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.

Stateside with Kai and Carter: Why the fight over abortion in US isn’t finished
Yesterday at 2:00 AM

The US supreme court has preserved nationwide access to mail-order abortion pills, for now. As Carter Sherman explains, the fight to protect this medication is far from over, as a near-total abortion ban could be on the horizon. Carter speaks with Dr Angel Foster, a co-founder of the Massachusetts Medication Abortion Access Project, who reveals how the legal battle over abortion pills has affected patients across the US – and what could happen next. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


World Cup: England’s shock squad and the politics of football – The Latest
Last Friday at 4:13 PM

A ruthless Thomas Tuchel has left several big names at home for his England squad at this summer’s World Cup. There was no space for Harry Maguire, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer or Phil Foden – previous stalwarts in former manager Gareth Southgate’s squads. The announcement comes as the club season nears its end, with a historic week for Arsenal winning its first Premier League title in 22 years, sparking an incredible and diverse celebration from fans. Lucy Hough speaks to sportswriter and columnist Jonathan Liew – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Are we heading for another Ebola crisis?
Last Friday at 2:00 AM

Kay Lay and Prosper Heri Ngorora report on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The far-right Israeli minister taunting detained Gaza activists – The Latest
Last Thursday at 3:49 PM

Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has triggered global outrage after sharing footage of himself taunting bound activists who had been detained as they tried to sail to Gaza with aid. The video has been widely condemned by world leaders, including the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and by Israeli politicians, among them the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s chief Middle East correspondent, Emma Graham-Harrison – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Competing in the pro-doping Enhanced Games
Last Thursday at 2:00 AM

The Olympian Max McCusker on his decision to sign up for the Las Vegas games where performance-enhancing drugs are encouraged. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Are Xi and Putin still ‘best friends’? – The Latest
Last Wednesday at 4:17 PM

Xi Jinping welcomed Vladimir Putin to Beijing with pomp and pageantry, just days after hosting Donald Trump. But as Russia’s war in Ukraine makes Moscow increasingly dependent on China, and western leaders thaw relations with Beijing, what does the power imbalance mean for Xi and Putin’s relationship? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s deputy head of international news, Devika Bhat. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Did Trump really rescue Venezuela?
Last Wednesday at 2:00 AM

Tom Phillips on life in the country four months after the US abduction of the former president NicolĂĄs Maduro. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Musk v Altman: tech bros at war over OpenAI – The Latest
Last Tuesday at 4:01 PM

A long and bitter legal battle between tech billionaires Elon Musk and Sam Altman has culminated in victory for the OpenAI boss. Musk has vowed to appeal the verdict. But what did the trial reveal about big tech and the global AI race. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian US tech and power reporter Nick Robins-Early - watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Farage’s undisclosed £5m gift
Last Tuesday at 2:00 AM

Anna Isaac on Nigel Farage’s response to the Guardian revelation that he was given an undisclosed £5m gift from a crypto billionaire in 2024. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Could the UK really rejoin the EU? – The Latest
Last Monday at 4:18 PM

The Brexit debate has been reignited after Labour leadership contender Wes Streeting called it a ‘catastrophic mistake’ and said the UK should rejoin the European Union. His comments put pressure on rival Andy Burnham, who has previously advocated for rejoining the bloc but is fighting a byelection in the leave-voting Makerfield constituency. But how would rejoining work and would the EU even agree to it? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s Europe correspondent, Jon Henley. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Munya Chawawa on making jokes as the world collapses
Last Monday at 2:00 AM

The comedian Munya Chawawa on satire in the age of social media and what Donald Trump has in common with wrestlers. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Stateside with Kai and Carter: Stacey Abrams on why gutting of the US Voting Rights Act is ‘evil’
05/16/2026

The US supreme court demolished the 1965 Voting Rights Act when they ruled in Louisiana v Callais in April that states can’t consider race in redistricting. Southern states from Tennessee to Alabama have rushed to erase majority Black districts, sparking chaos for the midterm elections. Kai Wright talks with Stacey Abrams, voting rights activist and former Georgia house minority leader, about the fallout from the decision, and why, even now, she thinks the way forward is still through engaging more voters to participate in democracy: ‘They have fractured communities and said we’re going to scatter these seeds. Our job is to...


Burnham byelection: could Makerfield decide the next PM? – The Latest
05/15/2026

Andy Burnham may have a route back to Westminster – and a path to the Labour leadership. But first the Greater Manchester mayor must win a byelection in Makerfield, where Nigel Farage has vowed Reform UK will ‘throw absolutely everything’ at the contest. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s north of England correspondent Hannah al-Othman, who has been talking to voters in the constituency. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Labour, u ok hun?
05/15/2026

Guardian columnist Rafael Behr talks through a tumultuous day for Labour and Keir Starmer – following the resignation of health secretary Wes Streeting, and the renewed possibility of a Westminster comeback for Andy Burnham. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Wes walks but has Burnham got the momentum? – The Latest
05/14/2026

Wes Streeting has quit his cabinet role as health secretary and called on Keir Starmer to resign as prime minister after days of speculation. But Streeting did not launch his own challenge to trigger a leadership contest, so what could be next for Starmer’s government? And has he left the door open for Andy Burnham to return? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s deputy political editor, Jessica Elgot. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Trump, Hegseth, Musk: Maga lands in Beijing
05/14/2026

Senior China correspondent Amy Hawkins talks through the high-stakes meeting in Beijing between presidents Trump and Xi. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Streeting to fire starting gun in Starmer leadership battle – The Latest
05/13/2026

Wes Streeting is expected to launch a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer as soon as Thursday. News of the health secretary’s plans came during the king’s speech, derailing what was supposed to be another chance for the prime minister to reset the political agenda. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Is Big Brother watching you shop?
05/13/2026

From supermarkets to corner shops, live facial recognition could be coming to retailers near you. Jessica Murray on the AI systems increasingly used by the police and stores. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Stubborn Starmer defies Labour plotters - The Latest
05/12/2026

Tensions are running high in Westminster as Keir Starmer tells his cabinet he is not going anywhere. But with several ministers quitting the government and more than 80 MPs calling for him to go, how much longer has the prime minister got? Lucy Hough speaks to political editor Pippa Crerar. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Why does everyone hate Keir Starmer?
05/12/2026

Aditya Chakrabortty on the Labour leader’s predicament – and if he may be the last prime minister of the two-party system. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Starmer clings on amid Labour deadlock - The Latest
05/11/2026

Keir Starmer appears to have staved off an immediate leadership challenge but MPs are still calling for him to set out a timetable for his resignation. So can he cling on or has he run out of road? Lucy Hough speaks to senior political correspondent Peter Walker. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The mysterious death of the teenager who posed as a Russian billionaire
05/11/2026

The journalist Patrick Radden Keefe on trying to unravel the double life and tragic death of 19-year-old Zac Brettler – and what it tells us about London’s dark underbelly. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


What next for Labour as Reform wins big in local elections? – The Latest
05/08/2026

Keir Starmer has vowed to fight on after Labour suffered heavy losses in local elections, while Nigel Farage’s Reform UK made substantial gains and the Green party won its first ever mayoral victory. So is the era of two-party politics over? And can the prime minister survive? Lucy Hough speaks to political correspondent Alexandra Topping. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The AI jailbreakers
05/08/2026

Journalist Jamie Bartlett on the people trying to get AI to say things it shouldn’t … for the safety of us all. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Outrage as oil giants profit billions from Iran war – The Latest
05/07/2026

Shell has made $6.9bn in profits since the Iran war began, cashing in on soaring energy prices. The enormous profits have reignited calls for higher taxes on fossil fuel companies to fund support for those hardest hit by rising costs. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s energy correspondent, Jillian Ambrose – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


An Infowars insider on the warped world of Alex Jones
05/07/2026

As the satirical online newspaper the Onion waits for court approval to take over the conspiracy website Infowars, Helen Pidd speaks to a former staff member about its sinister rise and dramatic fall. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Hantavirus hell: deadly virus takes hold of cruise ship – The Latest
05/06/2026

Three people have died and several others have been medically evacuated after the outbreak of a deadly hantavirus on a luxury cruise ship – watch on YouTube There are still close to 150 passengers onboard MV Hondius, which is travelling towards the Canary Islands where it is set to dock. So how worried should we be about the spread of the virus? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian reporter Oliver Holmes. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Is Europe ready for a future without the US?
05/06/2026

Trump has threatened to pull 5,000 troops from Germany – while European leaders worry this is just the start of a US withdrawal from the continent. Deborah Cole reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Has Trump reignited war with Iran? – The Latest
05/05/2026

Donald Trump has launched a new operation, which he called ‘Project Freedom’, to try to open the strait of Hormuz. Could it spark a re-escalation of the war with Iran and bring an end to the ceasefire?
Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s senior international correspondent Julian Borger. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Fake fans, fake buzz? How your favourite band got big
05/05/2026

Shaad D’Souza explains how bands such as Geese have faced a backlash since a marketing company revealed its tricks for pushing them into the limelight, and Eamonn Forde discusses what it takes to succeed in the music industry today.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Why the Bezos-backed Met Gala is so controversial – The Latest
05/04/2026

It’s the grandest and glitziest event in the fashion calendar, but this year’s Met Gala has sparked backlash thanks to its new honorary chairs, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. The billionaire Amazon founder’s involvement has led to boycotts and criticism of the event. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s fashion and lifestyle editor, Morwenna Ferrier – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The women who took their own lives after domestic abuse
05/04/2026

Geraldine McKelvie and Hannah Al-Othman tell the stories of women who died after enduring sustained campaigns of cruelty. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Why has the world lost sight of the suffering of Palestinians? – The Latest
05/01/2026

In the six months since a ceasefire was announced in Gaza, more than 800 civilians have been killed and living conditions have remained dire. Meanwhile, Palestinians in the West Bank face a surge in violence from Israeli settlers and soldiers. While the world’s attention has turned to the war in Iran, is there any end to the suffering in sight? Annie Kelly speaks to the Guardian’s chief Middle East correspondent, Emma Graham-Harrison – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


On the ground in London as the Greens surge
05/01/2026

Helen Pidd visits Hackney in east London, just one part of the capital where the Green party hopes to oust Labour. She also talks to Peter Walker about whether the Greens are ready for power.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


‘An epidemic’: is antisemitism out of control in the UK? – The Latest
04/30/2026

The stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north-west London, has become the latest in a series of antisemitic attacks. So is rising antisemitism now a national emergency? And is more security for the Jewish community really the answer? Helen Pidd is joined by columnist Rafael Behr – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Iran’s wartime executions
04/30/2026

Over the last six weeks, the Iranian regime has carried out a spate of executions of political prisoners. The Guardian journalist Daniel Boffey reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Has King Charles salvaged special relationship with Trump? – The Latest
04/29/2026

It was a historic day for King Charles as he became the first British monarch to address a joint session of Congress in 35 years, before enjoying a lavish dinner at the White House. There were jokes, subtle digs, and the supposedly apolitical monarch even appealed to Donald Trump on Nato and Ukraine – but how did the US president react? Helen Pidd speaks to the Guardian columnist and host of Politics Weekly America, Jonathan Freedland – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Siri, where does Apple go next?
04/29/2026

Guardian US tech editor Blake Montgomery talks about the future of Apple after the resignation of its longtime CEO Tim Cook. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Starmer staves off mutiny over Mandelson mess… but for how long? - The Latest
04/28/2026

Keir Starmer endured another bruising day as the saga surrounding Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador continued. The prime minister faced harsh criticism from his own MPs over his efforts to stave off a privileges committee investigation, while his former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney admitted putting pressure on the Foreign Office to expedite Mandelson’s posting in highly anticipated evidence to a parliamentary committee. So how much peril is the prime minister in? Lucy Hough speaks to policy editor and host of Politics Weekly, Kiran Stacey - watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/info


The secretive billionaire bankrolling Nigel Farage
04/28/2026

The crypto tycoon has given millions to Farage’s political parties. But who is Christopher Harborne and what does he want in return?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus