While Nigel Farage revels in arrival of Robert Jenrick and Nadhim Zahawi, some in his party are concerned the slew of former Conservatives will bring only problems

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  

‘We are behind the curve,’ warns Harriet Harman, who fears the country is adopting a scattergun approach to big tech regulation

Why did Prime Minister Keir Starmer decide to defend himself and the Chancellor over last week's budget? Rightwing activist and regular GB News contributor Lucy White claimed Commons deputy speaker Nusrat Ghani should not be allowed in the house because she was born in Pakistan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon in his corruption cases. Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Whitehall editor, Cat Neilan, senior researcher, Serena Cesareo, and producer Poppy Bullard, as they battle it out to pitch the top stories of the day.  Find the team's Must Reads: The Observer's Global AI Index: https://observer.co.uk/data/global-ai **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 Producers: Rebecca Moore & 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 Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

New data obtained by Rachel de Souza, the children’s commissioner for England, reveals many youngsters are being housed in unregistered and unsuitable premises

Will the shooting of two National Guards in Washington DC change US politics forever? Should the UK roll out screening for prostate cancer? Did Chancellor Rachel Reeves miss an opportunity to gear up the economy for growth?   Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Cat Neilan, Steve Bloomfield and James Tapper, as they battle it out to pitch the top stories of the day.    Find the teams Must Reads: Less WFH, more Lime, slower buses   **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: Poppy Bullard   Executive Producer: Matt Russell   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  

Starmer has been urged to take action with a forthcoming bill to prevent foreign influence on elections

The Home Secretary has announced a raft of tough immigration controls to make the UK a less attractive destination for illegal migrants. The former Prime Minister of Bangladesh was sentenced to death, how is the UK connected to alleged corruption in her regime? And why does President Donald Trump suddenly want to release the Epstein files?   Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Cat Neilan, Bex Sander and Serena Cesareo, as they battle it out to pitch the top stories of the day.    Listen to our Londongrad podcast series HERE Get your ticket for the News Meeting Live HERE  **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: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: Katie Gunning   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

Ofcom could act ‘in days’ to implement sanctions against Musk’s platform and the Grok chatbot

Donald Trump was asked if he had sympathy for Peter Mandelson - the former UK ambassador to Washington - who was recently sacked for his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Writer: Cat Neilan Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

Labour won’t seek to rejoin the customs union – but could this be the year Starmer looks to emulate the Swiss relationship with the EU?

What does the recent cabinet reshuffle tell us about the new direction of the Labour party and the government?  

It was concern about farmers that made us change our plans, not the threat of backbench rebellion, says No 10

Is climate politics full of hot air? What’s next for the government’s Prevent scheme? What’s behind falling vaccine rates in some parts of the country? Rebecca Moore is joined by a trio of Observer reporters: Whitehall editor Catherine Neilan, senior audio producer Katie Gunning and senior writer Francisco Garcia.

Division over proposed reforms left rebels in tears, the PM weakened and rivals on manoeuvres

Why did the case to prosecute rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs fail? Who’s to blame for Rachel Reeve’s terrible week? Should kids be taught to read faster? Giles Whittell is joined by a trio of Observer reporters. Cat Neilan is the Whitehall Editor, Vanessa Thorpe is the Media and Arts reporter and Stephen Armstrong, who has been covering the Diddy trial for the paper. **Join us at the News Meeting Live: LIVE from the Observer Newsroom on Tuesday 29th July - with Charlene White and Kehinde Andrews Follow us on Social Media: @ObserverUK on X @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky Listen to Stephen’s episode of the Sensemaker about the Diddy Trial here https://tinyurl.com/ysz3s2dy Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor-in-chief at The Observer Producer: 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 Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com

The Reform leader’s rejection of Tommy Robinson won over voters. But new claims from contemporaries could change that

Chancellor Rachel Reeves this week set out the government’s spending plans for the next three years, committing billions of pounds to some departments, while significantly cutting others. She told MPs they were her “choices” - but are they the right ones?

Two thirds of funds given to Nigel Farage’s party this parliament have come from donors with overseas interests

After years of peacetime under-investment in defence, the UK government is vowing to shake things up. It says civilians can no longer ignore the rising risks.

Loophole in letting of ‘SEA’ accommodation to vulnerable adults sees providers profit from the public purse

The UK government’s new Strategic Defence Review says it’s time for British citizens to step up. In southern Gaza, the Red Cross says 21 people were “declared dead on arrival” at a field hospital after an incident near an aid distribution centre. And could Ukraine’s Operation Spider’s Web change the face of modern warfare?

Posters linked to the Russian government sought to sow distrust in the broadcaster at a critical moment

The much-hyped EU-UK summit has resulted in a deal that the Government says will improve “jobs, bills and borders”. But has Labour been too cautious?

Met counter terrorism commander says his team is looking into more former politicians after Nathan Gill sentencing

Is youth mobility on the cards for Labour’s post-Brexit plan with Europe? Why is it so hard to record incidents of spiking? How will Labour’s immigration plan affect international students and higher education? Giles Whittell is joined by Rebecca Myers, Katie Riley and Cat Neilan, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day.

Life-saving equipment across the UK is falling into disrepair as safety checks are neglected

Donald Trump has failed to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, how frustrated is he with Russia’s latest round of attacks on Kyiv? Ofcom published its news set of rules tech firms must comply with - or else. And how have the devastating attacks in Kashmir reignited tensions between India and Pakistan? Giles Whittell is joined by Rebecca Moore, Stephen Armstrong and Cat Neilan, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day.

A franchisee’s firms have been taken off the Home Office licensed list after a joint Observer and BBC investigation

The United Nations says 15 medics have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, could this mark a turning point in how the West responds to the war? Is Keir Starmer right to suggest Donald Trump’s tariffs spell the end of globalisation? And with trillions wiped off global markets, will the President retreat from his punchy new policy? Giles Whittell is joined by Jasper Corbett, Chloe Hadjimatheou and Cat Neilan, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day.

A budget swerve and a disastrous briefing lead more Labour MPs to ask if a leadership change might be due sooner than expected

Decision to abandon tax rises is the latest U-turn in a chaotic week for the government

Purchases of Russian goods by British firms increased by 21% from last year, potentially flouting government sanctions

Dozens of top online vendors have registered fake VAT numbers or none at all

Conservative immigration policy is in flux after shadow minister Katie Lam's controversial comments