Discover
Today in Focus
Today in Focus
Author: The Guardian
Subscribed: 75,992Played: 11,329,741Subscribe
Share
© 2026 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.
Description
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.
1981 Episodes
Reverse
What kind of life is the deposed former president of Syria and his family living in Russia? With Pjotr Sauer and Will Christou. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Protesters face execution as the Iranian regime continues its violent crackdown, defying the US president, Donald Trump, who has threatened ‘very strong action’ if demonstrators are killed. Erfan Soltani, 26, is the first protester to be sentenced to death, but it is unclear whether or not his execution has taken place. Lucy Hough speaks to journalist Deepa Parent about what she is hearing from those inside Iran – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How far will Rubio go to achieve his own objectives? With Lauren Gambino. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The UK government is threatening Elon Musk’s X with the nuclear option: a ban. The social media platform is under pressure from ministers over the use of the Grok AI tool to manipulate images of women and children to remove their clothes. Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, has launched an investigation into X – and the government says it will support a ban if it decides to press ahead. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s senior national editor Aaron Sharp – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Protests have rocked Iran, a brutal crackdown is under way and Trump has threatened to intervene. Ellie Geranmayeh on a dangerous moment for the country’s leaders. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Donald Trump has promised he will ‘shoot at Iran’ if Iranian security services attack anti-government protesters, but analysts suggest the US is not prepared for military action. It comes as the death toll from Tehran’s crackdown on protests soars, and as demonstrations continue to shake the country. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Writer Katherine May talks about ‘wintering’ and learning to love the darkest months of the year. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Iran’s leadership has vowed it will not back down in the face of growing nationwide protests over economic conditions. Thousands of people marched through the streets of Tehran calling for political reform and torching government buildings. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has signalled that a greater crackdown is coming after the country plunged into an internet blackout. 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
Ashley St Clair – a conservative influencer and former partner of Elon Musk – and Dan Milmo chart the scandal over Grok, X’s AI chatbot, after it generated sexualised images of women without their consent. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Protests have been taking place across the US after the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer taking part in the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown. Video of the moment the Minnesota woman Renee Nicole Good was shot has been shared widely online, sparking demonstrations and vigils. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian US southern bureau chief Oliver Laughland – watch on YouTube This episode contains strong language from the start. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Which forces are vying for power now that Nicolás Maduro has been removed from Venezuela? With Tom Phillips. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The US has dramatically seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker between the UK and Iceland, with the support of the UK government. The operation comes after US attacks on Venezuela, the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro, and threats against Greenland. Lucy Hough speaks to Russian affairs correspondent Pjotr Sauer – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Three activists awaiting trial are refusing food and their health is failing rapidly. Will the government intervene? Haroon Siddique reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
After the removal of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, there are fears Donald Trump could turn his sights to Greenland, after he renewed his calls for the US to take control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory. While European leaders convened in Paris and rallied behind Denmark, one of Trump’s top aides ramped up the pressure by questioning Copenhagen’s claim to the Arctic territory Lucy Hough talks to Jon Henley, the Guardian’s Europe correspondent – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What is the UK government planning for young people? With Emma Warren. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro was controversially captured by US special forces and has appeared in a Manhattan court. The arrest came after months of US pressure against Maduro, including attacks on ‘narco-boats’ and blockades on oil tankers. Donald Trump has since claimed the US is going to ‘run’ Venezuela - but how?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, was captured, flown to the US and is facing trial in New York. What does it mean for the country – and the world?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
A backlash against the Free Birth Society intensifies and Emilee and Yolande respond to the crisis. This is episode six of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Emilee and Yolande had created an ideology and then seeded it globally – a reach Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne could not have fathomed when they began reporting on the story. They set out to trace just how far FBS has spread. This is episode five of a year-long investigation. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Within months of the death of Lorren’s baby, Journey Moon, and the public backlash against the Free Birth Society (FBS) that followed, Emilee Saldaya took FBS membership private, turning the business into a global multimillion-dollar empire. This is episode four of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


























seemed like she had to do that intro a number of times, just to get it right 🤣
There is an error in the audio.
Justin Webb? I found it hard to listen to him - using that exceedingly annoying inflection in his delivery of nearly every truncated sentence was infuriating. To make it doubly annoying - I know what this man's normal voice sounds like; he's been a respected journalist for years! I had to stop the podcast after about 8 minutes and really couldn't stand any more. Please ask your Presenters to respect their audience enough to speak to us as grown ups - we don't need that inflection. PLEASE.
Iranian's women are the bravest in the world.
A politician being "motivated by money, not ideology" is the worst type of person. At least a true believer has a foundation for what they're doing, while someone being paid off is willing to sell out their country for personal enrichment.
lovely episode- and I am in love with the piano music played in the background!!! Can somebody PLEASE tell me what is the song name and artist?
😬
Great story. It's inspiring to hear about this important conversation success.
useful information 👍
leftoids crying
Did you say at the end that "journalism doesn't come cheap". I reckon that English journalists who don't have a basic knowledge of English grammar should be pretty cheap. Journalism isn't cheap, or journalism doesn't come cheaply (adding ly to the adverb describing the verb to come), is correct. I wish that Australians like me didn't have to correct the grammar of English people. Good episode though, and no surprise regarding the behavior of your nefarious former prime minister.
😲
North Korean Troops Sent to Russia Are 'Gorging on Pornography' Published Nov 07, 2024 North Korean soldiers deployed in Russia have reportedly accessed the unrestricted internet for the first time, with many using this newfound freedom to view pornography, according to Financial Times journalist Gideon Rachman.
Academic specializing in racism and immigration says anti immigration is racist
Don't waste half an hour on this. Spoiler alert - slavery was abhorrent, lots of people made lots of money from it and lots of those people were racist. Stating the obvious to score culture war points does not constitute good journalism.
🤔
tnx, you were fair
The guest makes such a good point: without standard vetting for these priceless objects & their provence, looting is encouraged. Add rampant poverty and the recipe for widespread thievery is evident.
🤢
hot