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America turns 250
That ship has sailed
At the 1976 bicentennial, a procession of tall ships up the Hudson river celebrated a spirit of shared purpose. This year’s event is little more than one man’s self-glorification, Erica Wagner writes
Interview
The poet of China’s factory floors
At 19, Xiao Hai earned two cents for every England football shirt he made. Now his literature is documenting life in China’s workshop of the world, Poppy Sebag-Montefiore reports
World Cup 2026
Messi country
The Argentinian superstar’s two years at Inter Miami have turned him into a truly global icon. But arguably nowhere is his fame more outsized than the United States, Rory Smith writes
America turns 250
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In Real Life
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Observations and scenes from beyond your phone screen
Time well spent
Further reading
From Dave Eggers to Benjamin Zephaniah
Your essential guide from The Observer’s books desk
Further listening
Pride anthems
As London welcomes Pride this weekend, our critic selects the best queer tunes for both celebration and protest
Further watching
From Chris and Martina to The Pitt
The Observer’s TV critic Barbara Ellen on the best new shows airing and streaming
Lifestyle
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Photography
Hayley Myers
Jodi Rogers’s intimate portrait of love and sex work
Fashion
Helen Seamons
Paris on fire: scorching temperatures and cool looks at men’s at fashion week
Interview
Craig McLean
‘I felt like I owed Scotland’: author Douglas Stuart on championing Hebridean weavers
Interview
Alex Moshakis
Himesh Patel: ‘Ambition is still something I’ve not come to terms with’
Sport
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Tennis
Jessy Parker Humphreys
Arthur Fery stands tall to reach Wimbledon third round
World Cup 2026
George Simms
Harry Kane plays Superman role again to send England into last 16
Cricket
Jessy Parker Humphreys
Sublime England see off South Africa for another shot at glory
World Cup 2026
Seun Matiluko
Diaspora divisions have given way to joyful World Cup pan-Africanism
Food
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Recipe
Tomos Parry
Broad beans with burnt cucumbers, and peas, little gem and anchovy cream
Wine
David Williams
A vine romance: heritage grapevines
Recipe
Nigel Slater
Nigel Slater’s recipe for grilled feta with honey and lavender
Restaurants
Chitra Ramaswamy
Eleven Fifty Five, Glasgow: ‘Three joyously sybaritic hours have passed…’
The critics
Audio
Miranda Sawyer
Russell Tovey’s tale of two brothers is a tribute to queer lives
Music
Kitty Empire
With Confessions II, Madonna dances in the middle of the road
TV
Olivia Ovenden
Elle – the jury’s out on the Legally Blonde prequel
Theatre
Susannah Clapp
Archduke – Franz Ferdinand assassination drama is a misfire
Ideas
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Silicon Valley
Tim Adams
Google and the (multi) billion dollar question
Jeffrey Donaldson
Melanie Reid
In the hands of abusers, holiness is another tool of control
Body politic
Eva Wiseman
Being seen as a good or bad mum is the mother of all paradoxes
Artificial intelligence
Erica Wagner
Our tech overlords just don’t get reality
Meet the Observers
To meet more of our team, click here
Tortoise Investigates
Deep Water
In the high-stakes sport of freediving, athletes descend as deep as they can on a single breath. They are used to putting their lives at risk. Through her diving instructor, Lydia Gard discovered a new threat that could tear their community apart: drug use
Sweet Bobby
Kirat is a successful radio presenter. On Facebook she meets Bobby, a handsome cardiologist. He’s a catch. Soon, they get tangled up in a love affair full of lies and manipulation. Then… Kirat discovers a deception of almost unimaginable proportions. Alexi Mostrous investigates a very modern love story
Lucky Boy
Gareth’s whole life has been defined by a relationship he had 35 years ago when, as a 14-year-old schoolboy, he fell in love with an attractive young teacher at his school. He spent most afternoons in her bedroom. But when she walked out of his life, everything started to unravel. Chloe Hadjimatheou asks: who gets to be a perpetrator, and who gets to be a victim?
