Alex Atack

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Hannah Moore |Jessica Murray |Alex Atack |Priya Bharadia |Joel Cox |Elizabeth Cassin

“It’s been absolutely unbelievable,” William Timms, a pest controller, tells Hannah Moore. “Since March, calls have gone up 50%. Usually, I’m dealing with about three or four rodent jobs a day this time of year. And then I’ve got my insect jobs on top. “But I’ve had to put my insect jobs on the back burner, because I’m just being inundated with rat calls. I’m doing about nine or 10 a day at the moment.”Birmingham’s rubbish collectors have been on an all-out strike since early March.

1 month ago | theguardian.com | Michael Safi |Alex Atack |Homa Khaleeli

A few weeks ago, Michael Safi travelled to north-east Syria, an area controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Here, suspected foreign fighters for Islamic State – including those from Britain – have for years been imprisoned without charge and with no idea of when they would be released. Few prisoners in the camp say they are IS members.

1 month ago | theguardian.com | Michael Safi |Alex Atack |Tom Glasser |Homa Khaleeli

After more than a decade of war, and half a century of repressive rule under Bashar al-Assad and his father, Syrians have a new ruler and a new future. Michael Safi spent a week travelling around the country, speaking to people about their surging hopes and joy – but also their fears of how fragile this peace could prove to be.

1 month ago | theguardian.com | Helen Pidd |Henry Dyer |Eli Block |Joel Cox |Elizabeth Cassin |Alex Atack

Lord David Evans of Watford, 82, offered access to ministers during discussions about a commercial deal, an undercover investigation can reveal. Lord Evans was recorded explaining to Guardian undercover reporters – who were posing as property developers looking to lobby the government – on how to approach Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister and housing secretary. An online meeting with Lord Evans took place six days before Christmas.

2 months ago | theguardian.com | Michael Safi |Alex Atack |Homa Khaleeli |Sami Kent |Joel Cox

Michael Safi was in Lebanon in the summer, when it was on the brink of war between Israel and Hezbollah, the most powerful force in the country. Months later, in October, Israeli troops invaded Lebanon amid a wave of airstrikes and assassinations of top Hezbollah leaders and commanders. Michael returned this month and visited destroyed villages in southern Lebanon as civilians were returning to their homes.