‘Google says I’m a dead physicist’: is the world’s biggest search engine broken?

For decades now, anyone who’s wanted to know everything about anything has asked Google. But is the platform losing its edge – and can we still trust it to tell us the truth?

Liberating and a huge pain: my week with a Nokia ‘dumbphone’

Using the reissued 3210 model left our reporter very frustrated – but less mobile-obsessed and in awe of its battery life

‘Just missed’: German comedian loses job over Trump shooting joke

Sebastian Hotz, aka El Hotzo, was dropped from his radio show and provoked anger from Elon Musk after now-deleted posts on X

Doomscrolling linked to existential anxiety, distrust, suspicion and despair, study finds

Expert compares doomscrolling to being in a room where people are constantly yelling at you and says media needs to rethink news

Best podcasts of the week: Esther Perel’s love letter to romance

In this week’s newsletter: The audio superstar is back with a ‘beach read’ of a podcast, The Arc of Love. Plus: five of the best podcasts about death

Elon Musk promises ‘battle in court’ over EU’s crackdown on X’s blue checks

Regulators’ findings suggest social network breached Digital Services Act and could be fined 6% of global turnover

Disinformation networks ‘flooded’ X before EU elections, report says

Analysis by Dutch researchers shows coordinated activity in France, Germany and Italy in run-up to ballot

Best podcasts of the week: Aminatou Sow and co settle burning pop culture debates

In this week’s newsletter: The Call Your Girlfriend host turns mediator in the Pop Culture Debate Club. Plus: five of the best poetry podcasts

Students under near constant surveillance at Exclusive Brethren-linked schools, insiders claim

School laptops are allegedly monitored by a roster of church members, with parents sent summaries of their child’s internet use

‘Blunt-force approach’: LGBTQ+ advocates say proposed teen social media ban overlooks benefits

Amid bipartisan support for restricting teenagers’ access to social networks, young queer people fear isolation and loss of community

UK political parties on track to spend £1m on election day online ads

Digital campaigning gets round media blackout rule restricting broadcasters’ coverage while polls are open

#ukpolitics: how the 2024 general election has played out on TikTok

Our sample of political content shows how campaigns and individuals have been using the video-sharing platform

Best podcasts of the week: Tennis ace Venus Williams serves up a show all about art

In this week’s newsletter: The seven-time grand slam winner and patron of the arts hosts a new series, Widening the Lens. Plus: five of the best podcasts about the single life

‘Hawk tuah girl’ leans into craze she ignited but looks forward to moving on

Hailey Welch details in podcast interview how viral clip has upended her life and doesn’t want it to ‘be her image’

Dale Vince sues Guido Fawkes owner for libel over Hamas claims

Labour donor and green energy businessman given permission to serve papers to Paul Staines’ home in Ireland