The Story

The Sunday Times rich list has published the names of the wealthiest people in Britain since 1989. Today we meet its compiler to find out who reached the top this year and explore what drives them.Guest: Rob Watts, Compiler of The Sunday Times Rich.Host: Manveen Rana.More on Rich List here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/sunday-times-rich-listArchive: Youtube (Richard Branson), E! Red Carpet & Award Shows, 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.

The Italian village of Vo’ Euganeo was the home of the first European to die in Europe of covid19. Now the same town has become a unique test-bed for scientists to learn how to combat the disease. Could it offer new insights into how to fight back? Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe Editor of The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen RanaArchive: MSNBC, BarbART YouTube channel, France 24, Sky News, RAI Sport TV.Additional music: Jordan Powell, Chris Zabriskie (licenced under Creative Commons).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.

Behind the scenes, a group of social scientists has been advising the government on how to communicate to the public during the crisis. But has some of their advice been ignored? Guest: Steve Reicher, professor of social psychology at the University of St Andrews and member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours. Host: Manveen Rana. Archive: BBC, ITV, DW News, ABC News, TalkRadio.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.

An Australian cult is operating from a B&B in Somerset and despite court rulings against it, is ripping families apart. It is just one of an estimated one thousand cults that operate in the UK. Who are the people fighting to expose them? Guests: Rosie Kinchen, associate editor and the main interviewer of News Review at The Sunday Times.Host: David Aaronovitch.Audio from:Esther Rockett.Serge Benhayon TV.Content warning: contains discussions of sexual abuse and is not suitable for everyone.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.

Some 10,000 people in the UK have needed critical care to deal with the virus already. What's it like to be in an ICU with Covid19?Guests: Roger Boyes, Diplomatic Editor and columnist for The Times.Dr Sonia Hudson, consultant in intensive care medicine at Broomfield Hospital.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 we begin to relax the lockdown, the UK is facing its biggest economic shock for 300 years. Can past recessions teach us what to do next? Guest:David Smith, Sunday Times Economics EditorAnn Pettifor, economistHost: Manveen RanaArchive: BBC, Talkradio, CNN, CBS, Sky News, CNBC, BloombergThis 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 can the jubiatilion and uncertainty of VE day teach us about what 'victory' over coronavirus might look like?Guest:Ben Macintyre, associate editor, columnist and a writer-at-large for The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: 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.

This weekend Boris Johnson is expected to talk about the UK's exit strategy and outline the beginning of the end of lock down. But what can we learn from other European nations and their approach?Guest: Oliver Moody, The Times Berlin Correspondent.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Marco Meeßen.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 recent weeks the world’s two biggest superpowers have been playing a blame game around the global pandemic. What do the Chinese communists and the American Republicans stand to gain from the spread of myths, fake news and propaganda?Guest: Catherine Philp, the Times Diplomatic Correspondent.Henry Zeffman, the Times Washington Correspondent.Host: David Aaronovitch.Archive: NewsweekThis 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.

Four decades of war have ravaged Afghanistan, cost America $2 trillion and left more than one million dead. As US troops prepare to withdraw, what next for a nation more divided than ever?Guest: Anthony Loyd, Times foreign correspondent. Host: Manveen Rana.Archive: EuronewsThis 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.

An extraordinary story about the man who helped trigger one of the biggest financial crashes in US history - ten years ago this week - from his bedroom in a West London semi-detached house. Guest: Liam Vaughan, journalist and author of Flash Crash. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips:Bloomberg, CNBC, 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.

Under lockdown, police have been given extraordinary new powers. What do the new rules mean for bobbies on the beat, and how will they change our relationship to the police force?  Guest: John Simpson, Times crime correspondent Jonathan Ames, Times legal editorJohn Apter, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales Host: Manveen RanaClips: BBC, TalkradioThis 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.

Cheltenham Festival was the last major sporting event to take place prior to the national lockdown in the UK. But should it ever have happened? The four-day fixture took place in March and has since become a lightning rod for criticism around perceived government inaction on the coronavirus crisis. We talk to people who were there. 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.

Donald Trump is under pressure as libertarian demonstrators insist their freedom is being infringed by lock down. Has the virus revealed the gap between the President's rhetoric and the reality of governance? And is the pandemic changing his re-election chances?Guests: Josh Glancy, Washington Bureau Chief for The Sunday Times.Julie Kelly, senior contributor for political blog American Greatness.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.

How has the government fared enforcing their mantra of: 'stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives'?Guests: Caroline Wheeler, Deputy political editor of The Sunday Times.Rosamund Urwin, Senior reporter at 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.

