Donald Trump has promised he will ‘shoot at Iran’ if Iranian security services attack anti-government protesters, but analysts suggest the US is not prepared for military action. It comes as the death toll from Tehran’s crackdown on protests soars, and as demonstrations continue to shake the country. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...
Jan 12, 2026•10 min
Writer Katherine May talks about ‘wintering’ and learning to love the darkest months of the year. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jan 12, 2026•24 min
Iran’s leadership has vowed it will not back down in the face of growing nationwide protests over economic conditions. Thousands of people marched through the streets of Tehran calling for political reform and torching government buildings. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has signalled that a greater crackdown is coming after the country plunged into an internet blackout. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s deputy head of international news Devika Bhat – watch on YouTube . Help suppo...
Jan 09, 2026•9 min
Ashley St Clair – a conservative influencer and former partner of Elon Musk – and Dan Milmo chart the scandal over Grok, X’s AI chatbot, after it generated sexualised images of women without their consent. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jan 09, 2026•21 min
Protests have been taking place across the US after the fatal shooting of a woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer taking part in the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown. Video of the moment the Minnesota woman Renee Nicole Good was shot has been shared widely online, sparking demonstrations and vigils. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian US southern bureau chief Oliver Laughland – watch on YouTube This episode contains strong language from the start . Help s...
Jan 08, 2026•10 min
Which forces are vying for power now that Nicolás Maduro has been removed from Venezuela? With Tom Phillips. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jan 08, 2026•28 min
The US has dramatically seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker between the UK and Iceland, with the support of the UK government. The operation comes after US attacks on Venezuela, the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro, and threats against Greenland. Lucy Hough speaks to Russian affairs correspondent Pjotr Sauer – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...
Jan 07, 2026•10 min
Three activists awaiting trial are refusing food and their health is failing rapidly. Will the government intervene? Haroon Siddique reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jan 07, 2026•29 min
After the removal of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, there are fears Donald Trump could turn his sights to Greenland, after he renewed his calls for the US to take control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory. While European leaders convened in Paris and rallied behind Denmark, one of Trump’s top aides ramped up the pressure by questioning Copenhagen’s claim to the Arctic territory Lucy Hough talks to Jon Henley, the Guardian’s Europe correspondent – watch on YouTube . Help support our...
Jan 06, 2026•11 min
What is the UK government planning for young people? With Emma Warren. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jan 06, 2026•25 min
Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro was controversially captured by US special forces and has appeared in a Manhattan court. The arrest came after months of US pressure against Maduro, including attacks on ‘narco-boats’ and blockades on oil tankers. Donald Trump has since claimed the US is going to ‘run’ Venezuela - but how?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jan 05, 2026•11 min
The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, was captured, flown to the US and is facing trial in New York. What does it mean for the country – and the world?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jan 05, 2026•28 min
A backlash against the Free Birth Society intensifies and Emilee and Yolande respond to the crisis. This is episode six of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jan 03, 2026•43 min
Emilee and Yolande had created an ideology and then seeded it globally – a reach Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne could not have fathomed when they began reporting on the story. They set out to trace just how far FBS has spread. This is episode five of a year-long investigation. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jan 02, 2026•32 min
Within months of the death of Lorren’s baby, Journey Moon, and the public backlash against the Free Birth Society (FBS) that followed, Emilee Saldaya took FBS membership private, turning the business into a global multimillion-dollar empire. This is episode four of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Jan 01, 2026•43 min
When Lorren Holliday got pregnant in 2018, she joined Emilee Saldaya’s Facebook group and quickly became hooked on the Free Birth Society podcasts. It was a decision that led to tragedy. This is episode three of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Dec 31, 2025•35 min
Who is Emilee Saldaya, the woman behind the Free Birth Society movement? And how did she meet her business partner Yolande Norris-Clark? Do either women have the credentials they are claiming? This is episode two of a year-long investigation by Guardian journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Dec 30, 2025•41 min
The Free Birth Society (FBS) 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. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Dec 29, 2025•37 min
An intergenerational war has broken out with Gen Z mercilessly mocking millennials as embarrassing and out of touch. Chloë Hamilton reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Dec 26, 2025•24 min
Nicola Slawson on her decision to have a baby with her best friend Tom rather than a romantic partner. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Dec 25, 2025•34 min
The Guardian’s editor-in-chief Katharine Viner looks back on the biggest news stories of 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Dec 24, 2025•28 min
Pastor Munther Isaac talks about his hometown of Bethlehem – the scene of the nativity – celebrating Christmas for the first time in three years. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Dec 23, 2025•25 min
Today in Focus hears from Guardian journalists all around the world about their most memorable moments – and sounds – of 2025. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Dec 22, 2025•33 min
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
Dec 19, 2025•10 min
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
Dec 19, 2025•30 min
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
Dec 18, 2025•10 min
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
Dec 18, 2025•23 min
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 Ca...
Dec 17, 2025•11 min
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
Dec 17, 2025•24 min
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 ne...
Dec 16, 2025•10 min
