The Story

The month marks the 20th anniversary of Amy Winehouse’s multi-platinum album Back to Black. Just after the album was released and Amy’s fame was beginning to skyrocket, journalist Ariel Leve met the young 23-year-old in LA for two hours, where Amy gushed about her new husband, laughed off the cruel media scrutiny, and mused about her legacy. That interview would never be seen or heard -- until now.

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

Guest:Ariel Leve, author and journalist.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producer:Taryn Siegel.

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

Further listening:My life with Freddie Mercury

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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They’re actors, rock stars, models — and the offspring of very famous parents. Some see this as joining in on the family business. Others see it as an unfair advantage. But is the backlash against them justified? Times Columnist Ben Machell weighs in on the nepo baby debate.

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

Read by:Ben Machell, feature writer and columnist, The Times.

Producers:Harry Bligh, Robyn Simon.

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

Read more: Should we feel sorry for (all) the nepo babies - Beckhams included?

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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In Siberia last week, a Russian researcher working at an institute specialising in dangerous infectious diseases is believed to have died of unexplained pneumonia. Local media suggested it was pneumonic plague; the Kremlin continues to obfuscate. So what’s really happening? With its history of cover ups, can we trust what Russia is telling the world? And how worried should we be?

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

Guests:

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producer:Olivia Case.

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

Read more: Russia denies a plague outbreak. Its history of coverups is less reassuring

Further listening: Is Spain’s PM next for eviction?

Clips: The 2nd militarised fire department of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the 6th paramilitary fire and rescue unit at Chernobyl, Dark Docs / YouTube, BBC, ABC, Настоящее Время, KGWNews8, CNN.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

The student protests that have rocked France for weeks reached a crescendo this week, when more than 250,000 teenagers, parents, teachers and union leaders took to the streets to voice their anger over dilapidated school buildings, staff shortages and complicated timetables. Some protests have resulted in shocking violence, and so far, the government has had limited success in quelling the unrest. So is there a fix for the French education system, or do the protests point to a deeper malaise? And what could it all mean for President Macron’s political legacy?

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

Guest:Adam Sage, Paris correspondent, The Times.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Micaela Arneson, Harry Bligh.

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

Read more: Why are there student protests in France? The reasons behind the riots

Further listening:Why is France in chaos again?

Clips: La Press Libre, France24, BBC, Sky News, NBC News.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Kemi Badenoch's attack on Reform UK was all about character and her attack on Labour was all about economics. In her speech at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, she said she would to scrap inheritance tax on family homes and that under a Conservative government, couples would be able to leave an extra £1m inheritance tax free to their children. Badenoch was withering about Nigel Farage and Reform UK, saying: "The circus goes on and on and it will never stop because this is who Reform are — so to those who say ‘unite the right’, we are not uniting with that.” This week's episode of The State of It looks at the Conservatives' electoral strategy, their prospects — especially compared with a year ago — and the vibes among their MPs.

Guests:

Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture:Getty images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Tomorrow sees the Greens and Labour battle it out for control of Holborn and St. Pancras, following Keir Starmer’s resignation as the constituency’s MP last month. The stakes are particularly high for the Green candidate and leader Zack Polanski, who wants to prove his party can be a viable alternative to Labour on the left. But what are voters on the ground thinking? We head up to North London to find out.

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

Guests:

Host:Luke Jones.

Producer:Harry Stott.

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

Read more: What do voters in Holborn & St Pancras think of Zack Polanski?

Further listening:Has Farage’s Clacton by-election backfired?

Clips: ITV, LAFAGARI Media / Facebook.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez has called a snap election, after losing a key vote on his housing reforms. Protests have been rocking the country since an 87-year-old woman was evicted on a stretcher. Sánchez is gambling that he can leverage the national fury to strengthen his party’s position, but could it backfire?

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

Guest:David Sharrock, Madrid correspondent, The Times.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Paige Reynolds, Olivia Case

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

Read more: Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez: I am calling an early election

Clips: The Guardian, ABC News, BBC, France 24, Democracy Now, BBC, CBS News, Deutsche Welle

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

A Sunday Times investigation has found England is in an overprescribing epidemic. Adverse reactions to cocktails of medicines are sending a thousand older people to A&E every day, potentially causing deaths, and costing the NHS billions. So how was this overlooked for so long? And can an already overstretched and underfunded NHS fix the problem?

This 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:

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producer:Olivia Case.

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

Read more: Dad died after a fall. Was his prescription of 10 drugs to blame?

Further listening:The neuroscientists reconsidering near-death experiences

Photo: John and Angela Lees and family.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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When Times reporter Sasha Nugara fell for a charismatic musician she met online, she didn’t imagine she would end up in a coercive relationship. But love bombing quickly soured into manipulation and violence, and Sasha decided to break free – and seek justice.

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

Read by:Sasha Nugara, property reporter and columnist, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Producers:Paige Reynolds, Micaela Arneson.

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

Read more: I’m 26. I never imagined I would be the victim of domestic abuse

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Sir Ranulph Fiennes is one of the world’s greatest living explorers. After he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020, he continued to speak publicly about his career and illness. That is, until 2024. Since then, he hasn’t been seen publicly, and many of those closest to him haven’t been able to reach him. So what is happening with Fiennes?

This 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:

Host:Luke Jones

Producer:Robyn Simon

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

Read more:Ranulph Fiennes ‘back home’ after living in care under assumed names

Clips: CNN, Chartwell Speakers, BBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

In one of the biggest scandals in English football history, Manchester City football club was found guilty this week on all charges of serious breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. So how did we get here? What will happen to Man City, and what does the scandal mean for the future of English football?

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

Guest:Martyn Ziegler, chief sports reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Micaela Arneson, Harry Stott.

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

Read more: Manchester City verdict: what happens next?

Further listening:The man who revealed Infantino’s world cup disaster

Clips: BBC, Sky, talkSPORT, ITV, @LouietheReporter via YouTube, ITN.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

The energy price cap goes up again today by 4% – but more pain is around the corner, with forecasts yesterday suggesting a further 16% rise in the new year. Why are UK energy prices, particularly electricity, much more expensive than the US and even most European countries? And while Andy Burnham is promising radical plans to bring them down, will this be enough?

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

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

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Harry Stott.

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

Read more: Why does the UK have the most expensive energy in Europe?

Further listening:Does Britain have an energy security problem?

Clips: DWS News, Sky News, ITV, Channel 4, Martin Lewis Youtube.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Christa Pike is set to be executed today, making her the first woman to be put to death in Tennessee in 200 years. Ahead of the execution, Pike has spoken with The Times about her regrets, her fears, and what it’s been like awaiting her final hours. Thirty years on from her trial, she wonders, would she have gotten the same sentence in 2026?

Warning: This episode contains descriptions of violence, murder, and 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.com/thestory

Guest:Olivia Empson, US correspondent, The Times.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Sophie McNulty, Micaela Arneson.

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

Read more: Christa Pike: ‘I have a kinship with Lindsay Clancy’

Further listening:He went to jail for exposing America’s darkest 9/11 secret. Should Trump pardon him?

Clips: WBIR, Times Radio, PBS, CBS, VICE News.

Photo: Tennessee Department of Corrections/Reuters.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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The Labour party is jubilant. Andy Burnham has fired the starting gun for the next general election with one of the most consequential conference speeches in recent memory. Burnham used the speech to set out a series of major proposals, including an end to the triple lock, the abolition of first-past-the-post and closer ties with Europe. At the heart of his national project is a care service free at the point of use. Burnham has set out his vision which promises to put Britain on a different road. But can he persuade the country to buy it?

Guests:

Producers:Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Executive producer: Molly Guinness

Picture: Getty Images

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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When police arrested five men on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and explosive offences at RAF Fairford early Sunday morning, questions swirled: who was behind the foiled plot? Should Britain be concerned about its security vulnerabilities? But then the men were released on bail, and suddenly a different question arose: could this entire saga have been a terrible misunderstanding?

This 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:

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Robyn Simon, Micaela Arneson, Paige Reynolds.

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

Read more:RAF Fairford: police investigate possible Iran link to foiled bomb plot

Clips: BBC, Sky News.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Deep in Russia’s Ural Mountains lies a secret nuclear bunker, guarded by a gate that has never been seen before. Until now.

A Sunday Times joint investigation has revealed that the Cold War-era bunker, long thought to be dormant, is being revamped as President Putin seeks to arm the country against potential nuclear attack. So what does this 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.com/thestory

Guest:John Mooney, investigations editor in Ireland, The Sunday Times.

Host:Luke Jones.

Producer:Micaela Arneson.

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

Read more:Revealed: Putin is preparing a base for doomsday nuclear strikes

Further listening:The descent into madness under Putin

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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When was the last time you read a book? Literacy rates have plummeted across the developed world since the advent of the smartphone and the consequences for society are chilling, says James Marriott. But why does it matter that fewer of us are reading books? And what happens if we all just stop?

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

Guest:James Marriott, columnist, The Times.

Host:Luke Jones.

Producer:Jennifer Kennedy.

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

Read more: The death of reading puts the world in a perilous place

Further listening:Inside the British town contaminated by forever chemicals

Clips: ABC, DW News, Good Morning America, TMZ, Tucker Carlson Network.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

For centuries, people who’ve survived near-death experiences have told eerily similar and strange stories. They talk of bright lights, a feeling of euphoria, life flashing before their eyes. For much of that time, such accounts were often relegated to the realm of mysticism. But now, some scientists are beginning to reconsider what happens to you when you’re on the very edge of life and death.

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

Read by:John Naish

Producer:Sophie McNulty

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

Read more: The neuroscientists who had near-death experiences – and how it changed them

Photo: Getty Images

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Did King Charles really tell Earl Spencer that Diana would soon be forgotten? In his new memoir, Swan Song, Diana’s brother makes a series of explosive claims about the King’s behaviour following her death — prompting a swift and unusually personal response from Buckingham Palace.

Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey are joined by Andrew Morton, author of Diana: Her True Story, to examine Spencer’s disputed account and ask whether the Palace scored a “colossal own goal” by responding. He also reveals where Spencer’s version conflicts with Diana's own account, and explains why he believes the memoir is an attempt to take control of her story ahead of the 30th anniversary of her death.

They also discuss William’s reported “multigenerational fury”, Harry’s relationship with the Spencer family and whether the book honours Earl Spencer’s pledge to protect Diana’s sons — or risks them reliving their grief.

Who should have the final say over Diana’s story? Get in touch: theroyals@thetimes.co.uk

Watch us on YouTube.

Read more: Hypocrite Spencer is peddling Diana's privacy, say King's allies

Further listening:Catherine, Meghan, Camilla, Diana — the price of marrying a prince

Producer:Robert Wallace

Video Producer:Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer:Priyanka Deladia

Image: Getty

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Britain’s small boats saga has had a dramatic week. Wednesday saw 781 people arrive in Britain, the highest number of the year, while on Monday a dingy carrying 60 migrants was met at sea by the far-right activist ‘Danny Tommo’. Protests have since engulfed parts of the south coast, but why is this all happening now? And what can the government do to get a handle on it?

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

Guest:Emma Yeomans, news reporter, The Times.

Host:Luke Jones.

Producers:Jesse Fox, Robyn Simon.

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

Read more: How Danny Tommo came face to face with migrants in the Channel

Further listening:Flights, visas, and kidnappers: The new migrant route to Britain

Clips: Danny Tommo YouTube, Channel 5 News, ITV News, BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Al Jazeera, The Central Club podcast, Dan Wootton (Facebook), BBC Politics.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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In an area just north of Blackpool, a chemical factory sits on the River Wyre. In the past few years, journalists have detected large amounts of forever chemicals in land around the plant. And yesterday, some residents discovered they had high levels of these chemicals in their blood. So, what does this mean? And what can those tested do about it?

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

Guest:George Odling, senior news reporter, The Times.

Host:Luke Jones.

Producers:Robyn Simon, Jesse Fox.

With audio from: Lara Wildenberg.

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

Read more:Alarm over 'forever chemicals' in blood of Lancashire town residents

Clips: CBN News, BBC News, BBC World Service, News4AJAX, ‘Dark Waters’ - Universal Pictures.

Photo:James Speakman for The Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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The US president will greet his Chinese counterpart at the start of a state visit later today. The two leaders will hold talks in Washington, DC tomorrow during which artificial intelligence is expected to be high on the agenda. Despite weeks of warnings about the devastation AI could cause to humankind, the two countries are locked in a battle for global domination of the technology. Could Donald Trump and Xi Jinping stop the escalation?

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

Guest:Rana Mitter, professor of US-Asia relations, Harvard Kennedy School.

Host:Luke Jones.

Producers:Micaela Arneson, Jesse Fox.

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

Read more: China’s AI is not the best but it can still come first

Further listening:Will superintelligent AI destroy humanity?

Clips: BBC, LiveNOW from FOX, USA Today, CNBC, C-SPAN.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Andy Burnham will meet Donald Trump in person for the first time today at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Top of the agenda are the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, North Sea drilling, trade deals and AI. So who wants what? Will there be any curveballs? And can the PM charm his opposite number in this first face-to-face?

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

Guest:Ben Clatworthy, Whitehall editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones. 

Producers:Olivia Case, Robyn Simon. 

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

Read more: Andy Burnham is set to meet Trump: here are the potential flashpoints

Further listening:Has space become the final frontier for war?

Clips: Sky, BBC, Channel 4, The Guardian, GB News, AP, Parliament.live, United Nations / YouTube. NBC, France24. 

Photo: Getty Images and Wikimedia Commons.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Anti-Ukrainian sentiment is on the rise in Poland.The rift stems, in part, from a historical dispute over a wartime massacre of Poles 83 years ago, which has bubbled to the surface in recent months. So, how did relations sour so quickly? And what does this mean for Polish support in the war against Russia?

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

Guest:Anthony Loyd, special correspondent, The Times

Host:Manveen Rana

Producer:Sophie McNulty

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

Read more: Poland and Ukraine reopen old wounds that lay buried for 80 years

Further listening:The Ukrainian plot to sink the Russian economy

Clips: BBC, Good Morning Britain, Gazeta Wrocławska, Grzegorz Braun - Facebook, Kancelaria Prezydenta RP - Facebook, RMF24.

Photo: Jack Hill/The Times. 

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Ironman ultra-triathlons demand competitors swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles, and then run a full marathon, paying upwards of $1000 for the pleasure. It’s not everyone’s idea of a perfect Sunday, but for its growing base of devotees, it has become almost like a religion. So how did the sport grow from its low-key Hawaiian roots to a money-making global phenomenon? And what drives people to push their bodies to the limit?

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

Read by:Rick Broadbent, sports writer, The Times.

Producers:Harry Stott.

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

Read more:$1,000 for 140 miles of suffering (in the rain) — why is Ironman so popular?

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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All of Ed Sheeran’s support acts have pulled out of his tour after his opening act Macklemore was dropped for making pro-Palestinian remarks on stage. So why has this become such a cause célèbre? What does it mean for Ed Sheeran? And what has happened through history when music and politics meet? 

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

Guest:Jonathan Dean, executive editor of interviews for Culture and Books, The Times.

Host:Manveen Rana. 

Producer:Olivia Case.

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

Read more: Ed Sheeran is in a £100m mess of his own making

Further listening:My life with Freddie Mercury

Clips: teddysphoto / Instagram, BBC, NewsNation, Virgin Media One, Sky, Boston 25 News, ConcertChickCT / YouTube, Macklemore / Instagram, Nikki/YouTube, BV Concerts / YouTube, CNN.

Music: Macklemore / Hind’s Hall / Bendo; Macklemore and Ryan Lewis / Thrift Shop / Macklemore LLC; Macklemore Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert / Same Love / Macklemore LLC; G-Eazy & Macklemore / FDT (Pt. 2) / Def Jam; Greenday / American idiot / Reprise Records; Billie Holiday / Strange Fruit / Commodore; Kendrick Lamar / Alright / Top Dawg / Aftermath / Interscope;

Ed Sheeran / Shape of You / Asylum / Atlantic; Ed Sheeran / What do I know / Asylum / Atlantic; Nina Simone / Mississippi Goddam / Philips Records. 

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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The space race is on, but not as we’ve known it. Instead of a man on the moon, nations are jostling for who can plant weapons on the moon. In a major development this week, the US has announced that it has deployed a weapon to outer space – the first country to do so. But are other nations, like China and Russia, far behind?

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

Guest:Larisa Brown, defence editor, The Times.

Host:Rosie Wright.

Producers:Eleanor Harrison-Dengate, Robyn Simon, Micaela Arneson.

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

Read more: US confirms weapons in space, prompting warning from China 

Clips: Air and Space Forces Association

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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President Trump sparked controversy during his recent trip to Ireland when he said a unified Ireland would be “a fantastic thing.” That was followed on Monday by Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh leaders signing a pact pledging to break up the UK. With Prime Minister Andy Burnham set to meet with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin tomorrow, is a united Ireland now more likely?

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

Guest:Jennifer Bray, political editor, The Sunday Times Ireland.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Robyn Simon. 

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

Read more: Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish leaders sign ‘historic’ independence pact

Clips: The Times, The Sunday Times, and RTE News

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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The Microsoft co-founder tells Danny and Katie why AI is "ultra-different" from any previous technology - and why tech companies shouldn’t be responsible for controlling it. 

Speaking about a new report on AI and equity published by The Gates Foundation he also explores the “vacuum of US leadership” in AI regulation.

The Interview is Times Tech's weekly conversation with the people shaping the future of technology.

Watch on YouTube 

Read more: Bill Gates: My plan to keep the world safe in the age of AI

Get in touch:techpod@thetimes.co.uk 

Presenters:

Producer: Marnie Duke.

Executive Producer:Priyanka Deladia.

Video Producer: Bronwen Latham.

Image: Getty

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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The Thirlwall Inquiry into how Lucy Letby was able to murder babies at the Countess of Chester hospital has released a damning report. It found the hospital could have prevented at least three of the murders, if not for evidence of a pernicious “them and us” culture and a lack of safeguards. But what does this report mean for the hospital authorities? And will it have any bearing on Letby's attempts at an appeal?

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

Guest: Sian Bradley, Northern correspondent, The Times.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Micaela Arneson, Eleanor Harrison-Dengate.

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

Read more: Lucy Letby inquiry: staff could have stopped three murders 

Further listening:Is there ‘new evidence’ in the Lucy Letby case?

Clips: BBC, The Telegraph, The Mirror, True Criminals podcast, The Guardian, The Thirlwall Inquiry. 

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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The Iranian-backed Houthis have seized large swathes of territory in Yemen and taken control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a key shipping corridor between Asia and Europe. About 12 percent of global trade passes through the strait, including huge amounts of oil, so the move has sent energy prices skyrocketing. But, who are the Houthis? What’s their aim? And with regional powers wary of getting dragged into yet another war, who can stop them?

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

Guest:Dr. Elisabeth Kendall, president of Girton College, Cambridge, specialising in Arabic and Islamic studies.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Olivia Case, Robyn Simon.

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

Read more: Houthis seized strait ‘without a fight’. Now they’re bracing for one

Further listening:Inside the West Bank crisis driving Britain to act

Clips: PBS, CBS, BBC, France 24, Fox News, ABC, CNN.

Photo: Mohammed Huwais for Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Warnings about the dangers of AI are reaching fever pitch, with cases of AI agents going rogue and attempts by malicious actors to use the technology to create biological weapons. Industry whistleblowers are sounding the alarm about a technology they claim could destroy humanity, while AI CEOs are themselves making proposals for a slow down. So how do they plan to stop this march towards oblivion? And how scared should we all be?

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

Guest:Chris Dorrell, technology correspondent, The Times.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Harry Stott, Leo Danczak.

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

Read more: Anthropic blocks ‘malicious’ AI use over biological weapons fear

Further listening:'We don't understand the consequences' - Why I quit OpenAI - The Sunday Story

Clips: CBS, BBC, CNN, Bloomberg, NBC, Sky.

Photo: Tony Bell, Times illustration.

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In June 2023, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates were stabbed to death by Valdo Calocane, a paranoid schizophrenic who is currently serving an indefinite hospital order. The months-long public inquiry into their deaths has revealed a staggering number of failures by the authorities, and a widespread culture of denial and unaccountability. So what went wrong? And what lessons can be learned? 

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

Guest:Fiona Hamilton, chief reporter, The Times. 

Host:Manveen Rana. 

Producers:Micaela Arneson, Jesse Fox.

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

Read more: Nottingham attacks: ‘We have no faith in the police. We want justice’ 

Clips: BBC, Sky News, The Nottingham Inquiry. 

Photo: Richard Pohle, The Times. 

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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When Freddie Mercury, lead vocalist of Queen and one of the all-time greats of rock music, died from Aids in 1991, he left his beloved Kensington house to his lifelong companion Mary Austin. Once engaged to the superstar – before they both realised he preferred men – Austin was by his side from unglamorous beginnings to global stardom. She exclusively reads the story of their extraordinary relationship for the Story.

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

Read by:Mary Austin

Producers:Sophie McNulty and Taryn Siegel.

Read More:My life with Freddie Mercury — by the best friend he nearly married 

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

Clips: Live Aid, Queen Youtube. 

Music Excerpt: Queen - Lily of the Valley (Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC)

Photo: Getty Images.

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It’s 25 years since the 9/11 attacks; in the aftermath, the CIA hunted down those responsible – detaining suspects and subjecting them to ‘enhanced interrogation.’ One of the prisoners who was subjected to these tactics was Abu Zubaydah, who, at the time, was thought to be a top member of al-Qaeda. John Kiriakou, a former CIA operative who led the operation to capture Zubaydah, blew the whistle on the torture that prisoners like him experienced. As a result, Kiriakou went to prison, as well. Now, he’s asking President Trump for clemency. 

This episode contains descriptions of violence and torture. 

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

Guest:Josie Ensor, chief US reporter, The Times

Host:Manveen Rana

Producer:Sophie McNulty

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

Read more:I went to jail for exposing America’s darkest 9/11 secret. Trump should pardon me

Further listening:The 9/11 suspect - part 1

Clips: ABC News, C-SPAN, Cleared Hot Podcast.

Photo: Michael McCoy for The Times.

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The AfD’s thumping victory in the Saxony-Anhalt regional election has sent shockwaves across the German political landscape and left chancellor Friedrich Merz in a state of shock. With his popularity plummeting and further regional elections on the horizon, is Merz’s time almost up? And what does all of this tell us about the current state of 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.com/thestory

Guest:Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times. 

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Jesse Fox, Leo Danczak. 

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

Read more: Firewall to keep AfD out is crumbling — how will Friedrich Merz react?

Further listening:Germany’s radical right is surging. Can they be stopped? 

Clips: BBC, CNN, Channel 4 News, T Online, CBC News, Phoenix, APT.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Yesterday, foreign secretary Ed Miliband announced new sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank in response to an increase in settler expansion and violence there. So what is really happening on the ground? Can UK sanctions prevent settlement expansion? And what does this mean for Britain’s relationship with Israel and the US?

This podcast contains scenes 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:http://thetimes.com/thestory

Guests:

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Olivia Case, Jesse Fox.

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

Read more: ‘My son was on my wife’s lap when the IDF shot him dead’

Further listening: The ticking time bomb Netanyahu faces at home

Clips:  Parliamentlive.tv, BBC, UK Government / facebook, CNN, PBS, Channel 4, Al Jazeera.

Photo: Kobi Wolf for The Sunday Times.

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John Healey gave his first major speech as Chancellor on Monday, aiming to show that the economy has ‘turned a corner’. But his comments have been overshadowed by a background of turmoil in the bond markets, thousands of job cuts, and speculation that he is offering very little different to his predecessor Rachel Reeves. So what did this speech tell us about the new Chancellor? And will he have to raise taxes at the budget in October? 

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

Guest:Jack Barnett, economics correspondent, The Times.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Leo Danczak, Shabnam Grewal.

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

Read more: It’s decision time for Andy Burnham if he wants to win over markets

Further listening:The Business: Scott Bessent, bond markets and the threat to UK borrowing

Clips: BBC, Sky News, Channel 4, The Andrew Neil Report.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Hundreds of protestors in Portsmouth clashed with police last night and early this morning. It was the second mass demonstration against small boat arrivals after a far-right protest caused disruption at the Port of Dover on Saturday. So who is behind the protests? And what should the government do now?

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

Guests:

Host:Seb Payne, leader writer and columnist, The Times. 

Producers:Felix Forbes, Maya Loubani, Rufus Jones. 

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

Read more: Portsmouth protest: police officers injured as migrant dinghy arrives

Further listening:The state of asylum in the UK

Photo: PA.

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Asylum seekers now make up one in ten of all migrants coming to the UK each year but just one in sixty of those that leave. This week, The Times is looking at the myriad problems with Britain’s asylum system, from Labour’s policies to how previous governments have failed to fix the crisis. What is there left to try?

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

Guest:Matt Dathan, home affairs editor, The Times.

Host:Manveen Rana. 

Producer:Olivia Case.

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

Read more: Jordan Bardella: UK and France must ‘regain control of Channel’

Further listening:Can Reform reset at conference?

Clips: ITV, The I Paper, The Daily Express, 5 News, GB News, TalkTV, SKY, France 24, Channel 4, DWS News. 

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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This week, after a meticulously planned voyage for the 11th-century retelling of the Battle of Hastings, the British Museum’s long-awaited Bayeux Tapestry exhibition opens to the public. But, why has it taken almost a thousand years for the Bayeux Tapestry to return to Britain? And after all these centuries, why does this extraordinary piece of embroidery still capture the public imagination? 

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

Guest:Katie Gatens, Europe correspondent, The Sunday Times 

Host:Manveen Rana

Producer:Sophie McNulty

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

Read more: Your interactive guide to the Bayeux Tapestry

Clips: Sky News, DRM News, The Royal Family - YouTube.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Autism diagnoses in England have shot up in recent years from 700,000 three years ago to around 1.1 million today. It's led to a backlash, with some suggesting the condition is being over-diagnosed. Not so, says Dr Mary Doherty, a top doctor who founded Autistic Doctors International. She says she knows why diagnoses are up. 

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

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

Producer:Olivia Case.  

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

Read more: I’m a top doctor and I’m autistic. I know why diagnoses are up

Photo: Tom Jackson for The Times magazine

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As the Reform conference kicks off today, Nigel Farage and his team are looking to pitch themselves as a serious party ready to win a general election. But after a long, hot summer dogged by controversies, party infighting, and a by-election against a man dressed as a bin, this strategy might be undercutting itself. So where do they go from here? 

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

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

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Leo Danczak, Micaela Arneson.

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

Read more: Reform UK must walk a tightrope if it is to win

Further listening:Posh George: the criminal behind Farage

Clips: Sky News, Nigel Farage via YouTube, ITV News, BBC News, MS Now, Times Radio, Channel 4 News, The Telegraph.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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How will US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and global bond markets impact UK borrowing, John Healey’s UK Budget, and the wider UK economy? Rising inflation rates, soaring government debt, and higher borrowing costs are likely to effect UK tax and pensions. But can politicians intervene without making things worse?

The US Treasury intends to double its buyback operations of government bonds to control yields. But how far can Scott Bessent go before investors lose faith?

In this episode of The Business, Dominic O’Connell brings you essential market analysis with The Times economics editor, Mehreen Khan, and Chris Jeffery, Head of Macro Strategy at Legal & General Investment Management. They unpack how spiralling UK borrowing costs affect everything from mortgage rates to pension values, delivering the definitive financial news breakdown.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app.

Guests:

Presenter:

Producer: Hope Federico

Executive Producers: Miriam Hall and Emily Leahy

Video Producer:Bronwen Latham

Image: Getty

Get in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

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On Friday, Giorgia Meloni will break Italy’s record and become the longest-serving continuous prime minister since the Second World War. Her sceptics predicted she would only last a few months. So how has she managed it? And with Britain going through four prime ministers in the same period, does she have a lesson for the rest of us?

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

Guest:Tom Kington, Italy correspondent, The Times.

Host:Manveen Rana. 

Producers:Olivia Case and Leo Danczak.

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

Read more: 1,413 days and counting… can Meloni become Italy’s Merkel?

Further listening:How Giorgia Meloni became Europe’s political superstar

Clips: Atlantic Council, CNN, Giorgia Meloni / YouTube, @GiorgiaMeloni / X, EUDebates.tv

Photo: Getty Images.

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Andy Burnham faced parliament for the first time as prime minister on Tuesday. He’s spent the summer projecting a sunny, optimistic vision of Britain’s future – but how long can the good vibes last as Burnham faces the cold, hard realities of governing? 

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

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

Host:Manveen Rana. 

Producers:Micaela Arneson, Leo Danczak, Jennifer Kennedy. 

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

Read more: Keir Starmer’s final U-turn gives Andy Burnham an early headache

Further listening:The impossible dilemma of early release

Clips: BBC, Parliament TV, Andy Burnham via TikTok, Number 10, Channel 4, Sky News, CNBC, The Mirror.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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It’s been six months since President Trump announced the US and Israel had launched a military campaign against Iran. And despite some early military successes, the conflict has had financial and political costs for the United States. Will a change in strategy turn the tide? Or has the US already lost the strategic battle? 

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

Guest:David Charter, assistant editor (US), The Times. 

Host:Manveen Rana. 

Producers:Micaela Arneson, Jennifer Kennedy. 

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

Read more: How six months of war could make US rethink Middle East role for ever

Further listening:How war is changing Iran from within

Clips: Forbes, CNN, AP. 

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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When Ceri Menai-Davis’ five year old son Hugh was diagnosed with cancer, his whole family’s life was transformed. The emotional toll was unimaginable, but alongside that came myriad other hidden costs, and he soon found there was no support available. So why does the UK not help families going through this most devastating moment? And could a new law, championed by Ceri, change that?

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

You can find more information and support Ceri’s work here:https://www.hughslaw.uk/ 

Guest:Ceri Menai-Davis, co-founder and director of policy, It’s Never You.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producer:Harry Stott.

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

Read more: Nobody should be bankrupted for spending time with their dying child

Further listening:Why are more young people getting bowel cancer?

Photo: Ceri Menai-Davis.

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The Notting Hill Carnival began in the sixties as a celebration of the culture of Britain’s Windrush generation - but as the tradition has swelled there are issues of overcrowding and violence. Critics question the policing costs, which run into the tens of millions. With the future of Carnival now a political lightning rod, how long can the party go on?

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

Guest:Andy Silvester, London editor, The Times.

Host:Manveen Rana

Producers:Robert Wallace, Emily Webb.

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

Read more: Notting Hill Carnival, 60 years on: how it began — and what’s next

Clips: BBC, Sky News, The Independent, GB News, ThamesTV

Photo: Getty Images.

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It’s a crime that many victims don’t know is illegal. Now a Times investigation has found that online platforms are hosting graphic content depicting women being sexually assaulted while they sleep, despite UK laws banning depictions of rape.

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

Guests: 

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Emily Webb and Olivia Case.

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

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

Rape Crisis England & Wales

NHS - Help after rape and sexual assault

Criminal Cases Review Commission

Appeal - Charity and law practice

Read more: Revealed: Social media content depicting sex assaults on sleeping women

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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The tech giant Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion and add child-safety measures to its platforms, after settling a landmark trial against a coalition of American states. So, will the forthcoming measures actually lead to real change? And why has 2026 become a year of social media backlash? 

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

Guest:Danny Forston, West Coast correspondent, The Sunday Times

Host:Luke Jones

Producers:Sophie McNulty, Jennifer Kennedy

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

Read more: Meta agrees to child safety features in social media addiction case

Further listening:The Times Tech Podcast

Clips: NBC News, CBS News, CNN, The Guardian. 

Photo: Getty Images.

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At least 360 have died, with hundreds more still missing, after a flash flood in Nepal. Experts are warning that a second flood may be imminent.

This 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: 

Host: John Pienaar.

Producers:Sandra Mitchell, Sofia Johanson.

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

Read more:Nepal flash floods latest

Photo: Getty Images.

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Does the king get to decide where his grandkids go to school? Could we build data centres underground? And why was the CIA chief in Moscow this week? You asked, so we answered, in this edition of our monthly Q&A series.

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

Guests: 

Hosts:Manveen Rana, Luke Jones.  

Producers:Micaela Arneson, Jennifer Kennedy. 

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

Read more: Digital cities: the future of Britain’s data centres

Further listening:The Ukrainian plot to sink the Russian economy

Photo: Getty Images.

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Ten days ago, Natalie Harp was a name known almost exclusively to those in Washington's political circles but when a Democratic senator name-checked her in a campaign speech, it caused a war of words. So who is she and why does she matter so much to the president?

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

Guest: Philip Wegmann, White House reporter, The Wall Street Journal.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Olivia Case, Jennifer Kennedy. 

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

Read more: How Trump’s Ever-Present Executive Assistant Became the Talk of Washington

Further listening:The fraudsters pardoned by Trump

Clips: Jon Ossoff / YouTube, Forbes, CNN, CSPAN, ABC7, One America News Network, Decoding Fox News / Twitter, Real News Insights, Global News, Brut / Facebook, Daily Mail, Fox.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Meteorologists are warning about a “Godzilla” El Niño which will cause extreme weather, food shortages and economic disruption. While the weather pattern happens regularly and mostly affects countries around the Pacific, its effects will be far reaching. What should we expect in the UK?

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

Guest:Adam Vaughan, environment editor, The Times. 

Host:Luke Jones. 

Producers:Robert Wallace and Julia Webster.

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

Read more: How will the ‘worst El Niño on record’ affect the UK?

Further listening:Why this summer's drought could lead to food shortages 

Clips: BBC, Sky News, ITV News, 10News, Channel 4, The Guardian

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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We’re publishing our monthly Q&A episode this Thursday. Send us your questions by Wednesday, 26 August, 12pm BST.

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

Further listening:Q&A: Public transport hell and ‘creepy’ AI glasses

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The Times has discovered that thousands of migrants are using a new, hybrid route to try to come to the UK: legal flights and visas, combined with illegal border crossings. But most don’t make it; the smuggling gangs detain them in Libya, to use them as slaves or for organ harvesting. Our reporter went to meet them.

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

Guest: Shayma Bakht, news reporter, The Times

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers:Olivia Case, Julia Webster.

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

Read more: We stop two small boats a day from reaching Britain, say French

Further listening:Were 60,000 migrants intentionally let into Spain?

Photo:Denise Kelly,Dana Chan, Getty Images.

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In his second administration, Donald Trump has so far pardoned or released approximately 1,800 convicted criminals. That includes rioters who stormed the Capitol, fraudsters who stole millions from their victims, and people with connections to the president. So why is Trump on a pardoning spree? And what impact might it have on his support? 

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

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

Host:Manveen Rana. 

Producers:Micaela Arneson. 

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

Read more: I voted Trump. Now he’s pardoned the $20m Ponzi fraudster who conned me

Further listening:Is the American Dream dying? 

Clips: CBS News.

Photo: Getty Images.

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It’s the diet Trump’s inner circle are said to swear by: protein, fermented food and... not much else. Its creator, Sean O’Mara, promises that it works magic on your gut. The Times' feature writer Damian Whitworth’s spoke to him, and tried out the diet.

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

Read by:Damian Whitworth, feature writer, The Times.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Olivia Case, Robert Wallace.

Read more:I tried the Maga diet — it's steak and sauerkraut again

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

Photo: John Angerson, The Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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This is episode five of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing from The Times and The Sunday Times first published in March.

In the final episode of our county lines series, we hear how county lines drug gangs are continuing to shift their business model to avoid detection.

Policing minister, Sarah Jones, explains how the government is planning to fight back. Plus, The Times’ crime editor David Woode sits down with The Sunday Times’ northern editor David Collins to discuss what they've learnt about the inner workings of county lines gangs.

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

Host: David Woode

Producers:Kate Lamble, Edward Drummond, and Taryn Siegel

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

Read more:I joined the police on a county lines crackdown

Photo: Getty Images.

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Harry and Meghan are reportedly moving back to Britain with Archie and Lilibet, more than six years after leaving royal life for California. But why now — and how will their return work in practice?

Roya Nikkhah is joined by Rosamund Urwin, chief news correspondent of The Sunday Times, to discuss the Sussexes’ shock decision, the King’s reaction and what it could mean for Prince William.

They also examine Harry’s security concerns, the couple’s life in America and whether their return risks creating an alternative royal court — blurring the “half-in, half-out” boundaries established at Sandringham six years ago .

What do you want to know about Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK? Get in touch: theroyals@thetimes.co.uk

Image:Getty

Producer:Robert Wallace

Video Producer:Eve Chadbourn

Executive Producer:Priyanka Deladia

Watch us on YouTube.

Read more:Prince Harry's third act: will it be a drama — or cause a circus?

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This is episode four of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing from The Times and The Sunday Times first published in March.

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

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

Host: David Woode

Producers:Kate Lamble and Taryn Siegel. 

With thanks to the St Giles Trust

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

Read more:Inside the case of a 15-year-old caught with a machete and pistol

Further listening:Why I carried a knife

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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This is episode three of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing from The Times and The Sunday Times first published in March.

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

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

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

Read more:Drug gangs swamped York. This is how police stopped them |I was a county lines drug runner. I tried to quit, then I was stabbed

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

Host: David Collins

Producers: Kate Lamble and Taryn Siegel

Executive producers: Tim Walklate and Dan Box

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

Photo:Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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This is episode two of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing from The Times and The Sunday Times first published in March.

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

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

Read more:Drug dealers use anti-slavery law to escape prosecution |I was a county lines drug runner. I tried to quit, then I was stabbed

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

Host: David Collins.

Producers: Kate Lamble and Taryn Siegel

Executive producers: Tim Walklate and Dan Box

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

Photo:Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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This is episode one of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing from The Times and The Sunday Times first published in March.

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

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

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

Read more:Exposed: how drug gangs deal without fear as the law can’t keep up |I was a county lines drug runner. I tried to quit, then I was stabbed

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

Host: David Collins

Producers: Kate Lamble, Taryn Siegel

Executive producers: Tim Walklate, Dan Box

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

Photo:Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Karen Carter was murdered outside her home in the tranquil Dordogne village of Trémolat. The police launched a manhunt, and slowly a story of obsession, romance, and unrequited love started to come to light. So, why would someone murder a well-liked member of the community? And what’s the latest development in the police investigation?

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

Guest:Jane Flanagan, Africa correspondent, The Times.

Host:Luke Jones.

Producer:Sophie McNulty.

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

Read more: Murder in the Dordogne: obsession, affairs, unrequited love

Further listening:Has an AI sleuth unmasked the Zodiac Killer?

Clips: France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine, RTL.

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While recovering from a heart attack, Times sports journalist Owen Slot distracted himself by watching a summer of thrilling sport. He was still hooked up to a heart rate monitor, so he decided to run an experiment: how would his heart react to the drama? 

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

Read by:Owen Slot, chief sports writer, The Times.

Producer:Jennifer Kennedy.

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

Read more: Sport moves you like nothing else — as I found out after my heart attack

Clips: talkSPORT.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Nigel Farage has done the inevitable and defeated Count Binface in the Clacton by-election. To celebrate, Reform threw a gigantic Glastonbury-style festival on Clacton beach. Farage-fest 2026 featured disco, live music and even a Ferris wheel. But during his victory speech, Farage admitted for the first time that he may have made a mistake by failing to declare the £5m gift he received from Christopher Harborne. Now, just hours after his victory, the parliamentary standards watchdog has resumed its investigation into the Reform leader. So, after the Ferris wheel and the fanfare, what next for the embattled Farage?

Hosts:

Producers:Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson

Picture:Getty images

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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It’s been five years since the Taliban took over Afghanistan’s capital. Since then, the country has been plunged into economic crisis and women have all but disappeared from society. The Times’ special correspondent Anthony Loyd has been reporting from Afghanistan for 30 years. He’s been back on the streets of Kabul and on patrol with the Taliban’s morality police finding out what life is like for ordinary Afghans.

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

Guest:Anthony Loyd, special correspondent, The Times. 

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Emily Webb, Jennifer Kennedy.

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

Read more: On patrol with the Taliban’s ‘Virtue and Vice’ police

Clips: BBC, Al Jazeera, DW News, ABC News, Fox 59, CBS, ARB 24.

Photo: Getty Images.

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A Scientology whistleblower told Times journalist Tom Ball that the church’s Edinburgh branch had children as young as thirteen working there during school hours. The church denied the allegation. Tom went undercover to investigate. 

