Today in Focus

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Do we really need to be prepping for disaster? Oct 28, 2026

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Food security expert Prof Tim Langand prepper and YouTube influencer Ana talk about the government’s new campaign encouraging the public to store three days’ worth of basic supplies. Send your comments and questions to tif.questions@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Harry Kane’s historic Ballon d’Or win Oct 27, 2026

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Harry Kane is the men’s Ballon d’Or winner for 2026, the first Englishman to win the trophy in 25 years. At a lavish ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London, Kane unexpectedly won ahead of co-favourites Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid. In a contest that has been critiqued for promoting individualism and celebrity in sport, Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s chief sports writer, Barney Ronay, about the symbolism of Kane’s win – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Is this the end for Benjamin Netanyahu? Oct 27, 2026

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It’s being called the most consequential election in Israel’s history. Emma Graham-Harrison explains what’s at stake. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

How Lula beat far-right Bolsonaro in Brazil – The Latest Oct 26, 2026

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Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has won a historic fourth term as president, defeating the far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro in a dramatic comeback. Lula is the first candidate to win a runoff election after losing in the first round, taking victory with 51.79% of the vote to his rival’s 48.21%. His win bucks a regional trend, after the son of the former president Jair Bolsonaro had spearheaded a radical populist movement. But with Flávio Bolsonaro refusing to concede defeat, what’s next for Brazil? Michael Safi speaks to Latin America correspondent Tom Phillips – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

How Abu Dhabi bought Andy Burnham’s Manchester Oct 26, 2026

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After the prime minister recently intervened to defend Manchester City’s beleaguered ownership, many began to ask: just how deep are the ties between Andy Burnham and the UAE? With North of England editor Josh Halliday.Send your comments and questions to tif.questions@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

‘Culture is stagnant, so politics is stuck’ – playwright James Graham | Radical Thinking Oct 25, 2026

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Are we doomscrolling our way into a democratic crisis? That’s what the playwright James Graham fears may be happening, as he suggests that our algorithms have led us into ‘a massive crisis of the new’ and are preventing us from imagining a different future. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Who should be the next James Bond? – The Latest Oct 23, 2026

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The search for the next James Bond may be in the final stages, with screen tests reportedly taking place this weekend. Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor are among the actors thought to be in the running for the role. So who is likely to emerge as the next 007? And what does the future look like for the Bond franchise now it’s in the hands of Amazon MGM Studios? Michael Safi speaks to film editor Catherine Shoard – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Brazil’s election and the battle for the Amazon Oct 23, 2026

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Our Latin America correspondent, Tom Phillips, heads to Roraima to hear what’s at stake for the rainforest and the communities that live there in the Brazilian presidential runoff on Sunday. Send your comments and questions to tif.questions@theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

PHP: Pretty Huge Problem with the internet – The Latest Oct 22, 2026

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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 companies have said. Michael Safi speaks to global technology reporter Aisha Down – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Are the Tories back? Oct 22, 2026

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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

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