The Story

War, immigration, welfare: the in-tray for Burnham and his new cabinet

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Britain’s new prime minister Andy Burnham revealed his key cabinet picks yesterday; so who’s in, who’s out and what does it tell us about the direction in which he’ll take the country? And as the Iran and Ukraine wars rumble on and the cost of living continues to bite, how will the PM handle the key problems in his in-tray?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Elle Scott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The remarkable rise of Andy Burnham

Clips: Sky, Goalhanger, BBC, DWS News, Eureka UK, Global News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Inside Scotland’s black-clad far right

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Around Scotland, something bizarre has been happening. Men dressed in black have gathered in military-style formations. The silent parades are filmed in grainy black and white. Experts describe the imagery as unmistakably fascist. So what is this? And why is it happening now?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: David Leask, Scotland reporter, The Times & The Sunday Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Sophie McNulty

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Belfast on fire

Clips: LBC, Scottish Family Party - YouTube, Craig Houston - X, STV News.

Photo: X - Craig Houston.

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Why diamonds may not be forever - The Sunday Story

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Lab-grown stones are booming, threatening to crush the diamond trade. So, how is the industry coping? And what does this mean for Botswana, a country whose schools, hospitals, roads, and economy have been built by the profits from diamond mining?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Richard Assheton, foreign features, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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Can I be a dad and not a parent? - The Saturday Story

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Ben Kawaller suddenly has the urge to have children, but he would prefer not to raise them. Luckily, there is a growing online market that can help with that.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Ben Kawaller, reporter and essayist.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Adam Grey for The Times.

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The remarkable rise of Andy Burnham

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Today, Andy Burnham will be crowned Labour leader. On Monday, he'll become Prime Minister -- Britain's fifth in as many years. But questions are still lingering over the direction he’ll take the government. And more than that, people are still trying to decipher who the man really is. We turn to our man in Westminster, who has spent plenty of time with Burnham, to try to get some answers.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Will Burnham scrap the most expensive promise in politics?

Clips: Andy Burnham / X, BBC, Coljax Parliament / Youtube, LBC, Nimrod Kamer / Youtube, Manchester Evening News, The Mirror.

Photo: Getty Images.

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How war is changing Iran from within

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

For the first time since the war began, a Times journalist has reported from inside Iran. World Affairs editor Catherine Philp travelled there for the week-long funeral of the former ayatollah, leaving just as US strikes resumed. Amid the latest escalation, how united is the country over the war? And what do the continuing hostilities mean for the daily lives of millions of people across Iran?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Catherine Philp, world affairs editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Jesse Fox.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: What Iranians really think of Trump’s peace deal

Clips: C-Span, BBC, Fox News, The Times, DRM News.

Photo: Times Photographer Jack Hill.

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The method in the madness of Thomas Tuchel

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The England football team’s manager Thomas Tuchel has led his squad to a World Cup semi-final against old rivals Argentina. A cerebral football obsessive, he has a tendency to self-immolate when things are going well. So is this the fate that awaits the Tuchel-England experiment? Or could the tensions between the manager and his star player Jude Bellingham actually prove the key to victory?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mehreen Khan, economics editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Jesse Fox, Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The men who made the World Cup - The Sunday Story

Clips: Football Smash / Youtube, Sky News, Talk Sport, Sports Unfiltered / Youtube, BBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

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What Finland can teach the NHS about treating psychosis

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

It’s no secret that NHS mental health care is under strain - long waiting lists, disjointed communication between providers, and patients left in limbo. So how did it end up this way? And could a treatment model from Finland be the solution? The Sunday Times went to find out.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Roisin Kelly, journalist and commissioning editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Britain’s mental health reckoning - part one

Clips: Channel 4, Nottingham Inquiry.

Photo: Getty Images.

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LATEST: The investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:50:03 GMT

Counterterrorism police are now leading the investigation into the alleged murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe. A 28-year-old man has now been re-arrested on suspicion of commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Oliver Wright, policy editor, The Times.
Stephen Roberts, former Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the Metropolitan Police
Jonathan Hall, Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation

Host: John Pienaar.

Producers: Sandra Mitchell, Sofia Johanson, and Taryn Siegel.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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The ultraconservative pastor behind the US Secretary of War

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

As the Iran war reignites, there's a hidden figure influencing the American side. In an exclusive interview for The Times, Pete Hegseth’s pastor Doug Wilson says the conflict in Iran is a righteous battle against Muslims, homosexuality is evil, and women who dress immodestly are sluts. How is this ultraconservative influencing US foreign policy? And could we see his brand of Christianity in the UK?

This podcast contains mention of some topics listeners may find offensive.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Trump v the Supreme Court and Fi and Jane interivew Pastor Wilson

Clips: PBS, CNN, New Founding Podcast / YouTube, Pulp Fiction / Quentin Tarantino / Mirimax, The Independent, Blog&Mablog / YouTube, Daniel Foucachon / YouTube.

Photo: Dominic Gwinn / Zuma Press.

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Part 2 | Family Man: Could Alex Murdaugh be innocent? - The Sunday Story

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Alex Murdaugh stands accused of the brutal murders of his wife and son. As shocking evidence, devastating testimony, and disturbing secrets unfold in court, one question still hangs over everything: Did he actually do it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: James Lasdun, author of The Family Man.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Dave Creasey and Jesse Fox.

Clips: CNN, CBS, Fox News, CourtRoomTV, WCSC, WIS News, WJCL, NBC, GMA.

Image: Getty Images.

Times Book Shop: The Family Man: Blood and Betrayal in the House of Murdaugh.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

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Part 1 | Family Man: The shocking Murdaugh murders - The Saturday Story

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The Murdaugh family had power, wealth, and influence until two brutal killings exposed a world of stolen millions and deadly secrets. As the lies unravelled, a once-untouchable dynasty collapsed into one of America’s darkest true crime cases. But what really happened that night, and who is to blame?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: James Lasdun, author of The Family Man.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Dave Creasey and Jesse Fox.

Clips: CNN, CBS, Fox News, CourtRoomTV, WCSC, WIS News, WJCL, NBC.

Image: Getty Images.

Times Book Shop: The Family Man: Blood and Betrayal in the House of Murdaugh

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

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LATEST: Why are Scotland Yard investigating Reform donations?

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:57:40 GMT

More revelations are coming out about donations to Reform UK. The Sunday Times Insight team have discovered that the Metropolitan Police are investigating a £500,000 donation from the mother of convicted fraudster George Cottrell. How will this affect Farage’s chances in the Clacton by-election now scheduled for August? And what does it say about the state of political donations in the UK more widely?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Gabriel Pogrund, insight editor, The Sunday Times.
Richard Tice, Reform UK MP.
Peter Geoghegan, investigative journalist.

Host: Ayesha Hazarika.

Producer: Musty Aziz.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Posh George: The criminal behind Farage

Photo: Getty Images.

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Why can’t Britain handle the heat?

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Summer 2026 is another scorcher, with temperature records being broken across Europe. Infrastructure in the UK is creaking; with trains cancelled, schools closed and people sweltering in their homes. Why does Europe seem to be heating up more than other continents? And could outlandish ideas hold the answer to cooling us down long term?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Whipple, science writer and special correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Have we stopped caring about climate change?

Clips: Channel 4, BBC, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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On the Albanian island Ivanka Trump wants to buy

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Weeks of protests in Albania show no signs of stopping. Tens of thousands have been taking to the streets to oppose the proposed purchase and development of land by Donald Trump’s daughter and son-in-law. As the country’s tourist industry booms, there is a divide over the cost of development and the country’s sense of self. Our writer went to the island at the centre of a political and national identity crisis.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Richard Assheton, features writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Taryn Siegel.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: David Senra podcast, APT, X/@IsamyzyrajAlb, IG/@thebrickobserversatire, DW News.

Photo: Richard Assheton.

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LATEST: Will Farage’s by-election gambit work?

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:06:32 GMT

It’s been a rollercoaster 24 hours for Nigel Farage and Reform – a by-election called, a major party boycott, and now the spectre of a two horse race against Count Binface. So will his high risk play pay off as he takes his case to the people? And what do the voters of Clacton really think about it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Terry Stiastny, political correspondent, Times Radio.
Rosie Wright, presenter, Times Radio.
Peter Kellner, pollster and former president of YouGov.

Host: John Pienaar.

Producers: Sandra Mitchell, Sofia Johanson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Nigel Farage resigns. What now?

Photo: Getty Images.

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Nigel Farage resigns. What now?

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

After a Sunday Times investigation revealed Nigel Farage’s links to a convicted fraudster, and with the spectre of a parliamentary standards investigation looming over him, Farage will now put his fate in the hands of his constituents in Clacton in a by-election. But will this gambit work? And what does the Sunday Times journalist who led the investigation think about it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Gabriel Pogrund, Insight editor, The Sunday Times
Fraser Nelson, columnist, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Posh George: the criminal behind Farage

Clips: Reform UK / Youtube, Sky News, BBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

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How Putin is dividing NATO

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

NATO is gathering in Turkey for its annual summit, and defence spending, Iran and Ukraine are all on the agenda. But behind the scenes there are warnings that Putin is planning his next attack - on a NATO country. So what might that aggression look like? And is the alliance ready?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Shabnam Grewal.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Defence spending: too little too late?

Clips: France 24, @MaxAfterburnerusa / YouTube, @joeycontinonews / YouTube, TVP Info, BBC, Sky, The Guardian, GB News, Fox News, USA Today, CBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Introducing | Posh George: The criminal behind Farage

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Today, we bring you the first episode of a new series from one of our sister podcasts, The Times Investigates. Posh George: The criminal behind Farage

The Sunday Times’s Insight team investigate how the Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage - who could hold the keys to Number 10 - has come to depend upon a crypto evangelist, gambler and fraudster.

Both George Cottrell and Nigel Farage deny any wrongdoing.

Listen to Episode 2 and the full series right now.

Watch: Everything you need to know about the aristocrat funding Nigel Farage

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Who still counts as Native American in 2026? - The Sunday Story

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

As the United States marks 250 years of modern America, a country founded on freedom, liberty, and justice, for Native Americans, that history reads very differently. After centuries of oppression, survival, and the ongoing reclamation of culture, what does it mean to be Native American today? And why does the question of who has the right to claim that identity remain so deeply contested?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Louise Callaghan, senior US correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Tailyr Irvine for the Sunday Times Magazine.

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How Britain drove America to independence - The Saturday Story

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Today America celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence. It’s an epic tale of revolution, rebellion and the making of a global superpower. But how did Britain end up fighting, and losing, the war that gave birth to the most powerful nation on earth?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Jack Blackburn, history correspondent, The Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty.

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Will Farage's finances lead to his downfall?

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Nigel Farage has drawn increasing political and public scrutiny for a £5 million personal gift from cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne in 2024. Farage says it’s for his security and nobody else’s business, but has he made a political misstep which risks his future aspirations to be PM? And do extra revelations about his property portfolio and his lucrative role with a gold bullion company add extra pressure?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Sebastian Payne, columnist, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: David Whitty, Sophie McNulty

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Inside Farage’s political earthquake

Clips: BBC, LBC, Times Radio, Rupert Lowe - facebook, Direct Bullion, The Mirror.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Trump v the Supreme Court

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The US Supreme Court has finished a momentous term with some ground-breaking rulings on a raft of issues from trans rights to birthright citizenship. And one case has greatly expanded presidential powers. So is this term a win for Trump? And what does it mean for the country’s future?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Why Trump's attack on the Fed affects us all

Clips: USA Today, Fox, CBS News, CSPAN, Times Radio, ABC News, CNN, KTLA, The Washington Post.

Photo: Getty.

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Defence spending: too little, too late?

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:01:00 GMT

After a year of waiting, the defence investment plan was finally released yesterday. The plan will take defence spending to £80 billion a year by 2029, but some have criticised it for still leaving Britain's military under-funded. So will this plan do enough to make the country more secure? And what role should Britain be carving out for itself in the new geopolitical world we find ourselves in?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Larisa Brown, defence editor, The Times.
General Sir Richard Barrons, co-author of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Sophie McNulty, David Whitty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Will Burnham scrap the most expensive promise in politics?

Clips: BBC, Parliament tv, Al Carns - Facebook.

Photo: Getty Images, The Times.

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‘It’s galling, as a bereaved parent': Britain's maternity scandal

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

After a series of reports about individual failing maternity trusts in England, a national report is published today. It says women are not being listened to, racism is systemic, regulators are failing and triage is not working. So how did things get so bad? What do families think of the report's findings? And will it finally force a change in England’s woeful maternity care?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Eleanor Hayward, health editor, The Times
Poppy Koronka, health correspondent, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: GB News, BBC, ITV.

Photo: Adobe.

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Will Burnham scrap the most expensive promise in politics?

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Andy Burnham now looks a shoo-in for number 10, and he has grand plans for the UK economy. One thing many have been crying out for is scrapping the triple lock on pensions, which has been a boon for pensioners, but a drag on public finances. So will Burnham be brave enough to get rid of it? And what else might he do to boost our stagnating economy?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Jack Barnett, economics correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Harry Stott, Harry Bligh.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Have PM resignations become a new British disease?

Clips: BBC, IPaper / Youtube, Times Radio, ITV, DWS NEWS, Parliamentlive.tv.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The Surgeon of St Helena - The Sunday Story

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The British island of St Helena in the South Atlantic lies more than 1,000 miles from the nearest landmass. Recently, it's been gripped by scandal. When a surgeon arrived in 2015, he was meant to transform healthcare on the island. Instead, patients suffered catastrophic harm. So what happens when a dangerous surgeon arrives on one of the world’s most remote islands?

The Surgeon of St Helena is an Audio Always podcast. You can listen to the whole series here.

Host: Luke Jones

Producers: Louisa Adams and Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Jon Tonks.

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My Killing Kittens sex cruise diary - The Saturday Story

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

What happened when Times feature writer Sophia Money-Coutts was invited onboard the first ever Killing Kittens sex cruise ship in the Mediterranean? Well, strap in, as Sophia’s takes us below deck, metaphorically, mostly, to find out.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Sophia Money Coutts, feature writer, The Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Image: Olivia West for the Times Magazine.

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One twin fought for Ukraine - the other is in Putin’s army

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

When the Boshyn twins’ hometown was occupied by Russia at the start of the Ukraine war, their lives took drastically different turns; one fought for Ukraine, the other for Russia. How did they end up on opposing sides? And as both Russia and Ukraine make territorial gains, who currently has the upper hand?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Jack Clover, Assistant Foreign Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: What Iranians really think of Trump’s peace deal.

Clips: BBC, India Today, RIA Novosti, Smotrim.

Photo: The Boshyn family.

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Q&A: Departures, diplomacy, and an unused motorhome

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

With peace talks continuing between the US and Iran, what are the big sticking points and what does this all mean for Israel? Following Starmer’s resignation, what should we expect next from Downing Street? And after Peter Murrell was sentenced for embezzlement this week, is the SNP finally drawing a line under the affair?

Luke is joined by four of The Times’ finest journalists to answer your questions on this week’s big stories.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Rebecca Myers, foreign editor, The Sunday Times
Lizzie Deane, news editor, The Times
Daniel Sanderson, Scottish political editor, The Times
Mark Sellman, technology correspondent, The Times

Host: Luke Jones

Producers: Harry Bligh, Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: How infinite scrolling damages our brains

Clips: Sky News, Fox News, The Guardian, GB News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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‘It’s a disaster’: Leave voters on 10 years of Brexit

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

It’s been ten years, six prime ministers and one pandemic since Britain voted to exit the European Union. So what do Leave voters think of the choice they made? Is the country any better off now than in 2016? We decided to ask some of them.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Oliver Wright, policy editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Harry Bligh.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Has Britain become ungovernable?

Clips: BBC, AP, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Have PM resignations become a new British disease?

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Sir Keir Starmer resigned as prime minister yesterday morning, clearing the way for Andy Burnham to take the top job. But how did a leader who won a historic landslide election just 2 years ago become the shortest serving Labour prime minister in history? Is Burnham offering anything fundamentally different? And with 7 leaders in the past 10 years, have prime ministerial resignations become a new British disease?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy, associate editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Harry Bligh.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Keir Starmer resigns. Andy Burnham prepares for power.

Clips: BBC, Sky News, Forbes.

Photo: Getty Images.

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LATEST: Starmer resigns

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:49:07 GMT

After weeks of intensifying pressure from ministers, backbenchers, and former allies, Keir Starmer made the only decision he really could – to resign. If Andy Burnham runs unchallenged to replace him, we could have a new prime minister as soon as July. So what do the next few weeks look like for this lame duck leader? And what does this latest bout of political turmoil do to Britain’s standing in the world?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Anna Mikhailova, political editor, Times Radio.
Fraser Nelson, columnist, The Times.
Jack Straw, former Labour foreign secretary.

Host: Stephen Sackur.

Producers: Maxie Allen, Donnie Campbell.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Keir Starmer resigns. Andy Burnham prepares for power

Clips: BBC News, Parliament.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Starmer's final days

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The Prime Minister has been hunkered down in his Chequers residence, trying to decide what to do: resign or fight. The pressure on him to step down has now reached fever pitch since Andy Burnham’s by-election win last week. But as ministers jostle for position in a potential new government, who is still telling him to fight on? And if he does give in, how much would actually change under a Prime Minister Burnham?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The State of It: Andy Burnham wins Makerfield: what happens now?

Clips: BBC News, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The men who made the World Cup - The Sunday Story

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Nearly 7,000 men have played in the World Cup since it began in 1930. To capture some of their extraordinary stories, The Times' football reporter James Gheerbrant set out on a quest to track down 48 players from the 48 countries playing in this year's tournament. We hear the remarkable memories of 3 of them: One of the old surviving players, another who trained under the shadow of gunfire in Vietnam, and a final player whose team endured death threats.

Guest: James Gheerbrant, football reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Who is the “king of soccer" Gianni Infantino?

Clips: ITN, BBC, CNN.

Photo: Getty Images.

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I found my birth father at 24. Then we fell in love - The Saturday Story

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Sophia Greenwood was adopted as a baby and spent years searching for her biological parents. When she finally met her father at the age of 24, neither could have predicted what happened next. Their relationship would spark controversy, lead to criminal proceedings, and shape the rest of their lives.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Written by: Sophia Greenwood and Helen Croydon.

Read by: Molly Guinness.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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The State of It: Andy Burnham wins Makerfield: what happens now?

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:35:00 GMT

Andy Burnham's victory in Makerfield makes him Labour leader and prime minister in waiting. How will the next days and weeks play out? Keir Starmer has said he will stand in a leadership contest if one is triggered. So does that mean a bloody contest rather than a coronation? In a special episode recorded live on Times Radio with Ed Vaizey, we go through the possible scenarios.

Hosts:

Ed Vaizey, presenter, Times Radio
Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times

Producers: Harry Kitson, Erin Carney

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images

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What Iranians really think of Trump's peace deal

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding this week to begin negotiations toward a broader peace agreement in the Middle East. But what does the deal look like inside Iran? And how are ordinary Iranians responding to this moment?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Fatemeh Jamalpour, Iranian journalist in exile and author of For the Sun After Long Nights.

Host: Luke Jones

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Elle Scott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Will Trump’s Iran peace deal hold?

Clips: NBC, CNN, The Guardian, Donald Trump - Truth Social, PBS, Al Jazeera.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The 'mastermind behind UK arson attacks'

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Eighteen firebombings across Europe, including in London, have all been allegedly traced back to one man. Iranian-backed Mohammed al-Saadi was finally caught by the FBI last month. But how did a man no one had heard of come to allegedly execute these orders? And how was he finally caught?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Dipesh Gadher, home affairs correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: ABC, i24News.

Photo: FBI, Instagram.

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Who is the “king of soccer" Gianni Infantino?

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

As England kick off their World Cup campaign tonight, one man will be impossible to ignore: FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Hailed by supporters as the man who transformed football’s governing body and accused by critics of chasing power and influence, he's become one of the most powerful figures in global sport. But who is the man at the centre of football's biggest stage?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Martyn Ziegler chief sports reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Dave Creasey and Edward Drummond.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The Game

Clips: BBC News, FIFA, Sky News, Channel 4 News, Fox News, CNN.

Image: Getty Images.

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UK social media ban: an end to brain rot and doomscrolling?

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The government has announced a ban on some social media platforms for under-16s. It’s a move that echoes a similar ban introduced by the Australian government, which came into effect in December. So what are teens actually looking at on social media? And will a ban help?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mark Sellman, technology correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Harry Bligh.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: How infinite scrolling damages our brains - The Saturday Story

Clips: The Times, Times Radio, Revealing Reality, BBC News, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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LATEST: Will Trump’s Iran peace deal hold?

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:50:12 GMT

Donald Trump has announced that his much trailed peace deal with Iran is to be signed this Friday, bringing an end to hostilities between the two countries and opening up the strait of Hormuz. With the fine print still to be worked out, many questions about the deal remain. Can it bring some stability to the world economy? And will it actually bring peace to the Middle East in the long term?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Mohamed El-Erian, economist and former International Monetary Fund Deputy Director
Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, former US ambassador and president of the Middle East Policy Council, now senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Hosts: Jane Garvey and Fi Glover.

Producer: Hannah Quinn.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: “Everyone hates you now” - Could Lebanon cost Trump his Iran deal?

Photo: Getty Images.

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The G7 v Donald Trump

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The annual G7 summit starts today in France. The normally stuffy, formal affair has been shaken up in recent years by Donald Trump, who has sparred with nearly all of America’s allies. So is the G7 still the powerful, united global force it once was? And with China building its own alliance, how should it respond?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Catherine Philp, world affairs editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Could China become the world's policeman?

Clips: Arirang News, Al Jazeera, BBC News, The Hill, Dawn News English, PBS.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Ghost Mountain: part three - The network

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Following months of police inaction over the disappearance of British tourist Lorna McSorley, we reveal a high-tech breakthrough. A new digital trail reveals potential suspects who might hold the answer to what happened - and seems to confirm the worst of local fears.

This is the final episode of a special three-part investigation.

WARNING: This episode contains graphic descriptions of murder and violence.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Jane Flanagan.

Producer: Harry Stott.

Executive Producers: Taryn Siegel and Kate Lamble.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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Ghost Mountain: part two - Strong medicine

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

With the South African police’s search for missing British tourist Lorna McSorley gone cold, locals take matters into their own hands. Their investigation uncovers extraordinary and deeply troubling facts about her disappearance, linking it to a string of other missing people in the area.

This is part two of a special three-part investigation.

WARNING: This episode contains graphic descriptions of murder and violence.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Jane Flanagan.

Producer: Harry Stott.

Executive Producers: Taryn Siegel and Kate Lamble.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: Newzroom Afrika / Youtube.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Ghost Mountain: part one - Beware, crocodiles

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Seventy one-year-old British tourist Lorna McSorley went out for a walk near South Africa's Ghost Mountain. She never returned.

In the first part of this three-part investigation, we travel to the remote, superstitious heart of KwaZulu-Natal to retrace Lorna’s final steps. As the police search hits a dead end, bizarre rumours begin to emerge - including talk of witchcraft and an illicit trade in body parts.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Jane Flanagan.

Producer: Harry Stott.

Executive Producers: Taryn Siegel and Kate Lamble.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: Newzroom Afrika / Youtube.

Photo: Getty Images.

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LATEST: Defence secretary resigns

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 16:26:29 GMT

Defence Secretary John Healey resigned this afternoon, over the government’s much delayed defence funding plan. In a letter to the prime minister, Healey said Keir Starmer had been “unable” to commit resources that the UK desperately needs. So what does this mean for Starmer’s leadership? And will taxpayers ultimately be left to foot the bill?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Anna Mikhailova, political editor, Times Radio.
Larisa Brown, defence editor, The Times.
General Sir John McColl, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

Host: John Pienaar.

Producers: Angus Mitchell, Sofia Johanson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Has Britain become ungovernable?

Photo: Getty Images.

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Belfast on fire

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

There has been a second night of riots in Belfast following a knife attack in the Northern Irish city on Monday. Yesterday authorities called for calm after vehicles and houses were set alight. As violent anti-immigration protests continue, what’s it like on the ground and what can the government do going forward?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Constance Kampfner, northern correspondent, The Times
Oliver Wright, policy editor, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Belfast attack latest

Further listening: What Henry Nowak’s murder means for policing

Clips: X, The Times, BBC, Times Radio.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The ticking time bomb Netanyahu faces at home

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The fragile ceasefire in the Middle East appears to be unravelling, with Iran and Israel exchanging missile strikes. The violence has been met with fury from President Trump, who’s been pushing to get a peace deal over the line for weeks. So why is Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu risking his relationship with his greatest ally? And how much are pressures at home dictating Israel's stance in the war?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel correspondent, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Sophie McNulty

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: “Everyone hates you now” - Could Lebanon cost Trump his Iran deal?

Clips: The Times, Fox News, Al Jazeera.

Photo: Getty Images.

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West Ham owner accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The billionaire David Sullivan has been accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour by several women dating back to the 1980s. In a joint investigation with the BBC, The Times has spoken to seven women about their experiences.

In his statement on 4 June, Sullivan announced his immediate resignation as joint-chair and director of West Ham, saying the “false allegations” had been “sensationalised” and none related to his time in football. He added: “After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry in which I have met thousands of women, it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me. I categorically deny these claims.” Before publication, Sullivan said that he reserved his legal rights in relation to “false or defamatory allegations” and would not be commenting further at this stage.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Charlotte Wace, investigations correspondent, The Times.
Shanti Das, senior investigations reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

Additional thanks to:

James Beal, investigations editor, The Times.
Charlotte Alt, news reporter, The Times.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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Nigeria is killing its own civilians

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

On Sunday 10 May, the Nigerian military bombed a crowded market in the north of the country. It claimed terrorists were the target, but in reality, more than 100 civilians were killed and dozens more injured. The Sunday Times has gone to northern Nigeria to speak to survivors and investigate the attack.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Louise Callaghan, foreign correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: Radio 95.3FM, News Central TV, BBC, Arise News.

Photo: The Sunday Times.

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The big coup: How a small-time horse trainer took on the bookies - The Sunday Story

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

There’s an old saying in horse racing: “You can’t beat the bookies.” But what happens when a trainer uses inside information to try and prove that saying wrong? Is it right to do something that might be slightly questionable to beat the bookmakers who would do everything to beat you?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: David Walsh, chief sports writer, The Sunday Times

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Sophie McNulty

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Can rugby survive its head injury problem?

Clips: Racing TV.

Photo: Getty Images.

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How infinite scrolling damages our brains - The Saturday Story

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

What starts as a quick check of social media can quickly turn into an hour lost to scrolling. The culprit is infinite scroll, a feature once built for convenience that has become one of the most powerful tools ever created for holding our attention. In fact, it's now thought the average Brit will spend five years of their waking lives doomscrolling. So how did infinite scroll come to dominate our online lives and what is it doing to our brains?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Fleur Britten, contributor, The Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Further reading: I created infinite scroll. Now I regret how it damages our brains

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Ilustration by Jasmine lee

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What Henry Nowak's murder means for policing

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

In December 2025, 18 year-old Henry Nowak was stabbed in the street. This week, his murderer Vickrum Digwa was given a life sentence. The case has ignited a debate about whether so-called 'two-tier policing' exists in the UK. So where does this leave our police forces?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Matt Dathan, home affairs editor, The Times.
Chris Hobbs, retired police officer.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case, Colette Fountain, Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Makerfield: the by-election which could decide the next election.

Clips: BT, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, Sky, Daily Express, The Financial Express, Parliamentlive.tv,

Photo: Adobe stock.

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Makerfield: the by-election which could decide the next prime minister

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

It’s the Makerfield by-election on June 18th and one of Keir Starmer’s key challengers - Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham - is vying for a seat. If he becomes the MP it’ll enable him to challenge Starmer for the top job. Elsewhere there’s a battle on the right as Reform and Restore Britain face off. But who's got the best chance of success, in this complicated constituency that’s more than meets the eye?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Darryl Morris, presenter, Times Radio.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Fordingbridge rape victim: “I’m the one being punished”

Clips: Restore Britain / Instagram, BBC, The Guardian, Mayor of Manchester / YouTube, @andy.burnham / TikTok, Reform UK.

Photo: Getty Images.

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“Everyone hates you now” - Could Lebanon cost Trump his Iran deal?

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

An alleged expletive-filled phone call between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu has laid bare deep tensions over the war in Lebanon. As the conflict escalates, could it derail Trump's hopes of securing a deal with Iran?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Dr Lina Khatib, Associate fellow at the Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House.
George Grylls, Washington Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Dave Creasey and Colette Fountain.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Is Lebanon the key to peace in the Middle East?

Clips: CNN.

Photo: Getty Images.

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LATEST: Henry Nowak murder sparks outrage

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:21:45 GMT

A student, Henry Nowak, who had been stabbed repeatedly told police “I can’t breathe” as they handcuffed him minutes before he died, newly-released bodycam footage has revealed. His attacker, Vickrum Digwa, falsely alleged that Nowak had racially abused him and knocked his turban off, prompting police to handcuff the teenager.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Oli Wright, policy editor, The Times.

Host: John Pienaar.

Producers: Sandra Mitchell, Sofia Johanson

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: Parliament TV, Nigel Farage, Good Morning Britain.

Photo: Courtesy of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

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The Mandelson files released

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

On Monday, the government released more than a thousand documents related to Peter Mandelson’s controversial appointment as ambassador to the US. It’s one of the largest publications of secret documents to parliament in UK history. The files contain insights into how Mandelson operated and what he, and ministers, really thought of the prime minister. So what does all this mean for the embattled Keir Starmer?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: When Andrew met Mandelson

Clips: Parliament.tv.

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How to prepare for the AI job apocalypse

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:01:00 GMT

As AI continues to grow, its innovators have warned of its potential impact on jobs. Meanwhile, young people in the UK are facing record levels of unemployment. Fearing for his own teenage daughter’s future, one Microsoft veteran has taken matters into his own hands and used data to identify the most AI-proof jobs.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Babith Bhoopalan, creator, AI Career Playbook.
Thea Babith.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Colette Fountain.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more:

Photo: Chona Kasinger for The Times.

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Gisele Pelicot: "I don’t want to be a victim anymore" - The Sunday Story

Sun, 31 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Gisèle Pelicot has become a symbol of dignity, courage and defiance after waiving her anonymity and insisting her trial — in which dozens of men were accused of raping her while she was drugged unconscious by her husband — be held in public. In a rare interview, she speaks to Jane Garvey about why she no longer wants to be defined as a victim.

This episode originally aired on Off Air with Jane an Fi on 26th May 2026.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Jane Garvey

Producers: Dave Creasey, Eve Salusbury and Rosie Cutler.

Further reading: Gisèle Pelicot: Pornography is a scourge on childhood

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images

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How George Michael changed my life - The Saturday Story

Sat, 30 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Pressures of migrant parents, the shackles of family expectation, and the urge to reinvent yourself in 90s Britain - all themes that connect writer Sathnam Sanghera with George Michael. Growing up in Wolverhampton as the son of Sikh immigrants, Sanghera was a teenage Wham obsessive, later finding unexpected parallels with the pop star’s life, and his own.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Sathnam Sanghera, contributor, The Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Further reading: Sathnam Sanghera: how George Michael changed my life

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: BBC, CNN, ITV. Faith - George Michael.

Photo: Robert Wilson for the Times magazine.

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Q&A: Iran latest and the Makerfield by-election

Fri, 29 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

As discussions - and tensions - rumble on in the Middle East, what are the stumbling blocks that have prevented a peace deal so far? And the Makerfield by-election which could help decide our next prime minister is fast approaching; we’ve got all you need to know on both topics, in our monthly Q&A.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Hosts: Manveen Rana and Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Is Trump being out-negotiated over Iran?

Clip: BBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Fordingbridge rape victim: “I’m the one being punished”

Thu, 28 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

In January last year, a 14 year old girl we’re calling Olivia, was attacked by three boys in Fordingbridge in Hampshire. Two were aged 14 and one just 13 years old. One of the boys raped her while the other two filmed the attack. Just two months earlier, the older boys had attacked another girl in an underpass in the same town.

The three boys were convicted of ten rape charges related to the two attacks. But they were given rehabilitation orders rather than jail time. It’s a decision which has sparked outrage. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister announced their sentence will now be reviewed.

Now, Olivia and her family have spoken to The Times about the trauma they've experienced and what they hope will happen next.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Jessica Sharkey, crime correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Harry Stott, Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: She convicted her rapist years after her death

Clips: Channel 5 News, ITN, BBC, The Times.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Is Trump being out-negotiated over Iran?

Wed, 27 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Iranian officials remain in Qatar, negotiating the details of a possible peace plan for the region. Discussions continue even after American strikes hit targets in southern Iran late on Monday. So, is peace actually within reach? What’s really on the table? And after months of escalation and bluster, could President Trump end up the biggest loser in all of this?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Michael Stephens, senior associate fellow, RAND Europe and RUSI.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: How did Pakistan become the peacemakers?

Clips: The White House, CNN, Channel 4 News, NBC News, Fox News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Unrest in the Falklands

Tue, 26 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

A leaked Pentagon memo suggesting the US could withdraw support for British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands has thrust the remote territory back into the global spotlight. The controversy revived memories of war in 1982, when the Argentinian junta attempted to assert their own claim to the islands. The scars of that conflict are still deeply felt – so could US statements renew fears of invasion? And what is life like for islanders today?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Matthew Campbell, foreign features editor, The Times and Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Julia Webster and Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Why Svalbard could be in Putin’s sights

Clips: Sky News, C5N, BBC.

Photo: Sunday Times photographer Jack Hill.

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Inside the Femosphere: No hook-ups and men must pay

Mon, 25 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

With the manosphere in mainstream, make way for the "femosphere". A movement urging women to rethink love entirely. Less romance and more strategy, no splitting the bill and no over-investing emotionally. But is it a bleak vision of dating, or the future of feminism?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests: Sarah Ditum, contributor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Dave Creasey

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: The Female Dating Strategy, CNN.

Photo: Getty Images.

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She convicted her rapist years after her death - The Sunday Story

Sun, 24 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Sue Firth did all she could to bring the man who raped her to justice. Within hours of the assault, in the early morning of September 7 1985, she had reported it to police. A manhunt ensued, but yielded nothing. In 1997, aged 39, Firth died. But this was not the end of her story. Three decades after her death, all that she did on the night of the attack has helped to convict her rapist.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Please be advised that this episode contains discussions of rape. If you or someone you know has been affected by anything in this podcast, help is available.

Rape Crisis England & Wales is the feminist charity working to end child sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual violence.

Call our free 24/7 Support Line on 0808 500 2222 or chat online at 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk.

Guests:

Martin Sills, brother of Susan Firth

Robert Varey, former detective sergeant, South Yorkshire Police.

Dave Stopfort, head of Major Incident Review team, South Yorkshire Police.

Host: Lottie Hayton.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further reading: Sue died in 1997 — and got her rapist convicted in 2026

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Courtesy of Martin Sills.

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I made reality TV; it's even more extreme now - The Saturday Story

Sat, 23 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Former contestants on Married At First Sight this week made serious allegations of rape and sexual misconduct. All men accused deny any wrong doing. For TV producer and writer Daisy Goodwin, creator of shows like Grand Designs and Victoria, it’s another sign that reality TV is losing its grip, with people getting hurt. So how did we get here?

Ready by: Daisy Goodwin, TV producer and writer for The Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: C4, BBC.

Photo: Getty Images

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LATEST: Andrew inquiry looks into 'sexual misconduct' allegations

Fri, 22 May 2026 14:25:30 GMT

Two significant developments surround the story of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. First, detectives investigating Andrew could examine allegations of sexual misconduct and corruption as part of their inquiry into potential misconduct in public office. Andrew has not been charged and denies all wrongdoing. Secondly, newly released government files show that it was the late Queen’s wish for Andrew to take on the prominent trade envoy role now under scrutiny.

On The Royals podcast, Roya Nikkhah is joined by The Sunday Times’s Whitehall correspondent Katie Tarrant to discuss the latest police developments and unpack the government files. We also hear from Fiona Hamilton, chief news correspondent for The Times, on the Thames Valley Police briefing.

Producer: Robert Wallace.

Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia.

Image: Getty.

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How did Pakistan become the peacemakers?

Fri, 22 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

For decades, Pakistan was viewed by Western leaders with deep suspicion. They were accused of taking billions in US counter terrorism funding, while allegedly harbouring Taliban networks at the same time – even Osama Bin Laden himself. Now, that same country finds itself at the centre of efforts to broker peace between the US and Iran. So how did Pakistan pull off one of the most dramatic geopolitical reinventions of the modern era? And who's side are they really on?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests: Christina Lamb, chief foreign correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Dave Creasey & Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: BBC, CNN.

Photo: Getty Images

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Has Britain become ungovernable?

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

With Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership on the brink, the revolving door of Number 10 feels like it has never been more pronounced. But is this true? Why is Britain burning through leaders at record speed? And has the country become fundamentally ungovernable?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy, associate editor, The Sunday Times

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Sophie McNulty, Colette Fountain

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Labour’s Brexit conundrum

Clips: BBC, 10 Downing Street - YouTube, The Guardian, Keir Starmer - Facebook, The Independent, Times Radio, Pharos Foundation, UK Parliament

Photo: Getty Images.

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The return of Ebola

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

A new Ebola outbreak, driven by a rare strain of the virus, has struck the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The rapid rise in cases and deaths suggests that the virus had been circulating for some time before the alarm was raised. So why wasn’t it detected sooner? And have recent international aid cuts made us more vulnerable to outbreaks of infectious diseases?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Paul Hunter, professor in medicine, University of East Anglia.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Julia Webster.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: How the hantavirus cruise ship nightmare unfolded - The Saturday Story

Clips: PBS, AFP.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Labour's Brexit conundrum

Mon, 18 May 2026 23:01:00 GMT

Andy Burnham, a potential leadership challenger to Sir Keir Starmer as PM, has said that re-running Brexit arguments is "the last thing we should do right now" after Wes Streeting put the EU back on the agenda. Ahead of one of the most significant by-elections in recent political history, could the Brexit debate define the future of the Labour party, as well as the country at large?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest:

Max Kendix, political correspondent for The Times
Joe Twyman, founder and director of Deltapoll

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Julia Webster and Harry Stott

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Labour at war

Clips: BBC, Manchester Evening News, The Guardian

Photo: Shaun Parkinson and Getty Images.

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Why Svalbard could be in Putin’s sights

Mon, 18 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is home to a Russian settlement where signs are in cyrillic and inhabitants pay for their groceries in rubles. It’s also at the heart of the scramble between global powers for resources, so as the Arctic sea ice melts opening up the region, could Svalbard become the next geopolitical flashpoint?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Matthew Campbell, foreign features editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Harry Stott and Edward Drummond.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: Forces News, Russia 1.

Photo: Jack Hill/The Times.

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Sunday Times Rich List: Britain’s Billionaire Exodus - The Sunday Story

Sun, 17 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

This year’s Sunday Times Rich List offers a revealing snapshot of modern Britain’s fortunes, from the Gallagher brothers returning after their sell-out comeback shows, to David and Victoria Beckham officially joining the billionaire club. But beyond the celebrity headlines lies a much bigger story: Britain’s accelerating wealth exodus, as billionaires, investors and entrepreneurs increasingly move overseas. What’s driving the rich out of Britain and what could it mean for the country’s future?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Robert Watts, Rich List compiler, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Illustration: Emanuel Santos for The Sunday Times Magazine

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How the hantavirus cruise ship nightmare unfolded - The Saturday Story

Sat, 16 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The luxury cruise ship, MV Hondius, became a floating nightmare when passengers aboard the contracted hantavirus, leaving three people dead and triggering an international emergency response. But what really happened? And could the outbreak have been contained sooner?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Shabnam Grewal.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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Labour at war

Fri, 15 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The Labour psychodrama continues. Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary on Thursday afternoon, stating that it was clear Sir Keir Starmer would not lead the Labour Party into the next general election. However he has not yet triggered a leadership contest. Meanwhile, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said he’ll plan to run for a parliamentary seat in a by-election. So, where does this leave the party? And what will happen next?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Harry Bligh

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Keir Starmer latest - live page

Further listening: What the hell’s going on in Westminster?

Clips: Sky News, BBC, C4 News, Times Radio

Photo: Getty Images.

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Trump meets Xi - what's at stake?

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Donald Trump is in Beijing for his much-anticipated trip to see President Xi - the leaders meet today. But with the US seemingly stuck in a frozen conflict in the Middle East, does Xi see Trump as a lame duck? Will he help Trump persuade Iran to end the war or could the conflict embolden Xi’s pursuit of Taiwan? And how could the trip affect the Asian pivot away from the USA and towards China?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Professor Rana Mitter, S.T. Lee Professor of U.S.-Asia Relations, Harvard.
Richard Spencer, China correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The end of the ceasefire in Iran…..or not

Clips: CNA, Fox, Reuters, Al Jazeera, Richard Nixon Foundation / YouTube.

Photo: Getty Images.

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LATEST: Is Wes Streeting about to resign?

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:07:36 GMT

This morning the Times broke the news that Wes Streeting had told allies he was preparing to resign as Health Secretary tomorrow to trigger a leadership contest. The story emerged just ahead of the King’s arrival in Westminster for the state opening of parliament. What do we know now? And what does this mean for Starmer’s future?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Anna Mikhailova, political editor, Times Radio
Aubrey Allegretti, chief political editor, The Times

Host: John Pienaar, Manveen Rana

Producers: Sandra Mitchell, Harry Bligh

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Keir Starmer latest - live page

Photo: Getty Images.

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Inside Farage’s political earthquake

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

As Keir Starmer clings on to his premiership, there’s one man continuing his victory laps. Nigel Farage’s party Reform UK was the big winner in last week’s local elections, picking up more than 1,450 council seats. So, what’s behind this? Is this just a blip – or the start of a new phase of British politics?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Callum Martin, Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: “Keir Starmer couldn’t run a bath.” What next for Labour?

Clips: BBC, Manchester Evening News, LBC, Reform UK, APT.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The State of It: Keir Starmer: the end game

Tue, 12 May 2026 15:41:32 GMT

An extraordinary day in British politics: Keir Starmer vows to fight on, but the resignations keep on coming. How long can the prime minister survive? What's next, and who will move first? Wes Streeting has one shot: will he take it? What is Andy Burnham's plan?

Recorded at Temple Church as part of the Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words.

Hosts:

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times
Gabriel Pogrund, editor of Insight, The Sunday Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture credit: Getty Images

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How Maga fell out of love with fast food

Tue, 12 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Republican voters across the United States are rejecting ultra-processed foods, marking a striking political and cultural shift. But, how did the ‘bread basket of America’ get so ultra-processed in the first place? And is this the moment Big Food faces a reckoning?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Louise Callaghan, Americas correspondent, The Sunday Times

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Sophie McNulty

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The momfluencers embracing ‘Make America Healthy Again’

Clips: Robert F Kennedy Jr. - YouTube, The White House, Fox News, Charles McCall - Instagram, The Internet Archive, US National Archives, Pringles - YouTube.

Photo: Getty Images.

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LATEST: Starmer speaks as over 50 MPs tell him to go

Mon, 11 May 2026 16:40:03 GMT

More than 50 MPs have publicly urged Keir Starmer either to resign immediately or set out a timetable for his departure as PM, after he made a speech this morning attempting to save his premiership after last week’s disastrous election results. So has he done enough to prove the doubters wrong for now?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Anna Mikhailova, political editor, Times Radio.
Steve Reed, Housing Secretary.

Host: John Pienaar.

Producer: Edward Drummond, Sandra Mitchell.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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"Keir Starmer couldn't run a bath". What next for Labour?

Mon, 11 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Labour suffered historic losses in Thursday’s elections, triggering dozens of the party’s MPs to call for Keir Starmer’s resignation. And yet, even with the party in disarray, the PM has so far remained defiant. So, can he survive? And what do the election results tell us about the country’s political future?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Dave Creasey

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Reform shake Labour to its core

Clips: BBC, ITN, Times Radio, The Times

Photo: Getty Images.

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Amanda Knox: Why I’ve turned my life into an Edinburgh comedy show - The Sunday Story

Sun, 10 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Amanda Knox was at the centre of one of the most gruesome murders and sensationalised trials of the 21st century. Accused of killing her flatmate, she transformed into a global media obsession almost overnight. Now, nearly two decades later, she’s turning that experience into an Edinburgh Fringe comedy show. Is it brave, morally questionable, or both?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Helen Rumbelow, feature writer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: ABC, CNN, BBC News, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Attenborough at 100: "Working with him was utterly thrilling" - The Saturday Story

Sat, 09 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Very few people get to see David Attenborough behind the scenes. Tony Lee Moral did, starting out as a young researcher alongside him at Bristol’s legendary Natural History Unit. As Attenborough turns 100, what's it like to observe him in his natural habitat? Tony reflects on the charm, curiosity, exacting standards and quiet humanity that made him such a remarkable person to work with.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Tony Lee Moral.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: BBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The State of It: Reform shake Labour to its core

Fri, 08 May 2026 17:40:22 GMT

For now, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer vows to stay as the Reform leader Nigel Farage calls this a “truly historic shift in British politics”.

Steven and Lara caught up at the Times office in Westminster just after 4pm to unpack the results from England’s local council and mayoral elections, alongside national contests in Scotland and Wales, as Reform and the Greens surge and Labour suffer huge losses.

Hosts:

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Picture credit: Getty Images

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Why Putin’s big parade will be a damp squib

Fri, 08 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

In Moscow, preparations are complete for tomorrow’s Victory Day celebrations. This year’s military parade will be pared back amid fears of Ukrainian drone strikes. So as the country marks its biggest celebration in muted style, five years into a grinding war, how are Russians feeling about their government and the economy? And what’s been the true impact of the war in Iran?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Alexander Gabuev, director, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre.

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producer: Callum Martin.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The descent into madness under Putin

Clips: YouTube, Times Now World, France24, FreakiAhhMilitary, APT, Daily Express.

Photo: Getty Images.

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When Andrew met Mandelson

Thu, 07 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein has been poured over by the press – but what about their relationship with one another? New Times reporting reveals they met for the first time in 1999 at an NSPCC charity event, and continued a mutually advantageous relationship for a decade. So how do the people who brought them together feel about it now? And what can it tell us about how power works in the upper echelons of British society?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Hugo Daniel, general news reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Starmer strikes back over Mandelson vetting scandal

Clips: Getty, The Lost Media Archive / Youtube, ITN.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The end of the ceasefire in Iran...or not?

Wed, 06 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

This episode was recorded before the latest announcement from President Trump pausing 'Project Freedom'.

Earlier this week President Trump launched his latest move in the Iran war... 'Project Freedom' was designed to get ships through the Strait of Hormuz under US military escort. But Iran said the plan meant the US was breaking the ceasefire and the two countries began trading missiles again. The UAE’s been hit too, at a time when it's increasingly turning to Israel for help. So how will the new allegiances being formed in fire reshape the region? Where are negotiations up to? And is there any hope of peace?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Michael Stephens, consultant and senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute and fellow at RAND Europe.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Is political violence America’s new normal?

Clips: Fox, Hugh Hewitt / YouTube.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Could Reform surge in Scotland?

Tue, 05 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

This week Scottish voters will head to the polls for the Holyrood parliamentary elections. To understand what's on people's minds, we visited Motherwell - a town where, for decades, Labour used to dominate. This year Labour appear to be haemorrhaging support across Scotland and may even fall to third place. And an unlikely party is emerging from the fallout.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Ross Thomson, editor, Wishaw Press
Richard Bolton, community development officer, Forgewood Housing Cooperative
Paul Murphy, corporate services office, Forgewood Housing Cooperative
Justin Parkes, industrial history curator, North Lanarkshire Council Museums

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Taryn Siegel

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Is Labour facing a bloodbath in Wales?

Photo: Getty Images.

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NHS spending is higher than ever. Why isn’t it working?

Mon, 04 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

NHS spending has reached record highs and shows no sign of slowing down. The government poured in £205 billion last year, yet waiting lists remain stubbornly high and patient satisfaction is at an all time low. So where is all the money going? And if spending isn’t the solution, what is?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Eleanor Hayward, Health Editor, The Times.
Tom Calver, Data Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Callum Martin and Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Is your sofa toxic?

Clips: BBC, The Guardian, Rishi Sunak / LinkedIn, The Sun, Reuters, The British Library, The Department of Health and Social Care.

Photo: Getty Images

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A rugby legend. A dementia diagnosis. And the game that failed him - The Sunday Story

Sun, 03 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

At his peak, Carl Hayman was widely regarded as the world's best tighthead prop. Then, in 2021, at just 41, he was diagnosed with early-onset dementia and probable CTE, a disease he believes was caused by the sport he loves, and one that has torn his life apart. In this intimate and devastating interview with David Walsh, Carl describes what happened, what he’s doing for the players who come after him, and what concussion means for rugby’s future.

The final part of a two-part special investigation into the crisis facing this global game. You can listen to part one here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Carl Hayman

Host: David Walsh, chief sports writer, The Sunday Times

Producer: Sophie McNulty

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Can rugby survive its head injury problem?

Photo: Getty Images.

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"Ugly ideological baggage": Why I will never get married - The Saturday Story

Sat, 02 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Marriage rates are at their lowest since 1850, and it's predicted by 2050 just 3 in 10 of us will have tied the knot. Cohabiting is now the fastest-growing family type in the UK. So what’s happening? Feminism, atheism, a mistrust of state intervention, or just an old fashion 'trend' dying out? And should cohabiting couples get the same rights as married ones?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by:

Hannah Betts, features writer, The Times.
Will Roe, executive producer, The Story.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Why I will never get married

Photo: Robert Wilson for The Times Magazine

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England’s first five-party election?

Fri, 01 May 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Could Thursday’s local elections herald the end of two party politics in England? Labour are expected to lose heavily to parties on the left and right. So how bad would it need to be for the party to replace the prime minister?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Joe Twyman, co-founder and director, DeltaPoll
Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: ‘The punishment election’: Is Labour facing a bloodbath in Wales?

Clip: Daily Express.

Photo: Getty Images

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LATEST: An antisemitic terror attack in London

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:57:43 GMT

Police have declared a terrorist incident after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green. The suspect, Essa Suleiman, is in custody and the two men are stable. Plenty of questions remain as the Jewish community reels from the latest in a series of antisemitic incidents. How can Jewish communities be protected?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Matt Dathan, home affairs editor, The Times.
Neil Basu, former head of UK counterterrorism policing.

Host: Callum Martin

Producers: Callum Martin, Olivia Case, Elizabeth Highfield, Sandra Mitchell.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: “They tried to firebomb my synagogue”: The rise in antisemitic attacks

Photo: Getty Images

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Q&A: more pain for Starmer but 'No more Mr. Nice Guy' for Iran

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Sir Keir Starmer has dodged a bullet on the Mandelson vetting scandal but did he expend too much political capital in the process? With local elections around the corner he’s not out of the woods yet, so what can we expect from next week's results? And more than 60 days into the Iran war, Trump has proclaimed there's 'No more Mr. Nice Guy' - so are we about to see renewed military action from the USA? Hosts Manveen Rana and Luke Jones are here to answer your questions in our monthly Q&A.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Hosts: Manveen Rana and Luke Jones.

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.

Producers: Olivia Case and Callum Martin.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: ‘The punishment election’: Is Labour facing a bloodbath in Wales?

Clips: The Independent, Sky.

Image: @realDonaldTrump / Truth Social

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‘The punishment election’: Is Labour facing a bloodbath in Wales?

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

South Wales has been a Labour heartland since the party formed over a century ago, but speak to people there today and you'll find support leaving in droves. So can Labour avoid an electoral car crash? Could the other main parties capitalise? Ahead of the Welsh Senedd elections next week, we travelled to Swansea to take the political temperature.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Professor Matthew Wall, professor of politics, philosophy and international relations at Swansea University and principal investigator of the 2026 Welsh election study.
Grant Berni, head of the Osprey’s supporters club.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Get ready for a pub brawl, it's local election time

Photo: Getty Images.

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The State of It: Mandelson, Starmer’s original sin comes back to haunt him

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:40:31 GMT

Morgan McSweeney has told MPs that the revelations about Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein were like a knife through his soul. The more we learn about the appointment process, the madder it sounds. And the odd thing is that crucial decisions were not written down: there are no receipts. There's a mood building in the Labour Party that Keir Starmer will need to go big or go home: come up with a bold agenda, make the case for it and then deliver it. Has he got it in him?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Hosts: Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times. Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times. Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times.

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson.

Executive producer: Molly Guinness.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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Is political violence America's new normal?

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

White House correspondents' dinner shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president. The White House says Saturday’s attack is the third 'assassination attempt' on Donald Trump in the last two years. But what do we know about Allen? And what does this all tell us about the rise of political violence in America?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

David Charter, assistant editor, US, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Nick Bryant, journalist and author of Forever War America's Unending Conflict With Itself and the Substack History Never Ended.

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Julia Webster and Olivia Case

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Can King Charles fix the special relationship?

Clips: The Obama White House / YouTube, C-SPAN, OverDriveGamesAnime / YouTube, ABC, CBS, NBC, The New Yorker, KATU News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Can King Charles fix the special relationship?

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

This episode was recorded before the events at the White House Correspondents’ Association on Saturday.

King Charles arrives in America today for a state visit to mark the country’s 250th birthday. But with US-UK relations at a low over Iran - and the Epstein scandal still looming large - the stakes are high. Last week Trump said the monarch could help repair the special relationship so will soft power bring the allies back together?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Kate Mansey, assistant editor, The Times.
Sir David Manning, former British Ambassador to America and former advisor to the Royal Household.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The Pope v Trump

Clips: The Art of the Surge: The Donald Trump Comeback / Instagram, BBC, DailyMotion, The Royal Family Channel / YouTube, ABC.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Can rugby survive its head injury problem? - The Sunday Story

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Shane Christie was one of the brightest rugby stars in New Zealand before suffering multiple concussions, leading to a brain injury that would slowly take everything from him. And his experience is far from unique. In this deeply personal account, David Walsh talks to Shane's former partner, Holly Parkes, to ask, What happened? What does Shane's story reveal about the sport he loved deeply? And can rugby survive the fallout?

This is part one of a two-part special investigation into the crisis facing this global game.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Holly Parkes

Host: David Walsh, chief sports writer, The Sunday Times

Producer: Sophie McNulty

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: The concussion files

Clips: Harlequins - YouTube.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The fight for the "trillion dollar maps" - The Saturday Story

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Hidden in a quiet Belgian archive, century-old colonial maps of the Democratic Republic of Congo may hold the key to an estimated $24 trillion in untapped minerals. Now the United States, backed by Trump, together with the likes of Jeff Bezos, want them. The curators, however, are in no hurry to hand them over.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Written by: Madeleine Spence, deputy editor for News Review, The Sunday Times.

Read by: Olivia Case.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: DW, BBC.

Photo: Getty Images, The Sunday Times.

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Is the American Dream dying?

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The American Dream is as old as the United States itself. But as the country marks its 250th anniversary, with economic uncertainty, political turbulence and social divisions all on the rise, do ordinary Americans still believe? The Times and YouGov spoke to 1800 of them to find out – and we've got their analysis.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

David Charter, assistant editor (US), The Times.
Tom Calver, data editor, The Times and Sunday Times.

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producer: Callum Martin and Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Five years on from the Jan 6 riots, how has the US president changed America?

Clips: SullenToys / YouTube, Zohran Mamdani / YouTube.

Photo: Getty Images.

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"They tried to firebomb my synagogue": The rise in antisemitic attacks

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Attacks targeting the Jewish community have surged in recent weeks, with synagogues and community centres being hit. Many people are feeling increasingly vulnerable, but what's behind this escalation? And how is it impacting Jewish people?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

David Woode, crime editor, The Times
Josh Glancy, associate editor, The Sunday Times

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Dave Creasey & Edward Drummond.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Danny Finkelstein: How the world’s antisemites turned on me

Clips: Channel 4, BBC News, ITV News, Times Radio, Daily Mirror.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Is Lebanon the key to peace in the Middle East?

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:48:58 GMT

The shaky ceasefire between Iran and the US has been extended. Whether it lasts much longer or fighting resumes depends partly on Lebanon, where another fragile truce has been struck between Israel and the Iranian proxy group Hezbollah. So why is Lebanon so important to peace with Iran? And what happens if the ceasefire fails?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Jack Clover, assistant foreign news editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Edward Drummond.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Trump’s ceasefire with Iran - what’s in it and what’s next

Clips: Channel 4, The Guardian, CNN, Global News, Middle East Eye, Reuters.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The State Of It: Starmer picks a fight with the wrong guy

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:12:01 GMT

Sir Olly Robbins dropped bombshell after bombshell when he spoke to MPs. Robbins, who was sacked as the Foreign Office’s chief civil servant, has accused Downing Street of placing the department under constant pressure to get Lord Mandelson through vetting. He also said the prime minister had tried to find an ambassadorial job for Matthew Doyle, another Labour peer who's been in trouble for a friendship with a paedophile. Where does it all leave Sir Keir Starmer?

Plus, we reveal when the next tranche of Mandelson files will be published.

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times
Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture credit: Parliament TV

Clips: Parliament TV

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Starmer strikes back over Mandelson vetting scandal

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Yesterday evening Sir Keir Starmer defended himself in Parliament, stating ‘the facts are incredible,’ but ‘nobody’ in Number 10 knew that Peter Mandelson failed security vetting. Addressing MPs, the prime minister rejected the suggestion that the government’s desire to appoint Mandelson overrode security concerns. Immediately after, we caught up with the Times’ political editor to ask, who exactly knew what when? And how does this all end?

Mandelson denies any wrongdoing when it comes to his relationship with Epstein.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times

Host: Rosie Wright

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Olivia Case

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Can Keir Starmer survive the scandal over Mandelson and Epstein?

Clips: Sky News, The Guardian, Keir Starmer - X, The Times, BBC

Photo: Getty Images.

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My daughter was shot dead by her father. Why wasn’t he arrested?

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:05:00 GMT

Jane Coates’ daughter Lucy was just 23 when she was shot and killed by her father, while visiting him in Texas. US authorities quickly ruled her death an accident and no charges were brought. But as The Sunday Times reveals holes in Lucy’s father’s account, Jane wants the case reopened.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest:

Katie Tarrant, news reporter for The Sunday Times
Jane Coates, victim’s mother
Sam Littler, victim’s boyfriend and witness

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Julia Webster

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Father shot daughter dead after ‘arguing about Donald Trump

Photo: Picture provided by the family, graphic by Kathia Mestanza

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Can Britney ever truly be free? - The Sunday Story

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

A strict conservatorship, control of her finances, breakdowns, nonstop media pressure and divorce. It's been one hell of a journey for the Princess of Pop, but the latest news that Britney Spears has entered rehab leaves fans asking the question, will she ever be truly free?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Helen Rumbelow, feature writer for the Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: NBC, ABC, CNN, hugebritneyfan, britneyonline.

Music: Baby One More Time - Britney Spears - Sony Music Entertainment.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Justice is done after a shocking wrongful conviction - The Saturday Story

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Yesterday afternoon in Manchester, a man was found guilty of a brutal rape for which an innocent person had been wrongly jailed for more than 17 years. We bring you a special update to our groundbreaking podcast series Seventeen Years - The Andrew Malkinson Story, which first highlighted this tragic miscarriage of justice.

You can listen to the full series on The Times Investigates feed: https://pod.fo/e/3256f8

Hosts: Will Roe & Emily Dugan, Sunday Times' Special correspondent.

Producer: Will Roe.

Clips: Greater Manchester Police.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

If you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations can help:

Rape Crisis England & Wales

NHS - Help after rape and sexual assault

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Appeal - Charity and law practice

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LATEST: Can Keir Starmer survive the scandal over Mandelson and Epstein?

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:30:00 GMT

The prime minister says he's "furious" over the latest twist in the Epstein scandal, amid revelations the child sex offender’s former friend Peter Mandelson was appointed British ambassador to the US despite failing security vetting. For months, Keir Starmer insisted his ambassador was properly appointed. Today, he admitted this was not the case. So, what went wrong? And what does it mean for the future of Starmer’s government?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Ollie Cole, Times Radio newsroom reporter
Leigh Turner, former Ambassador to Austria and Ukraine

Host: Carolyn Quinn

Producers: Sandra Mitchell, Sofia Johanson

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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Is the Iran war about to upend life in Britain?

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The economic ripples caused by the Iran war are beginning to have an impact across the globe, from fuel rationing across South-East Asia, to fuel protests in Ireland. The IMF’s recent report on the global economy makes for grim reading – and the UK comes out as one of the worst affected of the G7. So could food and fuel shortages be coming to the UK? And how will the government try to mitigate the worst effects?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Rob Doran, director of Black Dog Crisis Management.
Jack Barnett, economics correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Harry Stott, Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: BBC, ABC NEWS (Australia), RTE, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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How the Iran war could help China take Taiwan

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Behind the scenes of Iran’s war, China’s been forging alliances, stockpiling oil and building resilience in the form of renewable energy. So how could all of this help it attack Taiwan? When might it happen? And can anyone stop them?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Cindy Yu, columnist and contributing editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The Pope v Trump

Clips: Fox, Bloomberg, Times of India, Hoover Institution.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The Pope v Trump

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Over the weekend, Donald Trump posted an image of himself as a Jesus Christ like figure, which was subsequently deleted. It came after the President and the Pope exchanged a war of words over the conflict in Iran. What’s behind this latest spat, and how could it affect Trump’s standing among American’s Christians?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Kaya Burgess, science and religious affairs correspondent, The Times, and
Christopher Hale, Democratic operative and author of Letters from Leo substack.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Edward Drummond.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: Times Radio, Fox News, Vatican News, 9News, BBC, Forbes, USA Today, CBS News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Did Trump lose Viktor Orban his election?

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Viktor Orban, the far-right prime minister of Hungary who led the country for 16 years, was ousted in a landslide electoral defeat on Sunday. He lost to his former ally turned critic, Péter Magyar, despite a strong show of support from the Trump administration. So what does Orban’s defeat mean for Trump? And for the far-right in Europe?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Julia Webster.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The election that could change Hungary

Clips: Al Jazeera, APT News, CSPAN, Fox, Associated Press, United 24 Media, The White House via YouTube.

Photo: Getty Images.

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INVESTIGATION: Meet the smuggling kingpins behind the deadly Channel crossings

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The city of Ranya– a small town in Northern Iraq– is more than 2,500 miles from Calais and Dunkirk. But it has a near monopoly on the people smuggling gangs that traffic migrants across the English Channel. The Times visited Ranya to meet the kingpins and ask: how did one village become responsible for Britain’s small boats crisis?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Shayma Bakht, reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: ‘Repugnant’ or necessary? The new asylum rules

Clips: Getty Images, DRM News.

Photo: Times Media Ltd.

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London Falling Part 2: The Truth - The Sunday Story

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

In this special two part podcast, Whitehall editor at The Sunday Times, Gabriel Pogrund, is joined by the preeminent investigative journalist and author Patrick Radden Keefe.

On a cold November night in 2019, 19 year old Zac Brettler jumped to his death from the balcony of a luxury London apartment. Police concluded it was suicide, however, under Radden Keefe's forensic microscope together with Gabriel's own Sunday Times investigation, serious questions are raised about what really happened that night, and whether it was suicide after all. It's a tale rooted in London's criminal underground, and now the subject of Radden Keefe's latest book, London Falling.

In episode 2: What really happened on the night Zac died? Gabriel gets hold of some crucial new evidence which calls into question the Met Police's investigation.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Gabriel Pogrund - Whitehall editor at The Sunday Times.

Guest: Patrick Radden Keefe.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Executive Producer: Kate Ford

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: The Times, design by Cecilia Tombesi.

Click here to buy London Falling at the times bookshop.

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London Falling Part 1: The Fall - The Saturday Story

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

In this special two part podcast, Whitehall editor at The Sunday Times, Gabriel Pogrund, is joined by the preeminent investigative journalist and author Patrick Radden Keefe.

In this episode we hear about how a young man, born into a wealthy family, become embroiled with a notorious London gangster.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Gabriel Pogrund - Whitehall editor at The Sunday Times

Guest: Patrick Radden Keefe

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Executive Producer: Kate Ford

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: The Times, design by Cecilia Tombesi.

Click here to buy London Falling at the times bookshop.

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INVESTIGATION: Is your sofa toxic?

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

For decades UK sofas have contained chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and infertility because of uniquely strict fire rules. Up to a fifth of their foam consists of a chemical not used in any other country’s sofas, but is now classed “probably carcinogenic to humans” by the World Health Organisation. So how deadly is your sofa, why is the UK an outlier and are things set to improve?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Martina Lees, senior property reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

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Trump's ceasefire with Iran - what’s in it and what next

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

After mounting hostilities and Trump’s threats that ‘a whole civilization will die’ unless Iran backs down, Tehran and Washington have agreed to a two week ceasefire. Now, they’re discussing a ten-point plan to permanently end the war. But is this the end of the fighting or just a pause? What’s in the peace plan? And has this conflict taught Iran that it can hold the world to ransom?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The West Bank land grab no one’s watching

Clips: BBC, CNN, AP, CSPAN, NDTV, The Mary Trump Podcast.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The West Bank land grab no one’s watching

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

With the world’s attention fixed on the war in Iran, Israeli settler gangs are rapidly and violently expanding outposts in the West Bank – seemingly with impunity. So, what’s it like on the ground? Is the Israeli government softening to the ‘extremist’ settler movement? And will settlers ever be held accountable?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Richard Spencer, world affairs correspondent, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Taryn Siegel

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The Board of Peace: the new UN or Trump’s vanity project?

Clips: CNN, France 24, BBC, CBS, ABC 7, Middle East Eye.

Photo: Getty Images.

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INVESTIGATION: Inside Britain’s biggest Ponzi scheme

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Thousands of pensioners invested their life savings into London Capital and Finance before it was revealed to be the UK’s biggest ever Ponzi scheme. Now, new Times reporting shows how the millions in investments were lavishly spent by LCF’s founders. So how was a scheme on this scale allowed to take root in the first place?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Jim Armitage, contributing editor, The Sunday Times.
Antonia Summer, investor in LCF.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Harry Stott, Callum Martin.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: Rehman Chisti MP / Facebook.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Will voters back "the poster boy for the far-right"?

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Hungary goes to the polls on Sunday and for the first time in sixteen years, Donald Trump’s right-wing ally Viktor Orbán might lose his iron grip on power. But who is this man who’s ruled the country for so long? What do we know about the man who could unseat him? And what would a loss for Orbán mean for the populist right and for Europe as a whole?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Peter Conradi, Europe editor, The Sunday Times
Victor Sebestyen, journalist and author covering Eastern Europe & Russia

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Sophie McNulty, Olivia Case

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: Bloomberg, DRM News, Péter Magyar - YouTube

Photo: Getty Images, The Times.

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The contract killing scandal rocking France’s MI6 - The Sunday Story

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

It's the trial rocking France's intelligence service. Two guards who had always dreamt of going under cover were allegedly tricked into a plot to kill a ‘Mossad agent’, who was nothing of the sort. It's an unbelievable tale of freemasons, fake missions - and real violence, where personal grudges are dressed up as matters of national security.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Adam Sage, Paris correspondent, The Times.

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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Inside the world of 'Disney adults' - The Saturday Story

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

For millions of people, Disney was a huge part of their childhood. But, for a great number of people that love never went away, and today, it's those people who have become central to Disney’s bottom line. They are the so called “Disney adults”. But their world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, it's a passionate subculture marked by competition, criticism - and high costs.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Julia Webster and Sophie McNulty.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: Disney.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The descent into madness under Putin

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

When The Times foreign correspondent Marc Bennetts moved to Russia in 1997, there was hope for a new future for the country. But over the next 25 years, he witnessed the rise of Vladimir Putin and the erosion of civil liberties. In his new book, The Descent: Witnessing Russia’s Spiral into Madness Under Putin, Marc charts how one man remade Russia in his own paranoid image.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Marc Bennetts, foreign correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: ‘I took a grenade blast to escape’: Russian deserters speak to The Times

Clips: Channel One Russia, Educational Video Group, NBC News, ITN, Times Now World, Dot’s Eye.

Photo: Getty Images.

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INVESTIGATION: How the SNP spends billions ‘to buy loyalty from charities’

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

A Sunday Times investigation has found that, in Scotland, there are claims that the SNP has, in effect, shut down criticism from the charity and voluntary sectors because of a system that leaves them umbilically tied to its political objectives and fearing grave consequences if they step out of line.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Dan Sanderson, Scottish political editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: 5 News, Parliament TV.

Illustration: Tony Bell.

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Artemis II: NASA’s plan for the Moon and beyond

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:01:00 GMT

The countdown has begun for the launch of NASA's Artemis II mission around the Moon, the first manned mission there in more than 50 years. Their voyage around our nearest neighbour will pave the way for a lunar landing and, eventually, a Moon base. But why is there suddenly rekindled interest in moon exploration, and could this bring humans toward the ultimate goal of reaching Mars?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest:

Scott Kelly, retired NASA astronaut.
Kaya Burgess, science and religious affairs correspondent for The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Julia Webster

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Artemis II: mission to the Moon

Further listening: The Epstein Files, AI journalism and the future of truth - The Sunday Story

Clips: NASA, John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, PBS, Space Age Archive, Associated Press, CriticalPast, Cosmosphere.

Photo: Kathia Mestanza, Getty Images.

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How a US invasion of Kharg Island could play out

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Donald Trump has threatened that the US would “obliterate Kharg Island” if a deal with Tehran was not reached. The US president has suggested he’d put boots on the ground to seize control of Iran's key oil export terminal. So why does the island matter so much? How would a ground invasion work? And just how risky is it to the US troops involved?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times.
Sir Simon Mayall, ex-Lieutenant General in the British army and author.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Harry Stott, Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Q&A: What we know (and don't know) about Trump's Iran talks

Clips: CBC, FOX, BBC, C-SPAN.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Pete Hegseth: the former TV host selling Trump’s war

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:01:00 GMT

Pete Hegseth, the US secretary of war, was one of the most controversial picks in Trump’s cabinet. But as Trump’s foreign adventures have come to define his second term, Hegseth is not just more visible, he’s become the Iran war’s main cheerleader. So who is he?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist, the Times and the Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Harry Stott and Micaela Arneson

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Q&A: What we know (and don't know) about Trump's Iran talks

Clips: FOX, BBC, Forbes, CBS, SKY.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The Epstein Files, AI journalism and the future of truth - The Sunday Story

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

As AI seeps into every corner of art, film and social media, up next, it's podcasts. An AI-generated show called The Epstein Files topped the Apple series charts last week, bringing you the very latest on the colossal 3.5 million documents, in a time frame that most journalists could only dream of. Even the hosts are AI. But does it work? And what does AI-led journalism mean for the future of investigations and the search for truth? We tracked down its creator.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Robert Wallace

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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I met Huw Edwards: what the drama gets right (and wrong) - The Saturday Story

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

This week, Channel 5 broadcast a dramatisation of the downfall of former BBC news anchor Huw Edwards, with Martin Clunes in the lead role. The programme traces the events that led to his sudden and very public fall from grace. Andrew Billen, veteran journalist who specialises in interviews with celebrities, politicians and writers at The Times, met Edwards on several occasions, including the day before his world came crashing down. In a compelling piece published this week, Billen reflects on the man he thought he knew.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Andrew Billen, features writer, The Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images

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People are betting on war. Here’s why it matters

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Polymarket and Kalshi have become two of the fastest-growing online platforms in the prediction market, hosting bets where people can wager on the outcome of events, including on the conflict in Iran. But some observers have raised concerns that unusually precise, well-timed bets could point to insider dealings. So what exactly are prediction markets? And what does it mean for society when you can bet on almost anything?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Chris Stokel-Walker, technology journalist and author.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Sophie McNulty & Julia Webster.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: How AI helped Trump attack Iran

Clips: FRENCH 24 English, CNN, 60 Minutes, CBS News, Fox 10 Phoenix, iSpot, The Times, Coinbase.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Q&A: What we know (and don't know) about Trump's Iran talks

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

As the war with Iran rumbles on, are ceasefire talks back on or is that ‘fake news’? What’s in America’s 15 point peace plan? Could an Iranian missile reach the UK? And how long can Iran keep fighting? Hosts Manveen Rana and Luke Jones are here to answer your questions, in our monthly Q&A.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Hosts: Manveen Rana and Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Inside Lebanon as Israel and Hezbollah wage war

Photo: Getty Images and The Times' designer Dana Chan.

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INVESTIGATION: On the line - Whack-a-mole

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

In the final episode of our county lines series, we hear how county lines drug gangs are continuing to shift their business model to avoid detection. Policing minister, Sarah Jones, explains how the government is planning to fight back. Plus, The Times’ crime editor David Woode sits down with The Sunday Times’ northern editor David Collins to discuss what they've learnt about the inner workings of county lines gangs.

This is episode five of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing, running in audio, video, print and digital from The Times and The Sunday Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: David Woode

Producers: Kate Lamble, Edward Drummond, and Taryn Siegel

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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INVESTIGATION: On the line - Mike

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Mike started selling drugs for a county lines gang when he was just a teenager. After being arrested and getting stabbed, he left that life behind. But he's been willing to share his experiences with The Times’ crime editor David Woode for the first time, explaining how he got caught 'under a spell'.

This is episode four of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing, running in audio, video, print and digital from The Times and The Sunday Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: David Woode

Producers: Kate Lamble and Taryn Siegel.

With thanks to the St Giles Trust

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Why I carried a knife

Photo: Getty Images.

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INVESTIGATION: On the line - the loophole

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Children aren't just running drugs for county lines gangs - sometimes they're running the lines themselves.

Today The Sunday Times's northern editor David Collins talks to the police officers who worry laws designed to protect victims of exploitation might actually encourage gang leaders to promote teenagers into higher positions in their criminal organisation.

This is episode three of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing, running in audio, video, print and digital from The Times and The Sunday Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Watch: School-age kingpins: why children now hold the key to county lines

Host: David Collins

Producers: Kate Lamble and Taryn Siegel

Executive producers: Tim Walklate and Dan Box

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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INVESTIGATION: On the line - the never-ending battle

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Today we go inside Operation Titan, as North Yorkshire Police fight back against county lines drugs gangs. But with each line the police shut down, another pops up in its place, sometimes within days. The Sunday Times' northern editor David Collins investigates how to break the cycle.

This is episode two of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing, running in audio, video, print and digital from The Times and The Sunday Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Watch: School-age kingpins: why children now hold the key to county lines

Host: David Collins.

Producers: Kate Lamble and Taryn Siegel

Executive producers: Tim Walklate and Dan Box

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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INVESTIGATION: On the line - a family business

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Part one of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing, running in audio, video, print and digital from The Times and The Sunday Times.

Today we reveal how police took down the family controlling the drug trade in one British city, creating a power vacuum that was filled by a new breed of violent, criminal operation - county lines.

The Sunday Times' northern editor David Collins is given unprecedented access to North Yorkshire Police as they fight back against the drug gangs.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Watch: School-age kingpins: why children now hold the key to county lines

Host: David Collins

Producers: Kate Lamble, Taryn Siegel

Executive producers: Tim Walklate, Dan Box

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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The world is looking for the Kinahan drug lords. We found them

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

After years in hiding, The Sunday Times has obtained images of Christy and Daniel Kinahan, leaders of the all-powerful Kinahan cartel, living freely in Dubai. They are some of the most wanted criminals in the world. So why aren’t they in custody?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: John Mooney, Investigative reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Gourmet gangster: Could Kinahan be caught by his Google reviews?

Clips: 971 FC, Irish Gangland, FM Boxing, Storyful.

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Kent's meningitis outbreak - how it exploded, can it be stopped?

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 01:10:00 GMT

What began as an evening out at a nightclub in Kent has rapidly spiralled into a "super-spreader" event that has left doctors stunned and two young people dead. This surge in Meningitis B cases has triggered a public health alert, leaving the UK scrambling as private vaccine supplies run dry. So how can the authorities contain this unprecedented outbreak?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Eleanor Hayward, Health Editor, The Times.
Professor Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, the University of East Anglia.
Niamh Curran, reporter, The Times Enterprise Network.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Julia Webster, Callum Martin, Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Meningitis started with a headache. Then the blinding pain began.

What causes meningitis? Symptoms and how the infection spreads.

Further listening: Inside the world of "Looksmaxxing"

Clips: Sky

Photo: Denise Kelly, Getty Images.

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Inside Lebanon as Israel and Hezbollah wage war

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

On Monday, Israel announced it's preparing a ground offensive into Lebanon. Fighting between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy group, has ratcheted up since the death of Iran’s supreme leader more than two weeks ago. Over 900 people have been killed in Lebanon and nearly one million are displaced. Will Israel’s new campaign bring a quicker end to the fighting? Or prolong a war which is already spiralling out of control?

This episode contains graphic descriptions that some listeners may find distressing.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Lousie Callaghan, foreign correspondent, The Sunday Times.
Tom Ball, reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Julia Webster.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The Gulf's moment of truth - reshaping the Middle East

Clips: IDF via @NationalDefence Youtube.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Is Trump out on his own over the Hormuz crisis?

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

The war in the Middle East has now entered its third week and shows no sign of ending any time soon. Oil prices have soared and transatlantic relations between the US and its allies are strained. So what are President Trump's options now? And will the Europeans support him in policing the strategically important Strait of Hormuz?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: George Grylls, Washington Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Is Cuba next?

Clips: Fox, The White House, STV, The Times, Euronews, Keir Starmer / YouTube, WSJ, C-SPAN, DRM News International / YouTube.

Photo: Getty Images, The Times' Senior Digtal Designer Shaun Parkinson.

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Is Cuba next?

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Throughout Cuba, fuel shortages, blackouts, and food scarcity have become the norm. Since the US intervention in Venezuela in January, the oil lifeline into Cuba has all but dried up. Trump is now claiming that Cuba is on the brink of collapse. As the war in Iran rages on unabated – is this American neighbour his next target?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest:

Matthew Campbell, foreign features editor, The Sunday Times
Catherine Philp, world affairs editor, The Times

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producers: Sophie McNulty & Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further reading: Cubans await Trump’s next move: ‘Would the Americans bomb us?’

Further listening: Drugs, oil and power: what Trump is doing with Venezuela

Clips: AP, DRM News, News Nation, Onyx Media, Archivo DiFilm, APT.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Inside the world of "Looksmaxxing" - The Sunday Story

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

From the shadowy corners of incel forums, a new obsession was quietly emerging. To succeed, financially, socially and sexually, you need to level up your face and frame. Enter “Looksmaxxing”, the idea that how you look can be engineered to perfection to maximise your full aesthetic potential. It's a TikTok-fuelled culture of mogging, "bone-smashing", and glow-ups - and a way for young men to measure beauty, status, and self-worth. How far will some go to “max” their looks? Is it vanity, or a survival strategy in a hyper-visual world? And what does it reveal about the state of men’s mental health today?

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Rosie Wright

Guest: Jack Burke, times contributor.

Producer: Dave Creasey

Image: Getty Images

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The last princess of Punjab who saved families from the Holocaust - The Saturday Story

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

In 1938, Catherine Duleep Singh, goddaughter of Queen Victoria and daughter of the last Maharajah of Punjab, personally secured the escape of Jewish families to Britain, saving them from the Holocaust. Her story didn’t end there, she became a prominent suffragette, fighting for women’s rights while navigating life in exile. We explore her remarkable courage, activism, and the lives she forever changed.

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Jack Blackburn, history correspondent for The Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey

Image: Getty Images

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Will the Mandelson files expose Starmer?

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:02:05 GMT

Peter Mandelson’s disastrous few months continue apace, after the government released a tranche of documents that tell us a lot about his hiring - and firing - as ambassador to the US. So what’s in the files? And what does it all say about the judgment of the Prime Minister?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producers: Harry Stott, Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Mandelson files expose Keir Starmer — and it’s just the beginning

Further listening: Mandelson, Epstein and the fight for survival at No 10

Clips: Guardian News, AFP News Agency, Sky News, Diario AS.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The Gulf's moment of truth - reshaping the Middle East

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

As Iran continues to attack its Gulf neighbours could the strikes turn into a wider war? Who might be drawn in? And with Iran hitting friends as well as foes, how will this war reshape the Middle East and its relationship with the US?

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Michael Stephens, consultant and senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.
Hofit Golan, influencer and content creator.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Iran has a new leader - how long will he last?

Clips: Al Jazeera.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Why oil matters: conflicts abroad, costs at home

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 01:10:00 GMT

War in the Middle East has caused oil and gas prices to soar and sent the markets into turmoil. But why does oil still have such a powerful influence over the cost of household goods? And what has history taught us about how wars are waged when oil holds such sway?

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest:

Dr Ellen R. Wald, Ph.D., Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center and author of Saudi, Inc..
Harry Wallop, consumer journalist and Times Radio contributor.

Host: Rosie Wright

Producer: Julia Webster and Harry Stott

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Could Trump lose MAGA over Iran?

Clips: Blue Georgia on X, The White House, The Economic Times, CNN, GB News, AP

Photo: Getty Images.

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Iran has a new leader. How long will he last?

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Iran has appointed a new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. He’s the son of the late Ali Khamenei and a shadowy figure with a history of orchestrating brutal crackdowns on dissenters. President Donald Trump is also not a fan. So what does his appointment mean for the conflict raging in the Middle East?

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Catherine Philp, world affairs editor, The Times.
Negah Angha, former US State Department and National Security Council advisor.

Host: Darryl Morris.

Producer: Micaela Arneson, Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

Further listening: How AI helped Trump attack Iran

Clips: Sky News, Al Jazeera, NBC, Fox News, The Times, ABC News

Photo: Getty Images.

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How AI helped Trump attack Iran

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

The use of Artificial Intelligence by militaries used to be talked about in the abstract, but during the US and Israel’s strikes on Iran we’ve seen it used in real time. So what happens when you have robots who can make battlefield decisions quicker than the speed of thought? And what made the Trump administration fall out with one of the world’s leading AI companies?

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: David Leslie, Professor of ethics, technology and society in the Digital Environment Research Institute at Queen Mary University of London.

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producers: Harry Stott, Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Anthropic vs Pentagon: How AI is changing war

Clips: Fox, CBS News, Reuters.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Frida Kahlo: Artist or brand? - The Sunday Story

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Thirty years after her death, Frida Kahlo went from relative obscurity to one of the most famous female artists on the planet. Now, her image has been used on everything from watches, scented candles, clothes, sanitary pads, and even Barbie dolls. But how did the communist icon become the face of a million dollar enterprise? At the centre of the story is a Kahlo family divided. Should her image reflect her artistic treasures or a global brand?

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Blanca Schofield, assistant culture and books editor for both The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: FridaMoji/Getty Images.

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My mother loves the regime - my father longs for change in Iran - The Saturday Story

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

The war in Iran has left its people divided. Some openly welcome the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, others mourn, steadfast in their loyalty to the Islamic Republic. The divisions run deep, cutting across generations. Majid Parsa grew up in one such household. He tells his story.

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Majid Parsa, author of The Ayatollah's Gaze.

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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Could Trump lose MAGA over Iran?

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 03:01:00 GMT

As the war in the Middle East enters its seventh day, prominent supporters of President Trump have criticised his decision to attack Iran. The political stakes are high for a president who pledged no new wars on the campaign trail. So can he keep the MAGA crowd on his side?

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katy Balls, Washington editor for The Times and The Sunday Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Julia Webster

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Iran after the Ayatollah

Clips: Sky, CBS, CNN, ABC, WAAY 31, BBC, Fox, Tucker Carlson, Channel 4, C-SPAN, Associated Press, Boston Globe

Photo: Graphic by Denise Kelly. Getty Images.

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Mexico took down a drug lord. Can it take down his empire?

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

When the Mexican government took down a drug lord last week, the Sunday Times was there to document the aftermath. Does this mark a turning point in the war on drugs? Or are things about to get much worse?

A warning that this episode contains descriptions of graphic violence.

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Louise Callaghan, Americas correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The town ripped apart by Mexico’s new narcos

Clips: BBC, WMTW, Configo FN, Fox News, Al Jazeera, Noticias Telemundo, Reuters.

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Could the UK get dragged into war with Iran?

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Last month, Sir Keir Starmer made it clear that the US would not be permitted to use UK bases to launch strikes against Iran. On Sunday, that position shifted. Not only has the UK now allowed the use of joint bases, it is also intercepting Iranian drones, and sources have told The Times that a British warship may be deployed to Cyprus. As tensions in the Middle East escalate, is Britain being drawn ever deeper into the conflict? And how might this end?

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Michael Evans, defence contributor, The Times
General Sir Patrick Sanders, former Chief of the General Staff and co-host of The General & the Journalist, one of our sister podcasts

Host: Rosie Wright

Producers: Sophie McNulty & Olivia Case

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Iran after the Ayatollah

Clips: The Times, AP, BBC, CNN, The White House, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Iran after the Ayatollah

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

After weeks of protests against Ayatollah Khamenei’s regime earlier this year, the Iranian people cried out for American help as they were massacred in their thousands. Over the weekend, the Americans and Israelis did finally intervene in Iran, killing the Ayatollah, but leaving a flood of questions in their wake. Who will now fill the political vacuum? Will there be regime change? And what next for the Iranian people?

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Rana Rahimpour, Iranian journalist.
Ali Ansari, professor of Iranian history, the University of St. Andrews.

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producers: Harry Stott, Julia Webster.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Iran's supreme leader killed - is the Middle East in all out war?

Clips: BBC, AP, EuroNews, State Department / Instagram, 60 Minutes.

Photo: Getty Images, The Times, Dana Chan.

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‘They had sick minds’: A human safari in Sarajevo

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 01:01:00 GMT

For decades, a chilling rumour has haunted Sarajevo: that foreign tourists paid to visit the besieged city in the early 1990s to shoot at its residents. Today, Italian authorities are investigating several cases of alleged ‘tourist snipers,’ thrusting these accusations back into the headlines. Now, an eyewitness to these so-called ‘human safaris’ has spoken to The Times about what he saw more than 30 years ago.

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Kington, the Italy correspondent, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Sophie McNulty

Translator: Aleksa Antic

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: BBC, ITN, FRENCH 24 English.

Photo: Getty Images, Tom Kington.

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Iran's supreme leader killed - is the Middle East in all-out war?

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 20:31:26 GMT

Early on Saturday morning, the US and Israel launched a wave of attacks on Iran, killing the supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Iran has retaliated, with strikes reported in the UAE, Qatar and across the region. But will Trump get his regime change or could Iran become just another failed state? And is the middle east on the brink of all-out war?

Our listener survey is live - find it here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza correspondent, The Times.
Sir Peter Westmacott, formerly Britain’s Ambassador to the United States of America, and Britain's political secretary, Tehran.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Four years of war: can Ukraine continue to deny Putin?

Clips: The White House / YouTube, CBS, Truth Social, ABC, BBC, The Times.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Milk and eggs: How women’s bodies became a global commodity – The Saturday Story

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

From men wanting to buy her breast milk, to going undercover in the IVF wild west, investigative journalist and author Alev Scott has immersed herself in the murky, and often unregulated world of fertility. What she found was a trillion dollar industry, where the maternal body is a hot commodity. It also raised some serious ethical questions: How much, if anything, should breastmilk cost? Who should be allowed to buy it? And is it right that you can pay more for ‘VIP’ egg donors?

We've launched The Story's first ever listener survey! If you can, please take a few minutes to fill it in. You can find it here: The Story survey

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests: Alev Scott, investigative journalist and author of Cash Cow.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images & Mark Harrison for the Times magazine.

You can buy Cash Cow: How the maternal body became a global commodity – and the hidden costs for women at the Times Bookshop.

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The State of It: Can Labour survive a big Green victory?

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:57:47 GMT

The end of Britain’s political duopoly now looks complete, as Labour suffers a catastrophic by-election defeat to the Greens in Gorton and Denton. Reform comes second, while the Tories lose their deposit with just 2% of the vote. Keir Starmer is now a prisoner of the left, and Britain is undergoing a tectonic realignment of its electoral politics.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Hosts:

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times
Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times

Producer: Euan Dawtrey.

Executive Producer: Molly Guinness.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have a favour to ask

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Today we're launching The Story's first ever listener survey!

Find it here: The Story survey

And thank you!

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Inside England’s maternity scandal, part two

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 16:44:44 GMT

After a six-month-long investigation into maternity care in England, the government has published its initial findings. The report reveals a catalog of failures at 12 NHS trusts – from inadequate staffing and poor facilities to racial discrimination. So what do bereaved families make of the findings? And can this broken system be fixed?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Eleanor Hayward, health editor, The Times.
Poppy Koronka, health reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Inside England's maternity scandal, part one

Photo: Getty Images.

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Q&A: Andrew's right royal mess, continued

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

First Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested, then Peter Mandelson. The fallout has been swift, dramatic, and is still unfolding. Hosts Manveen Rana and Luke Jones answer your biggest questions about the two men and what comes next.

Neither men have been changed and they both deny any wrongdoing. We don’t know what evidence was used in their arrests.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Hosts: Manveen Rana & Luke Jones.

Producers: Sophie McNulty & Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Andrew is arrested

Clips: The Times, Parliament TV, Newsweek.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The biggest shake-up of special educational needs in a decade

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

On Monday, the government released its plan to reform SEND, the system that supports children with special educational needs and disabilities, in England. It’s used by around one in five children and Keir Starmer is promising £4 billion over 3 years to overhaul it. But what’s changed, who’s affected and how will the government pay for it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Georgia Lambert, education and news reporter, The Times.
Hayley Harding, SEND campaigner.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Olivia Case and Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Broken trust: Inside England's maternity scandal

Photo: Getty Images.

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Four years of war: can Ukraine continue to defy Putin?

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine is still fighting – but the strain is visible. How has the conflict changed since those first days of war? Why would a free and fair election in Ukraine be so difficult? And is peace even conceivable?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Anthony Loyd, special correspondent for The Times.
Neo, Ukrainian drone unit commander.
Anastasiia Romaniuk, researcher based in Kyiv.
With thanks to our Ukrainian voices from the ground: Iryna Bortniuk, Pavlo Tkachenko, Natalia Zubar, Logan & Ostap.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Harry Stott and Julia Webster.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: A new peace plan, and a critical moment for Zelensky

Clips: BBC

Photo: Photo: Paul Brookbanks, Getty Images.

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Broken trust: Inside England's maternity scandal

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Over the past decade, thousands of families say they have been failed by England's maternity services. With a review into 12 NHS trusts due to publish its interim findings this week, we hear from some of those affected. What went wrong? And can future tragedies can be prevented?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Poppy Koronka, health correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised, the following organisations may be able to help:

Sands is a UK charity that provides support to anyone affected by the death of a baby. Please visit www.sands.org.uk or call the helpline on 0808 164 3332
The Birth Trauma Association is a charity that supports women and families who have experienced traumatic birth. Visit www.birthtraumaassociation.org or call the helpline on 0203 621 6338
Tommy's is a charity focused on pregnancy research in the UK. Visit their website www.tommys.org or call 0800 0147 800

Clips: Parliament TV, Channel 4 News, Ockenden Maternity Review, Sky News,

Photo: Getty Images.

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Jesse Jackson: Civil rights trailblazer - The Sunday Story

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Jesse Jackson, the civil rights firebrand, preacher, and two-time presidential candidate rose from segregated South Carolina to the front lines of America’s fight for justice. Marching alongside Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson transformed protest into political power, inspiring generations and paved the way to the first black president. We take a look at his influential, and controversial life.

Guest: Anna Temkin, deputy obituary editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Dave Creasey and Julia Webster.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: CBS, NPR, ITV, WCNC, BBC, The Obama White House, ThamesTV.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Gisèle Pelicot: Why I made my trial public, read by Emma Thompson - The Saturday Story

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

After her horrific rape ordeal, Gisèle Pelicot did not want a public trial. But, in an exclusive extract from her new book, she reveals why she changed her mind.

This episode is from the audiobook A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot, read by Emma Thompson.

Read by: Emma Thompson.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

Further information: Published in hardback by Bodley Head on Feb 17 at £22.

To order a copy of A Hymn to Life go to timesbookshop.co.uk.

Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25.

Special discount available for Times+ members World Europe.

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Andrew is arrested

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has denied all wrongdoing. This is the first time a member of the royal family has been arrested since the English Civil War in the 1600s. What does this mean for the future of the British monarchy?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Valentine Low, former royal correspondent, The Times.
Dr. Tom Frost, senior lecturer, Loughborough University.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Taryn Siegel and Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: ABC News, Talk TV, Sky News, CNBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

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LATEST: Chaos engulfs the royal family

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:45:12 GMT

Just after 8am this morning, patrol cars arrived at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. What do we know? What happens next? And what does this mean for the palace? Our sister podcast, The Royals, brings you the latest.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Harry Yorke, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times
Charlotte Alt, news reporter, The Times

Host: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor, The Sunday Times

Producer: Robert Wallace

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The Royals with Roya and Kate

Photo: Getty Images.

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The Board of Peace: the new UN or Trump's vanity project?

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

The Board of Peace began with the grand ambition of reconstructing Gaza and securing a lasting end to one of the world’s most intractable conflicts. But with Donald Trump as chairman for life, its ambitions have grown: it wants to become a wider international peacekeeping organisation. As members meet for the first time in Washington DC, will their lofty ambitions translate into action on the ground? Or is it all just a vanity project?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Harry Stott, Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Trump's Greenland play and the future of transatlantic relations

Clips: OneIndia News / Youtube, AP / Youtube, CTV, BBC, Channel 4, ABC News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Why are more young people getting bowel cancer?

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

James Van Der Beek’s death last week at just 48 shocked fans, reignited fears about a disease we still associate with old age. Cases of bowel cancer are rising in those under 50, even as rates fall among the elderly. To find out why, researchers are turning to a century of preserved samples.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest:

Ben Spencer, science editor, The Sunday Times
Professor Trevor Graham, director, Centre for Evolution and Cancer
Holly Masters, cancer patient

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Julia Webster, Sophie McNulty

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Why are more young people getting cancer?

Photo: Getty.

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The State of It: Gabriel Pogrund speaks out on the Labour Together scandal

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:38:09 GMT

The Labour Together scandal is the latest storm threatening to capsize the government - and Gabriel has been right at the heart. For the first time, he describes what happened when a Labour think tank set private investigators on a journalist. Their secret report falsely accused Gabriel of acting as a Russian agitator and "grotesquely subverted" his faith in an attack on his and his colleagues' reporting in The Sunday Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Hosts:

Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times
Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times

Producer: Euan Dawtrey.

Executive Producer: Dan Box.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: ‘This is dark s***’: inside the political smear campaign to discredit journalists

Photo: Getty Images.

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‘This is dark s***’: inside the political smear campaign to discredit journalists

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Labour Together, the think tank which helped Sir Keir Starmer become prime minister, has been accused of paying a PR firm to investigate Sunday Times journalists. The subsequent report contained personal information and false claims about Whitehall editor Gabriel Pogrund’s faith and family background, including the incorrect suggestion he was part of a Russian conspiracy to bring down Starmer. So why did a political organisation pay for a smear campaign against journalists?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Emanuele Midolo, investigations reporter, The Sunday Times.
Ben Clatworthy, Whitehall editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Julia Webster, Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: BBC, Times Radio, Channel 4 News, ITV News, Sky News, GB News.

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An almighty student debt reckoning has arrived

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

The Times’ Money desk has been investigating the UK’s student debt system – and has discovered some bombshells. After being promised a loan that would be like paying a ‘phone bill every month’, graduates are weighed down by tens of thousands of pounds in ever-increasing debt. So how did we get here? And is there a plan to fix it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mary Downer, Money reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The Budget unpacked

Clips: BBC, Parliament Live, ITN, Channel 4 News, LBC.

Episode artwork: Times Media.

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'We don't understand the consequences' - Why I quit OpenAI - The Sunday Story

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

AI researcher Zoe Hitzig quit her job at OpenAI this week over “deep reservations” about the company’s strategy, including their decision to pilot running ads on ChatGPT. In a rare interview, she gives her reasons for leaving the industry - a world with access to "an unprecedented archive of human candour". Meanwhile, another AI researcher, this time at Anthropic, also quit with a the stark warning that "the world is in peril". They just the latest in a series of high profile resignations. So what's going on - and what are the big fears for a world increasingly dominated by AI?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Zoe Hitzig, former AI researcher at OpenAI.
Mark Sellman,Technology Correspondent for the Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

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Danny Finkelstein: How the world’s antisemites turned on me - The Saturday Story

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Danny Finkelstein's mother survived Bergen-Belsen. When far-right activist Nick Fuentes began spreading antisemitic, pro-Hitler ideas, our writer challenged him. He wasn’t ready for the onslaught that ensued.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Ready by: Danny Finkelstein, Times columnist, author and Conservative peer.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: TalkTV, CBS.

Photo: Tom Jackson for The Times Magazine.

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Drugs, oil and power: what Trump is doing with Venezuela

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

It’s almost six weeks since America launched military strikes against Venezuela and captured its President over claims the country was flooding the US with drugs and migrants. But was this ever actually the intention, or is Trump more interested in syphoning off the country’s oil? Why is the old regime still in power – and what is life like for locals?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Stephen Gibbs, contributor, Latin America and the Caribbean, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Prince William walks a tightrope in Saudi Arabia

Clips: The White House / X, BBC, NBC, CNBC, CBS / 60 Minutes, Sky News Australia.

Photo: Getty Images.

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What you didn’t know about the Epstein files

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

It’s been almost a fortnight since the release of the Epstein files, and since then we’ve learned a lot about the disgraced financier’s connections to the rich and powerful. But what more have we learned about Jeffrey Epstein himself? Was he a foreign spy? And what do the files tell us about how the world is really run?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josie Ensor, chief US reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Mandelson, Epstein and the fight for survival at No 10

Clips: Sky, AP, TalkTV, ABC News Australia, ITV, LBC, New York Post, CSPAN, House Oversight Committee.

Photo: Getty Images.

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What happens when Britain's population starts to shrink?

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

The Office for National Statistics has said that by 2029 it expects more deaths than births in Britain. Simultaneously migration could go into reverse soon, with more people leaving our shores than arriving. But how will a shrinking - and ageing - population affect our politics, our economy and our lives?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Calver, Data Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Britain is in a cancer crisis. Will a new strategy fix it?

Clips: Sky, ITN, BBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The State of It: Wes bottles it and Labour's left grabs the steering wheel

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:45:00 GMT

After a whirlwind week in Westminster, we've decided to bring you an extra dose of Whitehall gossip. Check out this week's episode from our sister podcast: The State of It.

The prime minister thought it was all over for him this weekend, but a scrambled rearguard action has left him looking stronger than he has for some time. But to survive, Keir Starmer may now have no choice but to move leftwards. And there's much worse to come when the Mandelson files are released. Meanwhile, has Wes Streeting missed his moment to challenge the prime minister?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Hosts:

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times
Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times

Producer: Euan Dawtrey.

Executive Producer: Molly Guiness.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The State of It

Clips: Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Is Keir Starmer’s premiership terminal?

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

It’s been a week of chaos in Westminster, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer fights for survival. The crisis he faces reached fever pitch on Sunday with the resignation of his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, followed swiftly the next morning by the departure of Tim Allan, his director of communications. On Monday afternoon, the pressure escalated further when Anas Sarwar, Labour leader in Scotland, became the most senior figure yet to publicly call for Starmer’s resignation. So can his government survive the next week ahead?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Harry Stott, Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Mandelson, Epstein and the fight for survival at No 10

Clips: Times Radio, BBC, The Telegraph, Sky News, ITV News, GB News

Photo: Getty Images, The Times, Dinesh Mehta

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Prince William walks a tightrope in Saudi Arabia

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Prince William is making his first visit to Saudi Arabia this week to celebrate “growing trade, energy and investment ties” between the kingdom and the UK. But with a number of sensitive issues on the table – from defence and intelligence sharing to Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record – how will the prince walk the diplomatic tightrope? Should the UK be pursuing a closer relationship with the kingdom at all?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Roya Nikkhah, royal editor, The Sunday Times.
Sir William Patey, former UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Julia Webster, Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Travelling with the Duchess in a war zone

Clips: NBC, BBC, HM Treasury.

Photo: Dana Chan, Getty Images.

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The royal scandals rocking Norway - The Sunday Story

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

The British royal family isn't the only European monarchy in turmoil. In Norway the Epstein files have revealed intimate conversations between the Crown Princess and future Queen, Mette-Marit, and the paedophile after he was convicted. Meanwhile, her son is on trial facing charges on thirty-eight offences, including four counts of rape. If convicted, he faces up to ten years in prison. Could this be a fatal blow for the Norwegian royal family? And what does it tell us about the long tentacles of Jeffrey Epstein's influence in the palaces and parliaments of Europe?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: BBC News, CBS.

Photo: Getty Images.

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I studied the Epstein files. As a woman, this is what I felt - The Saturday Story

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Times journalist Helen Rumbelow spent two days sifting through the thousands of lurid, criminal and often coded messages between Jeffrey Epstein and his powerful friends. Buried among the shockingly misogynistic and disturbing exchanges, lies a revealing insight on how powerful men talk about women when they think no one is listening. In her widely shared article, Helen exposes not just the shocking content of those emails, but what they tell us about the mindset of powerful men.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Warning: This episode contains some strong language from the start.

Read by: Helen Rumbelow, feature writer and columnist, The Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: NBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Mandelson, Epstein and the fight for survival at No 10

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

The fallout from the latest tranche of the Epstein files is causing chaos in Westminster. With his ex-US ambassador Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein under the microscope, Labour MPs are furiously asking what Keir Starmer knew about it, and when. So will the PM be able to ride out this latest storm? And what future does Mandelson have?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Harry Stott, Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more:

Further listening:

Clips: Associated Press, Times Radio, BBC

Photo: Getty Images.

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The by-election that could decide the UK's future

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Sir Keir Starmer’s next big test is the Gorton & Denton by-election in three weeks' time; commentators are calling it a three-way race between the Greens, Reform and Labour. But how is this vote a microcosm of the national picture, and what does it tell us about the direction of travel in British politics and the key issues that really sway voters?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Darryl Morris, journalist, Times Radio.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Who is the real Melania Trump?

Clips: BBC, Channel 4, Manchester Evening News, Novara Media, The Green Party, Reform UK, The Spectator.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Britain is in a cancer crisis. Will a new strategy fix it?

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

On nearly every metric, the UK is ranked as one of the worst places in the Western world to have cancer. But today, the government is rolling out an ambitious new National Cancer Plan to tackle the crisis. Will it be able to shorten waiting lists? Or do cultural problems within the NHS warrant a deeper fix?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Shaun Lintern, health editor, The Sunday Times.
Jeremy Langmead, brand and content director of MR PORTER and contributor to The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Will a review into mental health fix a system in crisis?

Clips: ITV News.

Photo: Illustration by Pete Baker for The Sunday Times.

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Britain's mental health reckoning - part two

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

A public inquiry resumes this week to investigate the deaths of over 2000 mental health inpatients in the care of NHS trusts in Essex. We unpick some of the themes the Lampard Inquiry has been hearing, and speak to a whistleblower about her experiences working on one of the wards.

This programme includes material that some listeners may find distressing, including descriptions of suicide.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Melanie Leahy, campaigner and mother of Matthew
‘Anna’, whistleblower and former staff at the Linden Centre

Host: Daniel Gordon.

Producers: Daniel Gordon, Edward Drummond, Taryn Siegel.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised, the following organisations can help:

SANE is a charity which provides emotional support and specialist services for people who need help with their mental health and their families.

Its helpline, SANEline, is 0300 304 7000. Details of other ways to get in touch can be found at sane.org.uk

MIND is another mental health charity offering support, its main information line is 0300 102 1234 Details of other helplines can be found at mind.org.uk

The Samaritans provides 24 hour emotional support to people struggling to cope or relatives bereaved by suicide. Call 116 123, or visit samaritans.org.

Further listening: Britain’s mental health reckoning - part one.

Clips: The Lampard Inquiry.

Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire.

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LATEST: The Epstein files drop — what next for Andrew?

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The latest and possibly final batch of documents was released on Friday by the US Department of Justice in their investigation of Jeffrey Epstein. New shocking discoveries have been made over the weekend that put Lord Mandelson, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, and now Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife, in the spotlight. What have we learned so far? And what does the future hold for the rich and powerful mentioned in these documents?

Details of these emails and the identities of those who sent them are unproven.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Kate Mansey, assistant editor and royal editor for The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Julia Webster and Sophie McNulty

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Andrew & Epstein - The King acts

Clips: The Guardian, BBC, Channel 4, DW News, The National

Photo: Getty Images.

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Britain’s mental health reckoning - part one

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

A public inquiry is currently investigating the deaths of over 2000 mental health inpatients in the care of NHS trusts in Essex. The inquiry resumes this week, but the fact it exists at all is largely down to the campaign of one woman; Melanie Leahy, whose son Matthew died in Chelmsford in 2012.

This programme includes material that some listeners may find distressing, including descriptions of suicide.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Melanie Leahy, campaigner and mother of Matthew.

Host: Daniel Gordon.

Producers: Daniel Gordon, Edward Drummond.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised, the following organisations can help:

SANE is a charity which provides emotional support and specialist services for people who need help with their mental health and their families. Its helpline, SANEline, is 0300 304 7000. Details of other ways to get in touch can be found at sane.org.uk

MIND is another mental health charity offering support, its main information line is 0300 102 1234 Details of other helplines can be found at mind.org.uk

The Samaritans provides 24 hour emotional support to people struggling to cope or relatives bereaved by suicide. Call 116 123, or visit samaritans.org.

Clips: Melanie Leahy, Essex Police, Lampard Inquiry, Sky News, The Telegraph, UK Parliament Youtube channel, Channel 5 News.

Photo: JOE GIDDENS/PA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happened when a sperm donor met his unknown kids - The Sunday Story

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 01:01:00 GMT

In 1992, Helen Down's brother Richard was studying for a master’s in artificial intelligence at Cardiff University. There, he had a brief side hustle as a sperm donor - a confession he'd only made to his family as an adult. Through a DNA website, the link was made and Helen met her niece and nephew for the first time in 2024 - the product of her brother’s sperm donation 30 years ago. So, what exactly happened at at the family reunion? And how did these new family members unlock an even bigger mystery?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Helen Down.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Tim Jobling, Duncan Elliot for The Times Magazine.

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Who is the real Melania Trump? - The Saturday Story

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:06:59 GMT

Melania Trump this week releases her new documentary 'Melania' which takes viewers inside the enigmatic first lady’s second term. Directed and produced by Melania herself, it's a project that's had plenty hype and some controversy. The studio Amazon MGM bought the rights for $40 million - the highest price ever paid for a documentary. So, what do we learn about real Melania - the power behind the throne with firm views on her husband’s actions?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Meghan Agnew, Senior Features Writer, US.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Dave Creasey and Micaela Arneson.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: The Today Show, BBC News. Rolling Stones, Gimmie Shelter, Decca Records (UK).

Photo: Getty Images.

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Could China become the world's policeman?

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Keir Starmer is visiting China, becoming the first UK prime minister to travel to Beijing in eight years. His trip comes amid a queue of world leaders seeking meetings with Xi Jinping, as some countries look for leverage in an increasingly volatile global order. But can China be trusted as a global partner? And as the US appears to be stepping back from its role as the world’s policeman, what kind of power is China prepared to become?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest:

Cindy Yu, columnist and contributing editor at The Times & The Sunday Times.
Isabel Hilton, journalist and China watcher.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Julia Webster, Harry Stott, and Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Is China’s mega-embassy a mega-spy base?

Clips: BBC, World Economic Forum, CBS, APT, DRM News

Photo: Getty Images.

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Q&A: US warships approach Iran, Trump's ICE climbdown, and Westminster ‘psychodrama’

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:00:00 GMT

It’s been a whirlwind start to the year. In just three weeks, tensions between Donald Trump and Iran have escalated, the U.S. captured Venezuela's President Maduro, while British politics has been rocked by defections and leadership challenges. And we're still only in January. To help cut through the chaos, we’re taking a moment to answer your biggest questions about what’s been happening.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Hosts: Manveen Rana & Luke Jones

Producer: Sophie McNulty

Further listening:

Photo: Getty Images.

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The State of It: USA – Trump v Iran: what MAGA and the military are saying

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

This week, the Times is launching another new politics podcast – a sister show to our Westminster offering, but this time across the pond, taking you inside the White House… Subscribe to The State of It: USA, wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to the first ever episode of The State of It: USA. An attack on Iran looks imminent: we reveal what senior military and political figures are saying about it. Also, is Donald Trump taking a softer line on immigration after the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis? And get ready for Melania, the movie.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Hosts:

Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times.
Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal.

Producer: Euan Dawtrey.

Executive Producer: Molly Guiness.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: The State of It

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INVESTIGATION: Undercover in Britain’s immigration black market

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:00:00 GMT

As immigration rules have tightened in recent months, some migrants already working in the UK, whose visas have been cancelled, find themselves in a precarious position. Agents are selling a workaround, offering to arrange fake jobs which can be used to obtain real visas, in exchange for exorbitant fees. The Times went undercover, posing as a migrant facing deportation, to expose how this black market is operating.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Shanti Das, senior investigations reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Times Media Ltd.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starmer v the ‘King of the North’ - who really won?

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Sir Keir Starmer has seen off a potential leadership challenge by blocking his rival – Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham – from returning to Westminster. But many Labour MPs have been deeply critical of the move, accusing the PM of orchestrating a “stitch up”. So was it worth it? And might Starmer face a leadership challenge anyway?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent for The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Who will move first: Streeting or Burnham?

Clips: Sky, Times Radio, BBC, Novara Media.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Can the new Archbishop of Canterbury save the embattled Church of England?

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

When the new Archbishop of Canterbury is confirmed on Wednesday she’ll become the first woman to lead the Church of England. But Dame Sarah Mullally’s gender and views are already threatening to cause a schism in the global Anglican church. So who is she and can she unite the Church, which has been beset by scandals and shrinking congregations?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Kaya Burgess, science and religious affairs correspondent, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Monica Lewinsky: What happened next

Clips: The Vicar of Dibley / BBC / Tiger Aspect Productions, Channel 4, The Archbishop of Canterbury / YouTube, BBC, WION, France 24, The Southwark Cathedral podcast, The Church of England, ITV.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Kids on screens: Good, bad or the future of learning? - The Sunday Story

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

It's the debate of our time. How much is too much and what's the impact of screentime for children? With a proposed ban on social media for under 16s being debated in the UK, and children arriving at primary school swiping books like phones, we take a deep dive into the impact, and future, of screentime and AI in schools. Actress and campaigner Sophie Winkelman, a prominent voice of the dangers of increased screentime for children and Ben Gomes, Chief Technologist at Google, who is leading in the implementation of AI in schools, set out the arguments.

Guests:

Sophie Winkleman, actress, campaigner and trustee of charity School-Home Support.
Ben Gomes, Chief Technologist, Learning and Sustainability, Google.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: Times Radio.

Photo: Getty Images, Christopher L Proctor for the Sunday Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An insider explains the Beckham family feud - The Saturday Story

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Hadley Freeman was embedded with the Beckhams when she was asked to ghost write a book for Victoria Beckham back in the early 2000s. Now, a colossal family feud between Brooklyn Beckham and the rest of the clan has exploded into the headlines, culminating in a scathing six-page Instagram statement. Hadley tells us what's really going on here - and why we all can't stop watching.

Guest: Hadley Freeman, writer for the Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Has ICE become the US president's 'private army'?

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Since an ICE agent shot and killed US citizen Renee Good on January 7, Minneapolis has erupted in protests. Thousands have taken to the streets as federal authorities deployed thousands more immigration officers, resulting in more than 3,000 arrests. So how did we get here, how did ICE become so powerful, and why has the city become a flashpoint for the country?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Will Pavia, New York correspondent, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Julia Webster, Olivia Case

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Who is Stephen Miller? Trump’s man behind ‘America First’

Clips: The World Economic Forum, Fox News, CBS News, The Times, NBC, The Guardian, Forbes, CNN, The Joe Rogan Experience, WBTV Local News, Associated Press.

Photo: Getty Images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump's Greenland play and the future of transatlantic relations

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

President Trump made his much anticipated speech at Davos on Wednesday, saying he was “seeking immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland” but would not use force. Late on Wednesday evening, he posted on Truth Social that he wouldn't impose tariffs either. So where does this all leave European relations with the United States?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Mehreen Khan, economics editor, The Times.
Sir Peter Westmacott, former British ambassador to the United States.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Julia Webster.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Tariffs, Trump and Greenland: ‘The end of the world as we know it’?

Clips: The Guardian, World Economic Forum, New York Post, Associated Press.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

INVESTIGATION: Could DNA advances overturn one of Britain's most famous murder cases?

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

In 1996, mother and daughter Lin and Megan Russell were brutally murdered in a picturesque village in Kent. It was a case that shocked 90s Britain, and after a year of searching for the killer, a man called Michael Stone was convicted for their murders. But nearly three decades later, he remains in prison, protesting his innocence. So did he really do it? New advancements in DNA testing may yet reopen the case, in a story which could become one of the UK’s biggest ever miscarriages of justice.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Emily Dugan, special correspondent, The Sunday Times.
Mark McDonald, Michael Stone’s barrister.
Jim Fraser, forensic scientist who originally worked on the case.
Barbara Stone, Michael Stone’s sister.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Harry Stott.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Seventeen Years - The Andrew Malkinson story

Clips: BBC.

Photo: Shaun Russell.

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Tariffs, Trump and Greenland: 'The end of the world as we know it'?

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Keir Starmer has said that Donald Trump’s plan to put tariffs on the UK and seven other countries which oppose his takeover of Greenland is ‘completely wrong.’ Europe is considering its response, from counter tariffs to more radical options. So is this the start of a trade war or something even more serious?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case, Sophie McNulty.

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Can Nato survive a hostile takeover of Greenland?

Clips: CBS, BBC, Al Jazeera, CBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Is China's mega-embassy a mega-spy base?

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

China is on the cusp of constructing the biggest embassy in Europe– right in central London– despite a growing chorus of concern it could be used for a number of spying operations. So why is Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expected to approve the project? And how worried should we really be?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Cindy Yu, columnist and contributing editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Geraldine Scott, assistant political editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

Read more:

Further listening: Will 2026 be the year of China?

Clips: The Mirror, Daily Express, Sky News, Channel 4.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The woman erased from the Ozempic story - The Sunday Story

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Over forty years ago in a lab in Boston, biochemist Svetlana Mojsov made an astonishing discovery. She'd conjured up a mixture, GLP-1, that successfully increased insulin levels when blood sugars are high - a mammoth breakthrough for diabetes treatment. It's now the secret sauce in weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, which are taken by 1.6 million people. So why wasn't Mojsov recognised for her work? Why was she, like so many women before her, erased from the story?

Guest: Aimee Donnellan, journalist and author 'Off the Scales: The Inside Story of Ozempic and the Race to Cure Obesity'.

Host: Tom Whipple, science writer and special correspondent, The Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Buy Aimee Donnellan's book from The Times Bookshop

Clips: Sky News

Photo: Stephanie Diani for the Sunday Times Magazine.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Does male sex drive peak at forty? - The Saturday Story

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

A new study has revealed a surprising truth: men’s sex drive peaks in their early forties. As a man hitting this milestone, Ben Machell explores what makes midlife libido so potent, from confidence and emotional stability, to life experience. We dive into why testosterone isn’t everything, how stress affects younger men, and what makes fortysomething men the “libido elite.”

Read by: Ben Machell, features writer, The Times, and Zak Asgard, contributor. The Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: Working Title/Universal.

Photo: Getty.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Jenrick defects: is Reform tearing the Tories apart?

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

After a whirlwind day in Westminster, Robert Jenrick announced that he was defecting to Reform UK after being sacked by the Conservatives. But how much trouble does his defection spell for the Tories? Can he work with Nigel Farage? And what does this mean for the future of the British right?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Harry Stott.

Further listening: Will mounting scandals sink reform?

Clips: Kemi Badenoch / X, BBC, Reform UK / Youtube.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Maccabi fan ban scandal explained - and what next for the police

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

The home secretary has said she has lost confidence in West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford, after a "damning" report into the decision to ban Israeli football fans from a match with Aston Villa last year. Shabana Mahmood said the report from Sir Andy Cooke, the chief inspector of constabulary, identified widespread failings at the force. But how did we get here? What did this case teach us about the way policing and politics interact? And after yet another scandal, what next for the police?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gabirel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Taryn Siegel.

Clips: GB News, Sky, Parliamentlive.tv, Urban pictures.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Can Nato survive a hostile takeover of Greenland?

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

US secretary of state Marco Rubio will meet the Danish and Greelandic foreign ministers later today amid rising tensions over America’s desire to control the island. What would a US takeover mean for the future of Nato, and what do the people of Greenland make of being caught in a diplomatic tussle?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Katie Gatens, Europe correspondent, The Sunday Times
Oliver Moody, Berlin Correspondent, The Times & the Sunday Times

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Edward Drummond and Sophie McNulty.

What would a US takeover of Greenland look like? Four options examined

Further listening: Greenland, Colombia, Mexico: where will Trump strike next?

Clips: The Times, The New York Times, Sky News, The Associated Press, Nato News, CNN, Fox News, Reuters

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Everything you need to know about the Iran protests

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Anti-government protests in Iran have entered their third week, with observers saying that thousands may now have been killed in an ongoing crackdown against the demonstrations. But could these protests really bring down the Iranian regime? Who in the opposition could step in to take its place? And what could the US achieve by striking Iran?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel correspondent, The Times.
Rana Rahimpour, Iranian-British journalist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Harry Stott, Micaela Arneson.

Clips: Radio Free Europe, The Guardian, The White House / Youtube.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is Stephen Miller? Trump's man behind 'America First'

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

The 40-year-old adviser to the US president has been the frontman of Trump's recent Greenland grab threats and capture of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. How did a kid from liberal Santa Monica become a hardline conservative? And how is his worldview shaping American policy?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: David Charter, assistant editor, The Times (US).

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producers: Taryn Siegel and Micaela Arneson.

Further listening: How Trump became America’s most powerful president

Clips: The Washington Post, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, YouTube / @FiveFools, Univision, Instagram / Cultura Movement, Occupy HLN, YouTube / Clinton Milagro, EWTN.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Is this the end of social media? - The Sunday Story

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Bestselling author Sathnam Sanghera was addicted to social media for a decade. Now, like millions of us, he’s switching off. With figures showing the amount of time spent on social media peaking in 2022 and steadily declining ever since, could we be seeing the beginning of the end of social media? And, if so, how can you kick the habit for good?

Read by: Sathnam Sanghera, author and Times writer.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Photo: Mark Harrison for Times Magazine.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Monica Lewinsky: What happened next? - The Saturday Story

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

It had it all: sex, lies, FBI stings, and the first presidential impeachment for over a century. Thirty years on from the most famous “office romance” in modern politics, Monica Lewinsky reflects, in her own words, on the impact of being 'that women'. With former president Bill Clinton’s conduct once again being questioned amid the Epstein files, we revisit 1998: the power imbalance, the media feeding frenzy, and the question that still lingers - who really paid the price? From global slut-shaming, to a life derailed at 24, this is the story of what happened next.

Guest: Jane Mulkerrins, Associate Editor, Times Magazine.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: CNN, ABC, Fox News.

Photo: Aaron Richter for the Times Magazine.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Grok undressing scandal: breaking point for Elon Musk's X?

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

In December, Elon Musk’s AI chatbot ‘Grok’ rolled out a new image-editing feature on his social media site, X. It didn’t take long for users to exploit it, digitally undressing women and girls and spreading non-consensual deepfakes. But while a governmental backlash in the UK is growing, these photos are still flooding in. So how is this legal? And are we finally reaching a moment where the harms of AI can’t be brushed aside?

Update: As of this morning (9/1), X has disabled Grok’s image generation tool for non-subscribers. Grok wrote in a reply that this was done “to ensure responsible use and address recent concerns about misuse for inappropriate content.”

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Emma Yeomans, news reporter, The Times.
Chris Stokel-Walker, tech journalist and author.
Samantha Smith, columnist at The Catholic Herald.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Harry Stott.

Further listening: Is 2026 the year of the AI backlash?

Clips: NBC News, Fox News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greenland, Colombia, Mexico: where will Trump strike next?

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

After hitting Venezuela last week and capturing the country’s president, Donald Trump turned his attention to Greenland - the US says it’ll discuss ownership with Denmark next week. Trump’s also talked about getting involved in Cuba, Mexico, and Colombia. So which country might be next? What is the ‘Donroe Doctrine?’ And could this be the end of NATO?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Michael Evans, contributor, The Times.
Mogens Lykketoft, former Danish foreign minister and former president of the United Nations General Assembly.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson.

Further listening: Is Trump's attack on Venezuela about drugs, politics or oil?

Clips: Palm Beach Post, The White House, Forbes, Sky, Global News, CNN, Bloomberg.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The storms coming for Starmer this year

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

2025 was a year of tumult for an increasingly unpopular Labour government, while insurgent parties to their right and left shot up in the polls. But what will 2026 have in store? Will Keir Starmer’s political downfall continue? And can the Greens and Reform continue their upward trajectories in the crucial local elections this May?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.
Geraldine Scott, assistant political editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Harry Stott.

Clips: Bloomberg, LBC, Sky, BBC, GB News, Reform / Youtube, Daily Mail / Youtube, Manchester Evening News / Youtube, The Independent / Youtube, Daily Express / Youtube, DRM News, The Mirror / Youtube, Conservatives / Youtube, Bold Politics with Zack.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Five years on from the Jan 6 riots, how has the US president changed America?

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Today marks five years since the Jan 6 storming of the Capitol, and nearly one year of Trump 2.0. How has the US president already changed American democracy?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: David Charter, assistant editor (US), The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: The Daily Mail, The Telegraph, CBS, Reuters, The Associated Press, The White House, Fox News, ITV News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Trump's attack on Venezuela about drugs, politics or oil?

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

The US has bombed Venezuela and abducted its President, Nicolás Maduro. But why did Donald Trump do it? And with Maduro now in New York awaiting trial, what’s next for his country?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Louise Callaghan, US correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Harry Stott.

Further listening: Are Trump's strikes in Venezuela a 'war on drugs' - or a grab for oil?

Clips: The White House / X, Guardian News / Youtube.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to live longer (and what to avoid) in the new year - The Sunday Story

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Longevity science has been trying to unlock the mysteries of ageing for years; it’s spawned a multi-billion dollar global industry of supplements, anti-ageing regimens, exercise, and more. But what actually works and what’s just hokum?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Peta Bee, health and wellbeing writer for The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

Clips: PioneerWorksVideo, Jay Shetty Podcast, @waywemove / YouTube, ABC Science, WCNC, Bodybuilding.com, KTLA 5, Jessica Carroll / YouTube.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will China lead the world in 2026? - The Saturday Story

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

In 2025 China continued to flourish. Despite the tariffs, it hit a record trade surplus of over $1 trillion, Chinese companies like DeepSeek took on the US tech giants and the country leveraged its soft power on social media sites like RedNote. With economic, technological and diplomatic might, will China try to take on America as the foremost global superpower in 2026? Or does its ruling party have another plan in mind?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Cindy Yu, columnist and contributing editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: AP, @TheHumnitarian-gph / YouTube, CNBC, CGTN, Bloomberg, @ChemOutsourcingOfficial, @ChinaUncensored / YouTube, NBC, BBC, @CBC News, @TinaSourcing / YouTube, RedNote / Anzu Baibai.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is 2026 the year of the AI backlash?

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

Millions of us now use AI daily, asking the likes of ChatGPT and Gemini to help with tasks like writing emails or designing logos. But as AI increasingly becomes part of our lives, our Silicon Valley expert predicts this year will see a significant push back against its influence.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Danny Fortson, US West Coast correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Further listening: The Times Tech Podcast

Clips: Global News, WXYZ-TV, WHAS11, 11 Alive, CBS News, More Perfect Union, Times Tech Summit.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2025: INVESTIGATION: The 9/11 suspect - part 3

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 01:01:00 GMT

In the years since Omar al-Bayoumi was released by British police, new evidence has come to light which was not shared with the officers carrying out his interrogation. Today, he stands accused of being a Saudi agent who helped the terrorists who carried out 9/11, something he has always denied.

This is part three of a three-part special investigative series, first published in September.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Amardeep Bassey, journalist, The Sunday Times.

Host: Taryn Siegel.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Sound designer: Tiffany Dimmack.

Clips: Metropolitan Police Services.

Photo: Tony Bell.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2025: INVESTIGATION: The 9/11 suspect - part 2

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

On September 21, 2001, Omar al-Bayoumi was arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of the preparation, instigation or commission of acts of terrorism. Police would have seven days before they would need to charge, extradite, or release him. Over the next week of questioning, there would be extraordinary revelations -- but also leads not followed, and crucial information not shared. So what went wrong?

This is part two of a three-part special investigative series, first published in September.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Amardeep Bassey, journalist, The Sunday Times.

Host: Taryn Siegel.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: Metropolitan Police Services.

Photo: Tony Bell.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2025: INVESTIGATION: The 9/11 suspect - part 1

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Was there another man involved in plotting the 9/11 terrorist attacks that killed thousands in 2001? And why did British police, acting on the instructions of American law enforcement, let him go?

This is part one of a three-part special investigative series, first published in September.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Amardeep Bassey, journalist, The Sunday Times.

Host: Taryn Siegel.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: Metropolitan Police Services, CBS News, NBC News.

Photo: Tony Bell.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2025: Romance fraud: the cost of loving

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Romance fraud is at an all time high, low-hanging fruit in the growing world of online scams. But what are the methods? Who falls for it? And are there ways we can all avoid it?

This episode was first published in April.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Mary Chater, romance fraud victim
Alexis Conran, TV and radio presenter

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Further reading: The Times's Crime and Justice Commission - The justice system is in crisis. We spent a year finding solutions

Clips: The Real Hustle Youtube channel, Still Watching Netflix Youtube channel.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2025: Why everyone's going to Japan

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Japanese ‘kidults’ revolutionised pop culture in the 90s and 00s, turning to their inner children to cope with economic crisis and post-industrial societal ills, despite being ridiculed. As the milestones of adulthood - property, marriage and careers - become increasingly difficult for millennials and Gen Z to achieve - are westerners now turning to ‘kidulting’ to find answers?

This episode was first published in March.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Matt Alt, author of Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Sam Chantarasak.

Further listening:

Clips: SEGA, Pokémon Theme/POKEMON, MSNBC, CNN, AJ+, Sony, PlayStation, CBS, SXSW, TikTok/@otakuintokyo, TikTok/@kaitlyneats, Your Name/dir. Makoto Shinkai/CoMix Wave Films/Toho.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2025: Can you live without a smartphone?

Sat, 27 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

A year ago Times columnist James Marriott ditched his smartphone to escape the endless notifications from his apps. How has he managed without a device many of us feel is indispensable? And could it be a more desirable future?

This episode was first published in February.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: James Marriott, Columnist, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Further reading: I’m a digital native — can I survive without my smartphone?

Photo: Jude Edginton for The Times Magazine.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2025: Planet Hope - the penguin guardian of Patagonia

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

From oil spills to climate change, penguins are on the frontline of environmental change. Pablo García Borboroglu has spent more than three decades rescuing colonies, moving shipping lanes, and protecting over 32 million acres of penguin habitat. He joins Adam Vaughan to share what it takes to keep these charismatic seabirds alive in a rapidly changing world.

Planet Hope is a podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Throughout 2025, each episode was hosted by The Story.

Host: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times.

Guest: Pablo García Borboroglu, Founder of the Global Penguin Society and Rolex Award Laureate.

Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'The Influencer' by David McCloskey - The Story on Christmas Day

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

On this special Christmas Day episode we have an exclusive, brand-new story from acclaimed author, and former CIA analyst, David McCloskey. Commissioned for The Sunday Times Review, it's read for us by the author.

Before she met Painter, before the CIA came calling, Natalie Perkins had no secrets, only followers, likes, and a hope of online fame. But now, 'retired' from the spotlight and living quietly in Nebraska, Natalie holds a secret that could change everything. When Painter reappears, Natalie is thrust back into a world of espionage and deception.

Read by: David McCloskey.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Photo: Tom Barnes for Sunday Times Magazine.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2025: My son Charlie - and the breakthrough that changed our lives

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

When James Coney's son Charlie missed milestone after milestone, he knew something wasn't right. It would take 12 years before one phone call would change their lives. They learned that, not only was there finally an answer, but Charlie's DNA had been used as part of a huge scientific breakthrough.

This episode was first published in February.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: James Coney, News Projects Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Photo: Times Media Ltd.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2025: How ketamine’s on the rise and getting into the UK

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Recreational use of the Class B drug ketamine doubled in 2024. A Sunday Times investigation has looked into where it's coming from and why it's so hard to police.

This episode was first published in April.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katie Gatens, Commissioning Editor, The Sunday Times News Review.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: One gram of ketamine and its 4,000-mile journey to the UK.

Further listening: The truth behind the drama Adolescence

If you or someone you know needs drugs help or advice, visit talktofrank.com

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The charity that stops prisoners reoffending

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

You probably don't need reminding how much of a mess our prisons are at the moment - run-down, overcrowded and sometimes with a revolving door for prisoners who reoffend. One of the charities supported by this year’s Times and Sunday Times Christmas appeal is Switchback, who’ve had great success at helping ex-offenders to ‘go straight’ when they leave prison.

For more information on this year’s Christmas Appeal and to donate, visit https://times.ctdonate.org/

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Hamza - Former prisoner helped by Switchback
Daisy Eastlake, reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Read more:

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Icons of culture, science and politics - The Sunday Story

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

In this emotionally resonant end of year episode, we take a deep dive into some of most iconic figures we lost in 2025. From the beloved British actress Dame Patricia Routledge, famed for her incredible performance as Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, to the pioneering primatologist, Jane Goodall, whose groundbreaking research at Gombe Stream transformed our understanding of chimpanzees and inspired generations of scientists and environmentalists.

Host: Anna Temkin, deputy obituaries editor of The Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: BBC, National Geographic, CNN, Josefa`s Thoughts, TPM TV, Fox, ABC, CBS, BritBox.

Photo: Getty Images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The true story of Father Christmas - The Saturday Story

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

It's the weekend before Christmas and millions of people around the world are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Father Christmas. For many, it's feels like he's always been there, but where exactly did he come from? Turns out, it's been a pretty wild ride for Old Saint Nick, one that involves prostitution in the 3rd century, pagan winter feasting, and even the creation of New York City. And what if it transpires the loveable, jolly figure we know today, was formally a thin, wayward drunk? It's the origin story you thought you knew, one that spans thousands of years of history, and countless reinventions. How well do we really know St. Nicholas of Myra, Sinterklaas or Kris Kringle?

Written by: Waldemar Januszczak, Chief art critic of The Sunday Times.

Read by: Shabnam Grewal.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Photo: Getty

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BONUS EPISODE: Coldplay kisscam HR boss on the 16 seconds that ruined her life

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:51:57 GMT

Married mother of two Kristin Cabot speaks for the first time about being caught on a kisscam embracing her married boss, Andy Byron, at a Coldplay concert. The video went viral as people wrongly suspected adultery between a tech CEO and his head of HR, drawing online mockery, abuse and threats. In a Times exclusive, our chief US reporter Josie Ensor interviewed Cabot to ask her side of the story.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josie Ensor, chief US reporter, The Times.

Producers: Harry Stott, Sophie McNulty.

Clips: ABC7, The Tonight Show / Jimmy Fallon / NBC, 9 News Australia, MBC News, NBC News.

Photo: Lucy Lu for The Times

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rob Reiner's death, Trump's reaction and Hollywood politics

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead last Sunday. His son has been charged with their murder. It’s seen an outpouring of emotion from Hollywood and across the world, but one person’s response was less than complimentary: Donald Trump. So what does the President’s latest incursion into Hollywood politics mean for the movie industry?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Hadley Freeman, columnist and features writer, The Times.
Kevin Maher, chief film critic, The Times.

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producers: Harry Sott, Olivia Case.

Rob Reiner’s five best movies ranked, from Spinal Tap to Misery

Clips: When Harry Met Sally / Rob Reiner / Columbia Pictures; This is Spinal Tap / Rob Reiner / Embassy Pictures; A Few Good Men / Rob Reiner / Columbia Pictures; Being Charlie / Rob Reiner / Paladin; Build Series / Youtube, Film Courage / Youtube; PBS Newshour.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MI6 chief warns of war with Russia - are we ready?

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

This week, MI6 and the UK military issued a stark warning: Britain is already on the front line against Russia. And Moscow’s tactics – from drone warfare to cyber attacks and sowing disinformation – are growing more sophisticated and aggressive. But is the UK taking the threat seriously enough? A former British army general explains what conflict with Russia would look like and how the UK should prepare.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: General Sir Richard Barrons, former Commander of Joint Forces Command.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson and Taryn Siegel.

Military head: Britons must be ready to fight as Russian threat grows

Further listening: A continent prepares for war. Here's how it's done

Clips: The Mirror, 10 News, BBC, LBC, Netflix / A House of Dynamite.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will the doctors strike put lives at risk amid the flu crisis?

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Thousands of resident doctors are going on strike today despite a flu outbreak which is already putting hospitals under pressure. The NHS says it’s facing a “worst-case scenario” in the run up to Christmas, so will the health service be able to cope?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest:

Eleanor Hayward, health editor, The Times.
Joshua Bratt, photojournalist who had a severe bout of flu.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal, Edward Drummond

Read more:

Clips: Times Radio, LBC, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'I walked right into a massacre': how the Bondi attack unfolded

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Australia is still reeling after Sunday’s terror attack on a Chanukkah event at Bondi Beach. At least 15 people were killed, in addition to one of the gunmen. We hear from a crime reporter who was at the scene just minutes after the massacre unfolded and ask, could the government have done more to prevent the attack?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Mark Morri, crime editor, Sydney Daily Telegraph.
Bernard Lagan, Australia correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Taryn Siegel and Micaela Arneson.

Clips: Sky, News.com.au, ABC News Australia.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The police, lost evidence and a search for the truth.

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

19-year-old Edward Cornes was found dead in a hotel room, just two days after he arrived at university. A post-mortem found large amounts of GHB, commonly known as the ‘date-rape’ drug in his system. Cornes had spent his final few hours in the company of two men in their fifties, but police concluded his death was not suspicious. His mother has accused the police of running a botched and homophobic investigation. So what went wrong?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Miriam Blythe, mother of Edward Cornes
Fiona Hamilton, chief reporter, The Times

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Photo: Courtesy of Miriam Blythe.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hostage negotiators of the digital age - The Sunday Story

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 01:01:33 GMT

Cyber-attacks on some of Britain's biggest companies like Marks & Spencer have cost hundreds of millions of pounds. For Jaguar Land Rover, experts estimate the cost to the company and the economy ran to billions. But most of us know almost nothing about what happens behind the scenes in the hours after a hack. Who do you call? In a bank robbery, a negotiator armed with a megaphone might turn up. But what if the loot is bitcoin, and the hostages, data?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: James Ball, freelance writer, the Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: ITV News, CNBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The sinister US village for whites only - The Saturday Story

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Deep in rural Arkansas, far right YouTuber Eric Orwoll has founded 'Return to the Land', an all-white compound. Black people, gays and Jews are not allowed to live there. Sixty years after the end of segregation in America, is his community a remote collection of oddballs, or a sign of more extremism to come?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: Piers Morgan Uncensored, PBS, Aarvoll.

Photo: Karen Pulfer for The Times Magazine

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘It's not an injury, it's a disability’: the soldier blowing the whistle on the army’s Ajax vehicles

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

The British army’s new fleet of Ajax armoured vehicles was meant to be their new jewel in the crown: high tech machines for an army of the future. But after nearly a decade, and more than five billion pounds spent, the vehicles have been withdrawn after accusations they have caused life changing injuries to crews. Today, we hear from the ex-soldier who was once the head of testing these vehicles, speaking about his experience for the first time.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Larisa Brown, defence editor, The Times.
Rob Page, ex-British Army lieutenant colonel in charge of the armoured trials and development unit, 2019-2021.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Harry Stott.

Photo: Joshua Bratt for The Times

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One big Hollywood drama

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Warner Bros. Discovery - the revered studio behind Barbie and Casablanca - is up for sale. A bidding war has emerged between Netflix and Paramount. But could either acquisition change the film industry forever? And are these bids even legal?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Kevin Maher, chief film critic, The Times.
Louisa Clarence-Smith, US business editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Harry Stott, Olivia Case, Shabnam Grewal.

Further listening: Has Hollywood run out of ideas?

Clips: Barbie / Great Gerwig / Warner Bros, The Dark Knight / Christopher Nolan / Warner Bros, Casablanca / Michael Curtiz / Warner Bros, Hamnet / Chloe Zhao / Universal Pictures, The Searchers / John Ford / Warner Bros, Dune / Denis Villeneuve / Warner Bros, Joker / Tod Phillips / Warner Bros, Beasts of No Nation / Cary Joji Fukunaga / Netflix, Warner bros intro / Max Steiner, House of Cards / Netflix, Sex Education / Netflix, WSJ, NBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Australia’s social media ban work?

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

From today, under-16s in Australia will be banned from using social media platforms, a world-first. The ban has caused uproar among teenagers and a court case brought by two fifteen year olds is challenging the policy. Will the ban work? And could other countries follow suit?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Bernard Lagan, Australia correspondent, The Times.
Poppy, teenager in Australia.
Jo Gaeney, parent and teacher in Australia.
John Ruddick, Libertarian MP for New South Wales.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

Further listening: The AI that could block kids from social media

Clips: 10 News, AFP, 7 News, Sky News Australia.

Photo: Adobe Stock.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will mounting scandals sink Reform?

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

From former officials jailed after taking bribes to push pro-Putin propaganda, through to local councillors being expelled for offensive tweets, and leader Nigel Farage being accused of high school racism, Reform UK is struggling to stay scandal free. Will the party be able to weather the storm? Or will the waves of allegations start to shift the polls?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal, Harry Stott.

Further listening: Is Reform ready for power?

Clips: BBC, Sky, GB News, LBC, ITV.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘I took a grenade blast to escape’: Russian deserters speak to The Times

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

When Nikolai’s assault unit was told to advance on a Ukrainian position, he decided he’d rather blow up his own arm than continue to fight. Nikolai and two other former Russian soldiers tell The Times about their harrowing experiences at war– and why they decided to flee.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Jack Clover, assistant foreign news editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

Listen more: A new peace plan, and a critical moment for Zelensky

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why too much noise is damaging our health - The Sunday Story

Sun, 07 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Jet engines, the neighbour's lawnmower, traffic noise - it's all terrible for our health. Yet for many years the issue has been dismissed, described as the "poor cousin” of other environmental issues such as litter, air pollution and climate change. So with prolonged noise pollution linked to nearly 1,000 premature deaths in Britain in 2017, why isn't it taken more seriously? How exactly does the daily onslaught of noise affect us? And just why is it so bad for our health?

Written and read by: Ben Spencer, Science Editor, The Sunday Times.

Producer and sound designer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: epidemicsound, BBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sex poetry and brain worms: The RFK 'love triangle' shocking America - The Saturday Story

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

A new book by New York Magazine’s former star political writer, Olivia Nuzzi, has unleashed a chaotic slew of revelations about her alleged transgressive relationships with wayward politicians — and the US is hooked. But how did this increasingly bizarre he-said she-said story of conflicting accounts unfold? And what does it tell us about the nexus between politics and journalism - between power and those who are supposed to hold it to account in modern America?

Guest: Will Pavia, New York Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Read more:

Clips: ABC, The Hill, Siriusxm, NY Post, The Bulwark.

Photo: Getty Images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are so many Poles returning home?

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

In the 1980s, the leader of Poland’s Solidarity Movement, campaigning against communism, promised the country’s economy would one day rival Japan. The crowd laughed. Now that dream has become a reality. By the end of this year, Polish living standards are forecast to match those in the Asian economic powerhouse, and Poles across Europe are returning home. So how have they managed it? And will it last?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times
Agnes Uba, Polish entrepreneur and returnee.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Harry Stott.

Clips: Netflix / Youtube, BBC, TRT / Youtube, TLDR News EU, Daily Mail / Youtube, Sky.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will a review into mental health fix a system in crisis?

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Today, Health Secretary Wes Streeting is announcing an independent review into rising demand for mental health, ADHD, and autism services. Amid soaring welfare costs and long waiting lists, the government says the system needs to be transformed. But with Streeting previously claiming that some mental health conditions are ‘overdiagnosed’, are the right problems being tackled?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Eleanor Hayward, health editor, The Times
Dr Tony Lloyd, counseling psychologist and former CEO of ADHD UK

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Edward Drummond, Taryn Siegel, Micaela Arneson.

Further listening: Is ADHD being over-diagnosed?

Clips: Sky News, Channel 4 News, Parliament, The Sun, BBC.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What ever happened to Trump’s peace plan for Gaza?

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

On Tuesday the UN General Assembly met to discuss a plan for Palestinian statehood, two months after President Trump announced his twenty-point peace plan for Israel and Gaza. But has the fighting actually stopped? Is the region any closer to peace? And could Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing criminal trial derail the whole process?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Olivia Case.

Further listening: How Trump's Gaza deal could still unravel

Clips: WPLG Local 10, Fox, DW News, RTE News, The Guardian, WFAA / YouTube, Middle East Eye, NBC, Yvette Cooper / Twitter.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will the budget fallout bring down Keir Starmer?

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

The arguments over last week’s budget continue; first chancellor Rachel Reeves was accused of misleading MPs and the public over the state of public finances, then the chair of the budget watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility, resigned. So how did this row unfold and where does it leave the Prime Minister?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Oliver Wright, policy editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case, Shabnam Grewal.

Further listening: Do bond markets rule the world?

Clips: The Telegraph, Times Radio, BBC, parliamentlive.tv, ITV News, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joseph Kony's son escaped his father's militia - now he tells his story

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 01:01:00 GMT

In 2012 Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony went viral thanks to Kony 2012, a documentary about his atrocities. He's been on the run ever since. Today, the son who was groomed to be his father's heir tells his story for the first time.

This podcast contains scenes some listeners may find distressing.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Richard Assheton, contributor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further listening: Inside Haiti: face to face with the gangs ruling a desperate nation - the Sunday Story

Clips: Channel 4, Clevver News, Kony 2012 / Jason Russell / Invisible Children, Inc., The White House / JosephyKony.ogv

Photo: Richard Assheton for The Sunday Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Are we becoming a post-literate society? - The Sunday Story

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

When an Oxbridge professor says his students are “functionally illiterate”, you know something is wrong. With reading levels in freefall and screentime rocketing, is the era of mass literacy over? In his wildly successful blog, James Marriot argues that three centuries after the reading revolution ignited democracy and modern science, we are now witnessing its great undoing. Where once we spent hours poring over books, contemplating complicated theories and ideas, we now scroll emotive, short form content. What effect is this major shift having on our brains? And are we are really at the dawn of the post-literate society?

The Sunday Times wants to Get Britain Reading. With our campaign you can:

• Donate to Bookbanks to put books in the hands of those most in need

• Volunteer to read in schools with Coram Beanstalk

• Above all, take our pledge to read for pleasure for at least ten minutes a day for the next six weeks

The $10m mind-reader who spooked Joe Rogan and Barack Obama - The Saturday Story

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Oz Pearlman has guessed Joe Rogan's pin number, freaked out Barack Obama, mind-read Howard Stern’s secret afterlife password and left Richard Branson staring into the middle distance. But behind the viral moments is a former Wall Street analyst who insists there’s nothing supernatural in what he does, just psychology, pattern-spotting and a lifetime spent decoding how people think. We dive into the real tricks of the world’s most in-demand "mentalist", the habits that power his $10m career, and why he says you can learn them too.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Written by: Michael Odell, interviewer and features writer.

Read by: Micaela Arneson and Edward Drummond.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: The Joe Rogan Experience, SiriusXM, AGT, TedX, GMA.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The chaos engulfing the Your Party conference

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

The inaugural conference of Jeremy Corbyn’s Your Party takes place this weekend. But what should have been the coronation of the left’s most potent new force has become a shambles. Will they get it together in time to prevent Zack Polanski’s Greens from sweeping up the left vote?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Harry Stott.

Further listening: Why Britain’s left is radicalising

Clips: New Statesman / Youtube, Zarah Sultana / Youtube, Times Radio, Channel 4, Canary / Youtube, ITV News, LBC, Socialist Telly / Youtube, Owen Jones / Youtube, Novara Media.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Budget unpacked

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

After weeks of trailing, flip-flopping, and media briefings, the government finally unveiled its budget. And while there were no real surprises, questions– both practical and existential– remain. Has Rachel Reeves done enough to save her and Keir Starmer’s jobs? And what will it mean for you, the listener?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times, and
Rachel Mortimer, deputy money editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

What does the budget mean for you?

Further listening: The Business

Clips: BBC News, Channel 4 News, ITV News, Sky News, Parliament.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The forgotten postmaster ‘hounded to death’ by investigators

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Of the thirteen sub-postmasters thought to have taken their own lives because of the Post Office scandal, only two have been named publicly. Michael Mann was one of them. Our reporter has spoken to his family, former partner and ex-colleagues to tell his story for the first time.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Hugo Daniel, news reporter, the Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Edward Drummond and Shabnam Grewal.

Further listening: The Post Office scandal: How a TV drama delivered justice

Clips: ITV, Channel 4 News, ITV News, Horizon Inquiry.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new peace plan, and a critical moment for Zelensky

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

The prospect of peace in Ukraine may be edging closer, after the leak of a controversial 28-point plan to end the war prompted Ukrainian and Western officials to meet for ‘productive’ talks in Geneva. Is this the beginning of the end? And how does the latest proposal ensure that Russia will not invade again?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mark Galeotti, Russia expert, writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Harry Stott, Micaela Arneson.

Further listening: The girl who was kidnapped by Russia - the Sunday Story

Clips: Bloomberg, NBC, BBC, AP, Tucker Carlson / YouTube, Laura Logan / YouTube, Africanews.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Porn, strangulation and the law

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

A recent survey revealed that more than half of 16 to 34-year-olds have taken part in strangulation during sex, despite the risks of a loss of consciousness and stroke. Many feel a rise in choking in pornography is to blame, a practice the UK government is set to ban. Baroness Gabby Bertin has led an independent review which prompted the change in law.

This programme contains descriptions of strangulation during sex.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Helen Puttick, reporter, The Times,
Samantha Browne, campaigner and former adult performer and,
Baroness Gabby Bertin, Conservative peer.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Alula Hart.

Why the woman outlawing violent porn is just getting started

Photo: Andrew Farrar for The Sunday Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the trad wife dream ending in divorce? - The Sunday Story

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Across the Deep South, women raised to believe marriage was their destiny are now walking out, challenging the religious, cultural and political pressures that have shaped their lives. Meanwhile, the booming 'trad wife' movement, championed by conservative powerhouses like the late Trump supporter Charlie Kirk, is attracting a whole new generation of young women to embrace home and hearth and marry young. So, why are more marriages ending in divorce in the deep south than they are across liberal America? Could it mean the trad wife tradition will end in divorce?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Louise Callaghan, US correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: NBC, esteecwilliams.

Photo: Corey Arnold, The Times Magazine.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world's first AI actress and 'her' creator - The Saturday Story

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Tilly Norwood, the world's first 'AI actress' has rocked Hollywood, sparking union protests and denounced by actors such as Whoopi Goldberg, George Clooney and Emily Blunt. For some she's a threat to the artform, for others an inevitability. She'll never forget her lines, turn up late or fall drunk out of a bar. Tilly can appear in multiple films at once and even change her appearance at will. But what does her creator say? Is she the future of cinema? Eline Van der Velden tells her side of the story, from the A-list backlash, to developing Tilly's personality.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Tom Whipple, science correspondent, The Times.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: NBC, CBS, Fox News, Particle6.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The week that cost 23,000 lives

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

The findings of the report into the political governance and decision making during the pandemic are damning about Boris Johnson’s government’s attempts to protect the public from the virus. Who was responsible for a “toxic and sexist culture” and who misled Downing Street?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Eleanor Hayward, health editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Harry Stott.

Clips: UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the Epstein files have split MAGA

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

President Trump has bowed to pressure from US lawmakers, including those in his own Republican party, to release files related to the investigation into the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. As leading MAGA figures start to rebel, we ask whether Trump has lost control over his base?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Olivia Case.

Further listening: The new Epstein emails about Trump

Clips: BBC, Sky, PBS, MS Now / YouTube, Democrats / Facebook, Fox.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Britain’s most charming ‘national security threat’

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

In an attempt to court the favour of the post-Assad regime in Syria, western countries have recently de-proscribed former terrorist groups. What does that mean for those who were deprived of their citizenship for allegedly associating with those groups, back when the West banned them?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Anthony Loyd, special correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further listening: Palmyra: Syria's past, present and future.

Clips: The Guardian, CNN, The Times, France 24.

Photo: Anthony Loyd for The Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘Repugnant’ or necessary? The new asylum rules

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood announced sweeping changes to the asylum rules yesterday; the largest overhaul since the Second World War. The changes have apparently been inspired by Denmark but will they work or are they - as one Labour MP said - ‘repugnant’?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Ben Clathworthy, Whitehall editor, The Times.
Fraser Nelson, columnist, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson, Harry Stott.

Further listening: Doomed to fail? Labour’s asylum u-turn

Clips: Sky, Times Radio, parliamentlive.tv.

Photo: Andrew Fox for The Sunday Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The teenage girls preparing for war

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

From this year, 18 year-old Danish women will have to take part in a conscription lottery and face potentially being called up for an 11 month military service. The country is just one of many in Europe aiming to improve military resilience in response to the growing threat from Russia. But what does it mean to the teenagers caught up on the front line of this debate?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katie Gatens, commissioning editor of news review, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Further Reading: Denmark's drive to conscript teenage girls: "We're pretty scared"

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hitler’s shocking DNA discovery – The Sunday Story

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

For the first time, scientists have successfully sequenced Adolf Hitler’s DNA, taken from a bloodstain in the bunker where he spent his final days. It's one of the most remarkable scientific studies in modern history, and the results are astonishing. They reveal a previously unknown medical condition, which finally uncovers the truth behind that famous wartime song, and resolve long-standing questions: Is Hitler of Jewish ancestry? Was he a schizophrenic? And what does his DNA tell us about evil?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Jack Blackburn, history correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: Times Radio, NBC, Channel 4/Blink Films UK.

- Sunken port may provide clue to Cleopatra and Mark Antony’s lost tomb

Photo: Shaun Parkinson/Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Story presents: Planet Hope - A million-hectare conservation vision in Namibia

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each episode is hosted by The Story released as a bonus weekly series on Saturdays.

Andreia Pawel is co-founder of the Orange River-Karoo Conservation Area, one of the world’s most ambitious rewilding projects. Spanning more than a million hectares in Namibia, and with the support of the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, it aims to restore lost ecosystems, reintroduce species and work with local Nama communities to build a new model for conservation. She tells Adam Vaughan how, with bold ambitions, we can breathe new life into the natural world.

Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

Guest: Andreia Pawel, conservationist and co-founder, Orange River-Karoo Conservation Area

Host: Adam Vaughan, environment editor, The Times

Series producer: Priyanka Deladia

Sound designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cop30 - is climate diplomacy cracking

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Negotiations at the annual global climate change conference, or COP, are in full swing. But with consensus on the issue collapsing at home and abroad, including the US withdrawing from the landmark Paris agreement, is there even any point in the summit? We ask the UK’s special representative for climate.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Professor Rachel Kyte, UK special representative for climate.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Harry Stott, Olivia Case.

Further listening: Have we stopped caring about climate change?

Clips: United Nations / YouTube, TRT World, DW News / YouTube, Yahoo / YouTube, ITV, SABC News, News X World.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new Epstein emails about Trump

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Thousands of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein have been released by the US House Oversight Committee. One email alleges Donald Trump 'knew about the girls'. While the White House argues a selective leaking of this correspondence has created a fake narrative, what does this release tell us about the relationship between the US President and the convicted paedophile?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josie Ensor, chief US reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: NBC News, Fox News.

Further Reading: What Epstein said about Trump in newly released emails

Further Listening: Can Trump shake his Epstein problem?

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the Olympics may ban transgender athletes

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

This week, The Times broke the news that the International Olympic Committee is a step closer to banning transgender women from competing in all female events. So why is the IOC acting now? And could President Trump have anything to do with it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Martyn Ziegler, chief sports reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

Further listening: New rules for trans athletes: fairness or exclusion?

Clips: Sky News, Bloomberg, Sports Insider by DRM / YouTube, CBS Evening News, Sky News Australia, Associated Press, Sky News Sports.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can the BBC survive?

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

After the resignations of two of its most senior members of staff, the BBC is being questioned over allegations of institutional bias. Donald Trump has threatened to sue the organisation, and with negotiations about the continuation of the BBC’s funding model underway, where does it leave our national broadcaster?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Rosamund Urwin, media editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Edward Drummond, Shabnam Grewal, Harry Stott.

Clips: News.com.Au, Reuters, TalkTV, NBC News, Bloomberg News, GBNews, BBC News, Sky News, ITV News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain’s Bill Gates, his sunken superyacht, and the bitter fight for £700 million

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Last year, tech billionaire Mike Lynch was given a second chance at life when he was acquitted of criminal fraud charges. But while celebrating with friends and family aboard his yacht, a freak storm arose. Lynch, his daughter, and five others were tragically killed. This week, deliberations begin over how much compensation his estate owes to the company he defrauded. Payments which could lead to bankruptcy.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katie Prescott, technology business editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

Further listening: The tragedy of Mike Lynch and the sunken yacht

Clips: Danny in the Valley, BBC, LeadersIn, Black Thunder / YouTube, Charlie Rose.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Traitors is rigged, just not in the way you think - The Sunday Story

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

It’s the most watched TV show of the year, but The Traitors is much more than just entertainment: it’s a psychological experiment. How did a game, born out of Cold War Soviet roots, become a mirror of modern power, politics, and trust? Why do we value charm over logic? And can you ever really trust anyone? Not according to Times feature writer Helen Rumbelow.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Spoiler alert: Reveals the winner of the Celebrity Traitors from the start.

Guest: Helen Rumbelow, feature writer and columnist, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Read more:

Clips: BBC, Network 10.

Photo: Cody Burridge/Studio Lambert/BBC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Story presents: Planet Hope - Steve Boyes on resilience, recovery and Africa’s great rivers

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Explorer and Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative partner Steve Boyes has spent decades navigating Africa’s wild rivers. He tells Adam Vaughan how illness and resilience has reshaped his outlook and why protecting rivers, landscapes and communities has become his life’s mission.

Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

Guest: Steve Boyes, conservationist and National Geographic Explorer.

Host: Adam Vaughan, environment editor, The Times

Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why wasn't the Southport attack stopped?

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Last year’s attack on a dance class in Southport killed three young girls and injured a further eight, as well as two adults. The teenager responsible, Axel Rudakubana, has since been sentenced to a minimum 52 years. But a public inquiry is still trying to understand whether it would have been possible to prevent the horrific event.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Constance Kampfner, northern correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Read more:

Clips: Southport Inquiry, Times Radio, The Times.

Photo: Getty Images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

INVESTIGATION: The black market for fake driving tests thriving in the UK

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Almost 700,000 people are waiting to book their driving test in the UK, a record backlog which is being exploited by scammers. Our reporter Emma Kirwan found victims across the UK have already paid out more than £134,000 this year trying to book slots which don’t exist. So, she tracked down a scammer and got him on the phone.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Emma Kirwan, reporter, Times Radio.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Times Radio.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The pre-budget back-pedal

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Rachel Reeves has paved the way for potential tax rises. In a speech three weeks before the budget, the chancellor refused to commit to Labour’s manifesto promise to not raise National Insurance, income tax or VAT. With Nigel Farage also back-pedalling on tax cuts, is it time for the politicians to be more honest about the state of the economy?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Oliver Wright, policy editor, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Shabnam Grewal, Alula Hart.

Further listening: Do bond markets rule the world?

Clips: Sky News, The Guardian, Parliament TV, ITV Politics.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How the Huntingdon train attack unfolded - and what comes next

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

On Saturday evening, passengers on a train from Doncaster to London King’s Cross suddenly found themselves in the path of a man wielding a large kitchen knife. In the terrifying minutes that followed, there were scenes of horror and acts of bravery. So what happened, could the attack have been prevented, and can passenger safety be improved?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Izzy Lyons, reporter, The Sunday Times,
Theo Usherwood, political reporter, Times Radio

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Shabnam Grewal.

Clips: BBC News, BBC Breakfast, Channel 4 News, Parliament TV, Sky News, RTE News, Times Radio.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The millennial Mayor who wants to remake New York

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Tomorrow is election day for the mayor of New York and the frontrunner is 34-year-old Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani. But are his plans to remake America's biggest city achievable - or a pipe dream? And how might he face off against President Trump?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Will Pavia, New York correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Olivia Case, Sophie McNulty, Alula Hart.

Clips: nnmaddox / YouTube, @amberyeet / TikTok, NBC, C-SPAN, zohran_k_mamdani / TikTok, Fox, Mr Cardamom / YouTube, Bernie Sanders / YouTube, @subwaytakes / TikTok, Forbes.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I hired a male escort for my 70th birthday - The Sunday Story

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Gail Rice had given up on dating apps and was dreading old age. Then the psychologist had an idea — book a hotel room for a landmark birthday and pay a stranger to turn her on. Would it work?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Read by: Olivia Case.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, Searchlight Pictures.

Photo: Isabella Moore for The Times Magazine.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Story presents: Planet Hope - Restoring movement after paralysis

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:01:00 GMT

In Lausanne, Switzerland, neuroscientist and Rolex Awards Laureate Grégoire Courtine and neurosurgeon Jocelyne Bloch have pioneered a “digital bridge” that translates brain signals into spinal stimulation, giving people with paralysis new ways to regain movement. They tell Tom Whipple about the science behind the technology, the patients leading the way and their hopes for the future of movement recovery after paralysis.

Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

Guest:

Grégoire Courtine, Neuroscientist and co-founder of NeuroRestore.
Jocelyne Bloch, Neurosurgeon and co-founder of NeuroRestore.
Suzanne Edwards, Patient at NeuroRestore.

Host: Tom Whipple, Science Writer, The Times.

Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew & Epstein - The King acts

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:31:57 GMT

This episode is from The Story's sister podcast The Royals.

He will now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. The man formerly known as Prince Andrew is being stripped of his titles and removed from his mansion, Royal Lodge, on the Windsor estate. Last month The Times obtained a copy of the leasehold agreement for Royal Lodge which showed that while the prince paid £1 million for the lease plus at least £7.5 million for refurbishments completed in 2005, he has paid “one peppercorn (if demanded)” in rent per year, since 2003. Andrew's links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, brought increasing public and political demands for action. It is a seismic moment in royal history – but is it enough?

Presenter: Roya Nikkhah, royal editor, The Sunday Times.

Contributors:

Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent,The Times and,
George Greenwood, investigations reporter, The Times.

Producers: Sophie McNulty, Priyanka Deladia, Robert Wallace, Stephen Titherington.

Photo: Getty Images.

Subscribe to The Royals podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The children taking Wegovy

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Since January, one clinic in the UK has started prescribing the weight-loss medication Wegovy to 12-17 year-olds. For some, the results have been life-changing. But without evidence about the long-term impacts, is it safe?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Roisin Kelly, commissioning editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further listening: Why weight loss drugs will change even more than you think

Photo: Times Media.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Has China won the trade war?

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Donald Trump has threatened 100% tariffs on Chinese goods, while Xi Jinping hit back with export limits on rare earth minerals. As the two leaders come face to face in South Korea to make a deal, the stakes are high.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Cindy Yu, columnist and contributing editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot and Alula Hart.

Clips: CBS News, CNBC, AP News, Bloomberg TV.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doomed to fail? Labour’s asylum u-turn

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 01:01:00 GMT

The government has announced plans to move migrants out of hotels and into accommodation on military barracks. The same plan Labour opposed when put forward by the Conservatives in 2023. What’s behind the move and could it work?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Matt Dathan, home affairs editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

Billions ‘squandered on migrant hotels due to incompetence’

Clips: Parliament, BBC, Times Radio, ITV, Getty Images.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brigitte Macron vs the conspiracy theorists

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 01:01:00 GMT

Eight years ago, French bloggers began to claim the President’s wife, Brigitte Macron, was born a man. As the false allegations spread internationally, the Macrons decided to take legal action. Yesterday, ten people appeared in a Paris court charged with cyberbullying and in the US, the right wing influencer Candace Owens faces a defamation suit. So where did this come from? And in a world of fake news, is there value in fighting for the truth?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Charles Bremner, Paris contributor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case and Micalea Arneson.

Clips: De de / YouTube, NBC, CNN, France24, Engineering Science, Theo Von Clips, Candace Owens / YouTube, Daily Wire Plus, BFMTV.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The teenage hackers bringing British industry to its knees

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 01:01:00 GMT

The cyberattack which shut down Jaguar Land Rover for five weeks this summer, cost Britain nearly £2bn. It was just one of a series of attacks on big British businesses by teenage hackers who co-ordinate via the dark web. So who are they and how do we stop them?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Matilda Davies, data journalist at The Times and The Sunday Times and
Chris Stokel Walker, technology journalist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Clips: BBC News, 5 News, ITV News, TALK TV, CHANNEL 4 News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How thieves pulled off the heist of the decade - The Sunday Story

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

It's been described as the 'crime of the decade'. In just seven minutes, masked thieves stole the French crown jewels in broad daylight, from the most visited museum in the world: the Louvre. How did they pull off their audacious plan and will they get away with it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: David Chazan, Paris correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Read more: How the Louvre Heist Unfolded

Clips: ITV News, Fox News, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Story presents: Planet Hope - Improving sight with a smartphone

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Over a billion people live with preventable vision loss. Eye surgeon and Rolex Awards Laureate Andrew Bastawrous has created a smartphone app that is transforming eyecare, facilitating sight restoration for millions and changing lives. He tells Tom Whipple, how glasses – a 700-year-old invention – have transformed his own life, and why he’s determined no one should lose their sight for lack of access.

Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

Guest: Andrew Bastawrous, eye surgeon and founder, Peek Vision.

Host: Tom Whipple, science writer, The Times.

Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia.

Sound Designer: David Crackles.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The financial fight for Ukraine

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Donald Trump announced sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil companies, saying he hoped it may push Putin to be ‘reasonable’ over ending the Ukraine war. The EU swiftly followed suit, and discussed using seized Russian assets to help fund Ukraine. Could the financial pressure bring Russia’s economy– and Putin’s war ambitions– to its knees?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Maxim Tucker, Ukraine correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson, Edith Rousselot.

Trump announces ‘tremendous’ new raft of sanctions against Russia

Clips: Forbes, Associated Press, Times News.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Trump trying to sway Argentina's election?

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Donald Trump is promising to give Argentina $20 billion to save its struggling economy but only if incumbent President Javier Milei holds onto power in the midterm elections this weekend. So why does Trump care about a country 5,000 miles away? And is this part of a broader swing to the right across South America?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Stephen Gibbs, contributor, Latin America and the Caribbean, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: AP, Forbes, ABC, PBS, Vivo / YouTube, New York Post, The Guardian.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Europe’s plan to fight Putin’s drones

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

On the night of September 9, sirens sounded across eastern Poland. Around 20 Russian drones had crossed the border, and NATO aircraft were scrambled to shoot them down. The incident became a wake-up call for Europe and the US, where further sightings of drones over airports and military facilities have since been reported. This week, defence secretary John Healey announced a plan to allow British troops to bring down drones over military bases. But the UK isn’t the only country taking this growing threat more seriously. So what’s Europe’s plan to fight Putin’s drones?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

How ‘state-sponsored’ drone activity is pushing Nato to brink

Soldiers will be given power to shoot down threatening drones

Further listening: Putin’s drones, Nato’s fightback, and when is it war? https://pod.fo/e/3352cd

Clips: NPR, 7 News, Sky News, Channel 4 News, BBC News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The continuing fall of Prince Andrew

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Late last week, after new revelations about the relationship between the Duke of York and Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew was forced to relinquish his titles. His meeting with the King also followed the publication of extracts from the autobiography of Virginia Giuffre, which is released today. Giuffre accused Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, something he has always strongly denied. In recent days, there have been further questions about the prince's judgement and financial arrangements.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Katie Gatens, Commissioning Editor of News Review, The Sunday Times.
George Greenwood, Investigations Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Edith Rousselot and Shabnam Grewal.

Clips: BBC, Times Radio.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Story presents: The Poppy Day Bomb

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Today we bring you the first episode from The Times' new investigative series, The Poppy Day Bomb.

On Remembrance Sunday in 1987, an IRA bomb went off in Mario Ledwith’s hometown of Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, which ultimately killed 12 people. A lifetime later, Mario returns to investigate the silence surrounding that terror attack.

To make sure you don't miss the rest of the series, subscribe to the Poppy Day Bomb.

Warning: This episode contains descriptions of violence that you may find upsetting.

Host: Mario Ledwith, news reporter, The Times.

Get in touch: mario.ledwidth@thetimes.co.uk

podcasts.investigates@thetimes.com

Connect your Times subscription with Apple Podcasts and get episodes ad free and early.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The lost children of Tuam - The Sunday Story

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The small Irish town of Tuam is home to one of Ireland's most shocking secrets. During the 20th century, thousands of children born out of wedlock were taken from their mothers, branded the 'children of sin' and sent to institutions run by nuns. At St Mary's, it’s claimed 800 died of preventable causes, their remains discarded. Now, following a decade-long campaign for justice, an excavation has begun. Will it finally uncover the truth?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

WARNING: This episode contains references to rape, and the deaths and mistreatment of babies and infants.

Guest: Sean O’Neill, senior writer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: BBC, Sky News, The Journal, RTE, ABC, France24.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Story presents: Planet Hope - Protecting Australia’s Ningaloo Coast

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Marine scientist Ben Fitzpatrick is fighting to protect the Ningaloo Coast and Exmouth Gulf – one of Earth’s last wild marine frontiers, home to whale sharks, dugongs, manta rays and vibrant coral reefs. Speaking with Adam Vaughan, he reflects on growing up in Western Australia and why safeguarding this rare ocean wilderness matters for future generations.

Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

Guest: Ben Fitzpatrick, Marine Scientist and Mission Blue Hope Spot Champion

Host: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times

Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do bond markets rule the world?

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

In politically unstable times, the whims and worries of the global bond market are having a huge impact on what action governments around the world can take. So who are these people trading in government debt? And how did they get the power to leave so many governments so shaken and stirred?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Read more:

Clips: Bloombergtv, Eurodollar University, Stone X, Bloomberg Podcasts, Al Jazeera English, CNBC International Live.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why questions remain about the collapsed China spying case

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Since the case against two British men accused of spying for China suddenly collapsed, the Government and the Crown Prosecution Service have been playing the blame game, each accusing the other of being responsible. So who’s really at fault? And did China get a free pass in order to secure a better trade deal?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Caroline Wheeler, Political Editor, Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson.

Read more:

Further listening: The Westminster aide suspected of spying for China

Clips: Sky, WION, BBC, ITV, Parliament TV, Channel 4.

Photo: Alamy, Lauren Hurley/No 10 Downing Street/Crown Copyright, Faculty AI, Adobe Stock, Denise Kelly.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Channel chaos laid bare in distress calls

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

With increasing numbers of people crossing the Channel in small boats, emergency call logs lay bare the fears faced by those trying to reach Britain. These calls highlight the risks taken every day by those at the centre of this growing crisis.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Emma Yeomans, News reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Further listening: The human cost of the migrant crisis

Clips: ITV News, The Times, GB News.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Trump's Gaza deal could still unravel

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

There was a sense of euphoria in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv, yesterday, as all of the living hostages held by Hamas since the October 7th attacks were released. But while Trump told the Israeli parliament the peace plan he brokered was a miracle, cracks have already begun to emerge. So is this really the beginning of long term peace in the Middle East?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Edith Rousselot, Olivia Case.

Clips: The Times, Fox News, GB News

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

INVESTIGATION: The forensic expert and the parents accused of murder

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The Times has uncovered cases of parents accused of killing their babies, based in part on testimony from a forensic expert who claimed to find evidence of harm. But serious concerns have now been raised about his conclusions by judges and other specialist pathologists. What happens if the expert gets it wrong?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: James Beal, Deputy Investigations Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Micaela Arneson, Olivia Case.

Read more:

Photo: The Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jilly Cooper: The queen of the bonkbuster - The Sunday Story

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

For more than 40 years. Dame Jilly Cooper was the undisputed queen of the bonk buster, that glorious British blend of sex, scandal and social satire. As Britain says farewell to her, three Times journalists who loved, knew and even shared a glass of champagne with Jilly gather to remember the writer who made us laugh, blush and bonk - unapologetically.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Sophia Money-Coutts, features writer, The Times and,
Rosamund Urwin, Media Editor, The Sunday Times

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Read more:

Clips: BBC.

Photo: Getty Pictures.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Story presents: Planet Hope - Sylvia Earle at 90

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle has spent decades exploring the blue heart of our planet. From leading the first all-female aquanaut team to founding Mission Blue, she has dived deeper and stayed longer in the ocean than almost anyone alive. As she celebrates her 90th birthday, Rolex Testimonee, Sylvia reflects with Adam Vaughan on her extraordinary career, the changes she’s witnessed, and why she still believes in a future full of 'Hope Spots'.

Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

Guest: Sylvia Earle, Marine Biologist, Oceanographer and Rolex Testimonee

Host: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times

Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A breakthrough in Gaza

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 08:30:05 GMT

President Trump hails 'everlasting peace' in Gaza and promises hostages will be released as early as Monday. But will a ceasefire hold? What changed to allow this breakthrough? And should Trump now win the Nobel peace prize?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tal Schneider, Political & Diplomatic Correspondent, The Times of Israel.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: BBC, Al Jazeera, AFP, DawnNews English

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Trump’s using the government shutdown to remake America

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The US government has been shut down for more than a week, and Democrats and Republicans are locked in a political blame game. Shutdowns are nothing new in US politics, but this time President Trump has made an unusual threat: to permanently cut hundreds of thousands of jobs and shutter entire government agencies. Is this just a new bargaining tactic to put pressure on Democrats or part of a bigger project to remake the American government?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Lara Spirit, Washington Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson and Olivia Case.

The revenge shutdown: Trump vows to inflict maximum pain on Democrats

Clips: CBS, ProPublica, Democracy Now!, @realDonaldTrump / TruthSocial, ABC, MSNBC, NBC News.

Music: (Don't Fear) The Reaper / Blue Oyster Cult / Columbia.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My daughter used ChatGPT as a therapist, then took her own life

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

When 29-year-old Sophie Rottenberg took her own life, her family later discovered she’d been confiding in a chatbot called ‘Harry’ things that she wasn’t telling any human.

This episode discusses suicide and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. If you’re in the UK, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org. If you’re in the US, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katie Gatens, Commissioning Editor for News Review, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Photo: Courtesy of the family

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should pro-Palestine protests be held on October 7?

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Two years ago Hamas fighters launched a terror attack on Israel, killing more than 1,000 people and taking around 250 hostage.The Hamas-linked Gaza health authorities say tens of thousands have been killed in the subsequent war, which has devastated the area and led to catastrophic food shortages.

In the UK today, members of the Jewish community will commemorate the victims of October 7th, while pro-Palestine protests take place on university campuses across the country. How can we protect vulnerable communities while allowing legitimate protest? Should the police be given increasing powers to intervene, or does that pose a threat to democratic freedoms?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal, Micaela Arneson.

Clips: Times News, 10 Downing Street, The Guardian, Suella Braverman via Twitter.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Conservative Party is 'dead' - can Kemi Badenoch revive its corpse?

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

What's the future for an unpopular party governed by an unpopular leader? That's the question no one will be asking quite so bluntly at the Conservative Party conference this week in Manchester– except possibly The Times political editor Steven Swinford. He discusses whether leader Kemi Badenoch’s days are numbered and explains how the Tories could beat Reform at their own game.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Steven Swinford, Political Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Micaela Arneson, Olivia Case.

Clips: GB News, Kookydave via YouTube.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The girl who was kidnapped by Russia - The Sunday Story

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, thousands of children have disappeared from their homes. Separated from their families, many were sent to ‘re-education’ camps in Crimea, others, deep into the heart of Russia. So just what is it like for those children?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/thestory

WARNING: This episode contains reference to sexual violence, torture, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

Written and read by: Jane Mulkerrins, Associate Editor of The Times Magazine.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Clips: ITV News, France24, Sky News, DRM News, BBC News, Russian National Anthem.

Photo: Eva Pentel for The Times Magazine.

Watch the film.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Story presents: Planet Hope - unlocking climate secrets in the caves of Greenland

Sat, 04 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

High in the Arctic, beneath Greenland’s ancient ice, lie caves that hold clues to our planet’s past and its future. Climate researcher and Rolex Awards Laureate Gina Moseley leads daring expeditions into these hidden worlds to uncover how our climate has changed over hundreds of thousands of years. She tells Adam Vaughan why exploring these frozen frontiers matters to us all.

Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

Host: Adam Vaughan, environment editor, The Times

Guest: Gina Moseley, climate researcher and Rolex Awards Laureate

Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EXTRA: A terrorist attack in Manchester

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 15:50:46 GMT

On Thursday morning, a suspected Islamist terrorist, Jihad al-Shamie, was confronted by police outside Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall on Yom Kippur. He had with him a knife and a fake suicide bomb. Two people, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, were killed. One of the victims was shot and killed by police, as they opened fire on al-Shamie.

This is a special episode of The Story to bring you the latest on this attack.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Ali Mitib, News Reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case and Micaela Arneson.

Clips: Sky, BBC, Times Radio, PA, X / @chiefrabbi, The Independent.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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INVESTIGATION: Why are doctors banned abroad working in the NHS?

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Doctors who’ve been disciplined or had their licence revoked for misconduct or incompetence have been able to work in the NHS. A Times investigation has found more than 20 doctors, who are banned in various countries, but have somehow acquired the right to treat patients here – sometimes with devastating consequences.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: George Greenwood, Investigations Reporter, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Shabnam Grewal

Further listening: Dubai Unlocked: The convicts secretly investing millions in the Emirates

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

This episode includes references to sexual abuse. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, help is available.

The Survivors Trust provides support and signposting for women, men and children who are survivors of rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse. Phone: 0808 801 0818 or visit the Survivors Trust website
Survivors UK provides support for men and non-binary survivors of sexual abuse Survivors UK website

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The State of It: What ministers won't say in public

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This week The Times is launching a new politics podcast. We're dropping the first episode here -- subscribe to The State of It for free, wherever you get your podcasts, to tune in every week.

Welcome to The State of It, coming to you from Liverpool where the Labour Party is finishing its annual conference. Keir Starmer's team seem happy after his leader's speech, but what are his MPs really saying about him? Was he wise to call Nigel Farage a racist? How will Rachel Reeves balance the books in November's budget? Oh, and which cabinet ministers excelled at last night's karaoke?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times.

Featuring:

Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times
Caroline Wheeler, political editor, The Sunday Times
Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times
Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times

Producer: Euan Dawtrey

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

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Trump has a new plan for 'eternal peace' in Gaza. But does either side want it?

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump have agreed to a 20-point peace plan to end the war in Gaza. But hardliners on both sides are already condemning it. So what chance does it have? And how does Tony Blair fit in?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: AP, Twitter / @netanyahu.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are Trump's strikes in Venezuela a 'war on drugs' - or a grab for oil?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Off the coast of Venezuela, a small armada of US navy warships and a fleet of fighter jets have struck several small boats, killing 17 people. The Trump administration says the boats were carrying drugs to the US; Venezuela says they were fishing vessels. But does President Trump really care about winning the war on drugs? Or is there another motive?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Jon Bonfiglio, journalist in Latin America.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

Clips: NBC News, Bloomberg News, Forbes Breaking News, Republic World, US Justice Department, Diario AS.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Scandals, the economy, migration: the three big problems facing Labour

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

As the Labour conference ramps up in Liverpool, we bring together three of The Times' keenest political minds to discuss the three biggest problems facing the government. Are the scandals which have beset ministers, the sluggish growth of the economy, and stubbornly high levels of small boat crossings Labour's fault, and could they prove terminal for Keir Starmer?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests: Aubrey Allegretti, Chief Political Correspondent, The Times, Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times, Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson.

Clips: Sky, BBC, 5 News, Youtube / @Farage Reform, The Times.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The school with no teachers - The Sunday Story

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The Alpha School in Austin, Texas is hoping to revolutionise education forever, swapping teachers for laptop lessons and AI, and motivating pupils with cold, hard cash. Is this the future of education?

Guest: Danny Fortson, Co-host of The Times Tech Podcast and The Sunday Times' West Coast Correspondent.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Hear more: Open AI’s Sam Altman: ‘We’re about to empower people more than ever before’ .

Clips: Modern Wisdom, NBC News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

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The Story presents: Planet Hope - protecting snow leopards

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

In the remote Himalayan valley of Humla, Rinzin Phunjok Lama is protecting endangered species like the snow leopard and wild yak. Using Buddhist principles, local knowledge, and community-led conservation, he is tackling climate change in one of the world’s harshest landscapes. He tells Adam Vaughan why saving one Himalayan valley matters to the world.

Host: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times

Guest: Rinzin Phunjok Lama, Conservation Biologist and Rolex Award Laureate

Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why everyone is watching women’s rugby (and you should too)

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

As England’s Red Roses head into the World Cup final tomorrow, it might be the largest audience that women’s rugby has ever seen. With its TikTok superstars and crocheting players, it’s creating new fans and connecting with people in ways the men's teams can only dream of. So why has it taken so long to get here?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Elgan Alderman, Co-host, The Times' Rugby podcast, The Ruck.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Further listening: The Ruck: Women's Rugby World Cup final preview!

Clips: @worldrugby, BBCSport, ITN News, @mandabed, @rugbyworldcup, @nwsirensgirlsrfu, @ilonamaher, Whistledown Productions, BBC Radio4, englandrugby.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

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Russia’s next invasion could come via the ballot box

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

A geopolitical battle between Russia and the EU will unfold this Sunday as Moldovans vote in a pivotal parliamentary election. The result could steer the country closer to the EU, or back towards Moscow. With Russia accused of bribery and vote rigging to sway the outcome in its favour, which path will Moldova choose?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Jack Clover, assistant foreign editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Edith Rousselot and Dave Creasey

Clips: European Parliament Youtube channel, DW News, AP News.

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INVESTIGATION: The charity recommending ‘abortion reversal pills’ to vulnerable women

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

An undercover Times investigation reveals how US-inspired Christian activists are running services across the UK, offering pro-life advice to those looking for impartial support. They also recommend exploring an ‘abortion reversal pill’, against national guidelines. So who are these groups, and what is their real mission?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Constance Kampfner, Northern Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Rosie Stopher.

Photo: YouTube/March for Life UK / Composite design by Cecilia Tombesi.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Has America turned its back on science?

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

President Trump has publicly linked the use of Tylenol, or paracetamol, during pregnancy to an increased risk of autism, despite experts saying the connection is unproven. The extraordinary announcement came after months of dramatic changes at US public health bodies, spearheaded by the health secretary and vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr. So, how did health become politicised in America? And could the same thing happen in the UK?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests: David Charter, assistant editor (US), The Times, Tom Whipple, science writer and special correspondent, The Times.

Host: Rosie Wright.

Producers: Micaela Arneson and Shabnam Grewal.

Further listening: The momfluencers embracing ‘Make America Healthy Again

Clips: Forbes Breaking News, NBC News, WHAS11, PBS Newshour,New York Post, Joe Rogan Experience, Lex Fridman, Club Random with Bill Maher, MSNBC, ABC News, ITV News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the UN useless?

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The UK, Australia and Canada have formally recognised Palestine as a state ahead of high level meetings at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly this week. But as the votes and debates continue, little seems to change outside the diplomatic bubble. We discuss with a former Deputy Secretary-General of the UN what relevance the organisation still holds.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mark Malloch-Brown, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: United Nations, ABC, Getty, Clinton Presidential Library, The Economic Times, Sky News, Al Jazeera, Global News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Redford: Hollywood's Golden Boy - The Sunday Story

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 08:20:15 GMT

With his looks, charisma and string of hits, Robert Redford, who died this week, was the face of Hollywood cinema in the 1970's. But he was so much more than a pretty face, and quickly moved into directing and producing awards winning films, before pivoting to focus on what really mattered to him: the Sundance Film Festival, to support independent film. Despite his huge public profile, Robert Redford remained an elusive, unknowable and very private man.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Anna Temkin, deputy obituaries editor for The Times, Ed Potton, arts commissioning editor for The Times.

Host: Rosie Wright

Producer: Shabnam Grewal

Further listening:

Clips:

@SAGAFTRAFoundation, CBS Sunday Morning,
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid ClippTM & © Fox (1969) Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation;
Raindrops keep falling on my head (B.J. Thomas version): Songwriters: Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Original Publishers: BMG Gold Songs, Songs of Fujimusic, New Hidden Valley Music, Pw Arrangements, and Universal Music Corp.

Photo: Getty Pictures

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Story presents: Planet Hope - Omacha, ‘the dolphin who became a man’

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Deep in the Amazon, the mysterious pink river dolphins are under threat from pollution, mining, and habitat loss. Marine biologist Fernando Trujillo, known locally as Omacha, has dedicated more than 30 years to protecting them. From satellite-tagging dolphins to training fishermen and lobbying governments, he tells Adam Vaughan what it takes to safeguard one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.

Host: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times.

Guest: Fernando Trujillo, Founder of the Omacha Foundation and Rolex Award Laureate.

Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The killing of Agnes Wanjiru: British soldier faces extradition over alleged murder in Kenya

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Thirteen years after her body was discovered floating in the septic tank of a hotel in Kenya, an arrest warrant has been issued for a former British soldier over the alleged murder of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru. If extradited, it would be the first time a British soldier is sent to face such a charge on foreign soil - and follows years of dogged investigation by The Sunday Times. We speak to reporter involved, and ask whether the culture of the British army has changed over the years.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: David Collins, northern editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Micaela Arneson.

Clips: NTV Kenya, Citizen TV Kenya.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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State banquets and street protests: Trump in the UK

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The US President's state visit to the UK is marked by royal pageantry, political tension, and public protest. But what could the UK gain from it? And what are the potential pitfalls lurking for Keir Starmer?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests: Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist, The Times and The Sunday Times and Oliver Wright, Policy editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot and Shabnam Grewal.

Clips: Sky News, Reuters, The White House.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

INVESTIGATION: The 9/11 suspect - part 3

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This is part three of a three-part special investigative series.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Amardeep Bassey, journalist, The Sunday Times.

Host: Taryn Siegel.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Sound designer: Tiffany Dimmack.

Clips: Metropolitan Police Services.

Photo: Tony Bell.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

INVESTIGATION: The 9/11 suspect - part 2

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This is part two of a three-part special investigative series.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Amardeep Bassey, journalist, The Sunday Times.

Host: Taryn Siegel.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: Metropolitan Police Services.

Photo: Tony Bell.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

INVESTIGATION: The 9/11 suspect - part 1

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Was there another man involved in plotting the 9/11 terrorist attacks that killed thousands in 2001? And why did British police, acting on the instructions of American law enforcement, let him go?

This is part one of a three-part special investigative series.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Amardeep Bassey, journalist, The Sunday Times.

Host: Taryn Siegel.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: Metropolitan Police Services, CBS News, NBC News.

Photo: Tony Bell.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Woody Allen on Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump and life at 89 - The Sunday Story

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

He appeared at a Russian film festival, wants to work with Trump and still says Jeffrey Epstein was “charming and personable”. Does the film director Woody Allen not care what people think? Hadley Freeman meets him and his wife, Soon-Yi, at home in New York.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Written by: Hadley Freeman, columnist and features writer for The Sunday Times.

Read by: Micaela Arneson.

Producers: Shabnam Grewal and Micaela Arneson.

Photo: Guerin Blask/The Sunday Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

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The Story presents: Planet Hope - the penguin guardian of Patagonia

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Host: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times.

Guest: Pablo García Borboroglu, Founder of the Global Penguin Society and Rolex Award Laureate.

Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Kirk and the rise of political violence in the US

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

A sunny afternoon at Utah Valley University suddenly became a scene of terror when the right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a campus event on Wednesday, 10 September. His death was quickly described as an “assassination” by President Trump, and it is the latest in a worrying spate of politically-motivated attacks in the US. So what’s behind this trend? Is political violence becoming normalised?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katy Balls, Washington Editor and Columnist for The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal and Micaela Arneson.

Who was Charlie Kirk? TikTok wizard who conjured up Trump youth vote

Clips: New York Post, Republic TV, CNN, KTLA 5, Fox News, Charlie Kirk via Instagram, President Trump via Truth Social

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How Israel exploded hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

As people continue to starve in Gaza, the war once again spread beyond its borders this week when Israel bombed Hamas fighters in Qatar - a country that’s involved in the peace negotiations. Meanwhile, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog met Keir Starmer in London yesterday. So what does this all mean for the peace process - and for Gazans?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Edith Rousselot and Olivia Case.

Clips: The Times, Reuters, The White House, Sky, Al Jazeera, The Sun, BBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Have we stopped caring about climate change?

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Exclusive research for The Times reveals a huge increase in the number of people who believe the dangers of climate change have been exaggerated. Why is this happening and what does it mean for our future - and that of our children?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Oliver Wright

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Shabnam Grewal

Clips: Channel 4, Sky News, ITV News, BBC, Guardian News, UN Climate Change, @downingstreet,

Photo: Getty images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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What next for Labour after Angela Rayner's resignation

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Last Friday, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner resigned after a report said she broke the ministerial code by not paying enough stamp duty on her second home. But how serious is this latest loss for Labour, who could replace her, and can Keir Starmer's reshuffle reboot a struggling premiership and party?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Geraldine Scott, assistant political editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers:

Olivia Case.
Shabnam Grewal.

Clips: BBC, Sky, Channel 4.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Why is France in chaos again?

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

As French Prime Minister François Bayrou faces a motion of no confidence in the National Assembly, a grassroots protest movement is gathering steam with its rallying cry to "Block everything" on September 10. Organisers hope to bring the country to a standstill to protest against Bayrou’s national budget plan – even though the current government is likely to fall before the demonstrations begin. So is the French government on the brink of collapse again?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times

Host: Luke Jones

Producers: Edith Rousselot and Hannah Varrall

Clips: DW News, Sky News, France 24, BBC News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

London’s teenage saint - the Sunday Story

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

15-year-old Carlo Acutis will become the first millennial saint today, after the Catholic Church posthumously attributed two miracles to him. So who was this extraordinary boy and how does the church 'fact' check a miracle?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Kaya Burgess, science reporter and religious affairs correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: London-born teenager to become the first millennial saint

Clips: YouTube / Miles Christi Religious Order, YouTube / Shalom world.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The rise of polyamory - the Saturday Story

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Polyamory is on the rise — especially in one US city where romantic partners have organised themselves into ever expanding networks. Yes, it can get complicated, they tell Megan Agnew.

Written and read by: Megan Agnew, Senior Features Writer, The Sunday Times.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Photo: Getty

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Reform ready for power?

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

As Reform’s conference begins today, the party leads the opinion polls. Nigel Farage is attempting to portray himself as the next Prime Minister, but in places they already hold power - ten councils and two mayoral authorities - there have been hints of serious problems, from failed cost cutting measures to infighting and resignations. So is Reform ready for power?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, Chief Political Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers:

Olivia Case.
Maeve Gallagher.

Clips: TalkTV, Sky, The Telegraph, Tiktok / Nigel_Farage, Channel 5, LBC, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Nottinghamshire Live, EU Debates / YouTube, Reform UK, ZiaYusufOfficial / Youtube.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could the US scrap gay marriage?

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Ten years ago, the United States Supreme Court voted to make same-sex marriage legal by five votes to four. Since then the court has reversed one landmark ruling by overturning Roe v Wade, the 1973 decision that established a right to abortion under federal law. With divisions in attitudes to gay marriages and relationships increasing - could the court rethink its decision on gay marriage?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Matilda Davies, data journalist, The Times and Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Clips: @hrcmedia, Retroreport.org, CBS, USA TODAY, NBC,ABC, NOW THIS IMPACT, ALLSHEWROTESBOOKS.COM.

Photo: Gettyimages.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should we ditch the European Convention on Human Rights?

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Political figures from the right and left have suggested that leaving a European convention could reduce the number of people seeking asylum in Britain. So what is the ECHR? And would leaving it actually make a difference?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Fraser Nelson, Columnist, The Times.
Jonathan Ames, Legal Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Hannah Varrall

What would actually happen if we left the ECHR?

Leaving the ECHR won’t fix the asylum crisis

Further listening: Hard borders, harder politics: Europe’s migration crisis

Clips: GB News, Parliamentlive.tv

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Xi's new world order

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

World leaders have gathered in China ahead of tomorrow’s military parade to mark the end of the Second World War. Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Narenda Modi were among the 20 other leaders welcomed to what's been dubbed the 'anti-NATO' summit to discuss global security and economic matters ahead of the event. What can we learn from the relationships between the attendees and how should the West react?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest:

Richard Spencer, China Correspondent, The Times, and
Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Clips: APT, Reuters, SCMP.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Britain's Left is radicalising

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Tomorrow, the Greens announce their new leader, and one contender has been borrowing from the Farage playbook in his campaign. Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn's new populist party is getting hundreds of thousands of sign-ups since its launch. Are the days of gradualism - and our two-party system dominance - over?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Aubrey Allegretti, Chief Political Correspondent, The Times.
Josh Glancy, Associate Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: YouTube / Break Through News, Sky, YouTube / @zakpolanskigreen, Novara Media, The Telegraph, ITV, YouTube / Ellie and Adrian 2025.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

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Inside Haiti: face to face with the gangs ruling a desperate nation - the Sunday Story

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The Caribbean nation of Haiti is now at the mercy of gangs bent on kidnap, rape and murder. Louise Callaghan meets their victims — and confronts a warlord.

Written and read by: Louise Callaghan, US correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Photo: Giles Clarke/ Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

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The Queen was a Remainer: her secret views on Brexit revealed - the Saturday Story

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:01:00 GMT

In his new book, Power and the Palace, the former Times royal correspondent Valentine Low uncovers the secretive relationship between the monarchy and government. Speaking to Palace aides, politicians and civil servants, he reveals the private side of Queen Elizabeth II.

Available to buy from The Times Bookshop.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Written and read by: Valentine Low.

Producer: Euan Dawtrey.

Photo: Ian Gavan / Stringer.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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What Taylor Swift's engagement means for her music and her brand

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This week, Taylor Swift announced her engagement to boyfriend of two years, NFL tight end Travis Kelce. So what can we expect at America's version of a royal wedding? Will there be hints or Easter eggs about it in her new album? And what could a stable love life mean for an artist who’s built a career on heartbreak?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Sarah Ditum, writer, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Read more:

Clips: Fix, iHollywoodTV, ABC, New Heights podcast, CDC / Pfizer, E! Entertainment.

Music: All Too Well / Taylor Swift / Republic Records, Bejewelled / Taylor Swift / Republic Records, You Belong With Me / Taylor Swift / Republic Records, So High School / Taylor Swift / Republic Records.

Photo: Instagram / @TaylorSwift.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Why Trump's attack on the Fed affects us all

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:01:00 GMT

President Trump announced on Truth Social this week that he had fired Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook. While most people had no idea who she was, her sacking could have a massive impact. The move is seen as part of the continued politicisation of the Fed, the US’s independent central bank and some economists fear it could be the start of a journey towards economic meltdown in America with global repercussions.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Read more:

Clips: CNN, Bloomberg, The Legal Defence Fund.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Hard borders, harder politics: Europe's migration crisis

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Yesterday Nigel Farage unveiled Reform UK’s plans to tackle the issue of small boats and illegal migration. It's a problem that's driven European politics for almost a decade, we look to the continent for lessons they've learned on how it could be solved.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Clips: Times Radio.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Ukraine needs to become an 'indigestible porcupine'

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:01:00 GMT

With the prospect of peace in Ukraine looking increasingly clouded following Donald Trump's attempts at inter-continental deal-making, the former head of the UK military, General Sir Nick Carter, tells Tom Newton Dunn that the US president doesn't understand his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Can Europe's leaders achieve some kind of security guarantee without US boots on the ground to back it up? And does Trump understand the lessons of history?

Guest: General Sir Nick Carter, Former UK Chief of the Defence Staff.

Host: Calum Macdonald and Tom Newton Dunn.

Producer: Sophie McNulty.

Clips: Fox News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Meet the man selling ‘doom’ to Zuckerberg and the Tate brothers - the Long Weekend Story

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Ron Hubbard is the biggest builder of underground bunkers, giving security to wealthy buyers who fear the world is coming to an end. And business is booming

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Written by: Bevan Hurley.

Read by: Edward Drummond.

Producers: Edward Drummond and Kate Lamble.

Photo: James Breeden for the Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The prison chief linked to organised crime - The Sunday Story

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 00:01:36 GMT

Bobby Cunningham was 31 when he became Head of Security at Wandsworth Prison, Britain’s most notorious jail, where he was tasked with fighting corruption. The Sunday Times's Whitehall editor Gabriel Pogrund reveals his dealings with organised crime.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gabriel Pogrund

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Olivia Case, Edward Drummond, Shabnam Grewal.

Clips: BBC, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Inside the Church of England's 'sex cult' - The Saturday Story

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Chris Brain, the leader of a Church of England ‘sex cult’ known s the Nine O'Clock Service, has been found guilty of 17 charges of indecent assault, three decades after its collapse. Why did the Church fail to learn lessons from the scandal?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Sean O'Neill, Senior Writer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Clips: BBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Brit standing up to China: can Starmer save Jimmy Lai?

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Pro-democracy campaigner, media mogul and British citizen Jimmy Lai has been imprisoned in China for five years and on trial for two. As the closing statements are made, what will happen to one of China’s most prominent critics? And can the UK government - or Donald Trump - step in to free him?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Cindy Yu, Columnist and Contributing Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: BBC, Hoover Institute / YouTube, Sky, The Guardian, CNN, FOX, AP, Max Media, Asia, The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai's Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom / Ron Holwerda / Acton Institute.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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'There's an AI bubble' - but what happens when it bursts?

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Nvidia's the first company to be worth more than $4trilllion, developers are being offered salaries in the billions, and companies that don’t even have a product are securing investments beyond their wildest dreams. Yet there were reports this week that Meta could downsize its AI division. Our resident silicon valley watcher says there's an AI bubble, and looks back to the dot com boom and bust, for answers on what happens when it bursts.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Danny Fortson, US West Coast correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Listen to Danny every week on The Times Tech Podcast

Clips: First Post, YouTube / @InvestDive, Bloomberg, YouTube / Meet McKay, CNBC, YouTube / 100xEngineers, BBC, YouTube / Budding, Pets.com, MSNBC, YouTube / @scalacodeIN, Stanford eCorner, CNET, YouTube / @fortune.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: Tommy Robinson's far-right coaching

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The Times can reveal the English Defence League founder is charging around £28 a minute for videos giving practical advice to supporters on migrant hotel protests and anti-Islam activism. The private consultations raise concerns about the potential for radicalisation at a time of heightened tensions surrounding immigration issues.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Shanti Das, Senior Investigations Reporter, The Times.

Host: Calum MacDonald.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Clips: Minnect, The Express, The Telegraph.

Photo: Times illustration/Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Has Trump already handed Putin victory?

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Zelensky landed in Washington DC, accompanied by European leaders, to try and stem the fallout from the Alaska summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Will Ukraine be forced to cede territory to secure peace? And how is that going down in Kyiv?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Professor Mark Galeotti, Historian, Times Contributor, Director of Mayak Intelligence and Author of We Need to Talk about Putin.
Anthony Loyd, Special Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Taryn Siegel and Edith Rousselot.

Clips: Fox News, Bloomberg TV, Associated Press, The Guardian.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The record-breaking return of Oasis

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

As the Oasis reunion supernova leaves the UK to conquer the rest of the world, the success is beyond anyone's dreams -- including Oasis. How did this happen? Will Hodgkinson tells us about his many chats with the Gallagher brothers over the years, and his theories on how they finally reunited -- and what happened with the dynamic pricing debacle.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Will Hodgkinson, Chief Rock and Pop Critic, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: BluntMag, THEMattPope, Oasis, OasisOfficialMusic, Matt Ridsdill-smith, MTV, milesth944.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Meet the British teenager who’s taking on the porn industry - The Sunday Story

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Alex Slater and his US partner created Quittr, which helps men resist sexually explicit material. It’s making them millions.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Written and read by: Damian Whitworth.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Photo: Ava Pellor for The Free Press.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

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Electrified monks and scared frogs

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

For this week's Times podcast we thought you might enjoy hearing from a regular guest on the Story; Tom Whipple. In his new podcast, Tom explores the stories behind great scientific discoveries. We've brought two of them together, one of electric current and a second on the capacity of muscles for a helping of double science.

If you'd like to hear more of Tom's series - all ten episodes are available in the Making Science feed.

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JD Vance comes to the Cotswolds

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The US vice-president JD Vance is holidaying with his family in the Cotswold village of Dean. But on the side, he's meeting a phalanx of British politicians. Who's on the roll-call? And what does this tell us about where Trump's possible successor sees the future of British politics?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy, Associate Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: The Guardian, CNBC, The Jaipur Dialogues, TikTok / iamtomskinner, Sky.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Why the government banned Palestine Action

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Over 500 Palestine Action supporters arrested at last weekend's protests are now being processed by the courts. So who is behind the direct action protest group and is the government right to have proscribed them as terrorists?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Witherow, News Reporter, The Times

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Rosie Stopher

Clips: PA, Sky News, The Guardian.

Photo: Getty images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Inside the fastest growing human trafficking route to the UK

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Fifty thousand people have crossed the channel in dangerous small boats since the government promised to ‘smash’ the people-smuggling gangs at the last election. Among those arriving, Vietnamese people have become the fastest growing nationality, but why? Our reporter, Shayma Bakht, has gone inside this new clandestine smuggling route taken by those looking to come to the UK from Vietnam.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Shayma Bakht, News Reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Anna Dowell.

Clips: Sky News, ITV News, BBC News.

Photo: The Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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What’s up for grabs at the Trump-Putin summit?

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

When Presidents Trump and Putin meet in Alaska on Friday, Volodymyr Zelensky will not even be present. Trump said on Monday that he would ‘try and win back territory’ for Ukraine – but also mentioned there will be ‘swapping’ of land. So what’s really on the table - and is it more than just ending the war?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Professor Mark Galeotti, Historian, Times Contributor, Director of Mayak Intelligence and Author of We Need to Talk about Putin.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: CNN, DW News, Reuters, Kremlin.ru, Fox, YouTube / @TimesNow, Al Jazeera.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Why is Britain broke?

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Speculation is rife that the upcoming Autumn budget will introduce new tax rises following expensive U-turns on welfare and slower than expected growth. Some thinktanks have suggested Rachel Reeves’ next budget will need to find up to £50bn. The Times’ economics editor, Mehreen Khan talks to Luke Jones about why Britain is broke, and what can be done to find extra funds?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics editor at The Times.

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Kate Lamble.

Read more:

Clips: Times News, The Telegraph, Sky News, ITV News.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Surviving Hiroshima - The Sunday Story

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

As we mark 80 years since the atomic bomb that changed the world, we revisit an interview with Hiroshima survivor, Koko Kondo.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Koko Kondo.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC News, NBC, Imperial War Museum, US Army.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Prince Andrew and an 'explosive' new biography

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This week on The Royals, Kate Mansey speaks to royal biographer Andrew Lownie whose allegations in his new book - Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York - have been described just about everywhere as 'explosive'. From trade envoy trips to connections with Jeffrey Epstein, Lownie outlines claims of institutional cover ups, financial secrecy, and royal resistance to scrutiny.

And The Times Investigations reporter George Greenwood reveals why it's so difficult to obtain information from the government about the royal family, and what it could mean for public trust in 'The Firm'.

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The bomb that changed the world

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Eighty years ago this week, the first atomic bomb to be used in war was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, the city of Nagasaki was hit by a second. Hundreds of thousands of people died and Japan eventually surrendered. But why did America decide to use the bombs, given that Japan was already expected to lose the war? And how did Times readers debate the ethics of this decision in the pages of the newspaper?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Jack Blackburn, History Correspondent, The Times.
Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: YouTube / Harry S Truman Library, YouTube / The Atlantic / Castle Films, YouTube / Huntley Film Archives, YouTube / US National Archives.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Will the UK-France migrant deal stop the boats?

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

As anti-immigrant protestors declare today ‘No Aslyum Day’, and Nigel Farage continues his Summer of Crime campaign, can the Government wrest back control of the immigration crisis with its new small boats migrant deal?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Editor, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Rosie Stopher

Read more:

More from the Story:

The far-right party spreading ‘sensible nationalism’

Clips: Sky News, The Sun, The Daily Express.

Photo: Getty images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How the Times exposed Westminster's ‘cash for access’ breakfasts

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

A Times investigation has found companies have been offered sponsorship deals involving private meetings with an ‘influential Labour figure’. The reporters spent months working undercover, speaking to dozens of sources and combing through leaked documents.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Read more:

Photo: Times illustration.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How Ukraine was betrayed by corruption at home

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Our Ukraine correspondent Maxim Tucker returns from the frontlines of the country's defence against Russia's invasion. With its soldiers under constant attack, a new war has opened up - this time against corruption at home. It comes as the US special envoy Steve Witkoff travels to Moscow this week for 'last chance' ceasefire talks.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Maxim Tucker, Ukraine correspondent, The Times.

Host: Calum MacDonald

Producer: Kate Lamble

Read more:

Clips: AP, BBC News, Fox News, Times Radio, Kyiv Independent, Tucker Carlson Network.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Mummies on cannabis gummies: meet the mothers getting high at home - The Sunday Story

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Frazzled American parents are swapping a nightly glass of chardonnay for chewable THC gummies. But are they ignoring the health risks?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Louise Callaghan, US correspondent, The Sunday Times

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: Focus on Sanity.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How the Tinder Swindler's victims took their revenge - The Sunday Story

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

It is one of Netflix’s most watched documentaries – The Tinder Swindler told the story of scammer Simon Leviev and how he conned women out of more than $10 million. Now two of his most high-profile victims reveal the depression and bankruptcy that followed and how they’re taking revenge by turning their story into a book.

Swindled Never After: How We Survived (and You Can Spot) a Relationship Scammer by Cecilie Fjellhoy and Pernilla Sjoholm (Podium Publishing, £15.99) is published on August 19

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Words by: Charlotte Lytton.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

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Was British involvement in Afghanistan worth it?

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 23:01:00 GMT

It’s been four years since the Taliban retook control of Kabul, marking the end of the UK’s 20-year military presence in Afghanistan. This week, Patrick sits down with James Cowan, CEO of the HALO Trust and a former army officer who led Task Force Helmand from 2009 to 2010. Together, they reflect on the 2021 evacuation, the recent Afghan data leak, their regrets, and whether Britain’s involvement in Afghanistan was, frankly, worth it.

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Why rivers need human rights

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

A council in Hampshire has passed a motion to grant ‘personhood’ to the River Test, an ancient chalk stream which runs through the county. Although largely symbolic, calls for rivers to have rights are becoming more widespread. What’s driving this burgeoning environmental movement, and what difference could it make to our lives?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Further listening: Thames Water: the business model built on shit

Clips: BBC, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Recognising Palestine - and why it matters

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The UK government will recognise Palestine as a state in September, unless Israel meets certain conditions to ease the situation in Gaza. But what would statehood mean? And is it just political posturing or could this help end the war in Gaza and solve one of the world’s most intractable conflicts?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Chris Smyth, Whitehall Editor, The Times, and
Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Read more:

Clips: BBC, DW News, YouTube / William J Clinton Presidential Library.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The far-right party spreading ‘sensible nationalism’

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Protests outside an hotel housing asylum seekers have spread across the country - and turned violent. Where is this heading? And how much is being organised by the far-right party Homeland?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Ball, Reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Clips: Forbes Breaking News, GB News, The Homeland Party via Youtube, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Why the Lionesses' victory will change the beautiful game

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

England's Lionesses beat Spain in the most dramatic fashion on Sunday night, to retain their title as the Queens of Europe. With a victory parade due to take place in London this morning, the match marks a turning point in the game itself.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Kit Shepard, Women’s Football Reporter, The Times.

Host: Calum Macdonald.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Clips: Channel 4, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Inside the AI workplace

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The AI revolution is upon us, with entry level jobs plunging by a third since the launch of ChatGPT. What does that mean for the future of work? We take a peek inside one office already living in the future.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Chris Stokel-Walker, Tech Journalist.
Jamie Hutton, Chief Technology Officer of Quantexa.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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'I feared the cult would kidnap my children' - The Sunday Story

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Elizabeth Roundy left a polygamous church rife with abuse in 2020, taking her children with her. Four of them have since disappeared. Who is to blame? And can she track them down?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Megan Agnew.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Anna Dowell.

Clips: ABC15 Arizona via YouTube, KXAN via YouTube, Megan Agnew, ABC News, Fox 13 News Utah via YouTube

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

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Ozzy Osbourne: Working class wild-man who changed the sound of rock

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Ozzie Osborne, who died this week, was the Black Sabbath front-man who became an unlikely TV personality. The 'Prince of Darkness' leaves behind a legacy that's shaped heavy metal rock music and inspired a generation of fans and musicians. We look at the legend, the music, the stories and the extraordinary resurrection of a career when all seemed lost.

Image: Getty

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A "tipping point" in Gaza. What happens now?

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

With starvation spreading across Gaza, over a thousand Palestinians have been killed while trying to get aid, according to the UN. As negotiations over another ceasefire founder, will there be anything - or anyone - left to save?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: CNN, BBC, CBS, Channel 4, Al Jazeera, PBS, ABC, FOX, Parliamenttv.live, ITV, YouTube / @politicsJOE.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Why are the doctors striking?

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

With Britain’s resident doctors due to walk off the job tomorrow, the government is planning changes to the law that could make this kind of strike more common.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Eleanor Hayward, Health Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Hannah Varrall.

Clips: Labour Party, PoliticsJoe, The BMJ, BMAtv, BBC, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Trump shake his Epstein problem?

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

With President Trump due to touch down on British soil this week, he seems unable to escape the shadow of Jeffrey Epstein. So why is Trump finding this story so hard to shake?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katy Balls, Washington Editor and Columnist, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Read more:

Clips: ABC News, @AcountableGop account via X, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, The New York Times, Tucker Carlson via YouTube.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Afghan leak: what next?

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

After last week’s shocking revelations that a list of tens of thousands of Afghans who’d helped the British was leaked, has that already led to deaths - and what happens now?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Witherow, News Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Times Radio, BBC, Sky, ITV, YouTube / Times News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We demanded help for our sick children. We were accused of abuse.

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

An investigation by The Sunday Times has found that hundreds of parents are being falsely accused of fabricating their child’s illness, facing allegations of abuse when they seek medical or social care. Elly Chapple told our reporter what happened to her family.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Emily Dugan - Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Hannah Varrall

Further listening: 38 years - Britain’s worst miscarriage of justice

Clips: Good Morning Britain

Photo: Ian Forsyth

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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'Crazy Rich Asians meets War of the Windsors' - The Sunday Story

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The city-state of Singapore has been scandalised by a bitter row tearing apart its first family. The two sons of the country’s founder, Lee Kwan Yew, are fighting over the future of a small 19th-century bungalow - their childhood home. The is battle being fought in the law courts, debated in parliament and picked apart in the media - and one brother has fled to London seeking political asylum. With Singapore itself delicately balanced between the US and China, what happens next could affect us all.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Shabnam Grewal

Clips: @pmosingapore, channelnewsasia.com

Photo: Getty

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The trials of Constance Marten - The Saturday Story

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Born into an aristocratic family, Constance Marten and her unlikely partner Mark Gordon's became the target of a police manhunt launched to find them and their missing baby in January 2023. Their full story can now be told after the couple's criminal trial came to an end this week. Why did her life of privilege descend into such chaos?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

David Brown, Chief News Correspondent, The Times.
Helen Rumbelow, Feature Writer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Read more:

Clips: Sussex Police, GB News, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, On Demand News.

Photo: Metropolitan Police / PA Wire.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why AI is making us stupid and what we can do about it

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Students are getting AI to write their essays and it’s hard to spot the difference. Professor Niall Ferguson says AI is bad for our brains, but he has a plan to save education.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Professor Niall Ferguson, Times Columnist.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Further reading: AI’s great brain robbery — and how universities can fight back

Further listening: One day in the life and death of an AI chatbot

Clips:

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NHS and the changing room trans row

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Sandie Peggie vs NHS Fife, the employment tribunal that gripped the nation last February, resumed this week. It all started after nurse Sandie Peggie objected to sharing a changing room with Dr Beth Upton, who is transgender.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Daniel Sanderson, Scottish Political Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kill list and cover-up: how I took on the government and won

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

For years, the British government used a court superinjunction to conceal a data leak that could have handed the Taliban a “kill list” of innocent civilians. Times defence editor Larisa Brown describes her fight to uncover the truth.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Larisa Brown, Defence Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Clips: Times Radio, LBC, Parliament.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The downfall of Gregg Wallace

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The self-styled "cheeky greengrocer" and MasterChef host has been sacked by the BBC after an inquiry substantiated dozens of complaints. So how did we get here and why is the BBC in this position again?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Alex Farber, Media Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: Gregg Wallace: I never set out to harm or humiliate.

Clips: PBS Newshour, ITV, Sky, Channel 4, BBC, The Sun, Times Radio, Channel 5, YouTube / Visit York, Instagram / @greggwallace, Masterchef / Endemol Shine Group / Banijay.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beauty and the tweaks: is everyone you know using fillers and Botox?

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

New figures show the beauty industry is growing four times faster than the wider economy. The fastest growth is in beauty services and non-invasive treatments. These ‘injectables’ that freeze or fill your face are becoming more and more mainstream in the UK, even among women in their early 20s. Meanwhile, more celebrities than ever are admitting to going under the knife (or needle) and breaking the long-held taboo. How did we get here, and what does it say about the changing face of beauty?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Anna Murphy, Fashion Director, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Hannah Varrall.

Further reading: This is how I’d look with tweakments — but I’d never freeze my face

Further listening: The Rise and Rise of Botox

Clips: Snow White (2025) (Disney), TikTok @RachLeary, Access Hollywood, The Kelly Clarkson show, Better Together with Maria Menounos, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Miss Me (BBC Sounds), TikTok @4ll3gr4a, TikTok @nyeatsbrown, TikTok @katiedaisyd, TikTok @JonathanJoly, TikTok @garzacrew, ABC7 News Bay Area, Gloss Angeles podcast, Vogue’s Beauty Secrets.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I live with two men. Both are my ex-husbands - The Sunday story

Sat, 12 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

When Kristie De Garis moved two male companions into her house in rural Scotland, her neighbours assumed they were a throuple. The truth was even more unusual: she was setting up home with her exes.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times.Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory.

Photo: Courtesy of Kristie De Garis.

Drystone: A Life Rebuilt by Kristie De Garis (Polygon, £14.99) is published on August 7. To order, go to timesbookshop.co.uk or call 020 3176 2935. Free UK P&P on online orders over £25. Discount for Times+ members.

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How The Populists Are Coming (From Left And Right)

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This week the political masterminds consider what's happening on the populist left and right, with more Tories defecting to Reform UK and talk of a new party led by Jeremy Corbyn. How small has the Conservative coalition become, do the voters expect Keir Starmer to wield a 'magic wand', and what would a new party be called?

Send your comments and questions to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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What Virginia Giuffre’s diary tells us about the Epstein files

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This week, the FBI investigation that Trump promised would reveal all about Jeffrey Epstein concluded there was no evidence to implicate anyone else in his abuse. But diaries from Epstein’s most prominent victim, Virginia Giuffre, released exclusively to The Times, tell a different story.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josie Ensor, US Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Anna Dowell.

Further reading: Jeffrey Epstein victim’s diary ‘contradicts’ FBI blackmail claims.

Clips: MSNBC, Sky News Australia, The Dan Bongino Show, The Washington Examiner, ABC News, Tucker Carlson, Breaking Points.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are we close to a Gaza ceasefire?

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

With people around the world calling for a lasting peace in Gaza, Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu has been schmoozing US President Donald Trump. What chance is there that the two will bring an end to the bloody conflict? And what hope that any peace will hold?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory.

Guest: Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Further reading: IDF defies Netanyahu’s plan for ‘humanitarian city’ in Gaza

Clips: AP, Reuters, Fox News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Texas floods: could the deaths have been prevented?

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Over 100 people, including dozens of children, are dead after flash flooding in Texas. Could this have been avoided given a nearly identical tragedy took place in 1987? Did Trump’s cuts contribute? And what went wrong with the flood warning system?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Lara Spirit, Washington Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: Where is it flooding in Texas? The devastation in maps and video.

Clips: NewsNation, France 24, KPRC 2, CBS, YouTube / History Corner, KVUE, FOX, YouTube / Camp Mystic, YouTube / Allie Coates, Democracy Now!, YouTube / Meidas Touch, Bloomberg, WOAI, Sky, WUSA9.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The mushroom killer: what the jury heard

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Erin Patterson has been found guilty of murdering three relatives by lacing their beef wellington with death cap mushrooms. She was also found guilty of attempting to murder a fourth person. The prosecution said she did it on purpose; she says it was an accident. It took a jury in Australia six days to reach a verdict after listening to 40 days of extraordinary evidence.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Bernard Lagan, Australia Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Further reading:

How Erin Patterson became the mushroom murderer

Erin Patterson found guilty of murder in death cap mushroom trial

Clips: 9 News Australia, The Australian.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘There was a white light. I looked around and saw bodies’: looking back at 7/7

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Twenty years after the 7/7 London bombings killed 52 people, what’s changed since the deadly suicide attack? Thelma Stober suffered life-changing injuries that morning and former police officer David Skiffins spent the weeks after working underground to recover the bodies of those murdered. They describe what happened and how it changed their lives.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Fiona Hamilton, Chief Reporter, The Times
Thelma Stober, 7/7 survivor
David Skiffins, former Metropolitan Police counter terror Detective Constable

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Further reading:

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new age of nuclear weapons

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Patrick and Tom unpack a troubling question - are we entering a third nuclear age? With Iran’s nuclear programme back in the headlines and countries like Poland and South Korea considering building nuclear weapons of their own, the old global order is clearly shifting. Patrick and Tom explore what this means for global security, and whether nuclear proliferation is set to become the new normal.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump v Musk round 2: One Big Beautiful Bill

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trading blows again after Musk criticised the President’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax and spending bill. Trump has threatened to deport the world’s richest man and set his Doge 'monster' on him. So why does Musk hate the bill, and could this push him to set up a political party to challenge his new rival?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Lara Spirit, Washington Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: Tesla sales go into reverse in fresh blow for Elon Musk

Clips: Fox, New York Post, MSNBC, BBC, United States Senate, CNN, ABC, AP, WCNC.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sex with your sister: true stories of the sperm superdonors

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

“I’ll just go and get some fresh seed” - we reveal growing concerns about mass sperm donation. One man found his father ran a corrupt fertility clinic, providing patients with samples of his own sperm. Another man discovered he has 50 children all over Europe. There has been at least one case of accidental incest. The growing scandal has provoked widespread horror in the Netherlands.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Senay Boztas

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Shabnam Grewal

Further reading: I am a father of 50 children, a new one gets in touch almost every week

Clips: WSJ.com, Times Radio, The Immaculate Deception - Somethin’ Else/ Sony Music Entertainment, Bloomberg, Youtube.com/@masteringknowledge

Photo: Getty images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why your gig tickets will get even more expensive

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 23:01:00 GMT

From dynamic pricing and VIP packages to ‘priority entry’, there seem to be more ways than ever to squeeze money out of music fans - and that’s not even to mention the sky-rocketing cost of a basic standing ticket. The Times' Jonathan Dean has been investigating why the cost of seeing some of our favourite artists has gone stratospheric, and whether the company Live Nation is to blame.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Jonathan Dean

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Hannah Varrall

Further reading: How did Beyoncé tour tickets go from a small fortune to $25 each?

Johnny Depp: ‘I was a crash test dummy for MeToo'

Further listening: The making of Beyoncé – by friends, family and Team Bey insiders

Music:

Bad Guy by Billie Eilish (written by Finneas O’Connell, Billie Eilish O’Connell, published by Darkroom/Interscope Records, Kobalt Music Publishing)

Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses (written by Duff McKagan, Jeffrey Isbell, Saul Hudson, Steven Adler, W. Axl Rose, published by Guns N Roses P&D)

505 by The Arctic Monkeys (written by Alex Turner, Arctic Monkeys, published by Domino Recording Co)

Clips: Sky News, This Morning (ITV), BBC News, Channel 4 News, Adam Webb from FanFair Alliance, Reg Walker, ABC News, CBS News, The Cure (YouTube), BBC Music (YouTube)

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The welfare row threatening to bring down the government

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

After the most contentious week of Keir Starmer’s premiership so far, MPs will gather in the House of Commons later today to vote on the controversial benefits bill. Has the rebellion been effectively squashed? Or is this only the beginning?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Patrick Maguire, Chief Political Commentator, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: Sky News, BBC Parliament, Guardian News, Sir Starmer and the Granny Harmers/Freezing this Christmas, The London Standard, TalkTV, ITV/This Morning, Channel 4 News, Times Radio.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New York mayoral candidate making left-wing economics trendy again

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Tomorrow 33-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani will be officially confirmed as the Democratic Party candidate for New York mayor, putting him in pole position to land the role in November. His win caused a political earthquake in America, personifying questions over the future direction of the party. So who is this fresh new face of the Democratic party, and what does his rise tell us about the increasing popularity of left-wing economics?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Hannah Varrall

Further reading: What Zohran Mamdani’s win means for the Democratic Party

Further listening: Why the dollar is crashing – and why you should care

Clips: Pod Save America, Odd Lots (Bloomberg Podcasts), UNFTR Media, @HasanAbi (YouTube), @ZohranforNYC (YouTube), @mr.cardamom896 (YouTube), Eyewitness NewsABC7NY, CNN, MSNBC, PIX11 News, Fox 5 New York, @Zohran-k-Mamdani (TikTok), NBC News, C-Span2 Book tv, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, @JVPAction (Instagram), @emrata (Instagram), @BloombergTV (X)

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Sunday Edition: Gypsy-Rose Blanchard: I had Mom killed. I hope she’d be proud of me now

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published in February.

In 2016, 24-year-old Gypsy-Rose Blanchard was sentenced to 10 years in the US State of Missouri, for arranging the murder of her mother. Her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, had Munchausen syndrome by proxy - a rare form of abuse where she would convince doctors that her daughter was ill - leading to unnecessary treatment. The harrowing details of what Blanchard went through have made her a media sensation - but should we feel sympathy for her?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katie Gatens, Deputy Editor of News Review, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Further reading: Read Katie's full interview with Gypsy-Rose Blanchard

Clips: KY3 News, The Act/Hulu, The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard/Lifetime, The Kardashians/Hulu.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes I look into your eyes

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Danny meets up with Alex Blania, the CEO and one of the co-founders, alongside Sam Altman, of Tools for Humanity. Their project Worldcoin, aims to help us weed out AI imitators by verifying humans online. All you have to do is scan your iris on one of their orbs to get a unique biometric ID and some cryptocurrency.

Danny and Katie also take on Tesla’s robotaxi rollout, and question whether it's right and proper for humans to fall in love with AI bots? Spoiler alert! The answer is probably not, for both your sakes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One day in the life and death of an AI chatbot

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

When Rob Burley started talking to an AI chatbot for feedback while writing his book, he had no idea where the conversation would lead, only 24 hours later.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Rob Burley, writer.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further reading: Help! I’ve fallen for my chatbot! Is this the future of AI?

Clips: Neil Diamond/Forever in blue jeans, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump's billionaire Iran dealmaker: who is Steve Witkoff?

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Trump’s golfing buddy Steve Witkoff was a property developer before Trump came to power. Now he’s the president's right-hand-man in all things diplomatic, including sorting the current crisis in Iran. Is he the right man for the job?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Louise Callaghan, Senior US Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: How Trump’s team of rivals pulled him back from the brink

Further listening: Trump family inc.

Clips: Tucker Carlson / Fox / YouTube, BBC, YouTube / Professor Gerdes Explains, CBC News, CNBC, The Kremlin, FIIKSA, Kyiv Independent / Instagram, The Real Deal / YouTube, NBC, Channel 4.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could Iran's leader fall?

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Has the crisis over Iran driven its already weakened leader to the brink? Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is unpopular but do the people of Iran want regime change from outside? And if he falls, what then for Iran?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Professor Mohsen Milani, Author, The Making of Iran’s Islamic Revolution.
Fatemeh Jamalpour, Iranian Journalist.

Host: Manveen Rana,

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Iran strikes back: what next?

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Iran has launched missiles at US airbases in response to US strikes on its nuclear facilities. Donald Trump says US bombers obliterated Iran’s three main nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow. But the extent of the damage is still unclear. Is the situation escalating and will the US now push for regime change?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Richard Spencer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Further reading: Can Iran block the Strait of Hormuz — and other key questions

Clips: Fox News, NBC News, DW News, Forbes Breaking News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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J’Adore Anderson: the Brit taking over Dior

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Jonathan Anderson, the Northern Irish designer who made Loewe a billion dollar brand, has just taken on the biggest job in fashion: the first sole creative director of Dior since the eponymous Christian Dior. Ahead of this fashion week there’s been a chaotic reshuffle at the top of fashion as the industry copes with a challenging economic downturn. Who is the most important man in fashion, and can he rescue Dior from the chaos?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Harriet Walker, Fashion Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Anna Dowell.

Further reading:

Jonathan Anderson: British designer to take the reins at Dior

Is this fashion’s most powerful man?

Clips: New York Times, SHOWstudio via YouTube, Mashable via YouTube, LOEWE via YouTube

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Edition: The tragedy of Mike Lynch and the sunken yacht

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This podcast was originally published last August.

Just hours before the sinking, the party aboard the yacht had been celebrating a spectacular legal victory - so what led to this moment?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Sam Chantarasak and Taryn Siegel.

Further listening: Danny In The Valley: Mike Lynch’s first post-acquittal interview

Clips: Danny In The Valley, TalkTV, GB News, LeadersIn.

Photo: Times Media Ltd / Jack Hill.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Call A Cobra Emergency Meeting

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The government has held a meeting of the Cobra committee to discuss the Israel-Iran crisis - but how important is it really during a national emergency, and is it the UK's version of the White House Situation Room?

The political masterminds also discuss the political impact of backing America during a conflict, and whether Keir Starmer can start ignoring Kemi Badenoch at prime minister's questions.

Send your comments and questions to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OO7's new boss: Blaise Metreweli, the first woman to run MI6

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The first woman to run MI6, the foreign branch of Britain's Secret Intelligence Services has been named. Blaise Metreweli takes over the role of ‘C,’ as the head of the service has always been called, in the autumn. She will go from complete anonymity to becoming the public face of British foreign espionage. A long career in espionage means much is shrouded in mystery but we have some fascinating details about the new C and about the history of the job.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Larisa Brown, Defence Editor, The Times.
Dr Daniel Lomas - Assistant professor in International Relations. University of Nottingham.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

My mother, my best friend and my misdiagnosis

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Decca Aitkenhead was nine when a GP risked jail to help her mother to die. Years later she watched her best friend succumb to the slow torture of Huntington's disease, and for a few days she found herself confronting her own death. She tells Jane Mulkerrins how those experiences have shaped her views on assisted dying.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Decca Aitkenhead, Chief Interviewer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Further reading: I was 9 when a GP risked jail to help mum die. The law must change

Further listening: The debate about death that split the country

Clips: ITV/Concord Media, Parliament.

Photo: Decca Aitkenhead.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can ketamine cure PTSD?

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

As thousands of Ukrainian soldiers struggle with debilitating PTSD since the Russian invasion, one unconventional therapy has proved surprisingly effective: ketamine. How did this become a treatment for mental illness? And does it really work?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: Netflix/How to change your mind.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Israel and Iran are at war - and what could happen next

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

How did Israel pull off the most devastating attack on the Iranian regime in its 45 year history and did it achieve its aim of destroying the country's ability to produce a nuclear weapon? As Tehran retaliates for the deaths of its leading military and nuclear personnel, what is the path to de-escalation, and is there a path to something far worse?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Newton-Dunn

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Hannah Varrall, Edith Rousselot

Further reading: What weapons does Iran have and how long can it attack Israel?

Further listening: The General & The Journalist, from The Times and The Sunday Times

Clips: BBC News, France 24, Times News, Youtube @IsraeliPM, WTHR, Sky News, Associated Press, Al Jazeera English, CBS News, Bloomberg News, Guardian News, Fox 9 Minneapolis, Facebook @Firstpost.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why weight loss drugs will change even more than you think

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Weight loss drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy aren't just changing bodies - they're rewiring society. Half a million Britons have tried them and that number’s soaring. So what will be different in this slim new world? Sunday Times science editor Ben Spencer explains how the drugs are fundamentally altering everything from alcohol to airlines. We also hear Harriet Walker's experience of taking the drugs, and why the expression "on the pen" is now firmly in the vernacular of fashion week.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Ben Spencer, Science Editor, The Sunday Times.
Harriet Walker, Fashion Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading:

I tried Ozempic microdosing, the secret way the rich lose weight

All the ways Ozempic will change our world, from alcohol to airlines

Clips: Times Radio, Doctor Mike / Youtube, Mark Lewis / YouTube, Fox, @Alexanderweightjourney / YouTube, @DoctorYoun / YouTube, Dr Emma Anders / YouTube, FatOldClimber / YouTube, @ChrisWilx / YouTube, SouthPark / Paramount Plus / Comedy Central, TikTok / Kasiedate, TikTok / @Gabysuecum, TikTok / sistershred.

Photo: Romas Foord for The Times magazine.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Edition: Trump and the surprising history of American authoritarians

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published in March.

The word "unprecedented" is often used to describe Donald Trump's presidency. He's broken with convention repeatedly: from announcing tariffs on allies, to the suggestion that he wants to buy Greenland. But are these moves really without precedent? Or do Trump's politics echo that of 19th century US presidents, but with a more alarming twist?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Nick Bryant

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Emily Webb.

Clips: ABC News, CNBC, Niki Ashton Youtube, CBS News, New York Times, FOX, MSNBC, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, NBC, Washington Post, BBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The shadowy world of targeted killings

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

A pattern is seemingly emerging with a series of high profile targeted killings taking place inside Russian territory, blamed on Ukrainian forces. This week, an in depth look at those stories, who may be responsible for them, why they may be happening and what are rules when it comes to assessing wether they are legally and ethically justified.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The governor's stand: Newsom, Trump, and the battle for LA

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The protests in Los Angeles have created a political opportunity for California’s Democrat governor, Gavin Newsom. He has called Donald Trump a “stone-cold liar” and said that democracy itself is under threat after the president ordered the National Guard and the Marines onto the streets of LA. Have the Democrats found a credible opponent who could take on Trump?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests: George Grylls, Washington Correspondent, The Times, Samuel Lovett, US Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Mohamed Al-Fayed: the monster of Harrods

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

For years, the Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed used his power to abuse and rape women who worked for him. He was never prosecuted. In her new book The Monster of Harrods: Al-Fayed and the secret, shameful history of a British institution, Alison Kervin reveals the staggering scale of his abuse and the huge number of people who enabled it.

This episode contains details of rape and sexual abuse. If you need support, go to www.247sexualabusesupport.org.uk or call 0808 500 2222.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Alison Kervin, Author of The Monster of Harrod's: Al-Fayed and the secret, shameful history of a British Institution.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Further reading: The monster of Harrods: ‘Mohamed Al Fayed raped me’

Clips: BBC News, Sky News, 7News Australia.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greta’s mission to Gaza

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

On Monday a boat of twelve activists, including Greta Thunberg, was intercepted by Israel on its way to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza. More than a humanitarian mission, its aim was to keep the world's attention on what the UN calls "the hungriest place on earth". Israel dismissed the project as a “selfie yacht” guided by "instagram activism". Gabrielle Weiniger tells Manveen Rana how the incident became the latest battle in the war of messaging for both sides.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel correspondent for The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Anna Dowell, Hannah Varrall

Further reading: Israel deports Greta Thunberg after seizing Madleen aid boat

Further listening: 'People are starving' - How Trump lost patience with Israel

Clips: theipaper via YouTube, ‘The Left in the European Parliament’ via Youtube, Office of the Israeli Prime Minister, CNN, Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Louise Callaghan, BBC, Al Jazeera, Daily Sabah via Facebook, Palestine Deep Dive via YouTube, France 24 English via YouTube, Israel MFA via X.com, The Sun

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump v Musk: who won?

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The closest of bromances devolved last week into a public cage fight. Where did this come from? And when the richest man in the world and the most powerful man in the world decide to do battle, what are the stakes?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katy Balls, Washington DC Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further reading: Trump v Elon Musk may deliver one true winner: JD Vance.

Further listening: Why the dollar is crashing -- and why you should care.

Clips: ABC News, Sky News, NBC/Today, Bloomberg Television, CNN, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Fox News, Spectrum News, CBS News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Manosphere: a journey through modern masculinity

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The journalist James Bloodworth has been exploring the manosphere revealing a hidden world of modern masculinity and the anxieties driving it. Charting the history from pickup artists to incels and influencers, he tells Manveen about the attractions of this digital world to young men and his own experiences within it.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: James Bloodworth, journalist and author of Lost Boys: A Personal Journey Through the Manosphere

To order a copy go to timesbookshop.co.uk. Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ members

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Shabnam Grewal

The Sunday Edition: How vaping took over Britain

Sat, 07 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published two year ago.

They are supposed to help adults quit smoking – so why is a Willy Wonka array of disposable vapes being mass marketed to children? The Chartered Trading Standards Institute wants tougher penalties for those selling to under-18s. Just how did vaping get so big in Britain?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Clips: BBC News, Sky News, Channel 4 News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Stop A Spending Review Revolt

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

With tough choices facing the government, the political masterminds look at what goes on behind the scenes ahead of a spending review - and how reluctant ministers are brought into line.

And as the Tories finally put the boot into the Liz Truss legacy, have they found a new strategy on the economy - and will anyone notice?

Send your comments and questions to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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The making of Beyoncé — by friends, family and Team Bey insiders

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

As Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour comes to the UK, we chart the rise of a shy schoolgirl from Texas who became a record-breaking billionaire.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Megan Agnew.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Hannah Varrall.

Further reading: The making of Beyoncé — by friends, family and Team Bey insiders

Clips: CMA Awards 2016, The Howard Stern Show, YouTube/@bvconcerts, Youtube/@Kamala Harris. Thanks to Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia, Warner Chappell Music, Pulse Publishing Administration, Sony Music Publishing.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No water, no power, no comms: the attack Britain should prepare for

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The government’s Strategic Defence Review has set out a vision for Britain’s defence for the next decade. One of its authors, General Sir Richard Barrons, spoke to Manveen Rana about the threat from Russia, the wars and weapons of the future and how quickly society can collapse.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: General Sir Richard Barrons, co-author of the Strategic Defence Review 2025.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Further listening: The rise of killer robots: The future of modern warfare?

Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, BBC News, Rusi.

Photo: Getty Images/Adobe Stock Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the dollar is crashing – and why you should care

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The dollar has been the global reserve currency nearly a century. But four months into the new Trump administration, could that be about to change?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further reading: Trump’s ‘revenge taxes’ are more dangerous than his trade war

Further listening: Why the price of gold is skyrocketing

Clips: CNBC, Soar Financially, Forbes Breaking News, MSNBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Palmyra: Syria's past, present and future

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Anthony Loyd and the legendary photographer Don McCullin have been to Syria to chronicle the destruction of Palmyra by Islamic State and to see what is changing under the new Syrian regime. Manveen sat down with them at Don’s house in Somerset to reflect on war, loss, friendship — and a remarkable career.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Anthony Loyd, Special Correspondent, The Times.
Don McCullin, photographer.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Kizzy Bray and Edward Drummond.

Further reading: Don McCullin, 89, returns to Palmyra: ‘This time will be my last’

Clips: Reuters, NY Times.

Photo: Anthony Loyd/The Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Giorgia Meloni became Europe’s political superstar

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Giorgia Meloni has world leaders falling at her feet and the Trump administration in her thrall. But how did she reinvent herself from leader of a minor neo-fascist party to the new political queen of Europe?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Kington, The Times correspondent in Rome.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Further reading:

Stop flirting with Giorgia Meloni! She’s a serious leader

Clips: AFP, Atlantic Council, AP News, EU Debates, PBS NewsHour, The Express Tribune.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Edition: Why everyone's going to Japan

Sat, 31 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published last March.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Matt Alt, author of Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Sam Chantarasak.

Further listening:

Clips: SEGA, Pokémon Theme/POKEMON, MSNBC, CNN, AJ+, Sony, PlayStation, CBS, SXSW, TikTok/@otakuintokyo, TikTok/@kaitlyneats, Your Name/dir. Makoto Shinkai/CoMix Wave Films/Toho.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you get a refund?

Fri, 30 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Ever been ghosted by a brand after a bad buy? You're not alone. In this episode of Feel Better About Money, we dive under the cushions of luxury sofas gone wrong, and hear about rejected refunds on financed cars, and overseas purchases gone bust.

The Times Consumer Champion Kat Denham joins Holly and Lucy to reveal how to fight back when companies say no, and what your rights really are. Plus, some big news from Lucy as she signs off from the show, off to a brand new job!

Guest: Katherine Denham, The Times Consumer Champion.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump family inc.

Thu, 29 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Since being elected, Donald Trump’s personal fortune has more than doubled, and members of his family are doing well too. The White House says he’s given up a successful business career to serve the country, but critics say he’s cashing in on his position. How has the president made so much money?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Alistair Dawber, Washington Correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Further reading: How presidency saved Trump from ruin and made him a fortune

Clips: DAR Global, CNN, Fox News, USA Miracle Center, MSNBC, CNBC, PBS News, Ben Shapiro podcast, The White House, DonaldTrump.com.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Angela Rayner Labour's answer to Farage?

Wed, 28 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

With Labour MPs increasingly in revolt across a range of policies, the prime minister last week made a surprise u-turn on the winter fuel allowance. A day later, a private memo written by Angela Rayner to Rachel Reeves, which argued for a slew of tax rises, rather than spending cuts, found its way to the press. The deputy prime minister denied leaking, but her alternative programme for a Labour Government is gaining traction - not only as a way to move on from Starmerism, but as the potential antidote to Farage.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Patrick Maguire, Chief Political Commentator, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Shabnam Grewal

Further reading:

Winter fuel U-turn exposes vacuum at heart of No 10

Reform UK local election surge is existential threat to the big two

Clips: GBNews, ITV NEWS , SKY NEWS, BBC News, Good Morning Britain , New Statesman, Reform UK

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside Vinted - from Lithuanian start-up to £4 billion empire

Tue, 27 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

From its inception at a drunken party seventeen years ago, the second-hand clothing app Vinted is now worth over £4 billion. Nearly sunk by one bad business decision, how did the company reinvent itself and the way we shop today?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Sarah Ditum, Contributor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: Antiques boom as the Vinted generation catch the bug

Clips: Slush / YouTube, sTARTUPDAy / YouTube.

Photo: The Sunday Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

38 years - Britain's worst miscarriage of justice

Mon, 26 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Peter Sullivan has been released from prison after spending 38 years behind bars for a murder he didn’t commit. In 1986, 21-year-old Diane Sindall was brutally murdered but it has now been proved that police got the wrong man. DNA found on her body does not belong to Peter Sullivan. Why did it take so long to prove his innocence and is the body that investigates possible miscarriages of justice fit for purpose?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Emily Dugan, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers:

Hannah Varrall
Shabnam Grewal.

Further reading: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/peter-sullivan-miscarriage-justice-07688bqc3

https://www.thetimes.com/article/3f659bf1-d713-437c-9bf3-03a5b65817f7

Clips: Channel 4 News, Court of Appeal, Daily Express, BBC Crimewatch, Justice Committee 29 April 2025.

Photo: Merseyside Police.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump goes to Hollywood

Sun, 25 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

President Trump has announced plans to impose a levy on on American films made outside the country. It's a bold move that could have serious consequences for the global film industry. What do these proposed tariffs mean for the UK film sector, and is this a savvy strategy to revive a struggling Hollywood or just another salvo in Trump’s culture war against liberal America?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest:

Ed Potton, Commissioning Editor and Writer, The Times
Hadley Freeman, Columnist and Features Writer, The Sunday Times

Host: Jane Mulkerrins

Producer: Euan Dawtrey

Further reading:

‘A collective capitulation to fear’: How Hollywood bowed to Trump

Will James Bond leave Pinewood for LA? UK film industry reacts to Trump

Clips: Home Alone 2. © 1992 20th Century Studios. Director: Chris Columbus, The Apprentice. © 2024 Tailored Films. Director: Ali Abbasi, CNN, New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Real Time with Bill Maher.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Edition: Negative tales of motherhood nearly put me off having a baby

Sat, 24 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

From bleak TV comedies to #mumtok meltdowns, modern motherhood is often portrayed as joyless, exhausting, and even traumatic. How did fear become the dominant narrative around parenting? And what gets lost in the process?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Alexandra Jones, writer, The Times.

Host: Taryn Siegel.

Producers: Aaliyah Ahmed and Taryn Siegel.

Further reading:

Clips: Netflix/Motherland, Parliament TV.

Photo: Courtesy of Alexandra Jones.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com..

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How To Perform A Giant U-Turn

Fri, 23 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Keir Starmer is changing course on the winter fuel allowance - where does it sit in the league table of political U-turns, and will it please anybody?

The political masterminds also discuss the Conservative Party's existential polling spiral, why Starmer's approval ratings have fallen so far in the year since the General Election was called, and why Hugo agrees with Polly that babies should get the vote.

Send your comments and questions to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freak-offs and baby oil - the P Diddy trial so far

Thu, 22 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

In New York, the P Diddy trial is in its second week. The case centres around ‘freak-offs’ - parties where it’s claimed he forced two ex-girlfriends to engage in sexual acts with male escorts. He denies the claims. As the trial enters its second week, here’s the update.

This podcast contains discussions of rape and sexual assault that some listeners may find upsetting. If you’ve been affected by anything you’ve heard in this podcast, you can visit the Rape Crisis website https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ or for domestic abuse, Refuge’s website https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ for help and support.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Will Pavia, New York Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading:

Further listening:

Clips: Instagram / @Diddy, ABC, Fox, BBC, YouTube, NewsweekMag, CourtTV, Diaro As, CNN.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'People are starving' - How Trump lost patience with Israel

Wed, 21 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

As Donald Trump took a tour of the Middle East last week, there was one notable omission from his itinerary - a trip to see America's long term political ally in the region, Israel. Instead, the US President voiced concern for the ongoing famine in Gaza. And now, after days of speculation, Benjamin Netanyahu has been forced to dismiss talk of a rift with Israel's military and diplomatic patron. But what caused Trump's patience to snap, and will it change anything for starving Gazans?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gabrielle Weiniger, Tel Aviv-based correspondent for The Times

Amal Helles, Reporter at The Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Rosie Stopher

Further reading: Leaked map shows Israeli proposal to force Gazans into strips of land / Here in Gaza, babies are skin and bone. I fear mine will be too

Further listening: Trump’s Gaza Bombshell

Clips: Sky News, UK Parliament, Al Jazeera, TRT World

Photo: A Gaza soup kitchen, via Getty images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump’s bromance with the ‘world’s coolest dictator’

Tue, 20 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

More than 200 migrants from the US are being held in a high-security prison for terrorists in El Salvador, accused of being gang members. How did El Salvador become the repository for US deportees? And what does the friendship between President Bukele and President Trump tell us about the futures of both countries?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Stephen Gibbs, Contributor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further reading: The TikTok beauty influencer shot dead during livestream in Mexico

Clips: China Xinhau Español, NBC News, CNN, MSNBC, Guardian News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Biden cover-up

Mon, 19 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Former US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, and is now considering his options for treatment. The physical and mental health of the 82 year old has made the news frequently over the last year or so. In fact, questions about his mental capacity eventually forced him to step aside in favour of Kamala Harris. A new book reveals how Biden’s team kept him away from scrutiny and covered up his declining health. Manveen speaks to The Times’s assistant editor, David Charter, who has interviewed the authors.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: David Charter, Assistant Editor (US), The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Further reading:

The fall of Joe Biden and how his team covered up his decline.

‘Original Sin’ review: How the democrats tried to hide Biden’s decline.

Key claims about Joe Biden’s health.

Clips: CNN, House Committee on the Judiciary, NBC, MSNBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain's richest people - and why they're furious

Sun, 18 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The Sunday Times Rich List 2025 has been one of the hardest to compile in recent years, thanks in large part to President Trump's tariffs. But it’s another government’s policies that the rich listers cite as their biggest concern. Why are the top 1% of earners so angry?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Robert Watts, compiler of The Sunday Times Rich List

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Rosie Stopher

Further reading: How the Sunday Times Rich List 2025 was compiled / The Sunday Times Rich List 2025 revealed

Clips: BBC, Times Radio, UK Parliament

Photo: Richard Pohle for Times Media Ltd

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Edition: The journalist who exposed Britain’s grooming gangs

Sat, 17 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published in January.

Elon Musk has unleashed a huge political row in the UK over whether there should be a national inquiry into the gangs that groomed young girls for rape in a number of Britain's northern towns. But whilst the world's richest man accused the 'legacy media' of a cover-up, the scandal was actually exposed by Times journalist Andrew Norfolk. So how did he uncover the shocking story? And has enough been done to make sure it never happens again?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Andrew Norfolk, former Chief Investigations Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Emily Webb.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Image: The Times.

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Inside the mind of Elon Musk & is the future of EV market Chinese?

Fri, 16 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Katie and Danny are joined for a conversation with Jon McNeil. For a pivotal 30 month period, Jon was President of Tesla and worked closely with Elon Musk. And also just where is the EV market currently at? Is the future of driving autonomous? And how best to invest in our AI future?

Any thoughts or questions, get in touch - techpod@thetimes.co.uk

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Lily Phillips: gang bangs and feminism

Thu, 15 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Lily Phillips, a 23-year-old from Derbyshire, made headlines after claiming to have slept with 101 men in a single day. She rose to household-name status largely thanks to OnlyFans. Lily Phillips says what she's doing is her choice and that she's a feminist, but some feminists are worried about what that says about young people's attitudes to female empowerment.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Katie Glass, Feature Writer, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Sarah Ditum, Contributor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Producer: Euan Dawtrey.

Further reading:

Photo: Getty Images.

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The anti-Trump Pope?

Wed, 14 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Last week, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV, the first American chosen to lead the Catholic Church. In the weeks running up to his election, he openly criticised the Trump administration’s immigration policy and even had a row with Vice President JD Vance on X. Does this suggest that President Trump may be in for a bumpy ride from the world’s other most powerful American?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Christopher Hale, Democratic politician from Tennessee and Catholic nonprofit executive.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Further reading:

Clips: Bloomberg, Reuters, Rome Reports in English Youtube, CBS News, EWTN Global Catholic Network, Khou 11, Guardian News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Is Trump turning on Putin?

Tue, 13 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

New talks on Ukraine continue in Istanbul tomorrow and after months of taking Vladimir Putin's side, President Trump now seems much more supportive of Ukraine. So why the switch? And more than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, are we any closer to a deal or are both sides just putting on a show for Trump?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Professor Mark Galeotti, Historian, Author and Director of Mayak Intelligence.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: Zelensky ‘will only negotiate peace deal with Putin’ in Istanbul

Clips: Europe Pulse, FOX, YouTube / David Feldman, France 24, CTV News, NBC, Channel 4, Forbes, BBC, Amanpour and Company, Bloomberg, CBS, YouTube / Reuters.

Photo: Office of the President of Uraine via Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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My Oscar-winning film exposed violent Israeli settlers. Now they’re the soldiers

Mon, 12 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

In March this year, a team of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers accepted the Oscar for best documentary. Their film No Other Land is a glimpse into the reality of life in the West Bank, the most populous of the Palestinian Territories. Before the month was out, though, one of the people on that stage - co-director Hamdan Ballal - would return home to the West Bank and be attacked and detained by Israeli settlers and soldiers. Times reporter Venetia Menzies went to meet Hamdan and his co-director and star of the documentary, Basel Adra, to find out what life is like now for Palestinians in the West Bank.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Venetia Menzies, assistant data editor at The Times and The Sunday Times

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Hannah Varrall

Further reading: https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/palestinian-film-director-oscar-israeli-settlers-q62756r9v

Clips: Oscars, No Other Land, CBS Chicago, France 24 English, Hollywood Reporter.

Photo: Basel Adra (Venetia Menzies)

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How the Sycamore Gap killers were caught

Sun, 11 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Two men have been found guilty of criminal damage, for the felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumbria. Constance Kampfner sat through the trial, in which the prosecution called what Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers had done, ‘a moronic mission to cause mindless vandalism.' The men were remanded in custody for their own protection after the verdict was announced.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Constance Kampfner, Northern Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Hannah Varrall and Shabnam Grewal

Clips: BBC News, Sky News, Channel 4 News, National Trust .

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Sunday Edition: ‘I gave my life to the CIA. They betrayed me.’

Sat, 10 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published last November.

On Sept 12, 2001, Blerim Skoro was approached by a man and a woman while he was in prison. They turned out to be CIA agents. That one meeting would change the course of his life and lead him on a journey across countries, inside terrorist groups, as he tried to make it home to his family.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josie Ensor, US Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: Video filmed by Blerim Skoro, provided by ‘The Accidental Spy’, directed by Anthony Wonke.

Photo: John Beck for The Times.

Further reading: I gave my life to the CIA. They betrayed me

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Off Air with Jane & Fi

Fri, 09 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Fi's off today on important business, so Jane M is here! Normal schedule resumes tomorrow... whatever that means. Today, Jane and Jane chat power outages, Björn Ulvaeus, and Euston toilets.

Plus, Jane speaks with David Collins, Northern Editor of The Sunday Times, about his book 'Saffie', which tells the story of the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena terror attack and her family's fight for justice.

If you fancy sending us a postcard, the address is:

Jane and Fi

Times Radio, News UK

1 London Bridge Street

London

SE1 9GF

Send your suggestions for the next book club pick!

If you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radio

Podcast Producer: Eve Salusbury

Executive Producer: Rosie Cutler

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India vs Pakistan: the Kashmir conflict explained

Thu, 08 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Tensions are rising between India and Pakistan after 26 people were killed in Kashmir - the disputed region that sits between them. Now, India has fired missiles into Pakistan and Pakistan says it’s killed dozens of Indian soldiers. But why is Kashmir a flashpoint and could this be the spark that takes the two nuclear powers to war?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Andrew Whitehead, former BBC India Correspondent and author of ‘A Mission in Kashmir.’

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further Reading: Why did India attack Pakistan? The Kashmir crisis explained.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Who's behind the M&S cyber attack?

Wed, 07 May 2025 23:05:00 GMT

How do hackers take down a high street staple? What started as a contactless payment outage at Marks and Spencer, quickly became the retail fortnight from hell, as cyber attacks have brought brands to a crashing halt in online trading over the last two weeks. So who is behind it, and what are their methods? And more importantly, how do you guard yourself in an evermore online world?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mark Sellman, Technology Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Rosie Stopher.

Further reading: Who are Scattered Spider hackers linked to the M&S cyberattack?

M&S and Co-op cyberattackers ‘tricked IT into resetting passwords’

M&S staff share war stories of ‘toughest’ week after cyberattack

Clips: Sky News, BBC, ITV

Photo: The Times

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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A high-rise fire killed Catherine. The cladding firm kept selling

Tue, 06 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Eight years before the Grenfell tragedy, a fire in a high-rise building killed six people. Now a Sunday Times investigation has raised serious questions about the cladding used on those flats and thousands of others in the UK. So is this Britain's biggest corporate scandal?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Martina Lees, Senior Property Writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers:

Taryn Siegel
Olivia Case.

Further reading: A high-rise fire killed Catherine. The cladding firm kept on selling.

Photo: Steve Bell / Shutterstock.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The rise of the 'polygamous worker'

Mon, 05 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

You could say one of the few good things to come out of the pandemic was the chance to work from home, avoid the daily commute, and get a better work-life balance. But, for some hardy souls, being out of the office and away from the boss’s scrutiny is a chance to get a second job, or even a third... or forth. But how are they doing it, and is it even legal?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Ben Ellery, Crime Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Further reading: The rise of ‘polygamous workers’ — and efforts to catch them out

Clips:tiktok.com/@rroomfies; tiktok.com/@martabassof; tiktok.com/@soambitiousdomm; tiktok.com/@salarytransparentstreet; instagram.com/thejamescooperjr/

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Sunday Edition: On the frontline of Sudan's forgotten war

Sat, 03 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published last January.

For almost two years, two armies have fought a brutal civil war in Sudan, Africa’s third largest country. Over 150,000 have died, 11 million have been displaced and evidence of genocidal war crimes have emerged. So why has the war in Sudan been forgotten? The Times’ Special Correspondent Anthony Loyd has recently returned from a reporting trip on the frontline and tells The Story about the people he met.

This episode includes descriptions of war and rape.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Anthony Loyd, Special Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Clips: BBC.

Photo: Anthony Loyd/The Times.

Watch Anthony’s video from Sudan

Further reading: Inside Sudan’s forgotten war: 150,000 dead, 11 million displaced

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Binance's new CEO makes the case for crypto (and forgiveness)

Fri, 02 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Finally, the crypto episode is here. And after a lowdown on the vibe shift towards the industry in Washington, Katie is joined by Binance's new CEO, Richard Teng, who is tasked with making the case for the company that was beset by scandal under previous CEO and founder, Changpeng Zhao “CZ”.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The life and death of Virginia Giuffre

Thu, 01 May 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Virginia Giuffre died by suicide last week, aged 41. Jeffrey Epstein’s key accuser was instrumental in putting Ghislaine Maxwell behind bars and had also accused Prince Andrew of sexual assault. He’s always denied the claims and settled the case for a rumoured £12 million. So was justice done for Giuffre and the other survivors? And how did a woman from the right side of the tracks end up being trafficked around the world?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

If you've been affected by anything you've heard in this episode, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or the Rape Crisis rape and sexual abuse support line on 0808 500 2222.

Guest: Helen Rumbelow, Feature Writer and Columnist, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers:

Olivia Case
Hannah Varrall.

Further reading:

Clips: BBC, Miami Herald, NBC, 60 Minutes Australia.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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P Diddy on trial

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The trial of Sean Combs - the hip-hop producer and rapper otherwise known as P Diddy, Puff Daddy, Love, and a plethora of other aliases - will begin next week, with the jury selected on Monday. As he pleads not guilty to racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, how did he get to this point? And how did he build his celebrity empire?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Megan Agnew, Senior Features Writer at The Times and Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Rosie Stopher.

Further reading: The downfall of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs — by those who knew him

Further listening: The P Diddy lawsuits: The downfall of a rap legend

Clips: NBC, CBS, PBS, BBC, Fox News, MTV, Off the Cuff Radio.

Photo: Getty images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

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Farage’s hopes for a Reform storm

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Nigel Farage is throwing the kitchen sink at Labour and he’s not being subtle about it. As Reform UK ramps up its local election efforts, Farage is fielding candidates in councils up and down the country. But the real showdown is in Runcorn and Helsby, where Reform is plotting a high-profile coup in the upcoming by-election. What’s at stake in Runcorn, and why should Keir Starmer be worried?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Geraldine Scott, The Times’ Senior Political Correspondent.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Taryn Siegel and Edith Rousselot.

Further reading: Labour and Reform in fierce battle for Runcorn & Helsby seat

Clips: Sky News, Reform UK Youtube, Nigel Farage Youtube and Facebook, Channel 4, Green Party TikTok, Liberal Democrats Youtube.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The future of de-extinction

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

An American Biosciences company claims to have ‘de-extincted’ prehistoric dire wolves. Next they plan to bring back the woolly mammoth and the dodo. But even if they could, should they?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Writer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Further reading:

Further listening: The cost of being ugly

Clips: Colossal Biosciences, Game of Thrones/HBO.

Photo: Colossal Biosciences.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Harvard v Trump

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Harvard has sued the Trump administration over multibillion-dollar funding cuts in the biggest escalation yet in the battle between the government and higher education. What does the showdown mean for the ideological freedom of American institutions and has Trump taken on a fight he can’t win?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gerard Baker, Columnist, The Times and Editor-at-Large, The Wall Street Journal.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Sam Chantarasak.

Clips: Bloomberg, NBC News, NDTV, C-SPAN, Getty/Grinberg, Paramount, Pathe Newsreels.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Sunday Edition: The AI that could block kids from social media

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published last December.

Australia is the first country to block under-16s from social media -- and age-verification AI could be a crucial tool in the ban. We spoke to our journalist who has been to the industry-leader’s HQ to find out if the technology actually works. And if it does, could the UK follow suit?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Mark Sellman, Technology Correspondent, The Times.
Helen Rumbelow, Feature Writer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Sam Chantarasak.

Further reading: Can AI tell if a teen lies about their age?

Clips: ABC News, 10 News First Australia, BBC Radio 4.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the Gen Z gold rush?

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

In this episode, Lucy and Holly ask why a new generation of investors is turning to one of the world’s oldest assets: gold. Joined by Brian Byrnes from Moneybox, together they unpack gold’s historical role in the economy, its incredible performance, and how it compares to trendier assets like Bitcoin and tech stocks. Is gold still relevant in a digital-first world? Why are younger investors increasingly drawn to it? And does it have any downsides? Plus, we hear from young financial coach Laura Ann Moore, on how it fits into our own long-term investment plan.

Guest: Brian Byrnes, Head of Personal Finance at Moneybox

Contact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk

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The four moments that made The Beatles

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The Beatles will be the subject of four interconnected films - one for each member - planned for release close together in April 2028. We asked the author of a recent book on The Beatles to tell us how he’d make the films - and what is still left to discover about the most famous band in history.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Ian Leslie, author of John and Paul: A Love Story in Songs.

To order a copy go to timesbookshop.co.uk. Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ members

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Sam Chantarasak.

Read exclusive extracts from Ian’s book:

Clips: Sky News, ITN/Getty Images, BBC News/WISH-TV, C-SPAN.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Trans ruling: the fall out

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

What are the practical implications for trans women after the Supreme Court ruled that under equality law, sex means biological sex? And how is the Labour government grappling with the ruling? Last week we heard from one of the campaigners for single sex spaces. Today we speak to someone who was stunned by the court's decision.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Helen Belcher, Managing Director, TransActual.
Aubrey Allegretti, Chief Political Correspondent,The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers:

Rosie Stopher.
Shabnam Grewal.

Further reading: What caused Keir Starmer’s U-turn on whether trans women are women?

Further listening: Defining a woman

Clips: UK Parliament, Times Radio.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Why I carried a knife

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The Times’ crime correspondent David Woode sits down with a 19-year-old man who was recently imprisoned for carrying a knife. We get a rare insight into what some

young people are really facing in London, and why he felt he had to arm himself with a deadly weapon.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

If you've been affected by issues in this podcast, you can find useful links and helplines here: https://talk.tv/helplines

Thanks to Marcus, Desmond Skyers and the St Giles Trust.

Host: David Woode, Crime Correspondent, The Times.

Producer: Sam Chantarasak.

Further reading: The Times Crime and Justice Commission

Further listening: What’s behind the rise in knife crime on our streets

Photo: Times photographer Richard Pohle.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Conclave: Electing Pope Francis's successor

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, cardinals from across the world will now descend on Vatican City in Rome to choose the next Pope. The Oscar-nominated film Conclave dramatised the political machinations and backstabbing involved in choosing a successor - so, with incriminating dossiers and secret plots, is fact about to mirror fiction?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Kington, correspondent in Rome for The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Sam Chantarasak.

Further reading: Pope Francis's legacy: Loved by millions, hated by the old guard

Clips: ABC News, Euronews, CBS News, CNN, Conclave/Focus Features.

Photo: Getty.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Sunday Edition: The high school class that found a serial killer

Sat, 19 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This episode was first published last August.

When Alex Campbell suggested to his high school sociology class that they would be investigating a 40-year-old cold case, he had no idea where it would lead. Within a year, a serial killer had been identified. In his next class, they decided to try and overturn a wrongful conviction. And they did. So just how did Mr. Campbell breed a class of super sleuths?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Harriet Alexander, Senior Features Reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: WBIR Channel 10, NewsNation, WKRN News 2.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The global fallout from Trump's tariffs

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Ryan Peterson is the CEO of Flexport, a company that plans and manages shipping globally. Perfectly positioned, then, to lay out the inside story on how companies have been affected by President Trump's tariffs and what happens next.

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Romance fraud: the cost of loving

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Romance fraud is at an all time high, low-hanging fruit in the growing world of online scams. But what are the methods? Who falls for it? And are there ways we can all avoid it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Mary Chater, romance fraud victim
Alexis Conran, TV and radio presenter

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Further reading: The Times's Crime and Justice Commission - The justice system is in crisis. We spent a year finding solutions

Clips: The Real Hustle Youtube channel, Still Watching Netflix Youtube channel.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Defining a woman

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The Supreme Court has ruled that only people who are born female should be protected from discrimination as women under the Equality Act. What does the ruling change and how did we get here?

Guest: Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at Sex Matters and author of Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality.

https://oneworld-publications.com/work/trans/

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Shabnam Grewal

Clips: Times Radio, Supreme Court, BBC News, Sky News

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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British Steel: Chinese sabotage, or self-sabotage?

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The government has taken control of one of the last steel-making plants in the UK, after its Chinese owners threatened to close it. Some ministers have accused China of sabotaging British Steel to force us to import from China. But is that what happened? Or, when it comes to steel-making, did this country long ago sabotage itself?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Dominic O’Connell, Business Correspondent, Times Radio.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: Times Radio, Parliament TV, British Film Institute/Getty Images.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How ketamine’s on the rise and getting into the UK

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Recreational use of the Class B drug doubled in 2024. A Sunday Times investigation has looked into where it's coming from and why it's so hard to police.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katie Gatens, Commissioning Editor, The Sunday Times News Review.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: One gram of ketamine and its 4,000-mile journey to the UK.

Further listening: The truth behind the drama Adolescence

If you or someone you know needs drugs help or advice, visit talktofrank.com

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Can Trump run for a third term?

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The US Constitution seems to be clear, but that hasn’t stopped President Trump and his allies from dangling the possibility that Trump won’t vacate the office in 2029. Is this just media trolling, or is there actually an argument to be made here? We asked a constitutional expert for the answer.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Will Pavia, New York Correspondent, The Times.
Suzanna Sherry, Herman O. Loewenstein Chair in Law Emerita, Vanderbilt University

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further reading: These Jack Kerouac letters are selling for $250,000. I read them

Clips: NBC News, CNN, NewsNation, Newsmax, The White House.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Edition: Why young Brits are turning to Dubai

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published last November.

As inquiries about relocating to the Emirati city from the UK have risen four-fold in the past five years; what does its allure say about life back home?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Further reading: Dubai’s allure to UK youth should raise alarm

https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/allure-dubai-uk-youth-raise-alarm-xq7s8d8sg

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Guest: Will Lloyd, reporter at The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Will Roe.

Photo: Getty images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Run Number 10

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

10 Downing Street is a rabbit warren of offices in a Georgian townhouse, and the centre of power in Britain. But how much control does it really exert over the rest of government, does it matter who has what job, and should we turn the whole thing into a museum?

The political masterminds discuss how number 10 really works, and Polly explains why her husband thinks Canada is worse than North Korea.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How China is playing Trump

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are locked in a tit-for-tat trade war, as both sides refuse to back down from retaliatory tariffs. China was hit with a whopping 125 per cent levy on exports to the US, and has fought back with 84% tariffs on American goods. So who will blink first?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Rana Mitter, ST Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Sam Chantarasak.

Clips: Reuters, CBS News.

Photo: Times Design.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Trump vs Iran: deal or war?

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

As news unexpectedly emerged that the US and Iran are to hold talks in Oman this weekend, President Trump warned Tehran that it must either cut a deal to cease all nuclear weapons development, or face the very real threat of military strikes. But just as the Trump Administration is divided on whether or not to attack, so Iranian society is split between those who fear war and those who support removal of the regime at any cost.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Sanam Vakil, Director of Middle East and North Africa programme, Chatham House and Holly Dagres, Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Further reading: Iran has every incentive to make a nuclear deal with Trump

Clips: Sky News, Fox News, TikTok, Al Jazeera, Straight Arrow News, Reuters.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How to buy a happy chicken

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Britain’s obsessed with chicken - we eat more than a billion birds a year. And to (literally) feed our hunger, many farmers have turned to fast-growing birds. But now, a new initiative is persuading supermarkets and restaurants to try a slower-growing breed. Will it mean higher-welfare birds?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Harry Wallop, Columist and Feature Writer, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Internet Archive / Prelinger Archives / The Chicken of Tomorrow (1948).

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How Trump’s tariffs are splitting his base

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Stock markets around the world have taken a beating since Donald Trump unveiled his new tariffs. And it's not just the president's blue-collar base who'll feel the pain, so will his billionaire backers. As many in the MAGA coalition become more vocal, will Trump back down or hold fast to his 'medicine'?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gerard Baker, columnist, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Edward Drummond and Sam Chantarasak.

Further reading: Trump tests America’s threshold for pain

Clips: CNN, ABC News, CBS News, Bloomberg, NBC News, CNBC, BBC News, New York Post.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The problem with the theory behind Trump's tariffs

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Last week, President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on nearly all countries, including ones that don't have any human inhabitants. In the process, Trump remade the global economy in a single press conference. But the economic theory that Trump is basing this new world order on might be entirely false.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: WSJ News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Sunday Edition: The Chagos Islands deal that could threaten the special relationship

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published in February.

Having ruled the Chagos Islands since the 1800s, the UK now wants to cede sovereignty of the tiny archipelago in the Indian Ocean to Mauritius. But one island is home to a secretive US military base and, with the growing threat of Chinese influence in the region, America is worried. Yesterday, the Mauritian PM said Sir Keir Starmer intends to “push ahead” with his deal - Whitehall suggested the same. But if it does happen, might it risk the relationship between Donald Trump and the British Prime Minister?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: George Grylls, Defence Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: Trump’s secretary of state warns UK of China’s ‘malign influence.’

Further listening: Bannon vs Musk: The battle for the soul of Donald Trump.

Clips: The Times and The Sunday Times, Reuters, parliamentlive.tv, The Guardian, Reuters.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Harry's war of words continues as a new Court appearance looms

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

This week has provided no respite in the saga surrounding Prince Harry's resignation from the charity he founded, as news broke that he he will be in the Court of Appeal next week in his fight for tax funded police protection on UK visits. Plus, an update on the King's diary following his hospital visit and the Queen meets domestic violence campaigners.

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How Marine Le Pen’s conviction could strengthen the far-right

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

The conviction of France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen for embezzling European Union funds came as a major blow to her, preventing her from running in the 2027 presidential election race. Her party called the trial a 'witch hunt' and she accused the court of making a “political decision”, a sentiment shared by far-right politicians across the world. So, could Le Pen’s sentence strengthen far-right parties and benefit their leader’s popularity? And could she end up standing as president in any case?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Further reading:

Jordan Bardella: immigrants’ son to French far-right poster boy

Further listening:

Clips: AFP, France 24, Newsweek, TF1.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The man arrested over a dispute with his daughter's school

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

When Maxie Allen complained to his daughter’s primary school about the recruitment process for a new head teacher, he hoped it would result in more openness and transparency. Instead six uniformed officers from Hertfordshire police were sent to arrest Allen and his partner after the school objected to them sending numerous emails and to their criticisms including “disparaging” comments on a parents’ WhatsApp group. So, is this another case of police overreach? And what does it mean for our ability to criticise and communicate privately?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Maxie Allen, producer, Times Radio, and
Fiona Hamilton, Chief Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Edward Drummond and Sam Chantarasak.

Further reading:

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Trump's tariffs: Liberation day or demolition derby?

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Donald Trump will reveal his much-awaited tariffs today on a day he’s called ‘Liberation Day’, as world leaders and the global markets brace for impact. Speculation has been rife over how large they will be and who they will affect, as Britain's foreign secretary says we must ‘prepare for the worst.’ But what are Trump’s motives? And will they shatter the current economic world order?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Dominic O’Connell, Business Correspondent, Times Radio and Columnist, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Sam Chantarasak.

Clips: AP, NBC, Bloomberg, C-SPAN, Channel 4, Times Radio, Fox News.

Photo: Times design.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the company that owns your DNA goes bust?

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 23:01:00 GMT

Pioneering DNA testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy after failing to live up to its six billion-dollar promise. What does that mean for the data security of the fifteen million people who handed over their genetic information? And with at least 1 in 5 Britons having taken a commercial DNA test, is the age of genetic anonymity over?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Jenny Kleeman, Journalist and Author.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: I took an ancestry test and it led me to 18 secret siblings

Clips: Y Combinator / Youtube.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Donald Trump and the campus speech wars

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 23:01:00 GMT

In the wake of a crackdown by the Trump administration on universities with threats to withhold funding following protests on campuses, Manveen Rana talks to Times columnist and a self-described free speech absolutist and academic Sir Niall Ferguson.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Sir Niall Ferguson, historian and Times columnist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Emily Webb and Edward Drummond.

Further reading: How DEI, cancel culture and bad boards are killing our universities

Clips: National Conservatism, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC News, CBS News, ABC News, Forbes.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Sunday Edition: Donald Trump’s imperial ambitions

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published in January.

The US president-elect has sparked a series of diplomatic rows after saying he was willing to use military or economic force to take control of Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada. How seriously should we take Donald Trump’s claims and where did they come from?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: NBC News, Fox News, ABC News, Reuters/TV2, France Inter Radio.

Photo: Getty Images

Further reading: Why does Trump want Greenland?

Further listening: Why Donald Trump courted the wrestling world

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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What Rachel Reeves's Spring Statement means for your money

Sat, 29 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered her Spring Statement - but what does it really mean for your money? Holly Mead is joined by Jo Noble, Chris Etherington and Tom Selby to break down the key takeaways - from welfare cuts to tax crackdowns - as they look at what was announced, what was left out, and what’s still to come later this year.

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Why everyone's going to Japan

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Matt Alt, author of Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Sam Chantarasak.

Further listening:

Clips: SEGA, Pokémon Theme/POKEMON, MSNBC, CNN, AJ+, Sony, PlayStation, CBS, SXSW, TikTok/@otakuintokyo, TikTok/@kaitlyneats, Your Name/dir. Makoto Shinkai/CoMix Wave Films/Toho.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Team Trump’s leaked war plans

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

It's been called "a big mistake", "reckless" and "the highest level of f**kup imaginable" - but just how did a senior journalist come to be added to a chat group between some of the US government’s most senior members who were discussing military action? As the Trump government looks to downplay the incident, what does it tell us about how they view their allies and conduct their business? And what could the fallout be?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: David Charter, assistant editor (US), The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Edward Drummond and Olivia Case.

Clips: Fox News, CBS News, ABC News, Forbes.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turmoil in Turkey: the people vs Erdogan

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The arrest and jailing of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, Turkey’s main political challenger to President Erdogan, has sent shockwaves across the country. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to protest his detention and express growing concerns over Turkey's shift toward autocracy. Does this mark a turning point in Turkey’s democracy? And will Imamoglu still be able to stand in the 2028 presidential elections?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Andrew Finkel, journalist and author of Turkey: What Everyone Needs to Know

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Sam Chantarasak and Edith Rousselot.

Further reading: The Erdogan I knew is a mirror image of the man he’s just locked up

Clips: BBC News, Euronews, Reuters, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The truth behind the drama Adolescence

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The Netflix smash-hit drama is getting everyone talking – including the prime minister. Adolescence centres on the murder of a 13-year-old girl by a boy in her class, and tries to tackle the question: why did he do it? Is this ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ television? Or a timely spotlight on a dark online ecosystem drawing in young men?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Jonathan Dean, Executive Editor of Interviews, The Sunday Times Culture.
Nathaniel Cole, workshop facilitator for young people.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further reading: What teens really think about Adolescence — in their own words

Clips: Netflix, ITV, TikTok/shabazsays, TikTok/dr.amanisamah

Photo: Netflix.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is the real JD Vance?

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Meet JD Vance, man of Munich and the Oval Office onslaught. He thinks Europe is in a death spiral and the future is Catholic-infused post-liberalism. But what are his roots, what does he read, and - most importantly - what does he want?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Further reading: Pugnacious bully or deep thinker — who is the real JD Vance?

Further listening: Bannon vs Musk: The battle for the soul of Donald Trump

Clips: Fox News, CNN, ABC News, NBC News, Forbes.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Edition: They said Covid would change everything. Did it?

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Today marks five years since the first Covid lockdown. We were told that we would never be able to go back to pre-pandemic times: we could only enter a ‘new normal’. Is that what happened? How much did the pandemic change us?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Luke Jones.

Guests:

Dan Atherton, Deputy Data Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further reading: UK’s worst night out? Costly, crime-ridden London

Further listening: The death of clubbing

Clips: The Telegraph.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Saturday Edition: Trump and Putin spoke, where are things now?

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

With news this week on the ongoing attempts to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine, we thought we'd bring you two interviews Manveen did on Times Radio to help make sense of it all. The first is with Anthony Loyd, who's been covering the war since it began and the second is with General Sir Richard Barron who has been working on the Defence Review and knows better than most whether the country is ready to defence itself.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Anthony Loyd, Special Correspondent, The Times, and
General Sir Richard Barron's, former Commander Joint Forces Command.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Why the Baltics are preparing for Putin

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Estonia, one of the Baltic states, sits on Europe's front line with Russia. The country that was, like Ukraine, once part of the Soviet Union is increasingly worried about the threat Putin poses, and has plans in place if there is an invasion. But, if western Europe can no longer rely on the transatlantic alliance, will it work? And what could Britain learn from it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Oliver Moody, Berlin Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: Could Poland and Germany acquire nuclear bombs?

Further listening: ‘A lawlessness that’s deeply alarming’: William Hague on Trump’s new presidency.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How Britain's benefits system broke

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

It's predicted that, by the end of this Parliament, four million people in Britain will receive long-term sickness benefits–that’s the equivalent of losing the working-age population of Birmingham from the workforce. Columnist Fraser Nelson thinks it’s the biggest scandal in Britain today. So how did we get here? And can Labour fix it or will they leave already-vulnerable people worse off?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: The Times & The Sunday Times columnist Fraser Nelson

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Emily Webb

Further reading: From welfare to warfare can define Keir Starmer

Further listening: Why are so many Gen Zers not working?

Clips: BBC, Channel 4, Roman Styran / YouTube, jascow0 / YouTube

Photo: Getty

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The '51st state' fights back

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Donald Trump is coming for Canada. He first raised the prospect of making America's nearest neighbour its 51st state when campaigning for the presidency in 2016. No one was listening. But Canada's new Liberal Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has heard, and he's assembling a coalition of allies to counter the threat. Could this be the beginning of a wider effort to build a Western, anti-Trump, alliance?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josie Ensor US Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Edith Rousselot and Olivia Case.

Further reading: Mark Carney’s in-tray as PM: from tariffs to Canadian sovereignty

Clips: CTV News, C-Span, CNN, BBC, ABC News, Guardian News, AP News, CPAC, Global News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The town ripped apart by Mexico’s new Narcos

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

On the frontline of Mexico’s drug wars, rival cartels are exploiting a decades-old dispute about indigenous land rights and turning local people against each other - with fatal consequences. To appease Trump, the government has downplayed the violence in the south to focus on the US border, but if the cartels continue undeterred, could the US launch a military operation?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Louise Callaghan, US Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Sam Chantarasak

Further reading: Watch: inside the town torn apart by Mexico’s cartel violence

Further listening: At the border crossing where Trump’s migrant ban is working

Clips: Al Jazeera, Firstpost, Imagen Noticias.

Photo: Natalia Meneses Alís for The Sunday Times

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Trump and the surprising history of American authoritarians

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Nick Bryant

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Emily Webb.

Clips: ABC News, CNBC, Niki Ashton Youtube, CBS News, New York Times, FOX, MSNBC, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, NBC, Washington Post, BBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

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The Sunday Edition: The gambling addicts hooked on crypto

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published last August.

The government says it wants to make the UK a global hub for crypto firms. But with the NHS warning it’s being left to ‘pick up the pieces’ as people get addicted to crypto gambling, are Labour’s plans wise? Our reporter visits one of the first clinics in the world, near Edinburgh, that is treating people who have cryptocurrency problems.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

If you’ve got any concerns about gambling, you can contact the national problem gambling charity GamCare's helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit www.gamcare.org.uk for confidential support, advice and free counselling.

Guest: Lily Russell-Jones, Senior Money Reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The algorithm says we’re soulmates… Now what?

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Hinge CEO, Justin McLeod, joins the podcast to discuss how online dating Apps have changed dating (for good or bad) and how AI may change it even more. While Danny argues that being direct might just be better than tech!

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How men's brains change when they become dads

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

‘Baby brain’ is real. Increasing evidence suggests having kids causes big changes in our grey matter, and not always for the worse. Sunday Times science editor and frazzled father of two, explains.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Ben Spencer, Science Editor, Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Emily Webb.

Further reading: How being a parent physically alters your brain (dads included)

Further listening: We need to talk about what motherhood does to women

Photo: Alamy/Sunday Times illustration

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The civil war that could bring down Reform

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Nigel Farage has been accused of a ‘vindictive witch-hunt’ by a former Reform MP as part of a messy public row at the top of the party. Rupert Lowe was suspended by the party after allegations of workplace bullying and threats of violence, which he denies. What could this spat mean for the political prospects of the party that, just a few months ago, was riding high in the polls?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Geri Scott, Senior Political Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Sam Chantarasak and Taryn Siegel.

Clips: Sky News, Talk TV, GB News, Fire at Will podcast.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Is Europe ready for war?

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Is Europe sleepwalking into disaster? Russia watcher Keir Giles on the rising threat from Putin, NATO’s shaky future, and whether Europe is ready—or willing—to fight back.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Keir Giles, senior consulting fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House and author of Who Will Defend Europe?

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Emily Webb.

Clips: CNN, Channel 4, DW, The Mirror, JD Vance (YouTube), ABC, The Telegraph, NBC, France 24.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Edition: Korea's 4b 'anti-men' movement comes to America

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published last November.

No sex, no babies, no marriage, no men. In 2018 a niche feminist movement started in South Korea as a reaction to the country’s entrenched misogyny. It pledged four ‘nos’ when it came to men. Now it's spreading on social media to America as young women rebel against Donald Trump's election. But how impactful will it be?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Manveen Rana.

Guests:

Chiara Brown, Commissioning Editor, The Times Luxury.
Meera Choi, Sociology Academic, Yale University.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: TikTok / trump-supporters01 / Sigma Nu Fraternity, Karim Jovian / Nick Fuentes / YouTube, OFF TOPIC SHOW / Nick Funetes / YouTube, Nick Funetes / brutamerica / Instagram, realityreelclips / TikTok, The Washington Post / Access Hollywood, thetimes / TikTok, CBS, CNN, The News Movement, Inside Edition, Arirang News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Be PM In A Global Crisis

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

With Keir Starmer focused on diplomacy over Ukraine, the political masterminds ask if the domestic agenda always has to suffer during major world events. When does a foreign conflict turn into a 'Falklands moment', and when does a leader get criticised for spending too much time globe-trotting?

Sally, Polly, Danny and Hugo also ask how to stop a minister resigning - or how to let them do it at an advantageous moment.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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Why Trump is gambling the US economy on crypto

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Donald Trump has said he will make the US the crypto capital of the world, as investors and CEOs gather at the White House today for his government’s first crypto summit. On the agenda are plans to create a federal crypto reserve - the most important development in the industry since Bitcoin was created. So what actually is it - and what does it mean for the president’s own Trump coin?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Sam Chantarasak

Further reading: Cryptocurrencies rocket as Trump unveils US strategic reserve

Further listening: Why the price of gold is skyrocketing

Clips: Bitcoin Magazine

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Why so many planes are crashing in North America

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

So far this year, there have been multiple fatal plane crashes and near-misses in North America, leaving 87 dead. President Trump has blamed diversity initiatives, with no evidence. But experts point to a different problem, and have been ringing the alarm bells for years.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Charles Bremner, Foreign Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: Toronto plane crash blamed on ‘new’ co-pilot amid recruitment crisis

Further listening: Elon Musk's 'hostile takeover' of Washington

Clips: KSDK News, USA Today, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Sky, ABC, Fox, CNN, BBC, The Guardian, The Daily / The New York Times, The White House / Sky, NBC, YouTube / blancolirio.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Why the Americans are helping Andrew Tate

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The self-proclaimed misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan arrived in the US last week, after the American government lobbied for the brothers to have a travel ban lifted. They are currently facing charges of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Romania, and are under investigation for rape and human trafficking in the UK. They deny all charges.

So why is the Trump administration helping them?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

If you've been affected by issues in this podcast:

Victim Support provides emotional and practical help to victims or witnesses of any crime, whether or not it has been reported to the police. Phone: 0808 16 89 111 (24/7) Visit the Victim Support website

Rape Crisis England & Wales offers confidential support and information to women in England and Wales who have survived any form of sexual violence, no matter how long ago. Also provides immediate support to friends and family on how to support female survivors of sexual violence. Phone: 0808 802 9999 (12–2:30pm & 7–9:30pm daily) Visit the Rape Crisis website

Guests:

Ali Mitib, News Reporter, The Times.
Hugh Tomlinson, Washington Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Further reading:

Further listening: Andrew Tate's malign online influence

Clips: Reuters, Anything Goes with James English, The White House, CBS News, Andrew and Tristan Tate.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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At the border crossing where Trump’s migrant ban is working

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

People who once flooded north across the river between Guatemala and Mexico are trickling south again, their dream of reaching the US ended by President Trump's crackdown. What's it like having to turn back when you've given up everything for a new life in America?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Louise Callaghan, US Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Photo: Times Media Ltd.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Onslaught in the Oval Office

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

As the world comes to terms with the fallout from Friday night’s unprecedented Oval Office clash between President Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, what does it mean for the prospects of peace, and could this be the end of the established global order we've known for so long?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Ben Hoyle, Foreign Editor of The Sunday Times.

Producer: Chris Wade.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Further listening: The real reason Trump hates Zelensky

Clips: The Telegraph; CNN; MSNBC; NBC News; Forbes; Hindustan Times; WTHR; Al Jazeera.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Sunday Edition: ‘We need to talk about what motherhood does to women’

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published in September 2024.

Zoe Blaskey, author of Motherkind, didn’t realise that she was unprepared for the huge psychological and physiological changes that motherhood brought. Now she’s spreading the word to other mothers. But why are we still not talking about this?

For expert advice and hands-on experience visit thetimes.com/parenting

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Zoe Blaskey, author of the book 'Motherkind' and host of the podcast 'Motherkind'

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Taryn Siegel.

Further listening: What two gay dads can teach fathers about parenting

Clips: Peanut and Motherkind, Motherkind podcast.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How To Tell Jokes, Deal With Trump, And Welcome Sally

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:01:00 GMT

We're welcoming a new political mastermind to the podcast this week - Sally Morgan has been a Labour insider since the days of Neil Kinnock and went on to be Tony Blair's right-hand woman in Downing Street, at his side for some of the biggest moments in recent political history.

She joins Polly, Danny and Hugo to discuss leaders who can tell jokes and those who can't, Liz Truss calling Britain a failed state, and whether anyone knows how to save the transatlantic relationship.

Send questions, comments and voicenotes to: howtowin@thetimes.co.uk

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My son Charlie - and the breakthrough that changed our lives

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: James Coney, News Projects Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Photo: Times Media Ltd.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The real reason Trump hates Zelensky

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

When Zelensky was elected president, Trump said he'd do a 'great job' then called him 'brave' for staying after the Russians invaded. But he's now termed his Ukrainian counterpart a 'dictator' and a 'moderately successful comedian.' But the story of their falling out didn't start with the war, so what are its origins and what does it mean for Ukraine's future?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Marc Bennetts, Foreign Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Olivia Case and Edith Rousselot.

Further reading: ‘No minerals deal without security guarantees’, Kyiv says.

Further listening: ‘A lawlessness that’s deeply alarming’: William Hague on Trump’s new presidency.

Clips: CBS, Forbes, ABC, YouTube / CPAC, CSPAN, o-ye! / YouTube.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The fall of Kanye West

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

In recent weeks, Kanye West, now known as ‘Ye’, has pulled off a number of bizarre stunts, including antisemitic rants and an inexplicable Super Bowl advert. Just a few years ago, the controversial rapper was a billionaire entrepreneur being invited to the White House, but has he now reached the point of no return?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Blanca Schofield, Assistant Arts Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Samantha Chantarasak and Hannah Gravett.

Clips: CBS News, MTV, The New York Post, Grammys, All Falls Down/Kanye West ft. Syleena Johnson/Roc-A-Fella Records/Universal Music Group, Gold Digger/Kanye West ft. Jamie Foxx/Roc-A-Fella Records/Universal Music Group, Love Lockdown/Kanye West/Roc-A-Fella Records, Power/Kanye West/Roc-A-Fella Records, MSNBC, NBC News, ABC News, TODAY, The Download With Justin Laboy, Good Morning America, Fox News and ABC 7 Chicago.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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‘A lawlessness that’s deeply alarming’: William Hague on Trump’s new presidency

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Since his election, Donald Trump has stunned the world with a series of moves that have upended the well-established post-war international order. He picked up the phone and brought Putin in from the cold, branded Zelensky a 'dictator' and suggested America will no longer continue to finance European defence. At this pivotal moment in history, Manveen Rana speaks to former foreign secretary, historian and Times columnist, Lord William Hague on why this marks the start of a new chapter and a much more dangerous period than we are used to living in.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Lord William Hague, former foreign secretary and Times columnist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case, Edward Drummond, Edith Rousselot.

Further reading: Starmer must evoke Churchill to woo Trump

Further listening: How the US signaled a new world order in 5 days

Clips: Sky News, The Times, Wall Street Journal.

Photo: Times illustration/Getty images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Why Gisèle Pelicot’s rapists are getting out of prison

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Last year, 50 men were convicting of raping or sexually assaulting Gisèle Pelicot, including her husband who’d orchestrated the attacks. There was worldwide uproar and calls for changes to French rape laws. But with no imminent changes in sight, many of the rapists are appealing their sentences and at least six are already out of prison. So what's going on? And could any progress still come from this landmark case?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katie Tarrant, News Reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: Wives stand by Gisèle Pelicot rapists — and some of them are free already.

Image: Nina Krause, The Sunday Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Sunday Edition: 'Rewilding' the smartphone generation, one school's story

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This episode was originally published in April last year.

With young people in Britain and across the world increasingly reliant on smartphones, many teens now openly admitt they’re addicted to social media. Could an entire generation be suffering serious and irreversible damage? And is there anything we can do to reverse it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story

Guest: Helen Rumbelow, Times Feature Writer and Columnist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Chris Wade, Priyanka Deladia, Ed Halford.

Clips: NBC News, ITV News, Bloomberg Technology.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How to deal with banking nightmares

Sat, 22 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Holly and Lucy are joined by Kat Denham, champion champion for The Times and The Sunday Times, as they navigate the tricky world of bank accounts mishaps. From Frozen accounts, lost payments & dormant savings, Kat shares the best ways to protect yourself from losing money.

Contact Holly and Lucy: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk

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The Labour politician who inspired JD Vance

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Lord Maurice Glasman was the only Labour politician to be invited to Trump’s inauguration after striking up a friendship with JD Vance. So who is he and why is his 'Blue Labour' movement seen by Starmer's inner circle as the medicine to tackle the rise of Reform?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Patrick Maguire, Political Columnist, The Times and author of Get In:The Inside Story of Labour Under Starmer.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Emily Webb.

Further reading: To take on the right, will Labour go blue?

Clips: GB News, NBC, PBS, UnHerd, Together, ABC Australia, The Guardian.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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What the Salman Rushdie trial means for free speech

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The British-Indian novelist Sir Salman Rushdie has faced his alleged attacker in court, after he was stabbed multiple times in 2022 during a public lecture in New York state. Hadi Matar, accused of assault and attempted murder, denies the charges. The author is no stranger to threats: in 1989, Iran's Supreme Leader called for his death, after deeming his novel The Satanic Verses blasphemous. Will this attack on Rushdie, a symbol of free speech himself, threaten freedom of expression?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Will Pavia, New York Correspondent, The Times.
Robbie Millen, Literary Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Further reading: Salman Rushdie trial: I was dying, author says as he recounts attack

Clips: BBC News, WION, CNN, The Daily Show, Cream Cakes, American Express, CBC News, University of Vermont.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How the US signalled a new world order in 5 days

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

As the United States and Russia seem to be hurtling towards a bilateral peace negotiation over Ukraine, European leaders gathered in Paris in an attempt to come up with their own response. With both Ukraine and Europe edged out of these discussions, is this the moment that the US rethinks its post-war alliances?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Clips: Newsweek, CBS News, The White House, WSJ News, Channel 4 News, Guardian News, The Associated Press.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Can you live without a smartphone?

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: James Marriott, Columnist, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Further reading: I’m a digital native — can I survive without my smartphone?

Photo: Jude Edginton for The Times Magazine.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Elon Musk's 'hostile takeover' of Washington

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

When Donald Trump took office, he appointed Elon Musk as head of the Department of Government Efficiency - or DOGE - a new agency designed to radically slash federal costs. Since inauguration day Musk has done just that, laying off thousands of staff, freezing America's entire international aid programme and gaining access to the $6 trillion Treasury payments system. So what will the fallout be? And with an unelected official wielding such unprecedented power - and the courts fighting back - are we seeing the beginnings of a major constitutional crisis?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Hugh Tomlinson, Washington Reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case and Edith Rousselot.

Further reading: Donald Trump lashes out as ‘political’ judges block his orders.

Further listening: Trump’s Gaza bombshell

Clips: Bloomberg, ABC News, Sky, The Guardian, Fox.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Sunday Edition: The decline of dating apps, and what could replace them

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Official figures show that for the first time, people are leaving dating apps. So why the exodus? And could future apps - with AI and augmented reality - be any better at matchmaking?

This episode first ran on January 7 2025.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Hannah Skelley, Fashion Writer and Stylist, The Times.

Dr Liesel Sharabi, Associate Professor of Human Communication and Director of the Relationships and Technology Lab at Arizona State University.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: TikTok / aidenheaney, TikTok / hopeyoufindyourdad, TikTok / gaelaitor, TikTok / zoecsheehan, TikTok / drcatpsych, TikTok / louisohno.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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An interview with Sam Altman, Co-Founder & CEO of OpenAI

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Ahead of the Paris AI Action Summit, Katie and Danny are together in London for a special interview with the man who is synonymous with Artificial Intelligence - Sam Altman. He is the studio talking all things OpenAI, President Trump, Elon Musk, DeepSeek and the future of life and work.

Listen to Katie and Danny's follow-up to their interview with Sam Altman as they reflect on the conversation and Elon Musk’s bid for OpenAI, which came just hours after Altman left the studio.

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How Bridget Jones charmed Gen Z

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Bridget Jones is back in cinemas with her fourth outing Mad About the Boy, 24 years after her film debut. The messy heroine is the quintessential Gen X icon: too much booze, cigarettes, dodgy office romances and an obsession with the thigh gap. So why is she still winning over new fans decades later?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Ceci Browning, Assistant Literary Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Samantha Chantarasak, Emily Webb.

Further reading:

Clips: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy/Universal Pictures, Bridget Jones’s Diary/Universal Pictures, George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight/CBC, Barbie/Warner Bros.

Photo: Universal Pictures.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Trump's Gaza bombshell

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

President Trump stunned the world and horrified his Arab allies when he proposed that the US should take over Gaza and rebuild it as the "riviera of the Middle East." But where did the idea come from and could it actually happen?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josie Ensor, US correspondent, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Clips: The Times, MSNBC, CNBC, Global News, The Guardian, Fox News, “America, Baby!” podcast

Photo: Kobby Barda, Israeli historian who shared an image of the plan for the reconstruction of Gaza City on social media.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Why are so many Gen Zers not working?

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The Times has unveiled a landmark survey of Generation Z. What are their attitudes towards modern Britain, sex, drugs and… mental health? 1 in 3 young people have sought help for their mental health and a growing number are on long-term sickness. So what’s going on?

If you or someone you know has been affected by suicide or needs to talk to someone, please get in contact with the Samaritans online https://www.samaritans.org/ or call them for free on their 24-hour helpline 116 123.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Lara Spirit, Red Box Editor, The Times.
Tanya Marwaha, mental health campaigner and Beyond Youth board member.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Emily Webb.

Further reading: Gen Zers on why they’ve turned to God: ‘It’s beautiful waiting for sex’

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

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The 'toxic town' and the mothers seeking justice for their poisoned babies

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

When the closed steelworks in Corby, Northamptonshire, were being cleaned up ahead of redevelopment, trucks ferrying debris away from the site released poisonous dust into the air. Dozens of children born during this time had malformed limbs and other issues leading to a decades-long fight for justice. Now their story, which came to national attention via the Sunday Times, is finding a new audience - in Toxic Town a Netflix drama - and families hope it will help others to join the dots.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Rosamund Urwin, Media Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Further reading: Can Netflix bring justice to the town poisoned by dust?

Clips: Sky News, BBC.

Photo: Sunday Times illustration.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The organised crime groups stealing your phone

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Have you - or someone you know - had a mobile phone snatched directly from your hand? It's a growing trend in London and other cities across the UK, as last Thursday, Met Police revealed they arrested 230 people and seized 1000 phones in just one week. So just who is behind this crimewave, and where exactly do the phones end up?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Dipesh Gadher, Home Affairs Correspondent, The Sunday Times.
Louise Eccles, Early Years and Education Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Further reading:

Further listening: What’s behind the rise in knife crime on our streets

Clips: LBC, Sun Kissed Bucket List, Nikolay Tanev, Sky News.

Photo: Metropolitan Police

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Sunday Edition: Inside the fentanyl trade

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

On today's Sunday Edition, we're looking back at this episode from March, diving into the fentanyl trade. This week, President Trump cited the fentanyl crisis in the US as his justification for threatening steep tariffs against Canada and Mexico. So how does fentanyl actually get into the US?

Fentanyl kills 200 people a day in America, a deadly epidemic felt throughout the country. We trace the journey of chemicals from China, to the drug labs of Mexico to the streets of the United States. Can the tide be stemmed?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.

Guests:

Stephen Gibbs, Latin America correspondent, The Times & The Sunday Times, and
Keiran Southern, West Coast correspondent, The Times & The Sunday Times.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Further listening: China’s deadly role in America’s fentanyl epidemic

Clips: CNBC, NBC News, ABC News, C-Span.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

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How To Tell Who's Really In Charge

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This week the political masterminds (and Hugo) are joined by Theo Bertram, who worked in Downing Street for Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

After a new book by Times journalists Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund sheds light on the inner workings of Keir Starmer's government, is chief of staff Morgan McSweeney actually in charge? And should a new YouGov/Times poll showing Reform UK ahead of Labour for the first time cause everyone to panic?

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Is there ‘new evidence’ in the Lucy Letby case?

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

On Tuesday, a panel of global medical experts convened a press conference. They said they had found a different cause of death in every baby Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering. So what did they find? And what might it mean for Letby's case?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Caroline Wheeler, Political Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further reading: My research was misused to convict Lucy Letby — so I did my own inquiry.

Further listening: Why some experts are doubting Lucy Letby’s conviction.

Clips: Sky News, Telegraph.

Photo: Times Media Ltd.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Trade Wars: Trump vs China

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Having implemented - then temporarily rescinded - tariffs on Canada and Mexico after both countries struck last-minute deals, Donald Trump now has his sights firmly focused on China. Following his announcement of a 10% tax on their imports to the US, China retaliated with their own. So what effect will this new trade war between the world’s two biggest economies have on China, the US and rest of the world?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Dr Linda Yueh, Economist, Oxford University and London Business School.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case, Samantha Chantarasak.

Clips: BBC, NBC, Fox 5 New York, The Independent, Business Today, Fox News.

Photo: CFOTO / Future Publishing via Getty.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The Chagos Islands deal that could threaten the special relationship

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: George Grylls, Defence Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: Trump’s secretary of state warns UK of China’s ‘malign influence.’

Further listening: Bannon vs Musk: The battle for the soul of Donald Trump.

Clips: The Times and The Sunday Times, Reuters, parliamentlive.tv, The Guardian, Reuters.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Gypsy-Rose Blanchard: I had Mom killed. I hope she’d be proud of me now

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:01:05 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katie Gatens, Deputy Editor of News Review, The Sunday Times.

Read Katie's full interview with Gypsy-Rose Blanchard

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: KY3 News, The Act/Hulu, The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard/Lifetime, The Kardashians/Hulu.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Who really runs the Labour Party?

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

‘ Like an HR manager, not a leader’. This is the description of Sir Keir Starmer from his closest and most influential aide, according to a new book by two Times journalists. It’s just one of the many insights uncovered by Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund who lift the lid on the inner workings of the Labour Party and the power struggles behind the scenes.

If that’s what the prime minister’s people think of him, who’s really running the country?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Patrick Maguire, columnist, The Times.
Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

For further insight - and more stories from behind the scenes, buy Get In The Inside Story of Labour Under Starmer Times+ members get a 20% discount.

Clips: BBC, Labour Together, 5News, Channel 4 News.

Illustration: Russel Herneman, The Sunday Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Edition: Thames Water - the business model built on sh*t

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Tomorrow Thames Water will be going to the High Court in London for the start of hearings to approve a restructuring plan for its debts. So we thought it might be worth a listen back to an episode we made last spring about how the company which leaks raw sewage into our rivers managed to rack up unsustainable levels of debt while also paying out dividends to shareholders.

Warning: this podcast includes exclusive interviews from those brave enough to take a dip in The Thames.

Episode first broadcast on 28 May 2024.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Dominic O’Connell, Business Presenter, Times Radio.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Edward Drummond, Edward Halford.

Clips: 5 News, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The King visits Auschwitz, Kate follows in Princess Diana's footsteps and a new royal baby

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Kate Mansey shares her first-hand account of a historic moment - witnessing the King become the first British monarch to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, marking the 80th anniversary of the concentration camp's liberation.

Roya and Kate also talk about the Princess of Wales's visit to Wales and her new role as patron of Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice in Wales, following in Diana's footsteps. And Princess Beatrice gives birth to a second baby.

Get in touch: theroyals@thetimes.co.uk

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'Don't make Putin make a point' a Russian warns the West

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Nina Khrushcheva, great grand-daughter of the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, and Professor of International Affairs at The New School in New York, says the West's response to Putin has strengthened him at home and abroad and warns against provoking him further.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Nina Khrushcheva, Professor of International Affairs, The New School, New York.

Host: William Hague.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further listening: The underwater war against Russian sabotage.

Photo: Matthew Sussman / The New School.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DeepSeek: AI’s ‘Sputnik moment’

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

A Chinese rival to ChatGPT wiped $700 billion from the value of the world’s largest tech companies in just one day. DeepSeek claims its free, open-source model is more cost-effective and efficient than its American rivals calling into question the dominance of Silicon Valley. One tech baron has even called it a ''Sputnik moment" in reference to the time when Russia surprised the US by launching the first satellite into orbit - which began the space race.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Danny Fortson, West Coast Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Further listening: The Times Tech Podcast

Clips: Fox News, NBC News, MSNBC, CNN.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The momfluencers embracing ‘Make America Healthy Again’

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Robert F Kennedy Jr. - President Trump's pick as health secretary - begins his confirmation hearings today. He's the man who coined the phrase 'Make America Healthy Again', but with a track record of conspiracy-led and anti-vaxx views, Washington has looked at his nomination with alarm. Still, his fight against Big Pharma and Big Food has been welcomed by an interesting cohort: a band of women calling themselves ‘crunchy moms.’

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josie Ensor

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further reading: The ‘crunchy mom’ influencers embracing Maha

Further listening: Meet Robert Kennedy Jr: The US election wild card https://pod.fo/e/1ff482

Clips: Shawn Ryan Show podcast, ABC News, Fox News, TikTok/@momsacrossamerica, TikTok/@LivingwithBecca, Lex Fridman podcast, New York Post, CBS News, Club Random with Bill Maher, Joe Rogan Experience.

Photo: Ashley McCubbins/Southern Oaks & Co

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The underwater war against Russian sabotage

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Last week a Russian spy ship was spotted off the coast of the UK. The Royal Navy was sent to closely monitor the vessel as it passed through British waters. It’s the latest in a series of incidents across Europe, some culminating in catastrophic damage to critical underwater cables. So what is Russia trying to achieve? And what are the UK and NATO doing about it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: George Grylls, Defence Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading: Nato’s underwater war against Russian and Chinese cable-cutters

Clips: The Times and The Sunday Times, parliamentlive.tv, Bloomberg.

Photo: Times Photographer Richard Pohle.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The controversial money fuelling Britain

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

It's that time of year again. The Sunday Times Tax List. So who made it to the top? And is there a bit of a dark side to the list this year?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Robert Watts, journalist, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further reading: The Tax List 2025: the UK’s 100 biggest taxpayers revealed

Photo: Getty Images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Edition: 'This twisted lottery', two families' stories

Sun, 26 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Last weekend, The Sunday Times' Josh Glancy landed in Tel Aviv, after the ceasefire had just been announced. Israelis held their breath to see if it would hold, and if their loved ones would be the hostages released.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Taryn Siegel.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to become mortgage-free

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

For many, paying off a mortgage is one of their biggest financial goals. So, this week Holly and Lucy are joined by mortgage expert Sarah Tucker from The Mortgage Mum and Leigh Macfarlane, a content creator documenting her journey to becoming mortgage free. They share practical tips and strategies to make your dream of financial freedom a reality.

Contact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk

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Bannon vs Musk: The battle for the soul of Donald Trump

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

When Trump’s former chief strategist Steve Bannon labelled the new kid on the block, Elon Musk, as “racist” and “truly evil”, it hit the headlines. But what’s their feud really about? And what does it tell us about the two sides of President Donald Trump?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Oliver Bateman, journalist and historian.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Emily Webb.

Clips: NBC, CNBC Television, CNN, CNN News-18, MSNBC, PBS, All-In Podcast, Sirius XM.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the frontline of Sudan’s forgotten war

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This episode includes descriptions of war and rape.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Anthony Loyd, Special Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Clips: BBC.

Photo: Anthony Loyd/The Times.

Watch Anthony’s video from Sudan

Further reading: Inside Sudan’s forgotten war: 150,000 dead, 11 million displaced

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Why wasn't the Southport killer stopped?

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Axel Rudakubana has pleaded guilty to killing three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport last July. But why wasn’t the 18 year old - who was referred to counter terrorism scheme Prevent three times - stopped before he could commit his crimes? And, as the Prime Minister warns of a new kind of terrorism, does Britain need to rethink its whole strategy around terror to prevent an attack like this happening again?

This podcast contains descriptions of violence.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Constance Kampfner, Northern Correspondent, The Times.
Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Samantha Chantarasak, Olivia Case.

Further reading:

Clips: GB News, 10 Downing Street, UK Parliament.

Photo: Merseyside Police / PA.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We need to talk about debt

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Rachel Reeves travels to the World Economic Forum today to shore up support among CEOs and world leaders in Davos. The chancellor hopes to boost investment amidst volatile bond markets, borrowing costs hitting a 27-year high, and the prospect of Trump tariffs. But is the government heading for a Liz Truss-style crash?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Dominic O’Connell, Columnist, The Times, and Business Presenter, Times Radio.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Clips: GB News, Sky News, NBC News, UK Parliament, BBC News.

Photo: Times Design/Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A second Trump presidency begins

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

At 12pm ET today, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. To mark this historic occasion, we’ve gathered together two of our US experts from either side of the Atlantic – one who attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, and one who will be attending this one. What’s so different this time around?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.
Louise Callaghan, US Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: Straight Arrow News, CNN, ABC News, NYTimes, Wall Street Journal, CNN.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Edition: The cost of being ugly

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Today we look back on one of our favourite episodes from the past few months: a deep dive into the economics of beauty, with Tom Whipple.

Do looks matter? Pulchronomics, the study of economics and beauty, says they do. But just how much impact does being attractive have on your love life, career and happiness? Are our fortunes really determined by our looks?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Priyanka Deladia.

Times Poll: How attractive are you? Rate yourself out of five

Clips: Britain’s Got Talent ITV/Thames.

Photo: Times Design, Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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AI Very British Revolution!

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode from the Tech Podcast from The Times.

The Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, joins the pod to discuss the British Government's 'AI Opportunities Action Plan' (and Elon Musk). Plus, a new guide the UK's fastest growing tech companies is revealed by The Times and Sunday Times, read all about it.

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A shaky ceasefire in Gaza

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

There was widespread jubilation at the announcement that a deal had been reached between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire in Gaza. Netanyahu's government is still to formally approve the deal that would bring to an end 15 months of conflict. The deal includes the release of the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners. But how exactly will it work? And, more importantly, will it last?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Samer Al-Atrush, Middle East Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Edward Drummond, Olivia Case.

Clips: The Times and The Sunday Times, Reuters, Times Radio, Al Jazeera, Parliamentlive.tv, Sky, CBS, BBC, @zakisolja / X.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s behind the rise in knife crime on our streets

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Analysis of a decade’s worth of sentencing data across England and Wales between 2013 and 2023 has revealed a worrying uptick in knife crime nationwide. For the first time, the contents of more than 4.7 million lines of crime and sentencing data have been used by The Times to build profiles of fatal stabbing victims and offenders convicted of knife possession.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: David Woode, Crime Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: BBC 5Live, Sky News, ITV Anglia, X/@crimeLdn

Photo: Times Design.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Government’s anti-corruption minister resigns

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Tulip Siddiq, Labour’s anti-corruption minister, has resigned after reporting by the Sunday Times revealed that she resided in a series of properties bought by associates of her aunt, the now deposed leader of Bangladesh, who’s accused of siphoning off billions from the country. The journalist who followed the story all the way to Dhaka speaks to The Story.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Emily Webb

Clips: Times Radio, Channel 4 News, BBC News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Further reading: Tulip Siddiq’s flyers found in palace of deposed Bangladesh leader

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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'We’re praying for mercy here': Escaping the LA inferno

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

As LA continues to battle its worst fires in history, the political blame game has started, with Donald Trump accusing California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, of caring more about fish than people. We’ll explain.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Megan Agnew, senior features writer (US), The Times.
Jamie Hartman, songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles, CA

Hosts: Luke Jones and Edith Rousselot

Producer: Edith Rousselot

Clips: NBC News, NewsNation, CBS News, ABC 10, KTLA 5, The Tonight Show

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blake Lively v Justin Baldoni

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

Having made a multi-million dollar film together, Hollywood stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni are now trading muti-million dollar lawsuits over what did (or didn’t) happen on set and during the promotional tour for It Ends With Us. But what do court documents and private texts allege about Hollywood's dark arts? And like MeToo, could this be the start of another watershed moment triggered by Tinseltown?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Keiran Southern, West Coast Correspondent (US), The Times.
Andrew Billen, Features Writer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: It Ends With Us / Justin Baldoni / Sony / Columbia Pictures / Wayfarer Studios / Blake Lively, Entertainment Tonight, MsMojo, YouTube / @TheAmalaEkpunobi, YouTube / Megyn Kelly, The Hollywood Reporter, TikTok / @lovingsingle, YouTube / TED / Justin Baldoni, TikTok / justinbaldoni.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Edition: The SAS murders and the conspiracy to cover them up - Part 2

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

The Sunday Times’ investigative team, Insight, has combed through 6,000 top secret documents to piece together the story of multiple military and government cover ups into the murder of civilians during the Afghan conflict. Today, in part two, we hear about the methods used to stymie, block and obstruct the course of justice.

This episode was originally published on 10 May 2024.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests:

Jonathan Calvert, Insight investigative team editor, The Sunday Times
George Arbuthnott, Insight investigative team deputy editor, The Sunday Times.

Read the full Insight investigation

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Saturday Edition: The SAS murders and the conspiracy to cover them up - Part 1

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This week the Times revealed that ministers are considering bringing back a retired military chief to lead the armed forces amid concerns the likely frontrunner, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, has been tainted by an independent inquiry into alleged unlawful activity by UK Special Forces in Afghanistan. Government sources stress that Jenkins has supported the inquiry.

Last year, The Sunday Times’ investigative team, Insight, combed through 6,000 top secret documents to piece together the story of multiple military and government cover ups into the murder of civilians during the Afghan conflict. Today, in part one, we hear about the senior special forces commander, codename N1466, who blew the whistle.

This episode was originally published on 9 May 2024.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests:

Jonathan Calvert, Insight investigative team editor, The Sunday Times, and
George Arbuthnott, Insight investigative team deputy editor, The Sunday Times.

Read the full Insight investigation

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Clips: Military.com.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

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Donald Trump’s imperial ambitions

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 00:01:00 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Clips: NBC News, Fox News, ABC News, Reuters/TV2, France Inter Radio.

Photo: Getty Images

Further listening: Why Donald Trump courted the wrestling world

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The journalist who exposed Britain’s grooming gangs

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:01:32 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Andrew Norfolk, former Chief Investigations Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Emily Webb.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Image: The Times.

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Is Elon Musk dictating the British political agenda?

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 00:01:06 GMT

Scroll through his latest posts on X and Elon Musk has a laser focus on UK politics. His main targets? Keir Starmer and Jess Phillips MP and their response to the country’s grooming scandal. He’s also blowing hot and cold on Reform UK. So what influence is the world’s richest man having on British politics? And why is he doing it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, Chief Political Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond and Emily Webb.

Clips: Sky News, Times Radio, Parliament, BBC, France 24.

Photo: Getty Images.

Further listening: The political transformation of Elon Musk

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The decline of dating apps, and what could replace them

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:01:37 GMT

Official figures show that for the first time, people are leaving dating apps. So why the exodus? And could future apps - with AI and augmented reality - be any better at matchmaking?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Hannah Skelley, Fashion Writer and Stylist, The Times.
Dr Liesel Sharabi, Associate Professor of Human Communication and Director of the Relationships and Technology Lab at Arizona State University.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: TikTok / aidenheaney, TikTok / hopeyoufindyourdad, TikTok / gaelaitor, TikTok / zoecsheehan, TikTok / drcatpsych, TikTok / louisohno.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Donald Trump courted the wrestling world

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 00:01:22 GMT

Linda McMahon, the wife of WWE’s founder Vince McMahon has just been nominated to be Donald Trump’s secretary for education. What’s behind Trump’s love affair with this staged ‘sport’?

The episode contains discussion of rape and sexual assault.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Clips: WWE Youtube channel, PowerfulJRE Youtube channel.

Image credit: Getty Images.

Get in touch: TheStory@thetimes.com

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Cocaine Inc. (Bonus) - Colombia: Seized and stolen again

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 00:01:17 GMT

Stephen Drill talks to Richard McColl about living and working at the centre of the global cocaine trade.

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Cocaine Inc. (Bonus) - Question Time

Sat, 04 Jan 2025 00:01:34 GMT

Cocaine Inc. hosts Fiona, David and Stephen answer your questions about how they made the series.

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Cocaine Inc. (Bonus) - The Artist

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 00:01:02 GMT

Stephen Mee, a former cocaine trafficker who worked with the Cali Cartel, sits down to discuss how he built an illicit empire.

David Collins and executive producer Will Roe meet Stephen in his artist’s studio.

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Cocaine Inc. (Ep 8) - Bringing it Home

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 00:01:16 GMT

The investigation takes us to a $10 million home in a leafy city suburb.

Back home in Melbourne, Stephen Drill picks up a money trail leading right past his front door.

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Cocaine Inc. (Pt 7) - The Dubai Gold Rush

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:01:35 GMT

Undercover in a gleaming world where nobody asks questions.

David Collins follows the money trail through Dubai’s crowded gold souk to its luxurious office blocks.

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Cocaine Inc. (Pt 6) - Sunshine and Lollipops

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:01:15 GMT

Drug money is carried out of the UK in suitcases carried by passengers travelling in luxury.

A cash mule tells David Collins about the brazen operation used to smuggle millions to Dubai.

This episode contains descriptions of suicidal thoughts.

If you or someone you know has been affected by the issues raised, the following organisations can help:

Samaritans in the UK - 24-hour helpline - 116 123

Lifeline in Australia - 24-hour helpline 13 11 14

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Cocaine Inc. (Pt 5) - The Woodchurch Estate

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:01:24 GMT

On the streets of northern England where chaos reigns among those doing the selling.

David Collins spends time in Merseyside, speaking to people working in the retail arm of the cocaine business.

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Cocaine Inc. (Pt 4) - The Pineapple Trader

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:01:03 GMT

Europe’s vast ports act as logistic hubs in a worldwide operation that relies on corruption and torture.

In the Netherlands, Fiona Hamilton reveals the industrial scale of the cocaine business - and how it always leads to violence.

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Cocaine Inc. (Pt 3) - The 64 Million Percent Mark-up

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:01:05 GMT

As cocaine is smuggled out of South America it multiplies in value, driving people to extremes.

Stephen Drill follows the trail to Mexico and uncovers how the numbers used by law enforcement do not add up.

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Cocaine Inc. (Pt 2) - The Sweet Song

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 00:01:39 GMT

Where people fight and die in the coca plantations.

In Colombia, Stephen Drill discovers how the international cocaine business starts, and the cost paid by everyone it touches.

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Cocaine Inc. (Pt 1) - A shooting at Christmas

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:01:42 GMT

Between now and January 6th we will be playing the 2024 award-winning series, Cocaine Inc., from The Times, The Sunday Times and News Corp Australia.

A brutal attack on an innocent young woman sends the reporters on a global investigation.

David Collins visits Merseyside in northern England, where 26-year-old Elle Edwards was shot while celebrating Christmas Eve.

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What's behind the rise in food allergies

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:01:01 GMT

The number of people with food allergies in the UK has more than doubled since 2008, with more than 5,000 people a year hospitalised in England with anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. So what’s behind the increase and are we close to a cure?

Find out more about The Times and The Sunday Times Christmas Appeal 2024

Donate by calling 0151 286 1594 or by following this link.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.
Professor Sir Stephen Holgate, Professor of Immunopharmacology at the University of Southampton.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Read more:

Photo: Getty images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life as an investigative reporter

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:01:56 GMT

On Christmas Day, The Times' Investigations Editor, Dominic Kennedy, will spend his last working day at the paper having started back in 1993. To mark this, Dominic sits down with Luke to talk about his career in journalism and revisits three very unique and very different stories that he’s investigated over the past 31 years.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

If you've been affected by issues in this podcast:

Victim Support provides emotional and practical help to victims or witnesses of any crime, whether or not it has been reported to the police. Phone: 0808 16 89 111 (24/7) Visit the Victim Support website
If you or someone you know has been affected by suicide or needs to talk to someone, please get in contact with the Samaritans online https://www.samaritans.org/ or call them for free on their 24-hour helpline 116 123.

Further reading:

Guest: Dominic Kennedy, Investigations Editor, The Times.

Producer: Will Roe.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Parliament TV, Times Radio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tracing the origin story of Taylor Swift [Replay]

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 00:01:40 GMT

From Pennsylvania to New Jersey to Tennessee, The Times’ Megan Agnew spent three weeks on the Taylor Swift trail, discovering the origins of the supersonic star. How does someone go from teenage guitarist to pop phenomenon? Was her fame just luck and talent, or was there a master plan behind it all?

This episode was first broadcast on June 10th 2024.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Megan Agnew, Senior Features Writer, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last Man Standing: On the trail (Pt 1)

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 00:01:22 GMT

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story the first episode of our series Last Man Standing - the story of British photojournalist John Cantlie who was kidnapped in Syria by Islamic State in 2012. While his fellow hostages were released or murdered, he remained captive. Then, a series of Isis propaganda videos emerged, fronted by Cantlie. He hasn’t been seen since.

Times War Correspondent Anthony Loyd begins his investigation into John Cantlie's disappearance and explores the events of a prior kidnap asking what compelled John to return to Syria after his first escape.

Want more? Listen to the full series of Last Man Standing here.

This episode was first published on 24 June 2022.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Hosts: Manveen Rana and Anthony Loyd, War Correspondent, The Times.

Clips: BBC, 5Live, CNN, NBC, Broadcasting House (BBC Radio 4).

Listen to the whole series: Last Man Standing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside the lair of Assad’s 'drug lord' brother

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:01:02 GMT

Maher al-Assad is the youngest sibling of the deposed Syrian dictator. He’s also known as the ‘enforcer’, renowned for his brutal crackdowns on protesters, and his role in Syria’s murky drugs empire. Reporter Oliver Marsden visits his abandoned house on the outskirts of Damascus and uncovers a strange lair, complete with an underground funicular, an escape tunnel, and a Jennifer Lopez DVD.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Emily Webb.

Guest: Oliver Marsden, foreign correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Clips: Sky News, France 24, 72 Films.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump and the spying game

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 00:01:13 GMT

Donald Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has caused widespread alarm in defence and security circles, not only in the US but amongst America’s allies. But what are her views, and why are they proving so controversial?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Newton Dunn, political journalist and presenter.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Chris Wade.

Clips: ABC News; Forbes; Tulsi Gabbard YouTube; Fox News; CNN; NBC News; The View (ABC); Nikki Haley YouTube.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay-Z and the rape allegations

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:01:32 GMT

The rap mogul’s, whose real name is Shawn Carter, billion dollar empire is at risk after he was named in a civil lawsuit accusing him of raping a 13-year-old in 2000. Jay-Z was named alongside Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Both men strongly deny the claims. So how did Jay-Z become a giant of American culture?

If you've been affected by issues in this podcast:

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Craig McLean, freelance arts journalist and contributor to The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Further listening: The P Diddy lawsuits: The downfall of a rap legend

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: On The Red Carpet, Forbes, CBS, NBC News, CNN, UNICEF, MTV, BBC News, BBC Glastonbury.

Music clips:

Brooklyn’s Finest, JAY-Z, ℗ 1996 S. Carter Enterprises, LLC., Distributed by Equity Distribution, Roc-A-Fella.

Izzo (H.O.V.A.), JAY-Z, ℗ 2001 S. Carter Enterprises, LLC., Universal Music Group.

Dead Presidents II, JAY-Z, ℗ 1996 S. Carter Enterprises, LLC., Distributed by Equity Distribution, Roc-A-Fella.

Sorry, Beyoncé, ℗ 2016 Parkwood Entertainment LLC, under exclusive license to Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment, Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia.

Photo: Getty Images

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prince Andrew and the Chinese 'spy'

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:01:19 GMT

Prince Andrew has now "ceased all contact" with an alleged spy working on behalf of China's shadowy United Front Work Department. But their relationship has raised questions about how the 'desperate' prince pays for his lifestyle and whether he inadvertently enabled the Chinese state to infiltrate the British royal family.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Kate Mansey, Assistant Editor & Royal Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers:

Chris Wade.
Edward Drummond.

Clips: BBC; Sky News Australia.

Photo: Pitch@Palace.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unit 29155: The Russian cyberagency targeting Britain

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:01:48 GMT

Security services have issued an unprecedented warning about a shadowy Russian military unit accused of carrying out assassinations and cyberattacks on the streets of Britain. So as the government ramps up its defence against the threat from the Kremlin, what exactly is Unit 29155? And why is it targeting the West?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Fiona Hamilton, Chief Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Clips: Reuters, OnDemand News, Sky News, BBC News, Channel 4 News, RT, CBS News, Independent.

Photo: Getty Images/Times Illustration

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trad Wives: The influencers selling 1950s house-wife life [Replay]

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 00:01:14 GMT

We’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2024.

Millions of social media users are flocking to follow the Trad Wives: stay-at-home mothers who champion a life making meals from scratch and serving their husband’s and children’s every need. Our reporter goes to meet the woman behind the most popular account: Hannah Neeleman of Ballerina Farm. Is she selling a feminist dream or an unattainable lifestyle?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Megan Agnew, Senior Features Writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Clips: TikTok/esteecwilliams, TikTok/naraazizasmith, TikTok/ballerinafarm, ABC News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How the CEO murder suspect became a social media folk hero

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 06:00:11 GMT

After nearly a week on the run, Luigi Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania for the murder of health insurance CEO, Brian Thompson. But in a macabre twist, Mangione has found widespread support on social media, which has dubbed him the ‘hot assassin’. Why?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Guest: Sam Lovett, US reporter, The Times.

Clips: The Daily Show, ABC7 News, Fox11 News, TikTok/xyathanchekass, TikTok/dpshw, TikTok/imcodyjacob, other TikToks, Edith finding sources

Further reading: ‘The hot assassin’: how the internet became obsessed with Luigi Mangione

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Benjamin B. Braun/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/AP.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Hague talks to Sir Kim Darroch: Dealing with Trump 2.0

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 00:01:35 GMT

Sir Kim Darroch is the former UK ambassador to the USA and worked with Trump for two years during the President’s first term. So how should the UK deal with Trump 2.0? And as our former National Security Advisor - before his Washington post - how will the UK government be reducing the terrorism threat from Syria, and balancing trade opportunities versus security issues when it comes to China.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Sir Kim Darroch, former UK Ambassador to the USA and former National Security Advisor.

Host: William Hague.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Image credit: The Times / Tom Jackson.

Further listening: Putin’s ‘nuclear blackmail’

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The true cost of plant-based milk

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:01:35 GMT

Healthier, eco-friendly, altogether virtuous. This may be how we think of milk alternatives but new research is calling into question the ‘plant-based milk myth’. So what’s the truth? How good for you - and the environment - is your oat milk flat white?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Libby Galvin, writer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Further reading: How good is your milk (for you and for the environment)?

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty Images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ISIS 2.0?

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 00:01:29 GMT

As a new leadership emerges in Syria, disparate groups remain in control of different parts of the country. In the midst of the fluctuating situation, what dangers might return?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mark Urban, Writer and Columnist, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers:

Edith Rousselot.
Edward Drummond.

Clips: BBC News, AP, Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, CNN.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gisèle Pelicot and the trial that changed France

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:01:17 GMT

Gisèle Pelicot waived her right to anonymity when her husband - and dozens of other men - were charged with raping and sexually assaulting her. Her decision allowed journalists to cover the trial in full and made her a feminist icon in France. But as we await the final verdicts and sentencing, what does the case tell us about French attitudes to rape? And with the French government promising change, will this be a watershed moment?

The episode contains discussion of rape and sexual assault.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

If you've been affected by anything you've heard in this episode or need help or support around issues involving sexual assault, you can contact womensaid.org.uk or malesurvivor.co.uk. You can also call Refuge's 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Guests:

Constance Kampfner, Northern Correspondent, The Times.
Katie Tarrant, News Reporter, The Sunday Times.

Clips: Euronews, The Times, France24, Paris Match, Channel 4, BBC, Forbes.

Image credit: Getty Images.

Further reading:

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who should keep the Elgin Marbles? [Replay]

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 00:01:20 GMT

This week, No 10 confirmed it wouldn’t stand in the way of a deal to return the Elgin Marbles to their original home in Athens. The comments came after a meeting between Keir Starmer and his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Our former host David Aaronovitch spoke to classicist and British Museum trustee Dame Mary Beard about how the Parthenon sculptures ended up in the UK 200 years ago.

This episode was first broadcast on 5 December 2022.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Dame Mary Beard, classicist.

- David Sanderson, Arts Correspondent, The Times.

With thanks to The British Museum.

Host: David Aaronovitch.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Clips: Channel 4 News, Times Radio, Reuters, CBC News, BBC World Service, Al Jazeera, ITV Good Morning Britain, LBC, UK Parliament, LSE.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to keep blaming your predecessors

Sat, 07 Dec 2024 00:01:37 GMT

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode of our fellow Times podcast How To Win An Election.

The prime minister wants to blame the last government for leaving the economy in a mess, just like David Cameron did in 2010 - but is the strategy working, and for how long?

The political masterminds - and Hugo - discuss the whether voters will reward Starmer for being sensible, whether he should be more like Harold Wilson, and whether any Western government can get to grips with migration.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death of clubbing

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:01:23 GMT

Nightclubs are closing their doors at an alarming rate. Research by The Night Time Industries Association shows that as many as three clubs a week have closed since 2020. Our journalist went to Manchester to find out why they’re struggling - but is the underground clubbing scene really as threatened as it might seem?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katie Gatens, Deputy Editor of News Review, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Saturday Night Live/NBC.

Photo: Joel Goodman for The Sunday Times

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the Syrian civil war is back

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:01:22 GMT

With wars raging in Israel and Lebanon, no one was watching neighbouring Syria. Until an alliance of rebel forces launched an astonishing offensive a week ago, sweeping the north and taking the prized city of Aleppo. But who are they, who backs them, and why now?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Mark Urban, Writer and Columnist, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Clips: Channel 4 News, SkyNews, ABC News, The Telegraph.

Image credit: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AI that could block kids from social media

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:01:12 GMT

Last week, Australia became the first country to block under 16s from social media. Age verification AI could be a crucial tool in the ban, so we spoke to our journalist who has been to the industry-leader’s HQ to find out if the technology actually works. And we ask, could the UK follow suit?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Mark Sellman, Technology Correspondent, The Times.
Helen Rumbelow, Feature Writer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Clips: ABC News, 10 News First Australia, BBC Radio 4.

Photo: Getty Images

Read Helen’s report: Can AI tell if a teen lies about their age?

Further listening: The myth of the X exodus

The Times and The Sunday Times starter pack on Bluesky

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gregg Wallace vs. 'middle class women of a certain age'

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:01:59 GMT

Gregg Wallace, the presenter of one of the BBC's most popular programmes 'MasterChef' has stepped back from the show while allegations of historical misconduct are investigated. Over the weekend, he said complaints came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age” - a comment he has now apologised for. His lawyers say he denies behaviour of a sexually harassing nature but as the BBC faces pressure to pull the programme from the schedules, and even Downing Street has waded in, what now for the presenter - and for the BBC?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Rosamund Urwin, Media Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers:

Edward Drummond.
Samantha Chantarasak.

Clips: BBC, Gregg Wallace, Times Radio.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The myth of the X exodus

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 00:01:47 GMT

It started two years ago, when Elon Musk bought Twitter, now X. People fled the social media platform, citing a change in the algorithm and concerns over the unchecked spread of misinformation, conspiracy theories and hate speech. Following the US election and Musk's appointment to Donald Trump's team, millions more have departed - including The Guardian newspaper. So, does this signal a sea change in our social media habits? Or is this just a momentary tiff?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Danny Fortson, US West Coast Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edith Rousselot.

Clips: CNN, MSNBC, NBC News, TalkTV.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s fuelling the emergence of Ireland's far right? [Replay]

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:01:27 GMT

This week Ireland went to the polls in a general election where for the first time in the history of the republic, immigration was among the leading issues in voters’ minds as they cast their ballots. In August we looked at the rise of a new political movement in Ireland, inspired by American far-right groups and fuelled by anger over immigration.

This episode was first broadcast on 20 August 2024.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: John Mooney, Investigative Reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Further listening: Inside the Kinahan crime cartel and their €1 billion empire

Clips: Gript Media, Irish Mirror, Cllr Gavin Pepper, RTE News, Irish Times, Euronews, The National Party — An Páirtí Náisiúnta, Tucker Carlson, ,

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jane & Fi talk to General David Petraeus

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 00:01:30 GMT

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode from Off Air with Jane & Fi podcast from The Times.

General David Petraeus, former director of the CIA, discusses global security, amongst many other things...

If you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radio

Podcast Producer: Eve Salusbury

Executive Producer: Rosie Cutler

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who really runs Britain?

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 00:01:30 GMT

Observers of Britain today might think of it as a more meritocratic and socially equal society than ever before. But, while the narratives have certainly moved on, the elites who run the political, economic and cultural life of the country remain much the same.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Sam Friedman, sociologist and co-author of “Born To Rule: The Making and Remaking of the British Elite.”

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Chris Wade.

Clips: BBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The debate about death that split the country

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 00:01:23 GMT

Tomorrow, MPs will vote on a Bill that, if passed, would allow terminally ill people with less than six months to live the right to take their own lives - a radical departure from the status quo. The debate has split parliament and the public. So, is it a kindness or the beginning of a dangerous and slippery slope?

If you or someone you know has been affected by suicide, support and advice can be found with the Samaritans or SANE.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Mark Mardell, broadcaster and writer, Movers and Shakers podcast and assisted dying correspondent, Prospect.
Kaya Burgess, science reporter and religious affairs correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Clips: Times Radio, ITV News, Two Women Chatting.

Photo: Getty Images/Times illustration

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside the Laos party town where backpackers die

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 00:01:49 GMT

With six backpackers dead from suspected methanol poisoning, how did the remote town of Vang Vieng become the go-to destination for gap year hedonism, and will anything be done to close down the bars selling mushrooms, moonshine and opium?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Richard Lloyd Parry, Asia Editor, The Times and the Sunday Times
Alasdair Gill, chef and journalist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Chris Wade.

Clips: Lucy Davidson/TikTok; 10 News First.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘I gave my life to the CIA. They betrayed me.’

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 00:01:35 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josie Ensor, US Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: Video filmed by Blerim Skoro, provided by ‘The Accidental Spy’, directed by Anthony Wonke.

Photo: John Beck for The Times.

Further reading: I gave my life to the CIA. They betrayed me

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did the Queen hate Boris Johnson?

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:01:46 GMT

Over the past eight years, Sunday Times chief political commentator, Tim Shipman has written the story of British politics. From Brexit to backstops, deals to no deals, political self-harm to prorogation, economic meltdowns to an election. He takes us on a quick tour of the last part of his quartet which has covered our mad political life.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tim Shipman, Chief Political Commentator, The Sunday Times and author of Out

Host: Luke Jones

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Photo: Illustration by Morten Morland.

Further listening: Tim Shipman on the tears, plots and mating porcupines of Brexit

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Very British Scandal: How Captain Tom's charity got caught up in controversy [REPLAY]

Sun, 24 Nov 2024 00:01:45 GMT

This week, over four years later, a report from the Charity commission concluded that Captain Sir Tom Moore's daughter and her husband had committed “serious” misconduct and had gained “significant” financial benefit from links to that charity. The report said that it had not seen evidence of a crime committed by the couple. The family say "that there has never been any misappropriation of funds or unauthorised payments from the charity’s bank account, by any member of our family.

Last year, Manveen spoke to Times social affairs editor James Beal about the whole affair.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Clips: TalkTV, Times Radio, BBC News, ITV News, 5 News, You’ll Never Walk Alone/Captain Tom Moore, Michael Ball, and The NHS Voices of Care Choir/UMG.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planet Hope: Finding Hope for our Planet

Sat, 23 Nov 2024 00:01:25 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story.

In this special episode of Planet Hope we reflect on the insights shared in the series about the future of our planet from the individuals finding solutions to the challenges we face - the explorers, naturalists and conservationists who are ensuring a brighter future for Planet Earth.

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Putin’s “nuclear blackmail”

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 00:01:36 GMT

The decision by the US to allow Ukraine to launch western long-range missiles into Russia has provoked a furious reaction from Moscow, and pushed tensions with Ukraine’s western backers even higher. In response, the Kremlin has updated its military doctrine to lower the threshold for using nuclear weapons, provoking fears of a new Cold War, or even a nuclear confrontation. How worried should we be?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Edward Lucas, Times columnist and Senior Vice-President at the Centre for European Policy Analysis
Lt Gen Ben Hodges (US Army, Ret’d), Former Commander of U.S. Army forces in Europe

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Chris Wade.

Clips: Times Radio; BTTV; US DoD/RAND; PBS.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are food shortages the farmers' secret weapon?

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 00:01:50 GMT

Over ten thousand farmers marched on Westminster this week, protesting changes to inheritance tax. But does the government’s new policy mean the end of family farms or is it a sensible move that only targets the richest landowners? And as nearly 60% of the food we eat in the UK is home grown, if the farmers escalate their protest, and refuse to let food off their farms, what could it mean for your fridge and the nation’s food security?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests:

Olly Harrison, Farmer and co-owner of T&O Harrison farm.
Will Humphries, Southwest and Countryside Correspondent for The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Parliamentlive.tv, BBC, Olly Harrison / YouTube, Reuters.

Image credit: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why young Brits are turning to Dubai

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 00:01:00 GMT

As inquiries about relocating to the Emirati city from the UK have risen four-fold in the past five years; what does its allure say about life back home?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Further reading: Dubai’s allure to UK youth should raise alarm

https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/allure-dubai-uk-youth-raise-alarm-xq7s8d8sg

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Guest: Will Lloyd, reporter at The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Will Roe.

Photo: Getty images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Tim Spector wants to bring back the nanny state

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:01:14 GMT

The government should treat ultra-processed foods like cigarettes and alcohol - and bring in higher taxes on the companies that make them, says Professor Tim Spector. Labour has declared war on junk food as part of a drive to save the NHS by shifting from "sickness to prevention" but with our love of unhealthy eating costing us an estimated £286bn a year - will it be bold enough?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Tim Spector, Professor of Epidemiology and co-founder of science and nutrition company ZOE.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers:

Olivia Case.
Samantha Chantarasak.

Clips: British Government / OstreFoczki / YouTube / Huntley Archives, BBC, Channel 4.

Image credit: Getty Images.

Further listening: The new science of ageing and the quest to live forever

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Korea's 4b 'anti-men' movement comes to America

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:01:32 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests:

Chiara Brown, Commissioning Editor, The Times Luxury.
Meera Choi, Sociology Academic, Yale University.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Image credit: Getty Images

Further listening: Are dating apps running out of steam?

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Undercover: The Times investigation into Turkish plastic surgery clinics [Replay]

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 00:01:00 GMT

This week the health secretary has urged people to “think very carefully” before flying overseas for plastic surgery as the NHS is left to “pick up the pieces". Medical tourism to Turkey for ‘Brazilian butt lifts’ and liposuction is surging despite the risks. Our correspondent goes undercover to expose the firms recruiting customers in London.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Charlotte Wace, Special Projects Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: TheStory@thetimes.com / investigations@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty images.

Clips: ITV, Talk TV.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump, Putin and an uncertain future for Ukraine

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 00:01:47 GMT

The election of Donald Trump has raised serious questions about the flow of American funds and weapons to Ukraine's forces. So what is the mood in Kyiv and on the front line, and might some form of peace be on the horizon?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Edward Drummond and Chris Wade.

Clips: The Times & Sunday Times; ABC News (US); BBC News; CBS News; Channel 4 News; The Straits Times; Fox News; NBC News.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside the scandal that brought down the Archbishop of Canterbury

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 00:01:24 GMT

The Archbishop of Canterbury has resigned after being accused of mishandling abuse allegations against a man described as the “most prolific serial abuser” in church history. So what did the Archbishop know when? What fateful decision led to his downfall? And where does his departure leave the Anglican church - and the victims affected by abuse?

If you or someone you know has been affected by sibling sexual abuse, support and advice can be found with the Samaritans or The National Association for People Abused in Childhood.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Kaya Burgess, Religious Affairs Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Taryn Siegel and Edward Drummond.

Clips: Channel 4 News, BBC News.

Photo: Getty Images

Further reading: Why did Justin Welby resign? The fateful decision that led to downfall

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Send in the troops': Trump's mass deportation plan explained

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 00:01:18 GMT

Donald Trump has started to appoint key figures to his new administration, and one of the early picks is Tom Homan - his new ‘border tsar’. The president-elect says he wants to remove all 20 million people thought to be in America illegally. So how does he plan to do this, and what might the economic impact be?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Louise Callaghan, Senior US Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Taryn Siegel and Edward Drummond.

Further reading: Tom Homan, the man who will ‘send in the troops’ to tackle migration

Clips: Bloomberg, Fox News, CBC, Fox Business, Sky News, NBC News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are we getting worse at sleeping, not better?

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 00:01:17 GMT

If you get a decent night’s rest regularly, you’re likely to be slimmer, happier and healthier. But with research suggesting that the more we think and worry about our sleep, the worse it gets, is it time to throw away our sleep-trackers and unfollow the TikTok ‘sleepfluencers’?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Host: Manveen Rana.

Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: TikTok / milaandmike, TikTok / justin_agustin, TikTok / anastazia, TikTok / thesleepdoctor, TikTok / valerieribon, TikTok / alishaxnourie, TikTok / marjmaroket, TikTok / hanbanan.fit, TikTok / melfyx.

Photo: Getty Images.

Further reading: How to get a good night's sleep - and why you're not.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The millions of Americans who think the Democrats despise them

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 00:01:59 GMT

For weeks, we were told the polls were too close to call. But when the votes were counted, the Democrats lost every single swing state - and the popular vote too. Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker and Democrat party grandee has blamed President Biden for Donald Trump winning the White House as a Democrat blame game intensifies. So how did it all go so wrong for the Harris campaign? And what does her party need to do to reconnect with middle America?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Christopher Hale, Democratic consultant and strategist.
Nick Hanauer, tech entrepreneur and political economist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Priyanka Deladia, Chris Wade and Taryn Siegel.

Clips: Megyn Kelly; The View/ABC; NBC News; Instagram/realdonaldtrump; CNN; Votolatino; Newsnation; Hindustan Times; Al Jazeera English.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prince William on the "hardest year" of his life

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 00:01:40 GMT

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode from our sister podcast, The Royals with Roya and Kate. They have been in South Africa covering Prince William’s Earthshot Prize awards ceremony. Speaking afterwards, the Prince of Wales described the last year as “dreadful”, “brutal”, and “probably the hardest year of my life”.

Host:

Roya Nikkhah, Royal Editor, The Sunday Times.
Kate Mansey, Assistant Editor, The Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The political transformation of Elon Musk [Replay]

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 00:01:47 GMT

Elon Musk has aggressively backed Donald Trump in the US election, raising questions about whether he may be part of Donald Trump's new administration. But what has led the one-time political liberal to come out in support of the president-elect and a raft of conservative causes? This weekend, we revisit an episode from August, looking at how the billionaire Tesla and X owner became politically involved.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

This episode was first published on 15th August 2024.

Guest: James Ball, tech journalist and author.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Priyanka Deladia.

Clips: X.com/Kamala Harris AI generated audio.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The cost of being ugly

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:01:14 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Priyanka Deladia.

Times Poll: How attractive are you? Rate yourself out of five

Clips: Britain’s Got Talent ITV/Thames.

Photo: Times Design, Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Team Trump’s plan to remake America

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 00:01:09 GMT

Donald Trump has stormed to victory, so what does his vision for the future of the US look like? Who will he take into the White House with him? And will his hard-talking rhetoric meet reality?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Sam Chantarasak, Chris Wade and Priyanka Deladia.

Clips: Middle East Eye, CNN, Forbes, ABC News.

Photo: Getty Images.

Further reading:

Who will be in Trump’s cabinet? From ex-rivals to golf partners

What a Trump presidency means for Ukraine, Middle East, Europe and Asia

The Times website will be free to read until midnight on Thursday 7th November.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ball gowns and battle grounds: The re-election of Donald Trump

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 06:20:05 GMT

After two years of campaigning, Americans have cast their votes, with Trump riding a growing wave of momentum. This is how the night unfolded.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Tom Newton-Dunn, covering the US election for The Times.
Louise Callaghan, US Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Alistair Dawber, Washington Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Tom Calver, Data Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Taryn Siegel, Chris Wade and Edward Drummond.

Clips: NBC News, Fox News, PBS News, CNN.

Photo: Getty Images/Times Illustration

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Revealed: The property empires that make Charles and William millions

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:01:44 GMT

An investigation by the Sunday Times’ Insight team has revealed for the first time the extensive property empires of the King and Prince of Wales. The information includes details of the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall’s business deals with the NHS, schools and military that help fund the royals.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Jonathan Calvert, Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.
George Arbuthnott, Insight Deputy Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

Clips: Channel 4, Parliament.

Photo: Getty Images/Times illustration.

Further listening: The SAS murders and the conspiracy to cover them up and Cash for places: The backdoor for overseas students into Britain's top universities

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Kemi Badenoch make the Tories popular again?

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:01:56 GMT

The new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch grew up in Nigeria and - as the state failed - was forced to complete her homework by candlelight. So how has that shaped her politically? What are her policies and can she resurrect the Tories and mount a challenge against the twin threats of Labour and Reform?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.

Host: Luke Jones.

Guests:

Janice Turner, Columist and Interviewer, The Times.
Daniel Finkelstein, Contributor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Producers: Olivia Case and Priyanka Deladia.

Clips: The Conservative Party, BBC, Sky, Times Radio.

Photo: Getty.

Further listening: What happens if the American election is a tie?

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The budget recovery plan!

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 00:01:40 GMT

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode from the new Money Podcast from The Times. Rachel Reeves’ first budget raised taxes by more than expected, borrowed more than predicted, and brought higher taxes on employers than forecast. But now, Holly is at hand with a podcast pick-me-up! It is time to get down to brass tacks as she is joined by experts whose job is to help you understand money better.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Chris Etherington, tax analyst.
Tom McPhail, pensions expert.
Jo Noble, Money Editor, The Times and Sunday Times.

Host: Holly Mead, Deputy Money Editor, The Times and Sunday Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump vs. Harris: The battle of the sexes [Replay]

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 00:01:36 GMT

As Kamala Harris and Donald Trump face off tonight in their first TV debate, it’s more than just a political showdown - it's a battle of the sexes. The polls are too close to call with women heavily favouring Harris, while men lean towards Trump. Could the hot-button topic of abortion prove the issue that shifts the electoral balance?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Sarah Baxter, former Deputy Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Priyanka Deladia.

Clips: NBC, Fox, AP Archive.

Further listening: Why tech billionaires are backing Trump

Further reading: Why Donald Trump is suddenly talking about cocaine

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

This episode was first published in September 2024.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How violent could the US election get?

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:01:33 GMT

As polling day approaches, fears are growing that the result will not be accepted by the losing side. The potential consequences range from election denialism to violence, and even civil war.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Newton Dunn, covering the US election for The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Emily Webb.

Clips: MSNBC, CBS, New York Post, NBC News.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The £40 billion gamble

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 00:01:20 GMT

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has raised taxes by £40 billion in the first Labour budget in fourteen years. Does it ‘fix the foundations’ or does it punish ‘working people’?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: David Smith, Economics Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Clips: Parliament live.

Photo: Times Photographer Richard Pohle.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liam Payne and the rise of pink cocaine

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 00:01:10 GMT

The One Direction star is alleged to have died with a substance known as ‘pink cocaine’ in his system. This popular, dangerous high could mark a new phase in the world of drugs. So what is it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.

Host: Luke Jones.

Guest: Kate Spicer, Writer, The Times. Substack: https://katespicer.substack.com/

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Clips: E! News, Virgin Radio, ABC7 News.

Further reading: Liam Payne, drugs and the rise of pink cocaine.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Democrats voting for Trump

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:01:46 GMT

Kamala Harris’ campaign is pulling out all the stops to woo black and Latino Americans, over concerns that voters from these groups are signalling their support for Donald Trump in record numbers. Polling suggests some of the Democrat’s core base will peel away to vote Republican in this election – so what’s Trump’s appeal? And could their votes decide the election?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Newton Dunn, covering the US election for The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Samantha Chantarasak.

Further reading:

Can Kamala Harris win back Arab-American voters lost to Gaza?

Further listening:

Clips: Kamala Harris, Univision Noticias, Washington Post.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My daughter died of ME. I had to fight the NHS for answers

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:01:39 GMT

When Sean O’Neill’s daughter Maeve died aged 27 from malnutrition caused by severe ME - myalgic encephalomyelitis - he faced years of waiting for an inquest to find out why the system failed her. That inquest has just ended, but will its ground-breaking conclusion change things for the hundreds of thousands of ME sufferers in the UK?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Information and helpline services for ME are available at Action for ME and The ME Association.

Guest: Sean O’Neill, Maeve Boothby O’Neill’s father and Senior Writer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Image credit: O'Neill family.

Further reading:

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Satya Nadella, Chairman and Chief Executive of Microsoft

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 23:01:07 GMT

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode from the new Tech Podcast from The Times. Presenters Katie Prescott and Danny Fortson are joined by Microsoft boss Satya Nadella. On a whistle-stop AI tour of the world and in his only UK interview this year - this exclusive conversation with Satya Nadella covers the dangers, pitfalls and growth of AI.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Satya Nadella, Chairman and Chief Executive, Microsoft.

Hosts:

Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The Times.
Danny Fortson, West Coast Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melania: Donald Trump’s secret weapon?

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 23:01:11 GMT

The former first lady’s new ‘tell all’ memoir addresses everything from her nude modelling and her husband’s policies to her surprising stance on abortion. But why is she doing it now — and will it help or hinder Donald Trump’s presidential campaign?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Josie Ensor, US Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Priyanka Deladia.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: Fox News, CBS, ABC, CNN, X.com/@melaniatrump.

Photo: Getty Images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Rivals' and the cult of Jilly Cooper

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 23:01:43 GMT

'Rivals' hit our TV screens this month; it’s the first adaptation of a Jilly Cooper ‘bonkbuster,’ the 87 year old Dame who taught a generation about sex and posh people. Her uber-popular romance novels sell in their millions, so what’s behind her popularity (aside from all the bonking) and how is she changing how we see, and show, sex.

This podcast contains lots and lots of talk about sex and other themes of an adult nature.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Sarah Ditum, writer, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Rivals / Jilly Cooper / Elliot Hegarty / Happy Prince / Disney+; ITV; BBC; Addicted To Love / Robert Palmer / Bernard Edwards / Island.

Image credit: Robert Viglasky / Disney / PA.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Irish politician and the Russian 'honeytrap'

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 23:01:56 GMT

When news dropped that a member of Ireland’s parliament was a suspected Russian agent, chaos ensued in the Irish parliament as politicians stood up to declare it wasn’t them. Today we hear from John Mooney, The Sunday Times investigative reporter who broke the story, on why Russia sees Ireland as Europe’s ‘Trojan horse’.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: John Mooney, investigative reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: RTÉ News, RTÉ Radio.

Photo: Illustration by James Cowen.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The full story of the Chris Kaba killing

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 23:01:34 GMT

Anger is building on both sides after a Met police officer was found not guilty of the murder of an unarmed black man. Chris Kaba was shot dead in 2022, but The Times can now reveal Kaba’s alleged involvement in a gang shooting just days before he was killed. What does the verdict mean for policing?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: David Woode, crime correspondent, The Times.

Read David’s reporting:

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: The Times, Sky News, The Guardian, Channel 4 News, Bruk It/Itch (67)/Prod. QUIETPVCKxBKayBeats/SBTV: Music, Numerous Times/67 (R6xSTxItch)/Prod. Carbs Hill/Link Up TV.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What the death of the Hamas leader means for the war

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 23:01:46 GMT

This week, Israel released pictures of an underground bunker, furnished with flat screen TV and a hot shower. It was the place where Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar had lived with his wife and children until he was killed by the IDF. So, how was he tracked down and what does his death mean for the conflict in Gaza?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: George Grylls, Defence and Political Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CBS, Sky News, ABC, Al Jazeera.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens if the American election is a tie?

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 23:01:25 GMT

One tiny ‘blue dot’ in Omaha, Nebraska could result in a tie between Trump and Harris. Why? And what happens then to decide who wins?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Tom Newton Dunn, Broadcaster and Journalist.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: News 5 Cleveland, News4JAX, KGW News,

Photo: Getty Images

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can a ‘miracle’ weight loss drug end Britain's obesity epidemic? [Replay]

Sat, 19 Oct 2024 23:01:36 GMT

The government has announced a five-year trial of the weight-loss drug Mounjaro to consider whether its use could reduce unemployment and relieve pressure on the NHS. So this weekend, we revisit an episode from last year looking at another weight loss drug that’s already been approved for use by clinically obese individuals in the UK. But is an injection our best option for tackling obesity?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guests:

· Charlotte Ivers, Staff Writer, The Sunday Times.

· Dr Amir Khan, NHS GP and Broadcaster.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Article: How celebrities’ favourite drug Ozempic made Denmark enormously rich.

Clips: Global News Canada, CBS, E News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

This episode was first published in September 2023.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Al Gore, tech and climate

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 23:01:05 GMT

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode from the new Tech Podcast from The Times. Presenters Katie Prescott and Danny Fortson are joined by Al Gore, former US Vice-President and now an environmental activist, as they discuss Artificial Intelligence and climate change.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Al Gore, Former US Vice President.

Host:

Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The Times.
Danny Fortson, West Coast Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death of One Direction star Liam Payne

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 23:01:02 GMT

On Wednesday night it was announced that Liam Payne had died in Buenos Aires aged 31, where he was on holiday.

What does his death say about the music industry?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Will Hodgkinson, chief rock and pop critic, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Further reading: Liam Payne and the curse of too much fame too young

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: Sky News, Times Radio, X Factor, Columbia / Syco

Photo: Getty Images

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A brief history of Israel and Lebanon at war

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 23:01:15 GMT

Tensions are escalating between Israel and Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy militia in Lebanon. Attacks on both sides have led to thousands dead and over a million people internally displaced. The latest confrontations come after decades of conflict, so where did it all begin?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Lina Khatib, associate fellow at Chatham House, director of the SOAS Middle East Institute, and contributor to The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Sky News, ITV News, NBC News, Binyamin Netanyahu, AP, CBS News, BBC News.

Photo: Getty Images

Further listening: Who are Hezbollah and are they heading for all-out war?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gangs of Marseille: Inside France's drugs wars

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 23:01:28 GMT

A new era of violence is erupting in the French city of Marseille between rival drug gangs. Deaths are soaring - with 49 murders in the first half of this year already. We go inside the city to find out how social media is helping to recruit children as young as 14 to carry out the killings.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Image credit: Getty Images.

Further listening: Cocaine Inc.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the US government is gunning for Google

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 23:01:04 GMT

In 2020, the US Justice Department sued Google, alleging it illegally monopolised the online search market. The US government won, and is now threatening to break up the tech giant, with wide-reaching implications for us all.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Dominic O’Connell, Business Presenter, Times Radio.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: The Justice Department, AP Archive, CNBC, CBS.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Kamala Harris schmoozed California

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 23:01:57 GMT

Kamala Harris may become the first female president of the United States – but who is she? Megan Agnew rode through the hills of San Francisco, talking to everyone who knew her fresh out of law school, to tell the story of how she conquered California.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Megan Agnew, senior features writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could there (ever) be a road map for peace in the Middle East?

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 23:01:46 GMT

Today we bring you a conversation from our fellow podcasters and Times Radio broadcasters Jane & Fi.

This week marked a year since the October 7 attacks by Hamas and Israel's military operation in Gaza, beginning of a tragic new chapter in the violent history of the Middle East. Since then, thousands have died and the ongoing war threatens to engulf the wider region. It's left policy makers questioning how, if ever, the conflict can be resolved. Two former leaders with a potential road map for peace joined Jane and Fi to discuss.

Guests:

- Ehud Olmert, former Israeli prime minister.

- Nassr al-Qudwa, former Palestinian foreign minister.

Producer: Guy Emanuel

Subscribe to Jane and Fi 'Off Air'

This week the Story covered the October 7th anniversary in two podcasts:

How I survived October 7

A diary from Gaza - what happened next

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/thestory

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100 days of Starmer: What makes a good PM?

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 23:01:49 GMT

Keir Starmer has been prime minister for 100 days. It's the point in any premiership that's considered a measure of how a new leader is performing, ever since the days of Franklin D Roosevelt. So how is Starmer doing compared to his predecessors? Two authors of multiple biographies of former PMs - William Hague and historian and author Sir Anthony Seldon - discuss.

This episode was recorded live at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Sir Anthony Seldon.

Host: William Hague, Times columnist and former leader of the Conservative Party.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Image credit: Getty.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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A diary from Gaza - what happened next

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 23:01:53 GMT

A year on from the October 7th attacks in which some 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 taken hostage, Israel's bombardment of Gaza has resulted in the deaths of 40,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Our colleague Amal Helles was one of the few Palestinians to escape Gaza earlier this year. So what’s life been like for her since, and for her friends and family who remain in Gaza?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Amal Helles, journalist, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Photo: Abdel Hakim Abu Dagen for The Times.

Further listening:

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Boris Johnson interview

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 23:01:11 GMT

To mark the publication of his memoir “Unleashed”, Boris Johnson sat down with Times Radio’s Stig Abell to talk about Donald Trump, Brexit, and refusing to rule out a political comeback.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister and author of Unleashed.

Host: Stig Abell.

Photo: Times photographer Jack Hill.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How The Sunday Times broke the freebies scandal

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 23:01:33 GMT

Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Sue Gray resigned amid weeks of bad headlines for the government over freebies. Labour’s troubles arguably began when The Sunday Times revealed a major donor, Lord Alli, had a security pass to Downing Street. Today we speak to Sunday Times Whitehall editor Gabriel Pogrund about how he got the story.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times.

Gabriel’s reporting:

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Sky News, ITV News, Talk TV, The Times.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Sober October: Me, my father and the demon drink

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 23:01:00 GMT

As many take a break from booze for Sober October, the writer Hannah Betts marks ten years since she gave up alcohol. It’s given her a moment to reflect on her father’s death from his own alcohol addiction and to consider why Britain apparently has such a destructive love of booze.

If you or someone you know is affected by alcohol addiction support and advice can be found through the NHS and Drinkaware.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Hannah Betts, writer, The Times and https://hannahbetts.substack.com/

Host: Luke Jones.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How I survived October 7

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 23:01:22 GMT

A year ago today, 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed in an orchestrated terrorist attack by Hamas. 251 were taken hostage. Today, we hear their stories of survival, and of their loved ones, who were not so lucky. It will not be suitable for all listeners.

This episode is the first part of a series marking the anniversary of October 7. Later this week, we will explore a year of devastation in Gaza, in part two.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Host: Manveen Rana.

Guest: Venetia Menzies, Assistant Data Editor, The Sunday Times.

Photo: Venetia Menzies

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Lessons from the world's assisted dying capital [Replay]

Sat, 05 Oct 2024 23:01:08 GMT

This month, Parliament will look at proposals to give terminally ill people in England and Wales the right to choose to end their lives. To better understand this controversial topic, we’re revisiting our episode from March, where we explored what we can learn from Canada, often referred to as the world’s assisted dying capital since it legalised the practice in 2016.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story

Guest: Sarah Baxter, former deputy editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC, ITV, Global News, Reuters.

Email us: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Inside the six-day siege that changed Britain

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 23:01:49 GMT

On April 30, 1980, six gunmen stormed the Iranian embassy in London, taking everyone inside hostage. The ensuing siege would change the course of history. But what really happened behind barricaded doors? In a new book, Ben Macintyre tells the real story of those six days for the first time.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Ben Macintyre, author of The Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC, ITV.

Photo: Times Media Ltd.

Further reading: How the SAS were ordered to end Iranian siege

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Iran strikes Israel. What next?

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 23:01:21 GMT

Israel has vowed that Tehran will ‘pay’ after Iran launched over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, following an Israeli ground invasion in southern Lebanon and the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. In a week of escalating violence in the Middle East, how might Israel retaliate - and what lies ahead for the region at this dangerous moment?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: George Grylls, Defence Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: CBS, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tory Hunger Games

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 23:01:53 GMT

Today, the competition between the leadership candidates - Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, Robert Jenrick and Tom Tugendhat - heats up as the four make their key speeches on the main stage at Conservative Party conference. Manveen Rana is in Birmingham to join the media scrum - and to witness the battle for the soul of the party.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.
Daniel Finkelstein, columnist, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Times Radio, GB News, Sky News.

Episode artwork: Times Photographer Richard Pohle.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The historian who picked nearly every winner calls the US election

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 23:01:14 GMT

For 40 years, Professor Allan Lichtman has honed a near-perfect system for picking the next American president. It was inspired by a Soviet seismologist - but how does he do it? And who is he putting his money on this time?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Professor Allan Lichtman, author of Predicting the Next President: The Keys to the White House.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: France 24, Fox News, CNN, ABC News.

Episode artwork: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna Wintour: The most powerful woman in fashion

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 23:01:49 GMT

She's a fashion icon - known for her sharp bob and dark glasses. As Paris Fashion Week wraps up, we consider the enduring influence of the Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. How does the woman who has edited the fashion magazine for nearly 40 years stay relevant in a world of TikTok trends and social media influencers?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Harriet Walker, Fashion Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CBS Late Show with David Letterman, Disney+ In Vogue: The 1990s, YouTube/OxfordUnion.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Hague talks to Yuval Noah Harari: The power of information

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 23:01:44 GMT

Yuval Noah Harari’s books Sapiens and Homo Deus sold millions around the world. His latest - Nexus - examines information and how we share it, from campfire stories in the Stone Age to the AI networks of today. But as the way we share information gets evermore complicated, could this be the end of a history controlled by humans?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Yuval Noah Harari, author and historian.

Host: William Hague.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Photo: Penguin Random House / Yuval Noah Harari

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Read the Times' review of Nexus: here.

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What is Hezbollah and can anyone avert all-out war?

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 23:01:18 GMT

As fighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah, who is the Iranian-backed group and could this new conflict break out into a wider, regional war?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Oliver Marsden, journalist, The Times.
Rami Khouri, journalist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: ITN, CBS, 13News Now, TMJ4 News, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, PBS, AP.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Further listening: Exploding pagers and Israel’s new phase of war.

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Investigation: The families living in Britain's ‘slums of the future’

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 23:01:29 GMT

When Sydney and her 23-month-old son turned to the council for temporary accommodation, they were housed in an old office converted into a studio flat. A Sunday Times investigation into her block found residents complaining of sweltering heat and mould. This type of housing has been labelled Britain’s ‘slums of the future’ - so why are families still ending up there?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Hugo Daniel, News Reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: BBC Breakfast.

Episode artwork: Matthew Chattle for The Sunday Times.

Read Hugo’s full report: The forgotten families who have to live in old office blocks

Further listening:

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Is Keir Starmer’s honeymoon over?

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 23:01:02 GMT

The prime minister has told his party’s conference that there is ‘light at the end of this tunnel’. But after weeks of bad press about his top adviser’s pay and freebies - are Labour in danger of becoming a one-term government? And what’s going on in Downing Street - has dysfunction led to this series of own-goals?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, Chief Political Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Times Radio, BBC News, Sky News, ITV News.

Episode artwork: Times Photographer Jack Hill.

Read more:

Further Listening: Politics Unpacked

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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How Sally Rooney became the voice of a generation

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 23:01:32 GMT

Normal People and Conversations with Friends author Sally Rooney is a publishing sensation and became a huge star whilst still in her twenties. Her new book Intermezzo, published today, follows two grieving brothers in complicated relationships. Will it cement Rooney’s reputation as the voice of millennials - or is she overhyped?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Laura Hackett, Deputy Literary Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Normal People/BBC Three/Hulu, Manchester EUDC 2013, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art Denmark, Fox News.

Episode artwork: Getty Images.

Further listening: What 50 years of best-selling books says about us

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Slackers or grafters? The truth about working from home

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 23:01:49 GMT

As Labour’s party conference gets into full swing in Liverpool this week, we look in detail at a key part of the government’s employment rights package: working from home. Keir Starmer says flexible and hybrid working is better for productivity while large companies like Amazon have ordered their staff to return to the workplace five days a week. Who's right? And what does it mean for where you will work in future?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Harriet Minter, author of WFH (Working From Home): How to build a career you love when you're not in the office.
Chris Smyth, Whitehall Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: LBC, Times Radio.

Episode artwork: Getty Images

Get in touch: TheStory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exploding pagers and Israel's new phase of war

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 23:01:05 GMT

Exploding pagers and walkie-talkies targeting Hezbollah members have killed dozens of people and injured thousands in Lebanon and Syria. Israel hasn’t commented on the blasts, but the country’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant called it "a new phase in the war". What’s next for the region?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Samer Alatrush, Middle East Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: NBC News, The Sun, Sky News, Al Jazeera.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British missile that Putin fears

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 23:01:56 GMT

At the UN General Assembly next week, Ukraine's President Zelensky will present his 'plan for victory' to world leaders. Key to that victory, he thinks, is being allowed to shoot British-made 'Storm Shadow' missiles into Russian territory. Keir Starmer agrees, Joe Biden does not. Is Biden right to be worried - or is this all part of a wider plan by the president to bring us closer to some kind of peace?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mark Urban, writer and columnist, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: BFBS Forces News, CBC, FT.

Episode artwork: Getty Images

Further reading: Are Russia and Ukraine edging towards an endgame?

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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The King’s Prince Andrew problem just got bigger

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 23:01:41 GMT

As a new TV drama re-examines Prince Andrew’s controversial 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, it's understood King Charles is losing patience with his brother over his financial support of him.

What is the Duke of York’s future within the Royal family?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Kate Mansey, Assistant Editor and Royal Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: BBC Newsnight, Scoop/Netflix, A Very Royal Scandal/Amazon, CBS News.

Photo: Getty Images - Prince Andrew and King Charles in 2012.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside the land of silent women

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 23:01:29 GMT

How do you live in a society where you can’t speak in public? Where you can’t travel to work without a chaperone? Where you can’t leave the city with your family? We speak to a young woman in Afghanistan who tries to explain. And as Afghanistan’s national cricket team faces off against South Africa this week – how is the nation enforcing a gender apartheid not facing boycott?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Manveen Rana.

Guests:

Christina Lamb, Chief Foreign Correspondent, The Sunday Times.
A female doctor in Afghanistan.

Clips: Afghanistan Cricket Board, Sky Sports.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Episode artwork: Getty Images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the price of gold is skyrocketing

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 23:01:51 GMT

The shiny, indestructible metal saw its fortunes wane in the postwar years, but investors and central banks are again flocking to it, with its value hitting new records. What’s fuelling this demand?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones

Clips: The Italian Job (1969) Paramount Pictures, ITV News, YouTube/@MengerCenter

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the archive: Undercover at one of the UK's most dangerous prisons

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 23:01:58 GMT

In the week that thousands of inmates were freed early from prison, we revisit our recent undercover investigation which prompted an urgent investigation by the Ministry of Justice. Our reporter revealed a worrying lack of security at HMP Bedford which houses dangerous criminals. He witnessed fights and drugs - and heard of a prison escape that happened because doors were left unlocked.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: ITV News, Times Radio, BBC.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Undercover: The Times investigation into Turkish plastic surgery clinics

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 23:01:16 GMT

Medical tourism to Turkey for ‘Brazilian butt lifts’ and liposuction is surging despite the risks.

The UK government says at least 28 people have died since 2019 as a result of medical tourism to the country.

Our correspondent goes undercover to expose the firms recruiting customers in London.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Charlotte Wace, Special Projects Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: TheStory@thetimes.com

investigations@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty images.

Clips: ITV, Talk TV.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump vs. Harris: Did the debate shift the dial?

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 23:01:17 GMT

Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris came straight after a strong performance against the former President, Donald Trump. Our correspondent was in the spin room watching on as the two candidates clashed over foreign policy, immigration and the economy in their televised debate. But will last night shift the dial of the presidential election?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Newton Dunn, broadcaster and journalist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: TheStory@thetimes.com

Further listening: Trump vs. Harris: The battle of the sexes & Why tech billionaires are backing Trump

Clips: ABC, NBC News.

Photo: Getty images.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AfD and Germany's Nazi past

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 23:01:44 GMT

The hard-right Alternative for Germany party won its first state election earlier this month in Thuringia. Anti-immigrant, anti-woke and anti-green, its popularity has brought back uncomfortable comparisons with the rise of the National Socialists in the 1930s.

On Monday, Berlin announced that controls at all German land borders will be introduced for six months to stop illegal migrants entering the country.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Oliver Moody, Berlin Correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: TheStory@thetimes.com

Photo: Getty images.

Clips: BBC, DW News, AFP.

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Trump vs. Harris: The battle of the sexes

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 23:01:27 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Sarah Baxter, former Deputy Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Further listening: Why tech billionaires are backing Trump

Further reading: Why Donald Trump is suddenly talking about cocaine

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: NBC, Fox, AP Archive.

Photo: Getty.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prince Harry at 40: Time to reconcile?

Sun, 08 Sep 2024 23:01:46 GMT

This week the Duke of Sussex turns forty. A milestone for anyone - but for Harry, could this moment of natural reflection be a turning point? There are reports the King’s second son wants to come back to the UK with his wife Meghan Markle. So, as he begins to assess his legacy, what next for him?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Article: Prince Harry stayed at Diana’s family home in latest UK visit

Guest: Kate Mansey, Assistant Editor and Royal Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Photo: Jack Hill, Times photographer.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Clips: ITV News, ITV X, BBC News, ITN Archive, 5News, Sky News, 7 News Australia, TODAY Australia.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘We need to talk about what motherhood does to women’

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 23:01:54 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests: Zoe Blaskey, author of the book 'Motherkind' and host of the podcast 'Motherkind'

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Olivia Case and Taryn Seigel.

Clips: Peanut and Motherkind, Motherkind podcast.

Episode artwork: Getty Images

Further listening: What two gay dads can teach fathers about parenting

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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William Hague talks to Tony Blair: Legacy, war and prospects for peace in the Middle East

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 23:01:19 GMT

Will there ever be peace in the Middle East? How should we interact with China, Russia and Europe? And how does the man who took the UK into the Iraq war look back on his legacy? William Hague talks to his former adversary from across the dispatch box, Tony Blair.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tony Blair, former prime minister.

Host: William Hague.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Photo credit: Times photographer Richard Pohle.

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The UK bans some arms sales to Israel, but what difference will it make?

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 23:01:14 GMT

Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, has condemned the British government’s decision to suspend some arms sales as ‘shameful’. But what was the UK sending, and can its policies really impact the war in Gaza?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times.
George Grylls, Defence and Politics Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Parliament Live, Sky News, LBC, BBC Radio 4 Today, BBC News.

Episode artwork: Getty Images

Further listening: Why there’s talk of civil war in Israel

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Why tech billionaires are backing Trump

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 23:01:00 GMT

Elon Musk and other tech billionaires in Democrat-leaning Silicon Valley are backing Donald Trump in 2024. What’s driving this shift, and what could it mean for the presidential race?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Danny Fortson, West Coast correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Further listen: The political transformation of Elon Musk

Clips: ABC News, X.com/Elon Musk, Bitcoin Magazine, The Ben & Marc Show.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why some experts are doubting Lucy Letby’s conviction

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 23:01:52 GMT

Conspiracy theories have swirled around the former nurse found guilty of murdering seven babies. But now some experts have also raised concerns about the safety of her conviction. We talk to one of them.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Ali Mitib, News Reporter, The Times.
William Thompson, Professor Emeritus of Criminology, Law and Society, UC Irvine.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Sky News, ITV, The Telegraph, Parliament TV.

Episode artwork: Getty Images.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the archive: The Grenfell fire (Pt 2): The cladding scandal

Sat, 31 Aug 2024 23:01:16 GMT

The Public Inquiry into the fire at Grenfell Tower will publish its final report on Wednesday. Ahead of its findings, we're re-visiting a two-part series that looked into the failings that lead to the tragedy - and the stories of the families who lived in the tower.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Martina Lees, Senior Property Writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: ITV News, Grenfell Inquiry, BBC News, ABC News Australia, OnDemand News, AP.

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From the archive: The Grenfell fire (Pt 1): Stories from the tower

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 23:01:09 GMT

The Public Inquiry into the fire at Grenfell Tower will publish its final report on Wednesday. Ahead of its findings, we revisit a two-part podcast from June 2022. In part one, we remember the night of the fire on June 14, 2017, through the stories of three families who called the tower home.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Martina Lees, Senior Property Writer, the Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Channel 4 News, ITV News, BBC News, Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

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Uncovered: The ‘Ketamine Queen’ and the death of Matthew Perry

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 23:01:28 GMT

Two doctors and a dealer known as the ‘Ketamine Queen’ have been charged in connection with the Friends actor's drug overdose in October. What does his death reveal about substance abuse in Hollywood and those who allegedly exploit it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Keiran Southern, West Coast Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Reuters, Warner Bros., BBC, Sky News, Fox News, 9News, Fox 11 Los Angeles.

Further listening: Inside the fentanyl trade

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

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The tragedy of Mike Lynch and the sunken yacht

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 23:01:00 GMT

Five bodies were found yesterday inside a shipwrecked yacht in the search for British tech tycoon Mike Lynch and fellow missing passengers. Just hours before the sinking, the party had been celebrating a spectacular legal victory - so what led to this moment?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Danny In The Valley, TalkTV, GB News, LeadersIn.

Further listening: Danny In The Valley: Mike Lynch’s first post-acquittal interview

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Why there’s talk of civil war in Israel

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 23:01:56 GMT

The war in Gaza has put Israeli society under unprecedented strain, exacerbating political, religious and ethnic divisions. While Netanyahu told a news conference in June, 'there will be no civil war' in Israel, some fear he may be proved wrong.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Dr Dahlia Scheindlin, journalist, political analyst and author of "The Crooked Timber of Democracy in Israel".

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: The Telegraph; Al Jazeera; Global News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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What’s fuelling the emergence of Ireland's far right?

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 23:01:17 GMT

A new political movement is fomenting in Ireland, inspired by American far-right groups and fuelled by anger over immigration.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: John Mooney, investigative reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana

Further listening: Inside the Kinahan crime cartel and their €1 billion empire

Clips: Gript Media, Irish Mirror, Cllr Gavin Pepper, RTE News, Irish Times, Euronews, The National Party — An Páirtí Náisiúnta, Tucker Carlson, ,

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Why Trump is struggling against Harris

Sun, 18 Aug 2024 23:01:15 GMT

As the Democratic National Convention begins today, the Harris campaign is riding a wave of momentum. Why has Trump struggled to find a foothold?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: The Editors podcast, The Guardian, CBS News, The Daily Show, MSNBC, Forbes, AP, Fox News, Sky News.

Further reading: America's No 1 pollster Nate Silver on his US election bets

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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What 50 years of best-selling books says about us

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 05:00:43 GMT

The Sunday Times bestsellers list celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend - so what do Britain’s favourite books say about who we are?

A 20 per cent discount is available for Times+ members at timesbookshop.co.uk.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Johanna Thomas-Corr, Chief Literary Critic, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Laura Hackett, Deputy Literary Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Virgin Radio, TikTok/@sextedmyboss, Hodder Books, CNN/Larry King Live, BBC/Delia Smith's Cookery Course, BBC/I’m Alan Partridge.

Further listening: Our guide to your summer reading

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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The political transformation of Elon Musk

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 23:01:45 GMT

Whether amplifier of far-right voices or dogged defender of free speech, Elon Musk divides opinion. But what’s led the one-time political liberal to come out for Donald Trump and a raft of conservative causes?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: James Ball, tech journalist and author.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: X.com/Kamala Harris AI generated audio.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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The gambling addicts hooked on crypto

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 23:01:55 GMT

Our reporter visits one of the first clinics in the world, near Edinburgh, that is treating people who have cryptocurrency problems.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Lily Russell-Jones, Senior Money Reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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The incursion humiliating Putin

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 23:01:32 GMT

The Ukrainian advance into Russia is a bold gamble that may change the course of the war.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Tom Ball, reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Times Radio, Reuters, VOA, NBC, Al Jazeera, Moscow Times.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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The social media Ozempic pushers

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 23:01:31 GMT

The Times investigates how easy it is to buy weight loss jabs online, despite the risk of serious side effects for those of a healthy weight.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Poppy Koronka, Health Correspondent, The Times.
Eleanor Hayward, Health Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

If you're struggling with an eating disorder, please consider contacting Beat: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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The high school class that found a serial killer

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 23:01:26 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Host: Luke Jones.

Guest: Harriet Alexander, Senior Features Reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Clips: WBIR Channel 10, NewsNation, WKRN News 2.

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Why Kamala Harris picked Tim Walz

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 23:01:02 GMT

This week, Kamala Harris chose Tim Walz as her running mate. The Minnesota governor is seen as a safe choice who can appeal to white working class voters in swing states.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Hugh Tomlinson, Washington reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: AP, NBC, MSNBC, Tim Walz, CNN, ABC, Tim Walz, USA Today, Fox Sports.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Inside Britain’s far right

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 23:01:06 GMT

Riots have engulfed Britain after the stabbing of three girls in Southport. The far-right are being blamed for inciting the violence and disorder - but how has the far-right gained momentum and what does it stand for?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Dominic Kennedy, Investigations Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Sky News, ITV News, BBC News, BBC Question Time, X/@TRobinsonNewEra.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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How Putin played the West in the prisoner swap

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 23:01:51 GMT

Last week, 24 prisoners, spanning seven countries, were exchanged in the biggest prisoner swap since the Cold War. Is this a triumph for diplomacy, or just a triumph for Putin?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Grainne McCarthy, Chief Digital Editor International, The Wall Street Journal.
Mark Galeotti, director of Mayak Intelligence and honorary professor at UCL.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: ABC News, The White House, Sky News.

Further reading: Prisoner swap doesn’t mean Cold War 2.0 has eased. It may get worse

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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Our four rules for your summer reading

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 23:01:52 GMT

Sally Rooney, confessions of guilt, and fist fights - two of our books editors take you through their four golden rules for what to read on your holidays this summer.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Robbie Millen, Literary Editor, The Times and Sunday Times.
Laura Hackett, Deputy Literary Editor, The Times and Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Books mentioned:

A 20 per cent discount is available for Times+ members at timesbookshop.co.uk.

The Neapolitan Novels - Elena Ferrante
The Flashman Papers - George MacDonald Fraser
Line of Beauty - Alan Hollinghurst
The Ministry of Time - Kaliane Bradley
Wellness - Nathan Hill
Life after Life - Kate Atkinson
The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
On Beauty - Zadie Smith
Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Close to Home - Michael Magee
Absolutely and Forever - Rose Tremain
Decline and Fall - Evelyn Waugh
The Mortdecai Trilogy - Kyril Bonfiglioli
All Our Yesterdays - Natalia Ginzburg
The Safekeep - Yael van der Wouden
James - Percival Everett
Long Island - Colm Toibin
Our Evenings - Alan Hollinghurst
Intermezzo - Sally Rooney
The City and Its Uncertain Walls - Haruki Murakami

Read our critics 100 best summer reads for 2024

Further listening:

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Planet Hope: Capturing nature’s urgent calls with Paul Nicklen

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 23:01:59 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.

In a world undergoing a rapid transformation due to climate change, a big question remains- is it possible to undo the damage to our planet? Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by National Geographic photographer and acclaimed conservationist Paul Nicklen to hear how he endeavours to safeguard our planet through photography.

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

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The downfall of Huw Edwards

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 23:01:42 GMT

Huw Edwards has pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children. Will he go to prison and could this latest scandal topple the BBC Director General?

This podcast contains brief descriptions of child sexual asault.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests:

Andrew Billen, feature writer, The Times.
Ros Urwin, media editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: BBC, SKY, TalkTV, Times Radio, ITV.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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'Tourists go home': Why Europe is at its limit

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 23:01:55 GMT

Millions of tourists flock to Europe each year - with some hotspots completely flooded by visitors. Locals are fighting back - in one extreme case even starving themselves in protest. But is the backlash righteous or self-defeating?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Tom Kington, Rome Correspondent, The Times.
Lottie Hayton, Reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Channel 4 News, Inside Edition, CBS Evening News, NBC News, The Guardian.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Will Labour raise taxes?

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 23:01:47 GMT

Rachel Reeves' first statement as the new Chancellor has kicked off a huge political row. She accused her predecessor Jeremy Hunt of lying about the 'true state' of the UK's finances - and he hit back calling her ‘shameless’. So was there actually a ‘cover up’ by the previous government? And the big question: Does this mean higher taxes?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Parliament TV, Sky News, Times Radio.

Further listening: Labour: Meet Starmer's top advisors

Further reading: 'Is Rachel Reeves right to rule out China tariffs?' by Mehreen Khan

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Kidnap for ransom: The search for Muriel McKay (Pt 2)

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 23:01:43 GMT

In 1969, 55-year-old Muriel McKay, the wife of a Sun newspaper executive, was abducted for a million-pound ransom. She was killed, but her body was never found, and two men were jailed for her murder in the country’s first conviction without a body.

But more than fifty years on, what happened to Muriel remains a mystery, and the McKay family have been desperate for answers. Their quest for the truth brings them face to face with Muriel’s killer.

This is the second part of a two-part investigation into the case. Listen to Part 1

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Ben Ellery, Crime Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: ITN Archive, Met Police, Sky News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Kidnap for ransom: The disappearance of Muriel McKay (Pt 1)

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 23:01:58 GMT

On the 29th of December in 1969, the wife of a Sun newspaper executive was abducted from her home. In a case of mistaken identity, Muriel McKay was then murdered and dumped on a farm but her body was never found. Two men were jailed for life. More than fifty years on, what happened remains a mystery that the McKay family want to solve.

Today and tomorrow on The Story, we bring you a two-part investigation into the case.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Guest: Ben Ellery, Crime Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: ITN Archive, AP Archive.

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Planet Hope: Coral reef gardening with Titouan Bernicot

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 23:01:06 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.

Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and vibrant ecosystems on our planet. Occupying less than 0.1% of the ocean floor, they are home to a quarter of all marine life and play a crucial role in protecting coastlines. However, over the last three decades the world has lost half of its reefs from a combination of climate change, ocean acidification, overfishing and pollution. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by marine environmentalist and entrepreneur, Titouan Bernicot to hear how he’s offering a life line to reefs through coral gardening.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

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William Hague talks to Seb Coe: Olympics, doping and the trans issue

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 23:01:37 GMT

In his monthly episode for The Story, former foreign secretary and Times columnist Lord Hague sits down with Lord Sebastian Coe - gold medal winning Olympian, president of World Athletics, former Tory MP and William’s old chief of staff - to discuss how to tackle doping, should athletes from pariah nations be banned and finding a place for transgender competitors.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Lord Sebastian Coe, president, World Athletics.

Host: William Hague.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Amazon at 30: How one company changed the world

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 23:01:20 GMT

It’s thirty years since Amazon launched. What began as a website selling books has become an online juggernaut - where you can buy just about everything. So how did it become one of the most powerful companies in the world? And has it changed our lives for the better - or worse?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Dana Mattioli, author of "The Everything War: Amazon’s Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power" and Amazon reporter, The Wall Street Journal.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CNBC, PBS, NDTV Profit, KIRO 7 News, Reuters, NBC News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Strictly Come Dancing and the bullying allegations

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 23:01:20 GMT

It's the BBC's flagship Saturday night entertainment show and is a cash cow for the corporation but in recent weeks allegations of physical and verbal abuse have emerged.

Yesterday, the head of the BBC apologised to celebrity contestants but ruled out a wider review into the culture of the show. So what now for Strictly Come Dancing?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Laura Pullman, Arts and Entertainment Editor, The Sunday Times.
Richard Coles, broadcaster and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further reading:

Clips: BBC, Sky News, GB News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Can Kamala Harris beat Donald Trump?

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 23:01:26 GMT

Joe Biden has stepped down as the Democrat’s nominee for president, endorsing his vice-president Kamala Harris. So, what happens next? Are there others in the running? And crucially, can she beat Donald Trump?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy, Editor of News Review, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: X / @KamalaHarris, NBC, CNN.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Trad Wives: The influencers selling 1950s house-wife life

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 23:01:56 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Megan Agnew, Senior Features Writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: TikTok/esteecwilliams, TikTok/naraazizasmith, TikTok/ballerinafarm, ABC News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Planet Hope: Discovering the ocean's twilight zone with Luiz Rocha

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 23:01:02 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.

The ocean's twilight zone is one of the most important marine areas you’ve most likely never heard of. Home to marine life yet to be discovered and integral to carbon sequestration, it is vital that we protect this layer of ocean that spans across the Earth. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by ocean explorer, Luiz Rocha to learn more about his pioneering diving expeditions in the depths of our oceans and how he is safeguarding this area for the future of our planet.

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing Cocaine Inc.

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 23:01:45 GMT

Today, we bring you the first episode of a new eight-part series.

Cocaine Inc. is hosted by Fiona Hamilton, chief reporter at The Times, David Collins, northern editor at The Sunday Times, and Stephen Drill, national correspondent at News Corp Australia.

Inside the global cocaine industry, where profits are counted up in millions and losses measured out in murders.

This worldwide investigation from The Times, Sunday Times and NewsCorp Australia, reveals how the drug business works like any multi-billion dollar corporation.

To listen to the full series just go to Cocaine Inc. wherever you get your podcasts.

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‘A boss move’: Why Trump’s VP pick shows he thinks he can’t lose

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 23:00:37 GMT

Today is the last day of the Republican National Convention, where Donald Trump has been officially crowned as his party’s nomination for president and where there is a ‘devotional’ mood inside the halls. Trump has chosen firebrand JD Vance as his running mate. What does it tell us about his confidence, just days after surviving an assassination attempt?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

John Pienaar, Times Radio presenter, at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: NBC Chicago, Fox News, CNN.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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King’s Speech: How Labour plans to change Britain

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 23:01:23 GMT

The King unveils Labour’s plans for government today surrounded by pomp and ceremony. What is Labour looking to achieve, does it live up to the promise of change for the country - and can the country afford it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Geri Scott, Senior Political Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Parliament, Talk TV, C-Span.

Further listening: The UK economy’s broken. Can Labour fix it?

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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The Holly Willoughby trial and a toxic online subculture

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 23:01:35 GMT

On Friday, 37-year-old Gavin Plumb was sentenced to life in jail after being found guilty of a plot to kidnap, rape and murder the TV presenter, Holly Willoughby.

What does this trial tell us about a world that some men inhabit?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Further reading: I caught the Holly Willoughby plotter as an undercover officer

Who is Gavin Plumb? The man found guilty of Holly Willoughby kidnap plot

Guest: David Woode, Crime Correspondent at The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Essex Police, BBC News, ITV, hollywilloughby instagram, GB News, Sky News, Manchester Evening News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Trump shooting: Our eyewitness account

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 22:10:53 GMT

On Saturday evening, news broke that Donald Trump had been the victim of an attempted assassination during a political rally in Pennsylvania. Our reporter was at the scene where the presidential candidate almost lost his life and talks with Manveen for a special episode taking in the breaking news. What happened and what do we know about the 20-year-old shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks?

Further reading: I was at the Trump rally shooting — there was silence, then chaos https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/trump-shot-what-happened-shooting-video-27z8w70m5

Guest: Tom Newton Dunn, broadcaster and political journalist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

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The rise and fall, and rise again of Gareth Southgate

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 23:01:19 GMT

England are through to a historic second Euros final in as many tournaments - but for Gareth Southgate it hasn’t been an easy journey. The football manager faced calls for his resignation during this tournament. Have the team’s recent poor performances clouded our memories of this once national hero?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Matt Lawton, Chief Sports Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: TalkSport, The Independent, ITV, PA, Optus Sport, Daily Mail.

Listen to The Game football podcast

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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What now for the Tories?

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 23:01:20 GMT

The infighting has already begun as party leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch called one of Rishi Sunak’s private secretaries a ‘buffoon’ at a shadow cabinet meeting following their electoral disaster. And with Nigel Farage’s Reform party splitting the Tory vote, how will they deal with his threat?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Steven Swinford, Political Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further listening: The UK economy’s broken. Can Labour fix it?

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Clips: BBC, Parliament Live, UN, LBC, GB News, TalkTV, SKY.

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Labour: Meet Starmer's top advisors

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 23:01:10 GMT

In recent days Sir Keir Starmer has been appointing his cabinet as the country’s new leadership takes shape. But who are the people you won’t see who helped get Labour elected and prepared the party for power? Patrick Maguire profiles Morgan McSweeney, Labour's campaign director, and Sue Gray, the former civil servant who is now chief of staff.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Patrick Maguire, Columnist and Senior Political Correspondent, The Times and Times Radio.

Host: Luke Jones.

Further listening: The UK economy’s broken. Can Labour fix it?

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Clips: BBC, ITV, SKY, Channel 4, keirstarmer.com.

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How France’s left stopped a far-right surge

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 23:01:12 GMT

Against all predictions, France’s left wing coalition won more seats than Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France’s parliamentary elections. With Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party losing seats and power, what now for French politics?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Clips: France 24, Public Sénat, CGTN.

Further listening: Young, French, and voting hard-right

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Labour: Huge majority, thin support

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 23:01:00 GMT

As Sir Keir Starmer begins his first full week in Downing Street, he must win over a jaded public and see off the twin challenges of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party and the pro-Palestinian Left.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Gabriel Pogrund, White Hall Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Further reading: Labour celebrated election success - now they’re targeting Reform

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Clips: BBC News, The Telegraph, Sky News, The Sun, LBC.

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Planet Hope: Reconnecting to nature through sound with Michel André

Sat, 06 Jul 2024 23:01:38 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.

Just as humans depend on sound for survival and expression, animals too rely on auditory cues to navigate their environments. However, nature is increasingly disrupted by human generated noise, from roaring engines to clanking machinery, disturbing the delicate balance of sound in the natural world. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by bioacoustics scientist and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Michel André as he strives to restore the balance of human-generated noise and wildlife survival.

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Election special: Labour landslide

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 06:03:15 GMT

A clear landslide. But underneath, the tectonic plates of British politics are shifting; Labour was punished in a string of seats for its stance on Gaza, while Reform saw MPs elected for the first time, turning a Tory defeat into a catastrophe.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Tim Shipman, Chief Political Commentator, The Sunday Times.
William Hague, The Story presenter, former leader of the Conservatives.
Peter Kellner, Political Journalist and Pollster.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, Channel 4 News, BBC News, BBC Radio 4.

See the UK results in full.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Election special: Coming soon

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 23:01:07 GMT

The Story team will be up all night watching as the results roll in. A special episode will be dropping into your feed at dawn with reaction from William Hague, Tim Shipman and Peter Kellner.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

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‘Politics has failed.’ William Hague talks to John Kerry

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 23:01:36 GMT

Secretary John Kerry served as Obama’s secretary of state and Biden’s climate envoy. He was a senator for decades, a Navy officer and is a three-time purple heart winner. In his monthly series for The Story, Times columnist and former foreign secretary William Hague sits down with Secretary Kerry to discuss the prospects of a Trump presidency, how to reach peace in the Middle East and why he believes climate change can be fixed.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: John Kerry

Host: William Hague.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further listening: Rafah, red lines, and the Biden presidency

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Will Biden step aside?

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 23:01:21 GMT

It’s been nearly a week since President Biden’s disastrous debate against Donald Trump. The resulting panic over a Trump presidency intensified amongst Democrats when the US Supreme Court ruled he has some immunity from prosecution. As the pressure mounts for a last-minute change of candidate, Biden and his family are so far not heeding the call. Is it too late for a change? And if he steps aside, how would he be replaced?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Ben Hoyle, Foreign Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: CNN, The Hill, MSNBC, Fox News, Michigan Senate Democrats.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the hard-right about to take power in France?

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 23:01:47 GMT

As France’s hard-right National Rally take the lead in the first round of the country’s parliamentary elections, will the political spectrum unite to stop them taking over or could next week see the first hard-right government since the Second World War?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times

Host: Manveen Rana

Clips: Bloomberg, France 24.

Further listening: Young, French, and voting hard-right

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Reform throw a brick in the Tories' red wall?

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 23:01:24 GMT

In 2019, Boris Johnson’s Conservatives upended decades’ of traditional voting behaviour, as lifelong Labour seats in the north and midlands fell to the Tories. But with Brexit delivered and Johnson gone, the Tories are being challenged from the right by a resurgent Reform, as Luke Jones heard in Ashfield.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Peter Kellner, Political Journalist and Pollster;
Debbie Soloman, Parliamentary Candidate, Conservative and Unionist Party;
Lee Anderson, Parliamentary Candidate, Reform UK; and
Rhea Keehn, Parliamentary Candidate, Labour Party.

Also standing in Ashfield are: Jason Zadrozny, Ashfield Independents; Daniel Holmes, Liberal Democrats; Alexander Coates, Green Party.

Host: Luke Jones

Clips: Sky News; Boris Johnson/Facebook.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planet Hope: Strengthening the protection of oceans with Sylvia Earle

Sat, 29 Jun 2024 23:01:07 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.

The acclaimed ocean explorer, scientist, conservationist and Rolex Testimonee, Sylvia Earle shares how her global network of ‘Hope Spots’ are transforming ocean conservation. Sylvia tells Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor of The Times, how our oceans span over 70% of the Earth’s surface, and serve as a crucial life source - providing oxygen, sustenance, and climate regulation - and yet escalating human activities now threaten this vital ecosystem.

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is the real Nigel Farage?

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 23:01:45 GMT

From his school days to how he made his money, the friends he’s made (and lost) to his wives, mistresses, and allegations of facism and racism, which he denies, who is the real Nigel Farage?

The full list of Clacton candidates

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Michael Crick, broadcaster and journalist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Channel 4, BBC, ITV, TikTOk/@nigel_farage, Without Me / Eminem / Shady / Aftermath and Interscope, Sky, European Parliament.

Further listening: Keir Starmer: Up close and personal

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Trump, Biden and the presidential debate that could change the election

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 23:01:30 GMT

Tonight, in the first of only two presidential debates, the two oldest candidates in history have a lot to prove. Joe Biden faces serious questions about his mental and physical fitness, Donald Trump may have to conduct part of his campaign from behind bars. Could this debate prove pivotal for the campaign ahead - and the November election itself?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests: Ben Hoyle, Foreign Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Joe Biden's Twitter, Guardian News, The Telegraph, CTV News, TPM TV, Bloomberg TV, AP Archive, MCamericanpresident Youtube.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The election flutters costing the Conservatives

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 23:01:40 GMT

Five Conservative politicians are now being investigated by the Gambling Commission for allegedly placing bets on the date of the general election. Hundreds of pre-election bets are now being trawled for connections to the party. Rishi Sunak has withdrawn support from two of those under investigation but how bad could this get for the Tories?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: https://www.thetimes.com/podcasts/the-story

Guest: Harry Yorke, Deputy Political Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: BBC News, The Sun.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are animals conscious? Why we’re starting to think so

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 23:01:20 GMT

After centuries of dismissing the rest of the animal kingdom as non-sentient beings, scientists and philosophers are starting to make a new declaration in favour of animal consciousness. So what does that even mean, and what does it change?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Netflix/My Octopus Teacher.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Keir Starmer: Up close and personal

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 23:01:55 GMT

Critics say the Labour leader is robotic, boring and hard to read, but is that all there is to the man in the running to become the next prime minister? The Sunday Times has spent three months on the campaign trail in search of the real Keir Starmer.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: The Times, Spiked, Talk TV, Sky News, Channel 4 News.

Further listening: Hague talks to Rishi Sunak about being a dad, AI, and a terrible political inheritance

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planet Hope: Rewilding the Earth with Kris Tompkins

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 23:01:58 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.

The Southern Cone of South America is home to some of the most beautiful and diverse ecosystems in the world. However, decades of exploitation have taken their toll. Expansive lands left destroyed from ranching and species like the jaguar teetered on the brink of extinction. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by one of the most successful conservation philanthropists in history, Kris Tompkins, to hear how she’s committed her life to making this corner of the world wilder.

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The wipe out scenario haunting the Conservatives

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 23:01:35 GMT

In 1993 the Canadian Conservative party went into the election in power but lost all but two of its seats. A party called Reform came to dominate right wing politics, and went on to merge with the Conservatives. Could the same be about to happen in the UK?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests: -Wayne Hunt, Professor of Politics and International Relations, Mount Allison University in Canada, and,

-Danny Finkelstein, columnist, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Times Radio, BBC, CBC, CPAC.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The TikTok election wars

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 23:01:04 GMT

It’s being described as the UK’s first TikTok election - so can a flying pig, Cilla Black, and Nigel Farage have the power to change the result on the night?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests:

Matilda Davies, Data Journalist, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Lara Spirit, Red Box Editor, The Times.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Clips: TikTok/@uklabour, Sky News, TikTok/@ukconservatives, TikTok/@libdems, TikTok/@nigel_farage, Twitter/@rishisunak.

Further listening:

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

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The Green vote: every colour of the rainbow?

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 23:01:52 GMT

Who’s voting Green in this election? There’s the fruit bowl analogy - mangos, melons and figs (we’ll explain) - and, more unkindly, the carpark. With sky-high levels of disenchantment driving support, could this be their breakthrough moment?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: -Janice Turner, columnist, The Times and,

-Joe Twyman, co-founder and director, Deltapoll.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Sky News Australia, Times Radio.

Further listening: Could the "blue wall" fall?

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new science of ageing and the quest to live forever

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 23:01:03 GMT

The super-rich are trialling innumerable whacky theories to radically extend their lives, from not eating after 11pm to taking hundreds of supplements a day and even blood transfusions from their children. But what does the science tell us? Could some of these ideas actually prove effective? And why are we still so obsessed with the quest that is as old as mankind itself: immortality?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Dr. Venki Ramakrishnan, scientist at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Cambridge and author of Why We Die: The New Science of Ageing and the Quest for Immortality.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: WIRED UK, Valuetainment Clips, Diary of a CEO, TalkTV.

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could the 'blue wall' fall?

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 23:01:39 GMT

Surrey has always been a bastion of support for the Conservatives but this election the Liberal Democrats believe they stand a chance of taking some of the truest of blue seats. So, what’s changed? We visit Guildford to find out.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Anne Milton, Conservative MP for Guildford 2005 - 2019.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Further Listening: The UK economy’s broken. Can Labour fix it?

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

The candidates standing in Guildford are –

Angela Richardson - Conservative.
Sarah Gillinson - Labour.
Zoe Franklin - Liberal Democrat.
Dennis Saunders - Reform UK.
Sam Peters - Green.
John Morris - The Peace Party.

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Planet Hope: Solving hidden hunger with Felix Brooks-Church

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 23:01:39 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.

Amidst a population of 8 billion, a staggering quarter silently live with hidden hunger every day. And with over a billion people living in Africa struggling to afford a healthy diet, a crucial question remains - how can hidden hunger be eliminated? Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by social entrepreneur and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Felix Brooks-Church to hear how his ingenious system is on track to eliminating hidden hunger.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK economy’s broken. Can Labour fix it?

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 23:01:04 GMT

As Election Day looms, the one thing everyone can agree on is that the British economy is in a pretty parlous state. So, what's Labour offereing to get Britain out of its stagflation doom-loop, and will it work?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: BBC; Sky News; The Independent; ITV; Forbes; Bayes Business School; Daily Mail

Further listening: If the economy’s doing better, why are the ‘vibes’ still off?

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Football’s civil war: Man City vs Premier League

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 23:01:35 GMT

Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City, England's top club, has launched unprecedented legal action against the Premier League - the league it plays in. With such vast sums at stake, what does it mean for the future of British football - and what of the consequences beyond the pitch?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Matt Lawton, Chief Sports Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Times Radio, Sky Sports News, Talk Sport.

Further listening: Cocaine and kids: The new face of football hooliganism

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Young, French, and voting hard-right

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 23:01:42 GMT

French president Emmanuel Macron has called a snap election after his party was soundly defeated by the hard-right opposition in Sunday’s EU elections. The National Rally has been boosted by young voters, personified by the 28-year-old president of the party Jordan Bardella. So why are France’s youth shifting to the right?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: TikTok/@rnational_off, Jordan Bardella, Reuters, AFP, Financial Times, TikTok/@jordanbardella, ABC News, NBC News.

Further listening:

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are more young people getting cancer?

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 23:01:33 GMT

It's one of the world's biggest killers but cancer is usually more associated with people in the later stages of life. While that's still largely the case, increasing numbers of younger people seem to be getting the disease. So what could be behind the rise?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Molly Guinness, Times Radio Executive Producer.
Eleanor Hayward, Times Health Editor.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: BBC; You, Me and the Big C.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tracing the origin story of Taylor Swift

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 23:01:25 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guest: Megan Agnew, Senior Features Writer, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Further listening: Taylor Swift and the ‘Super Bowl plot’ to swing the election

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Planet Hope: Respecting reptiles and rainforests with Romulus Whitaker

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 23:01:43 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.

The Agumbe, known as one of the rainiest places in India and a sanctuary to king cobras, holds one of the last surviving low-land rainforests. However, after years of logging and hunting native reptiles the rainforest, which plays a crucial role key to India’s rain patterns, is under threat. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by one of India’s leading conservationists and renowned herpetologists, Romulus Whitaker, to learn more about the research centres that are bringing hope to the future of the Agumbe and beyond.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the archive: One man’s mission to meet every Second World War veteran

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 23:01:37 GMT

To mark 80 years since D-Day, we revisit the remarkable story of a young man who travel the world to interview surviving World War II veterans. 25-year-old Rishi Sharma sleeps in a rental car and eats one meal a day, but says it's worth it as he wants the next generation to remember the sacrifices made during the Second World War.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests:

Will Pavia, New York Correspondent, The Times.
Rishi Sharma. You can watch Rishi’s interviews on his YouTube channel, ‘Remember WWII with Rishi Sharma’: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRikw4uCjS8ck3O9Mj-N35Q

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: YouTube, CBS, Participant.

This episode was first published on 6th March 2023.

This weekend, The Times & Sunday Times have opened the paywall. Read Will Pavia's original report here.

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France’s #MeToo moment

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 23:01:10 GMT

When the #MeToo movement first emerged in America in 2017, women in France spoke out about their own experiences, but it’s taken until this year to feel things might be changing. Is France’s glittering cinema industry, and society in general, ready to address cultural issues of consent and historical sexual abuse?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Caroline Séquin, Assistant Professor of History at Lafayette College.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: France 24, Euronews, Golden Globes Youtube, Le Monde, AP News, France Inter, France 2.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What the polls teach us about modern Britain

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 23:01:12 GMT

Is Labour as safe as it seems? Why do some of our votes matter ‘more’ than others? And what do polls tell us about who we really are? We take a deep dive into it all from the man behind the concept of the ‘red wall' - including why Mondeo Man and Worcester Woman aren't all they're cracked up to be.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Pollster James Kanagasooriam, chief research officer, Focaldata.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Further listening:

Sir Keir Starmer, the man who could be Prime Minister.

Nigel Farage is standing. Are the Tories in deep trouble?

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Nigel Farage is standing. Are the Tories in deep trouble?

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 23:01:00 GMT

Nigel Farage has promised to lead a “political revolt” as he announced his return to frontline politics as the new leader of Reform UK - and as a candidate in the Essex seat of Clacton. The Conservatives are already well behind in the polls - so with the general election now just four weeks away, could this mean disaster for the Tories?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

The other candidates announced as standing in Clacton so far are:

Giles Watling, Conservative Party.
Jovan Owusu-Nepaul, Labour Party.
Matthew Bensilum, Liberal Democrats.
Natasha Osben, Green Party.

A full list will be published after nominations close on Friday.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Guest: Harry Yorke, Deputy Political Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: BBC Radio 4 Today, Sky News, The Telegraph, Reform UK.

Further listen: Sir Keir Starmer, the man who could be Prime Minister

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Trump is guilty. Will anything change?

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 23:01:07 GMT

He's the first ever former president in American history to be a convicted felon. Found guilty on 34 separate counts, Donald Trump could now face jail. So what does the verdict mean for him personally, for the presidential election and for a deeply divided America?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Guest: David Charter, Assistant Editor (US), The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: NBC News, Sky News, BBC News, Fox News, RealAmericasVoice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Keir Starmer, the man who could be Prime Minister

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 23:01:10 GMT

A week into the election campaign, Labour is leading the polls by around twenty points. If Labour do win on 4th July, Keir Starmer will be moving to No 10. So, what do we know about the party leader? And, after a week of difficult headlines around the selection of candidates, just how has he changed Labour?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times and co-author of Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour Under Corbyn.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Times Radio, BBC, Labour Party, Plain Jaine' / 'Keep It Light Media, Parliament, LBC.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planet Hope: Rekindling our connection to clothing with Denica Riadini-Flesch

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 23:01:09 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.

If the current trajectory continues, fast fashion emissions are set to surge by 50% by 2030. And with textile production becoming a greater contributor to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined, a crucial question remains - how can the textiles industry harness the power of the circular economy to make global change. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by social entrepreneur and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Denica Riadini-Flesch, live at the Royal Geographical Society, to hear how she is rekindling our connection to the land and creating societal and environmental change, one stitch at a time.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rafah, red lines, and the Biden presidency

Thu, 30 May 2024 23:01:40 GMT

An Israeli airstrike that killed at least forty-five displaced Palestinians in Rafah has once again focused the world’s attention on the war in Gaza. The White House insists no red lines have yet been crossed. So where is Biden's red line?

Guests: Robert S. Ford, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, and former U.S. Ambassador to Syria.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC News; CNN; NBC; C-SPAN; The Guardian; X/Twitter.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Listen back: What if there’s no ceasefire? Manveen Rana reports from Jerusalem (06 March 2024) - https://pod.fo/e/2242e1

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Drake vs. Kendrick and the rap beef of the century

Wed, 29 May 2024 23:01:22 GMT

Two of the century’s biggest artists are exchanging diss track blows in a beef that has engulfed the internet. But how has rap moved on since the violence of the 1990s? With the rappers’ fiery verbal blows raising allegations of domestic violence and sex abuse – how has it got so out of hand?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Guest: Blanca Schofield, Assistant Editor of Culture & Books, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: TikTok, YouTube.

Music credits:

Alright - Kendrick Lamar/To Pimp a Butterfly/Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope.

One Dance - Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla/Views/Young Money/Cash Money/Republic.

Hotline Bling - Drake/Views/Young Money/Cash Money/Republic.

All The Stars - Kendrick Lamar/SZA/ Crowd Pleasers, Vol. II/Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope.

Swimming Pools (Drank) - Kendrick Lamar/Good Kid, M.A.A.D City/Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope.

Humble - Kendrick Lamar/Damn/Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope.

First Person Shooter - Drake featuring J. Cole/For All the Dogs/OVO/Republic.

Like That - Kendrick Lamar, Future and Metro Boomin/ We Don't Trust You/Wilburn Holding Co./Boominati/Epic/Republic.

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Could a Labour Government mean the end of private schools?

Tue, 28 May 2024 23:01:52 GMT

With the election now just around the corner, Labour says that if it wins, it’ll take away the tax breaks Britain’s private schools have benefited from for years. The introduction of VAT could push fees up by twenty percent, forcing middle class parents out and putting severe pressure on the sector. So why is Labour making this such a key part of its manifesto, and what could it mean for the future of education?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests:

Nicola Woolcock, Times Education Editor; and,
Oliver Wright, Times Policy Editor.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Sky News; Herald Institute Media.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thames Water: the business model built on sh*t

Mon, 27 May 2024 23:01:05 GMT

The state of our rivers is set to be one of the discussion points of the election and time’s ticking on Thames Water’s request for a 56 per cent increase in customers’ bills. As Ofwat mulls that one, it might ask how a company which leaks raw sewage into our rivers managed to rack up unsustainable levels of debt while also paying out dividends to shareholders.

Warning: this podcast includes exclusive interviews from those brave enough to take a dip in The Thames.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Dominic O’Connell, business presenter, Times Radio.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: 5 News, Sky News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Hague on Taiwan and the fight for the world’s most critical technology

Sun, 26 May 2024 23:01:22 GMT

Our modern world is built on chips; they control everything from our cars to the stock market, dishwashers to missile systems, computers to - potentially soon - augmented humans. But with China and America battling for control over production - and about ninety percent of advanced chips made in geo-politically sensitive Taiwan - how secure is the future of our world?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Chris Miller, author of Chip War: the Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology and Professor of International History at Tufts University in Boston.

Host: William Hague.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planet Hope: Safeguarding West Africa’s last untouched rainforest with Inza Koné

Sat, 25 May 2024 23:01:38 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.

In Côte d’Ivoire, the Tanoé-Ehy Forest stands as one of West Africa’s last untouched rainforests, a refuge for unique flora and fauna. Despite boasting West Africa's highest biodiversity, aggressive human activities have spared only 2% of the country’s forests. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by Primate Conservation Biologist Inza Koné, a 2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate, as he strives to restore the balance between nature's resilience and humanity's unchecked greed, offering hope to the endangered wildlife and surrounding communities that thrive in the Tanoé-Ehy Forest.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Felony or witch hunt: Who told the best story at Trump’s trial?

Thu, 23 May 2024 23:01:37 GMT

Donald Trump’s 'hush money' trial is in its final stages as the prosecution and defence teams have both now rested their cases. The jury will return on Tuesday for closing arguments - and maybe even a verdict. This is ultimately a trial of two competing stories. So who told theirs best?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Will Pavia, New York correspondent for The Times

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: ABC News, WPRI, Forbes, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Michael Cohen's TikTok.

Listen to Jane Mulkerrins discussing Stormy Daniels here.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sunak's summer gamble

Wed, 22 May 2024 23:01:09 GMT

Rishi Sunak has announced a general election for July 4 after a day of fevered rumour in Westminster. The prime minister addressed the nation from outside No 10 and pledged to “fight for every vote" while Sir Keir Starmer urged people to vote Labour to "stop the chaos". Manveen Rana was at the heart of it all in Westminster. Why now? And are the parties ready?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests:

Daniel Finkelstein, Conservative Peer and columnist for The Times
Peter Mandelson, Labour Peer
Tim Shipman, Chief Political Commentator, The Sunday Times

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Times Radio.

Follow the election campaign live on Times Radio

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could the Butcher of Tehran's death signal danger for the Iranian regime?

Tue, 21 May 2024 23:01:23 GMT

President Raisi’s death has been met with celebrations by those who hate the regime and mourning by those who love it. But could the vacuum left by his passing create a moment of danger for the regime’s hardline clerics and open up an opportunity for Iran’s reformers?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Guest: Rana Rahimpour, freelance Iranian journalist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Reuters, BBC News, TODAY, i24 News, Daily Mail.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A bloody disgrace: How the infected blood victims were betrayed by a cover-up

Mon, 20 May 2024 23:01:40 GMT

After decades of buck-passing and over 3000 deaths the infected blood inquiry published its final report finding that patients were betrayed by 'cover-up'. The chairman of the inquiry said the ‘scale of what happened is horrifying’ and the prime minister has apologised. So, as ministers prepare to pay out billions of pounds in compensation, will this be enough for the families of those affected? Has justice finally been achieved? We ask Sunday Times’s Caroline Wheeler, who helped bring the inquiry about.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Caroline Wheeler, Political Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana

Clips: Parliament TV, Sky News, ITV, 5 News, Infected Blood Inquiry, World in Action, Lord Mayor of Treloar.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

'Death in the Blood' by Caroline Wheeler is available from the Times Bookshop.

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Why the super-rich are falling out of love with London

Sun, 19 May 2024 23:01:25 GMT

The Hinduja family still leads the Sunday Times Rich List. But this year’s list records the largest fall in the billionaire count in the guide’s 36-year history. So why is it happening now and where are the billionaires moving to? Alfie Best, who remains on track to become Britain's first Romany gypsy billionaire, could have the answer.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Robert Watts, Contributor, The Sunday Times

Host: Luke Jones

Clips: Sky News, Victorian Plumbing YouTube channel, CEOCAST YouTube channel, News Guardian

The Sunday Times Rich List can be found here, with a subscription.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planet Hope: Restoring ancient Andean forests with Constantino Aucca Chutas

Sat, 18 May 2024 23:01:26 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.

The High Andes are one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world, but without urgent intervention, this landscape and its surrounding natural beauty will be lost. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by conservationist and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Constantino Aucca Chutas to hear how he is working with local communities to restore ancient cloud forests on the Andean mountain range, which play a vital role in the fight against climate change.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain's birth trauma scandal

Thu, 16 May 2024 23:01:33 GMT

“Shockingly poor quality” is the verdict of a parliamentary inquiry into the UK’s maternity services. It found a system that lacked compassion and concluded, "poor care is all too frequently tolerated as normal". How did this happen? Hannah Barnes talks to Manveen about the birth that left her traumatised and her work to bring it to light.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Hannah Barnes, Associate Editor, New Statesman.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Parliament, Channel 4, Sky News.

Birth trauma inquiry report

Support and help: The Birth Trauma Association

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The King, The Prince and The Duke

Wed, 15 May 2024 23:01:36 GMT

Today we bring you the first episode of the Times's newest podcast 'The Royals'. Our hugely experienced Royal Editors Roya Nikkhah from The Sunday Times and Kate Mansey of The Times explore the ever-evolving world of the British monarchy. This week, it's all about the children. King Charles and the Duke of Sussex were both in London but no meeting took place - why?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dubai Unlocked: The convicts secretly investing millions in the Emirates

Tue, 14 May 2024 23:01:34 GMT

A Times investigation into leaked records has identified convicts, fugitives and bankrupts who have secretly invested millions in the Emirates. More than £200 million of property in Dubai has been bought by criminals convicted in British courts and people who have failed to pay debts in the UK. What makes Dubai so attractive to criminals?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests:

George Greenwood, Investigations Reporter, The Times.
Emma Yeomans, News Reporter, The Times.

Clips: Visit Dubai.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The far-right plot to overthrow the German state

Mon, 13 May 2024 23:01:27 GMT

The trial of nine suspects accused of plotting to overthrow the German government has begun in Stuttgart. The leaders of the far-right group is a 72-year-old self-styled aristocrat and a former AfD MP who was found with a bullet proof vest and night vision goggles. So who exactly are these people? And could the AfD's likely success in the upcoming European elections pose a real threat to German democracy?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: DW NEWS, Sky News, AFP.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Open relationships: The more the merrier or a recipe for disaster?

Sun, 12 May 2024 23:01:27 GMT

Open relationships are more popular than ever - but what's it like being in one? And what’s the history of non-monogamous, consensual, romantic relationships - from prehistoric times, via the Second World War to the modern internet age?

This podcast contains descriptions of sex and sexual acts.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests:

Molly Roden Winter, author of More: A Memoir of Open Marriage.
Dr Elisabeth Sheff, sociologist, author and polyamory expert.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Challengers / Luca Guadagnino / Warner Bros. Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios, Couple to Throuple / NBCUniversal / Naked Television / Peacock.

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Further listening: Are dating apps running out of steam?

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planet Hope: Harvesting drinking water from the air with Beth Koigi

Sat, 11 May 2024 23:01:51 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.

Even for countries with adequate water resources, water scarcity is not uncommon. But for those who live in remote and poverty-stricken areas of the world, water scarcity can be the difference between life and death. With reports suggesting that by 2025 half of the world's population could be living in areas facing water scarcity, is there a way to turn the tide? Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by Kenyan entrepreneur and Laureate of the 2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise Beth Koigi to learn more about her commitment to provide water access for those in need with her innovative solution, harvesting drinking water from the air.

This podcast is advertiser funded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the archive: The hunt for FBI 'fugitive' Nicholas Rossi

Fri, 10 May 2024 23:01:00 GMT

After an international manhunt, the FBI and Interpol say they have found a man wanted on multiple charges in four US states, who faked his death before fleeing America for Scotland. But the Glasgow resident at the centre of the case insists he is the victim of a "monstrous" miscarriage of justice – that he is not Nicholas Rossi, but is Arthur Knight, an Irish-born orphan who has never visited the United States. Our reporter investigates.

This episode was first published in October 2022.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Marc Horne, News Reporter, The Times.

Host: David Aaronovitch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the campus protests could put Trump in the White House

Thu, 09 May 2024 23:01:50 GMT

Pro-Palestinian protests that started at US campuses weeks ago have now spread to the UK and many parts of Europe. The US student protests are reminiscent of the 1968 Vietnam War protests which resulted in a political shift to the right and the election of Richard Nixon. Could Donald Trump leverage this civil unrest for political gain, just as Nixon did in 1968?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Guest:

Josie Ensor, US Correspondent, The Times.
Mark Naison, Professor of History, Fordham University.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Reuters, PBS News, CNN, ITV News, Al-Jazeera, CBS News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The SAS murders and the conspiracy to cover them up - Part 2

Wed, 08 May 2024 23:01:04 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests: - Jonathan Calvert, Insight investigative team editor, The Sunday Times

- George Arbuthnott, Insight investigative team deputy editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The SAS murders and the conspiracy to cover them up - Part 1

Tue, 07 May 2024 23:01:51 GMT

The Sunday Times’ investigative team, Insight, has combed through 6,000 top secret documents to piece together the story of multiple military and government cover ups into the murder of civilians during the Afghan conflict. Today, in part one, we hear about the senior special forces commander, codename N1466, who blew the whistle.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests: - Jonathan Calvert, Insight investigative team editor, The Sunday Times, and

- George Arbuthnott, Insight investigative team deputy editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Military.com.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was Soviet double agent Anthony Blunt helping Hitler too?

Mon, 06 May 2024 23:01:27 GMT

The former MI5 double agent, Anthony Blunt, was unmasked as a Soviet mole in 1979 but the full extent of what he did isn’t known. Could he have been more dangerous than we thought? A new book has uncovered how he may have helped Hitler during the Second World War.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Robert Verkaik, Author of The Traitor of Arnhem.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Channel 4, UK Parliament/Hansard, Netflix/The Crown Season 3, AP Archive.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Salman Rushdie on the attack that changed his life

Sun, 05 May 2024 23:01:56 GMT

This Bank Holiday Monday listeners of The Story are treated to an episode of another podcast from The Times 'Off Air with Jane & Fi.' In this episode they are joined by author Salman Rushdie to discuss his new memoir 'Knife' where he talks about the vicious attack he survived in New York in 2022.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Baby Reindeer: The complicated truth about being stalked

Thu, 02 May 2024 23:01:25 GMT

Netflix's latest hit, Baby Reindeer, is a fictional account of a real-life stalking, which our guest has experienced, too. So what happens in complicated stalking cases, when the lines between criminality, complicity and consent are blurred?

If you've been affected by any of the issues we've talked about today, do have a look at Paladin, the charity that Sarah used for help at paladinservice.co.uk.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Sarah Ditum, writer for The Times and The Sunday Times, and author of Toxic: Women, Fame and the Noughties.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Further listening: Sextapes, gossip blogs, and Paris Hilton: How the noughties went toxic

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Shipman on the tears, plots and mating porcupines of Brexit

Wed, 01 May 2024 23:01:16 GMT

They were some of the most turbulent years of British politics as Prime Minister Theresa May steered her Brexit deal, via unprecedented disasters and triumphs, through parliament. The ultimate insider, Tim Shipman, Sunday Times’ chief political commentator was there throughout and shares new revelations and his unfiltered reflections on the politicians who led us through it all.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Tim Shipman, chief political commentator, The Sunday Times and author of No Way Out: From the Backstop to Boris

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: BBC News, Channel 4 News and 5 News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rise and spectacular fall of the SNP

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 23:01:37 GMT

After 13 months in power, First Minister Humza Yousaf has resigned - and for the second time in as many years the SNP is looking for a new leader. So, how did it come to this for the once-dominant party? And what could it mean for the general election and the campaign for Scottish independence?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story

Guests: Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: STV News, The Guardian, Sky News, ITV News, SNP, Financial Times, The Sun.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Israel's rogue battalion could be facing US sanctions

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 23:01:41 GMT

As the war in Gaza grinds on, and US President Joe Biden comes under increasing pressure to curb Israel's most serious military excesses, his administration has - for the first time ever - announced it's considering imposing sanctions on one specific Israeli Army unit. So what is the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, and why is it in America’s sights?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story

Guests: Gabrielle Weiniger, Times Correspondent based in Israel.

Host: Manveen Rana

Clips: ILTV News; France 24; Global News; AP; All Israel News

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How America could descend into civil war

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 23:01:52 GMT

The prospect of internal conflict, as depicted in Alex Garland’s new film ‘Civil War’, is no longer regarded as an impossibility in America. With millions of guns in circulation, militia membership on the rise, and citizens relocating along ideological lines, could the US descend into a new civil war?

Guests:

Sarah Baxter, Director of the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting.
Barbara F Walter, Rohr Professor of International Affairs at the School of Global Policy and Strategy at the University of California in San Diego.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Undercover at Britain’s ‘conspiracy school’

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 23:01:01 GMT

A group of former teachers and a cryptocurrency trader are teaching at a suspected illegal school, Universallkidz in Manchester, in which children are being educated to become the next generation of conspiracy theorists. The Times’ Tom Ball went undercover as a teacher to find out more.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story

Guest: Tom Ball, Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Mentioned in this episode: Hope Sussex school trains next generation of conspiracy theorists

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William Hague talks to AI expert Azeem Azhar - ‘Unchecked power ends with bad outcomes’

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 23:01:13 GMT

William Hague sits down with Azeem Azhar, entrepreneur, investor and one of the world’s leading thinkers on artificial intelligence, to discuss how tech could be the great equaliser, how we must control it and how the world will be unrecognisable in 5 years time.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story

Guest: Azeem Azhar, entrepreneur, investor, author, thought leader.

Host: William Hague.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further listening: Artificial intelligence: Our bright new future or the end of humanity?

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Rwanda Bill: the controversy explained

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 23:01:45 GMT

After two years of legal disputes and political debate, Parliament has approved the government's Rwanda bill to send asylum seekers from the UK to be processed in east Africa. The question now: when will the first plane to Kigali depart? And will this be a political win for Rishi Sunak who says he wants to 'stop the boats'?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story

Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, Chief Political Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Clips: BBC Parliament, ITV, BBC News.

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'Rewilding' the smartphone generation: one school's story

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 23:01:42 GMT

With young people in Britain and across the world increasingly reliant on smartphones, and many teens now openly admitting they’re addicted to social media, could an entire generation be suffering serious and irreversible damage, and what should we as a society do to stop it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story

Guest: Helen Rumbelow, Times Feature Writer and Columnist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Email us: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Clips: NBC News, ITV News, Bloomberg Technology.

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'Influencer of influencers': Modi's strategy to win the Indian election

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 23:01:35 GMT

India's PM Narendra Modi is favoured to win a third term as 970 million voters hit the polls in a six-week general election. Using an aggressive digital campaign, he’s doubling down on Hindu nationalism and promising more development. However, crackdowns on opposition and the press have intensified during his decade-long leadership, raising concerns about the future of India's secular democracy.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Guest: Philip Sherwell, Asia correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Maveen Rana.

Clips: ANI, Reuters, DW News, BBC, CNN, The Wire, Brut India.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investigation: The Tory MP who allegedly demanded campaign cash to pay ‘bad people’

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 23:01:35 GMT

The call came in the dead of night. “Are you on your own?” the man said. “I’ve got in with some bad people and they’ve locked me in a flat and they want £5,000 to release me.” The caller was Mark Menzies, the Conservative MP for Fylde in Lancashire.

The Times investigation reveals a litany of allegations involving sex, drugs and a drunk dog. Mark Menzies disputes all the allegations, and says he “fully complied with all the rules for declarations.”

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Billy Kenber, Senior Investigations Reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Further listening: The council house row Angela Rayner can't shake.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Trump’s ‘hush money’ trial, according to Stormy Daniels

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 23:01:38 GMT

Donald Trump has made history yet again, as the first American president to face a criminal trial. It’s one of four criminal cases against him - and the legal arguments already have experts divided. But what about the woman at the centre of it? What’s her story?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story

Guest: Jane Mulkerrins, Associate Editor, The Times Magazine.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Forbes, Fox News.

Email us: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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The council house row Angela Rayner can't shake

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 23:01:09 GMT

Police are investigating whether Labour’s deputy leader broke “any offences”, including under electoral law, after Tory MPs alleged that she may have given false information about her main residence - an ex council house she purchased - a decade ago. Rayner, who has promised to resign if she is found to have committed a crime, said she “followed the rules at all times”. But how damaging could this row be to her - and to her party.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story

Guest: Kate McCann, Political Editor, Times Radio.

Host: Luke JonesClips: BBC, Newsnight, ITV, 5 News, Sky News.

Email us: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Are Israel and Iran on the brink of war?

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 23:01:57 GMT

The Israeli government is considering its response to Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack over the weekend. Israel’s allies – led by the US – have called for restraint, so, as the world tries desperately to de-escalate the situation, what could happen next?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Samer Al-Atrush, Middle East Correspondent, The Times, and
Gabrielle Weiniger, correspondent based in Israel, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CBS News; Israeli Defence Force; United Nations; UK Prime Minister; Sky News; ABC News; Al Jazeera; DW News, Parliament.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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The P Diddy lawsuits: The downfall of a rap legend

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 23:01:42 GMT

One of the world’s most successful rappers, Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs is facing multiple lawsuits, with accusations from rape to sex trafficking. So what’s going on and who are the other famous faces being named? This podcast contains descriptions of sexual assault.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Keiran Southern, West Coast correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Good Morning America, The Recording Academy / The Grammys, Law&Crime Network, ABC, FOX, Firstpost, FREEDOMNEWS TV, New York Mickey, Vogue, J Nolan, CBS.

Further listening: Will the mystery of Tupac’s death finally be solved?

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Music: Burna Boy, 21 Savage, Brandy / On Form / City Boys / Atlantic Records; Been Around The World / Puff Daddy & The Family feat. The Notorious B.I.G. & Mase / Bad Boy Records; I’ll Be MIssing You / Puff Daddy feat. Faith Evans & 112 / Bad Boy Records; Notorious B.I.G / The Notorious B.I.G feat. Lil' Kim & Puff Daddy / Bad Boy Records; Family Affair / Mary J. Blige / MCA; No More Drama / Mary J. Blige / MCA; Bad Boy for Life / P. Diddy, Black Rob and Mark Curry / Bad Boy Records, Arista; Hypnotize / The Notorious B.I.G. feat Pamela Long / Bad Boy Records, Arista; Nasty Girl / The Notorious B.I.G. feat Jagged Edge, P. Diddy, Avery Storm, Nelly / Bad Boy Records, Atlantic; Lady Marmalade / Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa, and Pink / Interscope.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The dead teenager, the lying suspect and the black box that proves it

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 23:01:51 GMT

In November 2019, a teenager pretending to be the son of a Russian oligarch was found dead by the river Thames. Police investigated but the parents of 19-year-old Zac Brettler felt they still lacked answers. Now a Sunday Times' investigation has uncovered evidence that raises serious questions about the Metropolitan Police's handling of the case.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manven Rana.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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The honeytrap scandal: Sexting in Westminster

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 23:01:44 GMT

As police investigate the sending of explicit text messages to dozens of politicians, staff and political journalists, and the man at the centre of the scandal – Conservative MP William Wragg - resigned the party whip. The Times Chief Political Correspondent, Aubrey Allegretti, tells us what he’s discovered about the Westminster sexting scam, how many people could be involved, and who might be behind it.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests: Aubrey Allegretti, Times Chief Political Correspondent.

Host: Manveen Rana

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Fighting the Post Office: Alan Bates at the inquiry

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 23:01:08 GMT

Alan Bates, the campaigner who took on the Post Office to expose flaws in its IT systems which led to wrongful convictions, has appeared before the public inquiry into the scandal.

Can this crucial stage of the inquiry take the victims a step closer to justice?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Tom Witherow, news and special projects reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Further listening: The Post Office scandal: How a TV drama delivered justice

Clips: Channel 4 News, ITV.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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China's tech battle to control the future

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 23:01:26 GMT

Chinese President Xi Jinping's new slogan, "develop new productive forces," aims to bolster the expansion of high-tech sectors to drive economic growth. China already dominates the world of electric cars and controls more than 80 percent of the global solar panel manufacturing market. So, what could China’s technological dominance mean for the West?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Richard Spencer, China Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: AP Archive, Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, YouTube/RUSI, Sky News, Reuters, BYD Europe, ABC News, CBS News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Gourmet gangster: Could Kinahan be caught by his Google reviews?

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 23:01:03 GMT

Christopher Kinahan is the head of a billion dollar international crime cartel and one of the world's most wanted men but he's been sharing his whereabouts and opinions through Google reviews. What is the normally security conscious man doing, and could the information ultimately lead to his capture?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: John Mooney, crime and security correspondent, Sunday Times Ireland.

Host: Calum Macdonald.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Raidió Teilifís Éireann, US State Department.

Further listening: Inside the Kinahan crime cartel and their billion euro empire

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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How Israel lost its allies

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 23:01:49 GMT

President Biden has called for an immediate ceasefire and Rishi Sunak is facing pressure to stop arms sales to Israel after an IDF strike killed aid workers in Gaza. This comes days after the UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. What does this mean for Israel as the world marks 6 months since the October 7 terror attacks?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests:

Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.
Gabrielle Weiniger, Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Reuters, Channel 4 News, ITV News, Times Radio, IDF.

Further listening:

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Politics at play: Why is nursery still so expensive?

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 23:01:22 GMT

The government says their much anticipated childcare reform, offering two-year-olds 15 hours a week of free childcare, is hitting targets. But parents and providers say the scheme’s rollout has been chaotic. Today, we go to a pre-school to find out what the reality looks like.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guests:

Rachel Mortimer, Assistant Money Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Josephine Godbold, owner and director, Sunny Kids Pre-Schools.

Special thanks to Desiree Chantarasak, and the children and teachers at Sunny Kids.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: UK Parliament, BBC Breakfast.

Further listening: Childcare is a mess. Who will tidy it up?

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could Scotland's hate crime law be the beginning of the end for free speech?

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 23:01:12 GMT

Scotland’s new Hate Crime and Public Order Act came into force on Monday - and within 48 hours at least 800 'hate crimes' had been reported to Scottish police. So, what's in it? And why has it put Scotland once again at the centre of the culture wars?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political Editor, The Times & Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC, Sky News, This Morning, JRE, The Daily Mail, ITV News, BBC, TalkTV, BBC, GB News, Police Scotland,

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sacked, jailed, disgraced: The advisers set to rejoin Team Trump

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 23:01:46 GMT

It's official: With Donald Trump confirmed as the Republican nominee, the US presidential race will be a Trump v Biden rematch. And with the primary contest over, Trump seems to be courting chaos again with some of the most infamous personalities from his 2016 presidential campaign slated to make a comeback. So just who is on Team Trump? And what do they tell us about the kind of race he will run?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: David Charter, Assistant Editor (US), The Times.

Host: Calum Macdonald.

Clips: Associated Press, NBC News, ABC News, C-SPAN, Guardian News, Lara Trump, BBC News.

Further listening: What to expect from President Trump 2.0

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Investigation: Undercover at one of the UK's most dangerous prisons

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 00:01:22 GMT

A Times investigation has revealed a worrying lack of security at a prison housing dangerous criminals, prompting an urgent investigation by the Ministry of Justice. The journalist who went undercover at HMP Bedford tells The Story about witnessing fights and drugs - and hearing of a prison escape because of doors being left unlocked.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: ITV News, Times Radio, BBC.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Hague talks to prime minister Rishi Sunak about being a dad, AI, and a terrible political inheritance

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:01:37 GMT

In our new monthly series of interviews, former foreign secretary and Times columnist William Hague speaks to his first guest, prime minister Rishi Sunak in Downing Street about juggling work and life as a dad, the threats and opportunities of AI, and inheriting ‘the worst hospital pass in many decades.’

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.

Guest: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Host: William Hague.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Email us at our new address: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Putin’s ISIS problem

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 00:01:53 GMT

As President Putin repeats his assertion that Ukraine and the West are behind the terrorist attack last week that killed 137 Russians, the evidence is only growing that this was the work of ISIS. The culprits come from a faction that have risen out of the ashes of the former ISIS Caliphate: ISIS-K. So who are they? And how worried should the rest of the world be?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.

Guest: Mark Galeotti, historian, journalist and author of ‘We Need to Talk About Putin,’ ‘Putin’s Wars’ and ‘A Short History of Russia.’

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Telegraph, PBS Newshour.

Email us at our new address: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Lessons from the world's assisted dying capital

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:01:25 GMT

Sir Keir Starmer has promised he will hold a vote on assisted dying if he wins the general election. In Canada - where it was made legal in 2016 - over 50,000 people have already been helped to die. So with momentum growing in Britain, could the Canadian experience hold important lessons for us?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.

Guest: Sarah Baxter, former deputy editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC, ITV, Global News, Reuters.

Email us at our new address: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Inside the fentanyl trade

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:01:49 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.

Guests:

Stephen Gibbs, Latin America correspondent, The Times & The Sunday Times, and
Keiran Southern, West Coast correspondent, The Times & The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CNBC, NBC News, ABC News, C-Span.

Further listening: China’s deadly role in America’s fentanyl epidemic

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Win an Election... With Taylor Swift (And Other Celebrities)

Sat, 23 Mar 2024 00:01:07 GMT

This Saturday morning we're sharing an episode of Times podcast How to Win an Election with listeners of The Story.

In the US, Taylor Swift could have the power to swing the presidential election. As famous faces come out to back Keir Starmer's plans for the arts, we ask when a celebrity endorsement can boost a campaign... and when it can go badly wrong.

The political masterminds Peter Mandelson, Polly Mackenzie and Daniel Finkelstein join Matt Chorley to discuss star power, and who could be the next Conservative leader - could the runners and riders include Michael Gove and even David Cameron?

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Kate-Gate: How the Royals lost control of the narrative

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 00:01:33 GMT

The whereabouts of the Princess of Wales is still under intense scrutiny after footage of William and Kate shopping failed to provide reassurance - and instead led to even more conspiracy theories. Does the obsession with Kate echo the days of Diana? And could the frenzy permanently damage Kensington Palace's brand?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.

Guest: Kate Mansey, Assistant Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CNN, Fox News, The View, Anderson Cooper 360.

Further listening: Kate, that photo, and a PR nightmare

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Every scary thing Meta knows about you

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:01:40 GMT

Data journalist Matilda Davies opened her first Facebook account when she was 11 years old. Years later, she requested all the information the social media behemoth had been collecting on her. What she uncovered shocked her. So, how exactly does the data gathering work? And what can we all do to reclaim some privacy?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.

Guest: Matilda Davies, data journalist, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: NBC, The Guardian.

Students can subscribe to The Times for £9.99 a year for 3 years. Click here to access this special offer

Email us at our new address: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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The five-year road to banning teenage puberty blockers

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:01:35 GMT

The NHS has announced a ban on puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria. This week, Parliament will debate a bill sponsored by Liz Truss that would make it a criminal offence to prescribe any drugs to children for treating gender dysphoria, including in private clinics. But the story behind this overhaul in treatment began five years ago, with an explosive investigation from The Times’ Lucy Bannerman.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.

Guest: Lucy Bannerman, News feature writer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Times Radio, Sky News Australia, X/Daniel Shelvey

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boeing, a dead whistleblower, and the company that crashed to earth

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 00:01:32 GMT

The aviation giant, Boeing, is facing intense scrutiny after a series of incidents involving their commercial planes. The company was once a pillar of America's post-WW2 industrial empire - so what’s gone wrong?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory.

Guest: Dominic O’Connell

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: ABC News 4, Reuters, Prelinger Archives, NASA, BBC News, The Sun, US National Archives, ABC News, NBC TODAY, KING 5 Seattle, KATU News.

Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Revealed: The hidden crime of sibling sexual abuse

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:01:56 GMT

Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual abuse.

The family member most likely to sexually abuse a child is their brother or sister. For years sexual abuse by siblings has been too much of a taboo to discuss but more survivors of abuse come forward to discuss their experiences. We hear from one of them on today’s podcast.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sibling sexual abuse support and advice can be found Sibling Sexual Abuse Support and the Sibling Sexual Abuse Resource Centre.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests: Decca Aitkenhead, chief interviewer, The Sunday Times, and

Liz Roberts, sibling sexual abuse survivor.and advocate, www.liz-roberts.co.uk.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Wagner did next - the rebranding of Putin’s secret weapon

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:01:03 GMT

With Russia going to the polls this weekend, and President Putin’s grip on power tighter than ever, any semblance of meaningful opposition has been suppressed or driven out. One notable exception was the brief but bloody attempted mutiny last summer by the mercenaries of the Wagner Group. So with its challenge to Putin crushed, and its leadership dead…what came next for Wagner?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests: Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute.

Host: Manveen Rana

Clips: Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, BBC, NBC, Africanews

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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How street gangs led Haiti’s descent into anarchy

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 00:01:02 GMT

Haiti’s acting prime minster has resigned, bending to pressure from the US. The move leaves a power vacuum into which has apparently stepped Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherizier. So, with much of the country's capital now a no-go zone, how did Haiti get here? And how did gang leader ‘Barbecue’ get his nickname?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Stephen Gibbs, Latin America correspondent for The Times.
Mario Delatour, Haitian-American documentary filmmaker.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: CNN, BBC, CNN, France 24, WPLG Local 10, ABC, Biographics.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might like this one: Haiti: a failed state? https://pod.fo/e/16785c

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who owns the moon? AC Grayling on the question that could start war on Earth

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 00:01:05 GMT

When the Odysseus lander touched down on the lunar surface last month, it became the first US presence on the moon in more than fifty years. But unlike the Cold War space race between two global superpowers, we now see a growing roster of nations - and private companies - vying to announce their presence on the moon. So with competition for rare resources looking set to intensify…who owns the moon, and could conflict there mean war on earth?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests: Professor Anthony Grayling, Principal of Northeastern University, London, philosopher and author of Who Owns the Moon?

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: CNBC News, Fox News, NASA, BBC News, CBS News, ABC News, C-SPAN, NBC News, CBC News.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate, that photo, and a PR nightmare

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:01:29 GMT

A new photo of the Princess of Wales released after months of social media speculation about her health has further fuelled conspiracy theories.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Kate Mansey, Royal Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: BBC, Inside Edition.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stories of our times is becoming The Story

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 18:00:00 GMT

From Tuesday 19th March, Stories of our times will become The Story.

Manveen Rana and Luke Jones will be joined on the podcast by Times columnist and former foreign secretary William Hague, who once a month will sit down with a prominent newsmaker or thinker, with his first episode available later in March.

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What Liz Truss did next

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:01:50 GMT

After she resigned in 2022, everyone thought Liz Truss would disappear. Not a bit of it. She’s earned more than £300,000 from speeches, has a new book out and is a favourite of America’s alt-right. Rachel Sylvester asks Westminster insiders: is the former PM deluded or planning a comeback?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Rachel Sylvester, columnist, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: WarRoom.org, ITV News, Parliament, GB News, Sky News, Times Radio, CPAC, Conservatives, IoG, CNN.

Further listening: The untold story of Liz Truss's chaotic 49 days in No 10

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Prescription Nation: Britain's hidden drug dependency

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:01:29 GMT

One in four drugs that are prescribed to adults in England are dependency-forming drugs. And while prescriptions for opioids have fallen following the epidemic in the US, two dependency-forming drug groups have seen prescriptions rise: pregabalin and antidepressants. Do we really understand how these drugs are affecting patients? Or are we sleep-walking into a new addiction crisis?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

If you've been prescribed any of the drugs mentioned in this podcast, do not stop taking your prescription without consulting your doctor first. And if you are concerned about dependence on prescription or other drugs, talk to your GP. If you’re having trouble finding the right sort of help, call the Frank drugs helpline on 0300 123 6600.

Guest: Venetia Menzies, Data and Digital Journalist, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Confessions of a millionaire: Should the super-rich pay more tax?

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 00:01:42 GMT

Tax burdens are at the highest level in living memory, yet public services are falling apart. That's why the rich should pay more tax, says our guest: economist and millionaire Gary Stevenson, a working-class kid who went from being expelled at school to becoming Citibank’s most successful trader. But would a wealth tax work?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Lily Russell-Jones, senior money reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times.

- Gary Stevenson, economist, millionaire former trader and author of The Trading Game: A Confession.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: GB News, parliamentlive.tv

If you enjoyed this episode, you might like this one: 'Who is Britain's richest person?' https://pod.fo/e/17d4b3

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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What if there’s no ceasefire? Manveen Rana reports from Jerusalem

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:01:02 GMT

We report from Israel during a critical week which might mark a tipping point in the Gaza war. If there isn't a ceasefire by the start of Ramadan this weekend, could violence erupt far beyond Gaza?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Tamir Hayman, managing director of Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies.

- Ehud Olmert, former prime minister of Israel.

- Samer Sinijlawi, chairman of the Jerusalem Development Fund.

Clips: Reuters, News9 Live, CBS.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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The Rise of Reform UK - the party the Tories fear

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 00:01:45 GMT

Reform UK - a fringe political party founded by Nigel Farage - is unlikely to win many seats, it has little money and its leader has a low profile. But the Conservatives are still nervous about the Farage effect following a bruising by-election. Could the rise of Reform be the nail in the coffin for the Tories?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Harry Yorke, Deputy Political Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: YouTube, Reform UK. GB News.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Stakeknife: How Britain’s IRA mole got away with murder

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:01:05 GMT

On Friday, Operation Kenova, a long running investigation into a man known as Stakeknife, the British Army’s top spy within the IRA, will finally be published. Did the British government knowingly allow murder in order to protect its man on the inside?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Sean O’Neill, senior writer, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: ITV News, Policing Board, Thames TV, BBC.

Further listening: An unsolved murder, the Troubles, and the British state

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Cartoons and controversies with Times cartoonist Peter Brookes

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:01:47 GMT

He's been skewering those in power with his drawings for The Times since 1992. In an age where finding the balance between satire and offence can be a fraught, Peter Brookes, our award-winning political cartoonist, discusses his brush with Boris Johnson, why he appreciates a loathsome politician, and the challenges of drawing Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Peter Brookes, political cartoonist, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC, NBC.

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Why won't Nikki Haley quit in the race against Trump?

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:01:57 GMT

With his nomination as the Republican presidential candidate now looking all but certain, Donald Trump's grip on his party seems to get stronger with every primary. On Tuesday night, he added another emphatic victory to the list in Michigan. But with Super Tuesday just days away, he still has one opponent left standing. So who is Nikki Haley? And what's motivating her to keep going in the face of almost impossible odds?

Register here for Times US Election Live Q&A: https://times-event.com/us-election/

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: David Charter, Assistant Editor (US), The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Fox News, Sky News, BBC News, CBS News, C-SPAN, NBC News, CNN.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aid in Gaza: A month on, did the ICJ make any difference?

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:01:46 GMT

Hamas has been sent a proposal for a new pause in military operations in Gaza, including the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Meanwhile, one month on from the International Court of Justice ruling that Israel must let more aid into Gaza – has this happened? We speak to a British paramedic in Rafah.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Iain Campbell, paramedic and aid worker in Gaza.

- George Grylls, defence and political correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: ICJ, The Times/US Network Pool, Forbes, Reuters, CBC News, BBC News, France24, TRT World.

Further listening: A diary of war: Three months in Gaza

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A by-election circus in Rochdale

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 00:01:27 GMT

This Thursday, Rochdale voters will be asked to cast their vote in a by-election following the death last month of MP Sir Tony Loyd. There is technically no Labour candidate standing, though three former ones are. So what’s happening? And as the by-election is being framed by some as a referendum on Gaza - what of the other issues facing the town?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Darryl Morris, Presenter, Times Radio.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

A full list of the candidates for the Rochdale by-election can be found here: https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/elections-voting/statement-persons-nominated-notice-poll

Clips: Sky News, BBC, Daily Mail, George Galloway, Good Morning Britain.

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Why young women are falling out of love with the pill

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:01:45 GMT

When the contraceptive pill was introduced in the 1960s, many considered it to be one of the most significant inventions of the 20th Century. Sixty years on, a generation of young women are questioning the pill - but why? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest:

Laura Hackett, Deputy Literary Editor, The Sunday Times.
Kate Muir, Author, Everything You Need to Know About The Pill.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: CBS, ITV, TikTok, Channel 4.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Her daughter was murdered. Why will the killer be released so soon?

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 00:28:00 GMT

If you murder someone, you get a life sentence. But what does a life sentence actually mean in practice? We speak to a bereaved parent fighting to end one of the justice system’s most egregious sentencing disparities.

Murder sentencing consultation (closing date: March 4, 2024): https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/murder-sentencing-consultation/

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Carole Gould, mother of Ellie Gould, and co-founder of Killed Women.

- Lucy Bannerman, News Feature Writer, The Times.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Is there any hope for Generation Rent?

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:01:50 GMT

With ever-increasing house prices across the country far outstripping the rate at which earnings are rising, millions of young people are now being forced to either live at home with their parents, or pay extortionate rent in a market where landlords have all the power. So what hope is there for Generation Rent?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests: Lily Russell-Jones, Senior Money Writer, The Times and Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: GB News; The Independent; BBC Radio 4; Times Radio.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer's Gaza problem

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:01:43 GMT

While an SNP motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza will be debated in the House of Commons today, all eyes are on Labour. The party has tiptoed around a position on the war in Gaza since the terrorist attacks of October 7th, causing divisions among MPs and supporters. Will Keir Starmer’s eleventh hour call for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire” be enough to see off another rebellion and hold his party together in an election year?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Geraldine Scott, senior political correspondent, The Times, and
Ryan Watts, Data Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: NBC News, Sky News, Parliament, Mayor of London, BBC News, LBC, AFP, Times Radio.

Further listening: Keir Starmer’s Blairite playbook

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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What Navalny’s death means for Putin's Russia

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 00:01:40 GMT

Alexei Navalny, Russia's opposition leader, is dead. His wife says that President Putin killed her husband while the Russian state denies any involvement. What does his death mean for the opposition, the Kremlin and the future of Russia?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Mark Galeotti, historian, journalist and author of ‘We Need to Talk About Putin,’ ‘Putin’s Wars’ and ‘A Short History of Russia.’

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: MEDIAZONE, BBC, SKY, @yulia_navalny / X.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Is ADHD being over-diagnosed?

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:01:27 GMT

An overwhelming demand for ADHD diagnoses has left the NHS struggling to keep up. What’s behind the rise?

Content warning: This episode contains mentions of suicidal thoughts and eating disorders.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Kat Brown, journalist and author of It's Not A Bloody Trend: Understanding Life as an ADHD Adult.

- Dr Ulrich Müller-Sedgwick, consultant psychiatrist.

Host: Darryl Morris.

Clips: Times Radio, BBC.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A conversation with director Christopher Nolan

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:01:19 GMT

Christopher Nolan has become a franchise unto himself; one of the few directors who can walk into a studio with an original idea and walk out with the millions needed to make it. His latest film, Oppenheimer, has grossed over a billion dollars and been nominated for 13 Oscars. Today he takes us inside the making of the film.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Christopher Nolan.

Host: Tom Shone.

Clips: Universal Pictures/Oppenheimer, Warner Bros. Pictures/Interstellar, Golden Globes.

Closing music by Jason Mayo.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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How Biden could be replaced

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 00:01:54 GMT

A special counsel report in the US has again raised questions about Joe Biden’s mental faculties, describing the President as "a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory." So, what are the mechanisms to replace him, were he to step aside or be removed?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: David Charter, assistant editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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‘Russian spy in MI6’: the Afghan connection

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:01:15 GMT

An alleged Russian spy was an Afghan refugee who had worked his way into the British Foreign Office. According to court documents, he had met two Prime Ministers, the King and Prince William during the course of his work. The man, known only as ‘C2’ denies all the allegations.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Emma Yeomans, News reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rotten to the core: What’s at the root of Britain’s dental crisis?

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:01:49 GMT

With millions of people across the UK struggling to access NHS dental care, and many being forced to go private or even treat themselves at home, how did dentistry in Britain reach this point, how serious is the crisis, and what can be done to fix it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Dr. Paul Woodhouse from the Grange Dental Practice and,

- Rachel Sylvester, Times Columnist and Chair of the Times Health Commission.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: ITV News, Channel 4 News, UK Parliament, AP (British Movietone).

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AI, drones, and smartphones: How Ukraine changed warfare

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 00:01:00 GMT

Cheap drones, robots and AI have all shaped the conduct of the war in Ukraine. Ahead of its second anniversary on 24th February, Manveen talks to eminent war historian, Sir Lawrence Freedman, about how war will never be the same again.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King’s College London.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Al Jazeera, Sky News, BBC News, DW News, CNN, Global News, ABC News, MGM/UA Entertainment Company/United International Pictures.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What the King’s cancer means for Harry, William, Charles and the monarchy

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 18:00:15 GMT

How King Charles’s cancer diagnosis will affect the monarchy and those in it, personally and professionally.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Roya Nikkhah, Royal Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Times Radio, Channel 4, BBC, Sky News, CNN, WION, CBS, TODAY, BBC, TalkTV, Fabulous Magazine, AFP, ABC, CBS, GB News.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Swift and the ‘Super Bowl plot’ to swing the election

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 00:01:47 GMT

It’s Super Bowl Sunday in America this weekend. But whispers from some corners of the internet suggest there’s a bigger game afoot. So just how did Taylor Swift find herself at the centre of a conspiracy theory involving America's biggest television event and a presidential election? And is there any truth to any of it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Ben Hoyle, Foreign Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Recording Academy/GRAMMYs, MSNBC, NBC, NFLonFOX, Netflix, TikTok/NowThis, CNN, Taylor Swift, Restoring National Confidence Summit

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Women watch porn too - so why can’t we talk about it?

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 00:01:40 GMT

A quarter of people watching pornography are women, but why do we find it hard to comprehend? We speak to the author of a new book who has interviewed one hundred women about their porn habits - what can we learn about women’s pleasure?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Dr Fiona Vera-Gray, deputy director at the Child and Women’s Abuse Studies Unit at London Metropolitan University, and author of Women on Porn: One hundred stories. One vital conversation.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Clips: Times Radio, The Tomorrow Show/NBC.

Listen to Megan Agnew’s account of being inside an orgasm ‘commune’ here

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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How the Israeli hostage crisis could topple Netanyahu

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:01:42 GMT

Israel’s prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu is increasingly embattled, amid protests by the families of hostages calling for him to go. Could this crisis lead to his downfall?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Anshel Pfeffer, Times contributor in Jerusalem and author of Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Reuters, CBC News, NBC News, American Jewish Committee, CNA, Channel 12 News, News9 Live, Face the Nation/CBS, Channel 4 News.

Listen to Amal Helles’s diary of life inside Gaza here.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ukrainians desperate to avoid the draft

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 00:01:40 GMT

In an interview over the weekend, President Zelensky announced a major shake up in the Ukrainian army. It comes after a week-long battle between Zelensky and his top general. So after all of this internal disarray – how is the war seen right now by Ukrainians? Anthony Loyd returns from another trip to the country, where he embedded with brigades and met the men desperate to avoid conscription.

This episode contains frank descriptions of warfare.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Anthony Loyd, Special Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Telegram/Щоденник Вільного

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are Gen Z stalking their partners?

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 00:01:16 GMT

We hear the story of one woman who was stalked by her ex-boyfriend, as domestic abuse charities warn that young people are becoming accustomed to a high level of monitoring in romantic relationships. And one of our producers finds out first hand what it's like to be tracked.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

If you’ve been affected by issues in this podcast, you can find a list of organisations that offer support here.

Refuge also runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for women experiencing domestic abuse, their family, friends and others calling on their behalf. You can call them on their free 24-hour helpline: 0808 2000 247

Guest: Constance Kampfner, News Reporter, The Times.

Host: Will Roe.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A diary of war: Three months in Gaza

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 00:01:17 GMT

Palestinian journalist Amal Helles has been reporting for The Times and The Sunday Times from Gaza since the Hamas attacks on Israel, and the beginning of the conflict in October. Foreign journalists aren't allowed unaccompanied into the territory, where she lives with her husband and two small children. So we’ve been talking to her via WhatsApp voice notes about life amid food shortages, bombing and evacuation.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Amal Helles, journalist, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host and Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: France 24, Inside Edition, BBC, WSL, NBC, The Guardian, ABC, Al Jazeera, CBS, CTV, TRT World, ABC, WION, 13News Now, 13WMAZ, Channel 4, AP, PBS, The National, Reuters, DW News, Middle East Eye, Democracy Now, MSNBC.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside the Tory plot to oust Rishi Sunak

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:01:49 GMT

A former adviser to the prime minister is working with a secretive group of Tories to remove him from office before the general election. MPs have been out publicly backing Rishi Sunak and denying their involvement, but it risks setting off yet another civil war in the party. So who are the rebels?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Steven Swinford, Political Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Times Radio, Parliament Live, 10 Downing Street, BBC News, BBC Radio 4 Today, Sky News, BBC Breakfast.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might like this one too: Keir Starmer’s Blairite playbook

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three US soldiers dead: Has Iran miscalculated?

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:01:53 GMT

On Sunday, three American troops were killed in a drone strike on a US base in Jordan. At least 34 were wounded. The group responsible for the attack is one of the many Iran-backed militias that operate in the region, and they've now announced that they will halt further attacks on the US. So did Iran authorise the attack? And, at a time of such heightened tensions in the Middle East, is it a sign that Iran is losing control of its proxy forces - or preparing for war?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Richard Spencer, Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Times Radio, Fox News, Al Jazeera, MSNBC, BBC.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cash for places: The backdoor for overseas students into Britain's top universities

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 00:01:22 GMT

While UK students need straight As to get onto prestigious Russell Group degree courses, their international classmates can buy their way in through secret routes. An undercover Sunday Times investigation has already prompted an urgent review by the Department for Education.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Jonathan Calvert, Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.

- George Arbuthnott, Deputy Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside California's ‘orgasm commune’

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:01:02 GMT

OneTaste, the organisation behind the practice 'orgasmic meditation', was hailed as visionary at its peak. Since then, its leader, Nicole Daedone, has been arrested by the FBI on forced labour charges and her group has been branded a 'cult' – allegations they deny vehemently. But what is it? Sunday Times reporter Megan Agnew was invited to their California compound, The Land, to find out.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Megan Agnew, News Features Writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Clips: ABC7 News, YouTube/Rebecca Watson, Eros Platform @OneTaste, goop.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Why the super-rich are paying less tax

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 06:00:08 GMT

A Russian-born trader and a billionaire who admitted to fraud have topped this year’s Sunday Times Tax List, but more than two-thirds of the 100 individuals and families on the list contributed less tax this year. So, at a time when the tax bill for most people is up, who is paying less, and why?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Robert Watts, Contributor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Sky News, Sky Sports News, Bloomberg, YouTube - Ed Sheeran.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom

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Keir Starmer’s Blairite playbook

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 00:01:39 GMT

Sir Keir Starmer is on the pre-campaign trail this week, promoting his five missions that Labour are pledging to achieve if they win the upcoming election. It comes after the most detailed polling yet predicted a landslide majority to rival Tony Blair’s 1997 win. So what would Starmer actually do in government? And what lessons is he taking from the Blairite playbook?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Philip Collins, Columnist, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC Newsnight, Times Radio, ITV News, Sky News, The Rest is Politics, Labour, The Guardian, The Times, Novara Media, BBC News.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Why measles cases are surging

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:05:19 GMT

UK health chiefs have declared a national incident following a surge in measles cases in the Midlands and London, and the World Health Organisation warned yesterday that it's spreading rapidly across Europe too. Measles is a disease many doctors thought they would never see again – so what's going on?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Links: The Battle of the Beams by Tom Whipple

Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, Channel 4 News, CBS News, Right America Media, Vaxxed/Cinema Libre Studio.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Battles, beauty salons and lost friends: Eight years in the Middle East

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 00:01:16 GMT

Louise Callaghan has spent most of the last decade reporting from the Middle East. During that time she witnessed a coup attempt in Turkey, the battle to free Mosul, and was the first Western journalist to report on a gas attack in Syria in 2018. As she heads to the US to report on the election there, she reflects on the lessons she learned in the region.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Louise Callaghan, former Middle East Correspondent and current Senior US Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Euronews, TRT World, RTE, France 24, Al Jazeera.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Sathnam Sanghera's Empireworld: How British imperialism shaped the globe

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 00:01:57 GMT

Following his seminal book Empireland, Times writer Sathnam Sanghera now looks at the legacy of colonialism for the billions of people Britain once ruled over – from houseplants to the state of democracy. He also tells us about the fallout from Empireland, and why the debate around our own history has become so toxic.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Sathnam Sanghera, Writer, The Times, and author of Empireworld: How British Imperialism Has Shaped the Globe.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: The British Council, BBC News, TODAY/NBC, Empire/Goalhanger, Parliament Live, Chatham House, Conservatives.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Death row execution: Alabama's first suffocation

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 00:01:32 GMT

After trying - and failing - to kill him via lethal injection, Alabama is planning to execute death row inmate Kenneth Smith next week using an untested method - nitrogen suffocation. But why are they resorting to this? And could he get a last minute reprieve?

Today's episode contains descriptions of death and execution, right from the start - so do consider if you want to listen.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Alistair Dawber, Washington correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Times Radio, FOX, NewsNation.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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South Africa’s genocide case against Israel

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 00:01:38 GMT

Three months into the war in Gaza, the conflict has reached a courtroom: the International Court of Justice in the Hague. South Africa says we are witnessing a genocide take place in real time. Israel has called the claims ‘preposterous’. A leading expert in international law walks us through the case and its possible consequences.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Holger Hestermeyer, Professor of International and EU Law, Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: United Nations, Channel 4 News, LBC, Sky News.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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How Mean Girls made ‘fetch’ happen

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 00:01:07 GMT

Twenty years after Mean Girls introduced Regina George and her pink-clad Plastics to cinema screens, the high-school Queen Bee is back in a new musical film and a West End stage musical. So why is a film for teenage girls still so popular two decades later? And what did it expose about the complicated politics of girl world?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, pop culture historian and author of So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls (And Why We’re Still So Obsessed With It).

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Mean Girls (2004)/Paramount Pictures, CBS Sunday Morning, Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Conan O’Brien/NBC, The Breakfast Club/Universal Pictures, Clueless/Paramount Pictures, Rosalind Wiseman/The Empower Program, Mean Girls (2024)/Paramount Pictures, Apex Predator/Barrett Wilbert Weed, Erika Henningsen/Mean Girls (Original Broadway Cast Recording).

Read more:

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Who are the Houthis and will the airstrikes stop them?

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:01:04 GMT

Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthis began firing missiles into Israel shortly after the invasion of Gaza. But when the rebels started targeting commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea, the US and UK hit back. So, who are the Houthis and can they be stopped?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Dr Elisabeth Kendall, Arabist & Middle East specialist and Mistress of Girton College, Cambridge University.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: NBC, CBS, BBC, France 24, Al Jazeera, Reuters, YouTube/Dr Elisabeth Kendall.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Presidents, princes and sex tapes: What's in the Epstein files?

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 00:01:44 GMT

This month, thousands of court documents about Jeffrey Epstein were released, unredacted, for the first time. They include new names and allegations about a number of high profile figures. So what did we learn and will anyone go to jail?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Will Pavia, New York correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: NBC, Talk TV, News Nation, WFF News, BBC, NBC, MSNBC, AP, City News, E News.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Could Taiwan’s election start a war?

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 07:54:41 GMT

Tomorrow, Taiwan heads to the polls. It’s the first election of a historic year, where more than half of the world’s population will vote. It could also be one of the most consequential. If the ‘wrong’ candidate wins, China may threaten the self-governing island which the US has pledged to defend.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Richard Lloyd Parry, Asia Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: MSNBC, Atlantic Council, TaiwanPlus News, CNA, Bloomberg Television, CBS 60 minutes, Sky News Australia, Associated Press.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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The Post Office scandal: How a TV drama delivered justice

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 00:02:36 GMT

The Prime Minister has announced new legislation to quash the convictions of wrongly accused subpostmasters. It comes after a groundswell of interest - and outrage - in the story after an ITV drama was broadcast last week. How did a TV show achieve what years of journalism and a public inquiry had failed to? And what next for the convicted subpostmasters?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Tom Witherow, news and special projects reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Times Radio, ITV, Parliament, Talk TV, GMB.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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If the economy’s doing better, why are the ‘vibes’ still off?

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 00:01:16 GMT

The American economy appears to be making a miraculous recovery from inflation and the pandemic. So why the bad economic vibes? Consumer sentiment is low, and the Biden administration is struggling to gain credit for dodging recession. The lessons from that could soon be felt here, as Britain heads towards an election.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: CNN, ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ - D:Ream/Magnet Records, Kyla Scanlon, Press Association, Sky News.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Why we ate our friends: The story of a plane crash

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:01:43 GMT

In 1972 a small plane with 45 souls on board crashed in the Andes mountains. Stranded for ten weeks in minus 30C, the survivors were eventually forced to eat the bodies of their friends. Their story has been made into a new film 'Society of the Snow'; we hear from a survivor.

This podcast contains scenes of a graphic nature.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Blanca Schofield, assistant culture and books editor at The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: NBC News, 7NEWS, Ave Maria / Franz Schubert / Yehudi Menuhin & Adolph Baller / Paul Gordon & George Moskov / BBV Production / EuroArts Music.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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An unsolved murder, the Troubles, and the British state

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:01:04 GMT

In 1991, 26 year old Margaret Perry was murdered. A year later, the three men suspected of being responsible were themselves killed. All four deaths came during the latter years of Northern Ireland’s Troubles. Will a long awaited investigation into the period finally reveal any answers?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom'

Guest: Glen Keogh, Senior Reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: BBC, Sky News.

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An assassination in Beirut: Will the Middle East war spread?

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:01:33 GMT

The killing of a senior Hamas official in Lebanon has further stoked tensions in the Middle East. Hezbollah’s supreme leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has warned Israel that it is ready for war “without limits” should the IDF attack. Meanwhile, Iran has blamed Israel for a twin bomb attack near the tomb of an Iranian general. What impact will these developments have on the war in Gaza?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Richard Spencer, Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC, ABC, Sky, France 24, DW News, CBS, Global News.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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What to expect from President Trump 2.0

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 00:01:06 GMT

Despite being banned from the ballot paper in two states (so far) and multiple legal hurdles, Donald Trump is the clear favourite to return as the Republican candidate for US president, and opinion polls also give him the edge in a rematch with Joe Biden. Trump has joked about becoming a "dictator" for a day if he wins, and says he would carry out mass deportations – and that’s just the beginning of his plans for a second term.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: David Charter, US Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Sky News, ABC News, New York Post, CBS News, Trump 2024, The Economic Times, Fox News, The 700 Club, CNN, US Network Pool, Forbes, The Benny Show.

Read more:

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

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Stopped and searched: Our crime correspondent’s story

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:01:03 GMT

David Woode was 16 when he was first stopped and searched by police. As a black man, he is six times more likely to be stopped than white counterparts, but his job reporting on knife crime and violence has made him see the other side of stop and search.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: David Woode, Crime Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: The News Agents, Parliament Live, ITN, BBC Newsnight.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom'

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How to get a good night’s sleep in 2024

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:01:00 GMT

Struggling to drift off? If your goal in the new year is to sleep better, neurologist and sleep expert Prof Guy Leschziner unlocks the mysteries of sleep and the impact of a good night’s rest on our overall health.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Guy Leschziner, Professor of Neurology and Sleep Medicine, King's College London.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Links: ‘The Secret World of Sleep: Journeys Through the Nocturnal Mind’ by Guy Leschziner https://timesbookshop.co.uk/the-secret-world-of-sleep-9781471176388

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

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Best of 2023: How Putin might fall: A lesson from 1991

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:01:11 GMT

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2023.

Vladimir Putin may have averted an armed rebellion by Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin – but if the fall of Mikhail Gorbachev in 1991 tells us anything, it's that even a failed coup can still spell ruin for a leader.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC News, ABC News, MSNBC, Simon Marks Reporting, Perm Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2023: The seven lives of the £2 million fraudster

Sat, 30 Dec 2023 00:01:23 GMT

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2023.

Jody Oliver deceived his wife, children and male fiancés while adopting a colourful array of identities, scamming those around him out of millions of pounds. Now that he’s in jail, his story can be told.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Article: The seven lives of the £2m fraudster - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-seven-astonishing-lives-of-the-2m-fraudster-85mdvmxvs

Guest: Megan Agnew, News Features Writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

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Best of 2023: How giant pandas became China’s furry diplomats

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 00:01:36 GMT

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2023.

The giant panda has become one of China’s diplomatic tools, after a pair were gifted to President Nixon as an act of friendship in the 1970s. But with US-China relations deteriorating - what can pandas tell us about the two superpowers’ modern relationship?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Didi Tang, Beijing Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: The National Archives, CNN, France 24, CCTV, NBC News, Richard Nixon Foundation, Action News 5, TikTok/@care2petitions, pandavoices.org.

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Best of 2023: Cocaine Britain: Traffickers v the police

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 00:01:49 GMT

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2023.

The UK is now Europe’s biggest consumer of cocaine. The drug has been linked to a surge in domestic violence and middle-class users are being warned it’s not a victimless crime. How is so much cocaine getting into the country? And what can the authorities do about it?

You can read Dipesh's article (and see an image of charcoal soaked in cocaine) here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Dipesh Gadher, Home Affairs Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: France 24, Al Jazeera, Euronews, BBC News, Sky News.

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Best of 2023: Why British Gas has been breaking into customers’ homes

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 00:01:58 GMT

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2023.

A Times journalist went undercover to show that British Gas obtained court warrants to break into customers’ homes to force fit prepayment meters. The investigation led to immediate responses from the company, the regulator and from government. So how did the investigation unfold?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, BBC, Parliament.

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The Archbishop of Canterbury in conversation

Sat, 23 Dec 2023 00:01:33 GMT

Christmas is a time to pause and reflect. So today we take the opportunity to speak with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, about his own memories of financial struggle, the cost of living crisis, and his role as president of the charity Feeding Britain.

Donate to The Times and Sunday Times Christmas Appeal:

Visit thetimes.co.uk/christmasappeal or call 0151 284 2336.

Guests:

- Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury.

- Poppy Koronka, news reporter, The Times.

Host: Kaya Burgess.

Clips: Sky News.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

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“Your wheels are your legs”: The charity changing children’s lives

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 00:01:41 GMT

Not all wheelchairs are created equal… whether it’s colour, size, weight or power, wheelchairs can be built to fit the user’s needs. Which is where Whizz Kidz, one of this year’s Times and Sunday Times Christmas Appeal charities, comes in. On today’s episode - we meet two children who’ve been provided with wheelchairs by the charity to hear about the change it’s made to their lives.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom'

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Does Gen Z have a problem with Israel?

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 00:01:23 GMT

Gen Z voters are ramping up the pressure on President Biden to tone down his support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas. According to a recent New York Times poll, their support for the Palestinians far exceeds that of any other age cohort.

So what sits behind this generational pivot, which is playing out not only in the US, but across the West more widely? The Sunday Times's Katie Tarrant, herself a Gen Zer, talks TikTok and campus antisemitism with Luke.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Katie Tarrant, news reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

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2023's best books: Victorian sex, apocalypse and Prince Harry

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 00:01:54 GMT

Our literary editors give us the lowdown on what they’ve been reading this last year - from steamy sex to the end of the world - and what should be on your Christmas gift list.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Robbie Millen, Literary Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Johanna Thomas-Corr, Chief Literary Critic, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones

For the full list of Times & Sunday Times best books of the year, read more: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/best-books-2023-gmbb8spb3

You can buy every book on the list at timesbookshop.co.uk

Prophet Song - Paul Lynch

The Wren, The Wren - Anne Enright

Ordinary Human Failings - Megan Nolan

The Bee Sting - Paul Murray

Old God’s Time - Sebastian Barry

Soldier Sailor - Claire Kilroy

The Future - Naomi Alderman

Birnam Wood - Eleanor Catton

Fire Weather - John Vaillant

Politics on the Edge - Rory Stewart

But What Can I Do? - Alastair Campbell

How Westminster Works… And Why It Doesn’t - Ian Dunt

Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver

The New Life - Tom Crewe

Spare - Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

The Woman In Me - Britney Spears

My Name Is Barbra - Barbra Streisand

Paris: The Memoir - Paris Hilton

Erotic Vagrancy - Roger Lewis

The Earth Transformed - Peter Frankopan

Pathogenesis - Jonathan Kennedy

Eve - Cat Bohannon

The Line of Beauty - Alan Hollinghurst

Decline and Fall - Evelyn Waugh

I Capture the Castle - Dodie Smith

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin

Long Island - Colm Tóibín

Knife - Salman Rushdie

Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom'

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Sex work in Sierra Leone: A street child’s story

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 01:10:09 GMT

Two weeks after yet another attempted coup, veteran Times war correspondent Anthony Loyd returns to Sierra Leone, the West African country he first visited 26 years ago amid civil war.

There he encounters a young woman from the streets, who would have long been dead by now, were it not for her survival skills and the conversation she shared with the occupants of a car one night 15 years ago.

Guest: Anthony Loyd, special correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Donate to The Times and Sunday Times Christmas Appeal:

Visit thetimes.co.uk/christmasappeal or call 0151 284 2336.

Every pound donated to Street Child by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times will be doubled up to £225,000. Of this matched funding, £150,000 will be provided by From Babies with Love, the gift brand that donates 100 per cent profit to vulnerable children, and generous donations from Boodles, a luxury and fine diamond retailer, and an anonymous donor.

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How Italy’s hard-right claimed JRR Tolkien

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 00:01:41 GMT

This weekend, Rishi Sunak was in Rome meeting Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni. As well as being a fan of the British PM, she's also a devotee of one of the UK's most famous writers - author of The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien. An exhibition on his life and work has opened in the city, so how did he become a cultural icon for the for Italy’s hard-right?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Tom Kington, Italy Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/meloni-attends-tolkien-show-kkhj0dwl2

Clips: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/New Line Cinema, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert/CBS, MiC Italia, Vista Agenzia Televisiva Nazionale, France 24, Facebook/Giorgia Meloni, Reuters, CGTN, Fanpage.it, DW News, Barbarossa/Martinelli Film Company International/Rai Fiction.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom'

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Investigation: How the tobacco industry has secretly bankrolled vaping

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:01:59 GMT

A Times investigation has found that tobacco companies have been engaged in a secret lobbying campaign to try and boost their e cigarette sales. They've bankrolled scientific papers playing down the risks of youth vaping and funded so-called independent foundations, which then try and lobby the government. How has this gone unchecked?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Billy Kenber, Senior Investigations Reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: TikTok/studentbeams, TikTok/hellocallum, BBC News, C-SPAN.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom'

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What happened to the boy who killed James Bulger

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:01:10 GMT

Jon Venables was ten years old when he and another boy tortured and killed two year old James Bulger. He’s now been refused parole on his imprisonment for a separate charge. So how did he end up here? Did he get a fair trial in the first place? And are we getting it right when it comes to our treatment of children who kill?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: David James Smith, Sunday Times contributor and author of The Sleep of Reason: The James Bulger Case.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: ITN / Getty, Channel 4, BBC, Merseyside Police, Eyes of the Detective / Teresa Hunt / BBC, TalkTV, Liverpool Lullaby / Martin Wallace / Channel 4, CBS.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom'

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Criminal or artist? The trial of the rapper Young Thug

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:01:52 GMT

He's one of the most popular rappers in America: Young Thug is facing up to 120 years in prison for allegedly being the head of a violent criminal gang. State prosecutors in Georgia are using lyrics from his songs as 'proof' of acts they say he was involved in, including the murder of a rival. But with this line of courtroom argument, is artistic freedom of speech under threat?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom'

Guest: Keiran Southern, West Coast correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: 11Alive, CNN.

Music excerpts:

Camilla Cabello ft Young Thug - Havana (Epic/Syco)

Young Thug - Stoner (Atlantic Records)

Young Thug - Anybody (YSL/300/Atlantic Records)

Young Thug - Slime Shit (300/Atlantic Records)

Young Thug - Just How It Is (YSL/300/Atlantic Records)

Lil Durk - Ahhh Ha (Alamo)

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Rishi in the dock: Covid and Rwanda

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 01:00:17 GMT

With no fewer than five separate Tory factions meeting to discuss whether or not to back the government on its revised Rwanda policy, Rishi Sunak finds himself fighting for his political reputation on two fronts: immigration and his handling of the pandemic.

Yesterday, he faced the Covid inquiry. Our parliamentary sketch writer, Tom Peck, tells Manveen that Sunak may have survived the legal cross-examination, but his political fate is sealed.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Find out how to listen to our bonus episodes - 'Inside the newsroom': https://thetimes.co.uk/bonuspodcasts

Guest: Tom Peck, parliamentary sketch writer for The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

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China’s deadly role in America’s fentanyl epidemic

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 00:01:39 GMT

America’s opioid crisis is now in its third decade and has killed more people than the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Vietnam combined. Fentanyl, the most commonly used synthetic opioid, is up to 50 times stronger than heroin. Made from chemicals manufactured in China, it’s then put into pill form in Mexico and smuggled across the border. As China and the US agree to crack down on the illegal trade, is China deliberately fuelling its rival’s opioid crisis?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom'

Guest: Roger Boyes, Diplomatic Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Channel 4 News, PBS, Sky News, NBC News, AP, CBS News, CNBC, Arte, South China Morning Post, Fox News.

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Covid Inquiry: Boris on trial

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 00:01:05 GMT

Over the past two days, Boris Johnson faced a grilling at the Covid Inquiry. His appearance came after weeks of testimony from senior officials, politicians and scientific advisers who hadn't held back in their assessment of his handling of the pandemic. So what did we learn about the crucial decisions made by the then Prime Minister?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: George Arbuthnott, Deputy Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: UK Covid-19 Inquiry.

Insight's original investigation:

Find out more about our Apple bonus series

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Does the government’s plan to cut immigration add up?

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 01:01:09 GMT

Net migration to the UK hit a record high in 2022 – 745,000 more people arrived in the country than emigrated. After 13 years of promising to cut immigration, the government introduced yet another plan this week to reduce numbers. We look at what it would mean for the economy.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: David Smith, Economics Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Sky News.

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Meet Geert Wilders, the Dutch Trump

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 00:01:59 GMT

The victory of Geert Wilders in Holland’s recent election has raised the spectre of a European Donald Trump. Now scrabbling to put together a coalition government, what does the return of an anti-Islamist, hard-right politician mean for The Netherlands, and for Europe more widely?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Bruno Waterfield, Contributor for The Times in Brussels.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Reuters, France 24, AP, Al Jazeera, BBC.

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'All I know is they want me dead': Iran's web of terror

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:01:19 GMT

Iran has built an intricate network of gangs, private investigators and assassins to target enemies of the regime around the world. An investigation by The Sunday Times has found that Tehran has launched at least 17 plots, including abductions and murders, against UK targets since the start of last year. So, what is it like to be one of these targets?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Dipesh Gadher, Home Affairs Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Forbes, Parliament TV, 60 Minutes, Guardian News, Kayhan Life, Sky News, ABC News, BBC News.

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Israel-Gaza: When does war become illegal?

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 00:01:34 GMT

On Friday, the ceasefire between Israel and Gaza came to an end. But as hostilities resume, are war crimes being committed? We hear from a war lawyer.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Dr Jennifer Maddocks, Assistant Professor of Law at the United States Military Academy, West Point.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: DW News, the Guardian, MEMRI, BBC, NBC, Bloomberg, CBS, Al Jazeera, MSNBC, Middle East Eye.

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Who should keep the Elgin Marbles?

Sat, 02 Dec 2023 00:01:00 GMT

A diplomatic row has broken out between Rishi Sunak and his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis over the Elgin Marbles. Today, we’re revisiting an episode from last December, when David Aaronovitch spoke to classicist and British Museum trustee Dame Mary Beard about how the Parthenon sculptures ended up in the UK 200 years ago.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Dame Mary Beard, classicist.

- David Sanderson, Arts Correspondent, The Times.

With thanks to The British Museum.

Host: David Aaronovitch.

Clips: Channel 4 News, Times Radio, Reuters, CBC News, BBC World Service, Al Jazeera, ITV Good Morning Britain, LBC, UK Parliament, LSE.

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Nigel Farage in the jungle: What’s his game plan?

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:56:22 GMT

The former Ukip and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage is being paid £1.5 million to take part in ITV’s I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! and is on the trail of Gen Z fans. Could a reality TV career-boost propel him back into politics? And if it does, how might that change the British political landscape?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Caroline Wheeler, Political Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Jenny Kleeman.

Clips: ITV, The Guardian, Fox News, GB News, Fortune & Freedom, Nigel Farage on TikTok, Channel 5, Nigel Farage on Cameo, Sky News, Times Radio.

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Israel/Gaza: What happens when the ceasefire eventually ends?

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 00:56:39 GMT

Negotiations to extend the ceasefire continue. But what could happen when the pause in fighting eventually ends? We bring you the view from both sides, with our correspondents in Israel and Gaza.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Richard Spencer, foreign correspondent, The Times.
Amal Helles, The Times’ correspondent in Gaza.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: NBC, Middle East Eye, Times Radio, MEMRI, France 24.

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Confessions of a (former) royal correspondent

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:01:45 GMT

As the royals hit the headlines again with the release of another “tell-all” book, what’s it like reporting on ‘The Firm’? Valentine Low, The Times writer on all things royal for the past 15 years has retired, but before he left, he shared some of the highlights of his career as part of the royal press pack.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Valentine Low, former writer for The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: BBC News, CBS News.

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The climate summit hosted by an oil executive

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 00:01:30 GMT

This week, COP28 starts in Dubai. The conference will be chaired by Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, who happens to be the head of the United Arab Emirates’ state oil company. Leaked documents suggest al-Jaber might even be using the climate summit as an opportunity to strike bilateral deals on fossil fuels. So is this year’s COP a farce? Or, beneath the troubling headlines, are there actually signs of progress?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: COP28 UAE, BBC, Associated Press, ABC News, Forbes.

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Inside the Kinahan crime cartel and their €1 billion empire

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:01:26 GMT

Christy Kinahan is the former Dublin taxi driver who heads the world’s most wanted international gang. John Mooney, who has been pursuing Christy and his gang for a decade, considers if the net is finally closing in.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Read John’s Sunday Times magazine piece on the Kinahans in full.

Guest: John Mooney, Investigative Reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: RTE, Virgin Media News.

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Play on: How football returned to Ukraine

Sat, 25 Nov 2023 00:01:24 GMT

This weekend we're bringing you a documentary special from Times Radio's sister station, talkSPORT.

British-Ukrainian journalist and reporter Andrew Todos looks at how football in Ukraine has found its feet again, even as the war continues. Featuring Ukrainian icons Andriy Shevchenko, Sergei Rebrov and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

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Five days of chaos at ChatGPT HQ: The Sam Altman saga

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 00:01:08 GMT

Last week, Sam Altman the CEO of OpenAI - the makers of ChatGPT - was sacked by his board.

After a dramatic few days, he is back at the company along with a new board. But is it really business as usual at OpenAI?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Danny Fortson, West Coast Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC, CNBC, PBS Newshour, YouTube - SimplyAI, Invest With Pluto, Daragh Walsh, PlayAlchemist.

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The Israel-Hamas hostage deal, explained

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 00:01:28 GMT

It’s been nearly seven weeks since 240 Israeli hostages were seized in a terrorist attack by Hamas. The attack was followed by intense retaliatory bombings of the Gaza strip by the Israeli army and thousands of Palestinians have been killed. Finally, a deal for the release of some hostages has been brokered between Hamas and Israel, and a four-day ceasefire in Gaza may begin on Friday. So what has been happening behind the scenes to bring the deal about? And what does this pivotal moment mean for the future of the conflict?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Fox News, Sky News.

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Battle of the blockbusters: Napoleon declares war on Marvel

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 04:00:19 GMT

British director Sir Ridley Scott's new epic, Napoleon, is released in cinemas today. It comes as Marvel’s latest film suffered its lowest box office opening ever, raising questions about the future of superhero movies.

Have audiences grown tired of the genre Scott has called "boring as shit"? Our critic gives his verdict on the new release, and assesses the state of cinema in 2023.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Tom Shone, Sunday Times film critic and author of The Nolan Variations and Blockbuster: How Hollywood Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Summer.

Host: Luke Jones.

Two-for-one cinema tickets at Everyman for Times+ members: https://www.mytimesplus.co.uk/offers/two-for-one-cinema-tickets-at-everyman

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: 20th Century Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lucasfilm/Disney, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Hovis, MGM, HBO Max.

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How the Tory budget could be a headache for Labour

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:01:11 GMT

Tomorrow, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will present his Autumn Statement to the Commons. For a government down in the polls, it may offer the opportunity for giveaways - and the Prime Minister says his government “can and will” cut taxes. But, with an economic recovery precarious, and coming before a general election next year, could a future Labour government be left paying the bill?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: ITV, Sky News, Reuters, BBC News, David Boothroyd.

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Should Joe Biden step aside?

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 00:01:50 GMT

Polling ahead of next year’s election shows a majority of Americans think Biden is too old to be president. Rambling speeches, stumbles, and his advancing years are a cause for alarm in the Democratic Party. As he turns 81 today, is it time for him to step aside for another candidate?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Ben Hoyle, Foreign Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: NBC News, CBS News, MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, C-Span, Aspen Ideas Festival.

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Philippa Gregory's Normal Women

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 11:09:10 GMT

This Sunday we're bringing you a bonus episode from a new podcast: Normal Women, from celebrated novelist and historian Philippa Gregory.

Normal Women is a radical retelling of our nation’s story – not of the rise and fall of kings and the occasional queen – but of social and cultural change, powered by the determination, persistence and effectiveness of women, from 1066 to modern times. This is not a podcast about three or four well-known heroines. It is a story about millions of women: those who left records and those who were ‘hidden from history.’

Find the rest of the series here.

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VAR: Is technology ruining football?

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 00:01:37 GMT

Seven years ago, Fifa introduced the VAR system: the video assistant referee. It was meant to help make quicker, more accurate decisions about on-field incidents like off-side and handballs. But after a series of recent errors, is it ruining the beautiful game?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Martyn Ziegler, Chief Sports Reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: BBC, TNT Sport, Premier League, talkSPORT, Sky, ITV, Liverpool FC.

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The end of The Crown: What did we really learn?

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 00:01:39 GMT

The final season of the hit Netflix series The Crown comes out today. The show has reanimated events lost to history, and put our fascination with the royals into overdrive, but it has also made liberal use of its creative licence. So what has it taught us? And does it matter if drama plays with the truth of real lives?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Andrew Billen, Feature Writer, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: NBC Today show, The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix/The Crown

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Why the West Bank is about to erupt

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 00:01:50 GMT

As Israel focuses on fighting Hamas in Gaza, tensions are rising in the other Palestinian territory, the occupied West Bank. Since October 7, violence between Palestinians and Israeli settlers has led to the death of over 180 people, mostly Palestinians. With Israel now fighting on two fronts - Gaza and Lebanon - could it cope with a third?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Reuters, Al jazeera, CBS News, France 24, DW News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cameron in, Braverman out: Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 00:01:42 GMT

Former prime minister David Cameron is back in the government after Rishi Sunak’s cabinet reshuffle. Pressure had been mounting on Sunak to sack Suella Braverman after a controversial opinion piece in The Times last week. So why is Cameron back? And what do the appointments mean for the Conservatives and their election strategy?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Steven Swinford, Political Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Music: 'Fantasy on David Cameron (Cameron's lament in C minor)' courtesy of Thomas Hewitt Jones. Follow Thomas at @thewittjones on Twitter and @thomashewittjonesmusic on Facebook. And you can hear the full track here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhyORjJ00Rk

Clips: Sky News, Times Radio, BBC News, BBC Radio 4, TalkTV.

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Should Zelensky negotiate with Putin?

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 00:01:42 GMT

The head of Ukraine’s military says the war is at a stalemate. Meanwhile, Western attention is shifting to the Israel-Gaza conflict. So is a military victory off the table and should President Zelensky start negotiating with President Putin?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Mark Galeotti, historian, Sunday Times contributor and author of Putin’s Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: NBC, MSNBC, BBC, Forbes, WION, CBS, Times Radio, The Sun.

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The world according to Nadine Dorries

Sat, 11 Nov 2023 00:01:49 GMT

“This really is the single weirdest book I have ever read, and anyone who does not reach the same conclusion after reading it should be sectioned.”

That was our colleague Patrick Maguire’s verdict on ‘The Plot: The Political Assassination of Boris Johnson’ by former culture secretary Nadine Dorries, which was published on Thursday.

So this weekend we’re bringing you an episode of another Times podcast, Red Box, in which Patrick journeys into Nadine Dorries's world with Times Radio presenter Matt Chorley.

Plus: Matt speaks to Times columnist Danny Finkelstein (who Dorries accuses of being part of a cabal controlling the Tory party), and one of Boris Johnson’s political allies.

9 explosive claims from Nadine Dorries’s book: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nadine-dorries-book-the-plot-claims-summary-key-points-mpbzh9v68

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The culture war comes to the National Trust

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 00:01:17 GMT

Tomorrow is the Annual General Meeting of the National Trust - and battle lines are being drawn. Over the past two years, a protest faction called 'Restore Trust' has emerged to challenge the UK's biggest charity. They accuse the organisation of playing politics by highlighting links to colonialism and slavery. But The National Trust says that the history of Empire needs to be part of what we preserve and document. So, can the most quintessentially British institution weather the storm of the culture wars?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Ben Ellery, News Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Channel 4 News, The Spectator, National Trust, BBC News, CBS News, Sky News, Parliament TV.

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Gaza protests: The new split in British politics?

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 00:01:35 GMT

Suella Braverman has accused the Metropolitan Police of “playing favourites” with protesters as she clashed with Britain’s most senior officer over his decision to give the go-ahead to Saturday’s pro-Palestinian march. Her comments come after the government spent much of the past week on a collision course with protesters and the police over the protests planned for Saturday – Armistice Day – which Rishi Sunak confirmed last night would go ahead.

Meanwhile, a Labour frontbencher has resigned over his party’s position on a ceasefire. So, a month into the Israel-Gaza war, we explore how the conflict in the Middle East is exposing divisions in the UK.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Trevor Phillips, columnist, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, Chatham House, GB News, BBC Newsnight, Global, LBC, AFP.

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The new Great Power Bloc: How China, Russia and Iran are rallying against the West

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 00:01:07 GMT

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up a whistle stop tour of the Middle East earlier this week, as part of a frantic diplomatic effort to de-escalate the Israel-Gaza crisis. His visit comes as China calls for a ceasefire in a bid to position itself as the neutral arbiter in the region. US politicians have labelled Russia, China and Iran as the ‘axis of evil’ - so should the West be worried? And how have the wars in Ukraine and Gaza deepened those relationships?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Ahmed Aboudouh, Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CGTN, PBS Newshour, The Times, France 24, United Nations, C-SPAN, Sky News, BBC News, NBC News, The Telegraph, Fox News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Robert Kennedy Jr: The US election wild card

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 00:01:26 GMT

Scion of the Kennedy dynasty, Robert Kennedy Jr has ditched the Democrats and declared his candidacy in the 2024 US Presidential race, running as an Independent. But in a Biden-Trump run-off, who does Kennedy hurt most?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: David Charter, US Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: PBS, CNN, Reuters, ABC News, Fox News, News Nation, AP, Yahoo! Finance.

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A Very British Scandal: How Captain Tom's charity got caught up in controversy

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 00:01:31 GMT

Captain Sir Tom Moore’s daughter has come under scrutiny after the Charity Commission opened an investigation into links between her family and the charity set up in his name, the Captain Tom Foundation. They are also facing questions over Captain Tom’s book deal, and over an unauthorised spa.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: TalkTV, Times Radio, BBC News, ITV News, 5 News, You’ll Never Walk Alone/Captain Tom Moore, Michael Ball, and The NHS Voices of Care Choir/UMG.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to win an election

Sat, 04 Nov 2023 00:01:37 GMT

As the parties prepare to do battle at the polls, The Times launches a new podcast, 'How to Win an Election', in which we bring together three of the most experienced political strategists of the past four decades: legendary architect of New Labour, Peter Mandelson; Daniel Finkelstein, who has worked alongside Tory leaders and prime ministers from John Major onwards as they fought to modernise the party; and Polly Mackenzie, a policy expert who helped negotiate the Liberal Democrat-Conservative coalition and spent five years working alongside deputy prime minister Nick Clegg in Downing Street.

Today, we're sharing the first episode with listeners of Stories of our times: How to decide when to call an election.

With Rishi Sunak still behind in the polls, will he wait a full year before calling a general election? And at a time when many voters feel pessimistic about the future, can either Sunak or Keir Starmer generate a sense of hope and change? Our three electoral masterminds join Matt Chorley for your insider's guide to the twists and turns of the next year in politics.

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Is Israel’s war with Hamas winnable?

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:31:12 GMT

Last night Israel's military said its forces had "advanced another significant stage in the war" and encircled Gaza City, the most built-up area of the Gaza Strip and the heart of the Hamas tunnel network.

Israel's government says the purpose of the war is to eliminate Hamas, but is that an objective that can be achieved? We speak to a former major-general who was once the UK's most senior commander in Iraq, tasked with eliminating Isis.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Major-General Rupert Jones (ret’d).

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Global News, Channel 4 News, BBC News, CNN, PBS NewsHour, Sky News Australia.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How ‘ugly’ Birkenstocks conquered fashion and feminism

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:01:15 GMT

German shoemakers Birkenstock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange at a valuation of more than $8 billion last month, and the sandals are top of John Lewis’ must-have Christmas list this year. So how did this nearly 250-year-old company go from orthopaedic footwear to a cameo in the Barbie film? And how did the shoe woo the fashion industry?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Anna Murphy, Fashion Director, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Read more:

Why fashion editors love Birkenstocks: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-fashion-editors-love-birkenstocks-times-luxury-n9tlpg9q7
How ‘ugly’ Birkenstocks became an $8 billion brand: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-ugly-birkenstocks-became-an-8billion-brand-czr6050j8

Clips: Birkenstock, DW News, Barbie/Warner Bros., MTV’s House of Style, New York Stock Exchange, CNBC, These Boots Are Made For Walkin’/Nancy Sinatra/Light in the Attic.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the blackout: What's happening in Gaza?

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:01:38 GMT

During a 34-hour communications blackout that began on Friday evening, Israel launched its ground invasion into Gaza. With thousands of Palestinians killed and conditions in the territory deteriorating, the UN secretary general has repeated his call for a ceasefire to allow humanitarian access. Israel has rejected this saying “calls for a ceasefire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas” and that it is committed to getting all its hostages back home. So, now that the IDF's troops have entered the densely populated strip -- what is the plan?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Richard Spencer, foreign correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Sky News, Channel 4 News, Associated Press, Times Radio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WhatsApps, ‘f***wits’ and ‘Dr Death’: The Covid inquiry heats up

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 00:01:27 GMT

Dominic Cummings gives evidence to the UK’s Covid inquiry today – the latest in a string of senior advisors to Boris Johnson to do so. The published evidence, including private WhatsApp conversations, is bringing to light internecine grudges between those in charge. We catch up on what’s been revealed so far.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: UK Covid Inquiry.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why MI5 is so worried about AI and the next election

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 00:01:47 GMT

This week world leaders and AI companies will gather for a summit at Bletchley Park, the Second World War code-breaking centre. It’s the most important attempt yet to formulate a shared view on what artificial intelligence might be capable of and how it should be regulated.

But with elections taking place in both the US and the UK in the next year or so, could the threat posed by AI deepfakes to democracy be much more immediate, as the head of MI5 has warned?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Henry Ajder, Visiting Senior Research Associate, Jesus College, Cambridge.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Zach Silberberg on Twitter, Telegram, CNN, ABC News, MSNBC, WUSA9, BBC Radio 4.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Taylor Swift became the voice of a generation

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 23:01:58 GMT

Friday was a big day for Taylor Swift. She released the reimagined version of her 2014 album 1989, and was declared a billionaire by business news outlet Bloomberg. So this weekend we're listening back to our conversation with The Sunday Times' resident Swiftie, Charlotte Ivers.

What is it about the pop princess that has the power to influence an entire generation and their politics?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Charlotte Ivers, Sunday Times columnist and Times Radio political correspondent.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: NBC, PBS, BBC, ABC, Billboard, Fox, ET, SVT, CNBC, TikTok.

Music excerpts:

Love Story/Better Than Revenge - Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records, LLC.

Blank Space/New Romantics - Max Martin, Taylor Swift, Shellback, Big Machine Records, LLC.

Outta the Woods - Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records, LLC.

Betty/Delicate/Man/You Need to Calm Down/Only the Young - Taylor Swift, Universal Music Group.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sextapes, gossip blogs, and Paris Hilton: How the noughties went toxic

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 23:01:17 GMT

This week Britney Spears released her new memoir, and is the latest celebrity to open up about the trauma of being a young famous woman in the 2000s. Post-MeToo and the Russell Brand allegations, there has been a collective re-evaluation of how stars like Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan were treated. So why did we want to see them humiliated? And why did so many of us think it was normal?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Toxic: Women, Fame and the Noughties by Sarah Ditum (Fleet £22). Buy at timesbookshop.co.uk. Discount for Times+ members

Guest: Sarah Ditum, writer for The Sunday Times, and author of Toxic: Women, Fame and the Noughties.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Book extract: Being Britney Spears: inside the teen dream that turned toxic: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/britney-spears-book-the-woman-in-me-justin-timberlake-jhnhgcxd6

Stories of our times episodes:

Russell Brand accused of rape: https://pod.fo/e/1eeeb0
Russell Brand investigation: What happened next:https://pod.fo/e/1f03f7

Clips: BBC Woman’s Hour, CBS, MTV VMAs, 60 Minutes/9Now, Channel 4 News, I am Paris, CBS News, …Baby One More Time/Britney Spears/SME, Blurred Lines/Robin Thicke, T.I., Pharrell/UMG, CNN, KRON4, BBC News, Pop Idol/ITV, The Simple Life/Fox, Saturday Night Live/NBC, This is Paris/YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does Hamas have a strategy?

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 23:01:44 GMT

As Israel conducts 'wide-scale' retaliatory strikes against Gaza, the humanitarian crisis in the area has reached devastating proportions. Thousands are dead and food, fuel and water have almost run out. If this was part of the plan, what is the strategy and is there an end game?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Louise Callaghan, Middle East Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

- Dr. Tobias Borck, Senior Research Fellow for Middle East Security Studies, Royal United Services Institute.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: PBS Newshour, Al Jazeera English, CBS News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get out of jail free: The new Tory prisons policy

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 23:02:49 GMT

Prisons in England and Wales are at full capacity. Exclusive reporting for the Times revealed judges were being advised to suspend sentences, rather than put prisoners away. After HS2, concrete in schools, and NHS waiting lists, where will this latest scandal leave the Tories’ reputation for competence?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Catherine Baksi, former barrister and Times contributor.

- Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Sky News, Parliament, BBC, Centre for Social Justice, Institute for Government.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exposing a multibillion-pound cover-up at HS2

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 23:01:59 GMT

As the cost began to spiral, HS2 bosses allegedly shredded documents, sacked whistleblowers and used misleading projections to keep the scheme alive and the cash coming. We speak to the team behind a new investigation into the beleaguered rail project, and hear one whistleblower’s secret recordings. HS2 Ltd denies any wrongdoing.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Jonathan Calvert, Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.

- George Arbuthnott, Deputy Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Read more: HS2: The secret files that expose a multibillion-pound cover-up https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hs2-billion-pound-coverup-cost-files-investigation-skzv2nxwj

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Parliament, ITV News, BBC Panorama, Times Radio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s behind Britain’s shoplifting epidemic?

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 03:00:00 GMT

Shoplifting offences have risen by 25 per cent in the past year alone, according to the Office for National Statistics. With some incidents turning increasingly violent, and many perpetrators going unpunished, business owners are calling for action. So what’s behind the rise? And what might be the solution?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Louise Eccles, Consumer Affairs Editor, The Sunday Times.
Mo Razzaq, Vice President, The Federation of Independent Retailers.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: GMB, Sky News, PolicyExchangeUK.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel-Gaza: Two of our Jewish writers reflect on the past two weeks

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 23:01:21 GMT

Two weeks into the current Israel-Gaza conflict, we take a moment to reflect on the events of October 7th and their aftermath. In this personal conversation, our colleagues Josh Glancy and Gabriel Pogrund discuss the impact on British Jews.

Stories of Our Times will continue to cover this story from many different angles, including further conversations with members of the communities affected by the conflict.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.

- Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel-Gaza: How the conflict could spread

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 23:01:29 GMT

The attack on a hospital in Gaza, leaving at least 500 dead, has led to fears that the situation is spiralling out of control. With each side blaming the other for the bombing, how can a regional conflict be contained, and war on a global scale be averted?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: WSJ, BBC, Sky News, Reuters, CBS News, NBC, Channel 4 News, State Department.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Great Big Bedbug Outbreak: Real or hype?

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 23:01:45 GMT

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan says that bedbugs on the Underground are a ‘real cause for concern’, after fears that an infestation in Paris could spread to the UK capital and beyond. But how bad is the problem in France really? And what should you do if you spot one of the little creatures?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Natalie Steed, producer, Folk on Foot podcast.
Charles Bremner, Paris Correspondent, The Times.
Professor James Logan, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and CEO of Arctech Innovation.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: @americanfille/TikTok, Talk TV, ITV News, ITV’s Good Morning Britain, @iamholst/TikTok, @jawsolyn/TikTok, PoliticsJOE, Sky News, DW, France 24, @jimmysongcreative/TikTok, RMC, LCP-Assemblée nationale, NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, explained

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 23:01:55 GMT

The past century has seen the borders of Palestine and then Israel shift. From the Balfour Declaration in 1917 – when Britain first promised a Jewish homeland – a fierce struggle over land and nationhood has taken place. Whether you need a beginner’s guide to the history or just a reminder, we'll take you from that date through to the conflict today.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Kevin Connolly, former BBC Middle East correspondent.

Host: Luke Jones.

Links:

- Six books to help you understand the Israel-Gaza conflict https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/6eadf81c-691b-11ee-a4e7-0fb10af55688?shareToken=601ea5a0228cb764228ddd2e97c53a63

- Why are Israel and Gaza at war? The history of the conflict explained https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-israel-gaza-palestine-war-conflict-history-explained-xz0jv3phq

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Sky News Australia, BBC News, Associated Press, Al Jazeera English, The Atlantic, Thames TV, Clinton Presidential Library.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fertility deception, DNA and the half sister

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 03:00:01 GMT

This story is a disturbing illustration of how one man can seemingly go through life lying to women, abandoning them with children while paying no child support.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Article: Unmasked: the ‘infertile’ father of multiple children with different women https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/unmasked-the-infertile-father-of-multiple-children-with-different-women-mg2x5lstf

Guest: Ben Ellery, General News Reporter, The Times.

Host: Will Roe.

Clips: Mr Vegan YouTube channel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rape, assault and corruption: The police officers breaking the law

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 03:00:21 GMT

The murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer shocked the nation and eroded public trust in the police. Now The Times has exposed the scale of serious crimes committed by 145 by serving policemen and women - from rape and violence to corruption and fraud.

Times subscribers can read more about the 145 police officers convicted of serious offences.

This episode contains material that some listeners may find upsetting.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Fiona Hamilton, Chief Reporter, The Times.
David Woode, Crime Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Clips: ITV News, BBC, Sky News, 5News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The modelling agencies recruiting from refugee camps

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 03:00:11 GMT

Modelling agencies are recruiting young people who have fled war-torn African countries and are living in extreme poverty. They are flown to Europe to take part in fashion castings, but some return within days or weeks, often laden with debt. We speak to the journalists behind the Sunday Times investigation.

With thanks to Edwin Okoth who provided additional reporting on this investigation, and Mari Malek from Runways to Freedom.

This episode contains material that some listeners may find upsetting.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Lisa Brinkworth, freelance journalist.
Hugo Daniel, Reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: 9 News Australia, The Times.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the next election isn’t yet a done deal

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 03:00:42 GMT

The 2023 conference season is winding down. But did the parties achieve what they wanted - and needed - to? And did they shift the dial when it comes to the result of the next general election?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Lara Spirit, Red Box Editor, The Times.
Kate McCann, Political Editor and Presenter, Times Radio.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: The Labour Party, The Conservative Party, The Liberal Democrats.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel goes to war

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 23:01:27 GMT

On Saturday the militant Palestinian group Hamas launched an unprecedented terrorist attack on Israel, killing more than 900 people in Israel and taking up to 130 hostages.

In response, Israel's prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, declared war and launched airstrikes killing almost 690 people in Gaza. His defence minister ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, which aid organisations have warned could end up amounting to “war crimes”. Meanwhile, Hamas has threatened to execute a hostage for every Israeli attack on Palestinian homes without “prior warning”.

Our correspondent in Israel explains why all this has happened now – and what the consequences could be.

Mentioned in this episode: You can find a map of the region here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Anshel Pfeffer, Times correspondent in Israel.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: BBC, Sky News, Al Jazeera English, NewsNation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Disney losing the magic?

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 03:00:05 GMT

As Disney celebrates its 100th birthday this month, a series of recent flops and gargantuan acquisitions has left people asking whether the shine is beginning to wear off. Plus, we look back at the studio’s past - including the time when Donald Duck dressed up as a Nazi.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Ed Potton, Arts Commissioning Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Walt Disney Studios, Bloomberg, Rotten Tomatoes, Piers Morgan Uncensored, Talk TV, Walt Disney Productions, NBC, CBS.

Music: Be Our Guest/Disney/Walt Disney Records, You’ve Got a Friend in Me/Randy Newman/ Walt Disney Records, Let It Go from “Frozen”/Multi Language Medley/Walt Disney Records, When You Wish Upon a Star/Cliff Edwards/Pinocchio (original motion picture soundtrack), Arabian Nights from “Aladdin”/Alan Menken/Walt Disney Records, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah-From “Song of the South”/James Baskett/Walt Disney Records.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The problem for Keir Starmer

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 03:00:11 GMT

If the polls are to be believed, Sir Keir Starmer is on track for a comfortable victory at the next general election – and just this morning, he has hailed a by-election win in the Glasgow seat of Rutherglen & Hamilton West as a "seismic result". But voters are less clear on what he and his party would do with power.

This weekend the Labour Party's annual conference – perhaps the last before the next election – kicks off in Liverpool. Amid accusations of flip-flopping and u-turns galore, our resident Labour watcher explains the key tensions in Starmer's thinking as he prepares for the most important speech of his leadership so far.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Patrick Maguire, Times columnist and Times Radio senior political correspondent.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: BBC, Sky News, LBC, GB News, SPD, Sky News Australia, Channel 4 News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the West is starting to fracture over Ukraine

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 23:01:44 GMT

Last night, for the first time in American history, the House of Representatives voted to remove its speaker from office. It was a victory for a group of Republicans who oppose giving Ukraine further American aid – which, for now, is on pause. Meanwhile in Europe, Slovakia's recent elections saw a new, pro-Russia, leader pledging to end support for Ukraine. What does all this mean for Kyiv's war effort?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Roger Boyes, Diplomatic Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: NBC News, C-SPAN, CBS, BBC News, DW News, Sky News, CNN, Channel 4 News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Bankman-Fried: The inside story from the author of The Big Short

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 03:00:29 GMT

Michael Lewis, author of The Big Short, met Sam Bankman-Fried when his crypto exchange was rewriting the rules of global finance and was by his side when the empire imploded. Ahead of his fraud trial which starts today, this is the inside story of the crypto whizz kid at the heart of one of the 21st century's most spectacular financial collapses.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Michael Lewis, author of The Big Short, Moneyball, The Blind Side and Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: CNET, CBS, CNBC, Fox, BBC, Yahoo Finance.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Europe's drug death capital: Is decriminalisation Scotland’s answer?

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 03:00:14 GMT

Scotland has the highest drug-related death rate in Europe – and last week approved plans for its first drug consumption room to try and reduce deaths. It’s a step closer to the SNP’s goal of decriminalisation – so what can they learn from Portugal, which decriminalised drugs over twenty years ago?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- John Boothman, Political Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

- Dr João Goulão, Portugal's National Coordinator for Drugs and Drug Addiction and the Harmful Use of Alcohol.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Trainspotting/Miramax, Channel 4 News, STV News, 5 News, Sky News, UK Parliament.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The reinvention of Rishi: Can he save the Tories?

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 03:00:34 GMT

From A-levels to net zero, the prime minister has new plans to bite into Labour’s poll lead. No 10 wants voters to meet the ‘real Rish’ – a decisive PM who focuses on our long-term problems. But, as Conservatives gather for their annual conference this weekend, is that enough to revive the party’s faltering popularity?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Tim Shipman, Chief Political Commentator, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Channel 4 News, Sky News, The Guardian, BBC News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The untold story of the woman who escaped the Yorkshire Ripper

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 03:00:46 GMT

In the summer of 1979, Ruth Shaw was a student in Bradford, walking alone one night when she encountered Peter Sutcliffe – the serial killer the papers had nicknamed the Yorkshire Ripper. But her encounter wasn’t recorded by police. 44 years later, this is her untold story.

This podcast contains scenes of a graphic nature.

Ruth’s story was first told to Michael Bilton in his book ‘Wicked Beyond Belief: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper’ which is now being serialised on ITV on Mondays at 9pm.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Michael Bilton, author and former Sunday Times Northern Correspondent.

- Ruth Shaw.

Host: Josh Glancy.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Andy’s Archive, ITN, BBC, Granada Television / ITV.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the frontline: One night in Ukraine

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 03:00:07 GMT

We bring you the story of one Ukrainian command post as a patrol runs into chaos on the eastern bank of the Dnipro river, with Anthony Loyd who returned from reporting there last week. Plus, what should we make of the state of the war?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Anthony Loyd, Senior Foreign Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Articles: A firefight erupts and soldiers watch on a drone feed as their comrades fall - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-firefight-erupts-and-soldiers-watch-on-a-drone-feed-as-their-comrades-fall-mv9tbnw0c

Ukraine draft dodgers dream up extreme ways to avoid the front - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ukraine-draft-dodgers-dream-up-extreme-ways-to-avoid-the-front-p87kdjxgj

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Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘hell' island and the woman who exposed its secrets

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 03:00:50 GMT

For the past four years, the former Attorney General of the US Virgin Islands has been entrenched in a battle with the estate of the financier, paedophile and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Times, Denise George reveals how she tracked down the moneymen who she says protected Epstein, and explains why she’s taking on one of America’s biggest banks.

Article: Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘hell' island — and the woman who exposed its secrets: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jeffrey-epstein-island-little-st-james-us-virgin-islands-7775nq58j

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Rosie Kinchen, Deputy News Review Editor and Senior Writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CNBC.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can a ‘miracle’ weight loss drug end Britain's obesity epidemic?

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 03:00:40 GMT

It’s a diabetic drug that recently became a weight loss diet fad for the rich because of its ability to suppress hunger. Now, Wegovy, a drug similar to Ozempic, has been approved specifically for weight loss for the clinically obese in the UK. But is an injection our best bet at tackling obesity?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Charlotte Ivers, Staff Writer, The Sunday Times.
Dr Amir Khan, NHS GP and Broadcaster.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Article: How celebrities’ favourite drug Ozempic made Denmark enormously rich: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-weight-loss-drug-ozempic-made-denmark-enormously-rich-bbv80sz06

Clips: Global News Canada, CBS, E News.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How the rich and powerful try to intimidate the press

Sat, 23 Sep 2023 03:00:16 GMT

This week the editors of The Times and The Sunday Times wrote to the justice secretary, calling for a crackdown on the misuse of libel laws by the super-rich. Together with more than 60 editors, reporters and lawyers, they called for a specific law to address Slapps – strategic lawsuits against public participation.

In this bonus Saturday episode, we’re listening back to a conversation with Times Media’s editorial legal director Pia Sarma, first broadcast in January, in which she argues it's time to restore the balance between rich claimants and journalists pursuing the truth.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Pia Sarma, Editorial Legal Director, Times Media.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Read more: 'Editors call for anti-Slapp law to protect investigative journalism' https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/editors-call-for-anti-slapp-law-to-protect-investigative-journalism-wxhjt0kfc

Clips: Times Radio, France 24, Parliament TV.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How HS2 went off the rails

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 03:00:01 GMT

The high speed railway HS2 has been quietly graded ‘red’ by the government’s infrastructure watchdog, meaning successful delivery appears unachievable. The cost of the line - planned to run between London, and central and northern England - is at £71 billion so far; nearly £2,500 for every UK household. So what went wrong? Who’s got rich off this? And will it ever be finished?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Oliver Wright, Policy Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Channel 4, HS2 Ltd, GB News, BBC, Parliament Live, The Guardian, Sky.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russell Brand investigation: What happened next

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 23:01:05 GMT

Last weekend The Times and The Sunday Times – together with Channel 4's Dispatches – broke the news of allegations against Russell Brand including rape and sexual assault. Russell Brand strongly denies all the allegations.

So what happened next? Today we catch up with The Times’ head of investigations to answer listener questions and examine the fallout from the investigation.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Links: Decca Aitkenhead’s interview with Russell Brand, published in 2019:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-interview-russell-brand-on-his-hedonistic-past-marriages-and-becoming-a-father-wn6gjkwzd

Get in touch: If you have any information you want to share with the team behind this investigation, email investigations@news.co.uk.

You can contact the Stories of Our Times team on storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk.

Clips: Sky News, ABC News, ABC News Australia, Russell Brand on YouTube, GB News, Times Radio, BBC Radio 2, Radio X, Mindhouse Productions/BBC Two, Love Productions/Channel 4.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Death in the blood: The most shocking scandal in NHS history

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 03:00:53 GMT

From the 1970s onwards, an estimated 5,000 NHS patients were given contaminated blood products, which contained deadly diseases like hepatitis and HIV. Today, half of those infected have died. How did this happen? As her new book is published, we hear from the Sunday Times journalist who unearthed the story, and followed it for 20 years to get answers.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Caroline Wheeler, Political Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Infected Blood Inquiry, World in Action, Lord Mayor of Treloar.

Caroline's book, Death in the Blood, is available from the Times Bookshop now: https://timesbookshop.co.uk/death-in-the-blood-the-most-shocking-scandal-in-nhs-history-from-the-journalist-who-has-followed-the-story-for-over-two-decades-9781035405244

Have thoughts about this podcast? Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is Temu so cheap? Shopping on the popular but ruthless Chinese app

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 03:00:29 GMT

Welcome to Temu, the world’s biggest bargain bin. Since launching just five months ago, the app has been downloaded more than nine million times in the UK alone. Our correspondent has spent a day shopping on Temu, and delves into the tricks the Chinese retailer uses to ruthlessly undercut its rivals.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Sam Chambers, Chief Business Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: CNN, BBC News, Sky News, BBC Radio 4, GB News, ITV News, YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ukrainian honeytrappers ensnaring Putin's lonely soldiers

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 03:00:03 GMT

Ukrainian women are making fake profiles on dating apps, matching with Putin’s lonely troops and tricking them into revealing information that could help Ukraine win the war. In a rare interview, we speak to one of the women who is dating for victory.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Maxim Tucker, Assistant Foreign Editor, The Times.
‘Angelica’, Ukrainian honeytrapper.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russell Brand accused of rape

Sat, 16 Sep 2023 20:00:58 GMT

This episode contains detailed allegations of rape and sexual assault.

Following an exclusive investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches we hear how the comedian and actor Russell Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assaults and emotional abuse.

Journalists Rosamund Urwin and Charlotte Wace reveal the harrowing stories of two of Brand’s alleged victims.

Russell Brand strongly denies all the allegations.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

If you have any information you want to share, you can get in touch with the team behind this investigation by emailing investigations@news.co.uk.

Guests: Rosamund Urwin, Media Editor, The Sunday Times.

Charlotte Wace, News Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Articles: Russell Brand accused of rape, sexual assaults and abuse - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russell-brand-rape-sexual-assault-abuse-allegations-investigation-v5hxdlmb6

Comic, film star, YouTube guru: Russell Brand’s many lives - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russell-brand-youtube-guru-wife-girlfriends-wealth-lrv8r36pn

How The Times and The Sunday Times investigated Russell Brand - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russell-brand-investigation-sunday-times-video-watch-latest-news-x33ss0kmk

Video: You can watch our investigation on The Times and The Sunday Times YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqfCzB1BOlM

Clips: BBC, Channel 4, Universal Pictures UK, ITV News, ITV, Endemol, Russell Brand YouTube Channel, CBS.

Helplines:

Rape Crisis England & Wales offers confidential support and information to women in England and Wales who have survived any form of sexual violence, no matter how long ago.

Phone: 0808 802 9999

https://rapecrisis.org.uk/

Rape Crisis Scotland provides confidential support for anyone affected by sexual violence, no matter when or how it happened. They can also put you in touch with local rape crisis centres.

Phone: 0808 801 03 02

http://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/

Rape Crisis Network Ireland supports anyone in Northern Ireland affected by rape and sexual violence

http://www.rcni.ie

Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provides a safe place to talk 24 hours a day: https://www.samaritans.org

Phone: 116 123

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where did all the rockstar authors go?

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 07:57:53 GMT

When a list of young British novelists to watch was released in 1983, many of them went on to become household names, thanks to both their talent and their sex appeal. A new list comes out every ten years, but has never recreated the same success as the original – so has it become harder for novelists to break through? And has the literary world lost some of its glamour?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Robbie Millen, Literary Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC Wales, ITV News, BBC News, Blue Monday/New Order/Factory Records, Granta Magazine, Booker Prize, CBS/Late Night with David Letterman.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Westminster aide suspected of spying for China

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 23:01:19 GMT

In an exclusive investigation, The Times and The Sunday Times have revealed that a Tory parliamentary researcher arrested on suspicion of spying for China was the director of an influential policy group on Beijing. Chris Cash says he is “completely innocent”, and that claims that he spied for China are “extravagant” and “against everything I stand for”.

Now, for the first time, the Sunday Times journalist who broke the story of Cash's arrest gives her behind-the-scenes account of how the investigation unfolded – and why we're choosing to name the suspected spy.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Caroline Wheeler, Political Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: PoliticsHome, China Research Group.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could Hunter Biden's laptop cost his father the presidency?

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 03:00:33 GMT

Gabriel Gatehouse breaks down the Hunter Biden conspiracy theories, which all centre around his infamous laptop. What’s actually on the laptop? Why might Hunter Biden be heading to trial? And, with the House of Representatives now pursuing impeachment over all this, is the president of the United States really implicated in the mess?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Gabriel Gatehouse, independent journalist and host of the BBC series The Coming Storm.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: ABC News, Fox News, Sky News, Inside Edition, CBS, One America Network, CNBC, House Oversight Committee.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spanish football: The kiss, its fallout and Spain’s MeToo moment

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 03:00:40 GMT

At the Women’s World Cup final last month, the president of the Spanish Football Federation kissed the national team’s star player - on the lips. She said it was not consensual and it sparked condemnation around the globe. Now that Luis Rubiales has resigned, what does it all mean - not just for football, but women’s rights on and off the pitch?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Martyn Ziegler, chief sports reporter, The Times.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: BBC, TalkTV, ITV, SKY, ABC News, Real Federación Española de Fútbol, Jenni Hermoso, AFP, Reuters, Shescoresbanger.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investigation: Can you trust private hospitals?

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 03:00:56 GMT

A new investigation for The Sunday Times finds that unnecessary operations happen every year in private hospitals. And when that happens and patients try to get justice, they can find it impossible to get compensation. With NHS waiting lists thrusting more and more patients into the private provision, it begs the question: can we trust private hospitals?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Shaun Lintern, Health Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Sky News, 5 News, ITV, BBC.

If you've been affected by subjects raised in this podcast, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 0800 689 5652.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Studio Ghibli: Is this the end for the Japanese studio that inspired Pixar?

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 03:00:49 GMT

The international premiere of Studio Ghibli’s latest film took place last night, after breaking box office records in Japan in July. The Boy and the Heron is the final film from one of cinema’s most influential animators, the reclusive genius Hayao Miyazaki. But does his retirement mark the end of the studio that inspired Disney and Pixar?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Richard Lloyd Parry, Asia Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Articles:

Great Ghibli! How one Japanese studio wowed the world: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/studio-ghibli-the-boy-and-the-heron-hayao-miyazaki-film-lzkxdtlzl

10 best Studio Ghibli films: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/10-best-studio-ghibli-films-from-spirited-away-to-howls-moving-castle-dtrdpdsfg

Clips: Konbini, StudioCanal, BFI, Toho co, Ghibli Museum, 10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki/NHK WORLD, GKIDS Films.

Studio Ghibli clips: Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, The Wind Rises, Spirited Away, The Boy and the Heron.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Schools concrete crisis: What the government knew and when

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 03:00:47 GMT

Yesterday the government published a list of over a hundred schools in England which are fully or partially shut because of safety fears over RAAC – a type of concrete that’s started to crumble. Has the government done 'a f***ing good job', as the education secretary put it? Or did it fail to heed the warnings?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Kate McCann, political editor, Times Radio.
Dr John Roberts FREng FIStructE, former president, Institution of Structural Engineers.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: ITV News, Sky News, BBC News, Channel 4 News, Parliament Live.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The untold story of Liz Truss's chaotic 49 days in No 10

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 03:00:02 GMT

A year ago today, Liz Truss stood in Downing Street at the start of her premiership promising “action every day”. Over the tumultuous 49 days that followed, her time as prime minister was derailed by a series of U-turns, market shocks and a pervading sense of chaos. We go behind the scenes with Truss's biographer on the shortest ever stay in No 10.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of the readers of the Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: James Heale, political correspondent of The Spectator, and co-author of Out of the Blue: The Inside Story of the Unexpected Rise and Rapid Fall of Liz Truss https://timesbookshop.co.uk/out-of-the-blue-9780008605780

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Times Radio, Talk TV, BBC News, Parliament TV, Sky News, Spectator TV, Twitter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investigation: The seven lives of the £2 million fraudster

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 03:00:52 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Article: The seven lives of the £2m fraudster - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-seven-astonishing-lives-of-the-2m-fraudster-85mdvmxvs

Guest: Megan Agnew, News Features Writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucy Letby: What makes a female serial killer?

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 03:00:34 GMT

Since the nurse Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies, one question has remained – and may always be – unanswered: why?

In this episode we speak to an expert on female serial killers who outlines why we shouldn't be shocked by Letby and her crimes, and how Letby fits the profile of a female serial killer. But also – even more chillingly – how she doesn't.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Book: Just As Deadly: The Psychology of Female Serial Killers https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/just-as-deadly/085C912B92AAD29C2B76251C56D91356

Guest: Marissa A. Harrison, Professor of Psychology, Penn State Harrisburg.

Host: Luke Jones.

Helplines: NSPCC provides help, advice and support to adults worried about a child.

Phone: 0808 800 5000 (24/7)

https://www.nspcc.org.uk

Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provides a safe place to talk 24 hours a day: https://www.samaritans.org

Phone: 116 123

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Child Bereavement UK: https://www.childbereavementuk.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investigation: Who really owns £250m of Britain's best real estate?

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 23:01:04 GMT

Foreign leaders’ families have been snapping up some of Britain's most expensive mansions and penthouses, but their identities were hidden from public view – until now.

£250m of UK property is owned by the children of notorious autocratic rulers and their allies via offshore companies, an exclusive Times investigation has revealed. Our reporter visits some of London’s most desirable addresses and uncovers who owns what.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: George Greenwood, Investigations Reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Al Jazeera English, Hromadske TV, DW News, BBC News, Heydar Aliyev Foundation, TRT World.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vivek Ramaswamy: The next Donald Trump?

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 03:00:03 GMT

Vivek Ramaswamy - the rising star of the US Republican Party - wants to send troops to the Mexican border, abolish government departments and push for a deal to let Russia keep parts of Ukraine. Could the man nicknamed “Trump 2.0” beat the former president to be the party’s presidential nominee?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Ben Jacobs, US political journalist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Fox News, ABC, CBS, The Vivek Show, Lose Yourself/ Eminem, Shady Interscope.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unmasking a spy: The Chinese agent stealing secrets from the UK

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 03:00:01 GMT

The Times has unmasked a Chinese government spy who’s targeting thousands of British professionals on LinkedIn. This person - and their team - are after military secrets and sensitive intelligence in exchange for money and business opportunities. So who are they? How do they operate? And what’s being done about it?

For more on China’s influence in the UK, read Professor Steve Tsang's piece from this weekend's Sunday Times: Xi’s student spy army — and how they can be outsmarted https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/xis-student-spy-army-and-how-they-can-be-outsmarted-g3k6txc82

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today:

thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Fiona Hamilton, Chief Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: BBC, ABC, Times Radio, CNA.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What Harry and Meghan did next

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 03:00:57 GMT

Despite this week’s release of Prince Harry’s new series for Netflix, Heart of Invictus, this summer has been a chastening time for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their deal with Spotify was cancelled and a former executive called them “grifters”. Three years after leaving the royal family, can the couple make a success of their new lives?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Valentine Low, Royal Correspondent, The Times.

- Keiran Southern, US West Coast Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Netflix, CBS News, BBC News, THR News, NBC News, Nine Network, Spotify, The Ringer, ABC News, TalkTV, ITV.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prigozhin's plane crash: The last weeks of the Wagner boss

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 23:01:04 GMT

Vladimir Putin has sent his condolences after a plane crash which is believed to have killed the boss of the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Once close to Putin, Yevgeny Prigozhin’s relationship with the president had soured in recent months after an attempted mutiny. Is Putin to blame for the crash? And could Wagner retaliate against the Kremlin?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today:

thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Aliide Naylor, Contributor, The Times, and author of The Shadow in the East: Vladimir Putin and the New Baltic Front. https://timesbookshop.co.uk/the-shadow-in-the-east-9781788312523

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Times Radio, X/@QalaatM, X/@christogrozev, Reuters, France 24, CNN, @vchkogpu, Sky News, Sky News Australia, BBC News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can the Lionesses lift the World Cup tomorrow?

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 11:00:41 GMT

This Saturday we're bringing you an extra episode from another Times podcast – The Game football podcast.

The Lionesses are now just one win away from lifting the World Cup trophy. Molly Hudson and Owen Slot share the latest from the England camp down under, as Sarina Wiegman prepares her squad for the biggest game of their careers.

Lauren James is available to play after serving her two match ban – but should she come straight back into the starting line up? The team debates this huge decision with a little help from former Lioness and Times columnist, Casey Stoney.

Spain are tough opponents with a lot of quality, but behind the scenes they're a team in turmoil. Molly shares tales of striking players, a coach that doesn't connect with the squad and how the team are looking to write their own history on Sunday.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Molly Hudson, football reporter, The Times.

- Owen Slot, chief sports writer, The Times.

Host: Tom Clarke, deputy sports editor, The Times.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucy Letby: The NHS nurse who murdered babies

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 16:02:39 GMT

The 33-year-old neonatal nurse has been found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder a further six, during a year-long period between 2015 and 2016 at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Letby was acquitted of two counts of attempted murder.

Why did she commit these unimaginably awful crimes? And what now for the hospital?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today:

thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Tom Ball, Northern Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Articles: Who is Lucy Letby? The nurse who became Britain’s most prolific child killer - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/who-is-lucy-letby-nurse-killed-family-babies-background-family-friends-education-s7njrswmc

Revealed: the files that show how Lucy Letby was treated as a victim - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lucy-letby-files-nurse-hospital-evidence-rkxchgqh9

Lucy Letby found guilty of murdering seven babies at trial - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lucy-letby-guilty-murder-babies-trial-sentence-verdict-bz695chqj

Helplines: NSPCC provides help, advice and support to adults worried about a child.

Phone: 0808 800 5000 (24/7)

https://www.nspcc.org.uk

Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provides a safe place to talk 24 hours a day: https://www.samaritans.org

Phone: 116 123

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Child Bereavement UK: https://www.childbereavementuk.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fire at Britain’s wonkiest pub

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 03:00:59 GMT

When The Crooked House pub near the West Midlands town of Dudley was consumed by fire and then demolished, much more was lost than just a quirky venue for a drink. Could the loss of yet another pub shine a light on something much bigger going on in Britain? And could it be rebuilt, brick by brick?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today:

thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest:

- Lucy Bannerman, News Feature Writer, The Times.

