Why Joe Biden pardoned his son

3 December 2024 - 24 mins
Podcast Series Today in Focus

Hunter Biden was awaiting sentencing for gun and tax offences when, suddenly, his father pardoned him. Has family loyalty been put above presidential integrity? Chris Michael explains. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

24 mins

Series Episodes

India’s cockroach protesters defy Modi’s crackdown – The Latest Playing

India’s cockroach protesters defy Modi’s crackdown – The Latest

A fresh wave of protests by India’s youth-led Cockroach movement has been met with a brutal crackdown by Narendra Modi’s government and the closure of a historic protest site in Delhi. Two of the movement’s leaders have been imprisoned for five days for violating suppression measures. The protests, which began over frustration about education and unemployment, are now focused on voting rights. Modi’s government denies claims it is seeking to disenfranchise millions of voters. But its treatment of protesters has been criticised by the UN and Amnesty International and raised concerns that India is sliding further into autocracy. Lucy Hough speaks to South Asia correspondent Hannah Ellis-Petersen – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

13 mins

14 October Finished

The fall of Germany’s ex-spymaster Playing

The fall of Germany’s ex-spymaster

A former head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service has been accused of selling classified documents. Kate Connolly reports on the fallout. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

22 mins

14 October Finished

Trump accused of ‘abuse of power’ after Ilhan Omar home raid – The Latest Playing

Trump accused of ‘abuse of power’ after Ilhan Omar home raid – The Latest

Democrats have described a raid on the home of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar as ‘deeply disturbing’ and a ‘rogue abuse of power’ by the Trump administration. The Democratic representative for Minnesota has long been a target of highly personal attacks by Donald Trump, who claims he was not involved in ordering the Justice Department raid. Omar criticised the raid as an attempt to ‘weaponize law enforcement’ as part of a ‘campaign of political intimidation’ against her. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian US political reporter Shrai Popat – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

11 mins

13 October Finished

The billion-dollar shipwreck and the man who tried to find it Playing

The billion-dollar shipwreck and the man who tried to find it

Journalist Julian Sancton on the story of the most valuable shipwreck in history and who could end up with its treasures. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

35 mins

13 October Finished

Trump-Putin diesel deal met with fury from Zelenskyy – The Latest Playing

Trump-Putin diesel deal met with fury from Zelenskyy – The Latest

Donald Trump’s deal to buy Russian diesel has been met with fury from Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said it was ‘a weak decision’ and would generate ‘billions’ in extra revenue for Putin’s war effort. The Ukrainian president has also rejected US calls for an ‘energy ceasefire’, which would require Kyiv to stop striking oil refineries, saying Moscow must first end its attacks on energy infrastructure. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s senior international correspondent, Luke Harding – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

12 mins

12 October Finished

The fight to switch off your algorithm Playing

The fight to switch off your algorithm

Chanel Contos talks about her campaign against social media algorithms and how it has helped shape a groundbreaking bill in her native Australia to increase regulation of big tech. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

20 mins

12 October Finished

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