Thousands have protested in the streets of the Albanian capital, Tirana, this week against a planned luxury resort backed by Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Groundwork has begun on the $1.6bn complex in an area long seen as one of the Mediterranean’s most environmentally sensitive, containing 200 species of birds including flamingos and Dalmatian pelicans. After builders began erecting a concrete-based, barbed wire-topped fence around the site, alarm turned to public outrage at the envi...
Jun 05, 2026•11 min
The far-right conspiracy theory is heard everywhere from pubs to parliament and riots to talk radio. Hugh Muir and Joe Mulhall explain why. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jun 05, 2026•28 min
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire to end hostilities as the US attempts to overcome one of the largest barriers to reaching a broader deal to end the war with Iran. But the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is dependent on a complete halt of fire from Hezbollah, and the evacuation of all its fighters from southern Lebanon. Lucy Hough speaks to Beirut-based reporter William Christou – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...
Jun 04, 2026•9 min
The leftwing American commentator Cenk Uygur talks about the ban on him and his nephew, Hasan Piker, entering the UK this week. With reporting from Kiran Stacey . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jun 04, 2026•25 min
There has been violent disorder on the streets of Southampton sparked by the murder of student Henry Nowak. Politicians and community leaders have called for calm amid fears that Nowak’s death will be used to whip up racial resentment against minority ethnic Britons. Lucy Hough speaks to community affairs correspondent Aamna Mohdin – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...
Jun 03, 2026•12 min
Fast cars, luxury watches – and, of course, that motorhome: the list of what former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell bought with embezzled funds is dizzying. Severin Carrell reports.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jun 03, 2026•31 min
The second tranche of documents related to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador have been released. The documents, running to more than 1,000 pages, were supposed to reveal what ministers knew about Mandelson’s links to Epstein and the security process to approve his appointment, but instead have revealed government infighting and early doubts about Keir Starmer’s premiership. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube . Help support...
Jun 02, 2026•11 min
Daniel Trilling on the far-right party threatening Reform’s chances in the Makerfield byelection. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jun 02, 2026•28 min
As Israel threatens to bomb Beirut and the US and Iran trade missile strikes, Donald Trump insists it will ‘all work out well in the end’ and urges his critics to ‘sit back and relax’. So are we any closer to a deal? Lucy Hough speaks to diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...
Jun 01, 2026•11 min
Alaina Demopoulos reports on the Christian influencers telling women to submit to their husbands. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jun 01, 2026•26 min
Nato has vowed to ‘defend every inch’ of its territory after a Russian drone hit an apartment building in Romania. The strike prompted swift condemnation and threats of repercussion from European leaders. So is there a risk the war could expand beyond Ukraine? Lucy Hough speaks to senior international correspondent Peter Beaumont – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...
May 29, 2026•10 min
In the week when the hottest May days were recorded, environment editor Fiona Harvey examines a new Climate Change Committee report on how the UK can better withstand extreme heat. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
May 29, 2026•24 min
A landmark report has warned that the UK risks a ‘lost generation’ of young people, as new figures show that more than 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK were not in education, employment or training. The former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn said youth disengagement was a mounting economic risk to the country, and urged a fundamental reset of policy covering schools, the health service and the welfare state. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s senior economics correspondent, Richard ...
May 28, 2026•11 min
The UN’s special rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese, on the war in Gaza, living under US sanctions and accusations of antisemitism. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
May 28, 2026•29 min
Peter Mandelson’s links with senior figures in China, Russia and Israel were among the concerns raised by the UK’s vetting agency when it concluded he should be denied clearance, multiple sources have told the Guardian. It comes after a powerful parliamentary committee said the government was failing to fully comply with a parliamentary motion ordering the release of all papers relating to Mandelson’s appointment. A spokesperson for Hayman said he “has no personal connection or familiarity whats...
May 27, 2026•15 min
Sirin Kale on the BBC Panorama investigation into Married at First Sight UK. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
May 27, 2026•32 min
The US has launched fresh strikes on Iran despite suggestions that a peace deal could be within reach. Donald Trump faces growing criticism from Republicans over the proposed plan to end the war, which reportedly contained major concessions from Washington. But could an agreement still be imminent? Lucy Hough speaks to diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...
May 26, 2026•11 min
Josh Halliday on why Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is tipped to be the future Labour leader … if he wins the Makerfield byelection. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
May 26, 2026•30 min
The UK is experiencing record-breaking temperatures in an unprecedented May heatwave, while large parts of Europe are also facing blistering conditions. As the climate crisis makes extreme heat more likely, are we prepared? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian reporter Helena Horton – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...
May 25, 2026•11 min
Senior Middle East correspondent Emma Graham-Harrison on a pair of laws recently passed by the Israeli parliament to bring back the death penalty – seemingly only for Palestinians. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
May 25, 2026•27 min
The US supreme court has preserved nationwide access to mail-order abortion pills, for now. As Carter Sherman explains, the fight to protect this medication is far from over, as a near-total abortion ban could be on the horizon. Carter speaks with Dr Angel Foster, a co-founder of the Massachusetts Medication Abortion Access Project, who reveals how the legal battle over abortion pills has affected patients across the US – and what could happen next. Help support our independent journalism at the...
May 23, 2026•43 min
A ruthless Thomas Tuchel has left several big names at home for his England squad at this summer’s World Cup. There was no space for Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer or Phil Foden – previous stalwarts in former manager Gareth Southgate’s squads. The announcement comes as the club season nears its end, with a historic week for Arsenal winning its first Premier League title in 22 years, sparking an incredible and diverse celebration from fans. Lucy Hough speaks to sportswriter an...
May 22, 2026•12 min
Kay Lay and Prosper Heri Ngorora report on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
May 22, 2026•24 min
Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has triggered global outrage after sharing footage of himself taunting bound activists who had been detained as they tried to sail to Gaza with aid. The video has been widely condemned by world leaders, including the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and by Israeli politicians, among them the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s chief Middle East correspondent, Emma Graham-Harrison – watch on...
May 21, 2026•13 min
The Olympian Max McCusker on his decision to sign up for the Las Vegas games where performance-enhancing drugs are encouraged. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
May 21, 2026•25 min
Xi Jinping welcomed Vladimir Putin to Beijing with pomp and pageantry, just days after hosting Donald Trump. But as Russia’s war in Ukraine makes Moscow increasingly dependent on China, and western leaders thaw relations with Beijing, what does the power imbalance mean for Xi and Putin’s relationship? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s deputy head of international news, Devika Bhat. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...
May 20, 2026•12 min
Tom Phillips on life in the country four months after the US abduction of the former president Nicolás Maduro. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
May 20, 2026•28 min
A long and bitter legal battle between tech billionaires Elon Musk and Sam Altman has culminated in victory for the OpenAI boss. Musk has vowed to appeal the verdict. But what did the trial reveal about big tech and the global AI race. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian US tech and power reporter Nick Robins-Early - watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...
May 19, 2026•11 min
Anna Isaac on Nigel Farage’s response to the Guardian revelation that he was given an undisclosed £5m gift from a crypto billionaire in 2024. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
May 19, 2026•24 min
The Brexit debate has been reignited after Labour leadership contender Wes Streeting called it a ‘catastrophic mistake’ and said the UK should rejoin the European Union. His comments put pressure on rival Andy Burnham, who has previously advocated for rejoining the bloc but is fighting a byelection in the leave-voting Makerfield constituency. But how would rejoining work and would the EU even agree to it? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s Europe correspondent, Jon Henley. Help support our inde...
May 18, 2026•12 min
