Octopus Energy criticises government decision that Ming Yang turbines area national security risk

How did a British man end up being charged for allegedly filming Iranian missiles in Dubai? A tranche of new files raise questions about what the Labour government knew about Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein before appointing him UK ambassador to the US. What could the files mean for Keir Starmer's future as Prime Minister? And why is the Edinburgh International Festival facing backlash?   To battle out who can pitch the story that should lead the news, Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Arts and Media Editor Vanessa Thorpe, news reporter Jon Ungoed-Thomas and Assistant Sports Editor Jess Hayden.   **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

The law firm is under investigation following a multibillion dollar embezzlement case involving one of its clients

The recent release of Epstein files has sparked a fresh crisis over former Prince Andrew's links to Jeffrey Epstein. Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Sofia Fenton Executive producer: Matt Russell

Nigel Farage is struggling to formulate a position for his party on the war

Keir Starmer has apologised for appointing Peter Mandelson to his cabinet, but will that be enough to keep him in Downing Street? With an internet blackout impacting the flow of information out of Iran, how can journalists report on the ongoing atrocities? And as soldiers in Ukraine face an unrelenting winter, is a turning point in the conflict around the corner?    Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer reporters Serena Cesareo and Jon Ungoed Thomas, and International Editor Steve Bloomfield to battle out who can pitch the story that should lead the news.  

Anger as Whitby’s last bank is set to become an all-night gambling site despite local opposition

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   

The first unearthed image of the convicted paedophile with his two friends looking uneasy will intensify scrutiny on them

For years, local authorities in England have found it difficult to stop the spread of slot machine arcades. But that could be about to change. Host: Ada Barumé Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Rebecca Moore

Newly released files show officials flagged reputational risks before Peter Mandelson was appointed ambassador to Washington, prompting fresh scrutiny of Keir Starmer’s judgment

Resident doctors make up about half of all NHS doctors so NHS leaders are anxious about how the service will cope.   Host: Casey Magloire Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode Photography: Joe Mee Executive producer: Rebecca Moore

Princess Eugenie’s profile removed from human rights group’s website as seven-year link comes to an end

The Iranian leader said the water problem in the capital “cannot be solved” and has suggested evacuating the city's nearly ten million residents. Iran and Egypt, two countries that criminalise homosexuality, were picked to play the World Cup's Pride Match in Seattle. And some councils are now regularly paying more than £250,000 a year to support children with special educational needs. Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer reporters Jon Ungoed-Thomas and Jessy Parker Humphreys, and Fronts Editor Evan Moffitt, as they battle it out to pitch the top stories 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: Rebecca Moore 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

Flight records reveal how victim Virginia Guiffre and others were taken by private jet via airports in the UK

Why are so many prisoners being released from prison by mistake? What happens if Arts Council England goes under? And what can the Democrats learn from Mamdani's New York City mayoral election victory? Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Deputy Sports Editor, Andrew Butler, Arts and Media Editor, Vanessa Thorpe, and reporter Jon Ungoed-Thomas as they pitch their top stories of the day. Must Reads: Days of wine and noses: the life of a critic: https://observer.co.uk/style/food/article/days-of-wine-and-noses-the-life-of-a-critic **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 Producers: Matt Russell and 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 Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

Emails appear to show former prince still in contact with convicted paedophile more than four months after claiming to have broken off contact

Soon after winning 10 councils, Reform UK set up a Trump-inspired DOGE department that would cut unnecessary spending. Host: Tomini Babs Writer: Poppy Bullard with reporting from Jon Ungoed-Thomas Producer: Amalie Sortland Episode photography: Joe Mee Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

The first former president forced to testify before Congress against his will denied all knowledge of the paedophile financier’s offences

Unite was once the biggest trade union in Britain, and the largest funder - and kingmaker - of the Labour Party.  In the past its reputation has come under scrutiny. Then, in 2021, it elected its first female leader. She promised to clean up the union and restore trust, even if it meant losing the ear of Labour. Has she got the house in order? In our podcast called “An uncivil war inside Unite”, which was released on 30 September 2025, we failed to convey Unite's position that it is in good financial health and that the submission of its accounts has been delayed by a re-audit of the 2021 filing involving the Birmingham project which was overseen by the previous leadership regime. We apologise for this omission

Mountbatten-Windsor ‘fed information to his contacts while touring the world at taxpayers’ expense as trade envoy’

This week the President made the erroneous link between pregnant women taking paracetamol to autism. What happens now that trust in basic pain relief is shaken? Has Reform miscalculated with its climate-skeptical stance? And Nike has teamed up with Kim Kardashian's SKIMS - but is their new campaign crossing the line by sexualising female athletes? Giles Whittell is joined by journalist and author David Aaronovitch, the Observer's National News Editor Claudia Williams and reporter Jon Ungoed-Thomas as they pitch the top story of the day  

At least three police forces are examining allegations linked to the late sex offender, including those related to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

For nearly a decade beekeepers around the world have been saying that there's something very wrong with the honey industry. Prices are down, and so is production, but there's more honey being sold than ever before. So what exactly is in that jar in your kitchen cupboard?

Despite what he told the BBC, a new year greeting and a confidential briefing reveal his links with Epstein were far from over

Palestine Action was proscribed on 5 July, putting the direct action group in the same legal category as groups such as al-Qaida and Islamic State. Since then, around 200 people have been arrested for supporting the group  

Three London firms are now the biggest players in the provision of foster carers in England

The pharmaceutical industry is pursuing what some consider to be the holy grail: developing and licensing the first drug that slows the body's natural aging process.

A newly released tranche of images from the Epstein files showcase his former girlfriend’s pivotal role in amassing a vivid, often devastating collection

The NHS is undergoing a revolution, with health secretary Wes Streeting determined that his new 10-year plan launched last week will shift NHS care from hospitals to neighborhood health centres.

Newly released documents turn the spotlight back onto the former prince, whom the prime minister says ‘should be prepared’ to speak before the US Congress

Is Keir Starmer facing his most significant rebellion yet? Why is Chinese billionaire Justin Sun being accused of buying access to Donald Trump? And what should Health Secretary Wes Streeting focus on if he wants to fix the NHS? Rebecca Moore is joined by host of the Westminster Insider podcast Sascha O’Sullivan, alongside The Observer’s Patricia Clarke and Jon Ungoed-Thomas, as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.

Keir Starmer will be in Beijing this week to discuss a proposed £1.5bn floating turbine plant in Scotland. What does this mean for UK green energy?

The UK government has launched a new inquiry and national criminal investigation into the sexual exploitation of children by grooming gangs.

The third senior figure to leave the charity in three months, Balwant Singh apologises to Halima Begum

Artificial intelligence is changing our lives and our world at an astonishing pace, but its hunger for data is matched by its need for energy and water.

The party, which claimed a Musk-style Doge unit would cut spending, is accused of misleading voters

What’s behind the president’s decision to deploy the National Guard in response to protests over immigration raids? Is Greta Thunberg’s journey aboard the detained Madleen flotilla the most effective way to highlight the plight of Gazans? And how should we tackle the soaring water use of AI? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer’s Katie Gunning, Jon Ungoed-thomas and Serena Cesareo, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day.

Self-driving taxis are expected to start carrying UK passengers later this year

Why the River Wye is at the centre of one of the biggest environmental claims ever filed in the high court.