The Story

Vladimir Putin may have averted an armed rebellion by Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin – but if the fall of Mikhail Gorbachev in 1991 tells us anything, it's that even a failed coup can still spell ruin for a leader.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: BBC News, ABC News, MSNBC, Simon Marks Reporting, Perm Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet.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 second of our two-part special on the origins of Covid, drawing from a new Sunday Times investigation into the Wuhan Institute of Virology.The Insight team has spoken to US investigators who believe the Wuhan Institute ran a covert project of dangerous experiments – and that it was done in collaboration with the Chinese military.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guests:- Jonathan Calvert, Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.- George Arbuthnott, Deputy Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Channel 4 News, CNA 3, NBC News, EWTN.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 first of our two-part special on the origins of Covid, drawing from a new Sunday Times investigation into the Wuhan Institute of Virology.Newly declassified US intelligence leaves open the question of where the pandemic really started. But fresh evidence drawn from confidential files reveals Chinese scientists spliced together deadly pathogens shortly before the pandemic.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guests:- Jonathan Calvert, Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.- George Arbuthnott, Deputy Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: CNN, ABC News, PBS, CBC, Sky News Australia, NBC News, South China Morning Post, Fox News, US Institute of Medicine, US National Research Council of the National Academies, C-SPAN.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.

Belarus’ dictatorial president Alexander Lukasheko is getting ever closer to the Kremlin - this week he even brokered a truce between the Wagner group and president Putin to prevent a march on Moscow. But most Belarusians don’t want to be an arm of Russia and - outside of this small country’s borders - a group of exiled pro-democracy protesters are taking up arms and training themselves to fight back. So can they overthrow Europe's last dictator? And if they do reclaim their country, could it be pivotal to the war in Ukraine?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guests: Jack Clover, news reporter, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: Channel 4, Vice, HBO, BBC, EuroNews, CNN, Ukraine Today, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Belarusian Security Services, ABC, NBC.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.

Last week the Bank of England put up interest rates to 5 per cent - a move that has already meant increased mortgage payments for many. So could this lead to a crash in the housing market? What can the government do to alleviate the pain for homeowners - and is inflation here to stay?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Juliet Samuel, columnist, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, BBC News, The Michalaks.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.

Vladimir Putin has survived the most serious threat to his authority in two decades of power, following an attempted armed mutiny led by the leader of the Wagner group – and his former ally – Yevgeny Prigozhin. For the time being, Prigozhin has struck a deal to defuse tensions. But what does this mean for Putin’s grip on power and for the war in Ukraine?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Host: Manveen Rana.  Host: Manveen RanaGuest: Maxim Tucker, assistant foreign editor, The Times. Clips: BBC News, DW News, MSNBC, Reuters, 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mass migration is transforming our continent just as significantly as wars did in the past. For a book he’s written on this very issue, author and journalist Ben Judah followed the path of Hannibal and Napoleon, crossing the Alps with a group of migrants trying to enter France.This Is Europe: The Way We Live Now by Ben Judah is available now - https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/ben-judah/this-is-europe/9781447276265 This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Ben Judah, writer and journalist.Host: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent at The Sunday Times.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 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in Essex - the ship that brought some of the first post-war migrants to the UK from the Caribbean to fill labour shortages. But years later, many were deemed illegal immigrants and were detained - or deported. The government launched a process to issue them with official documents alongside a compensation scheme. So why are so many still waiting for money? And will the victims of the Windrush scandal ever get justice?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guests: Matt Dathan, home affairs editor, The Times. Janet McKay-Williams, Windrush activist.Sairah Javed, solicitor at The Joint Council for The Welfare Of Immigrants.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: London Is The Place For Me, Trinidadian Calypso In London, 1950-1956, Honest Jon's Records, 2003; ITV; Better Health Families; Channel 4; 5 News; The Guardian; BBC; CNN.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 woman has been sentenced to 28 months in prison after using abortion pills to end her pregnancy after the legal time limit, sparking protests and calls for abortion to be decriminalised. But could law reform risk abortion rights becoming more restrictive?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Hannah Al-Othman, News Reporter, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Parliament Live TV, Talk TV.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 launch of the LIV golf tour by Saudi divided the world of professional golf between those who joined, enjoying large payouts to promote it, and others who took a principled stand against what they said was naked sportswashing. So, after the surprise announcement of a merger between LIV Golf and the more traditional American and European tours who's in, who's out and what will it ultimately mean for the sport?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: David Walsh, chief sports writer, the Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Sky News, LIV Golf, CNBC, Sky Sports, Sky Sports News, TNT Sports, NBC, CBS., BBC, MSNBC.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.

British Vogue’s editor-in-chief Edward Enninful has announced he's stepping down. But why? In the world of high fashion, was his downfall the result of style over substance, rumours of diva-like behaviour or was he simply ahead of his time? And how did the rumoured power struggle between new-blood Enninful and old-guard Anna Wintour play out?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: John Arlidge, senior business writer, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: Vogue, Conde Nast; HBO; BBC; The Devil Wears Prada, David Frankel, © 20th Century Fox 2006; NBC; CBS; Washington Post; CNN; Variety; iHeartMedia, The Breakfast Club; Wall Street Millennial.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, Donald Trump became the first US president to be charged with a federal crime. This came less than three months after he was indicted in New York on separate state charges. Why is this time more serious?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: David Charter, US Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: Joel Franco, NBC, Telegraph, Fox News, CNBC, WPTV, CNN, MSNBC, Breitbart News.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 ‘Ndrangheta mafia got their start kidnapping for money but now import billions of pounds worth of cocaine into Europe every year. A pan-European raid earlier this month led to the arrest of 155 people and the seizure of 23 tons of drugs. So could this finally break a crime organisation whose roots go back hundreds of years? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Tom Kington, Italy correspondent, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: ABC News, Al Jazeera, DW News, Reuters, NBC News, Euronews, AP, VIC.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.

Murmurs are emerging from the secretive state that the force behind the dictatorship is female. Could supreme leader Kim Jong-un’s younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, be next in line for the throne?Subscribers can read Richard's article on Kim Yo-jong on the Times website.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Richard Lloyd Parry, Asia Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: Reuters, Arirang News, CNA, AP, Formosa TV News, USA Today, Al Jazeera, NBC News, DW News, CBS News.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 immediate events that led to Boris Johnson’s resignation as an MP last week began with a phone call from The Times. A total of three Tory MPs have now quit parliament. So with three challenging by-elections round the corner, what does it all mean for Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives as the next election creeps ever closer?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guest: Lara Spirit, Red Box reporter, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: TalkTV, ITV News, BBC News, Channel 4 News, GB News, Sky News.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.

33-year-old neonatal nurse Lucy Letby has been on trial since October, 2022 over the alleged murder of seven babies and attempted murder of 10 more at the Countess of Chester Hospital.She denies all the charges.Her trial is now nearing its end with the jury expected to begin their deliberations in the coming weeks.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Article: 'Lucy Letby denies romance with doctor': https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lucy-letby-denies-romance-with-doctor-after-go-commando-comment-v623lxwxtGuest: Tom Ball, Northern Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Sky News, BBC, 5 News.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 is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.In 2022 Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano, erupted on Hawaii's Big Island. Fortunately this event didn't result in any fatalities - but the same can't be said for other recent eruptions in places like Indonesia, Tonga and the Philippines. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by volcanologist and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Andrew McGonigle to learn more about the handheld technology he has developed to predict early warning signs of volcanic eruptions, enabling people living in some of the poorest countries to survive deadly disasters.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 already been the subject of controversy – causing a row over access to Boris Johnson’s WhatsApp messages – and it hasn’t even begun. On Tuesday the main hearings for one of the biggest public inquiries in British history will finally kick off. We examine the key questions being asked at the Covid inquiry that could keep the government awake at night.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guests:- James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The Times.- George Arbuthnott, Deputy Insight Editor, The Sunday Times, and co-author of Failures of State: The Inside Story of Britain’s Battle with Coronavirus.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC News, ITV News, LBC, Sky News.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.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to put a stop to small boats carrying migrants across the English Channel and says that his plans to prevent the dangerous journeys are working. But are they? And as his government drums up support for the controversial Illegal Immigration Bill, is the issue a crisis or a political weapon?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guest: Manveen Rana.Host: Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Correspondent, The Times. Clips: BBC, Sky, Channel 4, ITV, GB News, 10 Downing Street.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 housing crisis is emerging as one of the key battlegrounds ahead of the general election, especially for millennial voters. But as Labour turns up the heat announcing policy, the issue is exposing divides and flaring up accusations of NIMBYism within the Conservative party.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Geraldine Scott, Political Reporter, The Times.Host: Luke Jones. Clips: BBC Radio 4, Parliament Live TV, Times Radio, Daily Mail, Conservatives, LBC, ITV News.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 that drivers for Deliveroo, UberEats and other takeaway apps, are selling access to their accounts to people who do not have the right to work in the UK. Many of these buyers are undocumented migrants. And since all earnings go to the account holder – not the drivers renting the account – nothing prevents these workers from being exploited. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Venetia Menzies, Digital and Data Journalist, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Taryn Siegel.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 the war in Ukraine shows no signs of coming to an end, Vladimir Putin is betting on a new generation of Russians to march in step with the regime. Russia's Youth Army now has more than a million members and – through TikTok dances and influencers – is indoctrinating children as young as six years old.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Dr Ian Garner, author of Z Generation: Into the Heart of Russia's Fascist Youth: https://timesbookshop.co.uk/z-generation-9781787389281Host: Luke Jones. Clips: Tiktok, International Film Foundation, SBS, AFP.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 is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.As the world population continues to surge, conflicts between people and wildlife over food, resources and space for living are heightening.  Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by conservationist and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Krithi Karanth to explore how she is using technology to help local communities in India mitigate animal attacks and lessen animosity between wildlife and humans. 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 a story of covert archives and freezing wastelands, of concentration camps and gulags. In a new book, Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein reveals how his family took a journey that ended happily in Hendon – but took a detour through hell.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guest: Daniel Finkelstein, Times columnist and author of Hitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad: A Family Memoir of Miraculous Survival: https://timesbookshop.co.uk/hitler-stalin-mum-and-dad-9780008483845 Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: BBC Radio 4, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.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 the Shakahola forest near the Kenyan coast, a taxi driver turned evangelist pastor told his followers that the “rapture” was coming. Four years and more than 200 deaths later, Kenyan police are investigating what they suspect was a death cult. What could possibly have compelled hundreds of people to abandon their homes and families to join it? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guest: Matthew Campbell, Foreign Features Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.  Host: Manveen Rana.  Clips: BBC News, WION, DW News, KTN News, Reuters, Global News, NTV Kenya.  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 2023 Isle of Man TT race - often dubbed the ‘most dangerous’ race in the world - begins.Six riders died last year at the motorcycle racing event. So why do the competitors keep coming back for more?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Articles - Dispatch: Inside the Isle of Man TT, the course that has killed 266 people https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/inside-the-isle-of-man-tt-the-course-that-has-killed-266-people-9nb8hdn5kGuests:- Phoebe Luckhurst, Senior Commissioning Editor at the Sunday Times Magazine.- Richard “Milky” Quayle, ex-motorbike racer and former Isle of Man TT champion. Host: Will Roe. Clips: TT Closer to the edge/Isle of Man Film & CinemaNX, Isleofmanttofficial, Obsession Engineering/Dave Hewson.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.

Russia’s Wagner group – already dominant in the conflict in Ukraine – has become the de facto boss in the diamond-rich Central African Republic, where the mercenary force influences not just politics but the economy and culture. So how did this happen? And which country might be next in Wagner's sights?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Anthony Loyd, senior foreign correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: France 24, Al Jazerra, CNN, TRT World, BBC, WION, Tourist © 2021 3xMedia and Vesta, Director: Andrey Batov.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.

We’re away for the bank holiday, so in the meantime we're bringing you a highlight from another Times podcast, Red Box, in which Matt Chorley presents the best interviews, analysis and panel discussions from his Times Radio show.For more than a decade Andrew Parsons was the official Downing Street photographer - chronicling life at No 10 with every prime minister from David Cameron to Rishi Sunak. He talks to Matt about capturing everything from David Cameron pre-emptively writing his resignation letter in 2015, to THAT lock down breaking birthday party in the Cabinet room.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 is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.The Earth’s climate has been known to change in the past, but it’s only since the industrial revolution that there have been changes to our climate which have been driven by humans. Environmental Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan joins climate scientist and National Geographic Explorer Tom Matthews to investigate how his work, mapping the planet’s most extreme climates, can help us to better understand how our climate is changing and most importantly, evaluate whether we can change the course that we’re on.Through its Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex supports Tom Matthews as part of the National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Mount Everest Expedition and the Amazon Expedition.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.

Last week water companies pledged to spend £10bn over the next five years to drastically reduce the number of sewage spills going into the country’s waterways and seas. Over 30 years on since privatisation have our beaches and rivers got cleaner?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC News Al Jazeera Times Radio, Sky News, Channel 4 News, Parliament.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 took less than an hour on the Telegram messaging app for an undercover Times reporter to infiltrate a network of fraudsters based in the UK. They openly traded bank details for thousands of victims – and boasted that the police would do nothing to stop them. We hear how the gang were exposed and speak to one of their targets.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Emma Yeomans, news reporter, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.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.

Microsoft has found itself in a bitter war of words with both its gaming rival Sony and the UK authorities, over a multi-billion dollar takeover bid of games developer Activision Blizzard. So what is the future of Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty franchise on Xbox or Playstation? And after the UK’s competition watchdog blocked the deal, what does it say for Britain’s post-Brexit business strategy? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The Times.Host: Jenny Kleeman.Clips: CBS News, BBC Radio 5 Live, CNBC, Windows XP/Microsoft, ChatGPT/OpenAI, Xbox Series X/Microsoft, YouTube/@SpawnWave, BBC Newsnight.Video game clips: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2/ Infinity Ward/Activision, World of Warcraft/Blizzard, Spyro Reignited Trilogy/Toys For Bob/Activision, Crash Bandicoot™ N. Sane Trilogy/Vicarious Visions/Activision, Candy Crush Saga/King.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 a new report from the Children’s Commissioner points to the impact of violent pornography on British children, are the waters around consensual sex being muddied? And should there be greater regulation of the porn industry?This episode contains discussions about sex and some explicit descriptions of violent porn.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Articles: I’m watching what the kids are watching: porn. It’s disturbing - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/i-m-watching-what-the-kids-are-watching-porn-most-of-it-is-disturbing-pqb99zbnqSex lessons for boys: what young men need to be taught - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sex-lessons-for-boys-what-young-men-need-to-be-taught-pltqpxfbdGuest: Helen Rumbelow, Features Writer, The Times.Host: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times.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.

Russia's deputy defence minister, Timur Ivanov, was sanctioned by the EU last October. Forty days before that happened, his wife, the socialite Svetlana Maniovich, divorced him. The Anti-Corruption Foundation, a Russian non-profit organisation, received a trove of emails that seem to suggest this 'pre-emptive' divorce might have been an evasion strategy. So what was really going on?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guests: - Maria Pevchikh, investigator for the Anti-Corruption Foundation.- Tom Keatinge, Director for the Centre for Financial Crime and Security Studies at RUSI.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: CNN, ABC News, European Council.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 is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.With estimates suggesting that there are more than 5 trillion pieces of micro and macro plastics in our seas and continued reports stating that a truckload of plastic enters our oceans every minute, we can no longer turn a blind eye to the life cycle of plastic products once they are thrown in the bin. Environmental Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by scientist, tech entrepreneur and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Miranda Wang to learn how her innovative upcycling technology is paving the way for plastic to have a second, third… maybe even evergreen life.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 Hinduja family leads the Sunday Times Rich List again, having topped it four times before. But who is the man at the head of the family and how have they achieved such wealth? And aside from the Hindujas, who’s up, who’s down and what does the rich list tell about the way the UK is changing?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: John Arlidge, co-writer, The Sunday Times Rich List.Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: The Sunday Times, BBC, CBS.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.

Whilst the government's controversial illegal migration bill moves through parliament, an untraceable and ancient banking system is being used to finance people smuggling across Europe and the Channel. So how does it work? And should the authorities crack down on 'hawala'?Additional reporting by Priyanka Shankar, Andrea Giambartolemei, Andres Mourenza, Elena Ledda and Iliana Papangeli. This investigation is supported by a grant from the IJ4EU fund and by Journalismfund.eu. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Emma Yeomans, News Reporter, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: 10 Downing Street, Parliament Live, Times Radio.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 difficult fortnight for Vladimir Putin. Russia has been losing ground in the key city of Bakhmut, the man in charge of the Wagner group of mercenaries seems to be publicly criticising him in expletive-strewn videos, and now there are even suggestions of betrayal…This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Mark Galeotti, author of Putin’s Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine. Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: Reuters, CNN, MSNBC, Times Radio, 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the last decade, ketamine has become one of the most popular drugs among students. Part of its appeal seems to be a false reputation for being comparatively safe. But the Times has uncovered never-before-seen data that paints a very dark picture of the dangers of ketamine.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guest: Dominic Kennedy, Investigations Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: Wigan council, Sky News.If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, there are resources to help:FRANK provides a confidential service to anyone wanting information, advice or support about any aspect of drugs.Phone: 0300 123 6600 Online chat facility (2-6pm weekdays)Visit the Talk to Frank siteDrug Addicts AnonymousPhone: 0300 030 3000 Visit the Drug Addicts Anonymous websiteThis 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.

India will soon surpass China as the most populous country in the world. As China’s population slumps, could India’s population rise spell a new chapter in the country’s economic growth, and could it help make it a global superpower? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guest: Amrit Dhillon, freelance journalist. Host: Manveen Rana Clips: First Post, ANI, BBC, CNA, AP Archive.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 is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.Medical inequity jeopardises the safety of everyone and contributes to growing inequalities in and between countries. Take vaccinations for example, we know how important they are for ensuring a longer and healthier life, yet during the Covid-19 pandemic statistics have shown that of the more than 10 billion doses of the coronavirus vaccine distributed worldwide, only one percent have been administered in low-income countries.Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan talks with biomedical engineer and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Mark Kendall to investigate how his medical innovations are revolutionising modern medicine and allowing for more accessible health care worldwide- from vaccinations in the form of a patch, to micro-wearables that can show early warning signs of a heart attack. 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 UK is holding this year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine which won last year but can’t fulfil its hosting duties because of the war. So what can we expect? What role is Eurovision playing in the war effort? And why have cyber security experts been drafted in? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guests: Tom Ball, northern correspondent, The Times. Tina Karol, Ukrainian celebrity, singer and philanthropist.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: Eurovision Song Contest; BBC; SKY; Crossroads news; Tyler Rumple; Channel 4; Mojo; Russia Today; Vice; WiWibloggs; Kyivstar; European Broadcasting Union; Eurovision Network; Charity Concerts for Ukraine; Voice of Peace; Kyivstar TV / The Voice Ukraine / Namalyuyu tobi zori / Dimash Daulyetov.Music clips:Show Me Your Love / Mikhail Nekrasov, Tina Karol, Pavlo Shylko / Lavina Music.Hard Rock Hallelujah / Miss Awa, Mr. Amen, Mr. Kalma, Mr Kita, Mr Lordi / Sony BMG Music Entertainment.Oi u luzi chervona kalyna / Andriy Khlivnyuk / Volodymyr Antonovych, Mykhailo Drahomanov.Waterloo / ABBA / Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Stig Anderson / Polar / Epic / Polydor / Atlantic.Ukrainian national anthem (State Anthem Of Ukraine) / Ukrainian opera singers / Mykhailo Verbytsky, Pavlo Chubynsky.Baila El Chiki Chiki / Rodolfo Chikilicuatre and friends / ARD Entertainment.Stefania / Kalush Orchestra / Ihor Didenchuk, Tymofii Muzychuk, Vitalii Duzhyk, Ivan Klymenko / Sony.Heart of Steel / TVORCHI / Jimoh Augustus Kehinde, Andrii Hutsuliak / Independent. Refrain / Lys Assia / Géo Voumard, Émile Gardaz / Decca.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 polling suggests the public are losing faith in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s authoritarian rule, what does this weekend’s election mean for Turkey - and the wider world?  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Articles: Profile - Is President Erdogan about to lose his 20-year grip on power? - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/is-president-erdogan-about-to-lose-his-20-year-grip-on-power-333lvtnsl The Turkish election is on a knife edge. Is Erdogan’s time up? - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-turkish-election-is-on-a-knife-edge-is-erdogans-time-up-dlwznwwjwGuest: Beril Eski, freelance journalist.Host: Louise Callaghan, Middle East Correspondent, The Sunday Times. Clips: Euronews, France 24, Al Jazeera, CNN, CNBC, Sky News BBC News.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 British man was recruited by MI5 and MI6 to infiltrate al-Qaeda training camps – but then brought the horror back home.This episode contains descriptions of strong violence and might not be suitable for all listeners. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.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 part thriller, part farce, starring a glamorous Greek MEP, an Italian toyboy and bundles of euros stuffed in suitcases and hidden under beds. So did Qatar buy its way into the European parliament? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Matthew Campbell, Foreign Features Editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: France 24, DW News, Euronews, BBC News, European Parliament, VOA.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.

We're away for the bank holiday, but in the meantime we thought we'd introduce you to one of the newer hit podcasts from the Times stable: Off Air, hosted by Jane Garvey and Fi Glover. Every afternoon from Monday to Thursday, Jane and Fi bring you a fresh look at the news and lively conversation with fascinating people. In this episode from last week, they speak to the author of a new book about how Britain prepared for nuclear armageddon at home during the Cold War. As Julie McDowall reveals in this frightening but also rather funny book, the British, when contemplating devastation, took refuge in pointless planning. Hosts: Jane Garvey and Fi Glover. Guest: Julie McDowall, author of Attack Warning Red!: How Britain Prepared for Nuclear War. 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 is Planet Hope, a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by Stories of Our Times as a bonus weekly series each Saturday.The balance between wilderness areas and the species that depend on them are fragile and are being threatened. Environmental Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan joins conservationist and National Geographic Explorer Steve Boyes in Zimbabwe to investigate why Africa’s greatest water sources - the rivers that run through the heart of the continent - are crucial to a prosperous future environment in Africa and beyond. Through its Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex supports the Great Spine of Africa expeditions that traverse and document thousands of kilometres of rivers never scientifically documented before.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.

Tomorrow, Charles will be crowned King at Westminster Abbey in a ceremony marked with hundreds of years of tradition. Just how will the coronation represent our more modern country, and what might we expect from his reign? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guest: Valentine Low, writer, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Reuters, BBC News, Sky News, CBS News, CBC.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.

Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide. On Tuesday night, police in Canada announced the arrest and charge of a 57-year-old man on two counts of aiding or counselling suicide.In this update to our three-part series, Poison, we learn more about the alleged extent of his activities. If you or someone you know has been affected by suicide or needs to talk to someone, please get in contact with the Samaritans online https://www.samaritans.org/ or call them for free on their 24-hour helpline 116 123. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Host: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The [email protected] 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.

Thousands of Ukrainian children have been abducted by Russia since the war began. But why? Where are the children being sent? And who’s trying to find them and bring them home? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guest: Christina Lamb, chief foreign correspondent, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: SKY, CNN, BBC, International Criminal Court, UATV English, DW News, Ambient City, nathanolson, The infographics show, Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, MSNBC.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.