The UK is a world leader when it comes to training in artificial intelligence, but much of that talent then pursues bigger opportunities overseas

An independent inquiry has revealed the scale - of inadequacy in NHS maternity and neonatal services in England – and the devastating emotional and psychological consequences suffered by families. After a series of scandals, what is the state of maternity care in the country?

Originally inspired by The Lord of the Rings, the controversial firm has landed a billion pound deal with the British military

The UK one-in-one-out deal with France to deter migrants from crossing the Channel on small boats entered into force last year. Since then, the deal has faced a number of legal challenges. Has the scheme been a success?  

Millions have settled in Pakistan and Iran over the past 50 years. Now they are being sent back

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.  

Interceptions at sea are highly dangerous and likely to challenge international laws

What does the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza mean for the next phase of Donald Trump's ceasefire plan? What backlash might Keir Starmer face from new details surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson's relationship to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein? And what are the effects of new age verification requirements on Pornhub?   Jasper Corbett is joined by The Observer reporters Serena Cesareo and Bex Sander, and Whitehall Editor Cat Neilan to battle out 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 Corbett   Producer: Amalie Sortland   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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalist

Area twice the size of Scotland to be auctioned off to fossil fuel firms months before country hosts COP30 climate crisis summit

After widespread protests in Iran, the regime has reasserted control. Now, evidence showing the scale of the violence is starting to emerge. With America threatening military attack, will the Iranian regime be able to survive?   Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Amalie Sortland Host: Ada Barumé Executive Producer: Gary Marshall

The British barrister, the Netanyahu arrest warrant and the sexual assault case that could destroy the International Criminal Court

How is the Trump administration defending the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents? Why was Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham blocked from running as MP? And what role will Trump's new Board of Peace play in Gaza?   Jasper Corbett is joined by The Observer reporters Stephen Armstrong and Serena Cesareo, and producer Poppy Bullard to battle out 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 2 9th of January: https://observer.co.uk/our-events/the-news-meeting-live-7    **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 Corbett   Producer: Amalie Sortland   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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalist

Introducing the Global Artificial Intelligence Index

A year into Donald Trump's second term, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has become America's most powerful – and in some quarters most feared – federal agency.  Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett  

How can we tell what's really happening on the ground in Iran? Why are murder rates falling in London? And are ICE agents immune from legal accountability?   Jasper Corbett is joined by The Observer reporters Hannah Schuller, Stephen Armstrong and Serena Cesareo to battle out 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 29th of January: https://observer.co.uk/our-events/the-news-meeting-live-7    **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 Corbett   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 Observer app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists  

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called the shooting attack at Bondi Beach, Sydney, an act of terrorism and anti-semitism. The Washington Post has introduced AI-generated podcasts, and pro-democracy Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai has been found guilty of national security offences.   Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's technology reporter Patricia Clarke, senior researcher Serena Cesareo, and our very own producer Casey Magloire, 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: 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

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

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

Will there be any voter suppression in Tuesday's US elections? Why did a British university prevent one of its academics from researching human rights abuses in China? Are Sudan's rebels using British-made equipment on the  battlefield?   Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Data and Graphics editor, Katie Riley, Senior Audio Producer Katie Gunning, and Senior Researcher Serena Cesareo as they pitch their top stories of the day   Must Reads: She Was Ready To Have Her 15th Child. Then The Felony Charges Began. The Great Ghosting Paradox The Cocaine Kingpin Living It Large In Dubai Assata Shakur Obituary   **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 Whitell   Producer: Poppy Bullard   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 Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists  

In the past five years, more than 800 late night venues have shut their doors. At this rate there are warnings that there could be no nightclubs left by 2029.  If you want to listen to more about the struggles facing UK nightlife, listen to The Observer's podcast We Have Notes HERE. Writer: Serena Cesareo Producer: Serena Cesareo Host: Ada Barumé Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore  

Will the US ban a safe and legal abortion pill? Is the Met Police full of Freemasons? Can Labour take control of the narrative on immigration? Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Francisco Garcia, Serena Cesareo and Phoebe Davis as they pitch their top story of the day.  

Could Tiktok become MAGA-tok? What are the implications of recognising a Palestinian state? Should Rwanda be hosting an international cycling competition? Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Stephen Armstrong, Bex Sander and Serena Cesareo as they pitch their top stories of the day.  

Why can't the French government pass a budget? Who will win in the fight for the soul of the Labour Party? Why do pensioners keep being arrested? Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Tom Gatti and Serna Cesareo, as well as the journalist and author Charlie Brinkhurst Cuff, as they each try to pitch the top story of the day.  

Millions of Afghans who fled decades ago are now being returned from neighbouring Pakistan and Iran as part of one of the largest deportations in recent history

What proof has Israel provided to support their claim that Anas al Sharif ran a Hamas cell in Gaza? Why has the partnership between Premier League Football and Stonewall ended? And will Putin's visit to the US bring an end to the war in Ukraine?    Giles Whittell is joined by NPR's International Correspondent, Lauren Frayer. Plus the Observer's Serena Cesareo and Jessy Parker Humphreys, as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.   

Also in this episode: will plans to overhaul the water companies in England and Wales work? And why is Trump suing Rupert Murdoch?

Europe’s top human rights court ruled that French police unfairly targeted a French citizen of African descent during a stop and search.