Today in Focus

Andy Burnham has navigated his way through a first high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump at the UN general assembly in New York. The prime minister’s aides were delighted with how the meeting went, as Trump praised the US-UK relationship and described Burnham as a ‘natural businessman’. The anticipated sticking points – the Chagos Islands, West Bank settlement sanctions and Ireland – appear not to...

Loneliness influencers are on the rise. When did social media get so unsociable? Jessica Murray explains. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

In what is probably one of the biggest battles yet between the press and Donald Trump, major TV networks have united in a boycott of pooled coverage of his administration. It comes after three news organisations – CNN, MS Now and Politico – were denied access to the White House because of Trump’s concerns about their coverage. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s international news editor Paul Owen...

The Houthis now control the Bab al-Mandab strait. But where is it and why does it matter? Patrick Wintour explains. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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 p...

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 King 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 t...

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...

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 t...

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 an...

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 te...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...