Today in Focus

There is just one week to go until the winner of the World Cup is crowned, and it has been a memorable tournament, not least due to the extraordinary intervention by Donald Trump this week that shocked the football world. Lucy Hough speaks to global sports business correspondent Matt Hughes – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Are the disappearances or deaths of 11 US scientists really linked in a nefarious plot? Or just a conspiracy theory with roots in a bizarre broadcast that rocked Britain in the 1970s?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The US president has said the truce with Iran is ‘over’ amid 48 hours of intense strikes. In the days leading to this escalation, three tankers were attacked by Iran in the strait of Hormuz, raising questions about the clarity of the ceasefire agreement signed in June. The US military’s attacks occurred during the week-long funeral of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, which drew millions...

Political correspondent Ben Quinn talks about the forthcoming byelection in Clacton after all Reform’s serious rivals declined to take part. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The US president is in combative mood as Nato leaders meet for a two-day summit in Ankara. There are divisions over Russia’s war in Ukraine, defence spending, and the US-Israel war in Iran with signs of the fragile ceasefire collapsing. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is holding talks with leaders as he rallies the European cause against Russia’s war that has reached the Ukrainian ca...

Patrick Wintour reports from the funeral of Ali Khamenei as the Iranian regime puts on a show of confidence and resilience.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Nigel Farage has announced his resignation as the MP for Clacton, triggering a byelection in which he intends to stand as a candidate. The Reform UK leader is under scrutiny over his finances, with two investigations by the parliamentary standards watchdog over undeclared gifts. During a 15-minute press conference, he accused the media of a ‘pile-on’ over his personal finances, and harassment of h...

Tom Phillips speaks to the ordinary Venezuelans struggling to find their friends and family after the country’s worst earthquakes in a century. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

As Nigel Farage awaits the findings of a standards watchdog investigation into a £5m gift he received from the cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne, fresh allegations about his finances have emerged related to benefits received from the crypto entrepreneur George Cottrell, who has previously been convicted of fraud. The Reform UK leader says he is the victim of an ‘establishment hit job...

Has the success of the US men’s team – and hosting the World Cup – finally made Americans fall in love with football? With Guardian US soccer correspondent Jeff Rueter. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Guardian’s Full Story podcast covers the inquest into the death of the influencer Stacey Warnecke. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The US superstar golden couple Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are finally tying the knot in a rumoured major event in New York’s Madison Square Garden. The couple – who got engaged 10 months ago, announced via an Instagram post that received 14m likes in its first hour online – held an intimate rehearsal dinner at MSG with a rumoured guest list of 1,000 for today’s ceremony and construction of a cu...

Why are more states than ever in the US using the firing squad as a method of execution? With chief reporter for Guardian US Ed Pilkington. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The NHS will divert billions of pounds from essential services to pay for new medicines, under the terms of the US-UK trade deal agreed in December, which could lead to more than 200,000 excess deaths, analysis has found. Ministers have defended the deal as a way of helping British drug exports avoid US tariffs and giving patients access to vital medication, but critics accuse the Labour party of...

The community leader and mother of two Annabel Rook was murdered by her partner. Annie Kelly talks to Annabel’s best friend and parents after the conclusion of the trial. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Donald Trump cashed in on more than $2bn from crypto and other business ventures last year. As the US races to become the self‑declared ‘crypto capital of the world’, the president and his family have turned digital tokens, meme coins and merchandise into an unprecedented revenue stream. But just how rich can a sitting US president get? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian reporter Aisha Down – watch...

Andy Burnham has set out his economic plans for Britain. Neal Lawson , from the Burnham-aligned group Mainstream, explains the thinking behind it. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The prime minister has unveiled his long-delayed defence investment plan, promising an extra £15bn in defence spending over the next four years. The funding, which will be spent on drones, nuclear projects and RAF fighter jets, has been made available through cuts to energy, transport and housing projects. Keir Starmer urged his likely successor, the Labour MP Andy Burnham, not to borrow more mone...

The number of young people in the UK not in work, education or training is spiralling. How much damage could it do to their long-term prospects – and the country? Sammy Gecsoyler reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Andy Burnham has set out his vision for the UK in his first big policy speech since launching a bid to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. The Makerfield MP confirmed he would set up ‘No 10 North’ and pledged to ‘bring about the biggest rebalancing of power the country has ever seen’. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s north of England editor, Josh Halliday – watch on YouTube . Help support o...

Why are so many luxury homes in London lying empty? Sam Wollaston reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

King Charles has become the first monarch in modern times to reveal how much tax he pays on his private income: £24.6m over the last two years. The move comes after years of calls for the monarch to be more open with the public about the royal finances. Some are heralding this as a new era of transparency – but just how open has the revelation been? Lucy Hough speaks to our European financial affa...

When the academic Sarah Steele was assaulted in England, she had no idea her case would end up in front of a US military court. Harry Davies explains why military judges and juries are ruling on crimes committed in the UK. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Rescue efforts are under way in Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes caused buildings to collapse and killed at least 164 people, and there are fears the death toll could rise significantly. A state of emergency has been declared by the country’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, who said 971 people have been injured and more casualties are expected. Lucy Hough speaks to Latin America correspon...

Jenny Kleeman investigates ‘Biotech Barbie’ Cathy Tie, the controversial entrepreneur hoping to revolutionise human reproduction by letting parents edit their embryos. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus