Today in Focus

The US Department of Justice is expected to release files relating to the disgraced late financier and sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, this evening. Jonathan Freedland joins Lucy Hough to discuss why it’s such a big moment. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 19 December 2025

Guardian critics Ben Beaumont-Thomas, Catherine Shoard and Hannah J Davies look back at some of the best (and worst) of the year. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 19 December 2025

The UK government’s long-awaited strategy to tackle violence against women and girls has been published today. Alexandra Topping joins Lucy Hough to explain what it will change, amid concerns that ‘toxic ideas’ are going unchallenged in schools. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2025

Santiago-based journalist John Bartlett charts how far-right José Antonio Kast managed to win election by landslide. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2025

Resident doctors in England have begun five days of strike action after rejecting the government’s latest offer to resolve a long-running dispute over pay and jobs. The health secretary, Wes Streeting, met the British Medical Association on Tuesday in a final attempt to reach an agreement, but they failed to agree a deal. It means that resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – will remain on strike until 7am on Monday. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian’s health policy editor, Denis Campbell – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2025

The congresswoman told David Smith about how it feels to be targeted by the world’s most powerful man. But why has Donald Trump gone after her and the Somali community?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2025

The BBC has vowed to defend itself against the $10bn lawsuit that the US president, Donald Trump, filed against it. Trump alleges the broadcaster ‘intentionally, maliciously and deceptively’ edited the speech he gave before the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol. On Tuesday, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.’ Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2025

When Reform took over 10 local councils in England this summer, it offered the first glimpse of how the party might govern if it were to get into No 10. Helen Pidd reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2025

Australia suffered one of the deadliest massacres in its modern history on Sunday when two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish celebration at Bondi beach in Sydney. At least 16 people died, including one of the alleged gunmen, with more than 40 wounded. The victims include a 10-year-old child, a Holocaust survivor and a London-born rabbi. The alleged gunmen behind the attack are a father and son, who are suspected of using legally obtained firearms to commit the massacre. One of the suspects, Naveed Akram, 24, was known to New South Wales police and security agencies. The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is facing questions about gun law reform and security failings as the country reels from the attack. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian Australia senior reporter Ben Doherty – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 15 December 2025

Has east Asia replaced the US as the world’s cultural centre? With Jeff Yang. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 15 December 2025

The Free Birth Society was selling pregnant women a simple message. They could exit the medical system and take back their power. By free birthing. But Nicole Garrison believes FBS ideology nearly cost her her life. This is episode one of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne Listen to the full series from The Guardian Investigates podcast. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 13 December 2025

A year-long investigation into the Free Birth Society reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors. Lucy Hough talks to the investigative correspondent Lucy Osborne about her reporting – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 12 December 2025

Are US-style Christian politics finally taking root in the UK? With Lamorna Ash. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 12 December 2025

US forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in a major escalation of Donald Trump’s campaign against the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, whose government called the seizure an act of international piracy. The Trump administration is facing increasing scrutiny over a series of attacks on boats off the Venezuelan coast. At least 87 people have been killed in 22 known strikes since early September. Lucy Hough talks to the Guardian’s deputy head of international news, Devika Bhat – Watch on YouTube.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 11 December 2025

Donald Trump’s secretary of war is facing allegations of war crimes and a blistering report into his handling of classified information. Joseph Gedeon reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 11 December 2025

Keir Starmer has called on European leaders to urgently reform human rights laws so that member states can take tougher action to protect their borders and see off the rise of the populist right across the continent. But Labour has been condemned by campaigners and MPs who argue these proposals could lead to countries abandoning the world’s most vulnerable people and further demonise refugees. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s political editor and host of Politics Weekly, Pippa Crerar – Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2025

Today in Focus talks to three teenagers, and technology reporter Josh Taylor, about Australia’s world-first legislation: a social media ban for under-16s. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2025

The battle to buy Warner Bros Discovery has captured Donald Trump’s attention. The US president has said he will be involved in the decision on the company’s sale as Netflix and Paramount fight to take over the entertainment company. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian US’s deputy business editor, Callum Jones – Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2025

How far will tech firm Palantir go to ‘save the West’? With Michael Steinberger and Johana Bhuiyan. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2025

Donald Trump has loomed large over Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with European leaders, after the US president took aim at the Ukrainian leader once again. It comes in the wake of a new White House national security strategy that has caused fear in Europe, but drawn praise from the Kremlin. Lucy Hough speaks to our Europe correspondent Jon Henley – Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 8 December 2025

Should we be worried about the vast amounts of money pouring into AI? And what will happen if the bubble bursts? Blake Montgomery reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 8 December 2025

Several countries are boycotting Eurovision after Israel was cleared to compete in the 2026 song contest despite calls for it to be excluded over the war in Gaza. Lucy Hough speaks to our European culture editor, Philip Oltermann – Watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 5 December 2025

Guardian sportswriter Jonathan Liew on how football went about courting Donald Trump – and how it might regret it when the World Cup comes to the US next summer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 5 December 2025

Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice says allegations of racism from Nigel Farage’s school days are ‘made-up twaddle’. Lucy Hough speaks to investigations correspondent Henry Dyer -- Watch Today in Focus: The Latest on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2025

Three months into his leadership the Green party membership is surging. Randeep Ramesh explains why. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2025

Vladimir Putin has stalled progress on a peace plan for Ukraine being brokered by Donald Trump’s US and has said he is ‘ready for war’ with Europe ‘if it starts one’. Luke Harding speaks to Lucy Hough -- Watch Today in Focus: The Latest on Youtube --. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2025

Where is Nick Fuentes trying to lead the Republican party? J Oliver Conroy reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2025

Criminal cases in England and Wales where a prison sentence is likely to be less than three years will be heard by a judge, not a jury, under plans from justice secretary David Lammy. Would it help reduce the backlog in courts? Or could it be purely to save money? Alexandra Topping joins Lucy Hough -- Watch Today in Focus: The Latest on Youtube --. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2025

Geraldine McKelvie reports from the ground at the inaugural Your Party conference, while Peter Walker talks to a number of insiders about the divisions that have beset the party until now. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2025

Keir Starmer has been pushed to defend his chancellor after she was accused of lying in the run-up to the autumn budget. Rachel Reeves is alleged to have misled the public by citing bleak economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility to justify tax rises, even though the figures were more positive than she suggested. Lucy Hough is joined by the head of national news, Archie Bland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 1 December 2025

Social media videos of women riding motorbike and dancing in the streets in the Islamic Republic have gone viral. But after war, and the crushing of the ‘Women, life, freedom’ movement what is life really like? Deepa Parent reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 1 December 2025

How is the criminalisation of asylum changing Europe? With Katy Fallon. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 28 November 2025

After so much buildup, Rachel Reeves has finally unveiled her budget, but will it be enough to turn things around for the government? Our economics editor, Heather Stewart, reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 27 November 2025

There have been deals and counter deals. But how close has the flurry of diplomacy brought a ceasefire? Pjotr Sauer reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2025

Nathan Gill was an MEP for the Brexit party and Ukip, and later became Reform UK’s leader in Wales. Now he has been jailed for 10 years for taking bribes to make pro-Russia statements. Luke Harding reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2025

Tech critic Cory Doctorow explains why for so many the internet – from Amazon to Google to Instagram – seems to be getting worse. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 24 November 2025

Former pupils at Dulwich College have made shocking claims about the Reform leader’s behaviour at school – which he denies. Daniel Boffey reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2025

What will it take to improve women’s safety in Mexico? With Estefanía Vela Barba and Ann Deslandes. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2025

Shabana Mahmood’s new immigration plans have been welcomed by Tommy Robinson. Jessica Elgot explains why. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2025

Jonathan Freedland unpacks Donald Trump’s latest U-turn over the Epstein files – the one scandal the president just can’t seem to shake. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2025

Danish journalist Nilas Heinskou and Syrian refugee Agob Yacoub discuss Denmark’s harsh immigration and asylum policies – reportedly the inspiration for changes to be announced by the UK government this week. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2025

The biggest survey of Reform voters to date reveals unexpected views. Aditya Chakrabortty reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 14 November 2025

Who is pushing Trump to send the US navy to Venezuela? With Andrew Roth and Tom Phillips. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2025

How entangled are China and the UK universities sector? Amy Hawkins reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2025

The broadcaster’s director general and head of news resigned on Sunday night. But were they unforgivable mistakes made or were they victims of an internal coup? Michael Savage reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2025

Jonathan Watts sets off on a three-day boat trip down the Amazon – with indigenous leaders, scientists, artists and more – to report on Cop30, the climate summit taking place this year in Brazil. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 10 November 2025

What does the fall of El Fasher mean for the future of Sudan? Kaamil Ahmed reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 7 November 2025

Majd is one of a handful of injured children from Gaza brought to the UK for urgent medical treatment. But why have there been so few? Nosheen Iqbal reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2025

Helen Pidd heads to Crawley, West Sussex, the place in the UK with the highest number of asylum seekers and supported refugees relative to its population. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 5 November 2025

Guardian US writer Adam Gabbatt and columnist Mehdi Hasan explore how Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani came from nowhere to the brink of becoming mayor of New York City. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2025