Today in Focus

Global oil and gas prices have skyrocketed as war halts energy exports from the Middle East. The strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage of water that facilitates the shipping of about a fifth of the world's oil, has been in effect closed since the regional war began, prompting fears of a global economic crisis. According to reports, traffic has dropped by about 80%, but how long until we feel the effects? Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Guardian's head of business, John Collingridge – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Who's calling the shots in the US-Israeli war on Iran? Chief Middle East correspondent Emma Graham-Harrison and international security correspondent Jason Burke report. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Israel has deployed soldiers on the ground in southern Lebanon and is carrying out heavy airstrikes in the country as conflict in the Middle East continues to spread. It comes after the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah launched missiles and drones toward Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Beirut-based journalist Will Christou – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

After the US and Israel assassinated Iran's Supreme leader, Tehran has hit back. Missiles have rained down on the Gulf. Will the region retaliate? Julian Borger reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The war in the Middle East continues to escalate, with casualties and destruction reported across at least nine countries in under 10 hours. Israeli and US warplanes launched a fresh wave of strikes across Iran, while US allies in the Gulf states are under attack from Iranian missiles and drones. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Guardian's head of international news, Jamie Wilson – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Iran's supreme leader was killed in a military strike on his compound as Israel and the US launched attacks on the country. Patrick Wintour reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Green Party has pulled off a landmark victory in the Gordon and Denton byelection in a major blow to Keir Starmer. Hannah Spencer, a local plumber, was elected as the party's first MP in northern England, with Labour pushed into third place behind Nigel Farage's Reform UK despite having a 13,000-vote majority. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's north of England correspondent Hannah Al-Othman, who lives in the constituency and was at the count overnight – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Can talking about their problems help men forge closer relationships – or is there another way? Josh Halliday reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Jeremy Corbyn's allies declared victory after he was voted to be Your Party's parliamentary leader in an election in which his rival Zarah Sultana was also voted on to the party's leadership committee. The party is hoping to turn the page on bitter in-fighting since its launch last year, but will it succeed? Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian columnist Owen Jones - watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

As MPs vote to release the documents relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment as trade envoy, Helen Pidd speaks to Andrew Lownie, author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, about the former prince's antics in the role and whether this scandal will be the monarchy's last. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The BBC is under fire over its failure to remove a racial slur shouted by John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, from its broadcast of the Bafta awards. Davidson was heard shouting the N-word while two stars of the film Sinners, Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan, were on stage. He said controversy over the incident had left him “distraught” and that he had been assured any offensive words would be edited out. The BBC has apologised for the error and said producers overseeing the coverage did not hear the slur. Lucy Hough is joined by the Guardian's assistant opinion editor Jason Okundaye – watch on YouTube – Read Jason's piece here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Reform and the Greens both insist they can win the Greater Manchester seat of Gorton and Denton from Labour – and if they do, it could be another nail in the prime minister's coffin. Helen Pidd reports on how the candidates and voters are feeling. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Former US ambassador Peter Mandelson has been released on bail after his arrest over claims he committed misconduct in public office during his friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Police have been investigating allegations that he leaked Downing Street emails and market-sensitive information to the disgraced US financier during his time as business secretary. Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

A DJ turned soldier explains how life has changed for Ukraine's men while Tracey McVeigh and Shaun Walker report on the impact of the conflict and what could happen next. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Reform UK has promised to create an ICE-style agency dedicated to mass deportations if the party came to power. Nigel Farage and his party's home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, have pledged to start a ‘UK Deportation Command' to remove thousands of people, under plans that have been condemned as ‘sadistic'. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's deputy political editor Jessica Elgot – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Author and academic Katherine Rundell explores the precipitous decline in reading books for pleasure, and what can be done to reverse it. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released under investigation after police questioned the former prince in relation to allegations he shared confidential material with Jeffrey Epstein. Officers searched Mountbatten-Windsor's Sandringham residence as well as his former home at the Royal Lodge in Great Windsor Park after arresting him on Thursday. The former prince has denied any wrongdoing. But what were the police searching for and what could happen next? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's police and crime correspondent, Vikram Dodd – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Political correspondent Alexandra Topping and special educational needs student Jake with his mum, Laura, explore the government's controversial plans for reform. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office by police investigating his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. Six unmarked police cars carrying plainclothes officers arrived at the Sandringham estate while the former prince was celebrating his 66th birthday on Thursday. Officers searched the Norfolk property as well as Mountbatten-Windsor's former home at the Royal Lodge in Great Windsor Park. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian journalist David Pegg – watch on YouTube – Read extract from Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Face transplant patient Robert Chelsea and writer Fay Bound Alberti talk through the promise – and darker side – of this pioneering surgery. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says ‘no agreement' has been made between Ukraine and Russia during US-mediated peace talks in Geneva. Expectations remain low, while Ukrainians continue to face Russian strikes in subzero temperatures. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's foreign correspondent in Kyiv, Luke Harding – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

A thinktank called Labour Together, linked to Keir Starmer and Morgan McSweeney, has been exposed for investigating journalists who were looking into the group's funding. One of those journalists was the Guardian's Henry Dyer. He tells Helen Pidd how he found out and why it matters. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The civil rights campaigner Jesse Jackson has died aged 84. Jackson was a protege of Martin Luther King Jr and ran twice for the Democratic presidential nomination. He remained a prominent figure in US politics for more than 50 years, championing the rights of Black, poor and working-class people with his ‘rainbow coalition'. Lucy Hough speaks to Carys Afoko – watch on YouTube – Over The Top and Under The Radar podcast – 2020 interview with Jesse Jackson. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Guardian journalists Sam Jones and Tom Phillips chart the rise of the narco-sub after a record seizure in the Atlantic. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Barack Obama has caused a frenzy after saying he thinks aliens are real during a podcast interview. The former US president was forced to release a statement clarifying he had not seen any evidence of extraterrestrials. There is a long-running conspiracy theory claiming the US government is hiding extraterrestrials at Area 51, a highly classified air force site in Nevada. Lucy Hough speaks to the host of the Guardian's Science Weekly podcast, Madeleine Finlay. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Guardian's community affairs correspondent, Chris Osuh, reports on the plot by two IS terrorists to massacre Jews in Manchester, and how it was thwarted by an undercover sting. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The co-founder of Palestine Action has won a legal challenge to the home secretary's decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws. Palestine Action was the first direct action protest group to be proscribed. The decision was widely condemned and was defied by a civil disobedience campaign, during which more than 2,000 people have been arrested. From July last year, being a member of – or showing support for – the group became an offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian columnist Owen Jones - watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Keir Starmer was on the brink of a leadership contest this week, but he pulled it back. That does not mean his rivals have gone away. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to Kiran Stacey about one of the most hotly tipped contenders: Wes Streeting. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Monaco-based billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has said he is sorry that his ‘choice of language has offended some people', after growing outrage over his comments that the UK was being ‘colonised by immigrants'. The Manchester United co-owner has faced a mounting backlash since making the remarks, which have been labelled hypocritical and reminiscent of ‘far-right narratives'. Lucy Hough speaks to the sports writer and columnist Jonathan Liew – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Guardian journalists Tom Phillips and Tiago Rogero investigate the bloodiest day in Rio de Janeiro's modern history, when police last October attempted to capture a drug kingpin in the favelas. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Nine people have been killed and dozens injured after a mass shooting at a school in Canada. The suspect was also found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the remote town of Tumbler Ridge in British Columbia, which has a population of only 2,400. It is the second-worst mass shooting in Canada's history. Lucy Hough speaks to reporter Leyland Cecco – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Hundreds of jobs have gone at the newspaper that broke the Watergate scandal. Was profit or politics behind the decision? Jeremy Barr reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

After a day of turmoil where the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, called for Keir Starmer to resign, Labour MPs and cabinet members seem to be rallying around the prime minister. Can Starmer bounce back from this latest blow to his leadership? And what might the road to recovery look like for Labour? Lucy Hough speaks to columnist Aditya Chakrabortty – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Helen Pidd follows the twists and turns on Monday as the prime minister fought to keep his job. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The media mogul and prominent pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in Hong Kong for national security offences. His family has described the sentence as ‘heartbreakingly cruel', given the 78-year-old's declining health. Lai was convicted in December on charges of sedition and conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, after pleading not guilty to all charges. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian's senior China correspondent, Amy Hawkins – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The whole town centre of Newton Aycliffe in County Durham is owned by billionaire brothers – so why is it so run down? Josh Halliday reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The latest tranche of Epstein files has sent shock waves around the world, but many of the powerful men who minimised and dismissed his crimes are still yet to face any real consequences. The documents show the likes of Noam Chomsky and Steve Bannon were happy to maintain relationships with Epstein even after he spent time in jail for child sex offences. What message does that send to the abused women and girls, whose experiences should be the real focus? And will these men ever be held to account? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian columnist Marina Hyde – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The journalist Jen Ortiz charts the rise of Bad Bunny – the Puerto Rican superstar musician and ICE critic – before his performance at the Super Bowl on Sunday. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Keir Starmer's days as prime minister are numbered, Labour MPs have warned, after a week of fury over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador despite his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. While several MPs have said the prime minister's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, should take responsibility and resign, the mood surrounding No 10 has seemed ‘terminal', said an MP from the 2024 intake. Lucy Hough talks to political correspondent Alexandra Topping. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The latest release of the Epstein files has dominated the news this week, with documents related to Bill Gates, Peter Mandelson, Elon Musk and Woody Allen pulling them into the spotlight. But, as the US deputy attorney general Todd Blanche suggested the legal review into the Epstein files was ‘over', the survivors of Epstein's abuse made clear it was not the end. Annie Kelly speaks to Lisa Philips, who suffered years of abuse by Epstein in the 2000s and is now one of the many survivors calling for more transparency from the Trump administration. Plus Guardian US columnist Moira Donegan on whether the missing files will ever be released. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Peter Mandelson faces a criminal investigation over allegations he leaked Downing Street emails and market-sensitive information to the child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2009. The Metropolitan police are investigating Mandelson, who was then business secretary, on suspicion of misconduct in public office, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Police are also reviewing fresh allegations about the former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Lucy Hough speaks to the head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Prediction markets allow you to put money on everything from the US attacking Iran to Jesus returning. Saahil Desai explains their dizzying rise. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus