'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/subscribeGuest: Sarah Ditum, writer, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Luke JonesClips: Rivals / Jilly Cooper / Elliot Hegarty / Happy Prince / Disney+; ITV; BBC; Addicted To Love / Robert Palmer / Bernard Edwards / Island. Get in touch: [email protected] Image credit: Robert Viglasky / Disney / PA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: John Mooney, investigative reporter, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: RTÉ News, RTÉ Radio.Photo: Illustration by James Cowen.Get in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: David Woode, crime correspondent, The Times.Read David’s reporting: Inside Chris Kaba’s criminal past: from knives at 13 to gangland gunsWhat happened to Chris Kaba? The ‘chaotic’ night he was shotHost: 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: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/subscribeGuest: Tom Newton Dunn, Broadcaster and Journalist. Host: Luke Jones. Get in touch: [email protected] Clips: News 5 Cleveland, News4JAX, KGW News, Photo: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/subscribeGuests: ·        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: [email protected] episode was first published in September 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/subscribeGuest: 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: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Will Hodgkinson, chief rock and pop critic, The Times.Host: Luke Jones. Further reading: Liam Payne and the curse of too much fame too youngGet in touch: [email protected]: Sky News, Times Radio, X Factor, Columbia / SycoPhoto: Getty Images  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Lina Khatib, associate fellow at Chatham House, director of the SOAS Middle East Institute, and contributor to The Times. Read more from Lina: Why killing of Hassan Nasrallah marks ‘beginning of the end’ for Iran 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.

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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] Further listening: Cocaine Inc.Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Image credit: Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 ImagesGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Megan Agnew, senior features writer, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 EmanuelSubscribe to Jane and Fi 'Off Air'This week the Story covered the October 7th anniversary in two podcasts:How I survived October 7A diary from Gaza - what happened nextThis podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/thestory Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'Host: William Hague, Times columnist and former leader of the Conservative Party.Guest: Sir Anthony Seldon.Image credit: Getty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryFurther listening: How I survived October 7 Further listening: A diary of war: Three months in GazaGuest: Amal Helles, journalist, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Photo: Abdel Hakim Abu Dagen for The Times.Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister and author of Unleashed.Host: Stig Abell. Photo: Times photographer Jack Hill. Get in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times. Gabriel’s reporting:No 10 pass for Labour donor who gave £500,000 How we revealed the Downing Street donor scandal rocking Labour Host: Luke Jones.Clips: Sky News, ITV News, Talk TV, The Times. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Hannah Betts, writer, The Times and https://hannahbetts.substack.com/ Host: Luke Jones. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/subscribeHost: Manveen Rana.Guest: Venetia Menzies, Assistant Data Editor, The Sunday Times.Photo: Venetia MenziesGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 siegeGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 ImagesGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: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: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 ImagesGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 ImagesGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryHost: William Hague.Guest: Yuval Noah Harari, author and historian.Photo: Penguin Random House / Yuval Noah HarariGet in touch: [email protected] the Times' review of Nexus: here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: Oliver Marsden, journalist, The Times.Rami Khouri, journalist.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: ITN, CBS, 13News Now, TMJ4 News, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, PBS, AP.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: [email protected] Further listening: Exploding pagers and Israel’s new phase of war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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 blocksFurther listening: Undercover: The Times investigation into Turkish plastic surgery clinics Undercover at one of the UK's most dangerous prisonsGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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:Labour aides unionise over pay cuts and conditionsSleaze, quarrels and austerity: Labour is looking a lot like the ToriesFurther Listening: Politics Unpacked Get in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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 usGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: Harriet Minter, author of WFH (Working From Home): How to build a career you love when you're not in the office.Christ Smyth, Whitehall Editor, The Times. Host: Luke Jones.Clips: LBC, Times Radio. Episode artwork: Getty Images Get in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/subscribeGuest: Samer Alatrush, Middle East Correspondent, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Clips: NBC News, The Sun, Sky News, Al Jazeera. Photo: Getty ImagesGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/subscribeGuest: 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: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryHost: 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: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/subscribeGuest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times. Host: Luke Jones Clips: The Italian Job (1969) Paramount Pictures, ITV News, YouTube/@MengerCenterPhoto: Getty ImagesGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: ITV News, Times Radio, BBC.Get in touch: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Guest: Charlotte Wace, Special Projects Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Get in touch: [email protected] [email protected]: Getty images.Clips: ITV, Talk TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] listening: Trump vs. Harris: The battle of the sexes & Why tech billionaires are backing Trump ADD tech bro ep links and Kamala battel of sexes links. ** M flagged in outro. Clips: ABC, NBC News. Photo: Getty images.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: Getty images.Clips: BBC, DW News, AFP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes Guest: Sarah Baxter, former Deputy Editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: NBC, Fox, AP Archive.  Further listening: Why tech billionaires are backing Trump Further reading: Why Donald Trump is suddenly talking about cocaineGet in touch: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryArticle: 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: [email protected]: 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.

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?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Zoe Blaskey, author of the book 'Motherkind' and host of the podcast 'Motherkind'Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Peanut and Motherkind, Motherkind podcast.Episode artwork: Getty Images Further listening: What two gay dads can teach fathers about parentingGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Tony Blair, former prime minister.Host: William Hague.Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: 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 IsraelGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Danny Fortson, West Coast correspondent, The Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones.  Further listen: The political transformation of Elon MuskClips: ABC News, X.com/Elon Musk, Bitcoin Magazine, The Ben & Marc Show.  Photo credit: Getty ImagesGet in touch: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: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.Get in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Martina Lees, Senior Property Writer, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: ITV News, Grenfell Inquiry, BBC News, ABC News Australia, OnDemand News, AP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Martina Lees, Senior Property Writer, the Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Channel 4 News, ITV News, BBC News, Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide.A year on from the original series, James sits down with his producer, Will, to go over all the latest developments on the case, as Kenneth Law is expected to go on trial in 2025 accused of 14 counts of murder.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/thestoryHost: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was first published in 2023.Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide.On Tuesday night, police in Canada announced the arrest and charge of a 57-year-old man on two counts of aiding or counselling suicide.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/thestoryHost: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was first published in 2023.Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide.James goes to Canada to track down Kenneth Law and confront him over his operation.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/thestoryHost: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was first published in 2023.Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide.In this episode we learn of a man called Kenneth Law who’s based in Canada.Law appears to be selling a substance to young, vulnerable, adults in the UK, some of whom are using it to take their own lives.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/thestoryHost: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was first published in 2023.Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide.In October, 2021 David Parfett’s 22-year-old son, Tom, took his own life. We hear from David about the events that led up to the university student’s death.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/thestoryHost: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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 tradeGet in touch: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 tragic event, 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/thestoryGuest: 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 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/thestoryGuest: John Mooney, investigative reporter, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen RanaFurther listening: Inside the Kinahan crime cartel and their €1 billion empireClips: Gript Media, Irish Mirror, Cllr Gavin Pepper, RTE News, Irish Times, Euronews, The National Party — An Páirtí Náisiúnta, Tucker Carlson, , Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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 betsGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryIf you’ve got any concerns about gambling, you can contact the national problem gambling charity GamCare's helpline on 0845 6000 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.Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Tom Ball, reporter, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Times Radio, Reuters, VOA, NBC, Al Jazeera, Moscow Times. Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Dominic Kennedy, Investigations Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Sky News, ITV News, BBC News, BBC Question Time, X/@TRobinsonNewEra.Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: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 worseGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: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 FerranteThe Flashman Papers -  George MacDonald FraserLine of Beauty - Alan HollinghurstThe Ministry of Time - Kaliane BradleyWellness - Nathan HillLife after Life - Kate AtkinsonThe Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret AtwoodLolita - Vladimir NabokovOn Beauty - Zadie SmithAmericanah - Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieClose to Home - Michael MageeAbsolutely and Forever - Rose TremainDecline and Fall - Evelyn Waugh The Mortdecai Trilogy - Kyril BonfiglioliAll Our Yesterdays - Natalia GinzburgThe Safekeep - Yael van der WoudenJames - Percival EverettLong Island - Colm ToibinOur Evenings - Alan HollinghurstIntermezzo - Sally RooneyThe City and Its Uncertain Walls - Haruki MurakamiRead our critics 100 best summer reads for 2024Further listening:Why young women are falling out of love with the pill 2023's best books: Victorian sex, apocalypse and Prince Harry Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'Host: Luke Jones. Guests: Andrew Billen, feature writer, The Times.Ros Urwin, media editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.  Clips: BBC, SKY, TalkTV, Times Radio, ITV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'Host: Luke Jones.Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 1This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Ben Ellery, Crime Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: ITN Archive, Met Police, Sky News. Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'Host: William Hague.Guest: Lord Sebastian Coe, president, World Athletics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s thirty years since Amazon.com 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/thestoryGuest: 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryFurther reading: Tim Davie apologises over Strictly Come Dancing bullying scandalStrictly ‘needs intimacy coaches to stop dancers crossing boundaries’Video shows Strictly dancer slapping partner’s bottomGuests: Laura Pullman, Arts and Entertainment Editor, The Sunday Times.Richard Coles, broadcaster and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant. Host: Luke Jones. Clips: BBC, Sky News, GB News.Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryHost: Manveen Rana. Guest: Josh Glancy, Editor of News Review, The Sunday Times.Clips: X / @KamalaHarris, NBC, CNN.Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Megan Agnew, Senior Features Writer, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: TikTok/esteecwilliams, TikTok/naraazizasmith, TikTok/ballerinafarm, ABC News. Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Friday, 37-year-old Gavin Plumb was sentenced to life years 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/thestoryFurther reading: Who is Gavin Plumb? The man found guilty of Holly Willoughby kidnap plotGuest: 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-27z8w70m5Guest: Tom Newton Dunn, broadcaster and political journalist.Host: Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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 podcastGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Steven Swinford, Political Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Further listening: The UK economy’s broken. Can Labour fix it?Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'Clips: BBC, Parliament Live, UN, LBC, GB News, TalkTV, SKY. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'Clips: BBC, ITV, SKY, Channel 4, keirstarmer.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday TimesHost: Manveen RanaClips: France 24, Public Sénat, CGTN.Further listening: Young, French, and voting hard-rightGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Gabriel Pogrund, White Hall Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Get in touch: [email protected] reading: Labour celebrated election success - now they’re targeting ReformFind out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'Clips: BBC News, The Telegraph, Sky News, The Sun, LBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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/thestoryGuests: 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryHost: Manveen Rana. Get in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: John KerryHost: William HagueGet in touch: [email protected] listening: Rafah, red lines, and the Biden presidency Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Ben Hoyle, Foreign Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: CNN, The Hill, MSNBC, Fox News, Michigan Senate Democrats.Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-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/thestoryGuest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday TimesHost: Manveen RanaClips: Bloomberg, France 24. Further listening: Young, French, and voting hard-rightGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: Peter Kellner, Political Journalist and Pollster;Debbie Soloman, Parliamentary Candidate, Conservative and Unionist Party;Lee Anderson, Parliamentary Candidate, Reform UK; andRhea Keehn, Parliamentary Candidate, Labour Party. Also standing in Ashfield are: Jason Zadrozny, Ashfield Independents; Daniel Holmes, Liberal Democrats; Alexander Coates, Green Party.Host: Luke JonesClips: Sky News; Boris Johnson/Facebook.Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 candidatesThis podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'Further listening: Keir Starmer: Up close and personal Host: Manveen Rana.Guest: Michael Crick, broadcaster and journalist. Clips: Channel 4, BBC, ITV, TikTOk/@nigel_farage, Without Me / Eminem / Shady / Aftermath and Interscope, Sky, European Parliament. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-storyGuest: Harry Yorke, Deputy Political Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: BBC News, The Sun.Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times. Host: Luke Jones.Clips: Netflix/My Octopus Teacher.Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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 inheritanceGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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/thestoryGuests: -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: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: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: Could the 'blue wall' fall?The Green vote, it’s not (only) about the environmentThe UK economy’s broken. Can Labour fix it? Get in touch: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: -Janice Turner, columnist, The Times and,-Joe Twyman, co-founder and director, Deltapoll.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: Sky News Australia, Times Radio.Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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.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: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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: [email protected] 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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/thestoryGuests: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: BBC; Sky News; The Independent; ITV; Forbes; Bayes Business School; Daily MailFurther listening: If the economy’s doing better, why are the ‘vibes’ still off?Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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 hooliganismGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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: The far-right plot to overthrow the German stateHow Italy’s hard-right claimed JRR TolkienGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'Further listening: Taylor Swift and the ‘Super Bowl plot’ to swing the electionGuest: Megan Agnew, Senior Features Writer, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Jane Mulkerrins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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/thestoryGuests: 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'  Guest: Pollster James Kanagasooriam, chief research officer, Focaldata.Host: Manveen Rana.Further listening:Sir Keir Starmer, the man who could be Prime Minister. Nigel Farage is standing. Are the Tories in deep trouble? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryThe 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: [email protected] 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] 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.

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/thestoryGuest: 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: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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: [email protected] 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: Nicola Woolcock, Times Education Editor; and,Oliver Wright, Times Policy Editor.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: Sky News; Herald Institute Media.Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Dominic O’Connell, business presenter, Times Radio.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: 5 News, Sky News.Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: 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.Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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/thestoryGuest: Will Pavia, New York correspondent for The TimesHost: 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: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: Daniel Finkelstein, Conservative Peer and columnist for The TimesPeter Mandelson, Labour PeerTim Shipman, Chief Political Commentator, The Sunday TimesHost: Manveen Rana. Clips: Times Radio.Follow the election campaign live on Times RadioGet in touch: [email protected]    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] 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.

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/thestoryGuest: Caroline Wheeler, Political Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen RanaClips: Parliament TV, Sky News, ITV, 5 News, Infected Blood Inquiry, World in Action, Lord Mayor of Treloar.Get in touch: [email protected] 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Robert Watts, Contributor, The Sunday TimesHost: Luke Jones Clips: Sky News, Victorian Plumbing YouTube channel, CEOCAST YouTube channel, News GuardianThe Sunday Times Rich List can be found here, with a subscription. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

“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/thestoryGuest: Hannah Barnes, Associate Editor, New Statesman. Host: Manveen Rana. Get in touch: [email protected] Clips: Parliament, Channel 4, Sky News. Birth trauma inquiry report Support and help: The Birth Trauma Association Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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/thestoryGuests:George Greenwood, Investigations Reporter, The Times.Emma Yeomans, News Reporter, The Times.Clips: Visit Dubai. Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones.Clips: DW NEWS, Sky News, AFP. Get in touch: [email protected] 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 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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'Further listening:  Are dating apps running out of steam?Guests:Molly Roden Winter, author, More: A Memoir of Open Marriage.Dr Elisabeth Sheff, sociologist author and polyamory expert.Host: Jane Mulkerrins.Clips: Challengers / Luca Guadagnino / Warner Bros. Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios, Couple to Throuple / NBCUniversal / Naked Television / Peacock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] 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 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 podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestoryGuests: - Jonathan Calvert, Insight investigative team editor, The Sunday Times, and- George Arbuthnott, Insight investigative team deputy editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips:Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: - 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: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Robert Verkaik, Author of The Traitor of Arnhem. Host: Luke Jones. Clips: Channel 4, UK Parliament/Hansard, Netflix/The Crown Season 3, AP Archive.  Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest:  Sarah Ditum, writer for The Times and The Sunday Times, and author of Toxic: Women, Fame and the Noughties. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Baby Reindeer © 2024 / Official Trailer / Netflix / creator: Richard GaddGet in touch: [email protected] Further listening: Sextapes, gossip blogs, and Paris Hilton: How the noughties went toxicFind out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Tim Shipman, chief political commentator, The Sunday Times and author of No Way Out: From the Backstop to BorisHost: Luke Jones.Clips: BBC News, Channel 4 News and 5 News.Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-storyGuests: 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-storyGuests: Gabrielle Weiniger, Times Correspondent based in Israel.Host: Manveen RanaClips: ILTV News; France 24; Global News; AP; All Israel NewsGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Clips: Civil War © 2024, A24  / Entertainment Film Distributors, Director Alex Garland, The Telegraph, The Washington Post, The Evening Standard, CNN, The Independent, CBC News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Further listening: Artificial intelligence: Our bright new future or the end of humanity?Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'Clips: BBC Parliament, ITV, BBC News.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Blurb: 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. Clips: NBC News, ITV News, Bloomberg Technology.Email us: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGet in touch: [email protected] 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.

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/thestoryGuest: Billy Kenber, Senior Investigations Reporter, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Further listening: The council house row Angela Rayner can't shake.  Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-storyGuest: Jane Mulkerrins, Associate Editor, The Times Magazine.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: Forbes, Fox News.Email us: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-storyGuest: Kate McCann, Political Editor, Times Radio.Host: Luke JonesClips: BBC, Newsnight, ITV, 5 News, Sky News.Email us: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, andGabrielle 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Keiran Southern, West Coast correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.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: [email protected] 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.

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/thestoryGuest: Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Manven Rana.Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 RanaGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Tom Witherow, news and special projects reporter, The Times.  Host: Luke Jones. Further listening: The Post Office scandal: How a TV drama delivered justiceClips: Channel 4 News, ITV. Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: John Mooney, crime and security correspondent, Sunday Times Ireland.Host: Calum Macdonald.Clips: Raidió Teilifís Éireann, US State Department.Further listening: Inside the Kinahan crime cartel and their billion euro empireGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: 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: What if there’s no ceasefire? Manveen Rana reports from JerusalemA diary of war: Three months in Gaza  Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuests: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: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] 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.

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/thestoryGuest: 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 2.0Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/thestoryGuest: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: ITV News, Times Radio, BBC.Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 SunakHost: William HagueEmail us at our new address: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story 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: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Guest: Sarah Baxter, former deputy editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, ITV, Global News, Reuters. Email us at our new address: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. 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 epidemicGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Kate Mansey, Assistant Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: CNN, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Fox News, The View, Anderson Cooper 360. Further listening: Kate, that photo, and a PR nightmareGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.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. To access this special offer: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe/student/?pc=STUARTICLE Email us at our new address: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Lucy Bannerman, News feature writer, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Times Radio, Sky News Australia, X/Daniel ShelveyGet in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Dominic O’ConnellHost: 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: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, andLiz Roberts, sibling sexual abuse survivor.and advocate, www.liz-roberts.co.uk.Host: Manveen Rana.Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 RanaClips: Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, BBC, NBC, AfricanewsGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.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/16785cEmail us: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Clips: BBC, Inside Edition. Email us: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Clips: GB News, parliamentlive.tvIf you enjoyed this episode, you might like this one: 'Who is Britain's richest person?' https://pod.fo/e/17d4b3Email us: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 stateGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 GazaGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Clips: CBS, ITV, TikTok, Channel 4.   Email us: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 change one of the justice system’s most egregious sentencing disparities.Murder sentencing consultation (closing date: March 4, 2024): https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/murder-sentencing/murder-sentencing-consultation#contact-detailshow-to-respond This 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 echo of “an immediate 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, andRyan 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 playbookGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Clips: MEDIAZONE, BBC, SKY, @yulia_navalny / X.Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Clips: Times Radio, Channel 4, BBC, Sky News, CNN, WION, CBS, TODAY, BBC, TalkTV, Fabulous Magazine, AFP, ABC, CBS, GB News.Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 SummitGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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’ hereGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 ВільногоGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 247Guest: Constance Kampfner, News Reporter, The Times. Host: Will Roe. Get in touch: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 playbookGet in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. 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.Clips: Times Radio, Fox News, Al Jazeera, MSNBC, BBC.Get in touch: [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 WhippleClips: Times Radio, Sky News, Channel 4 News, CBS News, Right America Media, Vaxxed/Cinema Libre Studio.Get in touch: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 lessons 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: [email protected] out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Read more: Sathnam Sanghera: why I’m taking on the racist trolls againEmail us: [email protected] Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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?This 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.Clips: Times Radio, FOX, NewsNation.Email us: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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:The enduring cult of Mean Girls That is so fetch! Reneé Rapp, the star of the new Mean Girls movieEmail us: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Clips: NBC, Talk TV, News Nation, WFF News, BBC, NBC, MSNBC, AP, City News, E News.Email us: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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; 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.Clips: NBC News, 7NEWS, Ave Maria / Franz Schubert / Yehudi Menuhin & Adolph Baller / Paul Gordon & George Moskov / BBV Production / EuroArts Music.Email us: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: BBC, Sky News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: Will Donald Trump still run in 2024? The Colorado decision explainedIf Donald Trump becomes US president again, here’s what he’ll doEmail us: [email protected]Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Read more: I’ve been stopped and searched by the police since I was 16Get in touch: [email protected]Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-9781471176388Email us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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-85mdvmxvsGuest: Megan Agnew, News Features Writer, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 JonesFor the full list of Times & sunday ead more: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/best-books-2023-gmbb8spb3 Books:You can buy every book on the list at timesbookshop.co.ukProphet Song - Paul LynchThe Wren, The Wren - Anne EnrightOrdinary Human Failings - Megan NolanThe Bee Sting - Paul MurrayOld God’s Time - Sebastian BarrySoldier Sailor - Claire KilroyThe Future - Naomi AldermanBirnam Wood - Eleanor CattonFire Weather - John VaillantPolitics on the Edge - Rory StewartBut What Can I Do? - Alastair CampbellHow Westminster Works… And Why It Doesn’t - Ian DuntDemon Copperhead - Barbara KingsolverThe New Life - Tom CreweSpare - Prince Harry, Duke of SussexThe Woman In Me - Britney SpearsMy Name Is Barbra - Barbra StreisandParis: The Memoir - Paris HiltonErotic Vagrancy - Roger LewisThe Earth Transformed - Peter FrankopanPathogenesis - Jonathan KennedyEve - Cat BohannonThe Line of Beauty - Alan HollinghurstDecline and Fall - Evelyn WaughI Capture the Castle - Dodie SmithTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow - Gabrielle ZevinLong Island - Colm TóibínKnife - Salman RushdieFind out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 JonesRead more: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/eye-of-meloni-turns-on-jrr-tolkien-exhibition-7xjcf08pq 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: [email protected]Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.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: [email protected]Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: 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) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Email us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 how to listen to our bonus episodes - 'Inside the newsroom': https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/times-subscription-bonus-content-apple-podcasts-gdrm5k6czGuest: Roger Boyes, Diplomatic Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Get in touch: [email protected]: Channel 4 News, PBS, Sky News, NBC News, AP, CBS News, CNBC, Arte, South China Morning Post, Fox News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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:Insight investigation: why was the UK so slow to lockdown?Failures of State: How Britain made the same mistake twice (Pt 2)Failures of State: The inside story of Britain’s battle with coronavirus (Pt 1)Read more: Failures of State: The Inside Story of Britain’s Battle with Coronavirus Find out more about our Apple bonus series Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 it 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: [email protected] Clips: Sky News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: Forbes, Parliament TV, 60 Minutes, Guardian News, Kayhan Life, Sky News, ABC News, BBC News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Clips: DW News, the Guardian, MEMRI, BBC, NBC, Bloomberg, CBS, Al Jazeera, MSNBC, Middle East Eye. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Clips: NBC, Middle East Eye, Times Radio, MEMRI, France 24. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: BBC News, CBS News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: COP28 UAE, BBC, Associated Press, ABC News, Forbes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: RTE, Virgin Media News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: Fox News, Sky News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-everymanEmail us: [email protected]: 20th Century Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lucasfilm/Disney, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Hovis, MGM, HBO Max. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: ITV, Sky News, Reuters, BBC News, David Boothroyd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: NBC News, CBS News, MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, C-Span, Aspen Ideas Festival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Get in touch: [email protected]: BBC, TNT Sport, Premier League, talkSPORT, Sky, ITV, Liverpool FC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: NBC Today show, The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix/The Crown Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: Reuters, Al jazeera, CBS News, France 24, DW News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Get in touch: [email protected]: NBC, MSNBC, BBC, Forbes, WION, CBS, Times Radio, The Sun. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“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.Read more:Patrick Maguire’s review: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nadine-dorries-book-review-the-plot-ln7gfbvgz9 explosive claims from Nadine Dorries’s book: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/nadine-dorries-book-the-plot-claims-summary-key-points-mpbzh9v68 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: Channel 4 News, The Spectator, National Trust, BBC News, CBS News, Sky News, Parliament TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government spent much of the past week on a collision course with protesters and the police over a pro-Palestinian march 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: [email protected]: Times Radio, Sky News, Chatham House, GB News, BBC Newsnight, Global, LBC, AFP.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: Global News, Channel 4 News, BBC News, CNN, PBS NewsHour, Sky News Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] Read more: Why fashion editors love Birkenstocks: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/why-fashion-editors-love-birkenstocks-times-luxury-n9tlpg9q7How ‘ugly’ Birkenstocks became an $8 billion brand: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-ugly-birkenstocks-became-an-8billion-brand-czr6050j8Clips: 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.

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, former Middle East Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Get in touch: [email protected] Clips: Sky News, Channel 4 News, Associated Press, Times Radio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] Clips: UK Covid Inquiry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Clips: Zach Silberberg on Twitter, Telegram, CNN, ABC News, MSNBC, WUSA9, BBC Radio 4. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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+ membersGuest: 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-jhnhgcxd6Stories 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.

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 Institite.Host: Manveen Rana.Get in touch: [email protected]: PBS Newshour, Al Jazeera English, CBS News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: Sky News, Parliament, BBC, Centre for Social Justice, Institute for Government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: Parliament, ITV News, BBC Panorama, Times Radio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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 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: [email protected] 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.

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-mg2x5lstfGuest: 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.

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.

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 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.

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. Get in touch: [email protected]: The Labour Party, The Conservative Party, The Liberal Democrats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: BBC, Sky News, Al Jazeera English, NewsNation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: 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.

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: [email protected]: BBC, Sky News, LBC, GB News, SPD, Sky News Australia, Channel 4 News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Almost thirty years after hip-hop star Tupac Shakur was shot dead in a Las Vegas drive-by, a former gang leader has been charged with his murder. So how did new information come to light? And will this finally put to rest one of hip-hop’s lasting mysteries?Article: Will the mystery of Tupac’s murder finally be solved? https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/will-the-mystery-of-tupac-s-murder-finally-be-solved-lvv2c9z3t This 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: William Shaw, crime author and journalist.Host: Luke JonesGet in touch: [email protected]: KTNV, Law&Crime Network, MTV, CBS News, CNN, BET.Music: Changes/2Pac/Universal Music Group, Dear Mama/2Pac/UMG, The Streetz R Deathrow/2Pac/UMG, Straight Outta Compton/N.W.A/UMG, California Love/2Pac/UMG, Hit ‘Em Up/2Pac/UMG, Life Goes On/2Pac/UMG. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: 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.

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.Host: Luke Jones.Guest: Michael Lewis, author of The Big Short, Moneyball, The Blind Side and Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon. Clips: CNET, CBS, CNBC, Fox, BBC, Yahoo Finance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected]: Trainspotting/Miramax, Channel 4 News, STV News, 5 News, Sky News, UK Parliament.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.Clips: Andy’s Archive, ITN, BBC, Granada Television / ITV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-mv9tbnw0cUkraine 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-7775nq58jThis 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.

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-bbv80sz06Clips: Global News Canada, CBS, E News.Get in touch: [email protected]  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: [email protected] 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-wxhjt0kfcClips: Times Radio, France 24, Parliament TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Clips: Channel 4, HS2 Ltd, GB News, BBC, Parliament Live, The Guardian, Sky. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 [email protected] can contact the Stories of Our Times team on [email protected]. 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.

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-9781035405244Have thoughts about this podcast? Get in touch: [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 [email protected]: 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-lrv8r36pnHow The Times and The Sunday Times investigated Russell Brand - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russell-brand-investigation-sunday-times-video-watch-latest-news-x33ss0kmkVideo: You can watch our investigation on The Times and The Sunday Times YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqfCzB1BOlMClips: 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 violencehttp://www.rcni.ieSamaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provides a safe place to talk 24 hours a day: https://www.samaritans.orgPhone: 116 123Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.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.

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.

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-lzkxdtlzl10 best Studio Ghibli films: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/10-best-studio-ghibli-films-from-spirited-away-to-howls-moving-castle-dtrdpdsfgClips: 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.

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.Clips: ITV News, Sky News, BBC News, Channel 4 News, Parliament Live. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-9780008605780Host: 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.

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-85mdvmxvsGuest: Megan Agnew, News Features Writer, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/085C912B92AAD29C2B76251C56D91356Guest: 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.ukSamaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provides a safe place to talk 24 hours a day: https://www.samaritans.orgPhone: 116 123Email: [email protected] Bereavement UK: https://www.childbereavementuk.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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.

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-g3k6txc82This 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. Clips: BBC, ABC, Times Radio, CNA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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-9781788312523Host: 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.

In the final episode of the series, the woman who made an allegation against Martyn speaks out about intimidation by some of his supporters. And has Christ Church tried to hide the astronomical cost of the feud?This episode was first broadcast in November, 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martyn’s employer questions the Dean’s mental capacity as the feud shows no sign of abating. And he's in hot water over an article, published on his website, in which he references the Holocaust.This episode was first broadcast in November, 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During the pandemic a woman makes an allegation against Martyn that changes everything.This episode was first broadcast in October, 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.Clips: ITV, BBC, Sky News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years into his tenure as Dean, a student attacks a man at Christ Church. Dealing with the crisis, Martyn Percy questions how the university college is run, but has no idea the chain of events he is about to set in motion.This episdoe was first broadcast in October, 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.Clips: Walt Disney Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2014 The Very Reverend Professor Martyn Percy walks into Christ Church as the new Dean of the Oxford college.But in this ‘Alice in Wonderland’ universe has this traditional institution met its match?In this five-part series, The Times' journalist Andrew Billen delves into the most bizarre story he's every covered.This episode was first broadcast in October, 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.Clips: BBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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-s7njrswmcLucy Letby found guilty of murdering seven babies at trial - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lucy-letby-guilty-murder-babies-trial-sentence-verdict-bz695chqjHelplines: NSPCC provides help, advice and support to adults worried about a child.Phone: 0808 800 5000 (24/7) https://www.nspcc.org.ukSamaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provides a safe place to talk 24 hours a day: https://www.samaritans.orgPhone: 116 123Email: [email protected] Bereavement UK: https://www.childbereavementuk.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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 Warhttps://timesbookshop.co.uk/the-battle-of-the-beams-9781787634138 Clips: BBC News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Clips: BBC, CNN, Euronews, DW News, Al Jazeera, France 24, US Africa Command, TV News Nigeria, Nigerian Television Authority, Telegram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-podcastThis podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-fzjq6xfpmMet 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-0mtqt036fThis 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Andrew Malkinson’s 2004 conviction for rape was quashed at the Court of Appeal after new DNA evidence implicated another man in the crime. The 57-year-old spent 17 years in jail wrongly incarcerated, always protesting his innocence.How did this happen? What now for Malkinson? Can he ever be recompensed?Stories of our times made an award-nominated multi-part series on his case in 2021.This 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: Will Roe.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 - https://rapecrisis.org.uk/NHS - Help after rape and sexual assault - https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault/Criminal Cases Review Commission - https://ccrc.gov.uk/Appeal - Charity and law practice - https://appeal.org.uk/Healing Justice Project - https://healingjusticeproject.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-9781529900057Host: Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Clips: India Today, The Buzz, CNN, BBC, Sky News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Clips: Sky / Esfand, fakeyou.com, 12News, NBC, ElevenLabs, ITV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, andConstance Kampfner, News Reporter, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Universal Studios, Guardian News, Sky News, Associated Press, NBC, Theme Park Times, WGA West. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 RanaClips: The Times, BBC News, Sky News, ITV News, Channel 4 News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Clips: Sky, Channel 4, Reuters, BBC, Andrew Gold, TalkTV, Channel 5, Sky. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.Clips: Ukrainian National Resistance, BBC, CNN, PBS, DW News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.This 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-pwp0dkntrGuests: 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.

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.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 though, 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.Guest: Manveen Rana.  Host: Maxim Tucker, assistant foreign editor, The Times. Clips: BBC News, DW News, MSNBC, Reuters, Sky News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/9781447276265This 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.

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 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.

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?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.

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.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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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-v623lxwxtGuest: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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-9781787389281Host: Luke Jones. Clips: Tiktok, International Film Foundation, SBS, AFP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.Clips: BBC Radio 4, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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-9nb8hdn5kGuests:  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.

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.Clips: France 24, Al Jazerra, CNN, TRT World, BBC, WION, Tourist © 2021 3xMedia and Vesta, Director: Andrey Batov. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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-pqb99zbnqSex 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-pltqpxfbdGuest: Helen Rumbelow, Features Writer, The Times.Host: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 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, contributor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: The Sunday Times, BBC, CBS. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.Clips: Reuters, CNN, MSNBC, Times Radio, Sky News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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)Visit the Talk to Frank siteDrug Addicts AnonymousPhone: 0300 030 3000 Visit the Drug Addicts Anonymous website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-dlwznwwjwGuest: 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 TimesHost: Manveen RanaClips: Reuters, BBC News, Sky News, CBS News, CBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide. On Tuesday night, police in Canada announced the arrest and charge of a 57-year-old man on two counts of aiding or counselling suicide.In this update to our three-part series, Poison, we learn more about the alleged extent of his activities. 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: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Host: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.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.

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.Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, ITV News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide. Why does suicide occur? Why is there still a stigma around it? And how can we work to prevent people from taking their own lives? 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: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guest: Professor Rory O'Connor, Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Glasgow. Author of 'When It Is Darkest: Why People Die by Suicide and What We Can Do to Prevent It' - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/442218/when-it-is-darkest-by-professor-rory-oconnor/9781785043437#Host: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The Times. [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide. In the final episode of Poison, James goes to Canada to track down Kenneth Law and confront him over his operation.    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: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Host: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The Times. [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide. In the second of this three-part series we learn of a man called Kenneth Law who’s based in Canada. Law appears to be selling a substance to young, vulnerable, adults in the UK, some of whom are using it to take their own lives. 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: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Host: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The Times. [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide. In October, 2021 David Parfett’s 22-year-old son, Tom, took his own life. In the first of a three-part podcast we hear from David about the events that led up to the university student’s death.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: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Host: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warning, this series contains discussions about suicide. A new three-part investigation begins on Stories of our times this Wednesday, 26 April.James Beal, Social Affairs Editor at The Times looks into the suicide of a 22-year-old British student and soon links it to a man in Canada selling a lethal substance.How many more deaths could the man be connected to? What is being done to regulate this? And can he be stopped?  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: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-idClips: Sky News, GB News, The New Statesman, LBC, BBC News, Channel 4 News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.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.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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-m70dw55dpRead 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-zk7m0b7jsGuest: 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.

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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Clips: Dr Patrick Preston, AP, BFMTV, Global News, BBC News, France 24. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Last week police said a 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder of Corey Junior Davis.The 14-year-old was shot dead in broad daylight on 4th September, 2017, in Newham, East London. This 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: John Simpson, former Crime Correspondent, The Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.Clips: BBC, CBS, AP, Al Jazeera, Journeyman Pictures, CNN, The Washington Post. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones. Clips: BBC News, Sky News, Channel 4 News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 TimesEli Spitzer, head teacher at a Hasidic schoolHost: Manveen Rana. Clips: Parliament TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.GuestsMario Delatour, Documentary filmmaker.Stephen Gibbs, Latin America Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, PBS, CBS, NBC, France 24, ABC, Voice of America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.Clips: Parliament Live TV, Global News, TED, McKinsey & Company, Open AI, Greylock, Oxford University, Lex Fridman podcast, Plenilune Pictures, DeepMind, Google, SciNews. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.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). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.nzRobert West, Professor of Health Psychology and Director of Tobacco Studies at University College London. Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: BBC, Bluelotusfilms, Stuff.co.nz. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ten years ago today, a public inquiry concluded that patients were subject to shocking levels of neglect at Stafford Hospital, putting it among the worst care scandals in NHS history. A young local reporter, Shaun Lintern – now The Sunday Times' health editor – helped expose the scandal. With the NHS again under huge pressure, can we be sure the same failings won't happen again? Shaun speaks to the barrister who chaired the inquiry.This 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: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, Labour Party, Mid Staffs Inquiry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2021, we released a series on Stories of our times called Seventeen Years with journalist Emily Dugan about a man who was convicted in 2004 of a brutal rape in Greater Manchester. Andrew Malkinson always maintained his innocence whilst spending almost two decades behind bars.Now we have an update on his case.This 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: Will Roe.You can listen to the full series first released in September 2021 here: https://podfollow.com/1669210977If you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations can help:Rape Crisis England & WalesNHS - Help after rape and sexual assaultCriminal Cases Review CommissionAppeal - Charity and law practice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rishi Sunak’s been in Number 10 for 100 days. So how’s he doing? What’s he been doing? And with Labour leading in the polls, can the UK’s third prime minister in six and a half months turn his and his party’s fortunes around?This 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: Manveen Rana. Clips: BBC, NBC, Sky News, France 24, ITV News, 5 News, Parliament TV, The Guardian, On Demand News, Rishi Sunak MP on Instagram, Al Jazeera, Encyclopedia Britannica Films.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Across England and Wales today, many schools are closed and pupils are at home as the UK’s biggest teaching union goes on strike - the first of seven days of planned action. So, after negotiations broke down, what is the Government's response to the demand for above-inflation pay rises? And what could the impact be on students?This 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: Sian Griffiths, Education Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, Channel 4, Guardian, Sky News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Germany confirmed it would send tanks to Ukraine to help in the fight against Russia. The announcement came after weeks of foot-dragging on the issue. So why was the decision apparently so difficult - and what made Germany change its mind?This 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 Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Sky News, Bundeswehr, BBC News, Al Jazeera, France 24, DW News, CNN, VOA, Parliament. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When a nightmarish scene unfolded on the beaches of northeast England in the last few months of 2021, fishermen raised the alarm. The mass die-off of thousands of crabs has led to two government reports, with the latest out earlier this month. But have they raised more questions than 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.Guests: James Cole, chair of the Whitby Fishing Association.Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, UK Parliament. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 9 January a story broke that classified documents had been found at a Washington DC office used by President Biden. In the weeks since, four more discoveries have followed. This has been a boon to the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives, who were already chomping at the bit to investigate Biden. So how bad could this get for the President? And how does this compare to former president Trump's classified trove in Mar-a-Lago?This 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: David Aaronovitch.Clips: CNN, CBS News, ABC News, Late Show with Seth Meyers, The Guardian News, Fox News, MSNBC, 60 Minutes, Forbes, CNBC, WCNC, BBC, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the country’s worst sex offenders plead guilty to 48 rapes of 12 women committed over almost 20 years while he was a police officer for the Metropolitan Police. Meanwhile, the force's commissioner revealed that two or three Metropolitan Police officers are facing criminal court appearances every week, warning that lifting the lid on abusive predators would be “necessary and painful”. So how did David Carrick go unpunished for so long and can the Met restore its reputation?This 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: Channel 4 News, Sky News, ITV News, CBS News, PA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Until recently the term Slapp – strategic lawsuit against public participation – meant very little. But yesterday in parliament, an MP introduced a bill to ban what he called "legal gangsterism" – attempts by the rich and powerful to use the legal system to stifle journalistic investigations. The Times and Sunday Times' editorial legal director Pia Sarma 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.Clips: Times Radio, France 24, Parliament TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Protests - sparked by the death of a young woman in the custody of Iranian morality police - have continued for over four months, evolving to incorporate women’s rights, economic concerns and regime change. The authorities have fought back with a severe, violent crackdown, but how long can protesters continue? And could it lead to a revolution?This 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: Ramita Navai, foreign affairs investigative journalist, and former Tehran correspondent for The Times. Host: Manveen RanaClips: BBC Persian, 1500 Tasvir, CBS News, Deutsche Welle, BBC News, Sky News, PBS, WION, UK Parliament, Babak Taghvaee, via Twitter, Holly Dagres, via Twitter, Jonathan Swain, via Twitter.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK government has blocked Scottish gender recognition reforms, which would allow anyone over the age of 16 to self-declare their gender and be recognised as such by the Scottish government. The Scottish government argues its legislation would merely update and improve the legal situation in Scotland for transgender people. But the UK government says this is not true, and that the Scottish legislation would have a profound impact on UK-wide equalities law. We examine the debate and the constitutional row that has ensued. This 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 McLaughlin, Political Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: BBC News, The Scottish Sun, Guardian, Channel 4 News, 5 News, ITV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2021, Sunday Times writer Megan Agnew experienced a strange sort of heartbreak after a relationship that began on a dating app. It got her thinking: are they healthy for us? And does the data now suggest we may be turning against 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.'Total swipe out: Why dating is better in real life' by Megan Agnew - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/total-swipe-out-why-dating-is-better-in-real-life-t7pkbjtjdGuest: Megan Agnew, Features Writer at The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: ABC, CBS. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year, Taylor Swift is set to embark on her biggest and most expensive world tour. Fans flew into a frenzy when tickets went on sale after several thousand couldn’t get hold of them following technical difficulties. 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.

