Zoe Hitch

FIFA president Gianni Infantino plans to sell stakes in the World Cup through a new commercial entity valued at $20 billion. Joshua Kushner is identified as a leading potential investor, while UEFA has condemned the proposal as an attempt to sell football’s soul, prompting questions about the impact of private capital on the sport’s governance and identity.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has proposed selling stakes in the World Cup to private investors through a new commercial entity valued at $20 billion. Joshua Kushner is identified as a leading potential investor, while UEFA has condemned the plan as an attempt to sell football’s soul, prompting a backlash over the commercialization and governance of the sport.

Labour has overtaken Reform UK in multiple polls for the first time since March of the previous year. The shift follows Andy Burnham’s first two weeks as prime minister, including announcements on the cost of living and localized education aimed at reducing youth unemployment. A social-care announcement is expected, while political correspondent Peter Walker considers whether the change marks a genuine turning point for Labour or merely a temporary honeymoon.

Labour has overtaken Reform UK in polling for the first time since March of the previous year, a shift attributed partly to the early popularity of Andy Burnham’s premiership. His government has announced measures on the cost of living and localized education aimed at reducing youth unemployment, with a social-care announcement expected. The key question is whether the change marks a lasting recovery 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 intensify the danger.

Firefighters in France and Spain are battling extensive 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 all of the previous year. The Gironde fire near Bordeaux is identified as a particularly serious blaze.

The video examines whether Charli xcx’s new album, Music, can follow the global success of her 2024 breakthrough album Brat. Guardian music editor Laura Snapes describes Music as a shift toward guitar-driven sounds and a meta-reflection on the instability of identity.

Charli xcx’s 2024 album Brat propelled her from the pop fringes to global stardom, generating a major cultural moment that included “brat summer,” a Glastonbury headline performance and Collins’s word of the year. Her newly released follow-up, Music, shifts toward guitar and is characterized as a meta-focused exploration of the instability of identity.

Gary Lineker is among more than 100 wealthy Britons who have signed an open letter urging the UK government to introduce a wealth tax, arguing that they can afford to pay more. The video examines why the proposal is gaining popularity and discusses the policy’s prospects with economics commentator Aditya Chakrabortty.

More than 100 wealthy Britons, including former footballer Gary Lineker, have signed an open letter urging the UK government to tax their wealth. The audio examines whether a wealth tax should be introduced and why the idea is gaining popularity, with Nosheen Iqbal speaking to economics commentator Aditya Chakrabortty.

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, whom he says will return to government in a prominent role.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has removed army commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi in the country’s largest military shake-up in two years. The decision follows nationwide protests after Zelenskyy dismissed Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whom he says will return to government in a prominent role.

The United States conducted another round of strikes against Iran after three American soldiers were killed. The Pentagon acknowledged that nearly 100 service members had been injured during two weeks of conflict, while Iran continued retaliatory attacks. Peace talks mediated by Pakistan were ongoing, raising questions about the Trump administration's control of the war.

The United States has launched fresh strikes on Iran after three American soldiers were killed, while nearly 100 other US service members have reportedly been wounded during Iran’s response to 10 consecutive nights of attacks. Peace talks mediated by Pakistan are continuing, amid questions over whether Donald Trump retains control of the escalating conflict.

Andy Burnham becomes the UK’s sixth prime minister in a decade, calling his arrival a circuit‑breaker for Britain and promising the biggest changes in 40 years.

Christopher Nolan’s star-studded adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey has received rave early reviews and is among the year’s most anticipated films. The three-hour IMAX blockbuster reportedly has a $250 million budget and features Matt Damon, Zendaya and Tom Holland, prompting discussion about whether it can live up to the considerable hype.

Christopher Nolan’s three-hour, $250 million IMAX adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey has received rave critical reviews and is among the year’s most anticipated films. Annie Kelly discusses with Guardian film editor Catherine Shoard whether the star-studded production, featuring Matt Damon, Zendaya and Tom Holland, can live up to the hype.

England lost 2–1 to Argentina in a dramatic World Cup semifinal comeback after conceding two late goals. The video examines whether manager Thomas Tuchel’s substitution decisions and tactics contributed to the defeat, with Annie Kelly discussing the issue with sports columnist Jonathan Liew. Argentina will face Spain in the final, while England’s latest World Cup disappointment raises questions about Tuchel’s management.

England suffered another World Cup disappointment after conceding two late goals in a dramatic 2–1 comeback defeat to Argentina, who advanced to the final against Spain. The discussion examines whether manager Thomas Tuchel’s substitution choices and tactics contributed to the loss.

The UK government plans to extend its social media restrictions to 16- and 17-year-olds through an overnight curfew from midnight to 6am, with certain apps blocked by default. The measure is intended to reduce online harms, but it will not be mandatory and teenagers can opt out, raising doubts about how effective it will be.

President Trump and his family generated more than $2bn in the past year through cryptocurrencies, meme coins and branded merchandise as the US seeks to position itself as a global crypto hub, raising questions about the scale of wealth a sitting president can accumulate.

The UK prime minister announced a four-year, £15bn increase in defence spending focused on drones, nuclear projects and RAF fighter jets, funded by cuts to energy, transport and housing budgets. Keir Starmer urged Andy Burnham not to use borrowing to finance the plan, as reporters and analysts examined the political and security implications of the investment shift.

Andy Burnham outlines a plan to shift political power away from London, proposing a 'No 10 North' and promising significant national rebalancing as part of his bid to succeed Keir Starmer. Lucy Hough discusses the proposals with Josh Halliday, examining how Burnham envisions reshaping governance and influence across the UK.