Today in Focus

40 Episodes
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By: The Guardian

Hosted by Nosheen Iqbal and Helen Pidd, Today in Focus brings you closer to Guardian journalism. Combining storytelling with insightful analysis and personal testimonies, the podcast takes you behind the headlines for a deeper understanding of the news, every weekday. Today in Focus is unmatched in both scope and depth, delivering analysis and storytelling from right across the planet. With a global network of over 900 journalists and five dedicated editions covering news in the US, UK, Australia, Europe, and beyond, the Guardian offers comprehensive reporting across every continent. Most recently we have introduced new correspondents in the Caribbean, South America...

Boriswave, fighting-age men, cultural Marxism: how the far right is changing how we speak
Yesterday at 2:00 AM

Why are the online far right so successful in shaping our political language? With Dr Robert Topinka. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


‘The sacrifice’: was Kai Shannon wrongfully convicted of murder? Part 2
Last Friday at 2:00 AM

Reporter Emily Dugan investigates the case against Kai Shannon, 33, a London man found guilty of the 2009 murder of Wahab Zaaki. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


‘Sacrifice’: Was Kai Shannon wrongfully convicted of murder? – part one
Last Thursday at 2:00 AM

Reporter Emily Dugan investigates the case against Kai Shannon, now 33 years old, found guilty of the 2009 murder of Wahab Zaaki. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Inside the mystery of the collapsed Chinese spy trial
Last Wednesday at 2:00 AM

Questions mount over collapse of trial of teacher and parliamentary researcher accused of spying for China. Dan Sabbagh reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees: how the day unfolded
10/14/2025

As Israel and Palestinian families waited for loved ones to be released, Trump met world leaders to continue ceasefire talks. Will Christou, Dan Boffey and Jason Burke report on an extraordinary day in the Middle East. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The Palestinian and Israeli kids trying to be friends
10/13/2025

Today in Focus producer Natalie Ktena heads to a peace camp in Cyprus that aims to bring together children from Israel and the West Bank. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


From boom to backlash: has Taylor Swift lost her touch?
10/10/2025

She’s a global pop star who appears relatable even as her tours alter a country’s economy. But her new album has sparked surprisingly fierce criticism. Alexis Petridis and Laura Snapes explain.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


‘Thank God we witnessed this’: Palestinians on the ceasefire deal - Today in Focus Extra
10/09/2025

From inside Gaza, Ansam Tantesh and Mai Elawawda react to the news of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel and the prospect of finally ending the two-year war. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


What are ultra-processed foods doing to our bodies?
10/09/2025

Numbers of younger people getting bowel and colon cancers are rising. Devi Sridhar explains why their diets could be to blame. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


‘This is what we’ve been afraid of’: British Jews after the Manchester attack
10/08/2025

Guardian journalist Abigail Radnor and Dave Rich of the Community Security Trust talk through the grief, fear and anger of the British Jewish community after the Heaton Park Synagogue terror attack. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Can the Trump plan bring peace to Gaza?
10/07/2025

Negotiators have gathered in Egypt to discuss the US president’s 20-point plan. Is an end to the war finally in sight?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


My dad, his ‘incurable’ disease, and hope at last
10/06/2025

The Guardian journalist Josh Halliday talks about Huntington’s disease, the impact the rare inherited condition has had on his family and the hope there may now be a treatment. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Is TikTok about to go full Maga?
10/03/2025

Investigative journalist Emily Baker-White on the deal to transfer TikTok’s US operations to Trump allies. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The Manchester synagogue terror attack – Today in Focus Extra
10/02/2025

North of England editor Josh Halliday reports from the scene of the attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue, in which two people were killed and three others seriously injured, in what appears to be the worst antisemitic incident in the UK in living memory. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Here comes the sun! The solar energy revolution
10/02/2025

Why might authoritarians fear the rise of green energy? With Bill McKibben. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Starmer takes aim at Farage
10/01/2025

The Labour leader entered conference with the polls against him and Reform UK snapping at his heels. He came out fighting – but was it enough to change his critics’ minds? Helen Pidd. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


OnlyFans, AI girlfriends and ‘stepdads’: the porn industry in 2025
09/30/2025

What does Europe’s biggest porn conference reveal about the future of the porn industry? Amelia Gentleman reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


How to defeat Britain’s far right
09/29/2025

Hope Not Hate founder Nick Lowles has spent decades researching, infiltrating and helping communities to combat far-right groups. But now, he says, ‘they have their sights on our multicultural society’. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


‘Like Amazon Prime but with human beings’: inside Trump’s deportation machine
09/26/2025

Data leak gives Guardian US investigations team an unprecedented look into Trump’s deportation regime – and how people are seemingly being ‘disappeared’. Oliver Laughland and Maanvi Singh report. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Escaping Gaza City, while reporting on its destruction
09/25/2025

Malak A Tantesh on fleeing the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza and becoming a reporter in the most dangerous place on Earth for journalists. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Russia’s high-risk game in Nato skies
09/24/2025

Over the past two weeks, Russian drones and jets have entered the airspace of several European countries. Dan Sabbagh discusses the escalation along the Nato-Russia border. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Does Labour’s new home secretary signal a harder line on immigration?
09/23/2025

Shabana Mahmood is already making headlines in her new role. But who is she and what motivates her?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


What happens when you stop weight loss jabs?
09/22/2025

Science editor Ian Sample talks through the dilemma facing more than a million people in the UK as the cost of the jabs jumps. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Why Britain recognising Palestine matters
09/19/2025

What is motivating the UK’s imminent recognition of Palestine? With Arab Barghouthi and Patrick Wintour. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The downfall of Jair Bolsonaro
09/18/2025

Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro has been handed a 27-year sentence for an attempted coup – is there any way his political career can continue? Tom Phillips reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The US on the edge after Charlie Kirk’s killing
09/17/2025

The killing of the rightwing activist and podcaster has left the US reeling. Yet President Trump and his supporters are a long way from calling for calm. Ed Pilkington reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


On the ground with Tommy Robinson’s new supporters
09/16/2025

Who showed up for the biggest far-right rally in British history? Ben Quinn reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Rupert Murdoch picks a son in the real-life succession battle
09/15/2025

Who is Lachlan Murdoch and how will he build on his father’s legacy? Emily Bell reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The lucrative secrets of Boris Johnson
09/12/2025

An investigation based on leaked data from Johnson’s private office has unearthed a trove of information. Has he broken the rules again? Henry Dyer reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


The sacking of Peter Mandelson – Today in Focus extra
09/11/2025

Just days before a state visit by Donald Trump, Keir Starmer has had to sack the British ambassador to the US. Kiran Stacey reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Flags and fury: why the St George’s cross is everywhere
09/11/2025

Esther Addley on why the union jack and St George’s flags are appearing on lamp-posts, bridges and roundabouts in England. Gary Younge explains why not everyone is happy. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Macron’s government collapses … again
09/10/2025

For the third time in a year a French prime minister has resigned and the president has had to swiftly choose a replacement. What’s behind the chaos? Angelique Chrisafis reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


A resignation, a reshuffle and a roaring headache for Keir Starmer
09/09/2025

Guardian columnist Rafael Behr discusses the government’s reshuffle after Angela Rayner’s resignation as deputy prime minister, and asks whether Labour can recover from here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Behind the scenes of the Guardian’s libel battle with Noel Clarke
09/08/2025

The actor claimed accusations against him by more than 20 women were false and part of a conspiracy. The Guardian’s editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, and journalists Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne on why the news organisation risked millions to defend its reporting. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Angela Rayner resigns – Today in Focus Extra
09/05/2025

Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff talks through the tax row that brought down the now former deputy prime minister. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Would you have your legs broken to be taller?
09/05/2025

Alongside dental work, hair transplants and nose jobs, people from around the world are travelling to Turkey to get leg-lengthening surgery. Ruth Michaelson reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Strongmen assemble: Putin, Kim and Xi in Beijing
09/04/2025

Senior China correspondent Amy Hawkins discusses a historic week in China – including a 20-plus country summit and an unprecedented military parade – and analyses what it tells us about the country’s attempt to remake the world. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Can the Green party’s new leader galvanise the left?
09/03/2025

How does Zack Polanski plan to get people talking about the Green party? Peter Walker reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


A North Korean defector on why Kim Jong Un has sent troops to Ukraine
09/02/2025

What does North Korea’s involvement in Ukraine mean for Kim Jong-un’s geopolitical ambitions? With Jean Lee. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus


Spy cameras: are you being watched?
09/01/2025

With tiny cameras disguised as everyday objects freely available, Anna Moore looks at the sinister ways they can be used – and the worrying rise in voyeurism cases in the UK. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus