Podcast · 544 episodes
Today in Focus, page 4
by The Guardian · English
Today in Focus brings you closer to the Guardian's journalism. Our award-winning morning edition hosted by Nosheen Iqbal, Annie Kelly and Helen Pidd combines on-the-ground reporting, insightful analysis and personal testimony from the people at the heart of the stories that matter, to give you a deeper understanding of the world we live in. And to make sense of a rapidly-changing news cycle, our new evening edition 'The Latest' hosted by Lucy Hough, brings you up to speed on the big news story of the day in just 10 minutes. Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.
All episodes, page 4
Could Meta’s ‘pervert glasses’ be banned across the UK? – The LatestThe episode discusses whether Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses (“pervert glasses”) could be banned across the UK.7 Aug 2026 · 10 min · 6 chapters
Plagiarism and a pig’s head: the rise and fall of Jason ArdayThe Guardian’s “Today in Focus” examines the rise and fall of Jason Arday, Cambridge University’s youngest ever Black professor (appointed 2023) and the backlash that followed, including plagiarism…7 Aug 2026 · 38 min · 16 chapters
Why has Kemi Badenoch given a former neo-Nazi an advisory role? – The LatestThe episode discusses why Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch gave former neo-Nazi Joshua Bonehill-Payne an advisory role, and the political fallout.6 Aug 2026 · 10 min · 6 chapters
‘The guards just opened the door’: what happened in Ceuta?The episode explains the mass migrant crossing into Ceuta (Spanish territory in North Africa) after social media and media reports that the border was open.6 Aug 2026 · 26 min · 10 chapters
Russia exploits Ukraine’s air defence shortage in deadly attack on Kyiv - The LatestThe episode (The Latest) discusses Russia’s deadly overnight strikes on Kyiv, killing at least 17 people. Guest: Piotr Sauer, The Guardian’s Russian affairs correspondent.5 Aug 2026 · 10 min · 7 chapters
The mystery of the missing presidentThe episode “The mystery of the missing president” (Today in Focus) examines Cameroon President Paul Biya’s sudden disappearance.5 Aug 2026 · 23 min · 12 chapters
Is Gianni Infantino’s time up as Fifa president? - The LatestThe episode discusses whether FIFA president Gianni Infantino should step down after a humiliating reversal over plans to sell parts of the World Cup to private equity.4 Aug 2026 · 12 min · 6 chapters
Nigel Farage and the £5m question that won’t go awayThe Guardian’s investigation into Reform UK’s finances and Nigel Farage’s “£5m question”: a £5 million donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harbourn, alleged undeclared benefits involving…4 Aug 2026 · 30 min · 13 chapters
How Ceuta migrant crisis exposes divisions within Europe - The LatestThe Guardian’s “The Latest” covers the Ceuta migrant crisis: reports that about 50,000 people entered Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta within ~48 hours, including dozens of deaths after a…3 Aug 2026 · 11 min · 6 chapters
The exonerated prisoner kicked out of office by RepublicansThe Guardian’s “Today in Focus” episode profiles Calvin Duncan, an exonerated Louisiana prisoner who was elected court criminal clerk, then removed almost immediately when Republicans pushed…3 Aug 2026 · 29 min · 18 chapters
Hamas agrees to Trump’s plan to disarm in Gaza – The LatestThe Guardian “The Latest” discusses Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” claiming Hamas has agreed to phased disarmament in Gaza tied to Israeli troop withdrawal, plus the uncertain timeline and political…31 Jul 2026 · 10 min · 4 chapters
The pressure to change your faceThe episode argues that “aesthetic inflation” is normalizing increasingly extreme face-changing procedures (from Botox and fillers to blepharoplasty and facelifts), making it harder to opt out…31 Jul 2026 · 30 min · 14 chapters
US-Iran strikes risk regional war in Middle East - The LatestThe episode (The Guardian’s “The Latest” with Lucy Hough) discusses US-Iran strikes after an end-of-April ceasefire, arguing the conflict is escalating into a wider regional war.30 Jul 2026 · 11 min · 7 chapters
In Bordeaux as the wildfires close inThe episode reports on catastrophic wildfires in southern France, especially around Bordeaux, and what happens after France’s biggest peacetime evacuation.30 Jul 2026 · 26 min · 11 chapters
Infantino cashing in on World Cup: is football’s soul for sale? – The LatestAfter the 2022/2026 World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino proposes a new financial model that could sell up to 25% of FIFA to private investors, aiming to centrally run commercial operations and…29 Jul 2026 · 12 min · 6 chapters
The Epstein fixer found dead in his Paris flatThe Guardian’s “Today in Focus” examines Jeffrey Epstein’s model-scout network and the death of Daniel Siad, a French recruiter accused of procuring young women for Epstein.29 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 9 chapters
Burnham bounce: Labour overtakes Reform in polls – The LatestPolling shift in UK politics as Labour overtakes Reform; dubbed a “Burnham bounce” after Andy Burnham’s first weeks as Labour leader/PM.28 Jul 2026 · 13 min · 10 chapters
Can Andy Burnham end rough sleeping?Manchester’s Embassy Village and lessons from Andy Burnham’s Greater Manchester efforts to reduce rough sleeping, alongside his new UK pledge to end it.28 Jul 2026 · 28 min · 14 chapters
Race against time to contain wildfires in France and Spain – The LatestWildfires in France and Spain, driven by extreme heat and dry fuel after a wet winter, overwhelming firefighting capacity and prompting evacuations and emergency government response.27 Jul 2026 · 12 min · 9 chapters
How Palantir got into the NHSThe episode investigates how Palantir won and rolled out a £330 million NHS contract in 2023 to build the Federated Data Platform (FDP), joining patient data and supporting clinical apps.27 Jul 2026 · 30 min · 16 chapters
Charli xcx: does new album hit as hard as Brat? – The LatestA Guardian “Today in Focus” discussion on whether Charli xcx’s new album matches the impact of 2024’s Brat, focusing on reinvention, sound changes, and the meaning of “Rock Music” (“the dance floor…24 Jul 2026 · 11 min · 3 chapters
The ‘cockroaches’ marching on India’s governmentYoung Indians protest in New Delhi and beyond after leaked entrance exams expose corruption and unfairness in the education system; the movement is dubbed “cockroaches” and demands Education Minister…24 Jul 2026 · 26 min · 10 chapters
Gary Lineker joins calls for wealth tax - The LatestThe episode discusses renewed calls for a UK wealth tax, prompted by Gary Lineker signing a letter backing millionaires’ taxation.23 Jul 2026 · 12 min · 4 chapters
What does the BBC do for you?The BBC’s licence-fee fight and reputational crisis, sparked by falling licence payments, a new “What has the BBC ever done for you?” self-promo ad, and “three S’s” (scandals, salaries, streaming).23 Jul 2026 · 26 min · 12 chapters