Home Podcasts Today in Focus
Today in Focus

Today in Focus

The Guardian 298 episodes Latest Jun 1, 2026

Today in Focus is a daily news podcast from The Guardian that brings listeners closer to the newspaper's journalism. The morning edition, hosted by Helen Pidd, Nosheen Iqbal, and Annie Kelly, combines on-the-ground reporting, insightful analysis, and personal testimony to provide a deeper understanding of current events. An evening edition, 'The Latest' hosted by Lucy Hough, summarizes the day's top news story in just 10 minutes. The podcast is available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.

Episodes

Defence secretary quits with ‘blistering’ swipe at Starmer - The Latest Jun 11, 2026 00:11:58 John Healey has resigned as defence secretary over the government’s military spending plans, in another significant blow for Keir Starmer. In a scathing letter to the prime minister, Healey said the long-awaited defence investment plan “falls well short of what is required for defence” and that he would have had to take decisions that “could make Britain less safe”. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Gua
Mehdi Hasan on Donald Trump’s big, beautiful birthday Jun 11, 2026 00:28:05 As the US prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary and Trump turns 80, what state is the country in? And its president?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The view from Belfast after a night of violent protests - The Latest Jun 10, 2026 00:12:34 Violence erupted in Northern Ireland last night in response to a stabbing attack in Belfast that was captured in a graphic video. Crowds, including masked men, burned vehicles and houses, hours after Elon Musk, Tommy Robinson and other agitators encouraged people to take to the streets. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to Ireland correspondent Rory Carroll – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent jour
‘Grandpa in a bunker’: is Putin losing control? Jun 10, 2026 00:27:22 Russian affairs reporter Pjotr Sauer on Vladimir Putin’s increasing isolation – and seeming paranoia – as ordinary Russians become more restive over the toll of the war in Ukraine and a struggling economy at home. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Can Badenoch’s culture war win back Reform supporters? – The Latest Jun 9, 2026 00:10:10 Kemi Badenoch has vowed to reform the Equality Act in what is viewed as an attempt to win back support from Reform voters. The Conservative leader, who also served as equalities minister from 2020 to 2022, wants to scrap the public sector equality duty – a legal requirement that forces public institutions to actively consider how their decisions affect equality. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to community a
The criminal cartels cashing in on the World Cup Jun 9, 2026 00:24:01 Football fans are celebrating the tournament coming to Guadalajara. But with a brutal crime syndicate holding sway there, what are the risks for fans – and the government?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Israel and Iran trade strikes: what does this mean for peace deal? – The Latest Jun 8, 2026 00:09:49 Israel and Iran have exchanged direct strikes for the first time since a ceasefire was reached in April, raising fears of a return to a full-scale regional war. The Israeli strikes are in apparent defiance of Donald Trump, who told Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, not to retaliate against Iran, in order to avoid derailing peace talks. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Guardian’s senior inter
The jailing of Germany’s most wanted woman Jun 8, 2026 00:33:03 Dancer, dog owner, bank robber. Germany’s most wanted woman, Daniela Klette, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after decades on the run. Deborah Cole and Jason Burke report. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Outrage in Albania over Kushner-Trump $1.6bn luxury resort – The Latest Jun 5, 2026 00:11:17 Thousands have protested in the streets of the Albanian capital, Tirana, this week against a planned luxury resort backed by Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Groundwork has begun on the $1.6bn complex in an area long seen as one of the Mediterranean’s most environmentally sensitive, containing 200 species of birds including flamingos and Dalmatian pelicans. After builders began erecting a
How the myth of ‘two-tier policing’ took hold Jun 5, 2026 00:27:32 The far-right conspiracy theory is heard everywhere from pubs to parliament and riots to talk radio. Hugh Muir and Joe Mulhall explain why. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Is the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire over before it began? - The Latest Jun 4, 2026 00:08:48 Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire to end hostilities as the US attempts to overcome one of the largest barriers to reaching a broader deal to end the war with Iran. But the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is dependent on a complete halt of fire from Hezbollah, and the evacuation of all its fighters from southern Lebanon. Lucy Hough speaks to Beirut-based reporter William Christou –
Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker: the US commentators banned from the UK Jun 4, 2026 00:24:37 The leftwing American commentator Cenk Uygur talks about the ban on him and his nephew, Hasan Piker, entering the UK this week. With reporting from Kiran Stacey. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Recommended

Playing