Election Extra: desperate times

For years the two countries have been engaged in a shadow war. Why, and will it finally explode into a direct confrontation? Patrick Wintour reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Helen Pidd goes to the Conservative party conference to hear from the four candidates vying for the leadership. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Peter Beaumont joins Michael Safi from Jerusalem to discuss the unprecedented attack on Israel by Iran – and what may come next. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Racist chants rang out, and homes, businesses and hotels housing asylum seekers were attacked – for a week this summer English towns and cities seemed on the brink of chaos. Josh Halliday reports on what we know so far about the people at the centre of the violence. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Hezbollah was a force to be reckoned with. Now its veteran leader and a host of its senior leaders are dead and Israel is threatening a ground invasion of Lebanon. Is this the start of a new reality in the Middle East? Jason Burke reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Irritable bowel syndrome affects one in five adults in the UK but is little understood and has no known cure. Hannah Moore discusses living with the condition with a friend and asks a dietitian whether new research into the mind-gut connection may bring answers. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

William Christou and Michael Safi speak to people affected by Israel’s intense bombing campaign in Lebanon. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

For more than a decade Pelicot’s husband drugged her and invited other men to allegedly rape her. When she found out, she made an extraordinary decision. Angelique Chrisafis reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

From anger over the winter fuel allowance to a row over freebies, Labour’s first conference in power for 15 years started under a cloud. Did the prime minister’s speech lift the gloom? With Jessica Elgot. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Annie Kelly reports from a conference in Albania where Afghan women have spoken publicly about the Taliban’s brutal crackdown on their freedom. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus