A Chinese-born writer’s quest to underst...

The tiny, astonishingly wealthy country has become a major player on the world stage, trying to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What’s driving this project? By Nesrine Malik. Read by Sulin Hasso. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod 

Every Wednesday and Friday in August we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2025, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it. This week, from June: with his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it’ ... Show More

Many of his supporters hoped the prime minister would restore the UK’s commitment to international law. Yet Labour’s record over the past year has been curiously mixed By Daniel Trilling. Read by Simon Darwen. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod 

Alex Holder loves her new life in Lisbon but has become increasingly uneasy that people like her might be damaging the cities they love. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus 

Helen Pidd grew up in Morecambe, and life in seaside towns has only got harder since she was a teenager. She went back to find out why. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus 

In what could be the biggest protest march in New Zealand’s history, 42,000 people took to the roads over fears Māori rights are being dismantled. Eva Corlett reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus 

Journalist and author Danny Lavelle has long been fascinated by class, but how much can the concept help us understand life in 21st-century Britain?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus 

Every so often a book lands on my desk about something so obviously interesting that I have never really considered it before. Bruce Whitehouse‘s Migrants and Strangers in an African City: Exile, Dignity, Belonging (Indiana University Press, 2012) is exactly like that, tackling s ... Show More

Biodiversity writer Phoebe Weston hears from farmers on the west coast of Scotland who claim they are losing hundreds of lambs a year in a case of rewilding gone wrong. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus 

Starlink keeps thousands of Australians connected across regional and remote parts of the country, but questions are being raised about whether we should be concerned such a crucial service is run by an increasingly political, foreign billionaire.  

Russian affairs reporter Pjotr Sauer talks about the imprisonment and eventual release of his friend, the journalist Evan Gershkovich. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus 

It is the first time Russia has been invaded by a foreign army since the second world war. Dan Sabbagh reports on the surprise attack. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus 

About 70% of TV freelancers are believed to be out of work – can the industry bounce back? Michael Savage reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus