Today in Focus

The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has vowed to stay in office despite heavy losses in two state elections that he described as a ‘disaster'. The anti-immigration, Kremlin-friendly Alternative für Deutschland won with 38% of the vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while the leftwing Die Linke was victorious in Berlin. Merz has promised political change, but speculation is growing that his party could soon oust him. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's Berlin correspondent, Deborah Cole – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

From hospital wards to bathrooms, where is a transgender person supposed to go after the latest equalities guidance?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Buckingham Palace has issued a rare, and strong, rebuttal to claims made in Earl Spencer's memoir Swan Song. The book claims that Charles told Spencer days after Diana's death and during a heated row over funeral arrangements: ‘Rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough.' Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's senior national news editor, Aaron Sharp. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Can you have a happy, healthy relationship of three? Today in Focus hears about good and bad throupling experiences. With reporting from Kitty Drake. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, has welcomed the EU's proposal for Canada to become the bloc's first ‘associate member', despite threats from Donald Trump over the plan. The US president said Washington could impose ‘very serious tariffs' or halt trade if the EU went ahead with the idea. But in a defiant speech to the European parliament, Carney called for ‘deep cooperation' and said polling showed the overwhelming majority of Canadians supported closer ties with Europe. Lucy Hough speaks to Europe correspondent Jon Henley – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Swedish journalist Martin Gelin tells Helen Pidd about the impact the far right has had on Sweden's politics over the last four years – and what the latest general election results could mean for the Nordic country's future. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

All four supporting acts for the upcoming dates of Ed Sheeran's tour have withdrawn in solidarity with fellow opener Macklemore. The American rapper was removed from Sheeran's tour after comments made onstage in support of Palestine. Sheeran responded that venue owners – including Robert Kraft who owns the New England Patriots and its home stadium – had objected to Macklemore's appearance on the tour. But after he had tried to negotiate with the venue owners “at length to build bridges,” ultimately the promoters made the decision to pull the plug. Artists who have pulled out include Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Beoga. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian assistant opinion editor Jason Okundaye – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

At least five pupils at a village school in the West Bank have been killed in the last year by settlers and soldiers. Emma Graham-Harrison reports on how the school found itself on the frontline, while a teacher explains what life is like for staff and students.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Three babies might have survived and others could have been protected if hospital staff had taken action over concerns about the nurse Lucy Letby, an inquiry has found. Lady Justice Thirlwall, who led the inquiry, found there was a ‘complete failure to protect babies on the neonatal unit' at the Countess of Chester hospital. Letby is serving 15 whole-life prison terms for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more. The former neonatal nurse says she is innocent and is fighting to overturn her convictions. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Guardian's north of England editor, Josh Halliday. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Reform UK have just been showered with £72m in donations by billionaires. What does that money buy and what will the party do with it? Peter Walker explains. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The actor Sydney Sweeney is under fire for ‘sexualising women's sports' in an ad campaign for US sports prediction company Novig, which features a series of images of her in various states of undress as she pretends to play different sports. The ad has been widely criticised by a number of sportswomen, including Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus who described it as ‘infuriating' and a ‘kick in the teeth' to women who have ‘spent decades perfecting their craft'. Sweeney has responded by saying the ad was about ‘embracing a fun idea'. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian feature writer Elle Hunt – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

A series of figures in the tech world have been warning about – and even resigning over – the existential threat posed by AI. How worried should we be? With technology editor Robert Booth. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

25 years on from the terror attacks that killed almost 3,000 people in New York City, Washington DC and Pennsylvania, the dark legacy of September 11 continues to unfold in the US and across the world. A throughline can be drawn from that day in 2001 to much of the geopolitics and conflicts of today. Annie Kelly speaks to the Guardian's international security correspondent, Jason Burke, about how 9/11 changed the world – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The UK foreign secretary has drawn rage and respect after announcing trade sanctions on Israeli settlers. Heather Stewart explains how – and why – Ed Miliband got tough. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Donald Trump has pledged a payment of $5,000 to every adult American citizen if the Republicans win in the November midterms. The outlandish proposal, which would cost over $1tn, immediately raised legal and ethical concerns. It comes as the president's approval rating has hit a record low, hovering at about 38%. Lucy Hough speaks to global editor Devika Bhat – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Nurse Teun Toebes and filmmaker Jonathan de Jong argue for a radical new approach to treating – and giving freedom to – people with dementia, showcased in their film and book, Human Forever.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, is facing a backlash over the government's sanctions against illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank after the chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, said the safety of British Jews could be at risk. Miliband has rejected the warnings, emphasising that ministers can confront the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu's government while also fighting antisemitism. US president Donald Trump, however, has failed to comment on the UK government's action. Lucy Hough speaks to diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Today in Focus presenter Helen Pidd talks to former Reform insider Tim Montgomerie before heading to the 2026 Reform UK Conference to find out where the party may head next. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The UK has attacked ‘settler terrorism' deployed in a campaign of ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, whilst announcing sweeping sanctions on trade with Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband delivered the strongest condemnation of the actions of the Israeli government ever by a British government, including the disproportionate killings in Gaza of at least 70,000 people including 20,000 children. Lucy Hough speaks to chief Middle East correspondent Emma Graham-Harrison – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

From going undercover as a Playboy bunny to founding Ms Magazine, Steinem brought feminism into the US mainstream. Carter Sherman explains her legacy. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Far-right activists gathered in two disruptive demonstrations in Dover and Portsmouth over the weekend, attempting to obstruct asylum seekers arriving on small boats from France. Many wore all black and balaclavas. The action was seemingly organised by Daniel Thomas, an agitator better known as Danny Tommo, who has close ties with the far-right extremist Tommy Robinson. Thomas was recorded on the ground saying Portsmouth was now ‘ground zero' for small boat crossings, and has threatened further action. Lucy Hough speaks to political correspondent Ben Quinn – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Katy McQue, who has spent years reporting on Meta and the potential harms its platforms pose to children, explains the tactics being used by prosecutors. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Across the world, hundreds of people have come to believe they have made extraordinary scientific discoveries with AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Others say their AI has ‘awakened', or is leading them to a higher spiritual realm. The Guardian journalist Michael Safi investigates a phenomenon labelled ‘AI psychosis', travelling to the US to meet two people who have been on weird journeys with their chatbots. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Reform UK has suspended two senior officials after they were filmed in an undercover operation appearing to attempt to get around electoral laws on foreign donations. The sting, by Channel 4 News and the investigative group Verbatim, was published on the eve of Nigel Farage's party conference speech in Birmingham. Reform says it has launched an investigation into the actions of James Orr, the party's head of policy, and Dan Jukes, a senior aide to Farage. Lucy Hough speaks to senior political correspondent Peter Walker – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

After last week's devastating floods, the Guardian's south Asia correspondent, Hannah Ellis-Petersen, tells Annie Kelly about her journey to some of Nepal's worst-hit areas, and what she found there. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The UN has warned that the El Niño climate phenomenon is ‘supersizing before our eyes'. The event is forecast to be the largest in at least 1,000 years and will almost certainly shatter temperature records. After a summer of record-breaking heatwaves and extreme weather due to global heating, El Niño means 2027 is almost certain to be the hottest year ever recorded. Lucy Hough speaks to environment correspondent Damien Gayle – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Ulrich Siegmund, the charismatic young leader of the AfD party in Saxony-Anhalt, has been labelled Germany's most dangerous man by Der Spiegel. John Kampfner explains why. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Iran has accused the US of a ‘war crime' after a missile strike killed at least four people, including a young child, and injured 68 at a wedding at a private house in southern Iran. A month-long uneasy truce between the US and Iran appears to have collapsed after US strikes on Larak Island on Saturday in the strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded by launching drones and missiles on US bases across the Middle East, including Gulf States. Lucy Hough speaks to Middle East correspondent Will Christou – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Thirty years after Tupac Shakur's death, a man has been found guilty of killing the hip-hop legend. William Shaw on the star's life, legacy and untimely death. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

A British activist who was forcibly abducted by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank has been deported to the UK. The treatment of 22-year-old Finn Joughin comes after a surge of settler violence against Palestinian people in the West Bank that has been widely condemned internationally and also by many prominent figures within Israel. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's chief Middle East correspondent, Emma Graham-Harrison – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Guardian's chief culture writer Charlotte Higgins on why she was inspired to learn Ukrainian and what it taught her about its people. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Revisited: Guardian journalist Michael Safi looks into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring the dangers and promises it holds for society. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Rescue efforts are continuing in Nepal and Tibet after flash floods that have killed hundreds and left many more missing. But fears that a lake formed by the landslide could overflow and cause fresh flooding, along with difficulty accessing disaster-hit areas, are hindering rescue and recovery missions. Lucy Hough speaks with south Asia correspondent Hannah Ellis-Petersen, who is in Nepal, about the situation on the ground - watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Revisited: Guardian journalist Michael Safi looks into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring the dangers and promises it holds for society. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Hundreds of people are missing or have been killed after a catastrophic flash flood hit Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday. Entire villages have been destroyed, many of which are popular pilgrimage and trekking destinations for tourists. Lucy Hough talks to global editor Devika Bhat about how the devastating event unfolded – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Revisited: Guardian journalist Michael Safi looks into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring the dangers and promises it holds for society. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Tributes have poured in for Dolly Parton, the pioneering country music singer, songwriter and actor, who has died aged 80. Stars including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey and Paul McCartney have paid tribute to one of the world's greatest music artists, with many praising her lifelong philanthropy and advocacy for literacy and LGBTQ+ rights. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian deputy features editor Jenny Stevens – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Revisited: Guardian journalist Michael Safi looks into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring the dangers and promises it holds for society. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The White House has threatened sanctions on any country that trades with Iran in another bid to economically isolate the country, as US military efforts falter. Launching what he called Operation Economic Outcast, the US Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, compared it with D-day. China, Iran's biggest trading partner, has already signalled that it will not cooperate with Trump's attack on the Iranian economy. Lucy Hough speaks to Julian Borger, senior international correspondent – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Revisited: Guardian journalist Michael Safi looks into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring the dangers and promises it holds for society. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Andy Burnham is making his first foreign visit as prime minister to Ukraine, marking the country's independence day. Burnham will use the trip to announce that the UK government will declassify information about missiles to help Ukraine build its own. Lucy Hough speaks to senior international correspondent Luke Harding – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Revisited: Guardian journalist Michael Safi looks into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring the dangers and promises it holds for society. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus