Today in Focus

Latest Episodes:

Big tech reckoning: Meta ordered to pay $375m in landmark case - The Latest Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

A court in the US has ordered Meta to pay $375m after a jury found that the company, which owns Facebook and Instagram, enabled harm including child sexual exploitation on its platforms. The landmark victory marks the first time the social media corporation has been successfully sued by a US state over child safety issues. Could it set a new precedent for holding big tech to account? Lucy Hough speaks to the investigative reporter Katie McQue – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Maga divide over Iran Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

Andrew Roth on why the war on Iran is unpopular with the US public and what it means for Maga insiders. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Ambulance arson attack: what we know so far – The Latest Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

An investigation is under way into an arson attack on four ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity in north London. Efforts are being made to verify a claim of responsibility by a group known as Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia (HAYI). Security sources have cautioned against a rush to tie Iran to arson and it has not so far been designated as a terrorist incident. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to chief reporter Daniel Boffey – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Israel’s second front: on the ground in Lebanon Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

The conflict in the Middle East is being fought from the air – except in southern Lebanon where Israel and Hezbollah are fighting a bitter ground war. Will Christou reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Trump chickens out on Iran deadline – The Latest Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

Donald Trump has delayed his deadline for Iran to open the strait of Hormuz, saying he is postponing strikes on Iranian power plants for a five-day period. The US president had threatened to ‘obliterate’ the regime’s power plants, while Tehran said in return it would ‘irreversibly destroy’ essential infrastructure across the Middle East, including vital water systems, in the conflict’s latest escalation. The war is now in its fourth week, as Trump declares the US and Iran had ‘good and productive conversations’, but what could come next? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

What the Epstein case teaches us about grooming Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

Lucia Osborne-Crowley on what we should learn from Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Off Duty: The Crime Mar 21, 2026

Show notes

On the evening of 29 December 2011, the police officer Clifton Lewis was moonlighting as a security guard at a Chicago minimart when two men walked in. They shot Lewis several times, then took off with his gun and police star. A week later, officers had their suspects: four men affiliated with a gang called the Spanish Cobras. For hours, under intense police questioning, they all said they didn’t do it. That didn’t seem to matter. This is episode one of Off Duty, an investigation by the Guardian’s Melissa Segura. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Cash handouts and no AC: Iran war energy shock hits Asia – The Latest Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

Governments are scrambling to find ways to conserve energy and shield the public from soaring costs across south-east Asia, as war in the Middle East causes huge disruption in the global oil market. In Thailand, news anchors have been ditching their jackets after orders to reduce air conditioning use, while government workers in the Philippines are operating on a four-day week. Asia relies heavily on imported energy, much of which passes through the strait of Hormuz, and officials have warned further measures could be considered if the energy crisis worsens. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s south-east Asia correspondent, Rebecca Ratcliffe – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Why Ireland is giving a basic income to artists Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

Rory Carroll reports on the Irish government’s initiative, as a musician and a writer relay their experiences on the scheme. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Why gasfield attacks are major escalation in Iran war – The Latest Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Donald Trump is threatening to ‘blow up’ a major Iranian energy facility, as attacks on gasfields across the Middle East send gas and oil prices skyrocketing again. The threat comes after Israeli strikes on the South Pars gasfield prompted Iran to retaliate with attacks on energy facilities across the region, including in Qatar. It marks a serious escalation in the war, which could cause long-term disruption to global energy supplies. Lucy Hough speaks to senior international reporter Peter Beaumont – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected