Today in Focus

Osad

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  Protests erupt as Netanyahu gives inflammatory UN speech - The Latest 25.09.2026 12min

  More than 100 people were arrested at large protests against the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the UN general assembly. Susan Sarandon, Chelsea Manning and Caleb Hearon were among the famous faces arrested. Inside the assembly hall, Netanyahu faced a mass walkout as he took to the stage. Then, in an inflammatory address, he claimed Israel’s war in Gaza was the ‘opposite of a genocide’ and labelled the New York mayor, Zohran Mamdani, antisemitic. Lucy Hough speaks to UK global editor Devika Bhat – watch on YouTube – Listen to Thursday’s episode of Stateside with Kai and Carter on whether Netanyahu has lost America here. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Marina Hyde on Trump, tech bros and Taylor Swift 25.09.2026 25min

  Guardian columnist Marina Hyde on the release of her new book What a Time to be Alive!. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Rogue AI hacks government system for first time – The Latest 25.09.2026 13min

  A government database has been hacked for the first time by a rogue OpenAI agent, which infiltrated part of the Australian healthcare scheme in June. OpenAI became aware of the hack in August, but only informed the government in September. Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has expressed his ‘extreme concern’ about the hack, which raises serious AI security concerns for governments around the world. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s UK technology editor Robert Booth – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Xi Jinping meets Trump: who holds the cards? 25.09.2026 29min

  AI, Iran and Taiwan – there will be no shortage of topics when the two most powerful men in the world meet in Washington. But what do they both want? Jonathan Czin explains. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Has Burnham proved he can handle Trump? - The Latest 25.09.2026 12min

  Andy Burnham has navigated his way through a first high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump at the UN general assembly in New York. The prime minister’s aides were delighted with how the meeting went, as Trump praised the US-UK relationship and described Burnham as a ‘natural businessman’. The anticipated sticking points – the Chagos Islands, West Bank settlement sanctions and Ireland – appear not to have derailed the talks nor cast a shadow over the future relationship. Lucy Hough speaks to policy editor Kiran Stacey – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Is it cool to have no friends? 25.09.2026 26min

  Loneliness influencers are on the rise. When did social media get so unsociable? Jessica Murray explains. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Trump v the media – The Latest 25.09.2026 11min

  In what is probably one of the biggest battles yet between the press and Donald Trump, major TV networks have united in a boycott of pooled coverage of his administration. It comes after three news organisations – CNN, MS Now and Politico – were denied access to the White House because of Trump’s concerns about their coverage. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s international news editor Paul Owen – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  The Houthis’ shock advance and what it means for the world 22.09.2026 23min

  The Houthis now control the Bab al-Mandab strait. But where is it and why does it matter? Patrick Wintour explains. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Rise of the far right in Germany: how worried should we be? – The Latest 21.09.2026 12min

  The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has vowed to stay in office despite heavy losses in two state elections that he described as a ‘disaster’. The anti-immigration, Kremlin-friendly Alternative für Deutschland won with 38% of the vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, while the leftwing Die Linke was victorious in Berlin. Merz has promised political change, but speculation is growing that his party could soon oust him. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s Berlin correspondent, Deborah Cole – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Being trans in Britain in 2026 21.09.2026 29min

  From hospital wards to bathrooms, where is a transgender person supposed to go after the latest equalities guidance?. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Diana book sparks royal row between King Charles and Earl Spencer - The Latest 18.09.2026 10min

  Buckingham Palace has issued a rare, and strong, rebuttal to claims made in Earl Spencer’s memoir Swan Song. The book claims that King Charles told Spencer days after Diana’s death and during a heated row over funeral arrangements: ‘Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.’ Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s senior national news editor, Aaron Sharp. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Throuples (when three isn’t a crowd) 18.09.2026 30min

  Can you have a happy, healthy relationship of three? Today in Focus hears about good and bad throupling experiences. With reporting from Kitty Drake. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Taking on Trump: Canada and EU forge closer ties – The Latest 17.09.2026 13min

  Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, has welcomed the EU’s proposal for Canada to become the bloc’s first ‘associate member’, despite threats from Donald Trump over the plan. The US president said Washington could impose ‘very serious tariffs’ or halt trade if the EU went ahead with the idea. But in a defiant speech to the European parliament, Carney called for ‘deep cooperation’ and said polling showed the overwhelming majority of Canadians supported closer ties with Europe. Lucy Hough speaks to Europe correspondent Jon Henley – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  The fight to save Sweden’s soul from the far right 17.09.2026 27min

  The Swedish journalist Martin Gelin tells Helen Pidd about the impact the far right has had on Sweden’s politics over the last four years – and what the latest general election results could mean for the Nordic country’s future. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Ed Sheeran support acts quit after Macklemore ‘Free Palestine’ row - The Latest 16.09.2026 11min

  All four supporting acts for the upcoming dates of Ed Sheeran’s tour have withdrawn in solidarity with fellow opener Macklemore. The American rapper was removed from Sheeran’s tour after comments made onstage in support of Palestine. Sheeran responded that venue owners – including Robert Kraft who owns the New England Patriots and its home stadium – had objected to Macklemore’s appearance on the tour. But after he had tried to negotiate with the venue owners “at length to build bridges,” ultimately the promoters made the decision to pull the plug. Artists who have pulled out include Finneas, Aaron Rowe and Beoga. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian assistant opinion editor Jason Okundaye – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  The Palestinian school under siege 16.09.2026 31min

  At least five pupils at a village school in the West Bank have been killed in the last year by settlers and soldiers. Emma Graham-Harrison reports on how the school found itself on the frontline, while a teacher explains what life is like for staff and students.. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Lucy Letby inquiry finds babies could have been saved - The Latest 15.09.2026 14min

  Three babies might have survived and others could have been protected if hospital staff had taken action over concerns about the nurse Lucy Letby, an inquiry has found. Lady Justice Thirlwall, who led the inquiry, found there was a ‘complete failure to protect babies on the neonatal unit’ at the Countess of Chester hospital. Letby is serving 15 whole-life prison terms for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more. The former neonatal nurse says she is innocent and is fighting to overturn her convictions. Nosheen Iqbal speaks to the Guardian’s north of England editor, Josh Halliday. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Why crypto-billionaires love Reform 15.09.2026 22min

  Reform UK have just been showered with £72m in donations by billionaires. What does that money buy and what will the party do with it? Peter Walker explains. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  Sydney Sweeney naked ad controversy: what’s she playing at? - The Latest 14.09.2026 12min

  The actor Sydney Sweeney is under fire for ‘sexualising women’s sports’ in an ad campaign for US sports prediction company Novig, which features a series of images of her in various states of undress as she pretends to play different sports. The ad has been widely criticised by a number of sportswomen, including Olympic swimmer Ariarne Titmus who described it as ‘infuriating’ and a ‘kick in the teeth’ to women who have ‘spent decades perfecting their craft’. Sweeney has responded by saying the ad was about ‘embracing a fun idea’. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian feature writer Elle Hunt – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
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  AI isn’t going to end humanity ... right? 14.09.2026 27min

  A series of figures in the tech world have been warning about – and even resigning over – the existential threat posed by AI. How worried should we be? With technology editor Robert Booth. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>