Ukraine continues to deny Russia’s claims of victory in Soledar, where the Wagner Group – a private army – has been fighting. Why is Russia fighting for such a small town? And who are the mercenaries leading the assault?This 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: CBS News, CBC, NBC News, Times Radio, Reuters, Sky News, Channel 4 News, CNN, ABC News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At an experimental nuclear reactor in the south of France, 35 countries are trying to build a star on earth. It's just one of several facilities around the world where scientists are trying to create the future of energy. If they pull it off, thermonuclear fusion could solve the world’s energy crisis, efficiently creating almost limitless clean energy.This 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: Constance Kampfner, Reporter, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: The B1M, DW News, BBC, Vox, PBS, NBC, ShadowZone, Real Engineering, Tokamak Energy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Six months since his resignation, Boris Johnson has been keeping busy. Leadership chatter won’t go away, but he is happy to let his old friends do the talking. Meanwhile, his influence looms over Rishi Sunak's Brexit talks. This 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: Times Radio, Sky News, Talk TV, RTÉ, GB News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the controversial influencer Andrew Tate’s appeal against his detainment on charges of rape and human trafficking in Romania was rejected. Tate gained notoriety through his often violent and misogynistic rhetoric online. Who is he and how did he gain his huge online following - and what’s he like in person?Some people might find some of the content in this podcast offensive. This 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:- Megan Agnew, News Features Writer, The Sunday Times.- Hugo Rifkind, Columnist and Leader Writer, The Times and Times Radio presenter. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Times Radio, Andrew Tate, Channel 5, Channel 4, GB News, Sky News, Discovery, Info Wars. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, the disgraced boss of crypto firm FTX pleaded not guilty to fraud-related charges. Just months before, billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried had been rubbing shoulders with supermodels and world leaders, and was known for his multi-million dollar charitable and political donations. So how did he end up on the wrong side of the law? This 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: Manveen Rana.Clips: CBS, New York Times, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, BBC, NAS Daily, FOX News, Good Morning America International, CNET, Bloomberg, SALT, FTX. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the publication yesterday of Prince Harry's hotly anticipated memoir – Spare – it's been another explosive week for the royal family. So what's in the book? And, as the dust starts to settle, how will this latest drama end?This 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: Manveen Rana.Clips: talkRADIO, CNN, Novara Media, Times Radio, Bethenny Frankel, Channel 4 News, Penguin Audio, CBS 60 Minutes, ITV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After fraught crisis talks, the government announced its plans to fix the NHS. So what's really going on behind hospital doors? How did we get here? And what are the solutions?This 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: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, Sky, Times Radio, LBC, Channel 4, 10 Downing Street, DW News, NBC, Parliament TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A month after the Chinese government announced an abrupt end to its “zero-Covid” policy, lifting virtually all the restrictions its citizens had been living under for three years, the country is now experiencing a huge wave of infections. With Chinese New Year approaching, can the country’s already stretched health system cope? And what will the coming weeks hold for the Chinese people?This 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: BBC News, Global National, CBS News, 9 News Australia, CNA, Reuters, NBC News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Like increasing numbers of Brits, columnist Robert Crampton had a guilty secret: he was drinking more, the older he got. Way more. In a brutally honest account, he reveals what finally led him to quit.Websites and numbers for concerns regarding alcohol addiction: Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, you can call this free helpline in complete confidence. 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm)NHS support: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/Drinkaware: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/ or 0800 9177650This 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 Crampton, Columnist at The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Details have emerged in court about how an undercover MI5 agent managed to infiltrate and gather evidence on the political wing of the ‘New IRA’. Dennis McFadden’s work led to the arrest of a number of the organisation's top people, who all deny the charges against 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: Sean O’Neill, Senior Writer, The Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: 7News, Channel 4 News, Sky News, BBC, DW News, ITV News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How should we eat? What should we eat?Author and epidemiologist Tim Spector says it’s time to ban the D word – ‘dieting’ – lose the calorie counting and enjoy food in a more integrated way. Tim Spector’s latest book, ‘Food for Life, The New Science of Eating Well’: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/435986/food-for-life-by-spector-tim/9781787330498This 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: Professor Tim Spector, author and epidemiologist, King’s College London.Host: David Aaronovitch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a period of global upheaval unlike any other in living memory, we look back at the year war came to Ukraine, and how its fallout has changed Europe and the world. We ask two of our most experienced foreign correspondents for their views on the people and events likely to shape global events in 2023, as the world adjusts to the “new normal” of conflict and economic turbulence.This 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.Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: NBC News; The Guardian; Sky News; France 24; BBC News; New York Times; DW; ABC News (US); CBS News; Euronews; Telegraph; Evening Standard; The Sun; AFP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the festive period, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2022.Google engineer Blake Lemoine brought an unusual concern to his company: he feared the AI language program he was working with had gained sentience. Even if he's wrong – and Google certainly thinks he is – is the fact that an AI bot can imitate sentience so convincingly reason enough to be worried?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: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2022.In April 1982, Captain Christopher Craig set sail with his crew on the frigate HMS Alacrity to the Falkland Islands after Argentina had invaded the British overseas territory. Four decades on, Chris and his son Duncan - then a six-year-old schoolboy in Bournemouth - reflect on that war.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.Guests: - Captain Christopher Craig, CB, DSC, Royal Navy.- Duncan Craig, Travel Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Call for Fire: Sea Combat in the Falklands and the Gulf War - A book by Christopher Craig.Clips: ABC News, The Telegraph, BBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2022.It promised a financial revolution - a liberation from money middlemen. But then the $3 trillion industry of cryptocurrency lost two thirds of its value in six months. So was it all a cult of personality? Or is the revolution still to come?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: Danny Fortson, West Coast Correspondent, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: CNN, BBC News, CNBC, Danny in the Valley, CoinDesk, CBS, Crypto Mason, CryptoJack, Blake O'Neal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2022.It's a legend many of us have grown up with: a plucky group of British officers, finding themselves trapped in a heavily guarded POW camp during the Second World War, try every trick they can think of to break out. But, in a new book by Ben Macintyre, we hear for the first time the real story of Colditz. A story that's not just more complicated, but far more interesting than the one we were 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. Guest: Ben Macintyre, Associate Editor, The Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: BBC/Universal Studios, The Imperial War Museum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2022.As the Ukraine war progressed, journalists, activists and critics were forced to flee the country. But as Putin’s grip on the media tightened, what was it like for the people who were left? And when does it become too dangerous to stay? 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 Bennetts, foreign correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: The Guardian, Deutsche Welle, BBC Newsnight, France 24, CBS News, Sky News, The Telegraph, BBC News, NBC News, Times Radio, PBS Newshour, NEXTA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2022.From Squid Game to K-pop to kimchi, South Korea has taken the planet by storm. How did a once-impoverished country turn its fortunes around? And what has it done for South Korea's standing abroad?'Hallyu! The Korean Wave' is on at the V&A in South Kensington until June 2023: https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/hallyu-the-korean-wave 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: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times.Host: Jenny Kleeman. Clips: BBC News, Deutsche Welle, Oscars, ABC News, Blackpink, The White House.Film and music excerpts:Crash Landing on You, dir. Lee Jeong-hyo, NetflixI Know, Seo Taiji and Boys, Genie MusicInto the New World, Girls Generation, SM EntertainmentGangnam Style, Psy, YG EntertainmentButter, BTS, Hybe Corporation/Big Hit MusicBoombayah, BLACKPINK, YG EntertainmentParasite, dir. Bong Joon Ho, CJ EntertainmentSquid Game, dir. Hwang Dong-hyuk, Netflix Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2022. We begin with one of the most riveting stories of the year, from The Times’ war correspondent Anthony Loyd. In their podcast series Last Man Standing, Anthony and Manveen investigated the kidnap of the British photojournalist John Cantlie. Cantlie had been taken hostage by Islamic State in 2012. His fate is still unknown. For Anthony, this brought back memories of his own narrow escape…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 and CNN. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's Christmas Eve bonus episode comes courtesy of our sister podcast: Wine Times.Discussing and decanting with Suzi Ruffell and Will Lyons on a live special of Wine Times are Times Radio broadcasters Jane Garvey and Fi Glover. As well as four great wines to taste, Fi explains why she refuses to feel stressed about Christmas this year, Jane discusses her love for Cava, Will shares why Brits are big wine drinkers and Suzi delights in the idea of hosting her first Christmas lunch.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.  Wines:Villa Broglia Gavi di Gavi 2021Purple Owl Pinot Noir 2021Saracosa Governo Rosso IGT 2021L’Epiphanie de Sauternes 2018All the wines in the series are available at www.sundaytimeswineclub.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every day, hundreds of readers write into The Times and The Sunday Times. In a year when the news didn’t seem to stop, the letters editors of the two papers pick out their highlights.This 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 Riley, Letters Editor, The Times.- Stephen Bleach, Letters Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Times Radio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, a humanitarian crisis has unfolded in Afghanistan. Foreign financial government support has run dry, and aid agencies are left to plug the gaps amid drought and famine. Our correspondent has been to visit projects run by Afghanaid, one of the organisations being supported by this year’s Christmas Appeal. For more information and to donate to the Times and Sunday Times Christmas Appeal visit: https://times.ctdonate.orgThis 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 Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: CNN, France 24, BBC News, CBS News, United Nations, ABC News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strike action on a scale not seen since the 1980s is set to continue into January as workers demand pay rises to match spiralling inflation. Today, as ambulance crews in England and Wales begin a strike, why are so many joining the picket line and how is the government responding to the industrial action?This 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, Red Box Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Sky News, BBC, 5News, Thames Television, ITN, NBC News, GMB. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times has an august history of recording the lives of significant people, and has been doing so in the obituaries pages since the 19th century. Today, we remember some of the people who may not be household names but are no less fascinating.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.  Hosts:- Anna Temkin, Deputy Obituaries Editor, The Times. - Mariella Frostrup, Times Radio. Guests: - Tom Dart, obituaries writer, The Times. - Shirley Malcom, director of the SEA Change initiative at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. - Emily Maitlis, broadcaster and journalist. - Professor Mary Beard, classicist. Remembering the lives of:- Colonel Gail Halvorsen, pilot.  - Dr Shirley McBay, mathematician. - Professor Peter Maitlis, chemist. - Joyce Reynolds, classicist. Clips: BBC, Times Radio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British volunteer Dave Young has rescued over 800 Ukrainians from the war's frontline, as well as losing his right eye to shrapnel. Anthony Loyd and filmmaker Federica De Caria join Dave in the city of Bakhmut, the epicentre of the bloodiest attritional battle of winter, as he embarks on dangerous rescue work – and considers what drives him to keep going.Watch Anthony Loyd and Federica De Caria's film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X32e2YF9phEThis 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As one of the most controversial World Cups in living memory heads towards its final climax this weekend -- what was it actually like being there? And for the host nation -- after scandals, condemnation and $200 billion -- was it worth 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: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: talkSPORT, US Department of State. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day but, for increasing numbers of children, it’s a meal they miss, affecting their concentration and learning at school. So, as the cost of living crisis affects so many this winter, what can be done? We learn of the work of one of the charities being supported by this year’s Christmas Appeal, Magic Breakfast, which provides food for breakfast clubs, allowing children to start their days properly.For more information and to donate to the Times and Sunday Times Christmas Appeal visit: https://times.ctdonate.orgThis 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: Joanna Bates, deputy headteacher, Blue Gate Fields Junior SchoolSian Acreman, headteacher, Blue Gate Fields Junior SchoolPupils of Blue Gate Fields Junior SchoolNicola Woolcock, Education Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Jamie Oliver, Parliament. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been 10 years since America’s deadliest mass shooting in an elementary (primary) school. In the years since, the weapon used - the AR-15 - has also been deployed in some of the decade’s most horrifying shootings. So how did the AR-15 rifle become the weapon of choice for mass shooters? This 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: David Aaronovitch.Clips: ABC News, 60 Minutes, CNBC, Independent, CNN, NBC, Reuters, BBC News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we hear from two Ukrainian journalists who we spoke to back in March, at the beginning of Russia's invasion. At that time, Kateryna Malofieieva was in the Donbas, following the ever-shifting front line of the war. Natalia Gryvnyak was in Kyiv, trying to decide whether or not to leave the country. What has happened to them in the tumultuous ten months since?This 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: Kateryna Malofieieva and Natalia Gryvnyak.Host: Manveen Rana.You can find all of the work by Natalia Gryvnyak's production company here: http://infeatures.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are we living in a world where there is pressure on those in the public eye to exude virtue above all else? Where has this sensibility come from and is it leading to a blandness in our arts and culture?This 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 Marriott, Times columnist.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: The Late Show with James Corden, Thames TV, Rock Star Interviews on YouTube.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the last few weeks, the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for private schools in the UK to have their charitable status scrapped, but why?Also today, The Sunday Times launches its annual Parent Power Schools Guide. School league tables: the best UK primary and secondary schools revealedFind the best primary and secondary schools in your area with our guide to academic performance.This 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: Sian Griffiths, Education Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Parliament TV, BBC Archive, BBC, Bloomberg, London Review of Books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Rishi Sunak outlasts his predecessor in the top job, just how is he doing? With polls suggesting a heavy Conservative loss at the next election, a cost of living crisis and strikes across numerous sectors, what can we make of the prime minister’s first few weeks in power?This 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: Sky News, Times Radio, Telegraph, Channel 4, UK Parliament, Channel 4 News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seventy-five percent of all lives lost to suicide in the UK are male. And one charity is leading a campaign to do something about it. For this year, The Times and The Sunday Times is supporting the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) who help people in crisis.  To donate to The Times and Sunday Times Christmas Appeal visit thetimes.co.uk/christmasappeal or call 0151 284 2336.For help and support:CALM Helpline: 0800 58 58 58. Samaritans Helpline: 116 123This 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: - Harry Corin, mental health campaigner. - Ashley Hargreaves, CALM campaigner.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: ITV News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Putin’s invasion has ushered in a new era of industrial warfare. As the winter freeze sets in, the pace of the war has not yet abated. Weapon stocks are running low and Russia is rearming. The West now faces a choice: either summon the political will (and the money) to become an arsenal for democracy, or put pressure on Ukraine to make compromises. This 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. Clips: BBC News, Channel 4 News, CNN, DW News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the weekend, reports emerged that the chair of the British Museum, ex-chancellor George Osborne, has been holding ‘secret’ talks with the Greek prime minister over the return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece. Also known as the Elgin Marbles, the pieces have become symbolic of a wider debate about colonial legacy and restitution in the cultural world. Supporters of the marbles staying put argue they were obtained legally, but Greece says they were stolen – so should they be returned?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. With thanks to The British Museum.Guests: - Dame Mary Beard, classicist.- David Sanderson, arts correspondent, The Times.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, BBC Radio 4.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chinese cities have seen days of extraordinary protests calling for an end to the country’s zero-Covid measures, and for President Xi to step down. So what is it about this generation of students that’s motivated them to come out en masse on the streets for the first time since Tiananmen Square? And what does it mean for President Xi? This 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: BBC, Channel 4, The Telegraph, Reuters, CNN, NBC, CBS, Fox News.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a stinging rebuke from the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom - which ruled that the devolved Scottish parliament cannot authorise an independence referendum - SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has doubled down saying democracy itself is now at stake, and vowing to turn the next general election into a 'de facto' referendum. Could that work? And what does that even mean?This 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: David Aaronovitch.Clips: Sky News, BBC News, The Guardian, Scottish National Party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One hundred years ago, when the tomb of King Tutankhamun was discovered in Egypt, the world learnt of the treasures via The Times which had secured the exclusive rights and photographs. So just how did the newspaper get the scoop?This 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: Nick Mays, archivist, The Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: BBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every prime minister's last act in office is to choose a final list of people to elevate to the House of Lords, parliament's second chamber. And Boris Johnson's resignation honours are already kicking up a storm…This 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: Parliament TV, Times Radio, Al Jazeera English, BBC News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2020, retired Gwent police officer Ricky Jones took his own life. Jones’s family - who he’d subjected to years of abuse - looked through his old iPhone to try to understand more about their husband and father. But it revealed things even they were not prepared for.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.   Domestic abuse helpline and support:England - Refuge - The freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247Wales - Live Fear Free - Helpline 0808 80 10 800Scotland - Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline 0800 027 1234Northern Ireland - Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline 0808 802 1414Articles: How a dead officer’s iPhone exposes misogyny, corruption and racism in a police forceGwent police officers joked about Jimmy Savile and ‘sex pests’ in the forceMy life as a female firearms officer in the misogynistic police boys’ clubGuests: David Collins, Northern Editor, The Sunday Times.Hannah Al-Othman, News Reporter, The Sunday Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Romeo agents have infiltrated the West German Government by wooing secretaries of high-up officials. In the second part of this two-part series, a new agent reveals information about corruption at the very top.You can read Oliver Moody's article 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. Guests:Gunnar Take, historian at the University of Stuttgart.Katja Hoyer, historian and author of 'Beyond the wall'.Host: Oliver Moody, Berlin Correspondent, The Times.Clips from: Timeline, Tele Studio West, Operation Romeo: The Love Commandos of the Stasi Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s the best way to spy on your enemies? Sleep with their secretaries. In part one of this two-part series, new evidence is unearthed of East Germany‘s ruthless blueprint for Cold War sexpionage, revealing for the first time stories of the agents sent to seduce young women working for West Germany’s top politicians.You can read Oliver Moody's article 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. Guests:Gunnar Take, historian at the University of Stuttgart.Katja Hoyer, historian and Visiting Research Fellow at King's College London.Host: Oliver Moody, Berlin Correspondent, The Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fast fashion clothing company Boohoo has exploded in popularity since the pandemic. After reports of appalling working conditions in 2020, the company had made a big show of trying to do better. So has it? A Times reporter goes undercover at one of their warehouses 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: Tom Ball, Northern Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Sky News, E!, Reuters, Times Radio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amid staff shortages, Covid backlogs and potentially the first national nursing strike in the NHS’s history, the health service is facing a challenging winter ahead. How did we get here? And just how bad could things get?This 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: Manveen Rana. Clips: Sky News, WION, CBC News, 5 News.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was the worst-kept secret in US politics: that former President Trump would be running again in 2024. After a disappointing midterm election for Republicans, where Trump candidates under-performed, the announcement last week was met with a groan by many of Trump's own party. Now that he's in the ring, though, he's immediately the frontrunner. So can he win?This 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, Assistant Foreign News Editor, The Sunday Times. Presenter: Jenny Kleeman. Clips: CBS, Fox News, Candace Owens podcast, CNN, Washington Post, Newsnation, ABC News, Forbes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukrainian troops forced Putin’s war machine into a chaotic exit from the city of Kherson last Friday. After eight months of Russian occupation, it was free.But as the Russians fled, stories of brutality and torture poured out. What scars has the occupation left on its remaining inhabitants, what poison has it left behind – and how can a devastated city return to something like normal life? This episode contains descriptions of torture. This 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 and The Sunday Times.Presenter: David Aaronovitch.Clips: NBC News, Times Radio, BBC News, ITV News, CNN. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the 27th UN Climate Change Conference draws to a close, The Times’ environment editor Adam Vaughan has travelled deep into the Amazon rainforest talking to British-backed scientists at their base camp to find out whether the Amazon is at tipping point.This 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, The Times’ environment editor.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Channel 4, The Guardian, Times Radio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomorrow, our newest Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will announce his Autumn Statement. In previews, he's prepared the country for 'some pain' to fill a £50 billion 'black hole' in the public finances. If this means Austerity 2.0, what have we learned from the first one?This 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: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC News, Fox News, CNBC, Sky News, Parliament TV, Times Radio, Telegraph, The Guardian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The team behind one of the most successful Covid-19 vaccines have returned to their original mission: making cancer vaccines. The BioNTech professors say the jab will be with us before 2030. What will it mean for the future of cancer treatment? Who will get them? And if cancer isn't killing us, what will? This 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. Clips: BBC, ITV, CNBC, Sky News. Host: Manveen Rana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the twelve years since Qatar was awarded the World Cup, a number of questions have been raised about the appropriateness of hosting the tournament there. For one Times sports writer preparing to cover the tournament, it’s taken him through the five stages of grief.This 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: Matt Dickinson, senior sports writer, The Times. Host: David Aaronovitch. Clips: TalkSport, Sky Sports News, RTE, Sky News, FA TV, ABC News, Euronews, DW News, Channel 4 News, ITN, CGTN, Sky Sports, Visit Qatar, Times Radio, Reuters, CBS News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Draconian Covid rules and crackdowns on pro-democracy protesters turned the global business hub into a walled city. As it slowly reopens, expats are curiously divided on the power of Beijing - so what’s going on inside fortress Hong Kong?  This 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 Shah, Sunday Times associate editor. Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: travelfilmarchive, izzitEDU, Real World Economics, ABC, SKY, WION, CNBC, SWCC lectures, Reuters, France 24, NBC, CNA, Bloomberg, Parliament TV, AFP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode of the series, the woman who made an allegation against Martyn Percy speaks out about intimidation by some of the Dean’s supporters. And has Christ Church tried to hide the astronomical cost of the feud?This 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: Andrew Billen, journalist at The Times.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Home Secretary Suella Braverman is at the centre of a migration crisis after the Manston immigration centre was reported as unsafe, understaffed and 'wretched' by the borders watchdog. So, how did the situation unfold, what are the politics behind it and what do we know about the people risking their lives crossing the Channel to come to 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: Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Sky News, ITV News, BBC News, Times Radio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over 5.5 million farm birds have been culled to stem the largest outbreak of avian influenza ever recorded in the UK. The virus has spread to Britain’s seabirds causing a huge environmental impact and killing tens of thousands. From this week, all poultry and captive birds in England must be kept indoors. So what does it mean for the meat and eggs we eat? And how bad could the outbreak get?This 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: Manveen Rana.Clips: Sky News, CBS News, AP, TVB News, ITV News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomorrow, for the first time since the election that many Americans still believe was 'stolen', voters in the US head back to the polls. Almost everything except the presidency is up for grabs – and for many Americans on both sides, the fate of the nation itself hangs in the balance. This 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: David Aaronovitch. Clips: BBC News, TV Ontario, MSNBC, News 19 WLTX, NBC, CNN, CBS, ABC News, PAHomepage.com, Dr Oz, Sky News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brazil’s left-wing former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has achieved a historic victory over his far-right rival, the incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro. With many seeing this election as the last chance to save the Amazon rainforest, will Lula be able to reverse Bolsonaro’s destructive policies?This 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 and The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Times Radio, CBC News, Deutsche Welle, Channel 4 News, Reuters, France 24, Al Jazeera.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Martyn Percy’s employer questions the Dean’s mental capacity as the feud shows no sign of abating. And he's in hot water over an article, published on his website, in which he references the Holocaust.This 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: Andrew Billen, journalist at The Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In recent years the once dominant social media platform has been hit by problem after problem. Fewer people use it, and revenues and profits are down. So just what has taken a bite out of Mark Zuckerberg’s empire?This 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: CNBC, Vator, NBC News, Queen City News, CBS News, France 24, Spotify, Comedy Central, Meta, Sky News, ITV News, CNN, Yahoo Finance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former US president Donald Trump is facing a host of legal issues. So which could prove the most problematic for him and what could be the consequences? Could any of them stop him becoming president a second time – or send him to jail? And if he is indicted or convicted, could America tear itself apart?This 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 Reporter, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: MSNBC, BBC, GBH News, C-SPAN, Fox News, NBC News, CBS News, ABC, Newsy, WCNC, Salem Media, San Francisco Police Department. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A royal correspondent’s best sources are often the unseen aides, advisors and staff, working behind the scenes. Who are these advisors? What do they really do? And what can they tell us not just about how past stories unfolded – like Harry and Meghan's exit from the household – but the future of the royals? Book: Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown by Valentine Low.This 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, Royal Correspondent, The Times.Host: Jenny Kleeman.Clips: Apple, CBS, ITV, Sky News, Entertainment Tonight, TalkTV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the end of his first week in power, Rishi Sunak already faces a backlash over his choice for home secretary. And more importantly, what can he possibly do to avert a recession? This 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: - Tim Shipman, chief political commentator, The Sunday Times. - Arthi Nachiappan, economics correspondent, The Times. Presenter: Manveen Rana. Clips: BBC News, Times Radio, ITV News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During the pandemic a woman makes an allegation against Martyn Percy that changes everything. This 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: Andrew Billen, journalist at The Times.Clips: ITV, BBC, Sky News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Labour riding high in the polls, Keir Starmer is calling for an early general election. But after 12 years in the shadows, few members of Labour's top team, including Starmer himself, have had experience of government. So what are they doing to get ready? This 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. Guest: Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times. Clips: BBC, UK Parliament, GB News, ITV, Channel 4 News, Times Radio, Sky News, The Guardian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mortgage rates have risen sharply, hitting their highest levels in 14 years. We trace the ripple effect across the economy, as higher rates threaten to lay the foundations for another crash in the housing market.This 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:- Hannah Al-Othman, news reporter, The Sunday Times.- George Nixon, money reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times. Host: Jenny Kleeman. Clips: ITV, BBC News, Channel 4, Guardian, Sky News, Bloomberg.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In October 2012, cyclist Lance Armstrong was banned from the sport for life and stripped of his record seven Tour de France titles after anti-doping authorities branded him a drug cheat. 10 years on we look back at one of the biggest sporting falls from grace with the journalist who spent years questioning Armstrong’s integrity.Article - Lance Armstrong: a decade on from disgraceThis 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: Will Roe.Clips: BBC, ABC News, WEDU Media, Channel 4, TalkSPORT, Oprah Winfrey Network, AP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She’s the shortest serving prime minister in British history.As the Conservative party embarks on the process of finding another new leader, Tim Shipman guides us through the process, the contenders (including the possible return of Boris Johnson) and what it all means for the country.This 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: Sky News, Channel 4 News, BBC News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years into Martyn Percy's tenure as Dean, a student attacks a man at Christ Church. Dealing with the crisis, Percy questions how the university college is run, but has no idea the chain of events he is about to set in motion.This 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: Andrew Billen, journalist at The Times.Clips: Walt Disney Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ten years ago, the Jimmy Savile affair shocked the nation, sparking a moral panic about child abuse and institutional cover ups. In response, the government launched a national inquiry in 2014. This week, after eight years and over £180m spent, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse will release its final report. So what have we learned - and what has the inquiry achieved?This 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 raised in this episode, you can call Victim Support's 24/7 support line on 0808 168 9111. Guest: Sean O’Neill, senior writer, The Times. Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: Channel 4 News, Sky News, 5 News, BBC News, ITV News, UK Parliament, IICSA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has announced plans to scrap “almost all” the tax cuts in last month’s mini-budget and curtail support for households with energy bills after April. After weeks of economic uncertainty, will this be enough to steady the markets? And where does it leave prime minister Liz Truss?This 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: Arthi Nachiappan, Economics Correspondent, The Times. Henry Zeffman, Associate Political Editor, The Times. Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: BBC News, Sky News, Times Radio, Channel 4 News, CNBC, GB News, Parliament TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The second stage of the inquiry into the Post Office scandal begins this week, focusing on the computer system at the centre of the story. How much did the Post Office know about problems with its IT system while it prosecuted its staff?This 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: Sabah Meddings, Chief Business Correspondent, The Sunday Times.Host: David Aaronovitch. Clips:  5News, Sky News, UCL Law. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China’s ruling Communist Party’s Congress begins on Sunday where Xi Jinping is expected to secure an unprecedented third term - effectively allowing him to stay in power for life. It comes at a time of heightened tension with the US over Taiwan. So what are Xi’s intentions?This 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, The Times' Beijing Correspondent.Host: Jenny Kleeman. Clips: Bloomberg, BBC News, BBC World Service, South China Morning Post, CCTV, New China TV, WION, Reuters, DW News, Richard Nixon Foundation, Associated Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2014 The Very Reverend Professor Martyn Percy walks into Christ Church as the new Dean of the Oxford college.But in this ‘Alice in Wonderland’ universe has this traditional institution met its match?This is the first of a five-part series released every Thursday.This 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: Andrew Billen, journalist at The Times. Clips: BBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month the Sunday Times turns 200 years old. To mark the occasion, Times Radio’s John Pienaar has been speaking to the editors: Emma Tucker, who's edited the paper since 2020, and John Witherow, the former Sunday Times editor who's just finished nine years at the helm of The Times. The conversation took place in front of an audience at the Cheltenham Literature Festival on Sunday. It’s a packed discussion covering the news industry, Emma and John's favourite stories, war reporting, and a little bit about a young Boris Johnson's rather brief stint as The Times reporter in Brussels. This 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: - Emma Tucker, Editor, The Sunday Times. - John Witherow, Chairman of Times Newspapers. Host: John Pienaar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a long and twisting road: six months of ‘on again off again’, after Elon Musk made an offer to buy Twitter, only to back out a few months later. Two weeks before Musk and the social media company were set to face off in court to decide this, the world’s richest man changed his mind again and agreed to go ahead with his original offer after all. So, is this the end of the saga? Or just the first step of a much bigger 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: Callum Jones, US Business Correspondent, The Times.Host: Jenny Kleeman.Clips: CNBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, BBC News, NBC News, Yahoo Finance, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new five-part investigation from The Times begins here on Stories of our times on Thursday 13 October. It follows the story of the Very Reverend Professor Martyn Percy, who left Christ Church, Oxford, as its Dean with a £1.25 million settlement earlier this year.But big questions remain. The Times’ journalist Andrew Billen returns to his old university to try and understand why Percy and his employer got into a four year long battle, which left the priest close to suicide and cost the Oxford college millions in charitable funds.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a legend many of us have grown up with: a plucky group of British officers, finding themselves trapped in a heavily guarded POW camp during the Second World War, try every trick they can think of to break out. But, in a new book by Ben Macintyre, we hear for the first time the real story of Colditz. A story that's not just more complicated, but far more interesting than the one we were 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. Guest: Ben Macintyre, Associate Editor, The Times. Host: David Aaronovitch. Clips: BBC/Universal Studios, The Imperial War Museum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vladimir Putin turns 70 today. In recent weeks, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has seen territorial losses, a shambolic partial mobilisation, sham referendums and threats of nuclear attacks. So what possible outcomes are there for President Putin’s 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: Roger Boyes, Diplomatic Editor, The TimesHost: David AaronovitchClips from: Sky News, ABC News, NBC News, Reuters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We take a look at a popular Sunday Times feature about the National Scrabble Championships in the UK and uncover a hidden community of word nerds. Plus, tile by tile, we trace the evolution of the popular game - from going online during the pandemic to banning offensive words following the Black Lives Matter protests.This 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: Ralph Jones, writer and Sunday Times contributor. Host: Jenny Kleeman.Clips: Sky News, YouTube channel Dweebovision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death of 22-year old Mahsa Amini whilst in police custody has sparked nationwide protests in Iran. The authorities have responded with a heavy crackdown, and it’s estimated over 130 people have died so far. As protests continue, could the death of one young woman lead to regime change?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get 3 months for just £1: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guest: Ramita Navai, journalist, Sunday Times contributor, author of 'City of Lies: Love, Sex, Death, and the Search for Truth in Tehran', and host of 'The Line of Fire' podcast.Host: Manveen RanaClips: CBS News, WION, BBC News, France 24, Radio Farda, Sky News, NBC, ITN archive, TRT World, BBC Farsi, Middle East Matters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After nine days of political pressure, chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has u-turned on the government’s plan to abolish the top rate of income tax, saying he felt ‘humility and contrition’. So, what was the mood at the Conservative party conference as Kwarteng addressed his party? Plus, we learn more about the chancellor driving the policy formerly known as ‘Operation Rolling Thunder’.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. Guests: - Henry Zeffman, Associate Political Editor, The Times. - Rachel Sylvester, Columnist, The Times.  Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: BBC, DW News, STV, Times Radio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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.