Times writer Sathnam Sanghera goes on a personal journey to find out why people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds are suffering disproportionately from Covid-19.Guest: Sathnam Sanghera, author and writer at the Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Sathnam's article for the Saturday magazine: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/coronavirus-and-ethnicity-black-and-asian-nhs-medics-on-the-front-line-dhznrc3kc Clips: BBC, @borisjohnson, Good Morning Britain (ITV), TalkRadio.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 waters have cleared in Venice, air pollution over China has dropped and goats have reclaimed a Welsh town. But just how sustainable are these seemingly positive side effects of the coronavirus crisis on our climate and the natural world?Guest: Liz Bonnin, scientist and natural history presenter. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, NBC, Channel 4, DW 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.

Technology might be the answer to our problems - but could we be giving up our privacy in return for our liberty? Guest: Danny Fortson, The Sunday Times West Coast correspondent Host: David AaronovitchThis 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 weekend's investigation by the Insight team into the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic made headlines around the world. We talk to them about how they researched the story and get their rebuttal to the government's subsequent criticism.Guests:Jonathan Calvert, editor of The Sunday Times Insight investigative teamGeorge Arbuthnott, deputy editor of The Sunday Times Insight investigative teamHost: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.

We take a break from social distancing and life in lockdown to bring you an extraordinary story from Iraq. The Sunday Times' Louise Callaghan tells Manveen the tale of Abu Laith- the zookeeper of Mosul, and the man who kept a lion alive through mortar fire and raids by ISIS. Guest:Louise Callaghan, Sunday Times Middle East correspondentHost:Manveen RanaThis 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.

Stay at home. Protect the NHS. Save lives. But what if you don't have a home to stay in? Greg Hurst on the government campaign to protect the homeless. Guests: Greg Hurst, Social Affairs Editor for The Times. Rob in London, Richard Todd in Exeter and Theresa Frampton in Bristol. Host: Manveen RanaThis 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.

Hundreds of thousands of years ago, Homo sapiens were not alone. Tom Whipple explains how we once shared the earth with Neanderthals and even 'hobbits'. Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor for The Times. Chris Stringer, Merit Researcher in human origins at the London Natural History Museum. Host: Manveen RanaThis 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 Swedish government's approach to coronavirus has been controversial. Unlike in the UK, they have urged citizens to take personal responsibility for enforcing social distancing rather than using police forces to ensure rules are followed. Now that the country has passed the grim milestone of 1,000 coronavirus deaths, what can the UK learn from the Swedish government's light-touch approach to the pandemic? Guests: Louise Callaghan, Middle East correspondent for the Sunday Times.  Host: Manveen RanaThis 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.

Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, is fighting extradition to the US, after seven years holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy. This week it was revealed that he secretly started a family during his time in hiding. Is it in the public interest for Julian Assange to be sent to the States?Guests: John Simpson, crime correspondent for The 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.

As a number of existing therapies are being re-purposed to help patients with the most severe Covid-19 symptoms, we speak to a UK-based bioscience company about a drug they've developed and explore how it is being used in Italy. Guests: Tom Whipple, The Times science editorSomeit Sidhu, CEO and Co-founder of Izana BioscienceHost: Manveen RanaThis 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 reading on the rise under the lockdown, the Times Literary Supplement editor Stig Abell suggests three books for a little escapism during these uncertain times.  Guest: Stig AbellThis 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 have been warned that the Easter bank holiday could see the peak of the coronavirus crisis in the UK. But are our hospitals ready?Guest:‏Lucy Cocker, Junior Doctor and Deputy Chair of the BMA's Junior Doctor Committee.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 looks like the US will be badly hit by coronavirus. Could President Trump's approach be his downfall? Guests: Henry Zeffman, the Washington Correspondent for The 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.

The United States is now at the centre of the global coronavirus crisis and New York is the worst hit city in the country. What’s it like for regular New Yorkers at the centre of the pandemic? Guests:‏Laura Pullman, The Sunday Times New York correspondent.The audio diaries from nine New Yorkers. Host: Manveen Rana. NB: Caurice Wynters, one of the New Yorkers who spoke with us, is raising money to cover medical and living expenses for her family, after they all got sick with covid-19. You can contribute here: https://bit.ly/3aOBRWpThis 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 Brazilian politicians argue over how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, we speak to three residents about their experience of the crisis.  Guests: Lucinda Elliott‏, news contributor at The Times. Giuseppe Bossetti, Vivian Bernfeld and Marcus Assunção in Sao Paulo. 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 Saturday Labour party members selected a new leader. Is this the end of Corbynism? And what is the role of the opposition in the time of crisis? Guest: Rachel Sylvester, political columnist for The 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.

Are we doing enough to stop the spread of coronavirus? And what does the World Health Organisation think our approach should be from here?Guests:  Dr Kluge is Europe Director of Public Health at the World Health Organisation Kat Lay is Health Correspondent 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.

An army of volunteers has sprung up across the country in response to the coronavirus crisis. Today, we tell their stories. And we ask: is there a new team spirit that will outlast the lockdown? Guests:Martin Fletcher, former foreign editor of The Times. Alison Langan, retired teacher. Joe Pegg, IT specialist, and chief technical officer for the Long Ashton covid support group. Sharon Shamir, solicitor and co-founder of the Telegraph Hill covid support group. 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 we get used to our new lives in isolation, there’s a question on everyone’s lips: how long will this last? And perhaps even more importantly: what needs to happen for life to return to normal?  Guest: Tom Whipple, Science Editor at The Times Host: David AaronovitchThis 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 week into the shutdown, and millions of us are dealing with the effects of isolation for the first time, but one British doctor is better prepared than most of us. Dr Beth Healey shares her lessons from a year spent in Antarctica studying the effects of isolation.Guest: Dr Beth Healey. 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.

We follow the owner of a food-to-go shop as he tries to keep his workforce employed. Our Enterprise Editor explains what the government's economic interventions really mean for jobs.  Guests: Spencer Craig, co-founder of Pure - a food to go business James Hurley, Enterprise Editor at The Times Host: Manveen RanaThis 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.

Couples all around Britain are being asked to make tough decisions. Apart or together, the Health Secretary's advice is clear: "make your choice and stick with it." We speak to one couple in the middle of a divorce in isolation together, and one couple very much in love but separated by coronavirus (and an ocean). Guests: Steph (a nurse in Chicago treating coronavirus patients) and Katie (a tech consultant from London).Kenny (a former journalist now in PR) and Helen (a business coach), both living in Wales.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.

In the 1980s, the HIV/AIDS pandemic called for a clear, bold public health message. David Aaronovitch explores whether there are lessons to be learned for the government's response to Covid-19. Guests: Malcolm Gaskin, designer who created the UK's 1987 'Aids: Don't Die of Ignorance' campaign. Simon Fanshawe is a broadcaster and activist. He is one of the founders of Stonewall. 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.

Norman and Jorge are flatmates. But Norman happens to be 92 and Jorge is 26. In the time of coronavirus, this makes their friendship hard to navigate. What does the future hold for our intergenerational relationships? And how can we best keep our loved ones safe?  Guests: Norman, 92, Jorge, 26.  Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director for Age UK. Host: Manveen Rana. Special thanks to Two Generations for putting us in touch with the duo. 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 strict new restrictions on daily life are announced by Boris Johnson we ask: what does it say about his leadership? Guests: Daniel Finkelstein and Matthew Parris, Times columnistsHost: Manveen RanaThis 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.

Will the iconic koala be able to survive after Australia's recent bushfires left the country's vast wildlife population in peril? Guest: Bernard Lagan, Australia Correspondent 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.

What's going on behind the scenes at Number 10 to tackle coronavirus? And is the government moving fast enough to prevent the spread of covid-19 across the UK? Guests: Steven Swinford, Deputy Political Editor at The Times. David McCoy, professor of Global Public Health at Queen Mary University in London. 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.

Should the Olympics be postponed? And what could this mean for athletes? The Times's own Olympian and sports columnist Matthew Syed has the story. Guests: Matthew Syed, table tennis player and Times columnist Hayley Wickenheiser, Canadian ice hockey player 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.

David Aaronovitch talks to the editor-in-chief of the Lancet, Dr Richard Horton, and Times science editor, Tom Whipple, about the global response to the crisis. Which country has got the right approach? Guests:  Dr Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the Lancet Tom Whipple, The Times science editor 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.

The World Health Organisation has recognised that the coronavirus crisis is generating stress and has advised people to avoid watching, reading or listening to news that causes feelings of anxiety. But for author Jon Ronson, living with anxiety at the time of a pandemic holds some advantages too. Guest: Jon RonsonHost: Manveen RanaThis 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 doctors get coronavirus and how will the NHS cope? Manveen Rana speaks to two NHS doctors who've tested positive - and are about to return to work. Guests: - Dr Clare Gerada, NHS GP in London and former head of the Royal College of General Practitioners. - Anonymous consultant anaesthetist, practicing at a hospital in England. - Andrew Gregory, Health 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.

The story of a former resident of Wuhan - the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak - who is now part of a UK team racing to develop a coronavirus vaccine. Guests: - Dr Kai Hu, Research Associate, Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London. - Tom Whipple, Science Editor, 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.