Today in Focus

Democratic congresswoman Haley Stevens has endorsed the Republican candidate for the Senate after a spat with her party’s own candidate in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed. The endorsement stunned Stevens’ Democrat colleagues, with one calling it a ‘despicable betrayal’ on the eve of the midterm elections. So what will it mean for the race? Lucy Hough speaks to US southern bureau chief and host of Anywhere but Washington Oliver Laughland <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>

What happens when Elon Musk and a bunch of tech bros try to rip up the US government? Journalist <strong>Michael Lewis </strong>– the author of Moneyball and of The Big Short – talks to <strong>Nosheen Iqbal </strong>about his new book Blockers, which tracks the story of the civil servants who stood up to Elon Musk’s ‘department of government efficiency’ as it tried to dismantle the US government. Send your comments and questions to <a href="mailto:tif.questions@theguardian.com" rel="nofollow">tif.questions@theguardian.com</a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

What if someone told you the truth about the economy? For years, governments have tried spending more, spending less, cutting red tape, Brexit, levelling up – and still failed to increase growth per person in the UK. So what’s the lesson from the great British fairytale? On the latest episode of Radical Thinking with Aditya Chakrabortty, rebel economists Karel Williams and Sukhdev Johal explain why they believe praying for growth is a fool’s dream – and why it won’t improve your life. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

Tributes have poured in for Patrick Stewart, who has died aged 86. The distinguished actor had a long and varied career that began on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company before going on to global stardom on the screen in the Star Trek and X-Men franchises. Stewart was born in Yorkshire in 1940, and had spoken of a challenging childhood marred by alcoholism and domestic violence – something he campaigned against for much of his life. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw <strong>– </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@todayinfocuspodcast" rel="nofollow"><strong>watch on YouTube</strong></a> <strong>--</strong> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/video/2016/apr/25/patrick-stewart-sketch-what-has-the-echr-ever-done-for-us-video" rel="nofollow"><strong>Watch the full Patrick Stewart sketch: what has the ECHR ever done for us?</strong></a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

Washington bureau chief <strong>David Smith </strong>reports from Texas, where the Democrats are hopeful of a stunning victory that could also signal a much wider defeat for Trump in the midterms. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

Spain has begun three days of mourning after at least 69 people were killed and more than 100 were injured in a crash between two high-speed trains. The town of Urda has become the site of a major operation, as emergency services continue to search through the wreckage and relatives wait for news of their loved ones. There is growing public anger over the incident, which is the second fatal train collision in Spain in less than a year. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s Madrid correspondent, Sam Jones <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>

After two years of protests, a student-led movement has defeated Serbia’s authoritarian leader, Aleksander Vučić, at the ballot box. But can a leaderless movement govern a country? Send your comments and questions to tif.questions@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

In his first budget as chancellor, John Healey has pledged to offer ‘breathing space’ to help Britons navigate ‘global economic storms’. There were a record number of measures, including a one-off £100 energy payment to millions and a rise in the levy on bank profits. But the Conservatives have criticised the government for postponing big decisions, including on defence and welfare. Lucy Hough speaks to economics editor Heather Stewart <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>

Food security expert Prof Tim Lang<strong> </strong>and prepper and YouTube influencer <strong>Ana</strong> talk about the government’s new campaign encouraging the public to store three days’ worth of basic supplies. Send your comments and questions to <a href="mailto:tif.questions@theguardian.com" rel="nofollow">tif.questions@theguardian.com</a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

Harry Kane is the men’s Ballon d’Or winner for 2026, the first Englishman to win the trophy in 25 years. At a lavish ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London, Kane unexpectedly won ahead of co-favourites Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid. In a contest that has been critiqued for promoting individualism and celebrity in sport, Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s chief sports writer, Barney Ronay, about the symbolism of Kane’s win <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>

It’s being called the most consequential election in Israel’s history. Emma Graham-Harrison explains what’s at stake. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a historic fourth term as president, defeating the far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro in a dramatic comeback. Lula is the first candidate to win a runoff election after losing in the first round, taking victory with 51.79% of the vote to his rival’s 48.21%. His win bucks a regional trend, after the son of the former president Jair Bolsonaro had spearheaded a radical populist movement. But with Flávio Bolsonaro refusing to concede defeat, what’s next for Brazil? Michael Safi speaks to Latin America correspondent Tom Phillips – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPZEVVk8f9k" rel="nofollow">watch on YouTube</a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

After the prime minister recently intervened to defend Manchester City’s beleaguered ownership, many began to ask: just how deep are the ties between Andy Burnham and the UAE? With North of England editor <strong>Josh Halliday</strong>.<strong> </strong>Send your comments and questions to <a href="mailto:tif.questions@theguardian.com" rel="nofollow">tif.questions@theguardian.com</a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

Are we doomscrolling our way into a democratic crisis? That’s what the playwright James Graham fears may be happening, as he suggests that our algorithms have led us into ‘a massive crisis of the new’ and are preventing us from imagining a different future. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

The search for the next James Bond may be in the final stages, with screen tests reportedly taking place this weekend. Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor are among the actors thought to be in the running for the role. So who is likely to emerge as the next 007? And what does the future look like for the Bond franchise now it’s in the hands of Amazon MGM Studios? Michael Safi speaks to film editor Catherine Shoard <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>

Our Latin America correspondent, <strong>Tom Phillips, </strong>heads to Roraima to hear what’s at stake for the rainforest and the communities that live there in the Brazilian presidential runoff on Sunday. Send your comments and questions to <a href="mailto:tif.questions@theguardian.com" rel="nofollow">tif.questions@theguardian.com</a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

Websites around the world have been taken offline as governments and businesses scramble to fix a flaw in the computer language PHP. There are fears that hackers could exploit the vulnerability to steal data, take control of web servers and disrupt services. Millions of attempts have already been made to attack websites since the issue with the programming language was revealed, cybersecurity companies have said. Michael Safi speaks to global technology reporter Aisha Down <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>

Political correspondent <strong>Aletha Adu </strong>explores whether the Conservative party under Kemi Badenoch is about to become, once again, the UK’s leading party on the right. Send your comments and questions to <a href="mailto:tif.questions@theguardian.com" rel="nofollow">tif.questions@theguardian.com</a>. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>

Climate campaigners have condemned the UK government’s decision to allow the drilling of the Jackdaw gasfield. Critics argue the move will put climate targets at risk, while failing to reduce energy bills and the cost of living crisis. But there could be a significant victory for green activists when it comes to the much larger Rosebank oilfield, with the energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, leaning towards rejecting approval. Michael Safi speaks to environment correspondent Matthew Taylor <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>

Serbia’s authoritarian president personally intervened to remove the protection of a historic landmark – then came protests and prosecutions. Tom Burgis on the murky tale of Trump Tower Belgrade. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>