The Harvard professor believes that Silicon Valley’s business model must be outlawed. Her new film about the tragic case of Molly Russell explains why

How did the seizure of a Russian oil tanker unfold? Is President Trump's crypto-profeteering a bigger scandal than Watergate? And with the United States turning 250, is this a time to reflect on the UK-US special relationship?    Giles Whittell is joined by The Observer's Vanessa Thorpe and James Tapper, plus special guest - the host of The Making of Musk: Understood, Jacob Silverman. Today they battle it out to see who can pitch the story that should lead the news. You can find Understood wherever you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/NewsMeetingxMoM 

The artist and writer on living through a ‘zombie state of grief’, and how the ocean inspired her new novel

Like many public institutions across the UK, the Guildhall school of music has had to reckon with a past where abuse by staff was either ignored or dismissed. So when a second former student came forward to tell The Observer's Vanessa Thorpe their story, this time from the 1990s, how would the institution respond?  

Hamilton is one of six men who have appeared in court charged with sexual offences against Joanne Young, including her husband, a former MP

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

The late author’s daughter has praised the new BBC adaptation as fit for our troubled times

As more and more people turn to AI for news, how should journalists fight back and protect the human by-line? Will Donald Trump's cosy relationship with FIFA president Gianni Infantino allow him to dictate which cities the World Cup will be held in the US? Will the British Museum win its £3.5 million battle to keep a rare gold Tudor Heart pendant?   Rebecca Moore is joined by The Observer's Alex O'Connell, Vanessa Thorpe and Jessy Parker Humphreys, as they pitch their top story of the day.  

The author published a statement on social media last week, arguing that claims made against him were part of a smear campaign

Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine Anna Netrebko was the biggest opera star in a generation. Since the war, due to past support for Vladimir Putin, she has effectively been boycotted by theatres around the world. Except, this autumn, she'll be headlining the Royal Opera House's new season.  

Despite his success in persuading the Treasury to cut business rates for pubs, the chef and campaigner is pessimistic about his industry’s future. Even so, he says, entering the cauldron of politics is not for him

Why did the case to prosecute rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs fail? Who’s to blame for Rachel Reeve’s terrible week? Should kids be taught to read faster? Giles Whittell is joined by a trio of Observer reporters. Cat Neilan is the Whitehall Editor, Vanessa Thorpe is the Media and Arts reporter and Stephen Armstrong, who has been covering the Diddy trial for the paper. **Join us at the News Meeting Live: LIVE from the Observer Newsroom on Tuesday 29th July - with Charlene White and Kehinde Andrews Follow us on Social Media: @ObserverUK on X @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok @theobserveruk.bsky.social‬ on bluesky Listen to Stephen’s episode of the Sensemaker about the Diddy Trial here https://tinyurl.com/ysz3s2dy Host: Giles Whittell, deputy editor-in-chief at The Observer Producer: Poppy Bullard Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore 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 If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com

Dwindling visitor numbers, an industrial dispute and a huge wage bill have put off applicants, say insiders

If the book is good, do we care if it was written by AI? Should we be concerned by the distribution of aid in Gaza by non-UN services? A team of British climbers recently reached Everest’s summit in just five days after using xenon gas to boost performance. Does this kind of enhancement challenge traditional ideas of mountaineering achievement? Giles Whittell is joined by author, political adviser, and foreign policy specialist Chloe Dalton along with the Observer’s Claudia Williams and Vanessa Thorpe, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day.

Home Alone star who was known for her warmth and ability to move people as well as her genius for comedy

Why cinema is leaning heavily on the appeal of screening hit television shows.

The latest series has reached its dramatic finale, forcing fans to look further afield for their fix of treachery

Why are there calls to return British art like the original Winnie-the-Pooh doll from America to the UK? Trump and Zelensky have finally signed the US-Ukraine mineral deal, but who is the real winner? With wedding season approaching, what lengths are people willing to take to look slimmer on the big day? Rebecca Moore is joined by Jeevan Vasagar, James Tapper and Vanessa Thorpe, as they battle to pitch the top story of the day.

Tory leader alludes to recent defections in her praise of superhero movies. Is she vying to be Britain’s next Iron Lady?

The computer scientist spoke at the Jaipur literature festival, which brought together many writing greats

My first visit to the country prompted an unravelling of assumptions about a place I’d only encountered in books and films

The Scottish actor and musician revisits the now gentrified streets of London’s Soho, recalling the sites that marked his youth hustling for jobs, first in studios, then on stage

As the prestigious theatre awards launch their anniversary celebrations, Vanessa Thorpe looks back at their best moments

David and Victoria’s eldest son has asked them not to contact him as family feud worsens

The thriller writer had vowed there would be no second outing for his reluctant spy, but Jonathan Pine is back on our screens today, with a third series on the way

Two claims of historic sexual misconduct at Guildhall are under investigation, but these could be merely the tip of the iceberg

This year, The Observer’s Christmas appeal is raising funds for the refugee charity Counterpoints Arts

Maria Balshaw is to quit as galleries director in the spring. Her successor will have plenty on their plate

Bestselling authors are lobbying for the adoption of a national library card scheme for every British child