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

Guest:Tom Ball, news reporter, The Times

Host:Manveen Rana

Producer:Sophie McNulty

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

Read more:Revealed: how Scientology recruits children as 'staff'

Further listening:Undercover at Britain’s ‘conspiracy school’

Clips:Apostate Alex - YouTube.

Photo: Ian Rutherford for The Times. 

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Andy Burnham is facing the first big test of his premiership. With jails reaching a crisis point, the government has announced an emergency early release scheme to avoid running out of prison spaces by the end of this year. But Burnham’s proposals have faced an outcry from victims. So what options are left?

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

Guests:

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Micaela Arneson, Olivia Case.

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

Read more: Who is in our overflowing prisons — and why?

Clips: Thames Valley Police, BBC, Sky, TalkTV.

Photo: Getty Images.

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Nigel Farage has had a tricky summer. With his party down in the polls and beset by scandal, it hasn’t been ideal preparation for Thursday’s by-election. So Times Radio's Rosie Wright heads to the seaside in Essex to see how locals are feeling about the vote, before asking one of our politicos if the whole stunt has actually backfired.

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

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

Host:Rosie Wright, Times Radio breakfast show presenter.

Producers:Harry Stott.

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

Read more: To stop Reform’s slump, Nigel Farage needs to win places like this

Further listening:Posh George: the criminal behind Farage

Clips: The Telegraph / Youtube, LBC, BBC, Whitehall Sources, Rupert Lowe / X.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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The UK produces around half of the food we eat but this year's droughts have led to shriveling crops and farmers struggling to feed their animals. Is our changing climate jeopardising our food security?

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

Guests:

Host:Manveen Rana. 

Producer:Olivia Case.

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

Read more: Drained reservoirs may not prevent harvest being worst on record

Further listening:Why young high achievers are leaving Britain

Clips: Sky News. 

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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This week, Jason Arday, who made history as Cambridge’s youngest black professor, resigned after facing serious allegations of plagiarism. How did Arday's dramatic downfall unfold? And why has this academic row sparked global headlines? 

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

Guest: Emma Yeomans, news reporter, The Times

Host:Manveen Rana

Producer:Sophie McNulty

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

Read more: Jason Arday: Times analysis finds ‘impossible’ data in his work

Clips: Channel 5, Sky News, Channel 4, BBC, The Telegraph.

Photo: Joshua Bratt for The Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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The Norwegian mountaineer Kristin Harila smashed the speed record for the world’s 14 highest peaks. But soon after, her career unravelled. Could she have done more to help another mountaineer in trouble?

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

Read by:Matthew Campbell, foreign features editor, The Sunday Times.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producer:Emily Webb.

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

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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In the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, citizens are facing escalating missile attacks from Russia and the country is out of interceptor missiles to prevent them. But behind the scenes, Ukraine has been plotting to bring down Russia’s biggest online retailer, Wildberries. If successful, it could be ruinous for the Russian economy.

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

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

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Emily Webb.

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

Read more: Ukraine is hammering Wildberries warehouses. What is its strategy?

Clips: BBC, Sky News, CNN, The i Paper, Radio Free Europe, CBC.

Photo: Getty Images.

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After breaking the story of a secret scheme to sell off the World Cup, our reporter unpacks the growing rebellion threatening to end Gianni Infantino's presidency. But how did Infantino’s plans unravel so quickly? And can FIFA be redeemed after yet another leadership scandal?

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

Guest:Martyn Ziegler, chief sports reporter, The Times.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Harry Stott, Jennifer Kennedy.

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

Read more: How Gianni Infantino engineered World Cup to sell his doomed plan

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

Clips: Sky News, Sky Sports News, 7News, BBC News, CBC, TalkSport.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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‘There’s something wrong when aspirational high achievers see no future for themselves here,’ says Times columnist Cindy Yu. The exodus is small, but growing - the Office for National Statistics says there’s been a fivefold increase in 25-to-34-year-old British nationals leaving the UK since 2022. But why are they off, what are they searching for, and could anything encourage them to stay?

This 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: 

Host:Luke Jones

Producers:Olivia Case, Jennifer Kennedy, Shabnam Grewal

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

Read more: Why my friends talk about leaving Britain.

Photo: Getty Images

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The largest single illegal border crossing in the history of the European Union took place last week as 60,000 migrants arrived in the Spanish city of Ceuta on the north coast of Africa. But why did they all come at once? Was a Spanish legal change to blame, or foreign actors annoyed at Spain’s lenient migration policy? And how did it reignite questions about migration in the UK?

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

Guests:

Host:Manveen Rana. 

Producers:Olivia Case and Jennifer Kennedy.

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

Read more: Reform pledges to send in the navy to stop small boat crossings

Further listening:Europe on fire

Clips: Al Jazeera, GB News, CSPAN, 9 News Australia, The Mirror, Reform UK, El Debate, The New York Post. 

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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A six-part investigation by the French newspaper Le Monde has portrayed the luxury conglomerate LVMH as in the midst of a Succession-style drama, controlled by an ageing king: Bernard Arnault. Arnault made his first appearance on X to post a three-page sarcastic takedown of the piece. So what’s really going on? 

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

Guest:Peter Conradi, Europe editor, The Sunday Times.

Host:Luke Jones.

Producers:Taryn Siegel, Olivia Case.

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

Read more: France’s last monarch? Not moi, says luxury king Bernard Arnault

Clips: Dior, Sephora, Fenty, IG/Puckdotnews, CNN, CNBC, Legend podcast.

Photo: Getty Images.

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President Trump wants American women to have more babies. But despite policies like offering a baby bonus of a thousand dollars, birthrates continue to fall. So why are fewer Americans choosing to have children? And what does the answer reveal about the country today?

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

Guest:Louise Callaghan, US correspondent, The Sunday Times

Host:Manveen Rana

Producers:Emily Webb, Jennifer Kennedy

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

Read more: Why can’t Trump persuade US women to have more children?

Clips: Washington Post, NBC News, Wall Street Journal, New York Post, CBS Chicago, Bloomberg.

Photo: Getty Images.

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As demand for fashionable pets soars, vets and animal welfare charities say we're creating breeds that are destined to suffer. So, why are we prioritising cuteness over welfare? And what would it take to change the way we breed and buy our pets?

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

Read by:Matt Rudd, contributing editor, The Sunday Times

Producers:Emily Webb, Jennifer Kennedy

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

Read more: ‘They’re not dogs’: how extreme breeding is making our pets sick

Photo: Paul Stuart, The Sunday Times

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Donald Trump has announced that a deal has been reached to disarm Hamas in Gaza, while also forcing Israel to withdraw its troops from the strip. The President is hailing it as a ‘monumental step towards lasting PEACE and SECURITY’. But can it succeed where so many other attempts have failed?

This 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: 

Hosts: Ryan Tubridy, Ayesha Hazarika.

Producers:Lewis Decker, Musty Aziz.

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

Read more:Trump hails historic Gaza deal – but will it work?

Further listening:The ticking time bomb Netanyahu faces at home

Photo: Getty Images.

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After a scandal-ridden tournament, there’s a new crisis brewing for the World Cup. As exclusively revealed by the Times, FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to monetise and Americanise football by selling off the tournament. But the Union of European Football Associations, UEFA, has threatened to boycott the tournament if that goes ahead. So what is Infantino thinking? And what does Donald Trump have to do with it?

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

Guests: 

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson.

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

Read more: Deluded Gianni Infantino can’t read room — he must be kicked out

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

Clips: Associated Press, WTHR, TalkSport, ABC News, SKY, ABC, ITV, Bloomberg, The Daily Mail. 

Photo: Getty Images.

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Why are transport links in the north of England so poor, and what could Andy Burnham do about it? Should women be worried about Meta’s AI glasses? And what is Trump planning – in Iran and beyond? You asked, so we answered, in this edition of our monthly Q&A series. 

If you have a question, send it to us at thestory@thetimes.com, and we’ll try to answer it in a future Q&A episode!

This 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: 

Hosts:Manveen Rana, Luke Jones. 

Producers:Micaela Arneson, Yasmin Choudhury. 

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

Read more: The rise of Islamist terror in Germany

Further listening:Can Trump run for a third term?

Clips: Kylie Jenner via Instagram, Associated Press. 

Photo: Getty Images.

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Tom Clarke speaks to The Times’ chief sports reporter Martyn Ziegler, following his exclusive story on Fifa president Gianni Infantino's plans to offer 'stakes' in the World Cup. So, what are these plans? Why does it matter and what happens next? 

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

Guest:Martin Ziegler, chief sports reporter, The Times

Host:Tom Clarke

Producer:Neil Cartmell

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

Read more:

Further listening:The Game podcast

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Andy Burnham’s plans to shift power out of London are already taking shape, with No 10 North open for business in Manchester. The city sees yet more political action tomorrow, with Labour expected to win Britain’s biggest ever by-election and usher in a new mayor. But what will Burnham’s plans for devolution really mean for the country?  

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

Guest:Darryl Morris, presenter, Times Radio.

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producer:Olivia Case.

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

Read more:Andy Burnham vows to put practical education on par with academia

Further listening:Can Burnham learn from Starmer's mistakes?

Photo: Getty Images.

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In France and Spain wildfires have been ripping through communities, forcing 325,000 to flee. And it’s not just mainland Europe feeling the heat. In Britain, wildfires have broken out across the country. So what does the future hold?

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

Guests: 

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Emily Webb and Jennifer Kennedy.

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

Read more: As the wind drops and rain falls, a moment of 'false calm' amid wildfires

Clips: Reuters, Sky News.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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We’re publishing our monthly Q&A episode this Thursday. Send us your questions by Wednesday 12pm BST!

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

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

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In Germany the radical right is on the rise. The Alternative for Germany, or AfD, has gone from the fringes to the second largest party in federal government. And it is expected to win more state elections this autumn. So how did the AfD become so popular in a country that's worked so hard to distance itself from its fascist history? And could it be stopped?

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

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

Host:Manveen Rana. 

Producers:Micaela Arneson, Olivia Case, Jesse Fox. 

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

Read more:How to beat the AfD: the German town where political rivals unite

Further listening:The far-right plot to overthrow the German state

Clips: Ungeskriptet Podcast, DW News. 

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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Alex Baber is a self-taught investigator from rural West Virginia who claims to have solved a case that’s defeated the world’s best cryptographers for half a century: the identity of the Zodiac killer. Baber used AI to interpret the coded notes the serial killer left behind and, in the process, made another startling discovery.

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

Guest:Josie Ensor, chief US reporter, The Times. 

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Emily Webb.

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

Read more: An AI sleuth claims to have finally unmasked the Zodiac murderer, one of America’s most notorious serial killers

Clips: Paramount Pictures.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

After months of trying to hide her true circumstances, Stacey Duguid decided to go public about her economic situation. The response from fellow midlife women was huge.

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

Read by:Claire Cohen, contributor, The Times. 

Producers:Emily Webb.

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

Read more: I was a high-flyer. Now, I’m broke and unemployed

Photo: Olivia Richardson, The Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

Sir Keir Starmer is out. Andy Burnham is in. And after just days in Downing Street, the new prime minister has torn up his predecessor's playbook — swapping warnings of a hard inheritance for a blitz of cost of living giveaways. Is this smart repositioning after Starmer's early missteps, or a sugar rush that can't survive contact with the budget?

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

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

Host:Luke Jones.

Producers:Elle Scott, Shabnam Grewal, Jennifer Kennedy.

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

Read more: Keir Starmer’s biggest success was something that didn’t happen

Further listening:The remarkable rise of Andy Burnham

Clips: BBC, 10 Downing Street / Youtube, Andy Burnham / Instagram, Bus Aunty / Instagram.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

Riot police in Delhi have fired tear gas and baton charged the biggest protest the city has seen in years; tens of thousands of young Indians, marching under the banner of the "Cockroach Janta Party", calling for an end to corruption and educational reform. But what exactly triggered this uprising? And could this be the biggest threat Modi has faced in 12 years of power?

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

Guests:

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Elle Scott and Shabnam Grewal.

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

Read more: Why India’s cockroach uprising is more than just a pest for Modi

Further listening:'Influencer of influencers': Modi's strategy to win the Indian election

Clips: Sky News, BBC, Sonam Wangchuk / Instagram, WION.

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

A gas platform in the North Sea is at the centre of a fierce debate that has divided the country: should the UK be expanding fossil fuel infrastructure or going all-in on renewables? The Rough Field gas facility wants to repurpose depleted gas fields to solve Britain’s chronic shortage of energy storage. But should government funding go towards securing our current energy supply, or funding a greener future?

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

Guest:Jim Armitage, contributing editor, The Sunday Times

Host:Manveen Rana

Producers:Micaela Arneson, Elle Scott. 

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

Read more:  This rig could treble Britain’s gas reserves, so why is it closing?

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

Clips: Parliament, BBC, The Guardian, LBC, Express, Sky News. 

Photo: Sunday Times Photographer Richard Pohle.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

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

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

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

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producers:Olivia Case and Elle Scott.

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

Read more: Burnham on football, his father’s dementia and preparing for power

Further listening:The remarkable rise of Andy Burnham

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

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

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

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

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

Host:Manveen Rana

Producers:Sophie McNulty

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

Read more: Tensions rise over ‘fascist’ parades held across Scotland

Further listening:Belfast on fire

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

Photo: X - Craig Houston.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

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

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

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

Host:Manveen Rana.

Producer:Dave Creasey.

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

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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

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

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

Read by: Ben Kawaller, reporter and essayist.

Producer:Dave Creasey.

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

Read more: I’ve decided to become a father. Does anyone want my sperm?

Photo:Adam Grey for The Times.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.

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