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
69 snips
Mar 4, 2026 • 11min
Could the Iran war trigger a global economic crisis? – The Latest
John Collingridge, Guardian business journalist and head of business, explains market turmoil and surging energy prices. He outlines why the Strait of Hormuz matters and how halted Gulf exports ripple through heating, fertiliser and plastics. He describes current security risks, naval escorts and who might gain or lose from disrupted supplies.
16 snips
Mar 4, 2026 • 26min
What do Netanyahu and Trump really want in Iran?
Jason Burke, an international security correspondent with deep expertise in intelligence and terrorism. Emma Graham-Harrison, a Jerusalem-based Middle East reporter covering Israeli politics and military action. They discuss Israel’s air defenses and missile threats. They explore Hezbollah’s role and Lebanon frontlines. They examine intelligence tradecraft, Mossad operations and the political motives shaping US–Israel moves.
39 snips
Mar 3, 2026 • 10min
War widens in the Middle East – The Latest
Will Christou, Beirut-based journalist who reports on Lebanon and regional conflict for The Guardian. He describes being woken by explosions and civilian displacement in Beirut. He maps where strikes and evacuations are happening. He traces Hezbollah’s history, its ties to Iran, and assesses its current capabilities. He warns about the risk of wider regional escalation.
54 snips
Mar 3, 2026 • 31min
Chaos in the Gulf
Julian Borger, senior international correspondent at The Guardian with decades covering Middle East conflicts, walks through the fallout from the assassination and Iran’s missile and drone strikes. He maps who was hit across the Gulf. He explores regional fractures, economic shocks, and the risks of wider escalation.
71 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 13min
Iran war escalates: what’s Trump’s endgame? - The Latest
Jamie Wilson, Head of International News at the Guardian, offers concise analysis of the Middle East escalation. He maps US war aims and regional ripple effects. He outlines civilian impacts, friendly-fire chaos and risks of wider Gulf involvement. He explores political and economic fallout and legal questions around the strikes.
118 snips
Mar 1, 2026 • 30min
The assassination of Iran’s ayatollah – and fears for a wider conflict
Patrick Wintour, diplomatic editor at The Guardian and longtime foreign affairs reporter, unpacks the killing of Iran’s supreme leader and its regional fallout. He outlines the strikes, timeline and key targets. He discusses civilian tolls, Iran’s counterattacks, shifting Middle East power dynamics, diplomatic repercussions and the uncertain path ahead for Iran.
12 snips
Feb 27, 2026 • 12min
Greens win Gorton and Denton: is this a turning point for UK politics? – The Latest
Hannah Al-Othman, Guardian North of England correspondent who reported live from the Gorton and Denton count, shares eyewitness detail and local perspective. She recounts the dramatic early tallies that put the Greens ahead. They discuss Hannah Spencer’s working-class appeal, Labour’s campaign choices, Gaza’s role on the doorstep, and Reform UK’s messaging and tactics.
Feb 27, 2026 • 27min
The men trying to do friendship, better – podcast
Thomas Yarrow, an anthropology professor studying male friendship and volunteer cultures, and Josh Halliday, a journalist who shares personal struggles with family illness, explore how men connect. They discuss WhatsApp banter, a transformative men’s retreat, heritage railway volunteers, silence as care, and activity-based camaraderie as alternatives to emotional disclosure.
9 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 11min
Has Corbyn won the Your Party power battle? - The Latest
Owen Jones, Guardian columnist known for left-wing commentary, weighs in with sharp analysis. He breaks down the CEC election, the clash between Corbyn’s slate and Zahra Sultana’s grassroots approach, and the policy divides. He also talks factional tensions, membership fallout and what it means for the party’s future.
10 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 25min
Will Andrew bring down the monarchy?
Andrew Lownie, biographer of royal figures, explains his research into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He discusses how Andrew became a trade envoy with little oversight. He describes misconduct on official trips, disputed claims in the Epstein files, missed chances to act, and whether this scandal forces urgent reform of the monarchy.
