The Story

The race is now on to find a replacement for Nicola Sturgeon, who resigned as first minister of Scotland last week. A formidable force in Scottish politics, we trace the triumphs and controversies of her eight years in power, and look ahead to what’s next for the SNP, the independence movement and UK politics.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: Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political Editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Channel 4 News, Edinburgh International Book Festival, BBC News, STV News, Sky News, The National, TalkTV.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.

Lancashire Police is facing a backlash this week for sharing personal details about missing mum Nicola Bulley to the general public. The case has received huge public interest since the 45-year-old went missing three weeks ago today. Online sleuths who have cast doubt on the police effort – determined to crack the case themselves – have been a growing distraction. Who are the TikTok detectives sharing theories online, and are they motivated by anything bigger than clicks and followers?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: Darryl Morris, Times Radio presenter.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: TikTok, Sky News, GB News, 5 News, BBC News, Telegraph.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.

Children conceived through rape will be recognised as victims of crime under new government plans. England and Wales will be among the first countries in the world to make this change to the law, ensuring that children in this situation are entitled to support from criminal justice agencies such as the police and courts. We speak to the campaigner at the centre of this landmark legal change. 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: The campaigner, Daisy, who has just helped change the law for children born from rape.  Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: BBC, Channel 4 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.

When the Nord Stream pipelines - that pump gas from Russia to Germany - were damaged in September it didn’t take long for investigators to determine they had been sabotaged. Almost six months on, and despite three different investigations, are we any closer to knowing who carried out the attack and why?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: Marc Bennetts, Foreign Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: CNN, DW News, Reuters, Sky News, Euronews, C-Span, The Hill.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 30 years on the run, Italy's most-wanted mafia boss, Matteo Messina Denaro, was finally caught in January. A prolific murderer, Denaro once boasted he’d ‘filled a cemetery’. His organisation inspired Hollywood films, but who was Italy's last godfather and how was he finally found? 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: David Aaronovitch.Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: La Repubblica, SKY, NBC, Channel 4, CBS, BBC, The Guardian, MOBFAX, Mob News, France 24, Speak Softly Love (Rota Nino), Scarface (Brian De Palma / Universal Pictures).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.

Turmoil has once again surged in the Middle East. With at least 40 Palestinian deaths and nine Israeli deaths, it's the deadliest start to a year since 2008. For children growing up in a world of endless conflict, what kind of future awaits them?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: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Reuters, PBS Newshour, France 24, Global 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.

Tens of thousands of people have died in Turkey and Syria after two earthquakes on Monday, but time has almost run out to find survivors. In Turkey, criticism is growing over the speed of rescue efforts and earthquake preparedness. Whilst complications in war-torn Syria have hampered humanitarian assistance. But was it possible to prevent the scale of the disaster?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.An appeal has been launched by The Disasters Emergency Committee, made up of 15 UK charities. To donate go to: https://donation.dec.org.uk/turkey-syria-earthquake-appeal Guests: Sara Tor, Columnist, The Times.Gabriel Gavin, Istanbul-based journalist.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: ABC News, Times Radio, Reuters, White Helmets, Channel 4 News, Sky News, France 24, Global News, BBC News, URFA 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.

A Times journalist went undercover to show that British Gas obtained court warrants to break into customers’ homes to force fit prepayment meters. The investigation led to immediate responses from the company, the regulator and from government. So how did the investigation unfold?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: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, BBC, 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.

In 2021, New Zealand announced it would become the first country in the world to outlaw cigarettes for the younger generation, by raising the age of sale year-on-year. How has the country adapted to these radical changes - and could the UK follow suit?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: Bridie Witton, political reporter at Stuff.co.nzRobert West, Professor of Health Psychology and Director of Tobacco Studies at University College London. Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: BBC, Bluelotusfilms, Stuff.co.nz.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 two actors decided to buy non-league football club Wrexham AFC, they brought the cameras with them to document every moment. With the Hollywood lights came a large injection of cash and mass media interest, but what has it meant for the club, the community - and for football more widely?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: Gregor Robertson, former professional footballer and columnist, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Welcome to Wrexham/FX, Sky News, Wrexham AFC, Beanyman Sports2, The Emirates FA Cup, BBC Sport, Times Radio, Deadpool/20th Century Fox/Marvel Entertainment, CBS The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, ABC Good Morning America, talkSPORT, ESPN. 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.

Ten years ago today, a public inquiry concluded that patients were subject to shocking levels of neglect at Stafford Hospital, putting it among the worst care scandals in NHS history. A young local reporter, Shaun Lintern – now The Sunday Times' health editor – helped expose the scandal. With the NHS again under huge pressure, can we be sure the same failings won't happen again? Shaun speaks to the barrister who chaired the inquiry.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: Shaun Lintern, Health Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, Labour Party, Mid Staffs Inquiry.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.

Rishi Sunak’s been in Number 10 for 100 days. So how’s he doing? What’s he been doing? And with Labour leading in the polls, can the UK’s third prime minister in six and a half months turn his and his party’s fortunes around?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: Steven Swinford, Political Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: BBC, NBC, Sky News, France 24, ITV News, 5 News, Parliament TV, The Guardian, On Demand News, Rishi Sunak MP on Instagram, Al Jazeera, Encyclopedia Britannica Films. 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.

Across England and Wales today, many schools are closed and pupils are at home as the UK’s biggest teaching union goes on strike - the first of seven days of planned action. So, after negotiations broke down, what is the Government's response to the demand for above-inflation pay rises? And what could the impact be on students?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: Sian Griffiths, Education Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, Channel 4, Guardian, 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.

Last week, Germany confirmed it would send tanks to Ukraine to help in the fight against Russia. The announcement came after weeks of foot-dragging on the issue. So why was the decision apparently so difficult - and what made Germany change its mind?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: Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: Sky News, Bundeswehr, BBC News, Al Jazeera, France 24, DW News, CNN, VOA, 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.

When a nightmarish scene unfolded on the beaches of northeast England in the last few months of 2021, fishermen raised the alarm. The mass die-off of thousands of crabs has led to two government reports, with the latest out earlier this month. But have they raised more questions than answers?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 Cole, chair of the Whitby Fishing Association.Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, UK 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.

On 9 January a story broke that classified documents had been found at a Washington DC office used by President Biden. In the weeks since, four more discoveries have followed. This has been a boon to the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives, who were already chomping at the bit to investigate Biden. So how bad could this get for the President? And how does this compare to former president Trump's classified trove in Mar-a-Lago?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: Alistair Dawber, Washington Correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: CNN, CBS News, ABC News, Late Show with Seth Meyers, The Guardian News, Fox News, MSNBC, 60 Minutes, Forbes, CNBC, WCNC, BBC,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.

One of the country’s worst sex offenders plead guilty to 48 rapes of 12 women committed over almost 20 years while he was a police officer for the Metropolitan Police. Meanwhile, the force's commissioner revealed that two or three Metropolitan Police officers are facing criminal court appearances every week, warning that lifting the lid on abusive predators would be “necessary and painful”. So how did David Carrick go unpunished for so long and can the Met restore its reputation?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: Fiona Hamilton, Crime and Security Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Channel 4 News, Sky News, ITV News, CBS News, 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.

Until recently the term Slapp – strategic lawsuit against public participation – meant very little. But yesterday in parliament, an MP introduced a bill to ban what he called "legal gangsterism" – attempts by the rich and powerful to use the legal system to stifle journalistic investigations. The Times and Sunday Times' editorial legal director Pia Sarma argues it's time to restore the balance between rich claimants and journalists pursuing the truth.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: Pia Sarma, Editorial Legal Director, Times Media.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Times Radio, France 24, Parliament 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.

Protests - sparked by the death of a young woman in the custody of Iranian morality police - have continued for over four months, evolving to incorporate women’s rights, economic concerns and regime change. The authorities have fought back with a severe, violent crackdown, but how long can protesters continue? And could it lead to a revolution?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: Ramita Navai, foreign affairs investigative journalist, and former Tehran correspondent for The Times. Host: Manveen RanaClips: BBC Persian, 1500 Tasvir, CBS News, Deutsche Welle, BBC News, Sky News, PBS, WION, UK Parliament, Babak Taghvaee, via Twitter, Holly Dagres, via Twitter, Jonathan Swain, via Twitter. 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 government has blocked Scottish gender recognition reforms, which would allow anyone over the age of 16 to self-declare their gender and be recognised as such by the Scottish government. The Scottish government argues its legislation would merely update and improve the legal situation in Scotland for transgender people. But the UK government says this is not true, and that the Scottish legislation would have a profound impact on UK-wide equalities law. We examine the debate and the constitutional row that has ensued. 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 McLaughlin, Political Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: BBC News, The Scottish Sun, Guardian, Channel 4 News, 5 News, ITV. 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 2021, Sunday Times writer Megan Agnew experienced a strange sort of heartbreak after a relationship that began on a dating app. It got her thinking: are they healthy for us? And does the data now suggest we may be turning against them? 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.'Total swipe out: Why dating is better in real life' by Megan Agnew - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/total-swipe-out-why-dating-is-better-in-real-life-t7pkbjtjdGuest: Megan Agnew, Features Writer at The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: ABC, 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.

This year, Taylor Swift is set to embark on her biggest and most expensive world tour. Fans flew into a frenzy when tickets went on sale after several thousand couldn’t get hold of them following technical difficulties. What is it about the pop princess that has the power to influence an entire generation and their politics?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: Charlotte Ivers, Sunday Times columnist and Times Radio political correspondent. Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: NBC, PBS, BBC, ABC, Billboard, Fox, ET, SVT, CNBC, TikTok. Music excerpts: Love Story/Better Than Revenge - Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records, LLC. Blank Space/New Romantics - Max Martin, Taylor Swift, Shellback, Big Machine Records, LLC. Outta the Woods - Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift, Big Machine Records, LLC. Betty/Delicate/Man/You Need to Calm Down/Only the Young - Taylor Swift, Universal Music Group. 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.

Ukraine continues to deny Russia’s claims of victory in Soledar, where the Wagner Group – a private army – has been fighting. Why is Russia fighting for such a small town? And who are the mercenaries leading the assault?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: Marc Bennetts, Foreign Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: CBS News, CBC, NBC News, Times Radio, Reuters, Sky News, Channel 4 News, CNN, ABC 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.

At an experimental nuclear reactor in the south of France, 35 countries are trying to build a star on earth. It's just one of several facilities around the world where scientists are trying to create the future of energy. If they pull it off, thermonuclear fusion could solve the world’s energy crisis, efficiently creating almost limitless clean energy.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: Constance Kampfner, Reporter, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: The B1M, DW News, BBC, Vox, PBS, NBC, ShadowZone, Real Engineering, Tokamak Energy.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.

Six months since his resignation, Boris Johnson has been keeping busy. Leadership chatter won’t go away, but he is happy to let his old friends do the talking. Meanwhile, his influence looms over Rishi Sunak's Brexit talks. 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: Tim Shipman, Chief Political Commentator, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, Talk TV, RTÉ, GB 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 week, the controversial influencer Andrew Tate’s appeal against his detainment on charges of rape and human trafficking in Romania was rejected. Tate gained notoriety through his often violent and misogynistic rhetoric online. Who is he and how did he gain his huge online following - and what’s he like in person?Some people might find some of the content in this podcast offensive. 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:- Megan Agnew, News Features Writer, The Sunday Times.- Hugo Rifkind, Columnist and Leader Writer, The Times and Times Radio presenter. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Times Radio, Andrew Tate, Channel 5, Channel 4, GB News, Sky News, Discovery, Info Wars.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 disgraced boss of crypto firm FTX pleaded not guilty to fraud-related charges. Just months before, billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried had been rubbing shoulders with supermodels and world leaders, and was known for his multi-million dollar charitable and political donations. So how did he end up on the wrong side of the law? 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: Manveen Rana.Clips: CBS, New York Times, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, BBC, NAS Daily, FOX News, Good Morning America International, CNET, Bloomberg, SALT, FTX.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.

With the publication yesterday of Prince Harry's hotly anticipated memoir – Spare – it's been another explosive week for the royal family. So what's in the book? And, as the dust starts to settle, how will this latest drama end?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: Roya Nikkhah, Royal Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: talkRADIO, CNN, Novara Media, Times Radio, Bethenny Frankel, Channel 4 News, Penguin Audio, CBS 60 Minutes, ITV.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After fraught crisis talks, the government announced its plans to fix the NHS. So what's really going on behind hospital doors? How did we get here? And what are the solutions?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: Shaun Lintern, Health Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: BBC, Sky, Times Radio, LBC, Channel 4, 10 Downing Street, DW News, NBC, Parliament 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.

A month after the Chinese government announced an abrupt end to its “zero-Covid” policy, lifting virtually all the restrictions its citizens had been living under for three years, the country is now experiencing a huge wave of infections. With Chinese New Year approaching, can the country’s already stretched health system cope? And what will the coming weeks hold for the Chinese people?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: Didi Tang, Beijing Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC News, Global National, CBS News, 9 News Australia, CNA, Reuters, NBC 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.

Like increasing numbers of Brits, columnist Robert Crampton had a guilty secret: he was drinking more, the older he got. Way more. In a brutally honest account, he reveals what finally led him to quit.Websites and numbers for concerns regarding alcohol addiction: Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline. If you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, you can call this free helpline in complete confidence. 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm)NHS support: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/Drinkaware: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/ or 0800 9177650This 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: Robert Crampton, Columnist at 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.

Details have emerged in court about how an undercover MI5 agent managed to infiltrate and gather evidence on the political wing of the ‘New IRA’. Dennis McFadden’s work led to the arrest of a number of the organisation's top people, who all deny the charges against them. 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: Sean O’Neill, Senior Writer, The Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: 7News, Channel 4 News, Sky News, BBC, DW News, 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.

How should we eat? What should we eat?Author and epidemiologist Tim Spector says it’s time to ban the D word – ‘dieting’ – lose the calorie counting and enjoy food in a more integrated way. Tim Spector’s latest book, ‘Food for Life, The New Science of Eating Well’: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/435986/food-for-life-by-spector-tim/9781787330498This 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: Professor Tim Spector, author and epidemiologist, King’s College London.Host: David Aaronovitch.This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a period of global upheaval unlike any other in living memory, we look back at the year war came to Ukraine, and how its fallout has changed Europe and the world. We ask two of our most experienced foreign correspondents for their views on the people and events likely to shape global events in 2023, as the world adjusts to the “new normal” of conflict and economic turbulence.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: Catherine Philp, Diplomatic Correspondent, The Times.Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: NBC News; The Guardian; Sky News; France 24; BBC News; New York Times; DW; ABC News (US); CBS News; Euronews; Telegraph; Evening Standard; The Sun; 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.

Over the festive period, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2022.Google engineer Blake Lemoine brought an unusual concern to his company: he feared the AI language program he was working with had gained sentience. Even if he's wrong – and Google certainly thinks he is – is the fact that an AI bot can imitate sentience so convincingly reason enough to be worried?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.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 week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2022.In April 1982, Captain Christopher Craig set sail with his crew on the frigate HMS Alacrity to the Falkland Islands after Argentina had invaded the British overseas territory. Four decades on, Chris and his son Duncan - then a six-year-old schoolboy in Bournemouth - reflect on that war.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guests: - Captain Christopher Craig, CB, DSC, Royal Navy.- Duncan Craig, Travel Editor, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Call for Fire: Sea Combat in the Falklands and the Gulf War - A book by Christopher Craig.Clips: ABC News, The Telegraph, BBC.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 week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2022.It promised a financial revolution - a liberation from money middlemen. But then the $3 trillion industry of cryptocurrency lost two thirds of its value in six months. So was it all a cult of personality? Or is the revolution still to come?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Danny Fortson, West Coast Correspondent, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: CNN, BBC News, CNBC, Danny in the Valley, CoinDesk, CBS, Crypto Mason, CryptoJack, Blake O'Neal.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 week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2022.It's a legend many of us have grown up with: a plucky group of British officers, finding themselves trapped in a heavily guarded POW camp during the Second World War, try every trick they can think of to break out. But, in a new book by Ben Macintyre, we hear for the first time the real story of Colditz. A story that's not just more complicated, but far more interesting than the one we were told.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 Macintyre, Associate Editor, The Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: BBC/Universal Studios, The Imperial War Museum.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 week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2022.As the Ukraine war progressed, journalists, activists and critics were forced to flee the country. But as Putin’s grip on the media tightened, what was it like for the people who were left? And when does it become too dangerous to stay? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Marc Bennetts, foreign correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: The Guardian, Deutsche Welle, BBC Newsnight, France 24, CBS News, Sky News, The Telegraph, BBC News, NBC News, Times Radio, PBS Newshour, NEXTA.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 week between Christmas and New Year, we’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2022. We begin with one of the most riveting stories of the year, from The Times’ war correspondent Anthony Loyd. In their podcast series Last Man Standing, Anthony and Manveen investigated the kidnap of the British photojournalist John Cantlie. Cantlie had been taken hostage by Islamic State in 2012. His fate is still unknown. For Anthony, this brought back memories of his own narrow escape…This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Hosts: Manveen Rana and Anthony Loyd, War Correspondent, The Times.Clips: BBC and 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.

Today's Christmas Eve bonus episode comes courtesy of our sister podcast: Wine Times.Discussing and decanting with Suzi Ruffell and Will Lyons on a live special of Wine Times are Times Radio broadcasters Jane Garvey and Fi Glover. As well as four great wines to taste, Fi explains why she refuses to feel stressed about Christmas this year, Jane discusses her love for Cava, Will shares why Brits are big wine drinkers and Suzi delights in the idea of hosting her first Christmas lunch.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.  Wines:Villa Broglia Gavi di Gavi 2021Purple Owl Pinot Noir 2021Saracosa Governo Rosso IGT 2021L’Epiphanie de Sauternes 2018All the wines in the series are available at www.sundaytimeswineclub.co.ukThis 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.

Every day, hundreds of readers write into The Times and The Sunday Times. In a year when the news didn’t seem to stop, the letters editors of the two papers pick out their highlights.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:- Andrew Riley, Letters Editor, The Times.- Stephen Bleach, Letters Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: 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.

Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, a humanitarian crisis has unfolded in Afghanistan. Foreign financial government support has run dry, and aid agencies are left to plug the gaps amid drought and famine. Our correspondent has been to visit projects run by Afghanaid, one of the organisations being supported by this year’s Christmas Appeal. For more information and to donate to the Times and Sunday Times Christmas Appeal visit: https://times.ctdonate.orgThis 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: Catherine Philp, Diplomatic Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: CNN, France 24, BBC News, CBS News, United Nations, ABC 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.

Strike action on a scale not seen since the 1980s is set to continue into January as workers demand pay rises to match spiralling inflation. Today, as ambulance crews in England and Wales begin a strike, why are so many joining the picket line and how is the government responding to the industrial action?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: Patrick Maguire, Red Box Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Sky News, BBC, 5News, Thames Television, ITN, NBC News, GMB.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 Times has an august history of recording the lives of significant people, and has been doing so in the obituaries pages since the 19th century. Today, we remember some of the people who may not be household names but are no less fascinating. 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.  Hosts:- Anna Temkin, Deputy Obituaries Editor, The Times. - Mariella Frostrup, Times Radio. Guests: - Tom Dart, obituaries writer, The Times. - Shirley Malcom, director of the SEA Change initiative at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. - Emily Maitlis, broadcaster and journalist. - Professor Mary Beard, classicist. Remembering the lives of:- Colonel Gail Halvorsen, pilot.  - Dr Shirley McBay, mathematician. - Professor Peter Maitlis, chemist. - Joyce Reynolds, classicist. Clips: BBC, 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.

British volunteer Dave Young has rescued over 800 Ukrainians from the war's frontline, as well as losing his right eye to shrapnel. Anthony Loyd and filmmaker Federica De Caria join Dave in the city of Bakhmut, the epicentre of the bloodiest attritional battle of winter, as he embarks on dangerous rescue work – and considers what drives him to keep going.Watch Anthony Loyd and Federica De Caria's film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X32e2YF9phEThis 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.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 one of the most controversial World Cups in living memory heads towards its final climax this weekend -- what was it actually like being there? And for the host nation -- after scandals, condemnation and $200 billion -- was it worth 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: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent, The Sunday Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: talkSPORT, US Department of State.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.

Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day but, for increasing numbers of children, it’s a meal they miss, affecting their concentration and learning at school. So, as the cost of living crisis affects so many this winter, what can be done? We learn of the work of one of the charities being supported by this year’s Christmas Appeal, Magic Breakfast, which provides food for breakfast clubs, allowing children to start their days properly.For more information and to donate to the Times and Sunday Times Christmas Appeal visit: https://times.ctdonate.orgThis 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: Joanna Bates, deputy headteacher, Blue Gate Fields Junior SchoolSian Acreman, headteacher, Blue Gate Fields Junior SchoolPupils of Blue Gate Fields Junior SchoolNicola Woolcock, Education Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Jamie Oliver, 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’s been 10 years since America’s deadliest mass shooting in an elementary (primary) school. In the years since, the weapon used - the AR-15 - has also been deployed in some of the decade’s most horrifying shootings. So how did the AR-15 rifle become the weapon of choice for mass shooters? 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: David Aaronovitch.Clips: ABC News, 60 Minutes, CNBC, Independent, CNN, NBC, Reuters, 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.

Today, we hear from two Ukrainian journalists who we spoke to back in March, at the beginning of Russia's invasion. At that time, Kateryna Malofieieva was in the Donbas, following the ever-shifting front line of the war. Natalia Gryvnyak was in Kyiv, trying to decide whether or not to leave the country. What has happened to them in the tumultuous ten months since?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: Kateryna Malofieieva and Natalia Gryvnyak.Host: Manveen Rana.You can find all of the work by Natalia Gryvnyak's production company here: http://infeatures.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.