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

Across south-east Asia, governments are scrambling to find ways to conserve energy and shield the public from soaring costs, as war in the Middle East causes huge disruption in the global oil market. In Thailand, news anchors have been ditching their jackets after orders to reduce air conditioning use, while government workers in the Philippines are operating on a four-day week. Asia relies heavily on imported energy, much of which passes through the strait of Hormuz, and officials have warned further measures could be considered if the energy crisis worsens. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s south-east Asia correspondent, Rebecca Ratcliffe. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Rory Carroll reports on the Irish government’s initiative, as a musician and a writer relay their experiences on the scheme. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Donald Trump is threatening to ‘blow up’ a major Iranian energy facility, as attacks on gasfields across the Middle East send gas and oil prices skyrocketing again. The threat comes after Israeli strikes on the South Pars gasfield prompted Iran to retaliate with attacks on energy facilities across the region, including in Qatar. It marks a serious escalation in the war, which could cause long-term disruption to global energy supplies. Lucy Hough speaks to senior international reporter Peter Beaumont – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

MP for Warrington North shares her experience as a complainant in a rape trial where the man she accused was acquitted. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Kemi Badenoch has described Donald Trump’s criticism of Keir Starmer as ‘childish’ and said it ‘sends the wrong signal to our opponents in Iran or in Russia’. Trump repeated his previous attack on the prime minister on Tuesday, saying: ‘Unfortunately Keir is no Winston Churchill.’ Are cracks starting to appear in the US-UK special relationship? Lucy Hough speaks to our senior political correspondent Peter Walker – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus