Stories of our times

The first woman to run MI6, the foreign branch of Britain's Secret Intelligence Services has been named. Blaise Metreweli takes over the role of ‘C,' as the head of the service has always been called, in the autumn. She will go from complete anonymity to becoming the public face of British foreign espionage. A long career in espionage means much is shrouded in mystery but we have some fascinating details about the new C and about the history of the job.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Larisa Brown, Defence Editor, The Times.Dr Daniel Lomas - Assistant professor in International Relations. University of Nottingham.Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Shabnam Grewal. Further reading:Who really is the new MI6 chief? Here's everything we could findBlaise Metreweli to be first female chief of MI6Clips: Sky news, Eon Productions & MGM, @Legaseewarveterans, ITN archive, ABC, Politico.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Decca Aitkenhead was nine when a GP risked jail to help her mother to die. Years later she watched her best friend succumb to the slow torture of Huntington's disease, and for a few days she found herself confronting her own death. She tells Jane Mulkerrins how those experiences have shaped her views on assisted dying. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Decca Aitkenhead, Chief Interviewer, The Sunday Times.Host: Jane Mulkerrins.Producer: Edward Drummond.Further reading: I was 9 when a GP risked jail to help mum die. The law must changeFurther listening: The debate about death that split the countryClips: ITV/Concord Media, Parliament.Photo: Decca Aitkenhead. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As thousands of Ukrainian soldiers struggle with debilitating PTSD since the Russian invasion, one unconventional therapy has proved surprisingly effective: ketamine. How did this become a treatment for mental illness? And does it really work? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Clips: Netflix/How to change your mind.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did Israel pull off the most devastating attack on the Iranian regime in its 45 year history and did it achieve its aim of destroying the country's ability to produce a nuclear weapon? As Tehran retaliates for the deaths of its leading military and nuclear personnel, what is the path to de-escalation, and is there a path to something far worse?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Tom Newton-DunnHost: Luke Jones Producer: Hannah Varrall, Edith RousselotFurther reading: What weapons does Iran have and how long can it attack Israel?Further listening: The General & The Journalist, from The Times and The Sunday TimesClips: BBC News, France 24, Times News, Youtube @IsraeliPM, WTHR, Sky News, Associated Press, Al Jazeera English, CBS News, Bloomberg News, Guardian News, Fox 9 Minneapolis, Facebook @Firstpost. Photo: Getty ImagesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Weight loss drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy aren't just changing bodies - they're rewiring society. Half a million Britons have tried them and that number's soaring. So what will be different in this slim new world? Sunday Times science editor Ben Spencer explains how the drugs are fundamentally altering everything from alcohol to airlines. We also hear Harriet Walker's experience of taking the drugs, and why the expression "on the pen" is now firmly in the vernacular of fashion week. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Ben Spencer, Science Editor, The Sunday Times.Harriet Walker, Fashion Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Further reading:I tried Ozempic microdosing, the secret way the rich lose weightAll the ways Ozempic will change our world, from alcohol to airlinesClips: Times Radio, Doctor Mike / Youtube, Mark Lewis / YouTube, Fox, @Alexanderweightjourney / YouTube, @DoctorYoun / YouTube, Dr Emma Anders / YouTube, FatOldClimber / YouTube, @ChrisWilx / YouTube, SouthPark / Paramount Plus / Comedy Central, TikTok / Kasiedate, TikTok / @Gabysuecum, TikTok / sistershred. Photo: Romas Foord for The Times magazine. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally published in March.The word "unprecedented" is often used to describe Donald Trump's presidency. He's broken with convention repeatedly: from announcing tariffs on allies, to the suggestion that he wants to buy Greenland. But are these moves really without precedent? Or do Trump's politics echo that of 19th century US presidents, but with a more alarming twist?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Nick BryantHost: Manveen Rana.Producer: Emily Webb.Clips: ABC News, CNBC, Niki Ashton Youtube, CBS News, New York Times, FOX, MSNBC, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, NBC, Washington Post, BBC.Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A pattern is seemingly emerging with a series of high profile targeted killings taking place inside Russian territory, blamed on Ukrainian forces. This week, an in depth look at those stories, who may be responsible for them, why they may be happening and what are rules when it comes to assessing wether they are legally and ethically justified. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The protests in Los Angeles have created a political opportunity for California's Democrat governor, Gavin Newsom. He has called Donald Trump a “stone-cold liar” and said that democracy itself is under threat after the president ordered the National Guard and the Marines onto the streets of LA. Have the Democrats found a credible opponent who could take on Trump? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: George Grylls, Washington Correspondent, The Times, Samuel Lovett, US Reporter, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Shabnam Grewal.Further reading:Does LA have a migrant problem? The history explained ,Is Trump's deployment of marines ‘un-American' or necessary? ,Trump calls for arrest of ‘grossly incompetent' Gavin Newsom ,How one LA protest spiraled outClips: Sky, Fox29philly, Fox news, CNN, MSNBC, Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, therecount, Kare11, Photo: GettyGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For years, the Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed used his power to abuse and rape women who worked for him. He was never prosecuted. In her new book The Monster of Harrods: Al-Fayed and the secret, shameful history of a British institution, Alison Kervin reveals the staggering scale of his abuse and the huge number of people who enabled it.This episode contains details of rape and sexual abuse. If you need support, go to www.247sexualabusesupport.org.uk or call 0808 500 2222.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Alison Kervin, Author of The Monster of Harrod's: Al-Fayed and the secret, shameful history of a British Institution.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Edith Rousselot.Further reading: The monster of Harrods: ‘Mohamed Al Fayed raped me'Clips: BBC News, Sky News, 7News Australia. Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Monday a boat of twelve activists, including Greta Thunberg, was intercepted by Israel on its way to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza. More than a humanitarian mission, its aim was to keep the world's attention on what the UN calls "the hungriest place on earth". Israel dismissed the project as a “selfie yacht” guided by "instagram activism". Gabrielle Weiniger tells Manveen Rana how the incident became the latest battle in the war of messaging for both sides. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel correspondent for The TimesHost: Manveen RanaProducer: Anna Dowell, Hannah VarrallFurther reading: Israel deports Greta Thunberg after seizing Madleen aid boatFurther listening: 'People are starving' - How Trump lost patience with IsraelClips: theipaper via YouTube, ‘The Left in the European Parliament' via Youtube, Office of the Israeli Prime Minister, CNN, Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Louise Callaghan, BBC, Al Jazeera, Daily Sabah via Facebook, Palestine Deep Dive via YouTube, France 24 English via YouTube, Israel MFA via X.com, The SunPhoto: Getty ImagesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The closest of bromances devolved last week into a public cage fight. Where did this come from? And when the richest man in the world and the most powerful man in the world decide to do battle, what are the stakes?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Katy Balls, Washington DC Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Further reading: Trump v Elon Musk may deliver one true winner: JD Vance.Further listening: Why the dollar is crashing -- and why you should care.Clips: ABC News, Sky News, NBC/Today, Bloomberg Television, CNN, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Fox News, Spectrum News, CBS News.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The journalist James Bloodworth has been exploring the manosphere revealing a hidden world of modern masculinity and the anxieties driving it. Charting the history from pickup artists to incels and influencers, he tells Manveen about the attractions of this digital world to young men and his own experiences within it.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: James Bloodworth, journalist and author of Lost Boys: A Personal Journey Through the ManosphereTo order a copy go to timesbookshop.co.uk. Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ membersHost: Manveen RanaProducer: Shabnam GrewalFurther reading : My job at a £7,500 dating boot camp — toxic masculinity rules Clips: Youtube, Tiktok ,@rich_somers, @BrandonFromILET, @SpartanMomentum, @ChrisWillx, Jordan Peterson Fan Channel@PsycheMatters, ABC Photo: James BloodworthGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally published two year ago.They are supposed to help adults quit smoking – so why is a Willy Wonka array of disposable vapes being mass marketed to children? The Chartered Trading Standards Institute wants tougher penalties for those selling to under-18s. Just how did vaping get so big in Britain?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Josh Glancy, News Review Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Edward Drummond.Clips: BBC News, Sky News, Channel 4 News.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With tough choices facing the government, the political masterminds look at what goes on behind the scenes ahead of a spending review - and how reluctant ministers are brought into line.And as the Tories finally put the boot into the Liz Truss legacy, have they found a new strategy on the economy - and will anyone notice?Send your comments and questions to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour comes to the UK, we chart the rise of a shy schoolgirl from Texas who became a record-breaking billionaire. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Megan Agnew.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Hannah Varrall.Further reading: The making of Beyoncé — by friends, family and Team Bey insidersClips: CMA Awards 2016, The Howard Stern Show, YouTube/@bvconcerts, Youtube/@Kamala Harris. Thanks to Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia, Warner Chappell Music, Pulse Publishing Administration, Sony Music Publishing.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government's Strategic Defence Review has set out a vision for Britain's defence for the next decade. One of its authors, General Sir Richard Barrons, spoke to Manveen Rana about the threat from Russia, the wars and weapons of the future and how quickly society can collapse.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: General Sir Richard Barrons, co-author of the Strategic Defence Review 2025. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Edward Drummond.Further listening: The rise of killer robots: The future of modern warfare? Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, BBC News, Rusi. Photo: Getty Images/Adobe Stock Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The dollar has been the global reserve currency nearly a century. But four months into the new Trump administration, could that be about to change?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Further reading: Trump's ‘revenge taxes' are more dangerous than his trade warFurther listening: Why the price of gold is skyrocketingClips: CNBC, Soar Financially, Forbes Breaking News, MSNBC.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthony Loyd and the legendary photographer Don McCullin have been to Syria to chronicle the destruction of Palmyra by Islamic State and to see what is changing under the new Syrian regime. Manveen sat down with them at Don's house in Somerset to reflect on war, loss, friendship — and a remarkable career. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Anthony Loyd, Special Correspondent, The Times.Don McCullin, photographer.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Kizzy Bray and Edward Drummond.Further reading: Don McCullin, 89, returns to Palmyra: ‘This time will be my last'Clips: Reuters, NY Times.Photo: Anthony Loyd/The Times.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giorgia Meloni has world leaders falling at her feet and the Trump administration in her thrall. But how did she reinvent herself from leader of a minor neo-fascist party to the new political queen of Europe?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Tom Kington, The Times correspondent in Rome. Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Edith Rousselot.Further reading: Stop flirting with Giorgia Meloni! She's a serious leaderClips: AFP, Atlantic Council, AP News, EU Debates, PBS NewsHour, The Express Tribune.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally published last March.Japanese ‘kidults' revolutionised pop culture in the 90s and 00s, turning to their inner children to cope with economic crisis and post-industrial societal ills, despite being ridiculed. As the milestones of adulthood - property, marriage and careers - become increasingly difficult for millennials and Gen Z to achieve - are westerners now turning to ‘kidulting' to find answers? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Matt Alt, author of Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Sam Chantarasak.Further listening: Studio Ghibli: Is this the end for the Japanese studio that inspired Pixar?The South Korean culture machine that conquered the worldClips: SEGA, Pokémon Theme/POKEMON, MSNBC, CNN, AJ+, Sony, PlayStation, CBS, SXSW, TikTok/@otakuintokyo, TikTok/@kaitlyneats, Your Name/dir. Makoto Shinkai/CoMix Wave Films/Toho.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever been ghosted by a brand after a bad buy? You're not alone. In this episode of Feel Better About Money, we dive under the cushions of luxury sofas gone wrong, and hear about rejected refunds on financed cars, and overseas purchases gone bust. The Times Consumer Champion Kat Denham joins Holly and Lucy to reveal how to fight back when companies say no, and what your rights really are. Plus, some big news from Lucy as she signs off from the show, off to a brand new job!Guest: Katherine Denham, The Times Consumer Champion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since being elected, Donald Trump's personal fortune has more than doubled, and members of his family are doing well too. The White House says he's given up a successful business career to serve the country, but critics say he's cashing in on his position. How has the president made so much money? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Alistair Dawber, Washington Correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Edward Drummond. Further reading: How presidency saved Trump from ruin and made him a fortuneClips: DAR Global, CNN, Fox News, USA Miracle Center, MSNBC, CNBC, PBS News, Ben Shapiro podcast, The White House, DonaldTrump.com.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's going on inside Labour? After the prime minister's recent u-turn on winter fuel allowance, a previously fixed policy, and hints of more u-turns to come, it's becoming less and less clear what Labour are offering.A leaked memo implying divisions and unhappiness at the direction of travel means some in the party may be looking at deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, as credible opposition to Keir Starmer. She might also be better placed to take on Nigel Farage. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Patrick Maguire, Chief Political Commentator, The TimesHost: Manveen RanaProducer: Shabnam GrewalFurther reading:Winter fuel U-turn exposes vacuum at heart of No 10Reform UK local election surge is existential threat to the big twoClips: GBNews, ITV NEWS , SKY NEWS, BBC News, Good Morning Britain , New Statesman, Reform UK Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From its inception at a drunken party seventeen years ago, the second-hand clothing app Vinted is now worth over £4 billion. Nearly sunk by one bad business decision, how did the company reinvent itself and the way we shop today?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Sarah Ditum, Contributor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Further reading: Antiques boom as the Vinted generation catch the bugClips: Slush / YouTube, sTARTUPDAy / YouTube.Photo: The Sunday Times.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Sullivan has been released from prison after spending 38 years behind bars for a murder he didn't commit. In 1986, 21-year-old Diane Sindall was brutally murdered but it has now been proved that police got the wrong man. DNA found on her body does not belong to Peter Sullivan. Why did it take so long to prove his innocence and is the body that investigates possible miscarriages of justice fit for purpose? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Emily Dugan, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen RanaProducers:Hannah VarrallShabnam Grewal.Further reading: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/peter-sullivan-miscarriage-justice-07688bqc3https://www.thetimes.com/article/3f659bf1-d713-437c-9bf3-03a5b65817f7 Clips: Channel 4 News, Court of Appeal, Daily Express, BBC Crimewatch, Justice Committee 29 April 2025.Photo: Merseyside Police.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump has announced plans to impose a levy on on American films made outside the country. It's a bold move that could have serious consequences for the global film industry. What do these proposed tariffs mean for the UK film sector, and is this a savvy strategy to revive a struggling Hollywood or just another salvo in Trump's culture war against liberal America?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest:Ed Potton, Commissioning Editor and Writer, The TimesHadley Freeman, Columnist and Features Writer, The Sunday TimesHost: Jane MulkerrinsProducer: Euan DawtreyFurther reading:‘A collective capitulation to fear': How Hollywood bowed to TrumpWill James Bond leave Pinewood for LA? UK film industry reacts to TrumpClips: Home Alone 2. © 1992 20th Century Studios. Director: Chris Columbus, The Apprentice. © 2024 Tailored Films. Director: Ali Abbasi, CNN, New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Real Time with Bill Maher.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From bleak TV comedies to #mumtok meltdowns, modern motherhood is often portrayed as joyless, exhausting, and even traumatic. How did fear become the dominant narrative around parenting? And what gets lost in the process?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Alexandra Jones, writer, The Times.Host: Taryn Siegel.Producers: Aaliyah Ahmed and Taryn Siegel.Further reading: Negative tales of motherhood nearly put me off having a babyWhat I wish I'd known before I had kidsClips: Netflix/Motherland, Parliament TV. Photo: Courtesy of Alexandra Jones.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer is changing course on the winter fuel allowance - where does it sit in the league table of political U-turns, and will it please anybody?The political masterminds also discuss the Conservative Party's existential polling spiral, why Starmer's approval ratings have fallen so far in the year since the General Election was called, and why Hugo agrees with Polly that babies should get the vote.Send your comments and questions to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In New York, the P Diddy trial is in its second week. The case centres around ‘freak-offs' - parties where it's claimed he forced two ex-girlfriends to engage in sexual acts with male escorts. He denies the claims. As the trial enters its second week, here's the update. This podcast contains discussions of rape and sexual assault that some listeners may find upsetting. If you've been affected by anything you've heard in this podcast, you can visit the Rape Crisis website https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ or for domestic abuse, Refuge's website https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ for help and support. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Will Pavia, New York Correspondent, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Olivia Case.Further reading: My week at the Diddy trial, where laughter gave way to disturbed silenceDiddy went to confront rival with three guns, ex-assistant saysFurther listening: P Diddy on trialThe P Diddy lawsuits: The downfall of a rap legendClips: Instagram / @Diddy, ABC, Fox, BBC, YouTube, NewsweekMag, CourtTV, Diaro As, CNN. Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Donald Trump took a tour of the Middle East last week, there was one notable omission from his itinerary - a trip to see America's long term political ally in the region, Israel. Instead, the US President voiced concern for the ongoing famine in Gaza. And now, after days of speculation, Benjamin Netanyahu has been forced to dismiss talk of a rift with Israel's military and diplomatic patron. But what caused Trump's patience to snap, and will it change anything for starving Gazans?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Gabrielle Weiniger, Tel Aviv-based correspondent for The TimesAmal Helles, Reporter at The TimesHost: Manveen RanaProducer: Rosie StopherFurther reading: Leaked map shows Israeli proposal to force Gazans into strips of land / Here in Gaza, babies are skin and bone. I fear mine will be tooFurther listening: Trump's Gaza BombshellClips: Sky News, UK Parliament, Al Jazeera, TRT WorldPhoto: A Gaza soup kitchen, via Getty imagesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 200 migrants from the US are being held in a high-security prison for terrorists in El Salvador, accused of being gang members. How did El Salvador become the repository for US deportees? And what does the friendship between President Bukele and President Trump tell us about the futures of both countries?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Stephen Gibbs, Contributor, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Further reading: The TikTok beauty influencer shot dead during livestream in MexicoClips: China Xinhau Español, NBC News, CNN, MSNBC, Guardian News.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former US president Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, and is now considering his options for treatment. The physical and mental health of the 82 year old has made the news frequently over the last year or so. In fact, questions about his mental capacity eventually forced him to step aside in favour of Kamala Harris. A new book reveals how Biden's team kept him away from scrutiny and covered up his declining health. Manveen speaks to The Times's assistant editor, David Charter, who has interviewed the authors. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: David Charter, Assistant Editor (US), The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Shabnam Grewal.Further reading:The fall of Joe Biden and how his team covered up his decline.‘Original Sin' review: How the democrats tried to hide Biden's decline.Key claims about Joe Biden's health.Clips: CNN, House Committee on the Judiciary, NBC, MSNBC.Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Times Rich List 2025 has been one of the hardest to compile in recent years, thanks in large part to President Trump's tariffs. But it's another government's policies that the rich listers cite as their biggest concern. Why are the top 1% of earners so angry? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Robert Watts, compiler of The Sunday Times Rich ListHost: Manveen RanaProducer: Rosie StopherFurther reading: How the Sunday Times Rich List 2025 was compiled / The Sunday Times Rich List 2025 revealedClips: BBC, Times Radio, UK ParliamentPhoto: Richard Pohle for Times Media LtdGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally published in January.Elon Musk has unleashed a huge political row in the UK over whether there should be a national inquiry into the gangs that groomed young girls for rape in a number of Britain's northern towns. But whilst the world's richest man accused the 'legacy media' of a cover-up, the scandal was actually exposed by Times journalist Andrew Norfolk. So how did he uncover the shocking story? And has enough been done to make sure it never happens again?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Andrew Norfolk, former Chief Investigations Reporter, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Emily Webb.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comImage: The Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katie and Danny are joined for a conversation with Jon McNeil. For a pivotal 30 month period, Jon was President of Tesla and worked closely with Elon Musk. And also just where is the EV market currently at? Is the future of driving autonomous? And how best to invest in our AI future?Any thoughts or questions, get in touch - techpod@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lily Phillips, a 23-year-old from Derbyshire, made headlines after claiming to have slept with 101 men in a single day. She rose to household-name status largely thanks to OnlyFans. Lily Phillips says what she's doing is her choice and that she's a feminist, but some feminists are worried about what that says about young people's attitudes to female empowerment. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Katie Glass, Feature Writer, The Times and The Sunday Times.Sarah Ditum, Contributor, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Jane Mulkerrins.Producer: Euan Dawtrey.Further reading: What this woman tells us about pornLily Phillips: Don't blame me for how men have sexClips: NBC, I Slept with 100 Men in One Day © 2025. Director: Tom Willows.Photo: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV, the first American chosen to lead the Catholic Church. In the weeks running up to his election, he openly criticised the Trump administration's immigration policy and even had a row with Vice President JD Vance on X. Does this suggest that President Trump may be in for a bumpy ride from the world's other most powerful American? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Christopher Hale,  Democratic politician from Tennessee and Catholic nonprofit executive.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Edith Rousselot.Further reading: The real Pope Leo XIV — by those who knew him in Rome, Chicago and PeruWho is Robert Prevost? New Pope hit out at Trump administration weeks agoClips: Bloomberg, Reuters, Rome Reports in English Youtube, CBS News, EWTN Global Catholic Network, Khou 11, Guardian News. Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New talks on Ukraine continue in Istanbul tomorrow and after months of taking Vladimir Putin's side, President Trump now seems much more supportive of Ukraine. So why the switch? And more than three years after Russia's full-scale invasion, are we any closer to a deal or are both sides just putting on a show for Trump?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Professor Mark Galeotti, Historian, Author and Director of Mayak Intelligence. Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Further reading: Zelensky ‘will only negotiate peace deal with Putin' in IstanbulClips: Europe Pulse, FOX, YouTube / David Feldman, France 24, CTV News, NBC, Channel 4, Forbes, BBC, Amanpour and Company, Bloomberg, CBS, YouTube / Reuters. Photo: Office of the President of Uraine via Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In March this year, a team of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers accepted the Oscar for best documentary. Their film No Other Land is a glimpse into the reality of life in the West Bank, the most populous of the Palestinian Territories. Before the month was out, though, one of the people on that stage - co-director Hamdan Ballal - would return home to the West Bank and be attacked and detained by Israeli settlers and soldiers. Times reporter Venetia Menzies went to meet Hamdan and his co-director and star of the documentary, Basel Adra, to find out what life is like now for Palestinians in the West Bank. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Venetia Menzies, ​​assistant data editor at The Times and The Sunday TimesHost: Luke Jones Producer: Hannah VarrallFurther reading: https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/palestinian-film-director-oscar-israeli-settlers-q62756r9v Clips: Oscars, No Other Land, CBS Chicago, France 24 English, Hollywood Reporter.Photo: Basel Adra (Venetia Menzies)Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two men have been found guilty of criminal damage, for the felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree in Northumbria. Constance Kampfner sat through the trial, in which the prosecution called what Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers had done, ‘a moronic mission to cause mindless vandalism.' The men were remanded in custody for their own protection after the verdict was announced. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Constance KampfnerHost: Luke Jones Producer: Hannah Varrall and Shabnam Grewal Clips: BBC News, Sky News, Channel 4 News, National Trust .Photo: Getty ImagesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was originally published last November.On Sept 12, 2001, Blerim Skoro was approached by a man and a woman while he was in prison. They turned out to be CIA agents. That one meeting would change the course of his life and lead him on a journey across countries, inside terrorist groups, as he tried to make it home to his family.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Josie Ensor, US Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Clips: Video filmed by Blerim Skoro, provided by ‘The Accidental Spy', directed by Anthony Wonke.Photo: John Beck for The Times.Further reading: I gave my life to the CIA. They betrayed meGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fi's off today on important business, so Jane M is here! Normal schedule resumes tomorrow... whatever that means. Today, Jane and Jane chat power outages, Björn Ulvaeus, and Euston toilets.Plus, Jane speaks with David Collins, Northern Editor of The Sunday Times, about his book 'Saffie', which tells the story of the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena terror attack and her family's fight for justice.If you fancy sending us a postcard, the address is:Jane and FiTimes Radio, News UK1 London Bridge StreetLondonSE1 9GFSend your suggestions for the next book club pick!If you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radioFollow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producer: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie CutlerHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.