The Guardian
Today in Focus
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.
Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.theguardian.com
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Episodes
US strikes Iran as Trump faces backlash over ‘disastrous’ peace deal plan - The Latest 26.05.2026 11:26
The US has launched fresh strikes on Iran despite suggestions that a peace deal could be within reach. Donald Trump faces growing criticism from Republicans over the proposed plan to end the war, which reportedly contained major concessions from Washington. But could an agreement still be imminent? Lucy Hough speaks to diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube . Help support our indepen...
Andy Burnham’s (third) bid for the Labour leadership 26.05.2026 29:53
Josh Halliday on why Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is tipped to be the future Labour leader … if he wins the Makerfield byelection. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Heatwave hell: are soaring temperatures the new normal? – The Latest 25.05.2026 10:42
The UK is experiencing record-breaking temperatures in an unprecedented May heatwave, while large parts of Europe are also facing blistering conditions. As the climate crisis makes extreme heat more likely, are we prepared? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian reporter Helena Horton – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The death penalty returns to Israel 25.05.2026 26:48
Senior Middle East correspondent Emma Graham-Harrison on a pair of laws recently passed by the Israeli parliament to bring back the death penalty – seemingly only for Palestinians. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Stateside with Kai and Carter: Why the fight over abortion in US isn’t finished 23.05.2026 42:35
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...
World Cup: England’s shock squad and the politics of football – The Latest 22.05.2026 12:07
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 y...
Are we heading for another Ebola crisis? 22.05.2026 23:43
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 21.05.2026 12:50
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....
Competing in the pro-doping Enhanced Games 21.05.2026 24:56
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 Jinping and Putin still ‘best friends’? – The Latest 20.05.2026 11:51
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...
Did Trump really rescue Venezuela? 20.05.2026 28:16
Tom Phillips on life in the country four months after the US abduction of the former president Nicolás Maduro. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Elon Musk v Sam Altman: tech bros at war over OpenAI – The Latest 19.05.2026 11:01
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 19.05.2026 24:16
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 18.05.2026 11:34
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 agre...
Munya Chawawa on making jokes as the world collapses 18.05.2026 25:09
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’ 16.05.2026 35:26
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...
Burnham byelection: could Makerfield decide the next PM? – The Latest 15.05.2026 12:24
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 sup...
Labour, u ok hun? 15.05.2026 24:22
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 14.05.2026 11:35
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 Elg...
Trump, Hegseth, Musk: Maga lands in Beijing 14.05.2026 25:43
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 13.05.2026 10:54
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 journa...
Is Big Brother watching you shop? 13.05.2026 27:32
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 12.05.2026 11:09
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? 12.05.2026 26:18
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 after election disaster - The Latest 11.05.2026 12:19
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
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