Today in Focus

40 Episodes
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By: The Guardian

Today in Focus brings you closer to the Guardian's journalism. Our award-winning morning edition hosted by Helen Pidd, Nosheen Iqbal and Annie Kelly combines on-the-ground reporting, insightful analysis and personal testimony from the people at the heart of the stories that matter, to give you a deeper understanding of the world we live in. And to make sense of a rapidly-changing news cycle, our new evening edition 'The Latest' hosted by Lucy Hough, brings you up to speed on the big news story of the day in just 10 minutes. Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.

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On the ground in decimated Nepal flood zone – The Latest
On the ground in decimated Nepal flood zone – The Latest episode artwork
Last Friday at 4:04 PM

Rescue efforts are continuing in Nepal and Tibet after flash floods that have killed hundreds and left many more missing. But fears that a lake formed by the landslide could overflow and cause fresh flooding, along with difficulty accessing disaster-hit areas, are hindering rescue and recovery missions. Lucy Hough speaks with south Asia correspondent Hannah Ellis-Petersen, who is in Nepal, about the situation on the ground - watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Black Box: episode 5 – The white mask
Black Box: episode 5 – The white mask episode artwork
Last Friday at 2:00 AM

Revisited: Guardian journalist Michael Safi looks into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring the dangers and promises it holds for society. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


‘Tsunami from the sky:’ floods leave trail of devastation in Nepal and Tibet - The Latest
‘Tsunami from the sky:’ floods leave trail of devastation in Nepal and Tibet - The Latest episode artwork
Last Thursday at 4:20 PM

Hundreds of people are missing or have been killed after a catastrophic flash flood hit Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday. Entire villages have been destroyed, many of which are popular pilgrimage and trekking destinations for tourists. Lucy Hough talks to global editor Devika Bhat about how the devastating event unfolded – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Black Box: episode 4 – Bing and I
Black Box: episode 4 – Bing and I episode artwork
Last Thursday at 2:00 AM

Revisited: Guardian journalist Michael Safi looks into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring the dangers and promises it holds for society. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Dolly Parton: why the queen of country was so beloved – The Latest
Dolly Parton: why the queen of country was so beloved – The Latest episode artwork
Last Wednesday at 4:46 PM

Tributes have poured in for Dolly Parton, the pioneering country music singer, songwriter and actor, who has died aged 80. Stars including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey and Paul McCartney have paid tribute to one of the world’s greatest music artists, with many praising her lifelong philanthropy and advocacy for literacy and LGBTQ+ rights. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian deputy features editor Jenny Stevens – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Black Box: episode 3 – Repocalypse now
Black Box: episode 3 – Repocalypse now episode artwork
Last Wednesday at 2:00 AM

Revisited: Guardian journalist Michael Safi looks into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring the dangers and promises it holds for society. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


‘Economic D-day’: how desperate is Trump to end Iran war? — The Latest
‘Economic D-day’: how desperate is Trump to end Iran war? — The Latest episode artwork
Last Tuesday at 3:54 PM

The White House has threatened sanctions on any country that trades with Iran in another bid to economically isolate the country, as US military efforts falter. Launching what he called Operation Economic Outcast, the US Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, compared it with D-day. China, Iran’s biggest trading partner, has already signalled that it will not cooperate with Trump’s attack on the Iranian economy. Lucy Hough speaks to Julian Borger, senior international correspondent – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Black Box: episode 2 – The hunt for ClothOff, the deepfake porn app
Black Box: episode 2 – The hunt for ClothOff, the deepfake porn app episode artwork
Last Tuesday at 2:00 AM

Revisited: Guardian journalist Michael Safi looks into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring the dangers and promises it holds for society. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Burnham hands secret missile technology to Ukraine – The Latest
Burnham hands secret missile technology to Ukraine – The Latest episode artwork
Last Monday at 3:45 PM

Andy Burnham is making his first foreign visit as prime minister to Ukraine, marking the country’s independence day. Burnham will use the trip to announce that the UK government will declassify information about missiles to help Ukraine build its own. Lucy Hough speaks to senior international correspondent Luke Harding – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Black Box: episode 1 – The connectionists
Black Box: episode 1 – The connectionists episode artwork
Last Monday at 2:00 AM

Revisited: Guardian journalist Michael Safi looks into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring the dangers and promises it holds for society. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Who is Natalie Harp? Trump’s ‘human printer’ aide in the spotlight - The Latest
Who is Natalie Harp? Trump’s ‘human printer’ aide in the spotlight - The Latest episode artwork
08/21/2026

One of Donald Trump’s closest and most devoted aides, Natalie Harp, has faced intense media scrutiny this week, after a Democratic senator, Jon Ossoff, name-checked her in a speech that went viral. So what do we know about Harp, who is often referred to as the ‘human printer’? And why is everybody talking about her relationship with Trump? Helen Pidd speaks to the Guardian’s international news editor, Paul Owen. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


How to get back into reading books
How to get back into reading books episode artwork
08/21/2026

Our specialist panel on which books may help you put your phone away and get reading again. With Charlotte Northedge, David Shariatmadari and Rebecca Liu. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Why are Prince Harry and Meghan moving back to the UK? – The Latest
Why are Prince Harry and Meghan moving back to the UK? – The Latest episode artwork
08/20/2026

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning to return to live in Britain, six years after leaving for the US: a decision that was subject to intense media scrutiny. The couple and their two children are expected to relocate later in August to a non-royal residence. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to senior national editor Aaron Sharp – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Drill Andy drill? Burnham’s North Sea dilemma
Drill Andy drill? Burnham’s North Sea dilemma episode artwork
08/20/2026

Helena Horton on why the government may decide to allow more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Will Andy Burnham get rough sleepers off streets by Christmas? – The Latest
Will Andy Burnham get rough sleepers off streets by Christmas? – The Latest episode artwork
08/19/2026

The prime minister has announced a £442m plan to get rough sleepers off the streets by Christmas. It solidifies tackling homelessness as a central policy for Andy Burnham’s government, and gives voters a measure by which to judge his success – although without a concrete target for ministers to hit. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to social policy editor Patrick Butler – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The people v the datacentre? The fight for Brick Lane
The people v the datacentre? The fight for Brick Lane episode artwork
08/19/2026

Annie Kelly heads to Brick Lane to hear from residents campaigning against a massive datacentre on one of London’s most famous streets. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Russia threatens UK over supplying drones to Ukraine — The Latest
Russia threatens UK over supplying drones to Ukraine — The Latest episode artwork
08/18/2026

Russia has threatened the UK with ‘consequences’ after reports that British drones were used by Ukraine to strike targets on Russia’s mainland for the first time. The Ministry of Defence has rebuffed these threats, saying the UK is ‘committed to providing equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion’. Annie Kelly speaks to senior international correspondent Luke Harding – watch on YouTube Luke’s new book Betrayal: Trump, Putin and the New Age of Conquest will be published next week. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


A bestselling true crime author, and the crimes he’s accused of
A bestselling true crime author, and the crimes he’s accused of episode artwork
08/18/2026

Investigations correspondent Sirin Kale reports on the allegations of violence and sexual assault against author Christopher Berry-Dee. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Can Trump’s peace plan for Gaza be saved? – The Latest
Can Trump’s peace plan for Gaza be saved? – The Latest episode artwork
08/17/2026

Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner is on a diplomatic mission in the Middle East to meet Hamas officials and the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in an attempt to salvage a ceasefire in Gaza. The talks come after Netanyahu rejected the US-backed 15-point peace plan for the territory in a rare public break with the Trump administration this month. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to global editor Devika Bhat – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The super-producer who made an album from his hospital bed
The super-producer who made an album from his hospital bed episode artwork
08/17/2026

James Ellis Ford talks about being diagnosed with leukaemia and how making music helped him through one of the hardest periods of his life. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Prisons are full - who should be released early?
Prisons are full - who should be released early? episode artwork
08/14/2026

Former prison governor Judith Feline on the reality of our overcrowded prisons and Peter Walker on why it’s causing a headache for Andy Burnham. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The 21 million women and girls the world forgot
The 21 million women and girls the world forgot episode artwork
08/13/2026

Five years after the Taliban retook power, women inside the country explain how they have been silenced, while the Afghan journalist Zahra Joya asks why the world has looked away. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Could Clacton bin off Nigel Farage?
Could Clacton bin off Nigel Farage? episode artwork
08/12/2026

Farage has taken a high risk gamble by resigning and forcing a byelection in his constituency. Nosheen Iqbal heads to Clacton to find out how voters feel. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Why did Saudi Arabia just spend billions on a video games company?
Why did Saudi Arabia just spend billions on a video games company? episode artwork
08/11/2026

Last week Saudi Arabia’s wealth fund and a group of investors spent $55bn (£41bn) on Electronic Arts, the video games company behind the Sims, Madden NFL and Battlefield. Keith Stuart and George Osborn tell Annie Kelly why this soft-power move is worrying many in the industry. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The gen Z investors
The gen Z investors episode artwork
08/10/2026

Are gen Z the most financially savvy generation of them all? With senior economics correspondent Richard Partington and influencer James Beckett. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Could Meta’s ‘pervert glasses’ be banned across the UK? – The Latest
Could Meta’s ‘pervert glasses’ be banned across the UK? – The Latest episode artwork
08/07/2026

With more than 7m pairs reportedly sold in 2025, Meta’s Ray-Ban smartglasses are fast becoming the world’s most popular new gadget. But while supporters say they are transforming photography and accessibility, others have labelled them ‘pervert glasses’, with some UK pubs and restaurants, including Wetherspoons, banning the technology from their premises. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s deputy Opinion editor Kirsty Major – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Plagiarism and a pig’s head: the rise and fall of Jason Arday
Plagiarism and a pig’s head: the rise and fall of Jason Arday episode artwork
08/07/2026

Jason Arday’s appointment as Cambridge’s youngest black professor made global headlines. Then questions about his meteoric rise began to snowball. Lanre Bakare reports.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Why has Kemi Badenoch given a former neo-Nazi an advisory role? – The Latest
Why has Kemi Badenoch given a former neo-Nazi an advisory role? – The Latest episode artwork
08/06/2026

Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi activist, has been offered a role as an adviser to the Conservative party by Kemi Badenoch after he withdrew as a Tory candidate for next year’s local elections. The role will reportedly be focused on how young men become radicalised. Bonehill-Paine was convicted of harassing a Jewish MP and has previously described himself as a ‘nationalist, fascist, theorist and supporter of white rights’. He says he has carried out counter-extremism work since he was released from prison. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian political correspondent Ben Quinn – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journali...


‘The guards just opened the door’: what happened in Ceuta?
‘The guards just opened the door’: what happened in Ceuta? episode artwork
08/06/2026

How did more than 70,000 migrants manage to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta all at once … and what will be the fallout? With reporting from Javier Jennings Mozo and Jennifer Rankin. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Russia exploits Ukraine’s air defence shortage in deadly attack on Kyiv - The Latest
Russia exploits Ukraine’s air defence shortage in deadly attack on Kyiv - The Latest episode artwork
08/05/2026

At least 17 people were killed and more than 40 injured in another round of deadly Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pleaded for more air defence weapons, saying ballistic missile interceptors ‘could have saved the lives of those killed today’. For months, Ukraine has been warning about shortages after Donald Trump backtracked on his promise to let Ukraine manufacture missiles locally. In response to the attack, the EU’s Ursula von der Leyen said ‘Russia must pay’ – but will it? Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian’s Russia affairs correspondent, Pjotr Sauer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian


The mystery of the missing president
The mystery of the missing president episode artwork
08/05/2026

Cameroon’s 93-year-old president has not been seen for many weeks. The Guardian’s Eromo Egbejule and Giovanni Wanneh tell Annie Kelly how the country is managing without its leader, and why Cameroonians still have hope for the next chapter. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Is Gianni Infantino’s time up as Fifa president? - The Latest
Is Gianni Infantino’s time up as Fifa president? - The Latest episode artwork
08/04/2026

Gianni Infantino’s reign as Fifa president is in severe peril after the collapse of his plans to sell off parts of the World Cup to private investment. Many Concacaf countries are considering following Europe’s lead by formally removing their support for Infantino, and there are widespread calls to remove him from his post. Lucy Hough speaks to columnist Jonathan Liew – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Nigel Farage and the £5m question that won’t go away
Nigel Farage and the £5m question that won’t go away episode artwork
08/04/2026

Reform UK’s finances have come under scrutiny like never before. What do we know about the party’s funding – and why do so many awkward questions remain for Nigel Farage? Anna Isaac explains. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


How Ceuta migrant crisis exposes divisions within Europe - The Latest
How Ceuta migrant crisis exposes divisions within Europe - The Latest episode artwork
08/03/2026

Dozens of people died attempting to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after an estimated 50,000 crossed from Morocco last week. The incident has led to a political crisis in Spain and criticism from EU countries. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s European community affairs correspondent, Ashifa Kassam – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The exonerated prisoner kicked out of office by Republicans
The exonerated prisoner kicked out of office by Republicans episode artwork
08/03/2026

Guardian US southern bureau chief Olly Laughland tells the story of Calvin Duncan and a Republican party emboldened in Trump’s America. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Hamas agrees to Trump’s plan to disarm in Gaza – The Latest
Hamas agrees to Trump’s plan to disarm in Gaza – The Latest episode artwork
07/31/2026

Donald Trump has declared a breakthrough in negotiations over the disarmament of Hamas in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, but Israeli government officials have voiced scepticism over the deal. Lucy Hough speaks to Julian Borger, the Guardian’s senior international correspondent – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The pressure to change your face
The pressure to change your face episode artwork
07/31/2026

Guardian US beauty columnist Jessica DeFino explores the rise of ‘tweakments’ and cosmetic procedures – and the pressure it puts on everyone to get something done. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


US-Iran strikes risk regional war in Middle East - The Latest
US-Iran strikes risk regional war in Middle East - The Latest episode artwork
07/30/2026

The US military has carried out a wave of airstrikes against Iran in response to Tehran targeting American bases in Jordan. The strikes were launched after Donald Trump vowed to hit Iran ‘very hard’ following a days-long pause in fighting. Iran has expanded its military strikes in the region, raising fears of an all-out war. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian senior international reporter Peter Beaumont – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


In Bordeaux as the wildfires close in
In Bordeaux as the wildfires close in episode artwork
07/30/2026

Paris correspondent Angelique Chrisafis reports from Bordeaux, as wildfires in the region and beyond cause the biggest peacetime evacuation in French history. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Is football’s soul for sale? Infantino tries to cash in on the World Cup – The Latest
Is football’s soul for sale? Infantino tries to cash in on the World Cup – The Latest episode artwork
07/29/2026

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has announced plans to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors in a new commercial entity worth $20bn. One of the leading would-be investors is Joshua Kushner, brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared. The plans have prompted an immediate backlash – with Uefa accusing Fifa of trying to ‘sell football’s soul’. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian reporter Paul MacInnes – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus