The Story

Since the case against two British men accused of spying for China suddenly collapsed, the Government and the Crown Prosecution Service have been playing the blame game, each accusing the other of being responsible. So who’s really at fault? And did China get a free pass in order to secure a better trade deal? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Caroline Wheeler, Political Editor, Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson. Read more: The inside story of China spy case collapse: ‘It came from the very top’Keir Starmer’s security adviser ‘too close to China’, ministers warnFurther listening: The Westminster aide suspected of spying for China Clips: Sky, WION, BBC, ITV, Parliament TV, Channel 4. Photo: Alamy, Lauren Hurley/No 10 Downing Street/Crown Copyright, Faculty AI, Adobe Stock, Denise Kelly. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With increasing numbers of people crossing the Channel in small boats, emergency call logs lay bare the fears faced by those trying to reach Britain. These calls highlight the risks taken every day by those at the centre of this growing crisis. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Emma Yeomans, News reporter, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Edward Drummond. Read more: Bigger, deadlier crossings: distress calls show migrant crisis has changed Further listening: The human cost of the migrant crisis Clips: ITV News, The Times, GB News. Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There was a sense of euphoria in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv, yesterday, as all of the living hostages held by Hamas since the October 7th attacks were released. But while Trump told the Israeli parliament the peace plan he brokered was a miracle, cracks have already begun to emerge. So is this really the beginning of long term peace in the Middle East? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Edith Rousselot, Olivia Case. Clips: The Times, Fox News, GB News Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times has uncovered cases of parents accused of killing their babies, based in part on testimony from a forensic expert who claimed to find evidence of harm. But serious concerns have now been raised about his conclusions by judges and other specialist pathologists. What happens if the expert gets it wrong? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: James Beal, Deputy Investigations Editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Micaela Arneson, Olivia Case. Read more: Miscarriage of justice fears over expert’s evidence in baby death trials ‘Two nightmares at once’: the mothers accused over their babies’ deaths Photo: The Times. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For more than 40 years. Dame Jilly Cooper was the undisputed queen of the bonk buster, that glorious British blend of sex, scandal and social satire. As Britain says farewell to her, three Times journalists who loved, knew and even shared a glass of champagne with Jilly gather to remember the writer who made us laugh, blush and bonk - unapologetically. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guests: Host: Jane Mulkerrins. Producer: Dave Creasey. Read more: She told me she’d reread Riders and was shocked’ — Jilly Cooper’s best booksJilly Cooper: the woman who taught me about sexClips: BBC. Photo: Getty Pictures. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each episode is hosted by The Story released as a bonus weekly series on Saturdays. Legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle has spent decades exploring the blue heart of our planet. From leading the first all-female aquanaut team to founding Mission Blue, she has dived deeper and stayed longer in the ocean than almost anyone alive. As she celebrates her 90th birthday, Rolex Testimonee, Sylvia reflects with Adam Vaughan on her extraordinary career, the changes she’s witnessed, and why she still believes in a future full of 'Hope Spots'. Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Guest: Sylvia Earle, Marine Biologist, Oceanographer and Rolex Testimonee Host: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia Sound Designer: David Crackles This podcast is advertiser funded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump hails 'everlasting peace' in Gaza and promises hostages will be released as early as Monday. But will a ceasefire hold? How did we go from multiple sticking points last week to seeming agreement this week? And is Trump going to get the Nobel peace prize for it, later 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: Tal Schneider, Political & Diplomatic Correspondent, The Times of Israel. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. Clips: BBC, Al Jazeera, AFP, DawnNews English Read more: Two years on from October 7 attacks, Gazans count the cost of war. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US government has been shut down for more than a week, and Democrats and Republicans are locked in a political blame game. Shutdowns are nothing new in US politics, but this time President Trump has made an unusual threat: to permanently cut hundreds of thousands of jobs and shutter entire government agencies. Is this just a new bargaining tactic to put pressure on Democrats or part of a bigger project to remake the American government? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Lara Spirit, Washington Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Micaela Arneson and Olivia Case. Read more: Trump warns Democrats the ‘grim reaper is coming’ The revenge shutdown: Trump vows to inflict maximum pain on Democrats Clips: CBS, ProPublica, Democracy Now!, @realDonaldTrump / TruthSocial, ABC, MSNBC, NBC News. Music: (Don't Fear) The Reaper / Blue Oyster Cult / Columbia. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When 29-year-old Sophie Rottenberg took her own life, her family later discovered she’d been confiding in a chatbot called ‘Harry’ things that she wasn’t telling any human. This episode discusses suicide and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. If you’re in the UK, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org. If you’re in the US, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Katie Gatens, Commissioning Editor for News Review, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Edith Rousselot. Read more: My daughter used ChatGPT as a therapist, then took her own life Photo: Courtesy of the family Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years ago Hamas fighters launched a terror attack on Israel, killing more than 1,000 people and taking around 250 hostage.The Hamas-linked Gaza health authorities say tens of thousands have been killed in the subsequent war, which has devastated the area and led to catastrophic food shortages. In the UK today, members of the Jewish community will commemorate the victims of October 7th, while pro-Palestine protests take place on university campuses across the country. How can we protect vulnerable communities while allowing legitimate protest? Should the police be given increasing powers to intervene, or does that pose a threat to democratic freedoms? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Shabnam Grewal, Micaela Arneson. Clips: Times News, 10 Downing Street, The Guardian, Suella Braverman via Twitter. Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's the future for an unpopular party governed by an unpopular leader? That's the question no one will be asking quite so bluntly at the Conservative Party conference this week in Manchester– except possibly The Times political editor Steven Swinford. He discusses whether leader Kemi Badenoch’s days are numbered and explains how the Tories could beat Reform at their own game. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Steven Swinford, Political Editor, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Micaela Arneson, Olivia Case. Clips: GB News, Kookydave via YouTube. Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, thousands of children have disappeared from their homes. Separated from their families, many were sent to ‘re-education’ camps in Crimea, others, deep into the heart of Russia. So just what is it like for those children? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/thestory WARNING: This episode contains reference to sexual violence, torture, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Written and read by: Jane Mulkerrins, Associate Editor of The Times Magazine. Producer: Dave Creasey. Clips: ITV News, France24, Sky News, DRM News, BBC News, Russian National Anthem. Photo: Eva Pentel for The Times Magazine. Read more: I was kidnapped by Russia at 16 — like so many Ukrainian kids Watch the film. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each episode is hosted by The Story released as a bonus weekly series on Saturdays. High in the Arctic, beneath Greenland’s ancient ice, lie caves that hold clues to our planet’s past and its future. Climate researcher and Rolex Awards Laureate Gina Moseley leads daring expeditions into these hidden worlds to uncover how our climate has changed over hundreds of thousands of years. She tells Adam Vaughan why exploring these frozen frontiers matters to us all. Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Host: Adam Vaughan, environment editor, The Times Guest: Gina Moseley, climate researcher and Rolex Awards Laureate Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia Sound Designer: David Crackles This podcast is advertiser funded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Thursday morning, a suspected Islamist terrorist, Jihad al-Shamie, was confronted by police outside Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall on Yom Kippur. He had with him a knife and a fake suicide bomb. Two people, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, were killed. One of the victims was shot and killed by police, as they opened fire on al-Shamie. This is a special episode of The Story to bring you the latest on this attack. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Ali Mitib, News Reporter, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Olivia Case and Micaela Arneson. Read more: Manchester synagogue attack — follow live. Clips: Sky, BBC, Times Radio, PA, X / @chiefrabbi, The Independent. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doctors who’ve been disciplined or had their licence revoked for misconduct or incompetence have been able to work in the NHS. A Times investigation has found more than 20 doctors, who are banned in various countries, but have somehow acquired the right to treat patients here – sometimes with devastating consequences. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: George Greenwood, Investigations Reporter, The Times Host: Manveen Rana Producer: Shabnam Grewal Read more: The doctors banned from practising abroad cleared to treat in NHS Further listening: Dubai Unlocked: The convicts secretly investing millions in the Emirates Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com This episode includes references to sexual abuse. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, help is available. Survivors Trust websiteSurvivors UK website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week The Times is launching a new politics podcast. We're dropping the first episode here -- subscribe to The State of It for free, wherever you get your podcasts, to tune in every week. Welcome to The State of It, coming to you from Liverpool where the Labour Party is finishing its annual conference. Keir Starmer's team seem happy after his leader's speech, but what are his MPs really saying about him? Was he wise to call Nigel Farage a racist? How will Rachel Reeves balance the books in November's budget? Oh, and which cabinet ministers excelled at last night's karaoke? This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Featuring: Producer: Euan Dawtrey Executive producer: Molly Guinness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump have agreed to a 20-point peace plan to end the war in Gaza. But hardliners on both sides are already condemning it. So what chance does it have? And how does Tony Blair fit in? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. Clips: AP, Twitter / @netanyahu. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Off the coast of Venezuela, a small armada of US navy warships and a fleet of fighter jets have struck several small boats, killing 17 people. The Trump administration says the boats were carrying drugs to the US; Venezuela says they were fishing vessels. But does President Trump really care about winning the war on drugs? Or is there another motive? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Jon Bonfiglio, journalist in Latin America. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Micaela Arneson. Read more: Trump has Maduro in his sights. Will it mean war in the Caribbean? Clips: NBC News, Bloomberg News, Forbes Breaking News, Republic World, US Justice Department, Diario AS. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Labour conference ramps up in Liverpool, we bring together three of The Times' keenest political minds to discuss the three biggest problems facing the government. Are the scandals which have beset ministers, the sluggish growth of the economy, and stubbornly high levels of small boat crossings Labour's fault, and could they prove terminal for Keir Starmer? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guests: Aubrey Allegretti, Chief Political Correspondent, The Times, Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times, Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producers: Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson. Clips: Sky, BBC, 5 News, Youtube / @Farage Reform, The Times. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Alpha School in Austin, Texas is hoping to revolutionise education forever, swapping teachers for laptop lessons and AI, and motivating pupils with cold, hard cash. Is this the future of education? Guest: Danny Fortson, Co-host of The Times Tech Podcast and The Sunday Times' West Coast Correspondent. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Dave Creasey. Read more: This primary school got rid of teachers — and the parents approve Hear more: Open AI’s Sam Altman: ‘We’re about to empower people more than ever before’ . Clips: Modern Wisdom, NBC News. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.