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The Observer Walk
Looking for George Michael
On a pilgrimage to the singer’s Highgate home and his beloved Hampstead Heath, lifelong superfan Sathnam Sanghera tells Tim Adams why he should be as revered as Bowie and Prince
Football
Messi situation
The game’s greatest player will return to the biggest stage for a sixth time. But his role in the US may have just as much impact on football’s fortunes there as the World Cup, George Simms writes
Bagels
The hole truth
Too fluffy, too shiny, like eating caulk... the London variant of this humble roll has caught a lot of flak. But reformed New Yorker Evan Moffitt finds you can get the real thing here
News in brief
For today
Politics
Lily Isaacs
Reform’s attempt to exploit Henry Nowak’s death is rank opportunism
Lebanon
Oliver Marsden
The 900-year-old crusader castle in Lebanon now occupied by the Israeli military
Interview
Andrew Anthony
Turi King: ‘The Knox case shows there was a misunderstanding about what DNA can tell you’
Wine
David Williams
The great garnacha renaissance: how Spain’s ‘worthless’ grape became a cult favourite
Time well spent
Further watching
From Tip Toe to Witness
The Observer’s TV critic Barbara Ellen on the best new shows airing and streaming
Further listening
Pop stars on film
To mark the release of Erupcja, starring Charli XCX, our critic picks five of the best film tracks from musicians who had a go in Hollywood
Further reading
From betting on football to tackling the climate crisis
Your essential guide from The Observer’s books desk
Ideas
View more
Party politics
Andrew Rawnsley
Dr Blair’s prescription has made his party gag but at least it’s forced Labour to engage with ideas
Football
Frank Skinner
I dreamed of having a No 1. With Three Lions. I had four. Now it’s time to pass the ball
Loud luxury
Melanie Reid
Coin sets, footrests, rain gauges: all human frailty was apparent in Peter Murrell’s spending spree
Tech
Sarah Dear