Today in Focus

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

29 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

11 min

The women who took their own lives after domestic abuse

Geraldine McKelvie and Hannah Al-Othman tell the stories of women who died after enduring sustained campaigns of cruelty. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

28 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 at theguardian.com/infocus

13 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

34 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

14 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

24 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 at theguardian.com/infocus

15 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

27 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 speaks to policy editor and host of Politics Weekly, Kiran Stacey - watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

11 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

33 min

‘Sense of disbelief’: how White House press dinner attack unfolded – The Latest

Details about the shooting at the White House correspondents gala have started to surface as the alleged shooter is set to be charged. The suspect was able to get close to where Donald Trump and many other senior officials were gathered, before law enforcement stopped him. It happened less than two years since Trump was the target of an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, and a subsequent attempt at a golf course in Florida. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s Washington bureau chief David Smith, who was in attendance – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

10 min

Sanae Takaichi: the most powerful woman in the world?

Justin McCurry on Japan’s heavy metal-loving prime minister and her plan to amend the country’s pacifist constitution. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

28 min

Is Starmer on borrowed time? - The Latest

Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life as the Mandelson vetting scandal threatens to end his premiership. With no end to the Mandelson saga in sight, and as Labour looks set to suffer major losses at the local elections, can the prime minister survive? Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s head of national news, Archie Bland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

12 min

Will the backlash against AI turn violent?

An attack on the home of OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman – and on the company’s headquarters – has led to concerns the backlash against AI could become violent. Guardian journalist Nick Robins-Early and researcher Sean Fleming discuss. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

27 min

Is the tide turning for Ukraine in war with Russia? – The Latest

With the EU approving a €90bn loan for Ukraine, a surprise visit from Prince Harry, and data suggesting Russian troops made almost no territorial gains in March – are there reasons for optimism in Kyiv? Lucy Hough speaks to senior international correspondent Luke Harding – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

12 min

The new Michael Jackson biopic. Why now?

A new blockbuster film about the controversial singer could make $1bn worldwide. Owen Myers and Lanre Bakare explain what it says about Jackson’s legacy. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

30 min

Trump extends Iran ceasefire: can a deal be made? – The Latest

Donald Trump has indefinitely extended the US ceasefire with Iran after talks looked increasingly uncertain between both sides. Trump said he would ‘extend the ceasefire until such time as [Iran’s] proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other’. The US blockade remains, as does the closure of the strait of Hormuz by Iran, which seized two ships on Wednesday. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube. Read Patrick’s analysis here.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

11 min

The security report the UK government doesn’t want you to see

Fiona Harvey tells Nosheen Iqbal why the climate crisis is a threat to national security. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

28 min

Mandelson vetting row: sacked civil servant speaks out - The Latest

The Foreign Office chief sacked over the Peter Mandelson security vetting scandal has finally given his side of the story in an explosive appearance before MPs. Olly Robbins told the foreign affairs select committee that he faced ‘constant pressure’ to get Mandelson in post as US ambassador as soon as possible, and claimed Downing Street took a ‘dismissive’ attitude to vetting. It came a day after Keir Starmer accused Robbins of ‘obstructing the truth’ about the vetting process in a high-stakes appearance in parliament. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

15 min

Episodes

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

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

The women who took their own lives after domestic abuse

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

On the ground in London as the Greens surge