Families across England are protesting a system they say is overwhelmed and chaotic

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

Senior members slam internal investigations into misconduct claims, including alleged head-butting

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 party’s attempt to mimic Elon Musk’s efficiency department in the US has been branded ‘fantasy politics’ by critics

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? 

Former Newsnight presenter interviewed the prince in 2019

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  

Legal sources claim DPP dropped charges against Berry and Cash over fears trial would damage reputation of CPS

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?

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  

Questions asked of the CPS over case against two men accused of spying for Beijing

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.

Row over ‘phoney’ Heathrow job continues as watchdog investigates claims that union failed to keep proper accounting records

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.

Environmental fears are being described as lies and fantasies to justify scrapping green policies

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.

Union gave a Heathrow baggage handler a ‘ghost post’ and let him keep his first job, according to claim

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

Nigel Farage described claims he might have saved in stamp duty as ‘unfair and untrue’

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.

Campaigners want companies supplying AI infrastructure to publicise water consumption

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.

Cardiologist at conference says studies show MRNA vaccines could interfere with genes

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

An investigation reveals a global honey fraud that begins in China and ends with allegations of adulterated jars on UK supermarkets shelves

Auditors discovered multiple financial failures by the leading Labour donor linked to Birmingham hotel scheme

Deborah Hinton, arrested for supporting Palestine Action group, says she would go to prison for the right to protest

Cornish pensioner arrested at Truro cathedral falls foul of government’s labelling of direct action group as a terrorist organisation

Air quality in deprived areas suffers most from burning of rubbish

Union anger after claims its former boss took free trip to watch Liverpool in Madrid

From anti-necrotic drugs to gene therapy, big tech has longevity in its sights