Today in Focus

About this podcast

Hosted by Anushka Asthana and Rachel Humphreys, 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

Today in Focus

Episodes

2021
What is really behind the riots in Northern Ireland?
The Guardian’s Ireland correspondent, Rory Carroll, looks at what is fuelling loyalist anger in Northern Ireland. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
April 13, 2021
31 min
Remembering the Brixton riots 40 years on
In April 1981, a simmering tension between the police and Brixton’s black community erupted in violence. Forty years, on Aamna Modhin revisits that weekend with those who witnessed the events unfolding. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
April 12, 2021
27 min
Risk, reward and the AstraZeneca vaccine
People in the UK under 30 will be offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca vaccine because of a possible link to rare blood clots. Could the move dent confidence in the widely used jab?. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
April 9, 2021
20 min
The death of George Floyd and the case against Derek Chauvin – podcast
The death of George Floyd after being restrained by Minneapolis police last year sparked a wave of outrage that swept across the US and then the world. Now the police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes is on trial for his murder. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
April 8, 2021
29 min
How can the UK stop harassment and sexual abuse in schools? – podcast
The Everyone’s Invited website has collected 14,000 testimonies so far, painting a picture of widespread sexual harassment and violence in our schools. Everyone’s Invited founder Soma Sara and the Guardian’s senior news reporter Alexandra Topping discuss the outcry, the impact and whose responsibility it is to do something about it. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
April 7, 2021
29 min
Why the government's race report sparked a furious backlash
A new report into racial inequality in the UK has been condemned by campaigners and was called a ‘green light for racists’ by Doreen Lawrence. Aamna Mohdin examines what it says and why the response has been so damning. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
April 6, 2021
32 min
A year of Keir: has the Covid pandemic sidelined Labour's leader?
Keir Starmer is marking a year as leader of the Labour party in which one issue has dominated above all else. The Guardian’s political editor, Heather Stewart, examines where the party is heading under his leadership. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
April 5, 2021
29 min
Why are gay conversion practices still legal in the UK?
The UK government has pledged to ban gay conversion therapy, but the practice – which involves trying to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity – is still legally taking place across the country. George and Joe describe the impact of going through it and the MP Alicia Kearns talks about the fight to have it banned. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
April 2, 2021
27 min
What is the police and crime bill and why are people protesting against it?
Thousands of people have been protesting against the government’s police, crime, sentencing and courts bill, which would allow police to take a more proactive approach in managing protests, but many worry is an attempt to restrict the right to protest. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
April 1, 2021
22 min
Unblocking the Suez canal
The gigantic cargo ship the Ever Given blocked the world’s busiest shipping lane for a week. Michael Safi reports on what the costly nautical traffic jam can tell us about global trade. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
March 31, 2021
28 min
Joe Biden's border challenge: reversing Trumpism
The 46th US president took office promising a more welcoming immigration policy. But Republicans are calling a new wave of migrants at the southern border a ‘crisis’ and demanding he addresses it. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
March 30, 2021
31 min
Freshwater part 6: the decision
The court of appeal upheld convictions of the Freshwater Five last week. In the final part of our miniseries, we hear how the judges reached their decision and what it means. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
March 29, 2021
56 min
The aftermath of a rape
While working in Abu Dhabi launching a literary festival, Caitlin McNamara alleges she was raped by a member of the Emirati royal family. A year on, she describes her struggle to hold her attacker to account, and to come to terms with what happened to her. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
March 26, 2021
26 min
Europe's third Covid wave
As a deadly third wave of Covid infections sweeps across the continent, Jon Henley reports on how EU leaders are considering restricting exports of vaccines in a move that could inflame tensions with the UK. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
March 25, 2021
28 min
Men! What can you do to help fight misogyny?
Educator and author Dr Jackson Katz discusses why all men need to be part of ending violence against women, and what they can do to help. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
March 24, 2021
30 min
A year inside: what shielding has meant for the most vulnerable
The first national lockdown began in Britain a year ago today, but for those identified as clinically vulnerable, the restrictions often mean total isolation. Frances Ryan reports on what it has meant for those who have been shielding. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
March 23, 2021
32 min
Professor Neil Ferguson on the Covid year that shattered our way of life
Prof Neil Ferguson was one of the first scientists to raise the alarm in Britain that unless the government radically changed policy, it was heading for a disaster that the NHS could not cope with. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
March 22, 2021
28 min
Is it time to abolish the monarchy?
Jonathan Freedland looks at whether the fallout from last week’s Oprah Winfrey interview with Harry and Meghan has moved the monarchy closer to collapse. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
March 19, 2021
26 min
What do progressives make of Joe Biden's presidency so far
Lauren Gambino, political correspondent for Guardian US, discusses the $1.9tn Covid relief package, which was passed by Congress last week. It was seen as a major legislative victory for Joe Biden. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
March 18, 2021
30 min
Amy-Leanne Stringfellow’s story and the campaign to end femicide
Police response to death of Sarah Everard reminds reporter Yvonne Roberts of the Yorkshire Ripper killings; Helen Pidd reports on the murder of an Afghanistan veteran that has also put the spotlight on cycle of women being killed by men. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/infocus">theguardian.com/infocus</a>
March 17, 2021
30 min

Today in Focus

About this podcast

Categories

About this podcast

Categories

Today in Focus

Episodes

What is really behind the riots in Northern Ireland?

Remembering the Brixton riots 40 years on

Risk, reward and the AstraZeneca vaccine

The death of George Floyd and the case against Derek Chauvin – podcast

How can the UK stop harassment and sexual abuse in schools? – podcast

Why the government's race report sparked a furious backlash

A year of Keir: has the Covid pandemic sidelined Labour's leader?

Why are gay conversion practices still legal in the UK?

What is the police and crime bill and why are people protesting against it?

Unblocking the Suez canal

Joe Biden's border challenge: reversing Trumpism

Freshwater part 6: the decision

The aftermath of a rape

Europe's third Covid wave

Men! What can you do to help fight misogyny?

A year inside: what shielding has meant for the most vulnerable

Professor Neil Ferguson on the Covid year that shattered our way of life

Is it time to abolish the monarchy?

What do progressives make of Joe Biden's presidency so far

Amy-Leanne Stringfellow’s story and the campaign to end femicide