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
Inside Napier: the former army barracks housing asylum seekers
February 17, 2021 03:00 - 28 minutes - 37.7 MBThe Guardian’s home affairs correspondent, Jamie Grierson, discusses the government’s decision to use two former army barracks, Napier and Penally, to house up to 600 vulnerable asylum seekers. Amid allegations of cover-ups, poor access to healthcare and legal advice, and crowded conditions, one former resident describes the impact Napier had on him. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Inside Napier: the former army barracks housing asylum seekers
February 17, 2021 03:00 - 28 minutes - 37.7 MBThe Guardian’s home affairs correspondent, Jamie Grierson, discusses the government’s decision to use two former army barracks, Napier and Penally, to house up to 600 vulnerable asylum seekers. Amid allegations of cover-ups, poor access to healthcare and legal advice, and crowded conditions, one former resident describes the impact Napier had on him. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Why are farmers protesting against the Indian government?
February 16, 2021 03:00 - 25 minutes - 34 MBThe Guardian’s south Asia correspondent and the founder of a sustainable farming movement explain why farmers are so angry. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Why are farmers protesting against the Indian government?
February 16, 2021 03:00 - 25 minutes - 34 MBThe Guardian’s south Asia correspondent and the founder of a sustainable farming movement explain why farmers are so angry. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
It's a Sin: a nurse reflects on the Aids crisis of the 80s
February 15, 2021 03:00 - 30 minutes - 39.5 MBChannel 4/HBO Max’s new drama It’s a Sin, written by Russell T Davies, follows a group of friends living through the 1980s Aids crisis. Leigh Chislett worked as a HIV nurse at St Mary’s hospital in London during that period. Watching the show, he saw himself not just in the nurses caring for patients but also in the young gay men navigating their lives. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
It's a Sin: a nurse reflects on the Aids crisis of the 80s
February 15, 2021 03:00 - 30 minutes - 39.5 MBChannel 4/HBO Max’s new drama It’s a Sin, written by Russell T Davies, follows a group of friends living through the 1980s Aids crisis. Leigh Chislett worked as a HIV nurse at St Mary’s hospital in London during that period. Watching the show, he saw himself not just in the nurses caring for patients but also in the young gay men navigating their lives. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Covid-19 variants and what they mean for vaccines
February 12, 2021 03:00 - 22 minutes - 30.7 MBThe Guardian’s health editor, Sarah Boseley, looks at why variants of the Covid-19 virus are alarming scientists. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Covid-19 variants and what they mean for vaccines
February 12, 2021 03:00 - 22 minutes - 30.7 MBThe Guardian’s health editor, Sarah Boseley, looks at why variants of the Covid-19 virus are alarming scientists. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The coup in Myanmar and a fight for democracy
February 11, 2021 03:00 - 29 minutes - 45.8 MBA military coup in Myanmar has removed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and sent tens of thousands of protesters onto the streets. Rebecca Ratcliffe describes how the country risks turning back the clock to the decades of military dictatorship and economic isolation. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The coup in Myanmar and a fight for democracy
February 11, 2021 03:00 - 29 minutes - 45.8 MBA military coup in Myanmar has removed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and sent tens of thousands of protesters onto the streets. Rebecca Ratcliffe describes how the country risks turning back the clock to the decades of military dictatorship and economic isolation. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How the Queen lobbied for changes in the law to hide her wealth
February 10, 2021 03:00 - 29 minutes - 45.9 MBGovernment memos discovered in the National Archives reveal that the Queen lobbied ministers to alter proposed legislation. The Guardian’s David Pegg follows the trail and explains its implications for a monarchy which is supposed to stay out of politics. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How the Queen lobbied for changes in the law to hide her wealth
February 10, 2021 03:00 - 29 minutes - 45.9 MBGovernment memos discovered in the National Archives reveal that the Queen lobbied ministers to alter proposed legislation. The Guardian’s David Pegg follows the trail and explains its implications for a monarchy which is supposed to stay out of politics. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Alexei Navalny’s imprisonment: how Putin put his opponent behind bars
February 09, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 36.9 MBThe sentencing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny marks a dramatic turning point in Russian politics, says Andrew Roth. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Alexei Navalny’s imprisonment: how Putin put his opponent behind bars
February 09, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 36.9 MBThe sentencing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny marks a dramatic turning point in Russian politics, says Andrew Roth. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Inside the trial against the 'Ndrangheta, Italy's biggest mafia syndicate
February 08, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 41.2 MBGuardian journalists Lorenzo Tondo and Clare Longrigg discuss the trial against the ‘Ndrangheta, the largest mafia trial in three decades. At the centre is Emanuele Mancuso, son of boss Luni Mancuso, who has been revealing the clan’s secrets after accepting police protection. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Inside the trial against the 'Ndrangheta, Italy's biggest mafia syndicate
February 08, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 41.2 MBGuardian journalists Lorenzo Tondo and Clare Longrigg discuss the trial against the ‘Ndrangheta, the largest mafia trial in three decades. At the centre is Emanuele Mancuso, son of boss Luni Mancuso, who has been revealing the clan’s secrets after accepting police protection. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Inside the trial against the 'Ndrangheta - Italy's biggest mafia syndicate
February 08, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 41.2 MBGuardian journalists Lorenzo Tondo and Clare Longrigg discuss the trial against the ‘Ndrangheta, the largest mafia trial in three decades. At the centre is Emanuele Mancuso, son of boss Luni Mancuso, who has been revealing the clan’s secrets after accepting police protection. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Donald Trump's second impeachment: will the Senate convict him?
February 05, 2021 03:00 - 34 minutes - 46.8 MBDonald Trump’s second impeachment trial begins in the Senate next week. Lawrence Douglas explains the process and politics of the spectacle ahead. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Donald Trump's second impeachment: will the Senate convict him?
February 05, 2021 03:00 - 34 minutes - 46.8 MBDonald Trump’s second impeachment trial begins in the Senate next week. Lawrence Douglas explains the process and politics of the spectacle ahead. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Wall Street versus the Redditors: the GameStop goldrush
February 04, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 41.7 MBWhen a group of amateur investors on a Reddit messageboard began buying up stock in a video games retailer it forced huge losses on major Wall Street hedge funds that had bet against it. But following a trading frenzy the stock began to fall, almost as quickly as it had risen. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Wall Street versus the Redditors: the GameStop goldrush
February 04, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 41.7 MBWhen a group of amateur investors on a Reddit messageboard began buying up stock in a video games retailer it forced huge losses on major Wall Street hedge funds that had bet against it. But following a trading frenzy the stock began to fall, almost as quickly as it had risen. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How the EU’s vaccine effort turned into a crisis
February 03, 2021 03:00 - 29 minutes - 38.4 MBDaniel Boffey, the Guardian’s Brussels bureau chief, looks at why the EU’s vaccination programme has become so chaotic. Last Friday the commission attempted an ill-fated plan to seek to erect a vaccine border on the island of Ireland by triggering a clause in the Brexit withdrawal agreement. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
How the EU’s vaccine effort turned into a crisis
February 03, 2021 03:00 - 29 minutes - 38.4 MBDaniel Boffey, the Guardian’s Brussels bureau chief, looks at why the EU’s vaccination programme has become so chaotic. Last Friday the commission attempted an ill-fated plan to seek to erect a vaccine border on the island of Ireland by triggering a clause in the Brexit withdrawal agreement. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Inside LA’s Covid crisis – podcast
February 02, 2021 03:00 - 29 minutes - 38 MBGuardian US correspondent Sam Levine visits Martin Luther King Jr community hospital in Los Angeles county, an area battling one of the worst Covid outbreaks in the US. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Inside LA’s Covid crisis – podcast
February 02, 2021 03:00 - 29 minutes - 38 MBGuardian US correspondent Sam Levine visits Martin Luther King Jr community hospital in Los Angeles county, an area battling one of the worst Covid outbreaks in the US. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Conversations with kids about coronavirus
February 01, 2021 03:00 - 34 minutes - 44.5 MBChildren across the UK talk about how the pandemic has affected their lives. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Conversations with kids about coronavirus
February 01, 2021 03:00 - 34 minutes - 44.5 MBChildren across the UK talk about how the pandemic has affected their lives. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What's up with WhatsApp?
January 29, 2021 03:00 - 20 minutes - 33.3 MBA routine update to WhatsApp’s privacy policy resulted in a public relations fiasco earlier this month, when viral posts questioning the changes prompted users to try out alternative apps. Kate O’Flaherty breaks down what’s next for WhatsApp. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
What's up with WhatsApp?
January 29, 2021 03:00 - 20 minutes - 33.3 MBA routine update to WhatsApp’s privacy policy resulted in a public relations fiasco earlier this month, when viral posts questioning the changes prompted users to try out alternative apps. Kate O’Flaherty breaks down what’s next for WhatsApp. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Why Brazilians are having to take the Covid crisis into their own hands
January 28, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 34.7 MBTom Phillips, the Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, looks at the surge of infections in the Brazilian state of Amazonas that has left many hospitals without the most basic supplies and has prompted yet more protests against Bolsonaro. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Why Brazilians are having to take the Covid crisis into their own hands
January 28, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 34.7 MBTom Phillips, the Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, looks at the surge of infections in the Brazilian state of Amazonas that has left many hospitals without the most basic supplies and has prompted yet more protests against Bolsonaro. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Behind closed doors: Filipina workers trapped by the pandemic
January 27, 2021 03:00 - 28 minutes - 37.9 MBJournalist Corinne Redfern discusses the impact the pandemic has had on the Filipino women trapped overseas, including Mimi (not her real name) who works for a wealthy family in London for just £5 an hour. Mimi was asked to keep working through the first lockdown with the family coaching her on what to say if the police stopped her. In her spare time, Mimi helps other overseas workers escape situations where they are being abused. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/inf...
Behind closed doors: Filipina workers trapped by the pandemic
January 27, 2021 03:00 - 28 minutes - 37.9 MBJournalist Corinne Redfern discusses the impact the pandemic has had on the Filipino women trapped overseas, including Mimi (not her real name) who works for a wealthy family in London for just £5 an hour. Mimi was asked to keep working through the first lockdown with the family coaching her on what to say if the police stopped her. In her spare time, Mimi helps other overseas workers escape situations where they are being abused. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/in...
Vaccine hesitancy: what is behind the fears circulating in BAME communities?
January 26, 2021 03:00 - 28 minutes - 40 MBSeveral national surveys suggest people from black, Asian and minority backgrounds are far more likely to reject having the Covid-19 vaccine than their white counterparts. Nazia Parveen and Annabel Sowemimo explain the root causes of this hesitancy. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Vaccine hesitancy: what is behind the fears circulating in BAME communities?
January 26, 2021 03:00 - 28 minutes - 40 MBSeveral national surveys suggest people from black, Asian and minority backgrounds are far more likely to reject having the Covid-19 vaccine than their white counterparts. Nazia Parveen and Annabel Sowemimo explain the root causes of this hesitancy. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The fight for recovery from a lifelong eating disorder
January 25, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 36.9 MBThe Guardian’s Jenny Stevens struggled with an eating disorder throughout her 20s. When she was able to finally access the treatment she needed, she began a slow recovery – which she is still coming to terms with. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The fight for recovery from a lifelong eating disorder
January 25, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 36.9 MBThe Guardian’s Jenny Stevens struggled with an eating disorder throughout her 20s. When she was able to finally access the treatment she needed, she began a slow recovery – which she is still coming to terms with. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Surviving cardiac arrest: what it's like to come back to life
January 22, 2021 03:00 - 33 minutes - 46.6 MBLast year the Guardian’s Jonathan Watts underwent a lifesaving operation following a cardiac arrest. He tells Anushka Asthana what it taught him about life and death. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Surviving cardiac arrest: what it's like to come back to life
January 22, 2021 03:00 - 33 minutes - 46.6 MBLast year the Guardian’s Jonathan Watts underwent a lifesaving operation following a cardiac arrest. He tells Anushka Asthana what it taught him about life and death. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Why is Sex and the City coming back to our screens?
January 21, 2021 03:00 - 28 minutes - 32.4 MBGuardian columnist Hadley Freeman discusses why Sex and the City was such a successful TV series, while the Guardian’s deputy television editor, Hannah J Davies, looks at what the reboot tells us about TV commissioning today. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Why is Sex and the City coming back to our screens?
January 21, 2021 03:00 - 28 minutes - 32.4 MBGuardian columnist Hadley Freeman discusses why Sex and the City was such a successful TV series, while the Guardian’s deputy television editor, Hannah J Davies, looks at what the reboot tells us about TV commissioning today. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The end of Trump: where will the Biden era take America?
January 20, 2021 03:00 - 24 minutes - 34.2 MBGuardian US columnist Robert Reich reflects on the unfinished business of the Trump presidency, and what Biden’s administration should aim to accomplish. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
The end of Trump: where will the Biden era take America?
January 20, 2021 03:00 - 24 minutes - 34.2 MBGuardian US columnist Robert Reich reflects on the unfinished business of the Trump presidency, and what Biden’s administration should aim to accomplish. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Is bitcoin a scam?
January 19, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 30.2 MBIn 2013 James Howells threw out a computer hard drive containing bitcoin. Last week he again asked his local council for permission to dig for it at his local dump as he believes it is now worth about £200m. The Guardian’s UK technology editor, Alex Hern, looks at the rise of bitcoin and whether it should be banned. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Is bitcoin a scam?
January 19, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 30.2 MBIn 2013 James Howells threw out a computer hard drive containing bitcoin. Last week he again asked his local council for permission to dig for it at his local dump as he believes it is now worth about £200m. The Guardian’s UK technology editor, Alex Hern, looks at the rise of bitcoin and whether it should be banned. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Inside an NHS hospital at the peak of the coronavirus crisis
January 18, 2021 03:00 - 28 minutes - 40.3 MBAs the latest wave of Covid infections hits hospitals, wards are nearing capacity and oxygen supplies are straining at the volume of new patients. The Guardian’s Helen Pidd spent a day at Milton Keynes University hospital to witness the crisis up close. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Inside an NHS hospital at the peak of the coronavirus crisis
January 18, 2021 03:00 - 28 minutes - 40.3 MBAs the latest wave of Covid infections hits hospitals, wards are nearing capacity and oxygen supplies are straining at the volume of new patients. The Guardian’s Helen Pidd spent a day at Milton Keynes University hospital to witness the crisis up close. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Trump, the death penalty and its links with America’s racist history
January 15, 2021 03:00 - 32 minutes - 37.7 MBThis week, Donald Trump sanctioned the execution of the only woman on federal death row: Lisa Montgomery. She was the 11th prisoner to be killed since the president restarted federal executions in July last year. The Guardian US’s Ed Pilkington looks at why Trump has carried out more federal executions than any other president in almost 200 years. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Trump, the death penalty and its links with America’s racist history
January 15, 2021 03:00 - 32 minutes - 37.7 MBThis week, Donald Trump sanctioned the execution of the only woman on federal death row: Lisa Montgomery. She was the 11th prisoner to be killed since the president restarted federal executions in July last year. The Guardian US’s Ed Pilkington looks at why Trump has carried out more federal executions than any other president in almost 200 years. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
Bobi Wine: the reggae singer vying to be Uganda’s next president
January 14, 2021 03:00 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MBUgandans go to the polls today to elect a new president. Can a charismatic young musician end three and a half decades of rule by a strongman? Freelance reporter Samuel Okiror has been following Bobi Wine’s campaign to defeat Yoweri Museveni. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus