Published Observer 's last article (3)
I believe the answer is:
ran
'published' is the definition.
(as in a newspaper running a story)
'observer 's last article' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'article' could be 'an' (indefinite article) and 'an' is located in the answer.
A single letter 'r' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ran that I've seen before include "11 on foot" , "Was a scooter" , "Was candidate" , "Flowed" , "Operated; hurried" .)