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.

Will the backlash against AI turn violent?
Today at 2:00 AM

An attack on the home of OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman – and on the company’s headquarters – has led to concerns the backlash against AI could become violent. Guardian journalist Nick Robins-Early and researcher Sean Fleming discuss. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Is the tide turning for Ukraine in war with Russia? – The Latest
Yesterday at 4:36 PM

With the EU approving a €90bn loan for Ukraine, a surprise visit from Prince Harry, and data suggesting Russian troops made almost no territorial gains in March – are there reasons for optimism in Kyiv? Lucy Hough speaks to senior international correspondent Luke Harding – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The new Michael Jackson biopic. Why now?
Yesterday at 2:00 AM

A new blockbuster film about the controversial singer could make $1bn worldwide. Owen Myers and Lanre Bakare explain what it says about Jackson’s legacy. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Trump extends Iran ceasefire: can a deal be made? – The Latest
Last Wednesday at 3:50 PM

Donald Trump has indefinitely extended the US ceasefire with Iran after talks looked increasingly uncertain between both sides. Trump said he would ‘extend the ceasefire until such time as [Iran’s] proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other’. The US blockade remains, as does the closure of the strait of Hormuz by Iran, which seized two ships on Wednesday. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube. Read Patrick’s analysis here.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The security report the UK government doesn’t want you to see
Last Wednesday at 2:00 AM

Fiona Harvey tells Nosheen Iqbal why the climate crisis is a threat to national security. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Mandelson vetting row: sacked civil servant speaks out - The Latest
Last Tuesday at 4:29 PM

The Foreign Office chief sacked over the Peter Mandelson security vetting scandal has finally given his side of the story in an explosive appearance before MPs. Olly Robbins told the foreign affairs select committee that he faced ‘constant pressure’ to get Mandelson in post as US ambassador as soon as possible, and claimed Downing Street took a ‘dismissive’ attitude to vetting. It came a day after Keir Starmer accused Robbins of ‘obstructing the truth’ about the vetting process in a high-stakes appearance in parliament. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent...


Starmer addresses the Mandelson vetting saga
Last Tuesday at 2:00 AM

Jonathan Freedland on what Keir Starmer said – and didn’t say – to the House of Commons about the Mandelson vetting failure. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Iran war energy crisis: how bad could it get? – The Latest
Last Monday at 3:56 PM

Oil and gas prices have jumped again as shipping through the strait of Hormuz came to a virtual standstill after Iran closed the waterway over the US blockade and Donald Trump announced an Iranian cargo ship had been seized trying to get past. Tehran has accused Washington of violating the fragile ceasefire agreement. With uncertainty over a second round of peace talks, fears continue to grow about the scale of the energy shock caused by the war. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s energy correspondent Jillian Ambrose. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Stonewall’s new chair on trans rights, JK Rowling and the future of the LGBTQ+ movement
Last Monday at 2:00 AM

An exclusive interview with Kezia Dugdale on the charity’s mistakes and the future of the LGBTQ+ movement. With reporting by Libby Brooks. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Is Mandelson vetting scandal the final straw for Starmer? – The Latest
04/17/2026

Keir Starmer says it is ‘staggering’ and ‘unforgivable’ that he was not told Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting before taking up the role of US ambassador. The comments follow a Guardian investigation that exclusively revealed Mandelson had initially been denied clearance after a background check by security officials, but that the decision was overruled by the Foreign Office. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s head of investigations, Paul Lewis – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Will Trump regret taking on the Pope?
04/17/2026

The president’s posting of an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus horrified many Christians. Sarah Posner tells Annie Kelly why evangelical voters still flock to him. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Israel-Lebanon ceasefire announced by Trump – The Latest
04/16/2026

The US president, Donald Trump, has said Israel and Lebanon will begin a 10-day ceasefire. In a post on Truth Social, he said he had spoken to the leaders of both countries today and claimed this would be the ‘tenth war’ he has ‘solved’. Israel has no plans to withdraw its military from southern Lebanon during the ceasefire, it has been reported. Lucy Hough speaks to senior international correspondent Julian Borger – watch on YouTube Middle East crisis – live updates. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


When the ‘Dubai dream’ goes wrong
04/16/2026

Journalist Will Coldwell tells the story of how a British businessman was imprisoned in Dubai – and how his family finally got him home. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Big oil making $30m an hour from Iran war - The Latest
04/15/2026

The world’s top 100 oil and gas companies made more than $30m every hour in unearned profit in the first month of the US-Israeli war in Iran, according to exclusive analysis for the Guardian. The conflict pushed the price of oil to an average of $100 a barrel in March, leading to estimated windfall war profits for the month of $23bn for the companies. Lucy Hough speaks to Damian Carrington, the Guardian’s environment editor – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Is the EU back in vogue?
04/15/2026

Lisa O’Carroll reports on the ‘resetting’ of the relationship between the UK and the EU. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Trump’s blockade battle with Iran – The Latest
04/14/2026

The US blockade of ships using Iranian ports has come into force but several Iran-linked tankers have passed through the strait of Hormuz since it began. The blockade is designed to put pressure on Iran, whose economy is dependent on oil and gas exports. It comes after peace talks between Washington and Tehran at the weekend ended without a deal. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


After four decades, Lebanon and Israel finally talk
04/14/2026

With the US and Iran in deadlock, could historic talks between Lebanon and Israel help steer the Middle East towards peace? William Christou reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Why Viktor Orbán lost in Hungary – The Latest
04/13/2026

Viktor OrbĂĄn’s 16-year rule has come to an end after the opposition Tisza party, led by PĂ©ter Magyar, won the Hungarian election by a landslide. OrbĂĄn quickly conceded after what he described as a ‘painful but unambiguous’ election result. All eyes are now on Magyar to see how Hungary’s relationship with the EU and Nato could change after years of strained relations. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian’s European community affairs correspondent, Ashifa Kassam – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Meta‘s AI glasses and the dawn of wearable tech
04/13/2026

Elle Hunt on her month wearing Meta’s smart glasses and the privacy concerns around the technology. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Trump’s war and Melania’s Epstein statement, with US editor Betsy Reed – The Latest
04/10/2026

Melania Trump made a surprise appearance at the White House on Thursday to announce that she ‘never had a relationship’ with the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. Her address has seemingly put Epstein back on the political agenda when focus had been firmly on the US and Israel’s war in Iran. The intervention came at a difficult time for her husband, Donald Trump, as the fragile ceasefire agreed between the US and Iran seemed to be at risk of falling apart, and as US lawmakers are raising the alarm over the president’s mental s...


Why the UK banned Kanye West
04/10/2026

Lanre Bakare on the UK government’s decision to revoke Kanye West’s visa after Wireless festival booked him as a headliner. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Will deadly Israeli attacks in Lebanon shatter US-Iran ceasefire? – The Latest
04/09/2026

Israel has intensified its bombing campaign in Lebanon, prompting Iran to warn it could withdraw from the ceasefire agreed with the US. Hundreds have been killed since the agreement was announced, after Israeli forces launched mass strikes on densely populated areas. Israel says the strikes are aimed at the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, while Iran claims they are a blatant violation of the ceasefire. Iran and Pakistan claim the agreement included Lebanon, but Donald Trump called it ‘a separate skirmish’. Lucy Hough speaks to Beirut-based reporter William Christou – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Is this the end of Viktor Orbán’s regime?
04/09/2026

Flora Garamvolgyi on JD Vance’s visit to Hungary in the run-up to the country’s elections on Sunday. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


US-Iran ceasefire: has Tehran played Trump? – The Latest
04/08/2026

The US and Iran have agreed to a two-week conditional ceasefire thanks to a last-minute diplomatic intervention led by Pakistan. The conditions include a temporary reopening of the strait of Hormuz, but Israel’s position was left unclear, with airstrikes continuing on the Lebanese capital of Beirut. Both sides have since claimed victory but who, if anyone, is the real winner here? Lucy Hough speaks to the senior international reporter Peter Beaumont – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


North Korea’s ‘most beloved daughter’
04/08/2026

Journalist Jean H Lee on Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of Kim Jong-un, and the future of North Korea. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Trump latest Iran deadline looms – The Latest
04/07/2026

Donald Trump says the US will bomb Iran’s power plants and bridges if Tehran fails to meet his latest deadline to reopen the strait of Hormuz. The US president says he is ‘not at all’ concerned that such attacks on civilian infrastructure could amount to war crimes and a ‘whole civilisation will die tonight’ if Iran doesn’t agree to a deal. But will Trump follow through on the threat? And what could it mean for the war in the Middle East? Lucy Hough is joined by senior international correspondent Julian Borger – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at...


George Monbiot on our fragile food system
04/07/2026

The Guardian columnist speaks about why we need to tackle global food insecurity. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Move over Murdochs, here come the Ellisons
04/06/2026

Margaret Sullivan on the the billionaire father and son buying up the US media. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The families torn apart by the Minab school bombing
04/03/2026

Tess McClure reports on the US bombing of the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Iran, and the families who lost loved ones in the attack. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


War without a plan?: What Trump’s latest speech revealed – The Latest
04/02/2026

Donald Trump’s primetime address on Wednesday evening provided little clarity on the US’s strategy in its war against Iran. Trump said that, while military action has made Iran ‘no longer a threat’, the US will continue to hit the country ‘extremely hard’ for several weeks and ‘bring them back to the stone ages, where they belong.’ Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s global affairs correspondent, Andrew Roth – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


‘Tinder for Nazis’ and the woman who hacked it
04/02/2026

Anonymous activist Martha Root on how she hacked into, and took down, a dating site for white supremacists. With reporting from investigative journalist Eva Hoffman. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Trump lashes out at Nato: will Europe stand up to him? – The Latest
04/01/2026

Donald Trump has said he is considering pulling the US out of Nato, likening the alliance to a ‘paper tiger’. It comes after weeks of denouncements from the US president against allies for not helping to reopen the strait of Hormuz. When asked about Trump’s comments, Keir Starmer said: ‘Nato is the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen’ and ‘whatever the noise, I’m going to act in the British national interest in all the decisions that I make’. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s Europe correspondent, Jon Henley – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent jour...


The brilliant students the UK doesn’t want
04/01/2026

Why has the UK introduced a ban on student visas for four countries? Today in Focus talks to affected students in Sudan and Afghanistan, as well as our home affairs editor, Rajeev Syal. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Israel passes law to give death penalty to Palestinians – The Latest
03/31/2026

Israel’s parliament has passed a law imposing the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of fatal attacks - a measure sharply criticised as discriminatory by European countries and human rights groups. After the law passed, the Knesset erupted into cheers and the national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, brandished a bottle of champagne in celebration. The law has been decried as ‘an act of institutionalised discrimination and racist violence against Palestinians’ by Israel’s leading rights group. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s deputy head of international news, Devika Bhat – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Blast off! Nasa goes back to the moon
03/31/2026

Astronaut Tim Peake and Guardian journalist Richard Luscombe talk through Artemis II, the first manned mission to the moon for 50 years. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Will Trump put boots on the ground in Iran? – The Latest
03/30/2026

As thousands of US soldiers and marines arrive in the Middle East, Iran is accusing Washington of privately plotting a ground assault while publicly touting ceasefire talks. Donald Trump threatened to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s energy infrastructure, said his ‘preference would be to take the oil’ in Iran and that US forces could seize the regime’s export hub on Kharg Island, while also claiming he was in talks with a new ‘reasonable regime’. Yemen’s Houthi forces have also entered the conflict, bringing the threat of further damage to the global economy. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian columnist and host of Politics W...


UK’s big, risky AI bet
03/30/2026

Reporter Aisha Down explores the UK’s ‘phantom investments’ in AI, and the risk the government has taken in betting so heavily on the technology if it all goes bust. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


What is Netanyahu’s endgame in Iran war? – The Latest
03/27/2026

Could Israeli public support for the war in Iran give Benjamin Netanyahu a boost before this year’s elections? The vote will be the first chance for Israelis to have a say on their government since the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023. 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


Spring break: Culture worth catching this season
03/27/2026

Critics Catherine Shoard, Alexis Petridis and Hannah J Davies on what to watch and listen to this season. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Iran says Trump ‘negotiating with himself’ - The Latest
03/26/2026

Donald Trump insists Iran is still interested in cutting a peace deal despite Tehran rejecting the US plan. Iran has now put forward a five-point counterproposal and says the war will end on its own terms. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s senior international correspondent, Julian Borger – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus