Today in Focus
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
24 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 10min
Key Iran leader killed: what does it mean for the war? - The Latest
Devika Bhatt, Deputy Head of International News at The Guardian, offers expert analysis on Iran’s reported national security chief killing. She walks through the evidence and Tehran’s response. She examines implications for power succession and Iran’s security apparatus. She assesses Israeli intelligence reach and possible strategic aims, and how US and Israeli interests might diverge.
55 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 26min
Will the strait of Hormuz torpedo Trump’s war?
Gillian Ambrose, an energy correspondent tracking global oil and gas flows, breaks down why the Strait of Hormuz matters. She explains how Iran’s naval moves have trapped tankers and rattled markets. She outlines strategic chokepoints, military responses, supply shock scale, economic fallout for households and producers’ workarounds.
35 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 10min
Could Trump blow up Nato over Iran war? – The Latest
Hannah Ellis-Petersen, Guardian South Asia correspondent based in Dubai, gives on-the-ground analysis of the Gulf conflict. She explains calls for warship escorts through the Strait of Hormuz. She describes risks of drawing neutral navies into fighting and why major powers are reluctant. She reports on missile alerts, disrupted ports and the slim prospects for a military fix.
21 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 21min
‘El Guapo’: The Spanish PM standing up to Trump
Guy Hedgecoe, Madrid-based journalist and former editor of El País’s English edition, offers pithy analysis of Pedro Sánchez. He discusses Sánchez’s rise and communication style. He covers domestic reforms and corruption challenges. He outlines Spain’s clashes with the US over Iran, use of bases, and NATO spending. He examines how these stances affect Spain’s place in Europe.
7 snips
Mar 13, 2026 • 12min
Oscars 2026: who should win … and who actually will? – The Latest
Catherine Shoard, Guardian film editor and critic, offers sharp analysis of awards season and Oscars predictions. She breaks down the late race between Sinners and One Battle After Another. She explains new voting rules, momentum shifts from SAG and BAFTA, campaign gaffes and why Jessie Buckley is the clear best actress favourite.
11 snips
Mar 13, 2026 • 26min
‘Let’s-a go!’ The story of Nintendo
Keza MacDonald, Guardian video games editor and author who studies Nintendo's history and cultural impact. She recalls childhood sparks like Mario and Zelda. She maps Nintendo's century-long evolution, its focus on play and family, visits to Kyoto, and how its resistance to online trends shaped its appeal. She also discusses industry scale, politics around gaming culture, and why playfulness still matters.
6 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 11min
Mandelson files: Starmer admits ‘I made a mistake’ – The Latest
Archie Bland, Guardian head of national news, unpacks newly released Mandelson files and their political fallout. He outlines revelations about vetting, Epstein links, and a contested ambassadorship decision. He also discusses rushed procedures, euphemistic civil service language, and the optics of a negotiated payoff.
45 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 27min
What teenagers really see on their phones
Josh Sargent, 16, a GCSE student turned campaigner, describes how manosphere content shaped young men's views on masculinity. He explains entry points like fitness and business tips, the promise of 'peak masculinity', and how women are framed. Short scenes cover male beauty standards, dehumanising language spreading among teens, and why toxic communities feel appealing.
10 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 9min
How much worse could Iran war make the cost of living crisis? – The Latest
Rupert Jones, deputy editor of the Guardian’s Money section who analyzes how geopolitics hit household finances. He discusses market turmoil from the Iran conflict. Energy bills, petrol prices and mortgage repricing come under the microscope. Risks around the Strait of Hormuz and wider inflation impacts are explored.
15 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 26min
Should we be boycotting ChatGPT?
Rutger Bregman, Dutch historian and author known for writing on social and economic ideas, argues consumers should quit ChatGPT. He recalls first loving the tool then explains why he joined a boycott. He critiques OpenAI’s shift from safety to profit, its political ties, and details how unsubscribing could pressure the company.
