Culture 2025: the best in film, TV and music

Guardian critics Ben Beaumont-Thomas, Catherine Shoard and Hannah J Davies look back at some of the best (and worst) of the year. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The UK government’s long-awaited strategy to tackle violence against women and girls has been published today. Alexandra Topping joins Lucy Hough to explain what it will change, amid concerns that ‘toxic ideas’ are going unchallenged in schools. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Santiago-based journalist John Bartlett charts how far-right José Antonio Kast managed to win election by landslide. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Resident doctors in England have begun five days of strike action after rejecting the government’s latest offer to resolve a long-running dispute over pay and jobs. The health secretary, Wes Streeting, met the British Medical Association on Tuesday in a final attempt to reach an agreement, but they failed to agree a deal. It means that resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – will remain on strike until 7am on Monday. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian’s health policy editor, Denis Campbell – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The congresswoman told David Smith about how it feels to be targeted by the world’s most powerful man. But why has Donald Trump gone after her and the Somali community?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The BBC has vowed to defend itself against the $10bn lawsuit that the US president, Donald Trump, filed against it. Trump alleges the broadcaster ‘intentionally, maliciously and deceptively’ edited the speech he gave before the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol. On Tuesday, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.’ Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

When Reform took over 10 local councils in England this summer, it offered the first glimpse of how the party might govern if it were to get into No 10. Helen Pidd reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Australia suffered one of the deadliest massacres in its modern history on Sunday when two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish celebration at Bondi beach in Sydney. At least 16 people died, including one of the alleged gunmen, with more than 40 wounded. The victims include a 10-year-old child, a Holocaust survivor and a London-born rabbi. The alleged gunmen behind the attack are a father and son, who are suspected of using legally obtained firearms to commit the massacre. One of the suspects, Naveed Akram, 24, was known to New South Wales police and security agencies. The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is facing questions about gun law reform and security failings as the country reels from the attack. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian Australia senior reporter Ben Doherty – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Has east Asia replaced the US as the world’s cultural centre? With Jeff Yang. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Free Birth Society was selling pregnant women a simple message. They could exit the medical system and take back their power. By free birthing. But Nicole Garrison believes FBS ideology nearly cost her her life. This is episode one of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne Listen to the full series from The Guardian Investigates podcast. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus