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
25 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 11min
‘Colonised by immigrants’: outrage over Ratcliffe claim – The Latest
Jonathan Liew, Guardian sports writer known for sharp football commentary, breaks down the uproar over Jim Ratcliffe’s ‘colonised by immigrants’ remark. He outlines the wording, why the apology feels hollow, reactions from clubs and fans, and how such language shifts public debate. Short, critical, and focused on football’s cultural fallout.
17 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 32min
The untold story of Brazil’s deadliest police raid
Tiago Ruggiero, The Guardian’s South America correspondent who covers security and organised crime, and Tom Phillips, The Guardian’s Rio-based Latin America reporter focused on violence and policing. They trace a massive police raid in Rio’s favelas. They describe the operation’s planning, chaotic firefights and where many died. They explore community grief, disputed killings and the political fallout that followed.
25 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 9min
Canada school shooting: what we know so far - The Latest
Leyland Cecco, a Toronto-based Guardian reporter who files on Canadian news, gives on-the-ground updates. He outlines the known facts of the Tumbler Ridge school attack. He describes the town’s small size, police response and community impact. He discusses what authorities have released, the state of the investigation and how Canadian gun laws and rural culture shape context.
38 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 30min
Why Jeff Bezos gutted the Washington Post
Claire Parker, Cairo bureau chief for The Washington Post, recounts losing her role during the cuts. Marty Baron, former executive editor who led expansions and investigations, reflects on the paper’s transformation. Jeremy Barr, media and power correspondent, explains the scale and political and financial forces behind the layoffs. They discuss newsroom cuts, legacy journalism, owner influence, and risks to foreign and investigative coverage.
12 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 12min
Is Starmer out of the woods? – The Latest
Aditya Chakrabortty, Guardian columnist known for sharp analysis of UK politics and economics, dissects the 24-hour turmoil around Keir Starmer. He unpacks performative PLP support and private doubts. Timing and credibility of potential challengers are debated. He also explores purges that hollowed Labour’s base and the electoral risks looming before May.
Feb 10, 2026 • 27min
Starmer survives – but for how long?
Severin Carell, a reporter compiling on-the-record interviews across Westminster, and Jessica Elgert, Guardian deputy political editor, unpack a turbulent 24 hours in British politics. They cover high-profile resignations, internal party squabbles, Scottish pressure on leadership, rapid Number 10 staff exits, and the scramble over who might benefit or be damaged by the fallout.
26 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 8min
Jimmy Lai: Hong Kong media tycoon gets 20 years in jail – The Latest
Amy Hawkins, the Guardian’s senior China correspondent, guides listeners through Jimmy Lai’s conviction and 20-year sentence. She explores how the national security law led to his arrest, Apple Daily’s closure, concerns about his health and detention conditions, and why Lai is seen as a symbol for press freedom. The discussion also covers diplomatic limits and the UK’s response.
44 snips
Feb 9, 2026 • 24min
A broken high street and its billionaire owners
Josh Halliday, North of England editor at The Guardian, brings on-the-ground reporting from Newton Aycliffe where billionaire brothers own the whole town centre. He outlines the town’s postwar founding, the high street’s decline, how ownership traces to reclusive Freshwater brothers, and the debate over why properties are left to decay and what powers might revive local high streets.
17 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 11min
Marina Hyde on Epstein’s enablers: will they get away with it? – The Latest
Marina Hyde, Guardian columnist known for sharp, satirical takes on politics and culture, joins to unpack the latest Epstein files. She highlights who appears in the records and how elite men normalized exploitative behavior. Conversations cover casual misogyny in correspondence and why powerful figures stayed connected to Epstein. The piece questions whether any real accountability will follow.
22 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 28min
Bad Bunny goes to the Super Bowl
Jen Ortiz, deputy editor at The Cut who profiles Bad Bunny, discusses his rise from SoundCloud to global stardom. She covers his daring visuals and gender-bending videos. She recalls time with him in Puerto Rico and his political awakening during protests. She explains why he refuses to sing in English, the album’s Puerto Rican nostalgia, and the controversy around his Super Bowl performance.
