Today in Focus

Donald Trump says ‘time is running out’ for Iran as the threat of war appears to loom closer. A huge US armada is being moved towards Iran and is seen as the starkest indication yet that Trump intends to strike. The US president had called on the Iranian regime to negotiate a deal on the future of its nuclear programme, only weeks after he promised Iranian protesters ‘help was on the way’ then bac...

Miqdaad Versi, Shaista Aziz, Aamna Mohdin and Nosheen Iqbal on the rise of the far right and growing Islamophobia in the UK. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Keir Starmer has landed in China to meet Xi Jinping, in the first trip to the country by a British prime minister in eight years. But Starmer is facing myriad issues, including pressure to try to secure the release of Jimmy Lai, the jailed former media tycoon and one of Hong Kong’s most significant pro-democracy voices, as well as raising other human rights concerns. On top of that he has the diff...

Syrian government forces have seized swathes of territory from Kurdish groups – including camps holding IS prisoners. Will Christou reports on why this is a dangerous moment. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Jeff Bezos’s Amazon MGM Studios is due to release its feature-length documentary about Melania Trump, directed by Brett Ratner, a formerly exiled film-maker who was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women. The documentary was screened at a promotional event inside the White House, attended by what the Hollywood Reporter describes as ‘70 assorted VIPs’, including Amazon’s Andy Jassy, Apple’s...

The prime minister may have seen off the challenge for the moment – but what will be the cost to his leadership? Peter Walker reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

US federal agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday, the second such killing in the city in less than three weeks. Pretti was an intensive care nurse with no criminal record, yet authorities raced to portray him as a violent ‘gunman’ who threatened to ‘massacre’ law enforcement. Video evidence directly contradicts this account. Protests have since erupted across th...

Are the German people on board with the government’s massive militarisation programme? Kate Connolly reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Donald Trump’s maximalist approach to foreign policy reached a crescendo this week, with the US president dominating proceedings at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump rescinded his threat to seize the Danish territory of Greenland, and launched his so-called board of peace for Gaza. It’s been a chaotic week in Trumpworld – but there is increasing resistance from other world leaders, and sign...

There have been a slew of defections as Reform rides high in the polls. But is it changing the party? Peter Walker reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The US president has backed down from weeks of threats to seize Greenland after threatening Europe with tariffs and the potential of military force. After talks with the Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, Donald Trump said the ‘framework of a future deal’ had been agreed that would allow the US to build up its military presence in the territory. Trump has also backed down from the tariff threat a...

Trump’s board of peace includes Putin, Netanyahu and Tony Blair. What on earth will it do? Julian Borger reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Duke of Sussex has been giving evidence in the high court, accusing the publisher of the Daily Mail of ‘grave breaches of privacy’ and unlawfully gathering information. The prince is joined in the legal action by a group of other notable figures including Sir Elton John, Liz Hurley and Doreen Lawrence. Lucy Hough speaks to the senior national news editor Aaron Sharp – watch on YouTube . Help s...

Former contestant Diane Carson, and journalist Elle Hunt on the success of the BBC’s hit show The Traitors. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, the eldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, has appeared to permanently cut ties with his family. In an explosive statement posted on Instagram, he claimed his parents had been controlling narratives in the press about his family, and had tried to ‘ruin’ his relationship with his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian columnist Marina Hyde – watch on Yo...

Tom Burgis on Donald Trump’s friend Ronald Lauder, a billionaire with business interests in Greenland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Keir Starmer has played down the possibility of retaliatory tariffs on the US, after Donald Trump threatened them against Nato allies unless they support his plan to take Greenland. At an emergency press conference, Starmer said tariffs would be the “wrong thing to do”. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s senior political correspondent, Peter Walker – watch on YouTube . Help support our independen...

Helen Pidd meets the US citizens attempting to claim asylum in the Netherlands. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Venezuelan opposition leader, María Corina Machado, has presented her Nobel peace prize medal to Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House, saying it was a recognition of his commitment to Venezuela’s freedom. The gesture came after Machado was unexpectedly sidelined by Trump after US forces abducted Nicolás Maduro. Lucy Hough speaks to the US live news editor, Chris Michael. Help suppo...

Its agents outnumber police on the streets of Minneapolis, are detaining US citizens and clashing violently with protesters. Caitlin Dickerson and Maanvi Singh report. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

After being sensationally sacked from the shadow cabinet and suspended from the Conservative party, Robert Jenrick has defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Kemi Badenoch said she made the decision to sack her shadow justice secretary after she was presented with ‘irrefutable evidence’ that he was planning to defect. Jenrick was Badenoch’s leadership rival and had long been said to have been prepa...

What kind of life is the deposed former president of Syria and his family living in Russia? With Pjotr Sauer and Will Christou. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Protesters face execution as the Iranian regime continues its violent crackdown, defying the US president, Donald Trump, who has threatened ‘very strong action’ if demonstrators are killed. Erfan Soltani, 26, is the first protester to be sentenced to death , but it is unclear whether or not his execution has taken place. Lucy Hough speaks to journalist Deepa Parent about what she is hearing from t...

How far will Rubio go to achieve his own objectives? With Lauren Gambino. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The UK government is threatening Elon Musk’s X with the nuclear option: a ban. The social media platform is under pressure from ministers over the use of the Grok AI tool to manipulate images of women and children to remove their clothes. Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, has launched an investigation into X – and the government says it will support a ban if it decides to press ahead. Lucy Hough sp...