day.    **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: Giles Whittell    Producer: Amalie Sortland   Executive Producer: Casey Magloire   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

Social media companies have largely avoided responsibility for the impact their products have on people's lives. But a new court ruling may change that.   Host: Andrew Butler Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Clips used in the episode were from The New York Times.

Why has the Home Secretary banned student visa applications for people from Sudan, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Cameroon? How will the recent conflict between the US and Iran impact the Men's Football World Cup? How are senior members of the US army using religious language to bolster support for the conflict with Iran?   Jasper Corbett is joined by The Observer's Andrew Butler, Erica Wagner and Hannah Schuller, as they battle it out to see who can pitch the story that should lead the news.  

The Milano Cortina Games will go down in history as much for sporting excellence as for their smorgasbord of dramas

Should the government consider implementing a graduate tax to make the tuition repayment system fairer? What did Jim Ratcliffe get wrong about immigration in the UK? And do we need to get serious about carbon capturing?    Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Andrew Butler, Ada Barumé and James Tapper as they battle it out to see who can pitch the story that should lead the news.  

Does Keir Starmer need to rethink the UK's approach to America? What does the Brooklyn Beckham bombshell tell us about the relationship between celebrities and the press? And will China put a man on Mars?    Jeevan Vasagar is joined by The Observer's Jon Ungoed Thomas, Cat Neilan and Andrew Butler, as they each try to pitch the top story of the day.    Buy tickets to the next The News Meeting Live on Thursday, the 29th of January HERE    **We want to hear what you think! Email us at: newsmeeting@observer.co.uk   

After attacking Venezuela Donald Trump has suggested he might target Colombia and Cuba, and he wants to get his hands on Greenland too.    Host: Andrew Butler Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Jasper Corbett

Organise your annual leave so you can see all the key events this year with our guide

To round off a fantastic year for sport, we hand-pick the most memorable moments of 2025

Will the world turn against AI? Could the England men's team finally win the World Cup? And who is the mysterious backbencher preparing to challenge Keir Starmer? Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's consulting editor for comment, Erica Wagner; deputy sports editor, Andrew Butler; and Whitehall editor, Cat Neilan, as they look ahead to the stories set to shape 2026. **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: Rebecca Moore   Producer: Casey Magloire and Poppy Bullard   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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists  

Make the best use of your Christmas season by testing your sporting knowledge of the past 12 months