The Ashes
Thrills and spills
Dropped catches and aggressive batting see level-headed Australia pounce on England errors to wrest back control on day two
Housing
‘Dickens would be lost for words’
Loophole in letting ‘exempt’ accommodation to vulnerable adults lets providers profit from the public purse
Interview
Strong bow
Twelve years after an injury left him unable to play, the celebrated cellist Julian Lloyd Webber returns to the stage at the Wigmore Hall on his 75th birthday
For today
Federal Reserve
Trump’s hunt goes on for Fed chair who won’t rock markets
The budget
Betting on fiscal drag won’t help the chancellor balance the economy
Rugby
Eye-gouging Etzebeth shows the disconnect between criminal and sports law
Festive listening
Sounds of the Christmas countdown, from the Jingle Bell Ball to Katherine Ryan
Time well spent
Further reading
From Christopher Marlowe to Joe Sacco
Your essential guide, from The Observer’s books desk
Further listening
The best children’s songs
From Randy Newman to Pharrell Williams, here are some of the greatest tracks ever made – and parents will also agree
What to do this weekend
From Anna Ancher to Gatsby in Harlem
The Observer’s dance critic Sarah Crompton picks five cultural highlights, whether you have five minutes, an hour or a whole evening to spare
