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Today in Focus

The Guardianwww.theguardian.com
Today in Focus brings you closer to the Guardian's journalism. Our award-winning morning edition hosted by Helen Pidd, Nosheen Iqbal and Annie Kelly 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.
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Episodes

Stateside with Kai and Carter: Stacey Abrams on why gutting of the US Voting Rights Act is ‘evil’

The US supreme court demolished the 1965 Voting Rights Act when they ruled in Louisiana v Callais in April that states can’t consider race in redistricting. Southern states from Tennessee to Alabama have rushed to erase majority Black districts, sparking chaos for the midterm elections. Kai Wright talks with Stacey Abrams , voting rights activist and former Georgia house minority leader, about the fallout from the decision, and why, even now, she thinks the way forward is still through engaging ...

May 16, 202635 min

Burnham byelection: could Makerfield decide the next PM? – The Latest

Andy Burnham may have a route back to Westminster – and a path to the Labour leadership. But first the Greater Manchester mayor must win a byelection in Makerfield, where Nigel Farage has vowed Reform UK will ‘throw absolutely everything’ at the contest. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s north of England correspondent Hannah al-Othman, who has been talking to voters in the constituency. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...

May 15, 202612 min

Labour, u ok hun?

Guardian columnist Rafael Behr talks through a tumultuous day for Labour and Keir Starmer – following the resignation of health secretary Wes Streeting, and the renewed possibility of a Westminster comeback for Andy Burnham. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

May 15, 202624 min

Wes walks but has Burnham got the momentum? – The Latest

Wes Streeting has quit his cabinet role as health secretary and called on Keir Starmer to resign as prime minister after days of speculation. But Streeting did not launch his own challenge to trigger a leadership contest, so what could be next for Starmer’s government? And has he left the door open for Andy Burnham to return? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s deputy political editor, Jessica Elgot. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...

May 14, 202612 min

Trump, Hegseth, Musk: Maga lands in Beijing

Senior China correspondent Amy Hawkins talks through the high-stakes meeting in Beijing between presidents Trump and Xi. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

May 14, 202626 min

Streeting to fire starting gun in Starmer leadership battle – The Latest

Wes Streeting is expected to launch a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer as soon as Thursday. News of the health secretary’s plans came during the king’s speech, derailing what was supposed to be another chance for the prime minister to reset the political agenda. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s head of national news, Archie Bland – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...

May 13, 202611 min

Is Big Brother watching you shop?

From supermarkets to corner shops, live facial recognition could be coming to retailers near you. Jessica Murray on the AI systems increasingly used by the police and stores. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

May 13, 202628 min

Stubborn Starmer defies Labour plotters - The Latest

Tensions are running high in Westminster as Keir Starmer tells his cabinet he is not going anywhere. But with several ministers quitting the government and more than 80 MPs calling for him to go, how much longer has the prime minister got? Lucy Hough speaks to political editor Pippa Crerar. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

May 12, 202611 min

Why does everyone hate Keir Starmer?

Aditya Chakrabortty on the Labour leader’s predicament – and if he may be the last prime minister of the two-party system. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

May 12, 202626 min

Starmer clings on after election disaster - The Latest

Keir Starmer appears to have staved off an immediate leadership challenge but MPs are still calling for him to set out a timetable for his resignation. So can he cling on or has he run out of road? Lucy Hough speaks to senior political correspondent Peter Walker. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

May 11, 202612 min

What next for Labour as Reform wins big in local elections? – The Latest

Keir Starmer has vowed to fight on after Labour suffered heavy losses in local elections, while Nigel Farage’s Reform UK made substantial gains and the Green party won its first ever mayoral victory. So is the era of two-party politics over? And can the prime minister survive? Lucy Hough speaks to political correspondent Alexandra Topping. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

May 08, 202615 min

The AI jailbreakers

Journalist Jamie Bartlett on the people trying to get AI to say things it shouldn’t … for the safety of us all. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

May 08, 202628 min

Outrage as oil giants profit billions from Iran war – The Latest

Shell has made $6.9bn in profits since the Iran war began, cashing in on soaring energy prices. The enormous profits have reignited calls for higher taxes on fossil fuel companies to fund support for those hardest hit by rising costs. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s energy correspondent, Jillian Ambrose – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...

May 07, 202612 min

An Infowars insider on the warped world of Alex Jones

As the satirical online newspaper the Onion waits for court approval to take over the conspiracy website Infowars, Helen Pidd speaks to a former staff member about its sinister rise and dramatic fall. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

May 07, 202636 min

Hantavirus hell: deadly virus takes hold of cruise ship – The Latest

Three people have died and several others have been medically evacuated after the outbreak of a deadly hantavirus on a luxury cruise ship – watch on YouTube There are still close to 150 passengers onboard MV Hondius, which is travelling towards the Canary Islands where it is set to dock. So how worried should we be about the spread of the virus? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian reporter Oliver Holmes. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...

May 06, 202611 min

Is Europe ready for a future without the US?

Trump has threatened to pull 5,000 troops from Germany – while European leaders worry this is just the start of a US withdrawal from the continent. Deborah Cole reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

May 06, 202632 min

Has Trump reignited war with Iran? – The Latest

Donald Trump has launched a new operation, which he called ‘Project Freedom’, to try to open the strait of Hormuz. Could it spark a re-escalation of the war with Iran and bring an end to the ceasefire? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s senior international correspondent Julian Borger. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

May 05, 202610 min

Fake fans, fake buzz? How your favourite band got big

Shaad D’Souza explains how bands such as Geese have faced a backlash since a marketing company revealed its tricks for pushing them into the limelight, and Eamonn Forde discusses what it takes to succeed in the music industry today.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

May 05, 202629 min

Why the Bezos-backed Met Gala is so controversial – The Latest

It’s the grandest and glitziest event in the fashion calendar, but this year’s Met Gala has sparked backlash thanks to its new honorary chairs, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. The billionaire Amazon founder’s involvement has led to boycotts and criticism of the event. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s fashion and lifestyle editor, Morwenna Ferrier – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...

May 04, 202611 min

Why has the world lost sight of the suffering of Palestinians? – The Latest

In the six months since a ceasefire was announced in Gaza, more than 800 civilians have been killed and living conditions have remained dire. Meanwhile, Palestinians in the West Bank face a surge in violence from Israeli settlers and soldiers. While the world’s attention has turned to the war in Iran, is there any end to the suffering in sight? Annie Kelly speaks to the Guardian’s chief Middle East correspondent, Emma Graham-Harrison – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism a...

May 01, 202613 min

On the ground in London as the Greens surge

Helen Pidd visits Hackney in east London, just one part of the capital where the Green party hopes to oust Labour. She also talks to Peter Walker about whether the Greens are ready for power.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

May 01, 202634 min

‘An epidemic’: is antisemitism out of control in the UK? – The Latest

The stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green, north-west London, has become the latest in a series of antisemitic attacks. So is rising antisemitism now a national emergency? And is more security for the Jewish community really the answer? Helen Pidd is joined by columnist Rafael Behr – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus...

Apr 30, 202614 min

Iran’s wartime executions

Over the last six weeks, the Iranian regime has carried out a spate of executions of political prisoners. The Guardian journalist Daniel Boffey reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Apr 30, 202624 min

Has King Charles salvaged special relationship with Trump? – The Latest

It was a historic day for King Charles as he became the first British monarch to address a joint session of Congress in 35 years, before enjoying a lavish dinner at the White House. There were jokes, subtle digs, and the supposedly apolitical monarch even appealed to Donald Trump on Nato and Ukraine – but how did the US president react? Helen Pidd speaks to the Guardian columnist and host of Politics Weekly America , Jonathan Freedland – watch on YouTube . Help support our independent journalism...

Apr 29, 202615 min

Siri, where does Apple go next?

Guardian US tech editor Blake Montgomery talks about the future of Apple after the resignation of its longtime CEO Tim Cook. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Apr 29, 202627 min

Starmer staves off mutiny over Mandelson mess… but for how long? - The Latest

Keir Starmer endured another bruising day as the saga surrounding Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador continued. The prime minister faced harsh criticism from his own MPs over his efforts to stave off a privileges committee investigation, while his former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney admitted putting pressure on the Foreign Office to expedite Mandelson’s posting in highly anticipated evidence to a parliamentary committee. So how much peril is the prime minister in? Lucy Hough speak...

Apr 28, 202611 min

The secretive billionaire bankrolling Nigel Farage

The crypto tycoon has given millions to Farage’s political parties. But who is Christopher Harborne and what does he want in return?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Apr 28, 202633 min
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