- Tom Rees, co-owner, The Carlton Tavern pub.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC, The Guardian, 5 News, The Telegraph, Express & Star.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Spain's civil war became a modern-day culture war

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 03:00:06 GMT

After inconclusive elections last month, today Spain's parliament reconvenes to try to form a government. But as Spanish politicians look to the future, questions from the recent past continue to haunt them. When it comes to the country's bloody civil war, and the repressive regime that followed it, who gets to decide how the past is remembered?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Marta Santiváñez, producer for Times Radio.

- Sir Paul Preston, professor of international history at the London School of Economics.

Host: Luke Jones.

Link: Check out The Times' historic 1937 report on the brutal assault of Guernica here.

Clips: British Movietone (AP).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet the man saving a glacier (by putting it in his freezer)

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 03:00:24 GMT

Last month, Times science editor Tom Whipple stood on what used to be a glacier, on rock that used to be below 40 metres of ice. Then, glaciologist Matthias Huss hacked out a chunk of ice to take home. By the end of this summer, that may be the last remnant left.

This is the story of the glacier that no longer is – but which 15 years ago weighed a million tonnes – and a climate change milestone which is beyond dispute.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Link: Tom Whipple’s new book is available at the Times Bookshop: The Battle of the Beams: The secret science of radar that turned the tide of the Second World War

https://timesbookshop.co.uk/the-battle-of-the-beams-9781787634138

Clips: BBC News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cocaine Britain: Traffickers v the police

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 03:00:28 GMT

You can read Dipesh's article (and see an image of charcoal soaked in cocaine) here.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Dipesh Gadher, Home Affairs Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: France 24, Al Jazeera, Euronews, BBC News, Sky News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

El Salvador: The rise of the ‘world’s coolest dictator’

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 03:00:29 GMT

Not long ago, the tiny nation of El Salvador had the highest murder rate in the world. Now, it has the highest incarceration rate. President Nayib Bukele – who has described himself as “the world’s coolest dictator” – has detained 70,000 gang suspects without trial. His supporters point to the homicide rate, which is down 93 per cent. But Bukele’s critics warn that his hardline policies risk sacrificing democracy for security.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Stephen Gibbs, Latin America Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: NBC, CBS, Channel 4, Sky News Australia, ITV, Al Jazeera, CFR Education.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Lizzo survive a harassment lawsuit?

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 10:47:08 GMT

Pop superstar Lizzo has said a lawsuit with claims of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment are ‘false’. Three former dancers have brought legal action against the singer, her dance captain and her production company. The allegations threaten to tarnish Lizzo’s brand, built on self-love and positivity – so can she survive the backlash? And is this a parable of modern celebrity and idol worship?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Megan Agnew, Features Writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: TikTok/@bricksmagazine, TikTok/@shellywixted1990, Sky News, Big Boy TV, Twitter/@lizzo, Washington Post, ABC’s Good Morning America, Juice/Lizzo/Atlantic Records, British Vogue.

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Why so many MPs are calling it quits

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 03:00:42 GMT

With an election just around the corner, politicians are quitting Westminster in their droves, many of them under 40. Is the job broken – or are they just jumping before they're pushed? We meet the leavers and reluctant remainers.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Charlotte Ivers, staff writer and columnist, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Times Radio, ITV News, Global.

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Why heating our homes with hydrogen could be a pipe dream

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 03:00:19 GMT

In the neighbourhood of Whitby in Cheshire, residents had to grapple with a question that many more of us will have to ask in the coming years: how should we heat our homes if we’re no longer allowed gas boilers? What started as a proposal to test hydrogen heating soon escalated into an explosive argument. As government policies aimed at reaching net zero start to affect our daily lives, is it a sign of the squabbles to come?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Ben Cooke, Times Earth editor.

- Kate Grannell, campaigner.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Cheshire West and Chester Council, Sky News, The Economist, TED.

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Why Niger's latest coup opens a door for Putin in Africa

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 03:00:59 GMT

Niger, in west Africa, has suffered its fifth coup in just over six decades of independence. This one could have repercussions far beyond its borders – not least because Africa, not the Middle East, is now the centre of global jihad. And while there is no sign of Moscow’s hand in the coup, it has been welcomed by the Wagner group and could help Putin get his claws into this uranium-rich country. So what does all this mean for the competition between world powers, not to mention our day-to-day safety?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Richard Assheton, West Africa correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: BBC, CNN, Euronews, DW News, Al Jazeera, France 24, US Africa Command, TV News Nigeria, Nigerian Television Authority, Telegram.

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Why Gen Z are giving up booze

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 03:00:56 GMT

Younger people are turning away from alcohol, with Gen Z most likely to be teetotal – including Spider-Man actor Tom Holland. Millennials, too, are drinking less than their parents. What's prompted this generational shift in drinking habits?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest:

Helen Rumbelow, Features Writer, The Times.
Professor John Holmes, Director of the Sheffield Alcohol Research Group.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins, Associate Editor, The Times magazine.

Clips: Jay Shetty, Dr Alex George, Avalon Comedy/Lee Mack. TikTok (freedietalks, energisewiththem, thelivneedham)

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The art of the political lunch, with Tim Shipman

Sat, 05 Aug 2023 23:01:29 GMT

This Sunday we're bringing you an extra episode from another Times podcast – the Red Box politics podcast with Matt Chorley.

Very few people have had as many political lunches as Sunday Times chief political commentator Tim Shipman. Tim joins Matt for a big lunch at Hawksmoor in Borough Market to discuss wining and dining ministers, the state of politics, and Tim's next book.

If you enjoyed this episode, you can subscribe to the Red Box politics podcast for free: https://podfollow.com/the-red-box-politics-podcast

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

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Trump: The charges for conspiring to overturn the election

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 03:00:44 GMT

This week, for the third time in only a few months, former president Donald Trump was indicted, pleading 'not guilty' to four federal charges that argue he was part of a conspiracy that sought to defraud the United States and overturn the 2020 election. So what exactly is he accused of doing?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: David Charter, US Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: AP, KTLA, PBS, CNBC, NBC, The New Yorker, CBS.

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The unsolved murder of a private detective and decades of police corruption

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 03:00:57 GMT

Last month, it’s understood that London’s Metropolitan Police agreed a record £2million settlement after admitting that a 35-year long murder investigation was mired in corruption and incompetence.

Private detective Daniel Morgan’s body was found with an axe in his head in a pub car park in 1987, but no one has ever been convicted.

Articles:

Met Police have spent £138m on legal battles since 2016: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/met-police-has-spent-138m-on-legal-battles-since-2016-fzjq6xfpm

Met Police pays out £2m over ‘corrupt’ Daniel Morgan murder case: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/met-chief-to-admit-corruption-in-handling-of-daniel-morgan-murder-0mtqt036f

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Fiona Hamilton, Crime and Security Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: BBC, Sky News, ITV News, Independent.

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Why it's time to give up ultra-processed food

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 03:00:10 GMT

High-calorie, ultra-processed food has taken over the British diet, accounting for 60 per cent of our calorie intake. Now, in an alarming new book, Dr Chris van Tulleken shows what non-natural foods are doing to our bodies – and argues they should be treated like cigarettes.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Dr Chris van Tulleken, author of Ultra-Processed People: Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn't Food... and Why Can't We Stop? https://timesbookshop.co.uk/ultra-processed-people-9781529900057

Host: Manveen Rana.

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Fired, interrogated, killed: Where are Putin's generals?

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 03:00:13 GMT

Following the Wagner mutiny, it’s been a difficult few weeks for Vladimir Putin. He has detained, interrogated or fired a number of his top soldiers – including generals – as infighting and discontent weakens Russia’s military. So who’s in, who’s out, and what does it mean for the war in Ukraine?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Mark Galeotti, historian, journalist and author of Putin’s Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: India Today, The Buzz, CNN, BBC, Sky News.

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Is Israel becoming a dictatorship?

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 03:00:41 GMT

It's not often that a parliamentary vote changes the fate and character of a nation. But this week Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition pushed through a vote which did just that – stripping the country’s supreme court of its powers to block government decisions. Could Israel be heading, as one former prime minister believes, for civil war?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Anshel Pfeffer, Times contributor in Jerusalem and author of Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Reuters, The Guardian, CBN News, Global News, Channel 4 News, NBC News, CBS News.

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Greece is burning... is climate change to blame?

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 03:00:58 GMT

For the past week, islands in Greece have experienced catastrophic wildfires. Over twenty thousand people have been evacuated - the largest rescue operation in the country's history. It comes amid a punishing heat wave, where temperatures are regularly soaring well over 40 degrees. So is this climate change in action? A new report has some clues.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Daphne Tolis, freelance journalist in Greece.
Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Times Radio, The Guardian, Daphne Tolis/UGC, Reuters, BBC.

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Why single women are going to Denmark to become mothers

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 03:00:37 GMT

In the last few years, the UK has seen a 44 percent increase in single women seeking fertility treatment on their own. That means they need sperm - and many are looking towards Danish donors for it. So why is single motherhood - by choice - on the rise? And what is Denmark doing differently?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Rachel Sylvester, Chair of the Times Health Commission, Columnist and Interviewer, The Times.
Liv Thorne, Author, Liv's Alone: Amateur Adventures in Solo Motherhood.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CBS News, BBC.

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The Ukrainian spymaster who Putin wants dead

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 03:00:00 GMT

Major-General Kyrylo Budanov is the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence - the 37-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become the country's youngest head of the organisation. Russia believes that he is lying in a coma in Germany following a missile strike on his headquarters but he’s actually alive and ready to take ‘direct action’ against his enemies.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Anthony Loyd, special correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CNN, BBC, ABC, CBC, DW, Sky News.

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How a fake AI ‘you’ could con your parents out of thousands

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 03:00:20 GMT

With just a few seconds of your voice, a scammer can create a fake AI version of “you”, call your parents and potentially scam them out of thousands of pounds. The ruse is on the rise in the UK and uses cheap and readily available artificial intelligence. So how does it work and how can you protect yourself when just three seconds of audio is enough to create a fake you?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Katie Tarrant, news reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Sky / Esfand, fakeyou.com, 12News, NBC, ElevenLabs, ITV.

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Why Hollywood shut down

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 03:00:52 GMT

Last week, Hollywood’s actors joined its writers in the first industry-wide shutdown in 63 years. The West Wing’s Richard Schiff tells us his fears for new actors and how it feels to know that AI could “clone” him for future projects.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Richard Schiff, actor and director, and
Constance Kampfner, News Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Universal Studios, Guardian News, Sky News, Associated Press, NBC, Theme Park Times, WGA West.

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How giant pandas became China’s furry diplomats

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 03:00:46 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Didi Tang, Beijing Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: The National Archives, CNN, France 24, CCTV, NBC News, Richard Nixon Foundation, Action News 5, TikTok/@care2petitions, pandavoices.org.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should Rishi Sunak fear a by-election disaster?

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 09:42:03 GMT

It’s a by-election triple whammy tomorrow - and seats up for grabs include Boris Johnson's former constituency of Uxbridge. The votes were triggered after three Conservative MPs resigned - and the Tories are already saying they’re expecting to lose all three. The Times has been finding out how voters feel - and they’re not happy. So what could tomorrow’s results mean for Rishi Sunak’s and Keir Starmer’s chances at the next general election?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Tim Shipman, Chief Political Commentator, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana

Clips: The Times, BBC News, Sky News, ITV News, Channel 4 News.

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A bright pink cultural history of Barbie

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 03:00:42 GMT

It’s one of the most anticipated movies of the year. After months of bright pink promo ‘Barbie’ - starring Margot Robbie and directed by Greta Gerwig - finally hits the big screen this week. Little girls have been playing with the doll for 64 years... but she's not without her controversies. So, is life in plastic really still fantastic?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Hadley Freeman, columnist, The Times.

Host: Jane Mulkerrins, Associate Editor, The Times magazine.

Clips: Warner Bros. Pictures, Aqua, CNN, BBC, News 12, Barbie Collectors, CBC.

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Why a group of Scottish islands wants to join Norway

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 03:00:24 GMT

Councillors in Orkney have voted to explore ways that the group of Scottish islands could break away from Scotland and the UK. Proposals include becoming a crown dependency or even a self-governing territory of Norway - so how might Orxit work? And how could this debate hurt the SNP at the next election?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Mike Wade, Senior Reporter Scotland, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: BBC Radio Scotland, Reuters, DW News, WION, Orkney Islands Council, The Orkney News, STV, LBC.

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Huw Edwards, the BBC, The Sun and the media storm

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 03:00:31 GMT

On Wednesday evening, five days after allegations were first published, Huw Edwards was named by his wife as the BBC presenter accused of paying £35,000 to a young person for sexually explicit photographs. As further allegations emerge, the Metropolitan Police says it has found no evidence of a criminal offence and Edwards is receiving in-patient hospital care for his mental health after a “serious episode.” So how did the week unfold? And where does it leave the debate over public interest, privacy and duty of care?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Guests:

Alex Farber, Media Correspondent, The Times.
Pia Sarma, Editorial Legal Director, Times Media.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Sky, Channel 4, Reuters, BBC, Andrew Gold, TalkTV, Channel 5, Sky.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'This generation is more dangerous': The new West Bank resistance

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 03:00:43 GMT

Last week, the Israeli army entered the Jenin refugee camp on the West Bank and carried out a two-day raid where the target - according to Israel - was the headquarters of local militants. During the incursion, journalists were not allowed into the camp. Now that the rubble is being cleared - what really happened? And has it fed the flames of the 'Jenin Brigades' - a new generation of resistance that could be the most dangerous iteration yet?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Catherine Philp, Diplomatic Editor, The Times.

Host. Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC News, Sky News, Al Jazeera English.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The orca uprising: Why killer whales are attacking boats

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 03:00:40 GMT

Since 2020, orcas have been carrying out hundreds of attacks on boats near Gibraltar, Spain and Portugal, but last month one of the animals made global headlines when it hit a yacht off the coast of Scotland. Researchers are trying to understand the behaviour - could it be that the killer whales are out for revenge on humanity?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.

Host. Manveen Rana.

Clips: ABC’s Good Morning America, PBS NewsHour, Matt Johnston via Storyful, April Boyes via Storyful, Daniel Kriz via Storyful, Reuters, BBC News, Blackfish/Magnolia Pictures, CBS News, CNN.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind enemy lines: Meet the secret Ukrainian counter offensive

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 03:00:47 GMT

In Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine, men and women are working secretly, behind enemy lines. They're blowing up bridges, identifying targets for bombing raids and killing anyone caught collaborating with the enemy. So who are they? How are they recruited? And how has one man managed to infiltrate the Russian army itself?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Maxim Tucker, assistant foreign editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Ukrainian National Resistance, BBC, CNN, PBS, DW News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could Ukraine really join Nato? A former secretary-general answers

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 23:01:51 GMT

The biggest and most controversial issue for the 31 member nations at the Nato summit in Lithuania tomorrow will be whether to offer fast-track membership to Ukraine. Would this be a step too far – or has the invasion by Russia made it inevitable? We speak to a former Nato secretary-general.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Lord George Robertson, Nato secretary-general, 1999-2004.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: NATO History, Woodrow Wilson Centre, AP Archive, Voice of America, PA Media, BBC News, Sky News, Channel 4 News, Reuters.

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What happens when antibiotics stop working?

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 03:00:21 GMT

Scientists are on a mission to solve the problem of drug-resistant infections. It’s a race against time: millions of lives could be at risk when antibiotics stop working. The answer could be a century-old treatment largely abandoned since the invention of penicillin.

Research in this podcast was undertaken with reference to 'The Good Virus' by Tom Ireland. For more information on his book, and on his research into phages see: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-good-viruses-can-save-us-from-our-antibiotics-timebomb-b0gk7crs9

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Ben Spencer, Science Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Jenny Kleeman.

Clips: ITV News, Sky News, Co-ADD, Euronews.

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“The culture is rotten”: What is wrong with English cricket?

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 03:00:31 GMT

Today the third Ashes Test between England and Australia gets underway in Leeds. But while fans enjoy England’s national summer sport, last week a damning report found that racism, sexism, classism and elitism were "widespread" in the game. So how dire is the situation - and can cricket be saved?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Article: I’ve lost count of times I’m asked, ‘Which player is your husband? - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/i-ve-lost-count-of-times-i-m-asked-which-player-is-your-husband-pwp0dkntr

Guests:

- Elizabeth Ammon, Cricket News Reporter, The Times.

- Cindy Butts, Chair of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket.

Host: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor at The Sunday Times.

Clips: Sky Sport Cricket, Times Radio, ITV News, BBC Sport, BBC Test Match Special, Guardian Sport.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How a killing by French police led to a week of riots

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 03:00:39 GMT

Last week a 17 year-old was shot dead at a traffic stop in the French town of Nanterre near Paris. In response, the country erupted in rage and riots. Protesters say the killing is evidence of long-standing racism and brutality by the police. So can the relationship between France and some of its most disenfranchised citizens ever be repaired?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Channel 4, DW News, France 24, CBS, BBC, NBC, Reuters, ITV, Al Jazeera, @OHANA-FGN, La Haine / Mathieu Kassovitz / c. 1995 Les Productions Lazennec / Le Studio Canal+ / La Sept Cinéma / Kasso Inc. Productions, Sound of da Police / KRS-One / Jive, Police / NTM / Sony Music, Edith Piaf / Non Je Ne Regrette Rien, DJ Cut Killer.

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Just who are Just Stop Oil?

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 03:00:04 GMT

Security measures at Wimbledon have been ramped up to stop the environmental activist group Just Stop Oil from disrupting play. Meanwhile, controversial new police powers came into effect this week in England and Wales, aimed at curbing their protest methods. The group wants the government to halt new fossil fuel licensing and production, but its tactics have faced criticism. Who exactly are they and who funds them?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Sky News, Sky Sports, BBC Radio 5 Live, Daily Mail. The Telegraph, Al Jazeera, Just Stop Oil, TalkTV, Times Radio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Putin might fall: A lesson from 1991

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 03:00:53 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC News, ABC News, MSNBC, Simon Marks Reporting, Perm Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Wuhan lab (Pt 2): The shadow project

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 03:00:09 GMT

The second of our two-part special on the origins of Covid, drawing from a new Sunday Times investigation into the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

The Insight team has spoken to US investigators who believe the Wuhan Institute ran a covert project of dangerous experiments – and that it was done in collaboration with the Chinese military.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Jonathan Calvert, Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.

- George Arbuthnott, Deputy Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Channel 4 News, CNA 3, NBC News, EWTN.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Wuhan lab (Pt 1): Mutant viruses and risky experiments

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 03:00:06 GMT

The first of our two-part special on the origins of Covid, drawing from a new Sunday Times investigation into the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Newly declassified US intelligence leaves open the question of where the pandemic really started. But fresh evidence drawn from confidential files reveals Chinese scientists spliced together deadly pathogens shortly before the pandemic.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Jonathan Calvert, Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.

- George Arbuthnott, Deputy Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CNN, ABC News, PBS, CBC, Sky News Australia, NBC News, South China Morning Post, Fox News, US Institute of Medicine, US National Research Council of the National Academies, C-SPAN.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The plan to overthrow Europe’s last dictator

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 03:00:57 GMT

Belarus’ dictatorial president Alexander Lukasheko is getting ever closer to the Kremlin - this week he even brokered a truce between the Wagner group and president Putin to prevent a march on Moscow. But most Belarusians don’t want to be an arm of Russia and - outside of this small country’s borders - a group of exiled pro-democracy protesters are taking up arms and training themselves to fight back. So can they overthrow Europe's last dictator? And if they do reclaim their country, could it be pivotal to the war in Ukraine?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests: Jack Clover, news reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Channel 4, Vice, HBO, BBC, EuroNews, CNN, Ukraine Today, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Belarusian Security Services, ABC, NBC.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will high interest rates cause a housing crash?

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 03:00:30 GMT

Last week the Bank of England put up interest rates to 5 per cent - a move that has already meant increased mortgage payments for many. So could this lead to a crash in the housing market? What can the government do to alleviate the pain for homeowners - and is inflation here to stay?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Juliet Samuel, columnist, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, BBC News, The Michalaks.

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The Wagner mutiny: Is this the beginning of the end for Putin?

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 03:00:41 GMT

Vladimir Putin has survived the most serious threat to his authority in two decades of power, following an attempted armed mutiny led by the leader of the Wagner group – and his former ally – Yevgeny Prigozhin. For the time being, Prigozhin has struck a deal to defuse tensions. But what does this mean for Putin’s grip on power and for the war in Ukraine?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Host: Manveen Rana.

Host: Manveen Rana

Guest: Maxim Tucker, assistant foreign editor, The Times.

Clips: BBC News, DW News, MSNBC, Reuters, Sky News.

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Migration: How Europe as we know it is changing for good

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 03:00:39 GMT

Mass migration is transforming our continent just as significantly as wars did in the past. For a book he’s written on this very issue, author and journalist Ben Judah followed the path of Hannibal and Napoleon, crossing the Alps with a group of migrants trying to enter France.

This Is Europe: The Way We Live Now by Ben Judah is available now - https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/ben-judah/this-is-europe/9781447276265

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Ben Judah, writer and journalist.

Host: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent at The Sunday Times.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why victims of the Windrush scandal are still waiting for justice

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 03:00:13 GMT

It's the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in Essex - the ship that brought some of the first post-war migrants to the UK from the Caribbean to fill labour shortages. But years later, many were deemed illegal immigrants and were detained - or deported. The government launched a process to issue them with official documents alongside a compensation scheme. So why are so many still waiting for money? And will the victims of the Windrush scandal ever get justice?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Matt Dathan, home affairs editor, The Times.
Janet McKay-Williams, Windrush activist.
Sairah Javed, solicitor at The Joint Council for The Welfare Of Immigrants.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: London Is The Place For Me, Trinidadian Calypso In London, 1950-1956, Honest Jon's Records, 2003; ITV; Better Health Families; Channel 4; 5 News; The Guardian; BBC; CNN.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A British woman is jailed for abortion - does the law need to change?

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 03:00:31 GMT

A woman has been sentenced to 28 months in prison after using abortion pills to end her pregnancy after the legal time limit, sparking protests and calls for abortion to be decriminalised. But could law reform risk abortion rights becoming more restrictive?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Hannah Al-Othman, News Reporter, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Parliament Live TV, Talk TV.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Saudi Arabia is buying up the sport of golf

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 03:00:24 GMT

The launch of the LIV golf tour by Saudi divided the world of professional golf between those who joined, enjoying large payouts to promote it, and others who took a principled stand against what they said was naked sportswashing. So, after the surprise announcement of a merger between LIV Golf and the more traditional American and European tours who's in, who's out and what will it ultimately mean for the sport?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: David Walsh, chief sports writer, the Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Sky News, LIV Golf, CNBC, Sky Sports, Sky Sports News, TNT Sports, NBC, CBS., BBC, MSNBC.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside Vogue: Fashion's ultimate power struggle

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 03:00:08 GMT

British Vogue’s editor-in-chief Edward Enninful has announced he's stepping down. But why? In the world of high fashion, was his downfall the result of style over substance, rumours of diva-like behaviour or was he simply ahead of his time? And how did the rumoured power struggle between new-blood Enninful and old-guard Anna Wintour play out?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: John Arlidge, senior business writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Vogue, Conde Nast; HBO; BBC; The Devil Wears Prada, David Frankel, © 20th Century Fox 2006; NBC; CBS; Washington Post; CNN; Variety; iHeartMedia, The Breakfast Club; Wall Street Millennial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The criminal charges that could send Trump to prison

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 03:00:31 GMT

This week, Donald Trump became the first US president to be charged with a federal crime. This came less than three months after he was indicted in New York on separate state charges. Why is this time more serious?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: David Charter, US Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Joel Franco, NBC, Telegraph, Fox News, CNBC, WPTV, CNN, MSNBC, Breitbart News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside the operation to bring down Italy's most feared mafia clan

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 03:00:51 GMT

The ‘Ndrangheta mafia got their start kidnapping for money but now import billions of pounds worth of cocaine into Europe every year. A pan-European raid earlier this month led to the arrest of 155 people and the seizure of 23 tons of drugs. So could this finally break a crime organisation whose roots go back hundreds of years?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Tom Kington, Italy correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: ABC News, Al Jazeera, DW News, Reuters, NBC News, Euronews, AP, VIC.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Kim Jong-un’s sister North Korea’s true leader?

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 03:00:55 GMT

Murmurs are emerging from the secretive state that the force behind the dictatorship is female. Could supreme leader Kim Jong-un’s younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, be next in line for the throne?

Subscribers can read Richard's article on Kim Yo-jong on the Times website.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Richard Lloyd Parry, Asia Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Reuters, Arirang News, CNA, AP, Formosa TV News, USA Today, Al Jazeera, NBC News, DW News, CBS News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson resigns. Now what?

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 03:00:19 GMT

The immediate events that led to Boris Johnson’s resignation as an MP last week began with a phone call from The Times. A total of three Tory MPs have now quit parliament. So with three challenging by-elections round the corner, what does it all mean for Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives as the next election creeps ever closer?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Lara Spirit, Red Box reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: TalkTV, ITV News, BBC News, Channel 4 News, GB News, Sky News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NHS nurse accused of murdering babies: Lucy Letby on trial

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 03:00:18 GMT

33-year-old neonatal nurse Lucy Letby has been on trial since October, 2022 over the alleged murder of seven babies and attempted murder of 10 more at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

She denies all the charges.

Her trial is now nearing its end with the jury expected to begin their deliberations in the coming weeks.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Article: 'Lucy Letby denies romance with doctor': https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lucy-letby-denies-romance-with-doctor-after-go-commando-comment-v623lxwxt

Guest: Tom Ball, Northern Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Sky News, BBC, 5 News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planet Hope: Forecasting volcanic eruptions with Andrew McGonigle

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 03:00:07 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.

In 2022 Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano, erupted on Hawaii's Big Island. Fortunately this event didn't result in any fatalities - but the same can't be said for other recent eruptions in places like Indonesia, Tonga and the Philippines. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by volcanologist and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Andrew McGonigle to learn more about the handheld technology he has developed to predict early warning signs of volcanic eruptions, enabling people living in some of the poorest countries to survive deadly disasters.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What to expect from the Covid inquiry

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 03:00:10 GMT

It’s already been the subject of controversy – causing a row over access to Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages – and it hasn’t even begun. On Tuesday the main hearings for one of the biggest public inquiries in British history will finally kick off. We examine the key questions being asked at the Covid inquiry that could keep the government awake at night.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The Times.

- George Arbuthnott, Deputy Insight Editor, The Sunday Times, and co-author of Failures of State: The Inside Story of Britain’s Battle with Coronavirus.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC News, ITV News, LBC, Sky News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can Rishi Sunak really stop the small boats?

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 03:00:04 GMT

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to put a stop to small boats carrying migrants across the English Channel and says that his plans to prevent the dangerous journeys are working. But are they? And as his government drums up support for the controversial Illegal Immigration Bill, is the issue a crisis or a political weapon?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Manveen Rana.

Host: Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Correspondent, The Times.

Clips: BBC, Sky, Channel 4, ITV, GB News, 10 Downing Street.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the Tories are tearing themselves apart over housing

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 03:00:14 GMT

The housing crisis is emerging as one of the key battlegrounds ahead of the general election, especially for millennial voters. But as Labour turns up the heat announcing policy, the issue is exposing divides and flaring up accusations of NIMBYism within the Conservative party.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Geraldine Scott, Political Reporter, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: BBC Radio 4, Parliament Live TV, Times Radio, Daily Mail, Conservatives, LBC, ITV News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investigation: The black market behind your takeaway

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 03:00:06 GMT

A Sunday Times investigation has found that drivers for Deliveroo, UberEats and other takeaway apps, are selling access to their accounts to people who do not have the right to work in the UK. Many of these buyers are undocumented migrants. And since all earnings go to the account holder – not the drivers renting the account – nothing prevents these workers from being exploited. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Venetia Menzies, Digital and Data Journalist, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Taryn Siegel.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Z Generation: Into the heart of Russia's fascist youth

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 03:00:05 GMT

As the war in Ukraine shows no signs of coming to an end, Vladimir Putin is betting on a new generation of Russians to march in step with the regime. Russia's Youth Army now has more than a million members and – through TikTok dances and influencers – is indoctrinating children as young as six years old.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Dr Ian Garner, author of Z Generation: Into the Heart of Russia's Fascist Youth: https://timesbookshop.co.uk/z-generation-9781787389281

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Tiktok, International Film Foundation, SBS, AFP.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planet Hope: Alleviating human-wildlife conflict with Krithi Karanth

Sat, 03 Jun 2023 03:00:31 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.

As the world population continues to surge, conflicts between people and wildlife over food, resources and space for living are heightening. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by conservationist and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Krithi Karanth to explore how she is using technology to help local communities in India mitigate animal attacks and lessen animosity between wildlife and humans.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad: Daniel Finkelstein on his family’s miraculous survival

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 03:00:05 GMT

It’s a story of covert archives and freezing wastelands, of concentration camps and gulags. In a new book, Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein reveals how his family took a journey that ended happily in Hendon – but took a detour through hell.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Daniel Finkelstein, Times columnist and author of Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad: A Family Memoir of Miraculous Survival: https://timesbookshop.co.uk/hitler-stalin-mum-and-dad-9780008483845

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: BBC Radio 4, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside Kenya’s doomsday death cult

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 03:00:57 GMT

In the Shakahola forest near the Kenyan coast, a taxi driver turned evangelist pastor told his followers that the “rapture” was coming. Four years and more than 200 deaths later, Kenyan police are investigating what they suspect was a death cult. What could possibly have compelled hundreds of people to abandon their homes and families to join it?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Matthew Campbell, Foreign Features Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC News, WION, DW News, KTN News, Reuters, Global News, NTV Kenya.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why the British Isles still hosts the world’s most dangerous race

Wed, 31 May 2023 03:00:29 GMT

This week the 2023 Isle of Man TT race - often dubbed the ‘most dangerous’ race in the world - begins.

Six riders died last year at the motorcycle racing event. So why do the competitors keep coming back for more?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Articles - Dispatch: Inside the Isle of Man TT, the course that has killed 266 people https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/inside-the-isle-of-man-tt-the-course-that-has-killed-266-people-9nb8hdn5k

Guests:

- Phoebe Luckhurst, Senior Commissioning Editor at the Sunday Times Magazine.

- Richard “Milky” Quayle, ex-motorbike racer and former Isle of Man TT champion.

Host: Will Roe.

Clips: TT Closer to the edge/Isle of Man Film & CinemaNX, Isleofmanttofficial, Obsession Engineering/Dave Hewson.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Russia’s Wagner group took over the Central African Republic

Tue, 30 May 2023 03:00:24 GMT

Russia’s Wagner group – already dominant in the conflict in Ukraine – has become the de facto boss in the diamond-rich Central African Republic, where the mercenary force influences not just politics but the economy and culture. So how did this happen? And which country might be next in Wagner's sights?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Anthony Loyd, senior foreign correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Photographing five prime ministers

Mon, 29 May 2023 03:00:16 GMT

We’re away for the bank holiday, so in the meantime we're bringing you a highlight from another Times podcast, Red Box, in which Matt Chorley presents the best interviews, analysis and panel discussions from his Times Radio show.

For more than a decade Andrew Parsons was the official Downing Street photographer - chronicling life at No 10 with every prime minister from David Cameron to Rishi Sunak. He talks to Matt about capturing everything from David Cameron pre-emptively writing his resignation letter in 2015, to THAT lock down breaking birthday party in the Cabinet room.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planet Hope: Predicting the Earth’s climate with Tom Matthews

Sat, 27 May 2023 03:00:45 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.

The Earth’s climate has been known to change in the past, but it’s only since the industrial revolution that there have been changes to our climate which have been driven by humans. Environmental Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan joins climate scientist and National Geographic Explorer Tom Matthews to investigate how his work, mapping the planet’s most extreme climates, can help us to better understand how our climate is changing and most importantly, evaluate whether we can change the course that we’re on.

Through its Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex supports Tom Matthews as part of the National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Mount Everest Expedition and the Amazon Expedition.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are the water companies really making our rivers cleaner?

Fri, 26 May 2023 03:00:26 GMT

Last week water companies pledged to spend £10bn over the next five years to drastically reduce the number of sewage spills going into the country’s waterways and seas. Over 30 years on since privatisation have our beaches and rivers got cleaner?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC News Al Jazeera Times Radio, Sky News, Channel 4 News, Parliament.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exposed: How online fraudsters are ripping off Britain

Wed, 24 May 2023 23:01:10 GMT

It took less than an hour on the Telegram messaging app for an undercover Times reporter to infiltrate a network of fraudsters based in the UK. They openly traded bank details for thousands of victims – and boasted that the police would do nothing to stop them. We hear how the gang were exposed and speak to one of their targets.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Emma Yeomans, news reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Call of Duty became Britain's post-Brexit battleground

Wed, 24 May 2023 03:00:29 GMT

Microsoft has found itself in a bitter war of words with both its gaming rival Sony and the UK authorities, over a multi-billion dollar takeover bid of games developer Activision Blizzard. So what is the future of Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty franchise on Xbox or Playstation? And after the UK’s competition watchdog blocked the deal, what does it say for Britain’s post-Brexit business strategy?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The Times.

Host: Jenny Kleeman.

Clips: CBS News, BBC Radio 5 Live, CNBC, Windows XP/Microsoft, ChatGPT/OpenAI, Xbox Series X/Microsoft, YouTube/@SpawnWave, BBC Newsnight.

Video game clips:

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2/ Infinity Ward/Activision, World of Warcraft/Blizzard, Spyro Reignited Trilogy/Toys For Bob/Activision, Crash Bandicoot™ N. Sane Trilogy/Vicarious Visions/Activision, Candy Crush Saga/King.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What hardcore porn is doing to a generation of teenagers

Tue, 23 May 2023 03:00:15 GMT

As a new report from the Children’s Commissioner points to the impact of violent pornography on British children, are the waters around consensual sex being muddied? And should there be greater regulation of the porn industry?

This episode contains discussions about sex and some explicit descriptions of violent porn.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Articles: I’m watching what the kids are watching: porn. It’s disturbing - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/i-m-watching-what-the-kids-are-watching-porn-most-of-it-is-disturbing-pqb99zbnq

Sex lessons for boys: what young men need to be taught - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sex-lessons-for-boys-what-young-men-need-to-be-taught-pltqpxfbd

Guest: Helen Rumbelow, Features Writer, The Times.

Host: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diamonds and divorces: Are the oligarch sanctions working?

Mon, 22 May 2023 03:00:30 GMT

Russia's deputy defence minister, Timur Ivanov, was sanctioned by the EU last October. Forty days before that happened, his wife, the socialite Svetlana Maniovich, divorced him. The Anti-Corruption Foundation, a Russian non-profit organisation, received a trove of emails that seem to suggest this 'pre-emptive' divorce might have been an evasion strategy. So what was really going on?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Maria Pevchikh, investigator for the Anti-Corruption Foundation.

- Tom Keatinge, Director for the Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies at RUSI.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CNN, ABC News, European Council.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planet Hope: Revolutionising the world's plastic waste problem with Miranda Wang

Sat, 20 May 2023 03:00:08 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.

With estimates suggesting that there are more than 5 trillion pieces of micro and macro plastics in our seas and continued reports stating that a truckload of plastic enters our oceans every minute, we can no longer turn a blind eye to the life cycle of plastic products once they are thrown in the bin. Environmental Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by scientist, tech entrepreneur and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Miranda Wang to learn how her innovative upcycling technology is paving the way for plastic to have a second, third… maybe even evergreen life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Times Rich List: Who is Britain's richest person?

Fri, 19 May 2023 05:00:00 GMT

The Hinduja family leads the Sunday Times Rich List again, having topped it four times before. But who is the man at the head of the family and how have they achieved such wealth? And aside from the Hindujas, who’s up, who’s down and what does the rich list tell about the way the UK is changing?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: John Arlidge, co-writer, The Sunday Times Rich List.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: The Sunday Times, BBC, CBS.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The underground bankers funding people smugglers

Thu, 18 May 2023 03:00:19 GMT

Whilst the government's controversial illegal migration bill moves through parliament, an untraceable and ancient banking system is being used to finance people smuggling across Europe and the Channel. So how does it work? And should the authorities crack down on 'hawala'?

Additional reporting by Priyanka Shankar, Andrea Giambartolemei, Andres Mourenza, Elena Ledda and Iliana Papangeli. This investigation is supported by a grant from the IJ4EU fund and by Journalismfund.eu.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Emma Yeomans, News Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: 10 Downing Street, Parliament Live, Times Radio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trouble at the Kremlin

Wed, 17 May 2023 03:00:16 GMT

It's been a difficult fortnight for Vladimir Putin. Russia has been losing ground in the key city of Bakhmut, the man in charge of the Wagner group of mercenaries seems to be publicly criticising him in expletive-strewn videos, and now there are even suggestions of betrayal…

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Mark Galeotti, author of Putin’s Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Reuters, CNN, MSNBC, Times Radio, Sky News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investigation: How ketamine became the UK’s hidden campus killer

Tue, 16 May 2023 03:00:48 GMT

In the last decade, ketamine has become one of the most popular drugs among students. Part of its appeal seems to be a false reputation for being comparatively safe. But the Times has uncovered never-before-seen data that paints a very dark picture of the dangers of ketamine.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Dominic Kennedy, Investigations Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Wigan council, Sky News.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, there are resources to help:

FRANK provides a confidential service to anyone wanting information, advice or support about any aspect of drugs.

Phone: 0300 123 6600 Online chat facility (2-6pm weekdays)

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Phone: 0300 030 3000 Visit the Drug Addicts Anonymous website

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India: The next global superpower?

Mon, 15 May 2023 03:00:23 GMT

India will soon surpass China as the most populous country in the world. As China’s population slumps, could India’s population rise spell a new chapter in the country’s economic growth, and could it help make it a global superpower?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Amrit Dhillon, freelance journalist.

Host: Manveen Rana

Clips: First Post, ANI, BBC, CNA, AP Archive.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planet Hope: Establishing a healthier global population with Mark Kendall

Sat, 13 May 2023 03:00:09 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.

Medical inequity jeopardises the safety of everyone and contributes to growing inequalities in and between countries. Take vaccinations for example, we know how important they are for ensuring a longer and healthier life, yet during the Covid-19 pandemic statistics have shown that of the more than 10 billion doses of the coronavirus vaccine distributed worldwide, only one percent have been administered in low-income countries.

Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan talks with biomedical engineer and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Mark Kendall to investigate how his medical innovations are revolutionising modern medicine and allowing for more accessible health care worldwide- from vaccinations in the form of a patch, to micro-wearables that can show early warning signs of a heart attack.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eurovision 2023: A very political song contest

Fri, 12 May 2023 03:00:04 GMT

The UK is holding this year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine which won last year but can’t fulfil its hosting duties because of the war. So what can we expect? What role is Eurovision playing in the war effort? And why have cyber security experts been drafted in?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Tom Ball, northern correspondent, The Times.
Tina Karol, Ukrainian celebrity, singer and philanthropist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Eurovision Song Contest; BBC; SKY; Crossroads news; Tyler Rumple; Channel 4; Mojo; Russia Today; Vice; WiWibloggs; Kyivstar; European Broadcasting Union; Eurovision Network; Charity Concerts for Ukraine; Voice of Peace; Kyivstar TV / The Voice Ukraine / Namalyuyu tobi zori / Dimash Daulyetov.

Music clips:

Show Me Your Love / Mikhail Nekrasov, Tina Karol, Pavlo Shylko / Lavina Music.

Hard Rock Hallelujah / Miss Awa, Mr. Amen, Mr. Kalma, Mr Kita, Mr Lordi / Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

Oi u luzi chervona kalyna / Andriy Khlivnyuk / Volodymyr Antonovych, Mykhailo Drahomanov.

Waterloo / ABBA / Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Stig Anderson / Polar / Epic / Polydor / Atlantic.

Ukrainian national anthem (State Anthem Of Ukraine) / Ukrainian opera singers / Mykhailo Verbytsky, Pavlo Chubynsky.

Baila El Chiki Chiki / Rodolfo Chikilicuatre and friends / ARD Entertainment.

Stefania / Kalush Orchestra / Ihor Didenchuk, Tymofii Muzychuk, Vitalii Duzhyk, Ivan Klymenko / Sony.

Heart of Steel / TVORCHI / Jimoh Augustus Kehinde, Andrii Hutsuliak / Independent.

Refrain / Lys Assia / Géo Voumard, Émile Gardaz / Decca.

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Turkey’s knife-edge election: Is Erdogan’s time up?

Thu, 11 May 2023 03:00:00 GMT

As polling suggests the public are losing faith in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s authoritarian rule, what does this weekend’s election mean for Turkey - and the wider world?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Articles: Profile - Is President Erdogan about to lose his 20-year grip on power? - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/is-president-erdogan-about-to-lose-his-20-year-grip-on-power-333lvtnsl

The Turkish election is on a knife edge. Is Erdogan’s time up? - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-turkish-election-is-on-a-knife-edge-is-erdogans-time-up-dlwznwwjw

Guest: Beril Eski, freelance journalist.

Host: Louise Callaghan, Middle East Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Clips: Euronews, France 24, Al Jazeera, CNN, CNBC, Sky News BBC News.

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An MI6 agent's journey from spy to killer

Wed, 10 May 2023 03:00:40 GMT

A British man was recruited by MI5 and MI6 to infiltrate al-Qaeda training camps – but then brought the horror back home.

This episode contains descriptions of strong violence and might not be suitable for all listeners.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

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Qatargate: The inside story of the big Brussels bung

Tue, 09 May 2023 03:00:23 GMT

It’s part thriller, part farce, starring a glamorous Greek MEP, an Italian toyboy and bundles of euros stuffed in suitcases and hidden under beds. So did Qatar buy its way into the European parliament?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Matthew Campbell, Foreign Features Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: France 24, DW News, Euronews, BBC News, European Parliament, VOA.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Off Air with Jane Garvey and Fi Glover: How Britain prepared for nuclear war

Mon, 08 May 2023 03:00:37 GMT

We're away for the bank holiday, but in the meantime we thought we'd introduce you to one of the newer hit podcasts from the Times stable: Off Air, hosted by Jane Garvey and Fi Glover. Every afternoon from Monday to Thursday, Jane and Fi bring you a fresh look at the news and lively conversation with fascinating people.

In this episode from last week, they speak to the author of a new book about how Britain prepared for nuclear armageddon at home during the Cold War. As Julie McDowall reveals in this frightening but also rather funny book, the British, when contemplating devastation, took refuge in pointless planning.

Hosts: Jane Garvey and Fi Glover.

Guest: Julie McDowall, author of Attack Warning Red!: How Britain Prepared for Nuclear War.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planet Hope: Navigating the Great Spine of Africa with Steve Boyes

Sat, 06 May 2023 03:00:36 GMT

This is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.

The balance between wilderness areas and the species that depend on them are fragile and are being threatened. Environmental Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan joins conservationist and National Geographic Explorer Steve Boyes in Zimbabwe to investigate why Africa’s greatest water sources - the rivers that run through the heart of the continent - are crucial to a prosperous future environment in Africa and beyond.

Through its Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex supports the Great Spine of Africa expeditions that traverse and document thousands of kilometres of rivers never scientifically documented before.

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How to crown a King, 2023-style

Fri, 05 May 2023 03:00:37 GMT

Tomorrow, Charles will be crowned King at Westminster Abbey in a ceremony marked with hundreds of years of tradition. Just how will the coronation represent our more modern country, and what might we expect from his reign?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Valentine Low, writer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Reuters, BBC News, Sky News, CBS News, CBC.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ukrainian children stolen by Putin

Thu, 04 May 2023 03:00:36 GMT

Thousands of Ukrainian children have been abducted by Russia since the war began. But why? Where are the children being sent? And who’s trying to find them and bring them home?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Christina Lamb, chief foreign correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: SKY, CNN, BBC, International Criminal Court, UATV English, DW News, Ambient City, nathanolson, The infographics show, Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, MSNBC.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The BBC chairman, the top civil servant and Boris Johnson

Wed, 03 May 2023 03:00:18 GMT

What began as a Sunday Times investigation into Boris Johnson’s finances soon snowballed into a months-long scandal, which led to the resignation of the BBC chairman on Friday. With top civil servant Simon Case now facing calls to quit, could more resignations follow? And will we ever find out who offered to loan Johnson £800,000?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times.

- Caroline Wheeler, Political Editor, The Sunday Times.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, ITV News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is an 80-year-old Biden still the best bet against Trump?

Tue, 02 May 2023 03:00:46 GMT

With President Biden finally declaring last week that he's running for re-election, and Donald Trump still the leader of the Republican Party, America is finding itself in a state of déjà vu.... It's the rematch contest that nobody seems to want. So why is it happening? And could Biden win a second round?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Alistair Dawber, Washington Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Global News, Fox News, NBC News, NBC Today, JoeBiden.com, Marianne Williamson, Telegraph, MSNBC, BBC News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danny In The Valley: How AI could change medicine forever

Mon, 01 May 2023 03:00:56 GMT

We’re away for the bank holiday, but in the meantime we thought we'd introduce you to another fascinating podcast from the Times stable.

The Sunday Times' West Coast correspondent, Danny Fortson, presents Danny in the Valley – conversations with the people trying to change the world through technology, and make loads of money doing it. This week: how AI could completely change medicine.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Host: Danny Fortson, West Coast correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Guest: Vijay Pande, head of Andreessen Horowitz’s $1.5bn bio fund.

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The swing voters who’ll decide the next election

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 03:00:25 GMT

Next week millions of voters will go to the polls as more than 8,000 council seats in England are contested in the local elections – the most significant gauge of public opinion before Rishi Sunak faces Keir Starmer at a general election. And behind the scenes, politicians and pollsters are desperately trying to figure out exactly who they need to win over, and how they can do it without losing their core supporters.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Lara Spirit, Red Box reporter, The Times.

- Peter Kellner, former president of YouGov.

Links:

- Find out whether there are elections in your area: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information

- New photo ID requirements to vote: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id

Clips: Sky News, GB News, The New Statesman, LBC, BBC News, Channel 4 News.

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Six months of Musk: How Elon changed Twitter

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 03:00:21 GMT

Since Elon Musk bought Twitter, he has brought about sweeping changes – but how successful have they been? And what impact has his purchase of the social media platform had on his many other businesses?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Danny Fortson, West Coast Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Jenny Kleeman.

Clips: BBC News, CBS News, Space X, NBC News, NBC, Fox News, Channel 4 News, Yahoo! Finance, Neuralink, MIT.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sudan: The general and the warlord fighting for power

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 03:00:54 GMT

It’s the seventh day of violence in Sudan. Hundreds are reported dead and while civilians flee the capital, two generals - one a former warlord - are fighting for control of the country. So who are these men? And what does a hoard of gold and Putin’s private army have to do with the conflict?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests: Dallia Abdelmoniem, baker and Sudanese political commentator; Dr Samuel Ramani, politics and international relations tutor, university of Oxford and author of Russia in Africa.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: BBC, France 24, Channel 4, Al Jazeera, Sky, Global news, African Biographies, CNN, Democracy Now, MiddleEastEye, CBC News, CNA, WION, NTVUganda, EWTN, Reuters, Africa News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where did all the Poles go?

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 03:00:11 GMT

Twenty years since their country signed up to join the EU, people from Poland are returning home in the thousands. But why are so many leaving? What does it mean for the UK? And could Brits looking for a better life soon follow them too?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Matthew Campbell, Foreign Features Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: 5 News, The Independent, DW News, Financial Times, Sky News, AP Archive.

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What we now know about the Pentagon leaks

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 03:00:34 GMT

The US government is scrambling to assess the damage from a mass leak of defence documents seen as the most harmful intelligence disaster for a decade. We trace how the documents spread from a small chat room to global attention, and examine the key information from the leaks.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Alistair Dawber, Washington correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

- Michael Evans, specialist defence writer for The Times, and former defence editor and Pentagon correspondent.

Clips: BBC News, CNN, NBC, CBS, Washington Post, Times Radio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's going on in the South China Sea?

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 03:00:02 GMT

China says its army should increase its preparedness for “real combat” after recent military drills around the island of Taiwan. What’s led to this latest round of posturing and how is Taiwan responding to the prospect of a potential invasion?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Richard Lloyd Parry, Asia Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: AP, CBS, CNA, Channel 4 News, Reuters, CNN, DW News, CGTN, Shanghai Eye, ABC News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could TikTok be banned?

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 03:00:43 GMT

In recent months pressure on TikTok has escalated over fears about how the app and its Chinese parent company ByteDance handle users’ data. The US has threatened to ban the app and two weeks ago the company was fined over £12m for misusing children’s data in the UK. So is the app a national security concern? And is time running out for TikTok?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Chris Stokel-Walker, journalist, Times contributor and author of TikTok Boom: China's Dynamite App and the Superpower Race for Social Media.

Host: Jenny Kleeman.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Channel 4 News, Sky News, Parliament TV, 7News Australia, BBC News, C-SPAN, AFP, TikTok, NBC News, TikTok/@bellapoarch, Old Town Road/Lil Nas X/Columbia Records, Blinding Lights/The Weeknd/XO/Republic Records, TikTok/@kazzledazzlesteponme.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Trump's indictment hurting or helping him with voters?

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 03:00:49 GMT

Last week, Donald Trump became the first US president -- past or present -- to be charged with a crime. But is this historic indictment turning off voters, or drawing them in?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Hugh Tomlinson, Washington Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Josh Glancy.

Clips: ABC News, Fox News, Guardian News.

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Russia’s wrongful detention of journalist Evan Gershkovich

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 03:00:15 GMT

The Wall Street Journal reporter has been charged by Russia with spying on behalf of the US government and Gershkovich’s detention has been described by the Society of Editors as “deeply concerning”. Meanwhile, the US Government has declared that he has been wrongfully detained. What will be the impact of his arrest?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest:

Emma Tucker, editor in chief, The Wall Street Journal.
Marc Bennetts, foreign correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: WSJ, BBC, Channel 4, PBS, CNN, NBC.

Write a message to Evan Gershkovich and his family: https://www.wsj.com/articles/show-your-support-for-evan-gershkovich-73b77140?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

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Could this be the biggest case of art fraud in history?

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 03:00:51 GMT

Known in his lifetime as the ‘Picasso of the North’, Norval Morrisseau was one of Canada’s most revered indigenous artists. But now, police have charged eight people who they believe produced more than a thousand fake artworks under the artist's name, making millions of Canadian dollars and perhaps making history in the world's biggest case of suspected art fraud.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Will Pavia, New York Correspondent, The Times.

- Jamie Kastner, producer and director of There Are No Fakes.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Ontario Provincial Police, CBC News, There Are No Fakes (2019), Stardreamer.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russian space rescue: Is everyone coming home?

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 03:00:24 GMT

Seven months ago, three men - two Russian cosmonauts and one American astronaut - arrived on the International Space Station. But shortly after, a meteoroid hit the ISS and their ride home was damaged. So with no way back to earth and tensions between Russian and America ramping up, will all three make it home?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Jacqui Goddard, US Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Sean O'Neill, Senior Writer, The Times.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: NASA, CBS, Global News, BBC, no1 FACTS News, Astro Alexandra, ABC, WFAA, Space Centre Houston, Newsy World, Ariel View, ABC News, Raw Story TV, ALPHA TECH, Oleg Artemiiev, BBC, AP.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain’s first grand portrait of a person of colour is saved for the nation

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 03:00:12 GMT

This bank holiday weekend, we're taking a step back from the news to bring you an update on a story we covered earlier in the year.

One of Britain's most important paintings of a non-white subject has now been saved for the nation following a public campaign to raise £50 million to buy it from its private owner. This is the story of the Portrait of Omai.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Bendor Grosvenor, British art historian.

Host: David Aaronovitch.

Clips: Oxford University Press, TRT.

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How the 'ceasefire babies' forgot the Troubles

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 03:00:59 GMT

They were supposed to be the ‘ceasefire babies’ – a new generation that grew up in peace – but young people south of the border seem to be forgetting the conflict. We hear about new research from The Sunday Times, and speak to a friend of the young journalist Lyra McKee, whose shooting on the streets of Derry in 2019 was a reminder not to take peace for granted.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Alison Millar, documentary director.

- Rachel Lavin, senior data and digital graphics journalist, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC, RTE, DW News, Sinn Fein, AP, Erica Starling productions, 5News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exposed: How a Tory MP offered to lobby for gambling investors

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 23:01:35 GMT

An exclusive undercover Times investigation has found that a Tory MP was prepared to lobby ministers and leak confidential policy documents on behalf of gambling industry investors in return for payment, despite rules banning MPs from doing so.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Billy Kenber, Senior Investigations Reporter, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Led By Donkeys, Parliament TV, Channel 4, Sky News, @BetGameCouncil/Twitter, Times Radio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Starmer vulnerable to a Corbynite comeback?

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 03:00:33 GMT

Last week Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that Jeremy Corbyn would not be allowed to run as a Labour MP at the next general election. But Corbyn has resolved after months of deliberation to run against the Labour Party. Could Starmer's stance on the Labour left backfire?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Articles:

Read Caroline Wheeler’s exclusive interview with Sir Keir Starmer: ‘Keir Starmer: Trans rights can’t override women’s rights’: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/keir-starmer-trans-rights-cant-override-womens-rights-m70dw55dp

Read Patrick Maguire on ‘Jeremy Corbyn could start a new party. Does he have the friends or funds?’: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jeremy-corbyn-could-start-a-new-party-does-he-have-the-friends-or-funds-zk7m0b7js

Guest: Patrick Maguire, Red Box Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC, Times Radio, Sky News, TalkTV, Channel 4 News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fight for Israel’s democracy

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 03:00:43 GMT

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets over the past three months to demonstrate against a judicial overhaul planned by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. We look at what the protests tell us about the current state of politics in Israel, and whether this could spell the end of Netanyahu’s political career.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Anshel Pfeffer, Times contributor and author of Bibi: The Turbulent Life and Times of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Host: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Clips: CBS, BBC, CNN, Reuters, France24, AFP, Al Jazeera, TalkTV.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How I broke free from anorexia

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 03:00:47 GMT

Just after her 14th birthday, Hadley Freeman became achingly aware of her body – specifically, just how ‘normal’ it was compared to a thin classmate. Just four months later, she was hospitalised with anorexia. Her latest book, Good Girls: A Story and Study of Anorexia, tells the story of her many hospitalisations as a teenager, and her recovery.

If you've been affected by issues in this podcast, you can find support at www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk where you can also find the number for one of their national helplines.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Hadley Freeman, Columnist and Features Writer, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clip: Sky News.

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France on fire: The protests, explained

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 03:00:20 GMT

The driving force behind protests against President Macron’s pension plans are young people defending their inheritance: retirement at 62. But for many, it’s also about something much bigger than pensions.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Sean O’Neill.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Dr Patrick Preston, AP, BFMTV, Global News, BBC News, France 24.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rise and rise of Botox

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 03:00:50 GMT

It’s Hollywood’s not-so-secret weapon for getting rid of wrinkles, but as the ‘pretty poison’ turns 21, Sarah Ditum asks: Should I or shouldn’t I?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Sarah Ditum, writer for The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: ITV, TMZ, ABC.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The woman who investigated the racist, sexist and homophobic Met Police

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 03:00:21 GMT

London’s Metropolitan Police has accepted findings from a landmark report that found racist, sexist and homophobic behaviour inside the UK’s largest police force. Baroness Louise Casey, who led the review, has been speaking with The Times about how she investigated New Scotland Yard. But does she think the Met Police can be fixed?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Fiona Hamilton, Crime and Security Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC News, Channel 4 News, Sky News, 5 News, Metropolitan Police, The Guardian.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are banking tremors the start of a new financial crisis?

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 03:00:28 GMT

When a regional bank in California collapsed, it sent shock waves through the financial system. A few weeks later, and we're still feeling the ripples of Silicon Valley Bank's demise. It's triggered a sense of déjà vu – only 15 years on from the global financial crisis that was brought on by banking mismanagement. Have we learned any lessons from the 2008 crisis? And is it finally time for a banking rethink?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CNN, Sky News, NBC News, Al Jazeera, Fox News, CNBC, WION, BBC News, Channel 4 News, AP.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What two gay dads can teach fathers about parenting

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 03:00:02 GMT

Even though gender equality has come a long way at work, when it comes to parenting the mother is still viewed as the primary caregiver. But does it have to be this way? Paul Morgan-Bentley talks about his new book The Equal Parent in which he draws on his own experience as a father, and asks what can be done to share the load.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.

Host: Jenny Kleeman.

Clips: Parliament TV.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it over for Boris Johnson?

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 04:00:58 GMT

After swearing an oath on the King James Bible, Boris Johnson spent nearly three and a half hours being quizzed by fellow MPs on the privileges committee about gatherings in Downing Street during lockdown. The same afternoon, only 22 Tories followed him through the lobbies, defying a three-line whip to vote against the government’s Brexit deal. So is his appeal – and his argument – fading away? And where does it all leave the Conservatives?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Henry Zeffman, Associate Political Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Parliament TV, Channel 4 News.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hunt for Disease X: What will cause the next pandemic?

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 04:00:54 GMT

It’s three years since the then prime minister Boris Johnson announced the first national lockdown in an attempt to halt the spread of covid. So, as we move on from the last pandemic, what might cause the next one? And have we learned enough this time round to stop it before it gets out of hand?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Ben Spencer, Science Editor, The Sunday Times.

Host: Sean O'Neill.

Clips: BBC News, Al Jazeera, Parliament.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iraq 20 years on: Return to Baghdad

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 04:00:59 GMT

Twenty years on, the invasion of Iraq is widely seen as a fiasco. But still today the conflict has ongoing consequences for Iraq and Iraqis. Times correspondent Catherine Philp is back in Baghdad to meet people and hear how they were affected then - and now.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Catherine Philp, Diplomatic Correspondent, The Times.
Dr Saad Eskander, historian and director of the Iraq National Library and Archives.
Bader Katr, translator.
Iraqi family in Sadr city.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: BBC, CBS, AP, Al Jazeera, Journeyman Pictures, CNN, The Washington Post.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The race to replace Nicola Sturgeon

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 04:00:05 GMT

Nicola Sturgeon’s surprise resignation last month triggered the first election for the leadership of the Scottish National Party in a decade. So, what are the priorities of the three candidates? And - with a row over membership numbers leading the party’s chief executive to resign after giving misleading figures to the press - what impact will the leadership election have on the party?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: STV, ITV, Sky News, Channel 4, The Scottish Sun.

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Iraq 20 years on: The weapons that never were

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 04:00:50 GMT

In March 2003, Britain, the US and others invaded the cradle of civilisation, promising to end the perceived threat from Iraqi president Saddam Hussein and his weapons of mass destruction. But where did the evidence come from and how did it lead us to war?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests: Michael Evans, Defence Writer, The Times.

Robert E Kelly, nuclear engineer and weapons inspector.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: AP, BBC, Al Jazeera, 60 Minutes, Parliament Live, UK Parliament, BBC, CBS C-SPAN, WSJ, Tim Collins.

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Off Air … with Jane & Fi - and Dan Snow

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 04:00:29 GMT

Today's Friday episode comes courtesy of our sister podcast: Off Air ... with Jane and Fi, who are joined by historian Dan Snow to talk about his latest documentary on the Black Death.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Assistant Producer: Kea Browning.

Times Radio Producer: Rosie Cutler.

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Uncovering the truth: The killing of Mahsa Amini

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 04:00:53 GMT

On September 16, 2022, Mahsa Amini died after being arrested by the Iranian morality police for allegedly dressing inappropriately, sparking protests across the country and beyond. But six months on, there are two opposing narratives of what happened to the 22-year-old: the official account and what her family says. Our correspondent has been investigating to provide the most comprehensive account yet of her final days.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Louise Callaghan, Middle East Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Jenny Kleeman.

Clips: BBC News, France 24, CNN Espanol, Al Jazeera, Times Radio, Channel 4 News, Euronews, Sky News Australia, Middle East Matters.

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48 hours on the NHS front line

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 04:00:58 GMT

The NHS has had a tough few years: Covid, huge winter demand and now strikes have disrupted services. But even on an average day, the pressure in one of the country's biggest hospitals is palpable.

A few weeks ago Stories of Our Times visited Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for a rare glimpse inside the NHS, and to see the pioneering solutions that could ease the situation.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Rachel Sylvester, Times columnist and chairwoman of the Times Health Commission.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Sky News, BBC Radio 4.

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Can Jeremy Hunt get Britain growing?

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 04:00:20 GMT

Tomorrow the chancellor Jeremy Hunt will stand up in the House of Commons to deliver his first full budget. With the UK economy at its most stagnant point in two years, is there anything Hunt can do to ease the pain?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.

Host: Jenny Kleeman.

Clips: Sky News, Bloomberg, ITV, Telegraph, BBC, Al Jazeera, CBS, NBC, Parliament TV.

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How vaping took over Britain

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:00:07 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: BBC News, Sky News, Channel 4 News.

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Is Moldova next in Putin’s sights?

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 04:00:48 GMT

A small pro-Russian political party is leading anti-government protests in the former Soviet state amid warnings from Ukraine and Moldovan security services that Russia is plotting to overthrow the country’s pro-EU government. Could this be part of Vladimir Putin’s grand plan?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Tom Kington, Italy Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Jenny Kleeman.

Clips: France 24, Al Jazeera, WION, Telesur.

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Ron DeSantis: The next US president?

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 04:00:42 GMT

The race for the Republican nominee for the 2024 US presidential race is already underway – with former White House resident Donald Trump throwing his hat in the ring a full two years ahead of time. One man who seems poised to be Trump's biggest threat is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. So who is Ron DeSantis? And could he really beat Trump to the nomination? Our man in Washington, David Charter, sat down with him for an interview.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: David Charter, US Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Fox News, CNN, CBS News, ABC News.

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Woman, Mother, Fighter: The Ukrainian MP taking on Putin

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 04:00:36 GMT

As the war in Ukraine enters its second year, one woman is determined that the world doesn't lose interest. To mark International Women's Day we meet Lesia Vasylenko, the Ukrainian MP who travels the globe drumming up military support for Ukraine, using every media platform available to fight Putin.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Lesia Vasylenko, Ukrainian MP.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC News, Radio Free Europe, Hromadske, CNN, CBS, India Ahead, Sky Australia, News Nation.

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Manchester Arena bombing: How MI5 failed to stop it

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 04:00:14 GMT

Almost six years after a suicide bomber killed 22 and injured hundreds more at the Manchester Arena, the inquiry into the attack has published its final report. Did the security services have the intelligence that could have prevented it from happening?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Fiona Hamilton, Crime and Security Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Manchester Arena Inquiry, Reuters, BBC News, Times Radio, AP.

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One man’s mission to meet every Second World War veteran

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 04:00:46 GMT

25-year-old Rishi Sharma sleeps in a rental car and eats one meal a day. But it’s worth it, he says – as he travels around the world to interview every surviving Second World War veteran.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Will Pavia, New York Correspondent, The Times.
Rishi Sharma. You can watch Rishi’s interviews on his YouTube channel, ‘Remember WWII with Rishi Sharma’: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRikw4uCjS8ck3O9Mj-N35Q

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: YouTube, CBS, Participant.

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The Final Finkelvitch

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 04:00:26 GMT

David Aaronovitch has left The Times after nearly 18 years at the paper, and after three years on Stories of Our Times.

As well as presenting this podcast, every week David discussed the news with friend and fellow columnist Danny Finkelstein on Matt Chorley's Times Radio show. On Tuesday, Matt and Danny said goodbye to David with an hour-long special in which they discuss the Brexit deal, trust in politicians, and listener questions for the 'Cerberus of Columnists'.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

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Investigation: The hidden schools of Stamford Hill

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 04:00:04 GMT

In the strictly isolated Hasidic community of North London, thousands of boys reach the age of 16 without being able to read or speak much English. The education for boys in the community includes only minimal secular teaching at most places of learning. Many schools are unregistered, and in some cases, as a Times investigation finds, are not even supposed to exist. And - in a rare glimpse into this hidden world - we speak with the head teacher of a registered Hasidic school, who explains that any discussion around improving the institutions must start with one basic question: what do these schools do right?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Andrew Norfolk, Chief Investigative Reporter, The Times

Eli Spitzer, head teacher at a Hasidic school

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Parliament TV.

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Could Britain lose the first grand portrait of a person of colour?

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 04:00:43 GMT

One of Britain's most important paintings of a non-white subject could leave the UK forever next week as the deadline approaches to submit an offer to buy the Portrait of Omai from its private owner. It's valued at £50 million. So what's the painting's story - and can a museum raise that much money in time?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Bendor Grosvenor, British art historian.

Host: David Aaronovitch.

Clips: Oxford University Press, TRT

Find out more about the public campaign by The National Portrait Gallery and the Art Fund here: https://www.artfund.org/get-involved/campaigns/omai-portrait-appeal

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What Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal actually means

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 04:00:16 GMT

On Monday the prime minister revealed his big Brexit deal with the European Union, which aims to avoid a hard border across the island of Ireland and in the Irish Sea, as well as preserve sovereignty for people in Northern Ireland. But will it be enough to bring the DUP back to Stormont? And what exactly is the Stormont brake?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Oliver Wright, Policy Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Sky News, The Guardian, The Telegraph, BBC Radio 4, BBC Newsnight, GB News, UK Parliament.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Russian warship, go f*** yourself!’ What really happened on Snake Island?

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 04:00:00 GMT

On the first day of the war in Ukraine, a story emerged of a David and Goliath face-off in the Black Sea, when the Ukrainian soldiers on a small, desolate island responded to a Russian warship’s call to surrender by telling it to go f*** itself. The Ukranians were thought to have been killed and the story became one of the great founding myths of the war - but what really happened to the men on the island and who uttered that fateful phrase?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Louise Callaghan, foreign correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clips: Telegraph, Reuters.

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Can the Oscars lobbying machine ever be fair?

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 04:00:04 GMT

This week the final round of voting opens for the 95th Academy Awards – and the Oscars are embroiled in a row about diversity again. The latest controversy centres around a shock nomination for best actress, raising questions about the fairness of the system. Just how significant are race, power and celebrity friends in the campaign to win an Oscar?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Kevin Maher, chief film critic, The Times.

Host: David Aaronovitch.

Clips: ITV, ABC, Good Morning America, BBC, NBC, Nine Network.

Film credits: Gladiator - Dreamworks Pictures/Universal Pictures; Till - MGM Studios/Orion Pictures; The Woman King - Sony Pictures/Entertainment One; To Leslie - Momentum Pictures; Shakespeare In Love - Miramax Films/Universal Pictures.

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Borscht, books and ballet: The battle for Ukraine's identity

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 04:00:14 GMT

In the days before he invaded Ukraine, President Putin used a televised address to attack the country’s sense of nationhood and deny its right to exist. A year on from the outbreak of war, ordinary Ukrainians are still using small acts of cultural resistance to re-enforce the Ukrainian identity. But what does the complete removal of Russian influence mean for the country's future?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Catherine Philp, Foreign Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Channel 4, Sky News, BBC News, Andriy Khlyvnyuk, Office of the President of Ukraine, NBC News, Times Radio, The Kremlin.

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Haiti: A failed state?

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 04:00:21 GMT

Kidnap, rape, riots and murder have become a part of everyday life in Haiti. Still reeling from successive natural disasters, a cholera epidemic and starvation, the people of the Caribbean nation are witnessing civil society collapse as dangerous gangs fight for dominance.

The assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021 opened up a political vacuum and today sixty per cent of the capital Port Au Prince is under gang control. Is there any hope for Haiti or is it already a failed state?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests

Mario Delatour, Documentary filmmaker.
Stephen Gibbs, Latin America Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: BBC, PBS, CBS, NBC, France 24, ABC, Voice of America.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artificial intelligence: Bright new future or the end of humanity?

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 04:00:27 GMT

We have entered what many experts are now describing as a golden age of AI. If machines could be our surgeons, our judges and our artists, what would it then mean to be human? Meet the philosophers trying to save humanity from the matrix.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: David Aaronovitch.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: Parliament Live TV, Global News, TED, McKinsey & Company, Open AI, Greylock, Oxford University, Lex Fridman podcast, Plenilune Pictures, DeepMind, Google, SciNews.

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The case for a four-day working week

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 04:00:38 GMT

After a six-month trial, the results of the world’s biggest four-day working week pilot have been published. It found there was no hit to productivity, while staff wellbeing was improved. But could a shorter working week really work across the whole economy?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

- Joe Ryle, Director of the Four Day Week Campaign.

- Carly Goodman-Smith, Operations Director, Tyler Grange.

Host: Luke Jones.

Clip: ITV.

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The rise and fall of Nicola Sturgeon

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 04:00:30 GMT

The race is now on to find a replacement for Nicola Sturgeon, who resigned as first minister of Scotland last week. A formidable force in Scottish politics, we trace the triumphs and controversies of her eight years in power, and look ahead to what’s next for the SNP, the independence movement and UK politics.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political Editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Channel 4 News, Edinburgh International Book Festival, BBC News, STV News, Sky News, The National, TalkTV.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicola Bulley and the TikTok detectives

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 04:00:38 GMT

Lancashire Police is facing a backlash this week for sharing personal details about missing mum Nicola Bulley to the general public. The case has received huge public interest since the 45-year-old went missing three weeks ago today. Online sleuths who have cast doubt on the police effort – determined to crack the case themselves – have been a growing distraction. Who are the TikTok detectives sharing theories online, and are they motivated by anything bigger than clicks and followers?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Darryl Morris, Times Radio presenter.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: TikTok, Sky News, GB News, 5 News, BBC News, Telegraph.

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Daisy’s Law: One woman’s fight to send her rapist father to jail

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 04:00:54 GMT

Children conceived through rape will be recognised as victims of crime under new government plans. England and Wales will be among the first countries in the world to make this change to the law, ensuring that children in this situation are entitled to support from criminal justice agencies such as the police and courts. We speak to the campaigner at the centre of this landmark legal change.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: The campaigner, Daisy, who has just helped change the law for children born from rape.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: BBC, Channel 4 News, Sky News.

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Who blew up the Nord Stream pipeline?

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 04:00:21 GMT

When the Nord Stream pipelines - that pump gas from Russia to Germany - were damaged in September it didn’t take long for investigators to determine they had been sabotaged. Almost six months on, and despite three different investigations, are we any closer to knowing who carried out the attack and why?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Marc Bennetts, Foreign Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: CNN, DW News, Reuters, Sky News, Euronews, C-Span, The Hill.

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How Italy caught the mafia's last godfather

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 04:00:20 GMT

After 30 years on the run, Italy's most-wanted mafia boss, Matteo Messina Denaro, was finally caught in January. A prolific murderer, Denaro once boasted he’d ‘filled a cemetery’. His organisation inspired Hollywood films, but who was Italy's last godfather and how was he finally found?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Tom Kington, Italy Correspondent, The Times.

Host: David Aaronovitch.

Producer: Olivia Case.

Clips: La Repubblica, SKY, NBC, Channel 4, CBS, BBC, The Guardian, MOBFAX, Mob News, France 24, Speak Softly Love (Rota Nino), Scarface (Brian De Palma / Universal Pictures).

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The West Bank children who dream of martyrdom

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 04:00:45 GMT

Turmoil has once again surged in the Middle East. With at least 40 Palestinian deaths and nine Israeli deaths, it's the deadliest start to a year since 2008. For children growing up in a world of endless conflict, what kind of future awaits them?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Reuters, PBS Newshour, France 24, Global News.

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Turkey-Syria earthquake: What happens now?

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 04:00:12 GMT

Tens of thousands of people have died in Turkey and Syria after two earthquakes on Monday, but time has almost run out to find survivors. In Turkey, criticism is growing over the speed of rescue efforts and earthquake preparedness. Whilst complications in war-torn Syria have hampered humanitarian assistance. But was it possible to prevent the scale of the disaster?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

An appeal has been launched by The Disasters Emergency Committee, made up of 15 UK charities. To donate go to: https://donation.dec.org.uk/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal

Guests:

Sara Tor, Columnist, The Times.
Gabriel Gavin, Istanbul-based journalist.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: ABC News, Times Radio, Reuters, White Helmets, Channel 4 News, Sky News, France 24, Global News, BBC News, URFA TV.

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Investigation: Why British Gas has been breaking into customers’ homes

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 04:00:18 GMT

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, BBC, Parliament.

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Should the UK follow New Zealand’s smoking ban?

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 04:00:07 GMT

In 2021, New Zealand announced it would become the first country in the world to outlaw cigarettes for the younger generation, by raising the age of sale year-on-year. How has the country adapted to these radical changes - and could the UK follow suit?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guests:

Bridie Witton, political reporter at Stuff.co.nz
Robert West, Professor of Health Psychology and Director of Tobacco Studies at University College London.

Host: David Aaronovitch.

Clips: BBC, Bluelotusfilms, Stuff.co.nz.

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The Hollywood fairytale of Wrexham football club

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 04:00:58 GMT

When two actors decided to buy non-league football club Wrexham AFC, they brought the cameras with them to document every moment. With the Hollywood lights came a large injection of cash and mass media interest, but what has it meant for the club, the community - and for football more widely?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.

Guest: Gregor Robertson, former professional footballer and columnist, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: Welcome to Wrexham/FX, Sky News, Wrexham AFC, Beanyman Sports2, The Emirates FA Cup, BBC Sport, Times Radio, Deadpool/20th Century Fox/Marvel Entertainment, CBS The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, ABC Good Morning America, talkSPORT, ESPN.

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