The Observer: Main section

Lords will hear plea to overturn law as record numbers suffering from terminal illnesses want assisted death

Possible Brown successor prepares his party for disaster at polls in local and European elections

Liberal Democrats challenge Tory calls for transparency as donor's tax status comes under scrutiny

Three decades after it was declared dead, live television drama is to return to British screens

Dennis Skinner, the 77-year-old Labour MP, defends himself against allegations of fiddling his expenses

Scottish spinster's global fame wasn't enough to overcome 10 dynamic young men from Essex in the final of the TV talent show

Carmaker gives assurances UK production will continue but concerns grow over Luton's 1,500 van workers

Sir Stuart Rose insists that neither gender nor motherhood is a barrier to career success

Cancer experts issue health warning as UK continues to enjoy several days of strong sunshine

Study of websites and online chatrooms used by the BNP exposes hatred of activists and candidates

Mood grows in Labour that Brown must restore faith in politics by backing electoral change

One of the most dangerous factions of the Ulster Defence Association has said it will decommission its arms

More news from around the UK

As police close in on fugitive businessman, friends fear that he could take his own life

More news from around the UK

Tree surgeons pioneer eco-friendly solution to cars plagued by honey dew deposits from aphids

Liberal Democrats obtain figures revealing government watchdog salaries of £100,000 despite recession

Government anti-drinking campaigns are failing to tackle growing drink problem, research shows

Survey from Oxford University student newspaper, Cherwell, finds history students most sexually active

Latest deaths take toll of UK service personnel since the start of operations in October 2001 to 165

Civilians are increasingly being deployed in Afghanistan but why do ordinary Britons choose to go to war?

Why do ordiinary Britons choose to go to war? Anushka Asthana talks to six reservists in Afghanistan

Alleged 'boyfriend' of Irish bar worker who was killed in 'frenzied attack' is held after police chase

Industry vows to take action after shocking result of gambling watchdog's undercover inquiry

Statistics show 9% rise in homophobic and transphobic offences to 1,372 in the year to April

A shy Scottish woman found instant fame, then courted instant infamy. But it's the voice that counts, writes Euan Ferguson

At 36, Labour council leader Steven Purcell is already tipped for the nation's top job. Kevin McKenna reports

Last Sunday's attack and killing by loyalist gang exposes bitter sectarianism that still scars Northern Ireland

They may have only just learnt to walk, but these toddlers are already grasping the ballet basics

Brutal killing of Kevin McDaid exposes the sectarianism that still scars Northern Ireland

Actresses and authors join forces to celebrate 'honest, empowering' book on growing older