The Story

Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the SNP, has been pushing for Scottish independence since she was elected First Minister seven and a half years ago. The UK government has repeatedly rejected her calls, but after the local elections further strengthened the SNP, could a second referendum be on the horizon?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: Kieran Andrews, Times Scottish Political Editor.Host: Calum Macdonald.Clips: Brookings, STV News, ITV News, Scottish Parliament, 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.

For 12 days, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tried to play down claims he’d broken lockdown rules when he’d had a curry and beer with staff. But when the police announced they would investigate whether it was a work or social event, he made the biggest gamble of his political career so far - if he’s fined, he will resign. Why has he made such a high-stakes move? And what does it tell us about the man who wants to be the next PM?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: Patrick Maguire, Red Box Editor, The Times. Host: Calum MacDonald.Clips: ITV News, Times Radio, GB News, Sky News, Talk TV, LBC, 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.

Johnny Depp’s personal life has been splashed across the headlines thanks to high-profile defamation cases against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Now, the latest trial is playing out in real time, live streamed to audiences across the world. What does this case tell us about their fans and how we all consume celebrity gossip? 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. Host: Calum Macdonald.Guests: - Keiran Southern, West Coast correspondent, The Times. - Jonathan Dean, senior writer, Sunday Times Culture. Clips: GB News, CNN, BBC, NBC, Law and Crime Network, Court TV, Guardian, Fox 5, CBS/Inside Edition, YouTube/Capital Paparazzi, TMZ, 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.

Today's weekend listen comes courtesy of our sister podcast, Danny In The Valley.Yesterday, Elon Musk put his $44 billion takeover of Twitter on pause. Some investors now seem sceptical that the deal will happen at all, although Musk says he remains committed.Whatever happens next at Twitter, the future of online debate is being thrashed out in public this weekend. So today we're listening to a recent podcast from Sunday Times West Coast correspondent Danny Fortson, examining the deal and the state of social media.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. Subscribe for free to Danny In The Valley: https://podfollow.com/danny-in-the-valleyHost: Danny Fortson, West Coast correspondent, The Sunday Times.Guests: - Hany Farid, professor at UC Berkeley’s School of Information.- James Currier, general partner at NFX.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 markets across the globe react to the latest cryptocurrency meltdown, which some warn may go beyond the usual boom-and-bust cycle - today we look at a band of mega-rich crypto enthusiasts who are settling on a Caribbean island.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: Josh Glancy, Special Correspondent at The Sunday Times.Host: David Aaronovitch. Clips: The Mighty Ducks (Walt Disney Pictures, music by David Newman), ABC News, The Pomp Podcast, Crypto Maniac YouTube, BronxNet.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 year the BBC celebrates its centenary, and Channel 4 its 40th birthday, the government has announced plans for funding models that fundamentally alter the broadcasters. Could these proposals change the media landscape forever? And what would they mean for the audience?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. Host: Manveen RanaGuest: Jake Kanter, Media Correspondent, The Times.Clips: LBC, BBC/BAFTAS, UK Parliament, CBC, Channel 4, BBC, The Sun.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 draft Supreme Court opinion on the law defining a woman’s right to have an abortion in America was leaked last week, causing uproar - and celebration. So, what’s the history of this law - and what would the end of Roe v Wade mean?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:Sarah Baxter, former Deputy Editor and Washington Correspondent, The Sunday Times.Mary Ziegler, author of 'Abortion and the Law in America: Roe v. Wade to the Present'. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: AP, BBC, CBC News, CBS, CNN, DW News, KMUW, National Archive, 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.

From people nabbed fleeing the country with suitcases full of bank notes to a former pub landlord accused of cashing his loan and sending it to the terrorist group ISIS, case after case is emerging of how money from the government's pandemic bounce back loan scheme may have been misused. So what went wrong? And is the government doing enough to fix it?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:George Greenwood, Investigations Reporter, The Times.James Hurley, Enterprise Editor, The Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: CNBC, BBC News, NBC, ITV News, Channel 5 News, ITV, Sky News, DW News, WION, The Guardian, HM Treasury.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 Victory Day in Russia, the annual celebration of victory in the Second World War. But as Putin's tanks parade the Moscow streets, how is his war in Ukraine really playing out - both in Russia and on the battlefield - and what might happen next?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:Mark Galeotti, senior associate fellow, RUSI.General Sir Richard Barrons.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: NBC, CNN, India Today, Bloomberg.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 Palace of Westminster has, once again, been rocked by a series of sexual misconduct scandals -- culminating in the revelation that an MP was caught watching porn during a Commons debate. Is this just a case of some very 'bad apples' or does Westminster have a problem?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:Alice Thomson, Columnist, The Times.Charlotte Ivers, Political Correspondent, Times Radio.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Wall Street Journal, ITV, Channel 4, BBC, Times Radio, GB News, 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.

Former ministers have broken ranks to describe how successive prime ministers, including Boris Johnson, withheld arms from Ukraine until just weeks before February’s invasion because of fears they might provoke Vladimir Putin. How did they get it so wrong?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:- Jonathan Calvert, Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.- George Arbuthnott, Deputy Insight Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: CBS, ABC, BBC News, ITV News, Channel 4 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 2018, the Sunday Times broke the story that then-serving Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke had been accused of rape by a former aide. Elphicke denied the allegation and sued for libel, and the paper spent the next four years in a legal battle, which has only just concluded.To read more:https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/charlie-elphicke-the-predator-mp-and-his-protection-racket-3kb30pl6w https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/charlie-elphicke-abandons-libel-challenge-over-rape-report-wc5mrzg5wThis 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: Pia Sarma, Editorial Legal Director at The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: CBS, UK Parliament, ITV, 5 News, 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.

As Northern Ireland goes to the polls on Thursday, we could be about to witness a political earthquake. Today: what it might mean on both sides of the Irish border if Sinn Fein sweeps to power.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: Justine McCarthy, Senior Writer, 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.

What happens when one half of a couple becomes a parent against their will?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: Jenny Kleeman, Times Radio presenter and investigative journalist.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.

With potential war crimes in Ukraine unfolding over social media, internet whizzes around the world are using Bellingcat's open source toolkit to find, fact-check, and expose them in real time.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:Elliot Higgins, creative director and founder, Bellingcat.Silke Muelherr, deputy CEO, Alfred Landecker Foundation.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: ITV News, CBC, WION, BBC, CBS, CNN, 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.

As Shanghai enters the fourth week of the world’s strictest Covid lockdown, residents are running out of food, medicine and patience – and there’s no end in sight. Meanwhile Beijing has begun mass testing and ordered its nearly 22 million residents to remain in the city. Should China rethink its Covid strategy?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:- Didi Tang, Beijing correspondent, The Times.- Ian Mote, British banker living in Shanghai.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, NBC, CBS, PBS, WION, 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.

Nicknamed Le Grêlé, or ‘the pockmarked man’, a French serial killer evaded police for decades, until he claimed one last life – his own.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: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor, The Sunday Times.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.

It's been six weeks since the British government opened a new immigration route to help Ukrainian refugees come to the UK - 'Homes for Ukraine'. Amongst the reports of bureaucratic delays and safety issues, we hear about the scheme from the two sides at the heart of it: Ukrainian refugees and their host family.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:Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Editor, The TimesJohn and Sue Rutherford, UK host family.Damian Whitworth, Feature Writer, The Times.Nataliia, Paulina and Tisha Shynhyrii, Ukrainian refugees. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Parliament TV, EU Commission, Sky News, BBC 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.

On Sunday voters will go to the polls in France in a repeat of 2017’s run off between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. So what issues are coming up on the campaign trail? What are the prospects for the incumbent? And could the far right populist triumph in a key election for the future of Europe?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: Adam Sage, Times Paris Correspondent.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: France 24, CNN, Times Radio, BBC News, Reuters.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, MPs will vote on whether to hold an investigation to look into the Prime Minister's alleged misleading of the Commons during the Partygate saga. Last week, Johnson and - unexpectedly - Chancellor Rishi Sunak were both fined for violating their own lockdown rules. Boris Johnson's critics say this makes him a 'lawmaker lawbreaker'. So how serious is this for the PM's future?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: Henry Zeffman, Associate Political Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Parliament TV, Sky News, Daily Mail, Office for Budget Responsibility, BBC News, 5 News, WIONThis 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.

Doctors knew in 1973 that the epilepsy drug sodium valproate posed a risk to unborn children – and ordered that warnings be removed from packets. Almost 50 years and 20,000 disabled babies later, it is still being prescribed to pregnant women.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:- Shaun Lintern, Health Editor, The Sunday Times.- Janet Williams, CEO at The Independent Fetal Anti-Convulsant Trust.- Catherine McNamara, parent. Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: Channel 4 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 an audacious hostile takeover bid, Elon Musk is holding Twitter to ransom. Either they let him run the whole company, or he'll pull the plug, selling off his stake and sinking their share price. So, what next for Twitter? And why does the world’s richest man want to buy it? 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: Fox News, BBC Radio 5 Live, Sky News, Tesla, CNET, CBS, Yahoo Finance. 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.

Whether you like it or not, these days everyone seems to be enlisted in the culture wars. But why does the debate seem so angry and intolerant? Can we find some answers in novels written 150 years ago?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: James Marriott, Columnist, The Times. Host: David Aaronovitch. Clips: Vice TV, 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.

Since the first case in Ukraine was reported to The Times, many more have emerged. But why is this particular weapon so hard to talk about?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.This episode contains reference to sexual violence and rape.Guests:- Catherine Philp, Diplomatic Correspondent, The Times.- Christina Lamb, Chief Foreign Correspondent, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, VOA News, The Guardian, The 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.

Just before the pandemic, the government promised a 'dementia moonshot' to blast us towards a dementia cure. What happened to it?Today: former prime minister David Cameron and Sunday Times science editor Ben Spencer on Britain’s fastest growing disease, dementia.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:- Ben Spencer, science editor, The Sunday Times.- David Cameron, former UK prime minister and president of Alzheimer's Research UK.- Willy Gilder, former BBC radio reporter, living with Alzheimer’s disease.Clips: BBC, Channel 4 News, Sky News, ABC News, WRTV.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 Russian military has suffered an unexpected battering, but Putin shows no sign of backing down. What can history teach us about what might happen next?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: Roger Boyes, Diplomatic Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: CBC, AP, ABC News, Al Jazeera, 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.

In the second of this two-part podcast, we find out what effect Mouayed Bashir's death has had on his family in Newport, South Wales - as the inquest into his death is delayed - and look at how the police interact with the black community in England and Wales.  This is the second of a two-part podcast examining the death of a black man following contact with police.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.  Host: Asya Fouks.Clips: Sky News, Channel 4, 5News.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 the 17th February last year, in Newport, the family of Mouayed Bashir called 999. According to his parents he'd been suffering a mental health episode that morning. Nearly three hours later the 29-year-old had died after being restrained by police officers in his bedroom. So what happened?This is part one of a two part podcast examining the death of a black man following contact with police.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. Host: Asya Fouks.Clips: BBC, 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.

Rule No 1 in space is 'don't rock the boat' - and certainly don't talk about politics. But Putin’s bombs are visible from the International Space Station, and a war of words over Ukraine may have put joint efforts in space in real jeopardy.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:- Col. Terry Virts (ret), former commander of the International Space Station.- Jacqui Goddard, Miami 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.

Over two episodes, Matthew Syed takes listeners inside GCHQ’s headquarters in Cheltenham. Today, he hears from some of the staff who share how their different backgrounds help contribute to the organisation’s work. 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:- Charlotte, GCHQ analyst. - Unnamed member of the computer network operations team. - David Abrutat, GCHQ departmental historian. - Paul Maddinson, Director of National Resilience and Strategy. Host: Matthew Syed. Clips: 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.

Over two episodes, Matthew Syed takes listeners inside GCHQ’s headquarters in Cheltenham. Today, he speaks to the Director, Sir Jeremy Fleming, on a wide range of topics, from the threats facing the UK, misinformation, the Online Harms Bill, and how working in security and intelligence has changed over the course of his 30-year career. 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: Sir Jeremy Fleming, GCHQ Director.Host: Matthew Syed.Clips: Sky NewsThis 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 government said it would ban so-called conversion therapy for gay or bisexual people in England and Wales, but not for transgender people. The policy followed two U-turns in the space of an evening.It's a sensitive and controversial issue which was the subject of a special investigation on this podcast last August, by the journalist Emily Sargent. So today we're revisiting the first part of Thinking Straight.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.The full Thinking Straight series:Part 1: ConversionPart 2: UndercoverPart 3: SurvivingPart 4: Undercover againPart 5: Faith and queernessPart 6: Conversion and transitioningPart 7: The banGetting helpIf you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations can help:Switchboard provides an information, support and referral service for anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality.Phone: 0300 330 0630 (10am-10pm).Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provide a safe place to talk 24 hours a day.Phone: 116 123Guests: - Jayne Ozanne, director and founder, Ozanne Foundation; chair, Ban Conversion Therapy Coalition.- Dr Qazi Rahman, senior lecturer, King's College London.- Michael King, Emeritus Professor, University College London.Host: Emily Sargent, journalist.Clips: Times Radio, ITV News, Instagram: @xoutloudeuropeofficial, X-OUT-LOUD Europe, Core Issues Trust, BFI, 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 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.

Since firing 800 of its employees with no warning, P&O Ferries has faced mounting pressure from the government and calls for CEO Peter Hebblethwaite to resign. How did this happen? And what's on the horizon for the embattled company?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: Ben Clatworthy, Transport Correspondent, The Times.Host: Calum Macdonald.Clips: The Telegraph, BBC News, Sky News, ITV, DP World.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 billed as the future of the internet. But what exactly is 'The Metaverse'? One Sunday Times journalist takes a journey into the the virtual-reality world. It may be for over-13s, but she found harassment, racism and talk of porn make it scary even for adults.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: Louise Eccles, Consumer Affairs Editor, The Sunday Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: Sky News, CNBC, CNET, Meta, WION, Microsoft Ignite.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.

Nearly four million refugees have fled the war in Ukraine since it began a month ago. It's the biggest movement of people since records began. We hear stories from the Polish border, as this wave of humanity crosses through.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get 3 months' subscription for just one pound at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guests:Roger Boyes, Diplomatic Editor, The Times.Natalia Gryvnyak, Ukrainian journalist.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Times Radio, LA Times, Euronews. For information on how to help the people of Ukraine visit: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-to-help-ukraine-uk-v8grddrs8This 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.

Hospitals bombed. Thousands of civilians killed. If war crimes have been committed in Ukraine, as many suspect, have the events of the past month exposed the laws of war as toothless?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get 3 months' subscription for just one pound at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Professor Gregory Gordon, former war crimes prosecutor and professor of law at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.Host: Manveen Rana.For information on how to help the people of Ukraine visit: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-to-help-ukraine-uk-v8grddrs8This 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 week thousands of fans criss-cross the country to support their football team, but among them are those who others wish would stay at home. A Times investigation has looked into the new generation of football hooligans.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: Matt Lawton, Chief Sports Correspondent, The Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: TalkSport, Sky News, ITV News, Tyne TV, BBC NewsThis 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 President Zelensky put a call out for fighters to join the defence of Ukraine against the Russian assault, an estimated 20,000 answered - including Shane Matthew, a former member of the British Army. As we mark a month since the start of the war in Ukraine, what is life like for those who have gone to fight?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get 3 months' subscription for just one pound at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Larisa Brown, Defence Editor, The Times,andShane Matthew, former soldier.Host: Calum Macdonald.For information on how to help the people of Ukraine visit: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-to-help-ukraine-uk-v8grddrs8Clips: CNN, France 24, DW News, Al Jazeera, Channel 5, BBC 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.

We're feeling the pinch as the cost of everyday items increases. Why is this happening? And what might the Chancellor say in his Spring Statement to alleviate the financial pressure?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:- Ashley Armstrong, Retail and Mergers & Acquisitions Editor, The Times.- Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: Sky News, Channel 4, ITV News, CNBC, Associated Press.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.

Covid cases are surging in the UK, and more people over 70 are testing positive than at any time in the pandemic. What’s going on? We speak to one of the key members of SAGE, the government’s expert advisory committee.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: John Edmunds, professor of epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and member of the UK government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: ABC News, CBS News, WION, ZOE, 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.

A number of Western nations have imposed sanctions on Russia, its leadership and some of Putin's alleged allies. But are they working?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: Oliver Wright, Policy Editor, The Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.For information on how to help the people of Ukraine visit: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-to-help-ukraine-uk-v8grddrs8Clips: UK Parliament, DW News, Football Joe, BBC News, Sky News, France 24, DW News, CBC News, CBS News, ABC News, 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.

A Times undercover investigation has revealed a catalogue of problems at the DVLA that have led to drivers waiting for months for their licence renewals. What lies behind the crisis at this important government agency?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: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: 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.

This week, in a further sign that the Russian military could be in trouble, it was revealed that the Kremlin asked China for military aid. But will Beijing want to wade into this war? And have Vladimir Putin's actions frustrated Xi Jiping?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: Didi Tang, Beijing Correspondent, The Times.Edward Lucas, Columnist at The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.For information on how to help the people of Ukraine visit:https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-to-help-ukraine-uk-v8grddrs8Clips: 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.

After nearly six years of detention in Iran, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been released to join her family in the UK. Here, we return to an episode from last year and explore whether an unpaid British debt was the reason behind her imprisonment. 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:Richard Ratcliffe, Nazanin's husband.Catherine Philp, diplomatic correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, ITV, AP.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 Wednesday, a maternity hospital in Mariupol was bombed. The World Health Organisation says there have been 24 attacks in Ukraine on healthcare facilities and five on ambulances, killing at least a dozen people and injuring 34.So today we’re going back to the start of the war, telling the story of one day and a visit to a children's hospital in Kyiv.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. Host: Louise Callaghan, Foreign Correspondent at The Sunday Times. With thanks to Maksym 'Max' Nakonechnyi for translating. For information on how to help the people of Ukraine visit:https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-to-help-ukraine-uk-v8grddrs8This 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 almost two years since the first national lockdown, when schools closed their doors and the nation's families got to grips with home schooling. Since then, an estimated 100,000 students simply haven't returned to education. So who are these 'ghost children’ - and how do we get them back to class? 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: - Sian Griffiths, Education and Families Editor, The Sunday Times. - Jonathan Green, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Manchester. Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Channel 4, Sky News, Daily Mail, Belfast Telegraph, 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.

As the war stretches into its third week, the city of Kharkiv has been among the worst hit. Today: what it's like to report from a city devastated by war, while it's still being constantly bombarded.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:- Anthony Loyd, war correspondent, The Times.- Jack Hill, chief news photographer, 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.

On Thursday Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the government with his assets in the UK frozen, leaving the football club in limbo. Today, we look at what sporting boycotts can achieve and ask if the Russian ice hockey star, Alex Ovechkin, could damage Vladimir Putin.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: Matt Dickinson, Senior Sports Writer, The Times.Ryan Kennedy, Senior Writer at The Hockey News. Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: CTV News, NHL, BBC, Sky Sports, FIFA, CBS News, NBC News, BritishAthleticsTV.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 ruble is in free fall and western companies have pulled out of Russia. Those who are brave enough to protest the war are being arrested, while others are leaving the country. So, how is this affecting ordinary Russians? We hear from them and from a veteran correspondent who's worked in Russia for over two decades.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: Owen Matthews, writer and journalist.Host: Manveen Rana & Asya Fouks.Clips: Sky New, India Today, ABC News, Channel One Russia.For information on how to help the people of Ukraine visit: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-to-help-ukraine-uk-v8grddrs8 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.