Podcast · 544 episodes
Today in Focus, page 8
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 8
How the murder of Henry Nowak is being exploited by the far right – The LatestThe episode discusses riots in Southampton after the sentencing of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student murdered in December.3 Jun 2026 · 12 min · 7 chapters
Nicola Sturgeon’s ex and his £400,000 shopping spreeThe episode covers Peter Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon’s ex-husband and former SNP chief executive, pleading guilty to embezzling £400,000 from SNP funds.3 Jun 2026 · 31 min · 15 chapters
What’s missing from ‘embarrassing’ Mandelson files? – The LatestA Guardian interview on what’s missing from the 1,500-page “Mandelson files” about Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador, arguing the documents show not a “smoking gun” but an uncomfortable…2 Jun 2026 · 11 min · 8 chapters
The party dragging Nigel Farage further to the rightThe episode asks whether Restore Britain is making UK politics more toxic, focusing on how it may drag Reform UK further right ahead of the Makerfield by-election.2 Jun 2026 · 28 min · 13 chapters
Trump insists Iran deal close despite strikes – The LatestThe episode discusses escalating Middle East strikes and counterstrikes involving the US, Iran, Israel, Lebanon (Hezbollah), and Kuwait, and how this threatens a fragile ceasefire while negotiations…1 Jun 2026 · 11 min · 3 chapters
‘A husband expects a yes’: wife schools and the Christian nationalist movementThe episode examines how Christian conservative “wife schools” and “cute-servatives” online promote submission and reshape women’s roles, linking private marriage advice to broader Christian…1 Jun 2026 · 26 min · 10 chapters
Could Nato be dragged into war with Russia? – The LatestA Russian drone attack that crossed into NATO-member Romania is discussed as a potential escalation of the Russia-Ukraine war into NATO territory, raising Article 5 concerns and prompting stronger…29 May 2026 · 10 min · 7 chapters
Why are our homes and cities all so hot?Why UK homes and cities overheat during heatwaves, and how to adapt (infrastructure, buildings, water, farming, workplaces) as heat becomes a “new normal” in Europe.29 May 2026 · 24 min · 11 chapters
‘Lost generation’: why can’t young people get jobs? – The LatestUK youth unemployment and detachment from education/training, framed as a “lost generation” problem. Guests: Lucy Half hosts; Richard Partington is the Guardian senior economics correspondent.28 May 2026 · 11 min · 3 chapters
Human rights lawyer Francesca Albanese on life under US sanctionsUN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese describes how US sanctions affect her life and argues that Israel’s Gaza campaign involves genocide and other international crimes, while addressing…28 May 2026 · 29 min · 9 chapters
Mandelson ties to China, Russia and Israel flagged in vetting – The LatestThe Guardian reports that the UK Security Vetting agency recommended denying Peter Mandelson security clearance for his US ambassador role, but the Foreign Office overruled it.27 May 2026 · 15 min · 11 chapters
Can dating reality shows ever be safe?Whether dating reality TV can ever be safe, focusing on alleged sexual violence and safeguarding failures in Married at First Sight UK, and broader patterns of coercion, conflict-driven production,…27 May 2026 · 32 min · 21 chapters
US strikes Iran as Trump faces backlash over ‘disastrous’ peace deal plan - The LatestThe episode discusses US strikes on southern Iran amid claims of a looming Iran peace deal, and the political backlash facing Donald Trump.26 May 2026 · 11 min · 5 chapters
Andy Burnham’s (third) bid for the Labour leadershipThe episode (Guardian “Today in Focus”) debates why Andy Burnham’s third bid for Labour leadership is gaining momentum, and what his beliefs really are.26 May 2026 · 30 min · 12 chapters
Heatwave hell: are soaring temperatures the new normal? – The LatestUK and Northern Europe heatwave, record May temperatures, climate crisis preparedness, and the role of El Niño in worsening future heat.25 May 2026 · 11 min · 5 chapters
The death penalty returns to IsraelThe episode “The death penalty returns to Israel” (Today in Focus) discusses Israel’s recent laws expanding capital punishment for Palestinians accused of October 7 attacks.25 May 2026 · 27 min · 12 chapters
Stateside with Kai and Carter: Why the fight over abortion in US isn’t finishedThe post-Roe fight over abortion pills, focusing on mifepristone access after a Louisiana/FDA challenge, and fears the anti-abortion movement will shift from restricting providers to criminalizing…23 May 2026 · 43 min · 17 chapters
World Cup: England’s shock squad and the politics of football – The LatestEngland’s World Cup squad omissions and the politics/ethics around the tournament in the US, alongside Arsenal’s 22-year Premier League title and what it signals about identity and leadership.22 May 2026 · 12 min · 5 chapters
Are we heading for another Ebola crisis?The episode asks whether the world is heading for another Ebola crisis, focusing on the latest outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).22 May 2026 · 24 min · 10 chapters
The far-right Israeli minister taunting detained Gaza activists – The LatestThe episode discusses far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir releasing and promoting footage of Israeli security forces abusing detained international Gaza flotilla activists,…21 May 2026 · 13 min · 5 chapters
Competing in the pro-doping Enhanced GamesThe Guardian discusses the inaugural “Enhanced Games” in Las Vegas, where elite athletes are openly encouraged to use performance-enhancing drugs (peptides, supplements, “longevity medicine”) and how…21 May 2026 · 25 min · 17 chapters
Are Xi and Putin still ‘best friends’? – The LatestXi Jinping and Vladimir Putin’s Beijing visit—whether their “best friends” relationship has changed amid Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s growing diplomatic leverage.20 May 2026 · 12 min · 6 chapters
Did Trump really rescue Venezuela?Whether Donald Trump’s January 3 US special-forces capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro truly brought political change, or just a temporary “stabilisation” while Maduro’s network remains…20 May 2026 · 28 min · 13 chapters
Musk v Altman: tech bros at war over OpenAI – The LatestA federal judge dismissed Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI/ChatGPT; the case ended with a unanimous jury win for Sam Altman and OpenAI.19 May 2026 · 11 min · 6 chapters