Today in Focus
1,722 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 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
How a pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong died
July 01, 2021 02:00 - 29 minutes - 31.6 MBApple Daily was a beacon of free speech. Now it has been forced to close by China’s sweeping national security law. Does its demise signal a new chapter in Hong Kong?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How a pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong died
July 01, 2021 02:00 - 29 minutes - 31.6 MBApple Daily was a beacon of free speech. Now it has been forced to close by China’s sweeping national security law. Does its demise signal a new chapter in Hong Kong?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How the Batley and Spen byelection turned toxic
June 30, 2021 02:00 - 35 minutes - 36.9 MBMaya Wolfe-Robinson visits the Labour-held West Yorkshire seat of Batley and Spen, which votes in an increasingly heated byelection tomorrow. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How the Batley and Spen byelection turned toxic
June 30, 2021 02:00 - 35 minutes - 36.9 MBMaya Wolfe-Robinson visits the Labour-held West Yorkshire seat of Batley and Spen, which votes in an increasingly heated byelection tomorrow. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Matt Hancock’s downfall
June 29, 2021 02:00 - 32 minutes - 34.5 MBBoris Johnson has a new health secretary this week after the resignation of the man tasked with leading the government’s Covid response. But there are plenty of unanswered questions, says Jonathan Freedland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Matt Hancock’s downfall
June 29, 2021 02:00 - 32 minutes - 34.5 MBBoris Johnson has a new health secretary this week after the resignation of the man tasked with leading the government’s Covid response. But there are plenty of unanswered questions, says Jonathan Freedland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Young, hot and bothered: going through menopause in my 30s
June 28, 2021 02:00 - 29 minutes - 45.8 MBHarriet Gibsone tells the scary, sad, and surprisingly funny story of going through early menopause – and hoping for a baby. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Young, hot and bothered: going through menopause in my 30s
June 28, 2021 02:00 - 29 minutes - 45.8 MBHarriet Gibsone tells the scary, sad, and surprisingly funny story of going through early menopause – and hoping for a baby. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The new Brexit crisis for Northern Ireland’s unionists
June 25, 2021 02:00 - 30 minutes - 47.3 MBFrom a leadership fiasco to the ‘sausage wars’, the Democratic Unionist party’s stance on Brexit has forced it to contend with a new – perhaps even existential – set of problems. What will they mean for the region’s future?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The new Brexit crisis for Northern Ireland’s unionists
June 25, 2021 02:00 - 30 minutes - 47.3 MBFrom a leadership fiasco to the ‘sausage wars’, the Democratic Unionist party’s stance on Brexit has forced it to contend with a new – perhaps even existential – set of problems. What will they mean for the region’s future?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How meme stars of the early internet are striking it rich with NFTs - podcast
June 24, 2021 02:00 - 26 minutes - 28.9 MBThe growth of non-fungible tokens has given rise to massive windfalls for those behind early virals. Sirin Kale and Alex Hern explain all. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How meme stars of the early internet are striking it rich with NFTs - podcast
June 24, 2021 02:00 - 26 minutes - 28.9 MBThe growth of non-fungible tokens has given rise to massive windfalls for those behind early virals. Sirin Kale and Alex Hern explain all. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Police corruption and the unsolved murder of Daniel Morgan
June 23, 2021 02:00 - 33 minutes - 35.5 MBThe brutal murder of a private investigator in 1987 has become the UK’s most investigated killing – but 34 years later it remains unsolved and mired in new official findings of police corruption. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Police corruption and the unsolved murder of Daniel Morgan
June 23, 2021 02:00 - 33 minutes - 35.5 MBThe brutal murder of a private investigator in 1987 has become the UK’s most investigated killing – but 34 years later it remains unsolved and mired in new official findings of police corruption. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Do we have to learn to live with Covid-19?
June 22, 2021 02:00 - 28 minutes - 30.7 MBThe Guardian’s health editor, Sarah Boseley, weighs up the race between vaccines and variants and explains why the end of the pandemic does not mean the end of Covid-19. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Do we have to learn to live with Covid-19?
June 22, 2021 02:00 - 28 minutes - 30.7 MBThe Guardian’s health editor, Sarah Boseley, weighs up the race between vaccines and variants and explains why the end of the pandemic does not mean the end of Covid-19. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Karim’s story: Egypt’s crackdown on human rights workers
June 21, 2021 02:00 - 33 minutes - 35.9 MBTen years since the Arab spring rocked Egypt and removed its president, the country is still detaining human rights workers and locking up political prisoners. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Karim’s story: Egypt’s crackdown on human rights workers
June 21, 2021 02:00 - 33 minutes - 35.9 MBTen years since the Arab spring rocked Egypt and removed its president, the country is still detaining human rights workers and locking up political prisoners. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Why England’s footballers are so determined to keep taking the knee
June 18, 2021 02:00 - 36 minutes - 38.5 MBEngland’s footballers will take the knee before their match against Scotland at Wembley tonight in an anti-racism protest that has divided supporters. Liam Rosenior and Paul MacInnes reflect on how football became enmeshed in the culture wars. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Why England’s footballers are so determined to keep taking the knee
June 18, 2021 02:00 - 36 minutes - 38.5 MBEngland’s footballers will take the knee before their match against Scotland at Wembley tonight in an anti-racism protest that has divided supporters. Liam Rosenior and Paul MacInnes reflect on how football became enmeshed in the culture wars. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Is the truth out there? The US government prepares its landmark report on UFOs
June 17, 2021 02:00 - 34 minutes - 36.6 MBA hotly anticipated US government report on decades of mysterious sightings of UFOs is due for release this month. The Guardian’s Adam Gabbatt and former Ministry of Defence employee Nick Pope investigate. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Is the truth out there? The US government prepares its landmark report on UFOs
June 17, 2021 02:00 - 34 minutes - 36.6 MBA hotly anticipated US government report on decades of mysterious sightings of UFOs is due for release this month. The Guardian’s Adam Gabbatt and former Ministry of Defence employee Nick Pope investigate. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Israel’s unlikely coalition: is this the end for Netanyahu?
June 16, 2021 02:00 - 24 minutes - 38.6 MBIsrael has a new coalition government made up of eight very different parties. But having ousted Benjamin Netanyahu, can it hold together?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Israel’s unlikely coalition: is this the end for Netanyahu?
June 16, 2021 02:00 - 24 minutes - 38.6 MBIsrael has a new coalition government made up of eight very different parties. But having ousted Benjamin Netanyahu, can it hold together?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What’s behind the mass protests in Colombia?
June 15, 2021 02:00 - 28 minutes - 31.1 MBA demonstration against tax rises has morphed into a mass movement against the government, says Joe Parkin Daniels in Bogotá. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What’s behind the mass protests in Colombia?
June 15, 2021 02:00 - 28 minutes - 31.1 MBA demonstration against tax rises has morphed into a mass movement against the government, says Joe Parkin Daniels in Bogotá. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What went wrong with the Covid-19 response in the US?
June 14, 2021 02:00 - 28 minutes - 43.5 MBAuthor and journalist Lawrence Wright has been writing about pandemics for decades. So when Covid-19 struck the US, he was ideally placed to report on the political response. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What went wrong with the Covid-19 response in the US?
June 14, 2021 02:00 - 28 minutes - 43.5 MBAuthor and journalist Lawrence Wright has been writing about pandemics for decades. So when Covid-19 struck the US, he was ideally placed to report on the political response. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
GB News enters the culture war
June 11, 2021 02:00 - 27 minutes - 43.2 MBTo its critics, it is a British Fox News; to its creators, it is a vital correction to a liberal London-centric media. Can Andrew Neil’s upstart news channel change the face of British broadcasting?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
GB News enters the culture war
June 11, 2021 02:00 - 27 minutes - 43.2 MBTo its critics, it is a British Fox News; to its creators, it is a vital correction to a liberal London-centric media. Can Andrew Neil’s upstart news channel change the face of British broadcasting?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The G7 and a crucial moment for the climate
June 10, 2021 02:00 - 27 minutes - 42.3 MBThe world’s richest democracies will come together in Britain this week with global heating high on the agenda. Can they match big promises with concrete action?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The G7 and a crucial moment for the climate
June 10, 2021 02:00 - 27 minutes - 42.3 MBThe world’s richest democracies will come together in Britain this week with global heating high on the agenda. Can they match big promises with concrete action?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The interrogation of Matt Hancock
June 09, 2021 02:00 - 27 minutes - 42.9 MBTwo weeks after Dominic Cummings told MPs that the health secretary was a serial liar who lost the trust of No 10, Matt Hancock will face the same committee to defend himself. Heather Stewart explains what is at stake, and what it could mean for the next stage of the pandemic. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The interrogation of Matt Hancock
June 09, 2021 02:00 - 27 minutes - 42.9 MBTwo weeks after Dominic Cummings told MPs that the health secretary was a serial liar who lost the trust of No 10, Matt Hancock will face the same committee to defend himself. Heather Stewart explains what is at stake, and what it could mean for the next stage of the pandemic. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The danger – and beauty – of ultrarunning
June 08, 2021 02:00 - 30 minutes - 46.4 MBAfter 21 competitors died during a 100km mountain race in Gansu province, the Chinese government last week suspended all extreme sports. But those who love ultrarunning insist it can be safe – and has changed how they see the world. What keeps them coming back?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The danger – and beauty – of ultrarunning
June 08, 2021 02:00 - 30 minutes - 46.4 MBAfter 21 competitors died during a 100km mountain race in Gansu province, the Chinese government last week suspended all extreme sports. But those who love ultrarunning insist it can be safe – and has changed how they see the world. What keeps them coming back?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Why every statue should come down
June 07, 2021 02:00 - 31 minutes - 48.4 MBGary Younge was glad to see the figure of Edward Colston removed in Bristol a year ago – but, he argues, even monuments to civil rights leaders are a distortion of how history really works How to listen to podcasts: everything you need to know. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Why every statue should come down
June 07, 2021 02:00 - 31 minutes - 48.4 MBGary Younge was glad to see the figure of Edward Colston removed in Bristol a year ago – but, he argues, even monuments to civil rights leaders are a distortion of how history really works How to listen to podcasts: everything you need to know. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Australia’s mouse plague
June 04, 2021 02:00 - 26 minutes - 41.2 MBFamilies and farmers in New South Wales are doing everything they can to fend off a biblical incursion of rodents. Guardian Australia’s Matilda Boseley has spent months reporting on the story – and hearing the experiences of those who have been affected. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Australia’s mouse plague
June 04, 2021 02:00 - 26 minutes - 41.2 MBFamilies and farmers in New South Wales are doing everything they can to fend off a biblical incursion of rodents. Guardian Australia’s Matilda Boseley has spent months reporting on the story – and hearing the experiences of those who have been affected. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Wuhan lab leak theory
June 03, 2021 02:00 - 27 minutes - 29.6 MBJoe Biden has asked US intelligence services to urgently investigate the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the possibility that it began with an accident in a laboratory. The Guardian’s Peter Beaumont looks at the available evidence. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The Wuhan lab leak theory
June 03, 2021 02:00 - 27 minutes - 29.6 MBJoe Biden has asked US intelligence services to urgently investigate the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the possibility that it began with an accident in a laboratory. The Guardian’s Peter Beaumont looks at the available evidence. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Bashar al-Assad’s decade of destruction in Syria
June 02, 2021 02:00 - 26 minutes - 29.2 MBSyria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, has presided over a devastating civil war that has caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Martin Chulov describes a man who came back from the brink of defeat to strengthen his grip on a country deeply scarred by war. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Bashar al-Assad’s decade of destruction in Syria
June 02, 2021 02:00 - 26 minutes - 29.2 MBSyria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, has presided over a devastating civil war that has caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Martin Chulov describes a man who came back from the brink of defeat to strengthen his grip on a country deeply scarred by war. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Will Tokyo really host a pandemic Olympics?
June 01, 2021 02:00 - 29 minutes - 46 MBThe Games were meant to be a moment of national celebration but – with coronavirus cases rising in Japan – this summer’s postponed Olympics are the subject of recrimination and protest. Can widespread public opposition overcome huge commercial pressure to go ahead?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Will Tokyo really host a pandemic Olympics?
June 01, 2021 02:00 - 29 minutes - 46 MBThe Games were meant to be a moment of national celebration but – with coronavirus cases rising in Japan – this summer’s postponed Olympics are the subject of recrimination and protest. Can widespread public opposition overcome huge commercial pressure to go ahead?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Can the US avoid another Trump?
May 31, 2021 02:00 - 26 minutes - 29.4 MBFormer Obama adviser Ben Rhodes has travelled the world looking for clues to how the US came to elect Donald Trump and he found parallels everywhere. But is there a way of stopping it from happening again?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Can the US avoid another Trump?
May 31, 2021 02:00 - 26 minutes - 29.4 MBFormer Obama adviser Ben Rhodes has travelled the world looking for clues to how the US came to elect Donald Trump and he found parallels everywhere. But is there a way of stopping it from happening again?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
A state-sponsored ‘hijacking’ – the arrest of Belarus blogger Raman Pratasevich
May 28, 2021 02:00 - 28 minutes - 37.1 MBBelarusian journalist Hanna Liubakova examines why Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, apparently diverted a Ryanair flight in order to arrest 26-year-old blogger Raman Pratasevich. Guardian Moscow correspondent, Andrew Roth, discusses the fallout from the action. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
A state-sponsored ‘hijacking’ – the arrest of Belarus blogger Raman Pratasevich
May 28, 2021 02:00 - 28 minutes - 37.1 MBBelarusian journalist Hanna Liubakova examines why Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, apparently diverted a Ryanair flight in order to arrest 26-year-old blogger Raman Pratasevich. Guardian Moscow correspondent, Andrew Roth, discusses the fallout from the action. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus