The Story

The British royal family isn't the only European monarchy in turmoil. In Norway the Epstein files have revealed intimate conversations between the Crown Princess and future Queen, Mette-Marit, and the paedophile after he was convicted. Meanwhile, her son is on trial facing charges on thirty-eight offences, including four counts of rape. If convicted, he faces up to ten years in prison. Could this be a fatal blow for the Norwegian royal family? And what does it tell us about the long tentacles of Jeffrey Epstein's influence in the palaces and parliaments of Europe? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Dave Creasey. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: The rape trial casting a dark shadow over Norway’s royal family Clips: BBC News, CBS. 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.

Times journalist Helen Rumbelow spent two days sifting through the thousands of lurid, criminal and often coded messages between Jeffrey Epstein and his powerful friends. Buried among the shockingly misogynistic and disturbing exchanges, lies a revealing insight on how powerful men talk about women when they think no one is listening. In her widely shared article, Helen exposes not just the shocking content of those emails, but what they tell us about the mindset of powerful men. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Warning: This episode contains some strong language from the start. Read by: Helen Rumbelow, feature writer and columnist, The Times. Producer: Dave Creasey. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: I studied the latest Epstein files. As a woman, this is what I felt Clips: NBC. 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 fallout from the latest tranche of the Epstein files is causing chaos in Westminster. With his ex-US ambassador Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein under the microscope, Labour MPs are furiously asking what Keir Starmer knew about it, and when. So will the PM be able to ride out this latest storm? And what future does Mandelson have? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Harry Stott, Sophie McNulty. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Starmer says sorry. But why did he swallow Mandelson’s lies?I studied the latest Epstein files. As a woman, this is what I felt Further listening: LATEST: The Epstein files drop — what next for Andrew?The new Epstein emails about TrumpClips: Associated Press, Times Radio, 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.

Sir Keir Starmer’s next big test is the Gorton & Denton by-election in three weeks' time; commentators are calling it a three-way race between the Greens, Reform and Labour. But how is this vote a microcosm of the national picture, and what does it tell us about the direction of travel in British politics and the key issues that really sway voters? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Darryl Morris, journalist, Times Radio. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: In Gorton, where Labour is counting on long memories to see off Reform Further listening: Who is the real Melania Trump? Clips: BBC, Channel 4, Manchester Evening News, Novara Media, The Green Party, Reform UK, The Spectator. Photo: Getty Images. 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.

On nearly every metric, the UK is ranked as one of the worst places in the Western world to have cancer. But today, the government is rolling out an ambitious new National Cancer Plan to tackle the crisis. Will it be able to shorten waiting lists? Or do cultural problems within the NHS warrant a deeper fix? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guests: Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Harry Stott. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Why is Britain still lagging behind on cancer care? Further listening: Will a review into mental health fix a system in crisis? Clips: ITV News. Photo: Illustration by Pete Baker for The Sunday Times. 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 public inquiry resumes this week to investigate the deaths of over 2000 mental health inpatients in the care of NHS trusts in Essex. We unpick some of the themes the Lampard Inquiry has been hearing, and speak to a whistleblower about her experiences working on one of the wards. This programme includes material that some listeners may find distressing, including descriptions of suicide. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guests: Host: Daniel Gordon. Producers: Daniel Gordon, Edward Drummond, Taryn Siegel. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised, the following organisations can help: SANE is a charity which provides emotional support and specialist services for people who need help with their mental health and their families. Its helpline, SANEline, is 0300 304 7000. Details of other ways to get in touch can be found at sane.org.uk MIND is another mental health charity offering support, its main information line is 0300 102 1234 Details of other helplines can be found at mind.org.uk The Samaritans provides 24 hour emotional support to people struggling to cope or relatives bereaved by suicide. Call 116 123, or visit samaritans.org. Further listening: Britain’s mental health reckoning - part one. Clips: The Lampard Inquiry. Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire. 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 latest and possibly final batch of documents was released on Friday by the US Department of Justice in their investigation of Jeffrey Epstein. New shocking discoveries have been made over the weekend that put Lord Mandelson, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, and now Sarah Ferguson, Andrew’s ex-wife, in the spotlight. What have we learned so far? And what does the future hold for the rich and powerful mentioned in these documents? Details of these emails and the identities of those who sent them are unproven. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Kate Mansey, assistant editor and royal reporter for The Times Host: Manveen Rana Producer: Julia Webster and Sophie McNulty We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: What’s in the Epstein files? The key revelations so far Further listening: Andrew & Epstein - The King acts Clips: The Guardian, BBC, Channel 4, DW News, The National 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 public inquiry is currently investigating the deaths of over 2000 mental health inpatients in the care of NHS trusts in Essex. The inquiry resumes this week, but the fact it exists at all is largely down to the campaign of one woman; Melanie Leahy, whose son Matthew died in Chelmsford in 2012. This programme includes material that some listeners may find distressing, including descriptions of suicide. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Melanie Leahy, campaigner and mother of Matthew. Host: Daniel Gordon. Producers: Daniel Gordon, Edward Drummond. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com If you’ve been affected by any of the issues raised, the following organisations can help: SANE is a charity which provides emotional support and specialist services for people who need help with their mental health and their families. Its helpline, SANEline, is 0300 304 7000. Details of other ways to get in touch can be found at sane.org.uk MIND is another mental health charity offering support, its main information line is 0300 102 1234 Details of other helplines can be found at mind.org.uk The Samaritans provides 24 hour emotional support to people struggling to cope or relatives bereaved by suicide. Call 116 123, or visit samaritans.org. Clips: Melanie Leahy, Essex Police, Lampard Inquiry, Sky News, The Telegraph, UK Parliament Youtube channel, Channel 5 News. Photo: JOE GIDDENS/PA 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 1992, Helen Down's brother Richard was studying for a master’s in artificial intelligence at Cardiff University. There, he had a brief side hustle as a sperm donor - a confession he'd only made to his family as an adult. Through a DNA website, the link was made and Helen met her niece and nephew for the first time in 2024 - the product of her brother’s sperm donation 30 years ago. So, what exactly happened at at the family reunion? And how did these new family members unlock an even bigger mystery? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Read by: Helen Down. Producer: Dave Creasey. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: What happened when a sperm donor met his unknown kids Photo: Tim Jobling, Duncan Elliot for The Times Magazine. 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.

Melania Trump this week releases her new documentary 'Melania' which takes viewers inside the enigmatic first lady’s second term. Directed and produced by Melania herself, it's a project that's had plenty hype and some controversy. The studio Amazon MGM bought the rights for $40 million - the highest price ever paid for a documentary. So, what do we learn about real Melania - the power behind the throne with firm views on her husband’s actions? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Meghan Agnew, Senior Features Writer, US. Host: Luke Jones. Producers: Dave Creasey and Micaela Arneson. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Sensitive Trump, Melania the boss… inside the first lady’s second term Clips: The Today Show, BBC News. Rolling Stones, Gimmie Shelter, Decca Records (UK). 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.

Keir Starmer is visiting China, becoming the first UK prime minister to travel to Beijing in eight years. His trip comes amid a queue of world leaders seeking meetings with Xi Jinping, as some countries look for leverage in an increasingly volatile global order. But can China be trusted as a global partner? And as the US appears to be stepping back from its role as the world’s policeman, what kind of power is China prepared to become? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Julia Webster, Harry Stott, and Sophie McNulty. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: What Keir Starmer and Xi Jinping said in China (and what they meant) Further listening: Is China’s mega-embassy a mega-spy base? Clips: BBC, World Economic Forum, CBS, APT, DRM 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.

It’s been a whirlwind start to the year. In just three weeks, tensions between Donald Trump and Iran have escalated, the U.S. captured Venezuela's President Maduro, while British politics has been rocked by defections and leadership challenges. And we're still only in January. To help cut through the chaos, we’re taking a moment to answer your biggest questions about what’s been happening. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Hosts: Manveen Rana & Luke Jones Producer: Sophie McNulty Further listening: Everything you need to know about the Iran protestsHas ICE become the US president’s ‘private army’?Starmer v the ‘King of the North’ - who really won?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.

This week, the Times is launching another new politics podcast – a sister show to our Westminster offering, but this time across the pond, taking you inside the White House… Subscribe to The State of It: USA, wherever you get your podcasts. Welcome to the first ever episode of The State of It: USA. An attack on Iran looks imminent: we reveal what senior military and political figures are saying about it. Also, is Donald Trump taking a softer line on immigration after the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis? And get ready for Melania, the movie. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Hosts: Producer: Euan Dawtrey. Executive Producer: Molly Guiness. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Further listening: The State of It 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.

As immigration rules have tightened in recent months, some migrants already working in the UK, whose visas have been cancelled, find themselves in a precarious position. Agents are selling a workaround, offering to arrange fake jobs which can be used to obtain real visas, in exchange for exorbitant fees. The Times went undercover, posing as a migrant facing deportation, to expose how this black market is operating. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Shanti Das, senior investigations reporter, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Taryn Siegel. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: How migrants are buying fake jobs to stay in the UK illegally Photo: Times Media Ltd. 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 has seen off a potential leadership challenge by blocking his rival – Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham – from returning to Westminster. But many Labour MPs have been deeply critical of the move, accusing the PM of orchestrating a “stitch up”. So was it worth it? And might Starmer face a leadership challenge anyway? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent for The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Harry Stott. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: What happens next for Labour and Keir Starmer? Further listening: Who will move first: Streeting or Burnham? Clips: Sky, Times Radio, BBC, Novara Media. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com 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.

When the new Archbishop of Canterbury is installed on Wednesday she’ll become the first woman to lead the Church of England. But Dame Sarah Mullally’s gender and views are already threatening to cause a schism in the global Anglican church. So who is she and can she unite the Church, which has been beset by scandals and shrinking congregations? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Kaya Burgess, science and religious affairs correspondent, The Times Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: New archbishop: Slave ‘reparations’ will not eat into parish funds Further listening: Monica Lewinsky: What happened next Clips: The Vicar of Dibley / BBC / Tiger Aspect Productions, Channel 4, The Archbishop of Canterbury / YouTube, BBC, WION, France 24, The Southwark Cathedral podcast, The Church of England, ITV. Photo: Getty Images. 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.

It's the debate of our time. How much is too much and what's the impact of screentime for children? With a proposed ban on social media for under 16s being debated in the UK, and children arriving at primary school swiping books like phones, we take a deep dive into the impact, and future, of screentime and AI in schools. Actress and campaigner Sophie Winkelman, a prominent voice of the dangers of increased screentime for children and Ben Gomes, Chief Technologist at Google, who is leading in the implementation of AI in schools, set out the arguments. Guests: Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Dave Creasey. Clips: Times Radio. Photo: Getty. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com 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.

Hadley Freeman was embedded with the Beckhams when she was asked to ghost write a book for Victoria Beckham back in the early 2000s. Now, a colossal family feud between Brooklyn Beckham and the rest of the clan has exploded into the headlines, culminating in a scathing six-page Instagram statement. Hadley tells us what's really going on here - and why we all can't stop watching. Guest: Hadley Freeman, writer for the Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Dave Creasey. Clips: Sky News. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com 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.

Since an ICE agent shot and killed US citizen Renee Good on January 7, Minneapolis has erupted in protests. Thousands have taken to the streets as federal authorities deployed thousands more immigration officers, resulting in more than 3,000 arrests. So how did we get here, how did ICE become so powerful, and why has the city become a flashpoint for the country? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Will Pavia, New York correspondent, The Times Host: Manveen Rana Producers: Sophie McNulty, Julia Webster, Olivia Case We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: What is ICE? A history from 9/11 to the fatal shooting of an American Further listening: Who is Stephen Miller? Trump’s man behind ‘America First’ Clips: The World Economic Forum, Fox News, CBS News, The Times, NBC, The Guardian, Forbes, CNN, The Joe Rogan Experience, WBTV Local News, Associated Press. Photo: Getty Images. 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.

President Trump made his much anticipated speech at Davos on Wednesday, saying he was “seeking immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland” but would not use force. Late on Wednesday evening, he posted on Truth Social that he wouldn't impose tariffs either. So where does this all leave European relations with the United States? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guests: Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Julia Webster. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Trump’s Davos speech: eight bizarre moments you may have missed Further listening: Tariffs, Trump and Greenland: ‘The end of the world as we know it’? Clips: The Guardian, World Economic Forum, New York Post, Associated Press. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com 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.