Creating The Spark: the kids behind 2024’s surprise summer hit

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

Rory Carroll and Helen Pidd meet the Kabin Crew and the Lisdoonvarna Crew – creators of a song that has notched up over a billion plays on TikTok – as they perform at the Electric Picnic music festival. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

What does the feud between Elon Musk and Brazil’s supreme court mean for X and Starlink users in the country? Tom Phillips reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Keir Starmer says cutting the universal winter fuel allowance for pensioners is a ‘tough decision’ Labour has to take. But many of his MPs were not happy, as Peter Walker reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Guardian columnist Mehdi Hasan talks through the debate strategy needed to face an opponent like Donald Trump. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Twenty-three years after Mohammed Ayaz fell from a plane wheel bay as it descended to Heathrow airport, his brother visits the car park where his body was found. Esther Addley reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus