Today in Focus

Five years after the Taliban retook power, women inside the country explain how they have been silenced, while the Afghan journalist Zahra Joya asks why the world has looked away. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Farage has taken a high risk gamble by resigning and forcing a byelection in his constituency. Nosheen Iqbal heads to Clacton to find out how voters feel. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Last week Saudi Arabia's wealth fund and a group of investors spent $55bn (£41bn) on Electronic Arts, the video games company behind the Sims, Madden NFL and Battlefield. Keith Stuart and George Osborn tell Annie Kelly why this soft-power move is worrying many in the industry. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Are gen Z the most financially savvy generation of them all? With senior economics correspondent Richard Partington and influencer James Beckett. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

With more than 7m pairs reportedly sold in 2025, Meta's Ray-Ban smartglasses are fast becoming the world's most popular new gadget. But while supporters say they are transforming photography and accessibility, others have labelled them ‘pervert glasses', with some UK pubs and restaurants, including Wetherspoons, banning the technology from their premises. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's deputy Opinion editor Kirsty Major – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Jason Arday's appointment as Cambridge's youngest black professor made global headlines. Then questions about his meteoric rise began to snowball. Lanre Bakare reports.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi activist, has been offered a role as an adviser to the Conservative party by Kemi Badenoch after he withdrew as a Tory candidate for next year's local elections. The role will reportedly be focused on how young men become radicalised. Bonehill-Paine was convicted of harassing a Jewish MP and has previously described himself as a ‘nationalist, fascist, theorist and supporter of white rights'. He says he has carried out counter-extremism work since he was released from prison. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian political correspondent Ben Quinn – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

How did more than 70,000 migrants manage to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta all at once … and what will be the fallout? With reporting from Javier Jennings Mozo and Jennifer Rankin. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

At least 17 people were killed and more than 40 injured in another round of deadly Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pleaded for more air defence weapons, saying ballistic missile interceptors ‘could have saved the lives of those killed today'. For months, Ukraine has been warning about shortages after Donald Trump backtracked on his promise to let Ukraine manufacture missiles locally. In response to the attack, the EU's Ursula von der Leyen said ‘Russia must pay' – but will it? Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian's Russia affairs correspondent, Pjotr Sauer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Cameroon's 93-year-old president has not been seen for many weeks. The Guardian's Eromo Egbejule and Giovanni Wanneh tell Annie Kelly how the country is managing without its leader, and why Cameroonians still have hope for the next chapter. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Gianni Infantino's reign as Fifa president is in severe peril after the collapse of his plans to sell off parts of the World Cup to private investment. Many Concacaf countries are considering following Europe's lead by formally removing their support for Infantino, and there are widespread calls to remove him from his post. Lucy Hough speaks to columnist Jonathan Liew – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Reform UK's finances have come under scrutiny like never before. What do we know about the party's funding – and why do so many awkward questions remain for Nigel Farage? Anna Isaac explains. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Dozens of people died attempting to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after an estimated 50,000 crossed from Morocco last week. The incident has led to a political crisis in Spain and criticism from EU countries. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's European community affairs correspondent, Ashifa Kassam – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Guardian US southern bureau chief Olly Laughland tells the story of Calvin Duncan and a Republican party emboldened in Trump's America. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Donald Trump has declared a breakthrough in negotiations over the disarmament of Hamas in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, but Israeli government officials have voiced scepticism over the deal. Lucy Hough speaks to Julian Borger, the Guardian's senior international correspondent – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Guardian US beauty columnist Jessica DeFino explores the rise of ‘tweakments' and cosmetic procedures – and the pressure it puts on everyone to get something done. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The US military has carried out a wave of airstrikes against Iran in response to Tehran targeting American bases in Jordan. The strikes were launched after Donald Trump vowed to hit Iran ‘very hard' following a days-long pause in fighting. Iran has expanded its military strikes in the region, raising fears of an all-out war. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian senior international reporter Peter Beaumont – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Paris correspondent Angelique Chrisafis reports from Bordeaux, as wildfires in the region and beyond cause the biggest peacetime evacuation in French history. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has announced plans to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors in a new commercial entity worth $20bn. One of the leading would-be investors is Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump's son-in-law Jared. The plans have prompted an immediate backlash – with Uefa accusing Fifa of trying to ‘sell football's soul'. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian reporter Paul MacInnes – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Longtime Epstein associate Daniel Siad – himself accused of human trafficking and rape – was found dead last week. Where does that leave those pursuing justice? With former model Ebba Karlsson and journalist Amelia Gentleman. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Labour has overtaken Reform UK this week for the first time since March last year, according to polls. The ‘Burnham bounce' comes two weeks into Andy Burnham's tenure in No 10, during which he has made major announcements on the cost of living and localised education to reduce youth unemployment, and an announcement on social care is expected soon. Is this a turning point for the beleaguered Labour government – or simply a honeymoon for the new PM? Lucy Hough speaks to senior political correspondent Peter Walker. Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

In the wake of the new PM's bold pledge, Helen Pidd heads to a village for homeless people in Greater Manchester, where the former mayor first promised to take action. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Firefighters in France and Spain are facing another day battling wildfires that have resulted in hundreds of thousands of people being evacuated, with another heatwave expected to hit this week. French authorities have said this year's wildfires, particularly the Gironde fire near the south-western city of Bordeaux, are ‘completely exceptional'. Lucy Hough speaks to Europe environment correspondent Ajit Niranjan – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The investigative journalist Lucas Amin reports on how the tech company Palantir won a £330m contract with the NHS … and what happened once its software was introduced. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

After a decade in the pop fringes, Charli xcx's 2024 album Brat propelled her to global stardom: an acid-green ‘Brat summer', a Glastonbury headline slot and brat as Collins' word of the year. But how do you follow up the album that made you a star? Charli's latest album Music, Fashion, Film has now been released – and as Guardian deputy music editor Laura Snapes tells Lucy Hough: it's a pivot to guitar and a “meta masterpiece about the instability of identity.” – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

South Asia correspondent Hannah Ellis-Petersen on the Cockroach movement – and the students driving India's biggest protests in years. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Millionaires including former footballer Gary Lineker are asking Andy Burnham to tax their wealth more. More than 100 wealthy Brits have signed an open letter to the prime minister, saying: ‘We want you to tax us. We can afford it.' So should the government introduce a wealth tax? And why is the idea getting more popular? Nosheen Iqbal speaks to columnist and senior economics commentator Aditya Chakrabortty – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Media critic Mark Lawson discusses with Nosheen Iqbal why even the BBC director general has lost faith in the current licence fee model, and explore what options the national broadcaster has to secure funding. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired his commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, in Ukraine's biggest military shake-up in two years. Nationwide protests broke out after Zelenskyy sacked Mykhailo Fedorov as defence minister, who the Ukraine president says will now be brought back into government in a ‘prominent position'. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's senior international correspondent Luke Harding – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Journalist Amjed Tantesh talks about his project to teach Gaza's children how to swim. With reporting from our chief Middle East correspondent, Emma Graham-Harrison. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The US has carried out fresh strikes on Iran after three American soldiers were killed in action. The Pentagon has admitted that nearly 100 US service members have also been wounded as Tehran responded to 10 consecutive nights of attacks. As peace talks mediated by Pakistan continue, Lucy Hough speaks to our senior international correspondent, Julian Borger – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Senior political correspondent Peter Walker and former No 10 press secretary Paul Harrison analyse Andy Burnham's first day as PM. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Andy Burnham has become the sixth UK prime minister in a decade after a transfer of power from his predecessor Keir Starmer. In his first address outside Downing Street, he said his arrival in power would be a ‘circuit breaker' moment for Britain and that his government would bring the ‘biggest changes in 40 years'. Lucy Hough speaks to political correspondent Alexandra Topping – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Tim Burrows goes back to Epping in Essex one year after protesters from across the country descended on the small town to demonstrate against asylum seekers being housed at the Bell hotel. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Christopher Nolan's star-studded take on Homer's Odyssey has received rave reviews from critics and is one of the most hotly anticipated films of the year. The three-hour Imax blockbuster has an estimated budget of $250m and a star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Zendaya and Tom Holland. But will it live up to expectations? Annie Kelly speaks to film editor Catherine Shoard. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Tom Greenhill, the chartered engineer behind the Heatwave Toolkit, provides tips on keeping your home cool in the heat; the Guardian's Europe environment correspondent, Ajit Niranjan, reports on what governments across the continent are doing in response to this record-breaking summer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

England have again suffered World Cup heartache, conceding two late goals that gave Argentina a dramatic 2-1 comeback win and a place in the final against Spain on Sunday. Many have blamed manager Thomas Tuchel's substitution decisions for the defeat. So did his tactics ultimately backfire? Annie Kelly speaks to sports columnist Jonathan Liew – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Today in Focus hears from friends, colleagues and mentors of Andy Burnham to find out more about the man soon to be prime minister. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Sixteen- and 17-year-olds face an overnight social media curfew in an extension of the government's social media ban for under-16s. Under the plan, aimed at reducing online harms, certain apps would be blocked by default from midnight to 6am. But the curfew will not be mandatory and teenagers can opt out, so will it achieve anything? Annie Kelly speaks to social affairs correspondent Jessica Murray – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

When Mark Lanier and his young client Kaley faced Meta and Google in an LA courtroom earlier this year, it seemed a bigger battle than David v Goliath. Lanier, however, was determined to prove the companies had not just stumbled into a youth mental health crisis, but had helped to engineer it. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The US government has been forced to pay billions in refunds to companies that were hit by Donald Trump's ‘liberation day' tariffs. The US has paid out $81bn (£61bn) this fiscal year after the supreme court ruled the tariffs were illegal. Lucy Hough speaks to international editor Chris Michael – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Sperm counts are in decline worldwide, and testosterone levels are said to be plunging, but male infertility still carries a stigma. Prof Michael Carroll on what every man should know. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus