Today in Focus
1,722 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 days ago - ★★★★★ - 649 ratingsHosted by Michael Safi and Helen Pidd, Today in Focus brings you closer to Guardian journalism. Combining personal storytelling with insightful analysis, this podcast takes you behind the headlines for a deeper understanding of the news, every weekday. Today in Focus features journalists such as: Aditya Chakrabortty, Alex Hern, Alexis Petridis, Andrew Roth, Emma Graham-Harrison, George Monbiot, Jim Waterson, John Crace, John Harris, Jonathan Freedland, Kiran Stacey, Larry Elliott, Luke Harding, Marina Hyde, Nesrine Malik, Owen Jones, Peter Walker, Pippa Crerar, Polly Toynbee, Shaun Walker, Simon Hattenstone and Zoe Williams. The podcast is a topical, deep dive, explainer on a topic or story in the news, covering: current affairs, politics, investigations, leaks, scandals and interviews. It might cover topics such as: GB, Scotland, England and Ireland news, the environment, green issues, climate change, the climate emergency and global warming; American politics including: US presidential election 2024, Biden, Trump, the White House, the GOP, the Republicans and the Republican Party, the Democrats and the Democratic Party; UK politics including: UK election 24, Parliament, Labour, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer; culture; the royals and the royal family, including King Charles III and Prince Harry; HS2; the police and current affairs including: Ukraine, Russia, Bangladesh, Israel, Palestine, Gaza and AI.
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Episodes
Will France fall to the far right?
July 04, 2024 02:00 - 37 minutes - 56.5 MBMarine Le Pen’s party won a significant victory in the first round of the French parliamentary elections. Can they be stopped? Angelique Chrisafis reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: is it over?
July 03, 2024 17:25 - 10 minutes - 15.2 MBConservatives appear to be close to conceding defeat the day before the election. And Archie Bland hands out his campaign awards. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Marina Hyde and John Crace on the 2024 election campaign
July 03, 2024 02:00 - 26 minutes - 41.3 MBGuardian columnist Marina Hyde and parliamentary sketch writer John Crace reflect on the highs and lows of the general election campaign. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: desperate times
July 02, 2024 16:51 - 10 minutes - 15.1 MBAs the campaign enters its final hours, party leaders are trying to reach as many constituencies as they can and throwing out last desperate attack lines. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The enigma of Keir Starmer
July 02, 2024 02:00 - 46 minutes - 68.7 MBBy the end of the week, Keir Starmer could be the UK’s next prime minister. Why do voters feel they don’t know him?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Is the race to replace Sunak already under way?
July 01, 2024 17:06 - 9 minutes - 14.8 MBThe general election may be three days away, but for some Tory candidates it is merely the staging post for the competition they are really focused on: their party leadership contest. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The 14 years that broke Britain, part 2
July 01, 2024 02:00 - 45 minutes - 56.1 MBIn part two of our miniseries on how 14 years of Tory rule have impacted the UK, Jonathan Freedland explores how chaos from Brexit to Partygate destroyed trust in politics Listen to part 1: austerity. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Reform UK activist’s racist ‘pub talk’
June 28, 2024 17:00 - 10 minutes - 15.9 MBNigel Farage has vowed to banish those accused of extremist comments from campaigning for his Reform party after an undercover report from Clacton by Channel 4 News. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The 14 years that broke Britain, part 1
June 28, 2024 02:00 - 39 minutes - 59.2 MBIf the polls are correct, an era is about to come to an end. What have 14 years of Conservative government done to the country? Jonathan Freedland reports Listen to part 2 here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: will undecided voters be decisive?
June 27, 2024 16:28 - 10 minutes - 15.1 MBApathy and antipathy towards all parties is a growing trend in UK elections. But with a week to go, undecided voters could prove critical to the result. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Returning to Leigh: can Labour rebuild the red wall?
June 27, 2024 02:00 - 36 minutes - 55.3 MBThe Greater Manchester town was a Labour stronghold before 2019. Will it be once again? Helen Pidd reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Pippa Crerar on breaking the betting scandal
June 26, 2024 16:09 - 11 minutes - 17 MBWhen she broke the first story over a week ago, the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar, could hardly have known how deep the betting scandal would go. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
A win for Julian Assange and a loss for press freedom?
June 26, 2024 02:00 - 23 minutes - 37.3 MBAfter years in ferocious pursuit, the US has finally agreed to a plea deal with the WikiLeaks founder. But there are fears it may set a dangerous precedent. Julian Borger reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Where are voters getting their news?
June 25, 2024 16:20 - 10 minutes - 15 MBThe election has just over a week to go and traditionally it is around now that voters start to really engage with the campaign. But this year feels different, says Jim Waterson. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
McSweeney and Gray: the powers behind Keir Starmer
June 25, 2024 02:00 - 28 minutes - 44.2 MBAfter Labour’s 2019 election defeat, Keir Starmer vowed to transform the party. Who are the advisers who have helped him shape it? Jessica Elgot reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Farage doubles down
June 24, 2024 16:52 - 9 minutes - 14.4 MBRishi Sunak has heavily criticised comments from Nigel Farage that the west provoked Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
New towns and old ideas: Labour’s housing plan
June 24, 2024 02:00 - 33 minutes - 50.9 MBWhat are Labour’s proposals for fixing the housing crisis? Robert Booth reports from Hitchin, North Hertfordshire. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: hope (within reason)
June 21, 2024 17:24 - 10 minutes - 15.2 MBLabour has begun to hint that its ambitions in government will go beyond what it has promised in its manifesto, and sources have told the Guardian of plans to look at redrawing wealth taxes. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Has Clacton fallen for Nigel Farage?
June 21, 2024 02:00 - 34 minutes - 51.9 MBHe claims he could be prime minister in 2029 but first he has to become an MP. Will it be eighth time lucky for Reform’s leader? Esther Addley reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: All bets are off
June 20, 2024 16:54 - 10 minutes - 15.1 MBThe Conservatives have been hit with further irregular gambling allegations and the party’s campaigns director has taken a leave of absence. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Lib Dems’ surprising strategy to breach the blue wall
June 20, 2024 02:00 - 26 minutes - 41.2 MBThe Liberal Democrats began their campaign with eye-catching stunts, but it’s tactical voting that may help them breach the blue wall. Peter Walker reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: inflation on target and the SNP manifesto
June 19, 2024 16:48 - 8 minutes - 14.7 MBThe SNP launched its manifesto today amid polling that shows the once dominant Scottish party facing steep losses. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Germans are divided. Can Euro 2024 unite them?
June 19, 2024 02:00 - 21 minutes - 34.8 MBThanks to a troubled economy and gains by the far right in the European elections, Germany’s sense of identity is in the balance. Could footballing success bring the country back together? Philip Oltermann reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Labour heading for a landslide
June 18, 2024 16:57 - 9 minutes - 15.8 MBA new poll for Ipsos shows Labour heading for an unprecedented majority and spells disaster for Rishi Sunak. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The British judges ruling on the law in authoritarian Hong Kong
June 18, 2024 02:00 - 23 minutes - 37.2 MBSince 1997 Hong Kong’s highest court has included British judges. But with China changing the laws in the city, they are being urged to resign. Amy Hawkins reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Farage’s five-year plan
June 17, 2024 17:03 - 10 minutes - 16.3 MBNigel Farage has launched Reform UK’s ‘contract’ with voters, which he insists is not a manifesto. Archie Bland reports on its content and whether it adds up. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The economy and Labour’s post-election dilemma
June 17, 2024 02:00 - 21 minutes - 35 MBHeather Stewart explains how the party’s central economic message could help it win power but then constrain it in office. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Starmer and the Corbyn question
June 14, 2024 15:44 - 10 minutes - 16.1 MBReform have surged ahead of the Tories in the latest YouGov poll and as Keir Starmer prepares for a BBC grilling, will he have a better answer to questions about his past support for Jeremy Corbyn? Zoe Williams reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The phone-free, 12-hour school-day experiment
June 14, 2024 02:00 - 35 minutes - 53 MBA school in west London is trying to give children their childhood back – by extending its hours from 7am to 7pm. Will it work? Helen Pidd reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Labour’s plan
June 13, 2024 16:24 - 9 minutes - 15.4 MBLabour published its manifesto today with no surprise announcements. But is it the whole story of the party’s plan for government? Heather Stewart reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Labour takes on the SNP in Scotland
June 13, 2024 02:00 - 32 minutes - 48.9 MBIn the 2019 general election, Labour won just one of Scotland’s 59 parliamentary seats. Can it turn around its Scottish fortunes? Libby Brooks reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: damage limitation
June 12, 2024 16:45 - 9 minutes - 15.7 MBHave the Conservatives switched their election strategy to simply limiting losses? Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election 2024’s battleground: your family WhatsApp group
June 12, 2024 02:00 - 30 minutes - 46.3 MBHow are Labour and the Conservatives approaching their online campaign strategies? Jim Waterson reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: the Tory manifesto
June 11, 2024 15:56 - 9 minutes - 15.8 MBAs Rishi Sunak searches for a gamechanging campaign moment, Heather Stewart combs through the Conservative party’s election manifesto. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How a far-right push in Europe triggered a shock election in France
June 11, 2024 02:00 - 22 minutes - 35.6 MBThe far right has made significant gains in the European parliament elections. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has responded with a high-stakes gamble. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Farage rules out pact with Tories
June 10, 2024 17:17 - 9 minutes - 18.4 MBThe Conservative party needs to ‘embrace’ Nigel Farage, according to Suella Braverman. But Farage says a pact between his party and the Tories ‘ain’t gonna happen’. Zoe Williams reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Magic Dave: David Copperfield’s alleged victims speak out – part 2
June 10, 2024 02:05 - 33 minutes - 50.3 MBSixteen women have accused the magician of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour spanning decades. Copperfield’s lawyers say the allegations are ‘not only completely false but also entirely implausible’. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Magic Dave: David Copperfield’s alleged victims speak out – part 1
June 10, 2024 02:00 - 45 minutes - 66.7 MBSixteen women have accused the magician of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour spanning decades. Copperfield’s lawyers say the allegations are ‘not only completely false but also entirely implausible’. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Sunak’s D-day disaster
June 07, 2024 18:41 - 10 minutes - 14.1 MBThe Guardian’s political sketch writer John Crace discusses Sunak’s extraordinary decision to fly home early from Normandy on Thursday and skip the international D-day commemorations. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Israeli protesters trying to stop food aid getting to Gaza
June 07, 2024 02:00 - 33 minutes - 50.8 MBInternational aid organisations are warning Gaza is on the brink of famine. But since the start of the year groups of protesters have been trying to prevent food and supplies from getting in. Emma Graham-Harrison reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: New Frank Hester allegations
June 06, 2024 17:43 - 10 minutes - 16.2 MBFormer employees of Tory donor Frank Hester have made a series of fresh allegations that Hester repeatedly made comments about race or religion in the workplace, including in recent years. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
From child refugee to Guardian reporter: one journalist’s extraordinary story – podcast
June 06, 2024 02:00 - 34 minutes - 52.2 MBHow does it feel to report on the refugee crisis when it’s also the story of your own family? Aamna Mohdin explains. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Sunak’s £2,000 ‘lie’
June 05, 2024 17:10 - 8 minutes - 14.6 MBRishi Sunak’s assertion that people would pay £2,000 more in tax under Labour was called a lie by the shadow chancellor today. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Donald Trump is now a convicted criminal. Do voters care?
June 05, 2024 02:00 - 26 minutes - 40.7 MBThe hush-money trial ended with a historic verdict against a former president. Can Joe Biden capitalise on it? David Smith and Alice Herman report. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Sunak and Starmer debate preview
June 04, 2024 16:59 - 9 minutes - 15.2 MBRishi Sunak will go head-to-head with Keir Starmer tonight in their first televised leaders’ debate of the campaign. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Has there been a purge of the left wing of the Labour party?
June 04, 2024 02:00 - 27 minutes - 42.8 MBKeir Starmer once promised to lead a ‘broad church’ Labour party. After a week in which Diane Abbott and Faiza Shaheen have complained about their treatment, does that still hold true? Aletha Adu and Aditya Chakrabortty report. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Election Extra: Nigel Farage is back
June 03, 2024 17:32 - 9 minutes - 15.1 MBNigel Farage has announced he will stand as a candidate in the 2024 election. Archie Bland explains why it’s terrible news for the Tories Sign up for Election Edition with Archie Bland – our UK general election 2024 newsletter. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How to live to 100
June 03, 2024 02:00 - 24 minutes - 38.5 MBWe know more about extending our lifespans than ever before. Afterdecades spent drinking, eating and laughing at people with exercise regimes, what will it take for Phil Daoust to join the ranks of centenarians?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Trump is guilty on all counts. So what happens next?
May 31, 2024 16:30 - 21 minutes - 34.1 MBRevisited: Guardian journalist Jonathan Freedland speaks to Sam Levine about how Donald Trump became the first US president, sitting or former, to become a convicted criminal. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Exposing Israel’s secret ‘war’ on the ICC – podcast
May 31, 2024 02:00 - 36 minutes - 54.8 MBHarry Davies and Yuval Abraham report on how Israeli intelligence agencies tried to derail an ICC war crimes investigation. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus