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Metropolitan police This article is more than 4 months oldMet police agree six-figure payout to student hit by baton at protestThis article is more than 4 months oldExclusive: Alfie Meadows underwent brain surgery after being struck by officer at tuition fees demonstration The Metropolitan police have apologised and agreed to pay a six-figure settlement to a man who needed emergency brain surgery after being hit by an officer’s baton during the 2010 university tuition fees protests.

Observer book of the weekHistory booksReviewThis harrowing account of the thousands of rape victims airbrushed from history is required readingRape, writes Christina Lamb at the start of this deeply traumatic and important book, is “the cheapest weapon known to man”. It is also one of the oldest, with the Book of Deuteronomy giving its blessing to soldiers who find “a beautiful woman” among the captives taken in battle. If “you desire to take her”, it says, “you may”.

The Biden administration had argued the JetBlue-Spirit deal would lead to fewer flights and higher prices for millions of Americans. Photograph: Eva Marie/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesThe Biden administration had argued the JetBlue-Spirit deal would lead to fewer flights and higher prices for millions of Americans. Photograph: Eva Marie/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesAirline industryUS judge blocks JetBlue from $3.8bn Spirit Airlines takeoverRuling marks victory for Biden government and its effort to preserve lower cost airline tickets for American consumers

The New Face of Small BusinessFashionInterview‘Clothing is one of the most powerful tools we have’: Finnegan Shepard brings proper fit to trans menIsabel SloneKnowing how tricky shopping for a wardrobe can be, the fashion entrepreneur started his own line for trans men Finnegan Shepard, who is trans, underwent top surgery in April 2020. During the healing process, he began searching for a swimsuit in which he could proudly show off his new masculine chest.

Dolphins This article is more than 2 years oldDolphins have similar personality traits to humans, study findsThis article is more than 2 years oldCuriosity and sociability among traits found, despite dolphins having evolved separately for millions of years Dolphins have developed a number of similar personality traits to humans, despite having evolved in vastly different environments, researchers have found. A study, published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology, looked at 134 male and female bottlenose dolphins from eight facilities across the world, with each dolphin’s personality being assessed by staff at the facilities.

Israel This article is more than 1 month oldIsraeli campaign to kill Hamas leaders likely to backfire, say earlier assassination targetsThis article is more than 1 month old‘It made us fight more,’ says one former Fatah intelligence chief, among those warning strategy could prove counterproductive A worldwide campaign of assassinations of Hamas leaders announced by senior Israel officials is likely to be counterproductive, impractical and ineffective, targets of previous such efforts have suggested.

Ask PhilippaRelationshipsYou both fell for a fantasy and are now on a victim/rescuer merry-go-round that you need to get offThe question I’ve been in a six-month relationship with my girlfriend who I fell in love with the first time I met her. I feel connected to her and know she feels the same when we’ve talked about our feelings. I’ve never met anyone like her before. Unfortunately, she had a very traumatic life before she met me.

Panama Papers: a special investigationChina This article is more than 7 years oldPanama Papers reveal offshore secrets of China’s red nobilityThis article is more than 7 years oldDisclosures show how havens such as British Virgin Islands hide links between big business and relatives of top politicians The Panama Papers revelations so far French villa at the heart of a scandal The eight members of China’s Communist party elite whose family members used offshore companies are revealed in the Panama Papers.

LabourAnalysisPat McFadden: the most powerful Labour politician most have never heard ofPippa CrerarRole preparing for election will see McFadden shape party’s direction, but it is likely to be done quietly Pat McFadden is the most powerful Labour politician most people have never heard of. As Rachel Reeves’ No 2 in the shadow Treasury team, with responsibility for Labour’s public spending plans, he could derail the dreams of shadow cabinet colleagues with just a raised eyebrow.