Football Weekly | The Guardian

Leftwing Democrats are having their moment in the sun, with Zohran Mamdani in New York, Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and endless calls for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for president in 2028. Has Democratic socialism shifted from the political fringe to the mainstream? And can this group lure back the all-important swing voters?

Jonathan Freedland speaks to Bhaskar Sunkara, president of the Nation magazine, founding editor of Jacobin and author of The Socialist Manifesto: The Case for Radical Politics in an Era of Extreme Inequalities

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Intensive farming has all but destroyed England’s ancient woodlands and freshwater wetlands. On a farm in Lincolnshire a radical aristocrat hopes to show there’s money in protecting nature

By Patrick Barkham. Read by Dermot Daly

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Two years into her role representing King Charles, Australia’s head of state, governor general Sam Mostyn says she has observed a ‘woeful lack of understanding’ among the adult population about the civic underpinnings of Australia’s democracy – beginning with the constitution.

Mostyn speaks to political editor Tom McIlroy at Admiralty House in Sydney about her decision to focus on a wide-ranging civics education for modern Australia, to address the ‘growing catastrophe’ that undermines democratic participation

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Governor general warns of ‘growing catastrophe’ that threatens to undermine democracy in Australia

Guardian US beauty columnist Jessica DeFino explores the rise of ‘tweakments’ and cosmetic procedures – and the pressure it puts on everyone to get something done

Aesthetic inflation. That’s what Jessica DeFino calls the rise in “tweakments”, minor procedures and even more extreme operations – lowering the barrier for people to get some kind of cosmetic treatment, and increasing the pressure on those who don’t.

Helen Pidd discusses with the Guardian US beauty columnist what these procedures entail – from blepharoplasties to tip stitches to botox – and why they are on the increase, and among younger and younger women too.

The US military has carried out a wave of airstrikes against Iran in response to Tehran targeting American bases in Jordan. The strikes were launched after Donald Trump vowed to hit Iran ‘very hard’ following a days-long pause in fighting. Iran has expanded its military strikes in the region, raising fears of an all-out war. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian senior international reporter Peter Beaumount – watch on YouTube

After a lull in fighting, airstrikes between the US and Iran resumed Wednesday, killing at least 20 members of Iraq’s popular mobilization force. The conflict between the US and Iran has now entered its fifth month, with no obvious conclusion in sight. Analysts have warned that the latest escalations are pushing the Middle East region into "unchartered territory". Carter Sherman is joined by the Guardian’s senior international correspondent Julian Borger and Deepa Parent, an independent journalist who reports on Iran, to answer the question: is this a forever war? 

A long and bitter legal battle between tech billionaires Elon Musk and Sam Altman has culminated in victory for the OpenAI boss. Musk has vowed to appeal the verdict. But what did the trial reveal about big tech and the global AI race. Lucy Hough speaks to Guardian US tech and power reporter Nick Robins-Early - watch on YouTube

It has been nearly three weeks since the first reports that a rare hantavirus had spread through a cruise ship, killing three people and infecting others. And now, the World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic ‌of Congo and Uganda a ‘public health emergency of international concern’.

While these outbreaks are unconnected and remain low risk for Australia, questions are being asked about how prepared authorities are for another global outbreak.

Medical editor Melissa Davey speaks to Nour Haydar about the two viruses causing health authorities to reexamine their pandemic plans

Read more: What is Ebola and why is WHO treating outbreak as global health emergency?

Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Sophie Downey and Marva Kreel to review the 2025-26 WSL season

On today’s pod: as the WSL season comes to an end, the panel reviews each team as Manchester City officially lift the Barclays WSL trophy after ending their 10-year wait for a league title. The panel reflects on Andrée Jeglertz’s instant impact, Bunny Shaw’s remarkable season and what the summer could hold amid uncertainty surrounding her future.

Elsewhere, Arsenal secure second place and automatic Champions League qualification but, after another trophyless domestic campaign, the panel assesses where things fell short for Renée Slegers’ side and what the departures of Beth Mead and Katie McCabe mean for the club moving forward.

Anna Isaac on Nigel Farage’s response to the Guardian revelation that he was given an undisclosed £5m gift from a crypto billionaire in 2024

Just weeks before Nigel Farage decided to run as an MP in the 2024 general election, he accepted a £5m gift from the cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne.

“When MPs become members of parliament, they are given a copy of the code of conduct,” the Guardian’s City editor, Anna Isaac, tells Annie Kelly. “These are the rules that every MP has to adhere to. And in that code of conduct it says that you need to declare benefits and financial interests. So within 28 days of becoming an MP, you need to go back through your books, through your finances for 12 months beforehand.”

All month, people all over the world have been nervously watching as the Hantavirus spread aboard a cruise ship called the MV Hondius. Three people from the ship died and as the virus spread to other passengers, people wondered – is this the next pandemic? It isn't. But as Guardian health correspondent Melody Schreiber tells host Kai Wright, the outbreak revealed how Trump's cuts to government funding for public health and a climate of rampant misinformation have affected our readiness for the next pandemic.

An outbreak of Ebola has emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, leading to nearly 400 confirmed cases and more than 100 deaths. To find out how the outbreak might have begun, what authorities can do to contain it and why this outbreak is causing particular concern, Ian Sample hears from Daniela Manno, a clinical epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

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Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Dan Bardell and Sam Dalling to discuss the Premier League and FA Cup action.

On the podcast today; Southampton thought they had made the FA Cup final for three glorious minutes before Manchester City’s late comeback in their Wembley semi-final. In the other semi, Chelsea – under the interim management of Calum McFarlane – beat Leeds 1-0 thanks to an Enzo Fernández header to end a run of five straight defeats.

In the Premier League, Arsenal did just enough to return to the summit as the Gunners beat Newcastle 1-0 thanks to a lovely Eberechi Eze finish, while wins for Spurs, West Ham and Nottingham Forest mean the relegation places are unchanged with four games to go.

Plus: a wild Edinburgh derby, an incredible finale in the National League and your questions answered.

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Dan Bardell and Sam Dalling to discuss the Premier League and FA Cup action

Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts and join the conversation on email.

On the podcast today; Southampton thought they had made the FA Cup final for three glorious minutes before Manchester City’s late comeback in their Wembley semi-final. In the other semi, Chelsea – under the interim management of Calum McFarlane – beat Leeds 1-0 thanks to an Enzo Fernández header to end a run of five straight defeats.

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jordan Jarrett-Bryan and Lucy Ward to discuss the latest in the Premier League.

On the podcast today: we’ll begin with Chelsea and the sacking of Liam Rosenior after a terrible run of form that culminated with them being thrashed away at Brighton on Monday night.

Elsewhere, the Premier League title race. Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Burnley puts them top on goals scored – the first time City have topped the table since October. The result also sends Burnley back down to the Championship.

Plus, Leeds look safe with a late point at Bournemouth, we look forward to the FA Cup semi-finals and your questions answered.

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jordan Jarrett-Bryan and Lucy Ward to discuss the latest in the Premier League

Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts and join the conversation on email.

On the podcast today: we’ll begin with Chelsea and the sacking of Liam Rosenior after a terrible run of form that culminated with them being thrashed away at Brighton on Monday night.

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, George Elek and Sanny Rudravajhala as the Sky Blues return to the top flight after 25 years away. On the podcast today; we’ll begin at Selhurst Park - Palace 0-0 West Ham. Is that a good point for the Hammers? Or an opportunity missed? Regardless, it means it remains very tight at the bottom. Elsewhere, Coventry City are promoted, behind Frank Lampard’s side Millwall, Ipswich and Southampton are fighting to join them. At the other end of the table Leicester City look set to suffer back-to-back relegations. Plus, the headlines from Leagues One and Two, a grandstand finale in the National League and your questions answered.

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, George Elek and Sanny Rudravajhala as the Sky Blues return to the top flight after 25 years away

Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts and join the conversation on email.

On the podcast today; we’ll begin at Selhurst Park - Palace 0-0 West Ham. Is that a good point for the Hammers? Or an opportunity missed? Regardless, it means it remains very tight at the bottom.

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Barney Ronay and John Brewin to discuss a wild weekend in the Premier League.

On today’s pod: Manchester City take control of the title race with a huge win over Arsenal. The panel ask just how decisive this result is, did City win it, or did Arsenal lose it in the margins? What do we make of those near-misses from Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz? There’s also the small matter of the key battle: Erling Haaland v Gabriel as the panel asks if the head-rutting is the ultimate man-off.

At the other end of the table, it’s heartbreak for Spurs as they concede late against Brighton. The panel relive that gut-punch moment, ask whether Xavi Simons has the saddest face in football, and wonder if relegation is now more likely than not. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest surge clear thanks to Morgan Gibbs-White’s hat-trick, Leeds all but secure safety, and it’s now all eyes on West Ham. Will they survive?

Plus, in the race for Champions League football, there’s a seven-goal thriller at Villa Park, a failed dink from Habib Diarra for Sunderland, before Tammy Abraham breaks their hearts seconds later. Liverpool win a chaotic Merseyside derby in the 100th minute; Manchester United edge out Chelsea, and questions are asked about Eddie Howe’s future.

Also, the panel answer your questions, there’s a ‘gold’ testicular-related email, and a fine save from a Max Rushden left-footed scissor-kick

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Barney Ronay and John Brewin to discuss a wild weekend in the Premier League

Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts and join the conversation on email.

On today’s pod: Manchester City take control of the title race with a huge win over Arsenal. The panel ask just how decisive this result is, did City win it, or did Arsenal lose it in the margins? What do we make of those near-misses from Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz? There’s also the small matter of the key battle: Erling Haaland v Gabriel as the panel asks if the head-rutting is the ultimate man-off.

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Archie Rhind-Tutt and Jonathan Liew to discuss Wednesday’s Champions League action

On today’s pod: a Champions League classic in Munich. Bayern beat Real Madrid 4-3 on the night, 6-4 on aggregate, in a game that had just about everything. The panel try to unpack it, from Manuel Neuer’s early mistake to Arda Güler’s brilliance, Harry Kane reaching 50 goals for the season and the chaos that followed. But the big talking point: was that Eduardo Camavinga second yellow a turning point? And why do Real Madrid always seem to end up furious with the referee?

Elsewhere, Arsenal are into the semi-finals. That’s the positive. But the panel ask: has there ever been a less enjoyable route to the last four? Are Arteta’s side controlling games, or just strangling them? With eight clean sheets, are they quietly brilliant defensively, or is this football that raises bigger existential questions about what the point of it all actually is?

Plus: how do Arsenal approach the looming Premier League title decider at the Etihad? Elsewhere, there a huge Merseyside derby on the horizon, more questions around Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham, and news of a Football Weekly live show in New York.

Of all the hearings Alex Villa had been through in nearly 11 years, Jennifer knew this could be the one.

In her possession was the disc with the FBI cellphone map – evidence that prosecutors had never turned over. But in a system that had fought Alex at every turn, would it finally be enough to set him free?

This is the final episode of Off Duty, an investigation by the Guardian’s Melissa Segura