The Observer: Main section

Figures from the School Food Trust reveal that 43 per cent of English councils made a loss on their school meals last year

PM says scientific research is an 'inherently moral endeavour' that could save millions of lives

Fans cheer Michael Dunlop after winning first race of the North West 200, less than 48 hours after his father was killed

Youths claim they carry knives in self-defence and have little faith in protective power of politicians, police or schools

With the role of writing official verse for the Queen falling vacant, the 400-year-old institution could at last break new ground

76-year-old liberal icon and leader of America's most famous political dynasty said to be 'resting comfortably'

Rebecca Hall, daughter of Sir Peter, steps into the limelight as Woody Allen's newest heroine

Quick-thinking former soldier who dragged policeman from mob says Rangers supporters were 'like pack of wolves'

An eight-year-old boy was among several survivors pulled from the rubble in the town of Beichuan

Police question a 24-year-old man after vehicle strikes a woman and two children in Liverpool

The Queen's eldest grandson has married in the first wedding of a senior royal to be bought up by a magazine. By Caroline Davies

Her portrait sold for £17m but Sue Tilley says the tabloids are only interested in getting her to strip. By Caroline Davies

More news from around the UK

Police across Europe fear international drugs war after execution of cocaine baron from Liverpool

Mother of murdered schoolboy Jimmy Mizen vows at his memorial service not to let bitterness destroy her family

Two senior executives working for Britain's biggest defence company detained by authorities investigating corruption allegations

Walthamstow Stadium, one of London's largest greyhound racing tracks, is closing its doors after 75 years

Rosemary Nelson inquiry loses sensitive information about former republican prisoner

Former Archbishop of Canterbury appeals directly to group holding five 'forgotten' British hostages kidnapped in Baghdad

Police launch hunt for murderer, with no motive established and no signs of forced entry

Documentary suggesting cover-up during Diana inquest unlikely to ever reach British audiences

Barbara Ellen: Masculinity is obviously considered so superior there is even this term - ladettes. Where, pray, are the 'lassettes'?

With polling day near, the Tories are targeting growing anger over a rise in duty for older cars

Mandatory sellers' packs (Hips) dropped by estate agents fearful they will not recoup the £400 cost when properties fail to sell

Campaign aimed at over-35s tells of long-term danger of exceeding limits

Alcohol 'curfew' for under-21s may be extended after successful pilot in Armadale, West Lothian

World's leading designer labels ready to find future talent at Graduate Fashion Week

Group of MPs seek to cut the number of weeks which pregnant women are allowed to seek abortions

The medical view on the abortion debate

The religious view on the abortion debate

Discovery of what was thought to be a piece of a child's skull drew worldwide media attention

Firms target people in debt by claiming to offer free 'advice' on their money worries

The space agency is preparing a touchdown on the red planet by a probe built from spare parts

Auction of Iranian caviar, which is among the best in the world, rocks the luxury food markets

Rising supermarket prices and growing concerns about environment lead to long waiting lists for allotments and a boom in the sale of vegetable seeds, reports Caroline Davies

The Observer gardening writer Dan Pearson gives his advice on growing your own fruit and veg

High Court review to start on UK referendum over Lisbon reforms as Ireland prepares to go to the polls

Campaigners seek guarantees of safeguards to prevent the escape of carbon gases

Young men from different backgrounds tell Anushka Asthana and Ross Slater what compels them to carry knives and why they are increasingly prepared to use them

Zoë Ashmore, consultant forensic psychologist, explains what she believes is the root of the problem with knife carrying

Jhumpa Lahiri's tales of immigrant life are being hailed as a new direction in US literature. Edward Helmore reports on a changing of the guard in American fiction

Jonathan Kaplan has been honoured for his life-saving work helping victims of conflict around the globe

Saffron Burrows: People may be quick to reveal intimacies in a way we British may find objectionable, but that doesn't make them superficial

Mary Warnock: It's a great pity that we see attempts to restrict abortion in the new Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill

Leader: It is to be hoped that MPs will vote for well-regulated science dedicated to the alleviation of human suffering

Anushka Asthana: The success of Alan Sugar's programme rests on the triumph of those who know right from wrong

Andrew Rawnsley: The Tory leader needs to show he can win byelections from Labour. The Prime Minister can't afford to be a loser again

Corrections from the Observer

Letters: Your story headlined 'Row over health risk to cousins who marry' (News, last week) raised important issues

Letters: I read the article, 'Boarding School may harm children' (News, last week) with much interest as our daughter started last September at boarding school at age 11

Catherine Bennett: The more Cherie Blair tries to vindicate her husband, New Labour and herself, the more culpable she becomes

Gordon Brown: Scientists must be allowed to create embryos - for all our sakes

Nick Cohen: When Channel 4 tried to expose bigotries of Saudi-backed clerics it came up against the West Midlands police

Weeks after being interviewed by The Observer, Gibson Nyandoro became Zimbabwe's latest victim of political 'cleansing'

News from around the world

Amateur clip that became a YouTube sensation is made into a documentary by US wildlife channel

John McCain's supporters are reeling after a humbling defeat in a Mississippi by-election. Paul Harris reports

The motorcade swept down the mountain from the stricken town of Beichuan. Behind a darkened window was China's President, speeding past the flattened houses, rock falls and waiting survivors.

Will Hutton: Many earthquake deaths could have been avoided - and the people know it

As millions face starvation and a cholera threat, the Prime Minister says he will rule nothing out

Mike Tyson says he has been clean from drugs and alcohol for 15 months

With demand booming, a radical overhaul is taking place of where the fizzy wine can be produced

This week's winners and losers

The author and journalist gives a City banker a wigging, celebrates David Frost's career and is wistful about being banned from war zones

They said what?

Victoria Coren: With a little reflection, you will surely see that the Bible is perfectly designed for texting

Profile: Sir Alex Ferguson will join the pantheon of football's finest coaches if Manchester United win the Champions League final

Oliver Marre: Stand by for yet another political memoir of the Blair years