The Epstein Files are wreaking havoc across British institutions; first the Royal family and now, the government. Peter Mandelson was sacked as US Ambassador in September over his links to the billionaire paedophile, but the latest tranche of documents show the pair were closer than anyone previously knew. What did their relationship look like? And did it give Jeffrey Epstein access to the heart of the British government?

Reporters: Ada Barume and Poppy Bullard

Producer: Poppy Bullard

Sound design: Dominic Delargy

Editor: Jasper Corbett

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The dating app Bumble built its identity on a promise: women make the first move. In this episode, The Observer uncovers a legal campaign by men’s rights activists that helped dismantle that premise.

Reporter: Patricia Clarke

Producer: Jonathan Lewis

Sound design: Dominic Delargy

Artwork: Blythe Walker Sibthorp

Editor: Jasper Corbett

Subscribe to The Observer today: https://observer.co.uk/subscribe

And get access to:

Our podcasts before anyone else

A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week

Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword

Recipes for every occasion

Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

Click here to subscribe today for just £1 for your first month.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are over a thousand oil tankers at sea that are helping finance Russia's war in Ukraine in plain sight. And they're not just trading in sanctioned oil, they're sabotaging the very infrastructure we all rely on. The UK and EU know about them, they pass right by our coasts, but so far have been unable to stop them at any sort of scale. This is the story of a shadow ship, sailing its way through sanctions, sabotage and subterfuge.

Credits: 

Reporter/Producer: Matt Russell

Sound design: Dominic Delargy

Artwork: Lola Williams

Executive Producer: Gary Marshall

Editor: Jasper Corbett

Subscribe to The Observer today: https://observer.co.uk/subscribe

And get access to:

Our podcasts before anyone else

A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week

Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword

Recipes for every occasion

Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

Click here to subscribe today for just £1 for your first month.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.