'Peace and reconciliation' milestone comes after US drops request for formal rejection of al-Qaida as precondition to talks
US to join direct peace talks in Qatar with Taliban over Afghanistan's future
Britain's response to the NSA story? Back off and shut up | Simon Jenkins
Snowden's revelations are causing outrage in the US. In the UK, Hague deploys a police-state defence and the media is silenced
Cover-up at maternity unit in Furness general hospital, says report
NHS watchdog suppressed internal review into unit where police are also investigating deaths
Food packaging 'traffic lights' to signal healthy choices on salt, fat and sugar
Supermarkets and some food producers agree to nutritional labels but critics call for refuseniks 'to be named and shamed'
Can we get a further advance on our mortgage?
We have credit card and personal loan debits and want to add them on to our £269,000 mortgage so we pay less interest
The best books on Egypt: start your reading here | Pushpinder Khaneka
A journey through Egyptian fiction starts with the 1919 revolution against the British and ends with the Arab spring
Which footballers have played in a hat? | The Knowledge
Plus: Barcelona's real record scorer, PSG's pram-style logo and Steve Bull's England goals. The Knowledge is taking a well-earned break during the off-season, but you can still send your questions to knowledge@guardian.co.uk or on Twitter
Hugh Muir's diary: we know ciggies kill, but who can resist a freebie?
The MPs who take fag ash cash to go to Chelsea
Britain's response to the NSA story? Back off and shut up | Simon Jenkins
Snowden's revelations are causing outrage in the US. In the UK, Hague deploys a police-state defence and the media is silenced
Universities urged to sponsor free schools specialising in maths
Plan supported by Office for Fair Access aims to encourage talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds
Earls Court: Transport for London stresses commitment to controversial scheme
Fresh reports that Chelsea FC might relocate to a site within the proposed Earls Court redevelopment area have been downplayed but highlight questions about the price Transport for London might be able to extract for public land
Freedom pass: the movie
London Councils has produced a film to promote its concessionary travel pass for older residents of the capital
London housing crisis: will the boroughs be allowed to borrow to build?
Boris Johnson is calling for it and the government has hinted that it might oblige
Party politics needs mending and quickly | Observer editorial
We need a long hard look at the way we 'do' parliamentary politics. Disengagement and disillusion are dangerous
Food packaging 'traffic lights' to signal healthy choices on salt, fat and sugar
Supermarkets and some food producers agree to nutritional labels but critics call for refuseniks 'to be named and shamed'
Tyrie report: now lock up the banksters
Commission claims senior individuals at failed and unscrupulous banks escaped punishment via 'accountability firewall'
British banks must do better, says standards report
Commission treats finance sector like schools, threatening risky players and poor performers with 'special measures'
Something for Nothing; The Route Masters: Running London's Roads; Iain Banks: Raw Spirit – TV review
Looking for freebies? It's a tough job, but posh charm helps
TV highlights 19/06/2013
Rhys Jones's Wildlife Patrol | Hollywood Me | Sky Arts Ignition: Memory Palace | The Apprentice | Horizon – Fracking: The New Energy Rush | Quick Cuts | Justified