The Story

The US government has been shut down for more than a week, and Democrats and Republicans are locked in a political blame game. Shutdowns are nothing new in US politics, but this time President Trump has made an unusual threat: to permanently cut hundreds of thousands of jobs and shutter entire government agencies. Is this just a new bargaining tactic to put pressure on Democrats or part of a bigge...

When 29-year-old Sophie Rottenberg took her own life, her family later discovered she’d been confiding in a chatbot called ‘Harry’ things that she wasn’t telling any human. This episode discusses suicide and mental health struggles. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. If you’re in the UK, you can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org . If you’re in the US...

Two years ago Hamas fighters launched a terror attack on Israel, killing more than 1,000 people and taking around 250 hostage. The Hamas-linked Gaza health authorities say tens of thousands have been killed in the subsequent war, which has devastated the area and led to catastrophic food shortages.  In the UK today, members of the Jewish community will commemorate the victims of October 7th,...

What's the future for an unpopular party governed by an unpopular leader? That's the question no one will be asking quite so bluntly at the Conservative Party conference this week in Manchester– except possibly The Times political editor Steven Swinford. He discusses whether leader Kemi Badenoch’s days are numbered and explains how the Tories could beat Reform at their own game.  This podcast...

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, thousands of children have disappeared from their homes. Separated from their families, many were sent to ‘re-education’ camps in Crimea, others, deep into the heart of Russia. So just what is it like for those children? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.u...

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each episode is hosted by The Story released as a bonus weekly series on Saturdays. High in the Arctic, beneath Greenland’s ancient ice, lie caves that hold clues to our planet’s past and its future. Climate researcher and Rolex Awards Laureate Gina Moseley leads d...

On Thursday morning, a suspected Islamist terrorist, Jihad al-Shamie, was confronted by police outside Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall on Yom Kippur. He had with him a knife and a fake suicide bomb. Two people, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, were killed. One of the victims was shot and killed by police, as they opened fire on al-Shamie. This is a special episode of The Story to bring you the...

Doctors who’ve been disciplined or had their licence revoked for misconduct or incompetence have been able to work in the NHS. A Times investigation has found more than 20 doctors, who are banned in various countries, but have somehow acquired the right to treat patients here – sometimes with devastating consequences.  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Ti...

This week The Times is launching a new politics podcast. We're dropping the first episode here -- subscribe to The State of It for free, wherever you get your podcasts, to tune in every week. Welcome to The State of It, coming to you from Liverpool where the Labour Party is finishing its annual conference. Keir Starmer's team seem happy after his leader's speech, but what are his MPs really saying...

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump have agreed to a 20-point peace plan to end the war in Gaza. But hardliners on both sides are already condemning it. So what chance does it have? And how does Tony Blair fit in? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Gabrielle...

Off the coast of Venezuela, a small armada of US navy warships and a fleet of fighter jets have struck several small boats, killing 17 people. The Trump administration says the boats were carrying drugs to the US; Venezuela says they were fishing vessels. But does President Trump really care about winning the war on drugs? Or is there another motive? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the s...

As the Labour conference ramps up in Liverpool, we bring together three of The Times' keenest political minds to discuss the three biggest problems facing the government. Are the scandals which have beset ministers, the sluggish growth of the economy, and stubbornly high levels of small boat crossings Labour's fault, and could they prove terminal for Keir Starmer? This podcast was brought to you t...

The Alpha School in Austin, Texas is hoping to revolutionise education forever, swapping teachers for laptop lessons and AI, and motivating pupils with cold, hard cash. Is this the future of education? Guest: Danny Fortson, Co-host of The Times Tech Podcast and The Sunday Times' West Coast Correspondent. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Dave Creasey. Read more: This primary school got rid of teachers...

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each episode is hosted by The Story released as a bonus weekly series on Saturdays. In the remote Himalayan valley of Humla, Rinzin Phunjok Lama is protecting endangered species like the snow leopard and wild yak. Using Buddhist principles, local knowledge, and com...

As England’s Red Roses head into the World Cup final tomorrow, it might be the largest audience that women’s rugby has ever seen. With its TikTok superstars and crocheting players, it’s creating new fans and connecting with people in ways the men's teams can only dream of. So why has it taken so long to get here? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The...

A geopolitical battle between Russia and the EU will unfold this Sunday as Moldovans vote in a pivotal parliamentary election. The result could steer the country closer to the EU, or back towards Moscow. With Russia accused of bribery and vote rigging to sway the outcome in its favour, which path will Moldova choose? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and...

An undercover Times investigation reveals how US-inspired Christian activists are running services across the UK, offering pro-life advice to those looking for impartial support. They also recommend exploring an ‘abortion reversal pill’, against national guidelines. So who are these groups, and what is their real mission? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Time...

President Trump has publicly linked the use of Tylenol, or paracetamol, during pregnancy to an increased risk of autism, despite experts saying the connection is unproven. The extraordinary announcement came after months of dramatic changes at US public health bodies, spearheaded by the health secretary and vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr. So, how did health become politicised in America? And...

The UK, Australia and Canada have formally recognised Palestine as a state ahead of high level meetings at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly this week. But as the votes and debates continue, little seems to change outside the diplomatic bubble. We discuss with a former Deputy Secretary-General of the UN what relevance the organisation still holds.  This podcast was brought to you th...

With his looks, charisma and string of hits, Robert Redford, who died this week, was the face of Hollywood cinema in the 1970's. But he was so much more than a pretty face, and quickly moved into directing and producing awards winning films, before pivoting to focus on what really mattered to him: the Sundance Film Festival, to support independent film. Despite his huge public profile, Robert...

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each episode is hosted by The Story released as a bonus weekly series on Saturdays. Deep in the Amazon, the mysterious pink river dolphins are under threat from pollution, mining, and habitat loss. Marine biologist Fernando Trujillo, known locally as Omacha, has de...

Thirteen years after her body was discovered floating in the septic tank of a hotel in Kenya, an arrest warrant has been issued for a former British soldier over the alleged murder of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru. If extradited, it would be the first time a British soldier is sent to face such a charge on foreign soil - and follows years of dogged investigation by The Sunday Times. We speak to report...

The US President's state visit to the UK is marked by royal pageantry, political tension, and public protest. But what could the UK gain from it? And what are the potential pitfalls lurking for Keir Starmer? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guests: Katy Balls, Washington editor and colu...

In the years since Omar al-Bayoumi was released by British police, new evidence has come to light which was not shared with the officers carrying out his interrogation. Today, he stands accused of being a Saudi agent who helped the terrorists who carried out 9/11, something he has always denied. This is part three of a three-part special investigative series. This podcast was brought to you thanks...

On September 21, 2001, Omar al-Bayoumi was arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of the preparation, instigation or commission of acts of terrorism. Police would have seven days before they would need to charge, extradite, or release him. Over the next week of questioning, there would be extraordinary revelations -- but also leads not followed, and crucial information not shared. So what went wrong?...