Today in Focus

At least five pupils at a village school in the West Bank have been killed in the last year by settlers and soldiers. <strong>Emma Graham-Harrison</strong> 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 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

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 and attempting to murder seven more. The former neonatal nurse says she is innocent and is fighting to overturn her convictions. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Guardian’s north of England editor, Josh Halliday. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

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? <strong>Peter Walker</strong> explains. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

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 teeth’ to women who have ‘spent decades perfecting their craft’. Sweeney has responded by saying the ad was about ‘embracing a fun idea’. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian feature writer Elle Hunt <strong>– </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@todayinfocuspodcast" rel="nofollow"><strong>watch on YouTube</strong></a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

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 <strong>Robert Booth</strong>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

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 9/11 changed the world <strong>– </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@todayinfocuspodcast" rel="nofollow"><strong>watch on YouTube</strong></a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

The UK foreign secretary has drawn rage and respect after announcing trade sanctions on Israeli settlers. <strong>Heather Stewart</strong> explains how – and why – Ed Miliband got tough. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

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 <strong>– </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@todayinfocuspodcast" rel="nofollow"><strong>watch on YouTube</strong></a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

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 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

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 Donald Trump, however, has failed to comment on the UK government’s action. Lucy Hough speaks to diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour <strong>– </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@todayinfocuspodcast" rel="nofollow"><strong>watch on YouTube</strong></a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

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 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

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 people including 20,000 children. Lucy Hough speaks to chief Middle East correspondent Emma Graham-Harrison <strong>– </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@todayinfocuspodcast" rel="nofollow"><strong>watch on YouTube</strong></a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

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 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

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 ground saying Portsmouth was now ‘ground zero’ for small boat crossings, and has threatened further action. Lucy Hough speaks to political correspondent Ben Quinn<strong> –</strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@todayinfocuspodcast" rel="nofollow"><strong> watch on YouTube</strong></a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

Katy McQue, who has spent years reporting on Meta and the potential harms its platforms pose to children, explains the tactics being used by prosecutors. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

Across the world, hundreds of people have come to believe they have made extraordinary scientific discoveries with AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Others say their AI has ‘awakened’, or is leading them to a higher spiritual realm. The Guardian journalist Michael Safi investigates a phenomenon labelled ‘AI psychosis’, travelling to the US to meet two people who have been on weird journeys with their chatbots. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

Reform UK has suspended two senior officials after they were filmed in an undercover operation appearing to attempt to get around electoral laws on foreign donations. The sting, by Channel 4 News and the investigative group Verbatim, was published on the eve of Nigel Farage’s party conference speech in Birmingham. Reform says it has launched an investigation into the actions of James Orr, the party’s head of policy, and Dan Jukes, a senior aide to Farage. Lucy Hough speaks to senior political correspondent Peter Walker – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@todayinfocuspodcast" rel="nofollow"><strong>watch on YouTube</strong></a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

After last week’s devastating floods, the Guardian’s south Asia correspondent, <strong>Hannah Ellis-Petersen</strong>, tells <strong>Annie Kelly</strong> about her journey to some of Nepal’s worst-hit areas, and what she found there. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

The UN has warned that the El Niño climate phenomenon is ‘supersizing before our eyes’. The event is forecast to be the largest in at least 1,000 years and will almost certainly shatter temperature records. After a summer of record-breaking heatwaves and extreme weather due to global heating, El Niño means 2027 is almost certain to be the hottest year ever recorded. Lucy Hough speaks to environment correspondent Damien Gayle <strong>– </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@todayinfocuspodcast" rel="nofollow"><strong>watch on YouTube</strong></a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

Ulrich Siegmund, the charismatic young leader of the AfD party in Saxony-Anhalt, has been labelled Germany’s most dangerous man by Der Spiegel. <strong>John Kampfner</strong> explains why. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>