McSweeney and Gray: the powers behind Keir Starmer

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

Helen Pidd meets Charles Courtenay, the 19th Earl of Devon, to discuss the history and fate of the UK’s hereditary peers. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

On Tuesday, dozens of people were killed when electronic pagers blew up. The next day walkie-talkies exploded. What was the goal of the attacks? William Christou reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The PM should be enjoying his political honeymoon but, explains Anushka Asthana, his wide but fragile majority is proving difficult to navigate. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

How discussions over long-range missiles led to war threats from Vladimir Putin. Dan Sabbagh reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The newsreader has been sentenced for accessing indecent images of children. How did the BBC handle the scandal? Dan Boffey reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

How Donald Trump’s vice-presidential running mate JD Vance calling Democrats ‘childless cat ladies’ backfired. Elle Hunt reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus