Today in Focus

Hosted by Nosheen Iqbal and Michael Safi, 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

Episodes

The fight for the future of the BBC

January 21, 2022 • 31 min

The latest skirmish between the BBC and the government is part of a running debate over who the BBC serves, which dates back to the organisation’s earliest days. But this time, the stakes are higher. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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How MI5 uncovered a Chinese ‘agent’ in parliament

January 20, 2022 • 26 min

Britain’s security services have named Christine Lee as an ‘agent’ of the Chinese state attempting to run influence operations in parliament. Dan Sabbagh explains what is behind the extraordinary statement and what it means for British politics. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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On the frontline of the cost of living crisis

January 19, 2022 • 30 min

Households across the UK will see rising prices and stalling wages strain their budgets in the year ahead, money and consumer editor Hilary Osborne reports. Some families are already feeling the pinch. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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The rise and rise of Liz Truss

January 18, 2022 • 26 min

As Boris Johnson faces questions over his future, Conservative members and MPs are looking at their options for who might replace him and one name keeps coming up. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Afghan female MPs fight for their country in exile

January 17, 2022 • 33 min

After a harrowing escape from the Taliban, Afghanistan’s female politicians are regrouping in Greece to fight for their country. Amie Ferris-Rotman reports on the work of the Afghan women’s parliament in exile. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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A royal mess: Prince Andrew faces a US trial

January 14, 2022 • 19 min

The Duke of York’s attempts to get a civil case over allegations of sexual assault thrown out have failed. Ed Helmore in New York examines the case against the prince and his narrowing options to salvage his reputation. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Will Boris Johnson’s apology be enough to save him?

January 13, 2022 • 26 min

Boris Johnson faced anger and derision as he admitted attending a drinks party during the first lockdown but claimed that he believed it to be a work event that did not break the rules. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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What does the Omicron winter crisis mean for the NHS?

January 12, 2022 • 27 min

Hospital trusts across England have declared ‘critical incidents’ in record numbers as the Omicron wave brings rising admissions and staff sickness. But the strains on NHS capacity long predate Covid, says Denis Campbell Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Guantánamo Bay at 20: why have attempts to close the prison failed?

January 11, 2022 • 31 min

The US prison in Cuba has been beset by allegations of torture since it was set up 20 years ago. But despite all the promises to close it down, it remains operational with no end in sight, says Julian Borger. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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A moral victory: what the acquittal of the Colston Four means for future protests

January 10, 2022 • 28 min

Last week a court acquitted four protesters who helped tear down a statue of the notorious slave trader Edward Colston. Damien Gayle describes what the case means for future protests and one of the defendants, Sage Willoughby, describes the jubilant moment the verdict arrived. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Culture 2022: what to watch, read and listen to this year

January 7, 2022 • 25 min

Guardian critics Charlotte Northedge, Ben Beaumont-Thomas and Simran Hans look ahead to the best of the year in culture. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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How the Capitol attack still divides the United States

January 6, 2022 • 30 min

A year ago today, rioters stormed the Capitol building in Washington DC after Donald Trump encouraged his supporters to march on Congress to protest against the election result. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Can the UK cope with the Omicron surge?

January 5, 2022 • 24 min

The year has begun with warnings of critical incidents in UK hospitals and fears over school re-openings but there are reasons to be optimistic, says science correspondent Nicola Davis. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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The joy of missing out: how to manage your time in 2022

January 4, 2022 • 25 min

We only have about 4,000 weeks of life on average, says the writer Oliver Burkeman, so make sure you are prioritising what really matters. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Revisited: how a Disney movie helped solve a decades-old adventure mystery

January 3, 2022 • 30 min

In 1959, nine experienced hikers were mysteriously killed in Russia’s Ural mountains. Conspiracy theories circled for years, but an unlikely pairing of science and the movie Frozen may have helped solve the cold case. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Revisited: the secret deportations of Chinese merchant sailors

December 31, 2021 • 30 min

During the second world war, Chinese sailors served alongside their British allies in the merchant navy, heroically keeping supply lines open to the UK. But after the war hundreds of them who had settled in Liverpool suddenly disappeared. Now their children are piecing together the truth. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Revisited: Josh Cavallo, the only openly gay top-tier men’s footballer

December 30, 2021 • 26 min

Adelaide United’s Josh Cavallo says the response to his recent coming out as gay has been overwhelming. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Revisited: Emily Ratajkowski’s body – and what she wants to make of it

December 29, 2021 • 24 min

The model, actor and writer views her body as a ‘tool’ to make a living – but ever since 2013’s Blurred Lines video, it has also been treated as public property. In this interview, Ratajkowski explains why she has written a book about her experiences, from an allegation of assault by Robin Thicke to how motherhood has changed her. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Revisited: An Al-Qaida recruit-turned-spy and the road to 9/11 podcast

December 28, 2021 • 37 min

Few terrorist organisations survive for more than a few years. Al-Qaida was different. Jason Burke, who has spent much of his career reporting on the group, and former member Aimen Dean reflect on how it was able to carry out the September 11 attacks barely a decade after it was formed – and its struggle to survive the fallout from its ‘catastrophic success’. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Revisited: Britain’s rich history of black literature

December 27, 2021 • 32 min

In Black History Month we brought together star authors Ben Okri, Candice Carty-Williams and Caleb Azumah Nelson to discuss the past, present and future of black writing. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

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Today in Focus

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}The fight for the future of the BBC

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}How MI5 uncovered a Chinese ‘agent’ in parliament

On the frontline of the cost of living crisis

The rise and rise of Liz Truss

Afghan female MPs fight for their country in exile

A royal mess: Prince Andrew faces a US trial

Will Boris Johnson’s apology be enough to save him?

What does the Omicron winter crisis mean for the NHS?

Guantánamo Bay at 20: why have attempts to close the prison failed?

A moral victory: what the acquittal of the Colston Four means for future protests

Culture 2022: what to watch, read and listen to this year

How the Capitol attack still divides the United States

Can the UK cope with the Omicron surge?

The joy of missing out: how to manage your time in 2022

Revisited: how a Disney movie helped solve a decades-old adventure mystery

Revisited: the secret deportations of Chinese merchant sailors

Revisited: Josh Cavallo, the only openly gay top-tier men’s footballer

Revisited: Emily Ratajkowski’s body – and what she wants to make of it

Revisited: An Al-Qaida recruit-turned-spy and the road to 9/11 podcast

Revisited: Britain’s rich history of black literature

Popular Podcasts

For You.css-1r2bfgw{margin:0 0 -2px 5px;}

The fight for the future of the BBC

How MI5 uncovered a Chinese ‘agent’ in parliament

For You