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The Guardian
Hosted by Michael Safi 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. And, in the run up to the US Election, Lucy Hough presents US Election Extra, a daily series of short updates, running alongside the regular Today in Focus podcast. 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 and Africa.
How two assassinations left the Middle East on the edge
Following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, in the Iranian capital, Tehran, are we on the edge of a regional war? Emma Graham-Harrison reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
26:3102/08/2024
How Southport’s horror and grief was hijacked by the far right
After the killing of three little girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, the town was in mourning. But after rumours and disinformation flooded social media a riot broke out. Josh Halliday reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
32:2501/08/2024
Rachel Reeves and the £22bn black hole
The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has claimed that a £22bn shortfall in the public finances was “covered up” by the Conservative government. Larry Elliott reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
25:4831/07/2024
The sisters Saudi Arabia tried to silence
Three siblings dared to challenge the kingdom’s restrictive rules for women – and it changed their lives for ever. Tom Levitt reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
35:4930/07/2024
Why Spain wants tourists to go home
For decades, Spain has been the destination of choice for Brits desperate for sun, sea and sand. But now there is a growing backlash against tourism. What went wrong? Sam Jones reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
27:1129/07/2024
The mother who forgave her daughters’ killer – but not the police
Mina Smallman’s world fell apart after the murder of her two daughters. Then came a shocking revelation about the police’s behaviour. She explains how she found the strength to fight back. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
37:5826/07/2024
Team GB’s plan for Paris? Air con, ice vests and baristas
The Olympic Games are starting on Friday – but what does it take to get Team GB ready, and what should spectators be watching out for? With Sean Ingle. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
30:5225/07/2024
In southern Lebanon on the brink of war
Michael Safi travels to southern Lebanon where Hezbollah is trading strikes with Israeli forces and one misstep could result in all-out conflict. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
36:1524/07/2024
Mehdi Hasan on Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump
Endorsements for Harris to be the new Democratic presidential nominee have come thick and fast. But without Joe Biden can the Democrats win the US election? s. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
31:3923/07/2024
President Biden steps aside
President Joe Biden upended the 2024 US election race by withdrawing as his party’s canidate to face Donald Trump and instead threw his support behind his vice president Kamala Harris. Jonathan Freedland spoke to Nikki McCann Ramirez for a special episode of Politics Weekly America. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
28:2921/07/2024
The ‘brat’ summer takeover
The Guardian music editor Ben Beaumont-Thomas, books editor Lucy Knight and film and TV critic Leila Latif look at what’s dominating culture this summer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
30:5219/07/2024
Dodging the draft: one Ukrainian man’s story
As the war grinds on and the death toll mounts, fewer Ukrainians are volunteering to fight. And some are going to desperate lengths to avoid it. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
29:1818/07/2024
The king’s speech: how radical will Labour be?
The new Labour government gets its first chance to set a legislative agenda with the king’s speech at the state opening of parliament. Jessica Elgot examines how radical it will be. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
20:1517/07/2024
Has the attempt to kill Trump handed him the election?
As Republicans meet at their national convention this week, has the shooting of the former president altered the course of US politics? David Smith reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
27:3716/07/2024
Inside the biggest art fraud in US history
Orlando Whitfield, the author of All That Glitters, on his years of friendship with the art fraudster Inigo Philbrick. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
35:2015/07/2024
The attempted assassination of Donald Trump – Politics Weekly America
On Saturday night in London, word came through that Donald Trump had been injured during one of his rallies in Pennsylvania. A shooter, who killed another person and seriously injured others, was killed by Secret Service agents. As the US comes to grips with what just happened, Jonathan Freedland presents as special edition of Politics Weekly America. He hears from former Bill Clinton advisor, Sidney Blumenthal on what this tragedy means for Donald Trump with less than five months until the election. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
22:3614/07/2024
Euro 2024: is it coming home?
How did Gareth Southgate get the England team to the Euro 2024 final? Barney Ronay reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
25:3112/07/2024
The Conservative party: rows, resignations … and a tilt right?
After a brutal defeat, the starting gun has been fired on the Tory leadership battle – but which faction will triumph? Kiran Stacey and Peter Walker report. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
33:2311/07/2024
Joe Biden and the Democrats’ dilemma
Since Biden’s poor performance in first TV debate against Donald Trump, his place on the ballot has been under threat. Joan E Greve reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
27:3310/07/2024
France’s leftwing alliance beat the far right, but what now?
A leftwing alliance snatched victory from the far right in the final round of the French parliamentary elections. But will France now fall into political deadlock? Angelique Chrisafis reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
26:1709/07/2024
Keir Starmer’s first weekend in power
Keir Starmer vowed to put the country before his party as he appointed his cabinet and toured the four countries of the UK. Jonathan Freedland reports on what we have learned from the new prime minister’s first days in office. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
27:4208/07/2024
Politics Weekly UK – Labour wins a landslide: Is this a new dawn?
Labour has won a landslide victory with Keir Starmer saying “change begins now”. Is this a new era for the country? The Guardian’s John Harris is joined by political editor Pippa Crerar and political correspondent Kiran Stacey. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
35:1005/07/2024
Labour’s landslide victory
Labour have won a resounding victory making Keir Starmer prime minister with a thumping majority. Helen Pidd tells the story of the night with the help of Guardian reporters from around the country. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
30:3005/07/2024
Election Extra: a guide to the night
When to set your alarm for the potential Portillo-moments and how to make it through to dawn. With Archie Bland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
09:1404/07/2024
Will France fall to the far right?
Marine Le Pen’s party won a significant victory in the first round of the French parliamentary elections. Can they be stopped? Angelique Chrisafis reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
37:3804/07/2024
Election Extra: is it over?
Conservatives appear to be close to conceding defeat the day before the election. And Archie Bland hands out his campaign awards. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
10:2003/07/2024
Marina Hyde and John Crace on the 2024 election campaign
Guardian columnist Marina Hyde and parliamentary sketch writer John Crace reflect on the highs and lows of the general election campaign. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
26:3203/07/2024
Election Extra: desperate times
As the campaign enters its final hours, party leaders are trying to reach as many constituencies as they can and throwing out last desperate attack lines. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
10:1202/07/2024
The enigma of Keir Starmer
By the end of the week, Keir Starmer could be the UK’s next prime minister. Why do voters feel they don’t know him?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
46:3102/07/2024
Election Extra: Is the race to replace Sunak already under way?
The general election may be three days away, but for some Tory candidates it is merely the staging post for the competition they are really focused on: their party leadership contest. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
09:5501/07/2024
The 14 years that broke Britain, part 2
In part two of our miniseries on how 14 years of Tory rule have impacted the UK, Jonathan Freedland explores how chaos from Brexit to Partygate destroyed trust in politics Listen to part 1: austerity. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
45:0201/07/2024
Election Extra: Reform UK activist’s racist ‘pub talk’
Nigel Farage has vowed to banish those accused of extremist comments from campaigning for his Reform party after an undercover report from Clacton by Channel 4 News. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
10:5328/06/2024
The 14 years that broke Britain, part 1
If the polls are correct, an era is about to come to an end. What have 14 years of Conservative government done to the country? Jonathan Freedland reports Listen to part 2 here. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
39:3628/06/2024
Election Extra: will undecided voters be decisive?
Apathy and antipathy towards all parties is a growing trend in UK elections. But with a week to go, undecided voters could prove critical to the result. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
10:1227/06/2024
Returning to Leigh: can Labour rebuild the red wall?
The Greater Manchester town was a Labour stronghold before 2019. Will it be once again? Helen Pidd reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
36:4727/06/2024
Election Extra: Pippa Crerar on breaking the betting scandal
When she broke the first story over a week ago, the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar, could hardly have known how deep the betting scandal would go. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
11:5126/06/2024
A win for Julian Assange and a loss for press freedom?
After years in ferocious pursuit, the US has finally agreed to a plea deal with the WikiLeaks founder. But there are fears it may set a dangerous precedent. Julian Borger reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
23:3726/06/2024
Election Extra: Where are voters getting their news?
The election has just over a week to go and traditionally it is around now that voters start to really engage with the campaign. But this year feels different, says Jim Waterson. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
10:0525/06/2024
McSweeney and Gray: the powers behind Keir Starmer
After Labour’s 2019 election defeat, Keir Starmer vowed to transform the party. Who are the advisers who have helped him shape it? Jessica Elgot reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
28:3825/06/2024
Election Extra: Farage doubles down
Rishi Sunak has heavily criticised comments from Nigel Farage that the west provoked Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
09:3724/06/2024
New towns and old ideas: Labour’s housing plan
What are Labour’s proposals for fixing the housing crisis? Robert Booth reports from Hitchin, North Hertfordshire. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
33:3324/06/2024
Election Extra: hope (within reason)
Labour has begun to hint that its ambitions in government will go beyond what it has promised in its manifesto, and sources have told the Guardian of plans to look at redrawing wealth taxes. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
10:1921/06/2024
Has Clacton fallen for Nigel Farage?
He claims he could be prime minister in 2029 but first he has to become an MP. Will it be eighth time lucky for Reform’s leader? Esther Addley reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
34:1821/06/2024
Election Extra: All bets are off
The Conservatives have been hit with further irregular gambling allegations and the party’s campaigns director has taken a leave of absence. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
10:1120/06/2024
The Lib Dems’ surprising strategy to breach the blue wall
The Liberal Democrats began their campaign with eye-catching stunts, but it’s tactical voting that may help them breach the blue wall. Peter Walker reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
26:2820/06/2024
Election Extra: inflation on target and the SNP manifesto
The SNP launched its manifesto today amid polling that shows the once dominant Scottish party facing steep losses. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
08:5219/06/2024
Germans are divided. Can Euro 2024 unite them?
Thanks to a troubled economy and gains by the far right in the European elections, Germany’s sense of identity is in the balance. Could footballing success bring the country back together? Philip Oltermann reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
21:4719/06/2024
Election Extra: Labour heading for a landslide
A new poll for Ipsos shows Labour heading for an unprecedented majority and spells disaster for Rishi Sunak. Archie Bland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
09:4918/06/2024
The British judges ruling on the law in authoritarian Hong Kong
Since 1997 Hong Kong’s highest court has included British judges. But with China changing the laws in the city, they are being urged to resign. Amy Hawkins reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
23:3318/06/2024
Election Extra: Farage’s five-year plan
Nigel Farage has launched Reform UK’s ‘contract’ with voters, which he insists is not a manifesto. Archie Bland reports on its content and whether it adds up. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
10:1317/06/2024