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Today in Focus

Today in Focus

The Guardian 298 Episodes Oct 22, 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

PHP: Pretty Huge Problem with the internet – The Latest
PHP: Pretty Huge Problem with the internet – The Latest Oct 22, 2026 00:11:36 Websites around the world have been taken offline as governments and businesses scramble to fix a flaw in the computer language PHP. There are fears that hackers could exploit the vulnerability to steal data, take control of web servers and disrupt services. Millions of attempts have already been made to attack websites since the issue with the programming language was revealed, cybersecurity comp
Are the Tories back?
Are the Tories back? Oct 22, 2026 00:25:39 Political correspondent Aletha Adu explores whether the Conservative party under Kemi Badenoch is about to become, once again, the UK’s leading party on the right. Send your comments and questions to tif.questions@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Drill, baby, drill? Climate campaigners condemn Jackdaw gasfield approval - The Latest
Drill, baby, drill? Climate campaigners condemn Jackdaw gasfield approval - The Latest Oct 21, 2026 00:11:27 Climate campaigners have condemned the UK government’s decision to allow the drilling of the Jackdaw gasfield. Critics argue the move will put climate targets at risk, while failing to reduce energy bills and the cost of living crisis. But there could be a significant victory for green activists when it comes to the much larger Rosebank oilfield, with the energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, leani
The people of Serbia v the Trump family
The people of Serbia v the Trump family Oct 21, 2026 00:31:55 Serbia’s authoritarian president personally intervened to remove the protection of a historic landmark – then came protests and prosecutions. Tom Burgis on the murky tale of Trump Tower Belgrade. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Australian MP attacked with car: what we know so far – The Latest
Australian MP attacked with car: what we know so far – The Latest Oct 20, 2026 00:12:15 A man has been charged after the Australian MP Helen Haines was allegedly attacked with a car outside her electorate office in the state of Victoria. Haines, who is an independent MP, has lost one leg as a result of the incident and surgeons were fighting on Tuesday to save the other leg. Police say 43-year-old Brendan Nugent has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury, intentio
Why terrorism laws stopped Sally Rooney selling books in the UK
Why terrorism laws stopped Sally Rooney selling books in the UK Oct 20, 2026 00:25:46 The bestselling author says her books will no longer be supplied to UK bookshops over fears of prosecution. Zoe Williams and Haroon Siddique report. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
France protests escalate with riots, looting and 2,400 arrests – The Latest
France protests escalate with riots, looting and 2,400 arrests – The Latest Oct 19, 2026 00:12:26 Last weekend there were mass protests across France, with more than half a million people estimated to have been involved. The unrest included rioting, looting and violent clashes with outnumbered police in cities including Paris, Marseille and Limoges. The interior minister conceded that police ‘lost control’ in some cities, while President Emmanuel Macron demanded a full security review. Lucy Ho
A spy charge, a Russian jail and a swap for an assassin: the story of Evan Gershkovich
A spy charge, a Russian jail and a swap for an assassin: the story of Evan Gershkovich Oct 19, 2026 00:25:06 American journalist Evan Gershkovich talks about his arrest by the Russian intelligence services in 2023, his 16-month detention, and the swap deal that eventually took him home. Get in touch at tif.questions@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
‘Austerity is inevitably painful’: How Michael Gove justifies his politics | Radical Thinking with Aditya Chakrabortty
‘Austerity is inevitably painful’: How Michael Gove justifies his politics | Radical Thinking with Aditya Chakrabortty Oct 18, 2026 00:57:36 For more than three decades, Michael Gove has been a leading figure in British Conservatism. As a journalist, government minister and now editor of the Tory bible the Spectator, he has helped shape the right even as it has moved further rightwards. In the latest episode of Radical Thinking, Gove joins Aditya Chakrabortty to discuss the future of the right, his record on Brexit and austerity, and t
Girls is back: Lena Dunham revives cult series a decade on – The Latest
Girls is back: Lena Dunham revives cult series a decade on – The Latest Oct 16, 2026 00:12:36 Lena Dunham has announced a surprise reboot of the cult TV show Girls, which had its finale 10 years ago. The news was broken via a fake Zoom call with all four female leads, which went viral and raised questions about what a show depicting millennial struggles would look like as the women enter their 40s. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian writer Rebecca Nicholson – watch on YouTube. Help support
NAZA: the film the Israeli government does not want you to see
NAZA: the film the Israeli government does not want you to see Oct 16, 2026 00:45:25 Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor on their new film interviewing Israeli military insiders on the vast, AI-assisted systems their sources say are being used to kill civilians in Gaza. They also talk about the political backlash against their documentary. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
‘I couldn’t breathe’: Russell Brand trial hears from first alleged victim - The Latest
‘I couldn’t breathe’: Russell Brand trial hears from first alleged victim - The Latest Oct 15, 2026 00:09:39 Former comedian Russell Brand is on trial facing multiple charges of rape and sexual assault against six women, spanning a decade from 1999 to 2009. On Thursday the court heard evidence from a woman who alleged Russell Brand told her “it’s just fun” as he raped her at the 1999 Labour party conference. He denies all the allegations against him. Lucy Hough speaks to senior national news editor Aaron

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