Lucy Hough

Kemi Badenoch has reportedly offered Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi activist and former Conservative candidate, an advisory role focused on how young men become radicalized. Bonehill-Paine was convicted of harassing a Jewish MP and previously described himself using fascist and white-nationalist terms, though he says he has undertaken counter-extremism work since leaving prison. The appointment has prompted scrutiny of the Conservative Party’s judgment and approach to extremism.

Gianni Infantino’s position as FIFA president is described as increasingly precarious after the collapse of plans to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors. Several Concacaf countries may follow European football bodies in withdrawing support, while calls for his removal grow.

Gianni Infantino’s position as FIFA president is described as seriously threatened after plans to sell parts of the World Cup to private investors collapsed. Several CONCACAF countries are reportedly considering withdrawing their support, while broader calls are growing for his removal. Lucy Hough discusses the situation with Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew.

Dozens of people died trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after an estimated 50,000 people crossed from Morocco. The incident has triggered a political crisis in Spain and criticism from other EU countries, exposing divisions over migration and border policy.

At least 72 people died attempting to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after an estimated 50,000 migrants crossed from Morocco. The deaths triggered a political crisis in Spain and criticism from other European Union countries, exposing divisions over migration and border management.

Donald Trump has declared a breakthrough in negotiations involving Hamas’s disarmament in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. Israeli government officials have expressed skepticism about the proposed deal, while Guardian journalists Lucy Hough and Julian Borger discuss the latest developments.

Donald Trump has announced what he describes as a breakthrough in negotiations to disarm Hamas and secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Israeli government officials remain skeptical about the proposed deal, raising doubts over whether it can be implemented and whether Israel will agree to withdraw.

The US military has launched airstrikes against Iran after Tehran targeted American bases in Jordan. The attacks followed Donald Trump’s warning that Iran would be hit “very hard” after a pause in fighting. Iran has also expanded its military strikes across the region, raising fears that the conflict could develop into a wider Middle East war.

The United States has conducted airstrikes against Iran after Tehran targeted American bases in Jordan. The attacks followed Donald Trump’s threat to strike Iran hard after a pause in fighting. Iran’s expanded military operations across the region have intensified fears that the conflict could develop into a broader Middle Eastern war.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has announced plans to sell stakes in the World Cup to private investors through a new commercial entity valued at $20 billion. Joshua Kushner is identified as one of the leading prospective investors. The proposal has triggered an immediate backlash from UEFA, which accused FIFA of trying to sell football’s soul.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has announced plans to sell stakes in the World Cup through a new commercial entity valued at $20 billion. Joshua Kushner is identified as one of the leading potential investors, while UEFA has strongly criticized the proposal, accusing FIFA of trying to sell football’s soul.

Labour has overtaken Reform UK in multiple polls for the first time since March of the previous year. The shift, dubbed the “Burnham bounce,” comes two weeks after Andy Burnham became prime minister and announced measures on the cost of living and localized education aimed at reducing youth unemployment. Further social care proposals are expected, prompting debate over whether Labour’s improved standing marks a lasting political turning point or merely a temporary honeymoon.

Labour has overtaken Reform UK in the polls for the first time since March of the previous year, a shift attributed to the “Burnham bounce” two weeks into Andy Burnham’s tenure as prime minister. Burnham’s government has announced measures on the cost of living and localized education aimed at reducing youth unemployment, with a social-care announcement expected soon. The segment examines whether the change marks a turning point for Labour or merely a temporary honeymoon.

Firefighters in France and Spain are battling severe wildfires that have forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate. French authorities describe the fires, including the Gironde blaze near Bordeaux, as exceptionally serious, while another heatwave is expected to worsen conditions.

Firefighters in France and Spain are battling severe wildfires that have forced hundreds of thousands of evacuations as another heatwave approaches. French authorities describe the fires as exceptionally severe, with more than 116,000 hectares of forest and vegetation burned since the start of the year, compared with 70,000 hectares during the whole of the previous year. The Gironde fire near Bordeaux is highlighted as a major focus of the response.

Charli xcx’s follow-up to the 2024 breakthrough album Brat, titled Music, Fashion, Film, marks a shift toward guitar-driven music and explores the instability of identity. Guardian deputy music editor Laura Snapes discusses whether the new release can match the cultural impact of Brat, which led to Charli xcx’s global stardom, a Glastonbury headline slot and Collins’ word of the year.

Charli xcx’s new album, Music, follows the global success of 2024’s Brat, which elevated her from pop’s fringes to international stardom and inspired the phenomenon of “brat summer.” Guardian music editor Laura Snapes describes the new record as a pivot toward guitar and a meta-focused exploration of the instability of identity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi in the country’s largest military leadership shake-up in two years. The move follows nationwide protests after Zelenskyy removed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who is expected to return to government in a prominent role.

The United States has launched another round of strikes against Iran after three US soldiers were killed in action. The Pentagon says nearly 100 US service members have been injured over two weeks as Iran conducts repeated reprisals. The escalation is occurring while Pakistan-mediated peace talks continue, raising questions about President Donald Trump’s control of the conflict and the wider regional consequences involving the Strait of Hormuz and the Houthis.

The United States has launched fresh strikes on Iran after three American soldiers were killed, while the Pentagon says nearly 100 service members have been wounded during ten consecutive nights of attacks. The discussion examines whether Donald Trump has lost control of the escalating conflict and considers the prospects for peace talks mediated by Pakistan as Iran responds to the US campaign.

Andy Burnham succeeds Keir Starmer as the UK's sixth prime minister in ten years, promising a circuit‑breaker moment and the most significant reforms in four decades in his first address outside Downing Street. Lucy Hough discusses the shift in power with political correspondent Alexandra Topping.

Andy Burnham has become the United Kingdom’s sixth prime minister in a decade, succeeding Keir Starmer after a transfer of power. In his first address outside Downing Street, Burnham described his arrival as a “circuit breaker” moment and pledged that his government would introduce the biggest changes in 40 years.

Nigel Farage resigned as MP for Clacton to trigger a byelection in which he plans to run, framing the contest as a challenge to the establishment. He faces two investigations over undeclared gifts and criticised media scrutiny of his finances and family. The announcement came during a short press conference, followed by analysis from policy editor Kiran Stacey.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are reportedly holding a large wedding ceremony at Madison Square Garden featuring extensive security, NDAs and a custom fairytale-style setup, following an intimate rehearsal dinner attended by a large guest list.

Billions are expected to be diverted from NHS services to pay for new medicines under the US‑UK trade deal agreed in December, with analysts warning this could result in significant excess deaths. Ministers defend the agreement as a way to protect British drug exports and expand patient access to medication, while critics argue Labour ceded to pressure from Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump generated more than $2bn in the past year through cryptocurrency ventures, meme coins and branded merchandise as the US pushes to position itself as a global crypto leader. The investigation highlights how Trump and his family have leveraged digital assets for substantial personal revenue while raising questions about the scale of income a sitting president can accrue.

The prime minister announced a £15bn defence investment plan focused on drones, nuclear projects and RAF fighter jets, funded by cuts to energy, transport and housing budgets. Keir Starmer cautioned successor candidate Andy Burnham against borrowing to cover the costs, as the policy editor analysed the implications for national security and public spending priorities.

Andy Burnham outlines plans for a significant shift of power away from Westminster, including a proposed “No 10 North,” as part of his bid to succeed Keir Starmer. Lucy Hough discusses the implications with Josh Halliday, focusing on Burnham’s vision for national rebalancing and his emerging leadership platform.