The Observer

Which institutions will be at the heart of Healey’s first budget? Actions surrounding public finance institutions like National Wealth Fund are already stirring the pot, writes @benzaranko.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4zbVJOf

Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or makes his greatness impossible to ignore Picking a greatest player of all time may be a fool’s errand, but the striker can now lay claim to being England’s finest, writes @rorysmith.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4A1BJ13

Polling day in Israel: if Netanyahu goes, will it make a difference? Victories for progressive politics in Europe and South America have stirred hope of change, but the frontrunners in Israel seem to sing from the same hymn sheet ✍️ @ruthmichaelson.com https://bit.ly/4snqNrL

Why we need a new peasants’ revolt Many of our contemporary crises – environmental collapse, housing shortages, vast inequality of wealth – have their roots in three centuries of enclosure acts. When we think about reform, why is land always out of the question? ✍️ Nick Hayes https://bit.ly/4BurR16

Would you play Russian roulette to win a cure for cancer? That’s the deal AI leaders offer us We shouldn’t be forced to choose between technological progress and the survival of humanity ✍️ Stan Zurkiewicz https://bit.ly/4z59Gxw

Big tech is running an unprecedented experiment on the human mind Spiral, a new six-part podcast from Tortoise Investigates, follows people whose lives were upended by chatbots. Patricia Clarke reveals what she learned investigating ‘AI psychosis’ ✍️ @paticlarke.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4zX89cZ

‘I never, ever want to not feel’: meet Britain’s first independent public advocate Cindy Butts talks about her battle for bereaved relatives of disaster victims, exposing state cover-ups and her hopes for the Hillsborough law ✍️ @louisetickle.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4zPa1Eu

Nigel Slater’s apple and apricot sponge Bramley apples meet sweet apricot jam and an almond topping in this comforting baked pudding ✍️ @nigelslater.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4yNqV5w

Hannah Crosbie’s life choices: ‘People hate it when a hot woman is funny’ The latest cultural cravings, from favourite ASMR channels and standout stand-up to supermarket champagne picks ✍️ Hannah Crosbie https://bit.ly/4srpJ69

Benjamin Netanyahu claims he still holds the keys to Israel’s security The Israeli prime minister has threatened doomsday if he loses Tuesday’s election ✍️ Ruth Michaelson, Fred Harter https://bit.ly/3UoeMWq

Subscribe to the Observer with our limited time offer. 60% off an annual subscription, with access to top-rated shows from The Observer and original, trusted journalism https://bit.ly/4yA8jpw

My microplastics panic began with a chopping board They’re here to stay, but is an obsessive quest for plastic-free alternatives for everyday gadgets worth the trouble? ✍️ Joel Golby https://bit.ly/4BnIOKR

They were called ‘cockroaches’. Now they’re shaking Modi’s India Abhijeet Dipke, leader of the Cockroach Janta Party, speaks to The Observer on Gen Z fury, state crackdowns and taking on Narendra Modi ✍️ Padma Rao Sundarji https://bit.ly/4BoROiC

Jeremy Tiang: ‘I’ve never stopped writing about Singapore’ The prize-winning author and translator on his multilingual upbringing, interviewing former communist guerrillas and his fascination with his country’s past ✍️ @ellencph.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4BpRbpd

Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest has burned down. I remember it as a twisted tourist trap The Nazi leader’s former mountain hideaway was a tourist destination for many years after his death. Erica Wagner recalls a surreal family trip to the Kehlsteinhaus ✍️ @ericawgnr.bsky.social https://bit.ly/48jMcsA

A bold budget this week will deliver the business-friendly socialism Britain badly needs Despite global volatility and a tight fiscal position, the chancellor has some wiggle room – now he must boost the UK’s innovation economy, writes William Hutton https://bit.ly/4kllIhA

Welcome to rugby league in wheelchairs: disability not required Extreme inclusivity, with able-bodied athletes allowed to compete and different sexes playing together, can cause complications ✍️ Ben Bloom https://bit.ly/4ihUR3z

Israelis flying home to vote could help give Netanyahu the boot Citizens living abroad are more likely to be left wing – in a razor thin election, their votes may prove to be decisive ✍️ @ruthmichaelson.com https://bit.ly/48fhzob

Elif Shafak: ‘Put on any heavy metal song and I will headbang’ The Turkish-British novelist and political scientist is known for The Forty Rules of Love and The Island of Missing Trees. Her latest, In One Brief Moment All Eternity, is out now ✍️ @kathrynbromwich.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4i6Su4Q

BBC executives envision a leaner, digital-first public broadcaster Cuts have fallen heavily on news and linear television ✍️ Stephen Armstrong https://bit.ly/4zWEv7N

The Observer’s big autumn sale: save more than 60% Get a little bit of Sunday everyday with unlimited access to The Observer’s website and app, including podcasts, newsletters, puzzles, Culture Club, events and so much more. https://bit.ly/4yA8jpw

Subscribe to the Observer with our limited time offer. 60% off an annual subscription, with access to top-rated shows from The Observer and original, trusted journalism https://bit.ly/4yA8jpw

Back by popular demand After the longest pause in its history, the clue-writing competition returns ✍️ Caitlin O'Kane https://bit.ly/3WLMMgf

Bill Gates warns the ‘evolutionary’ age of AI will be brutal for workers In an exclusive interview with The Observer, the Microsoft founder says ‘robots will drive wholesale labour disruption – and billionaires should pay more tax ✍️ @benzaranko.bsky.social, James Harding https://bit.ly/4ijwkuQ

Radio 4’s The Playground Murder is a true crime masterclass by Audrey Gillan Plus, Serial’s Sarah Koenig wants to know what’s the deal with New Yorkers, and Falling Tree podcast is an autumn delight ✍️ @msmirandasawyer.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4igGJaB

‘Do you have a photo of Jesus?’ Blackheath’s vast image archive enters digital era South London Aladdin’s cave that housed more than 2m images will close doors as Mary Evans Picture Library moves its operations online ✍️ Patrick Kidd https://bit.ly/4z9NceI

The grid: Yohji Yamamoto and the art of fashion illustration A cache of lost sketches by the avant garde Japanese designer reveal the secrets of his sartorial process ✍️ Tara Joshi https://bit.ly/4yEzdfS

‘Corporate penetration of the NHS’: Revolving door raises concerns over ADHD review MPs have pressed senior health officials on links to private companies that earn fortunes from care provision ✍️ @karlmathiesen.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4zfpsWU

You can’t win them all: City humbled by Emery’s good guys Aston Villa’s battle to abide by financial rules and enjoy success is in stark contrast to Manchester City’s rule-breaking ✍️ @samcunningham.bsky.social https://bit.ly/3UGAB3P

AI is threatening a world beyond our control – but tackling it is within our grasp Artificial intelligence puts jobs, safety and society at risk. The UK government has the chance to bring the world together https://bit.ly/4yDbQDm

When defence depends on a billionaire’s whim, democracy is in deep trouble Elon Musk’s restriction of Starlink in Ukraine exposes the extent to which unelected power is being concentrated in the hands of a few tech moguls ✍️ @kenanmalik.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4zfpmP2

Lift-off for Spurs as Penders and Palmer lose their heads An own goal and a red card make it easy for Tottenham to seal a 2-0 victory at the home of their London rivals at last ✍️ @bencoles.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4spVLzx

“Humans are creating a new type of intelligence that, because it avoids biological limitations, will go beyond what human cognition has done without artificial intelligence" For the Observer Walk with Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder talks humanity, Epstein and AI's future https://bit.ly/3Ugrk23

The beer is going a little flat as tensions surface between No 10 and No 11 Signs that the ‘Treasury brain’ is taking hold of the chancellor could lead to friction with a PM prone to expansive promises ✍️ @andrewrawnsley.bsky.social https://bit.ly/3UaRnb7

The Sunday poem: Undersong III by Sarah Howe ✍️ Sarah Howe https://bit.ly/4dXM6u8

France dodges Moody’s downgrade, but debt fears deepen Steady credit rating offers temporary relief to Paris amid bond market turmoil, budget pressures and social unrest ✍️ @benzaranko.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4Br6ePc

France dodges Moody’s downgrade, but debt fears deepen Steady credit rating offers temporary relief to Paris amid bond market turmoil, budget pressures and social unrest ✍️ @benzaranko.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4Br6ePc

The crux of Israel’s first election since October 7: what Netanyahu knew and when A former Shin Bet security chief sues the PM, saying he warned him about an imminent attack as grieving families demand accountability ✍️ @ruthmichaelson.com https://bit.ly/4jFti6y

A bold budget this week will deliver the business-friendly socialism Britain badly needs Despite global volatility and a tight fiscal position, the chancellor has some wiggle room – now he must boost the UK’s innovation economy ✍️ Will Hutton https://bit.ly/4kllIhA

Bill Gates warns AI has exposed the internet’s soft underbelly ‘Imminent threat’ that non-state actors could exploit vulnerabilities of software, like the PHP bug that plunged websites into darkness last week ✍️ Fred Harter https://bit.ly/3UfaOiQ

Angine de Poitrine: the masked Quebec duo making microtonal rock go viral With papier-mâché heads and polka-dot outifts, the French-Canadian experimental duo are the unlikely rock sensation of the year ✍️ Barbara Ellen https://bit.ly/4iE9ejV

‘Fat Tony is a Catalan’: how Barcelona fell in love with Anthony Gordon After charming fans with his Spanish and his selflessness, the England winger feels like one of their own ✍️ @rorysmith.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4igCvQe

Coffee, Twiglets... and confusion: inside the UK’s emergency advice row Food industry sources criticise poor timing and mixed messaging of the government’s crisis preparedness checklist ✍️ Lily Isaacs https://bit.ly/3UM4T5d

Meta deal shields Zuckerberg from billionaire tax As Californians prepare to vote on a wealth tax, the tech giant has altered its share structure so the boss can stay in the Golden State ✍️ Matthew Bishop https://bit.ly/3WKPhzn

Healey plans deep energy reforms to cut Britain’s bills The chancellor’s first budget is set to target structural weakness by decoupling gas and power prices and supporting entrepreneurs ✍️ Will Hutton, @benzaranko.bsky.social, @barneymac.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4ii20Rp

‘Lula’s Army’ hopes last-minute digital push will swing vote for veteran leftwinger Online ‘soldiers’ are flooding WhatsApp to boost the 80-year-old Brazilian president’s chances after persuading him to use a mobile phone ✍️ Carolina Unzelte https://bit.ly/4eQTS9o

Vance plays well to the home crowd, but presidential pitch could still be derailed The US vice-president tends to avoid questions about the 2028 election, but few in Ohio doubt his ambitions. Whether he can survive the midterms is another matter ✍️ @hughtomlinson.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4jG2SBM

Why Brighton at Anfield should mean goals aplenty Plus, Bill Edgar picks out some statistical quirks about Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham ✍️ Bill Edgar https://bit.ly/4yKbafM

Sure the world is on fire, but we can still bond over books Deborah Frances-White, Yann Martel and Min Jin Lee talked myths and the miracle of fiction at Manchester Literary Festival ✍️ @ericawgnr.bsky.social https://bit.ly/4z9MsWY

Give childminders their proper place in early years provision Plus readers’ views on Christian nationalism, Aberfan, attention spans, Pope Leo’s cancer, Phil Collins and more ✍️ Letters to the editor https://bit.ly/3UnlQmn