The Story

Autism diagnoses in England have shot up in recent years from 700,000 three years ago to around 1.1 million today. It's led to a backlash, with some suggesting the condition is being over-diagnosed. Not so, says Dr Mary Doherty, a top doctor who founded Autistic Doctors International. She says she knows why diagnoses are up.  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of...

As the Reform conference kicks off today, Nigel Farage and his team are looking to pitch themselves as a serious party ready to win a general election. But after a long, hot summer dogged by controversies, party infighting, and a by-election against a man dressed as a bin, this strategy might be undercutting itself. So where do they go from here?  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the...

How will US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and global bond markets impact UK borrowing, John Healey’s UK Budget, and the wider UK economy? Rising inflation rates, soaring government debt, and higher borrowing costs are likely to effect UK tax and pensions. But can politicians intervene without making things worse? The US Treasury intends to double its buyback operations of government bonds to co...

On Friday, Giorgia Meloni will break Italy’s record and become the longest-serving continuous prime minister since the Second World War. Her sceptics predicted she would only last a few months. So how has she managed it? And with Britain going through four prime ministers in the same period, does she have a lesson for the rest of us? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers...

Andy Burnham faced parliament for the first time as prime minister on Tuesday. He’s spent the summer projecting a sunny, optimistic vision of Britain’s future – but how long can the good vibes last as Burnham faces the cold, hard realities of governing?  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/the...

It’s been six months since President Trump announced the US and Israel had launched a military campaign against Iran. And despite some early military successes, the conflict has had financial and political costs for the United States. Will a change in strategy turn the tide? Or has the US already lost the strategic battle?    This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of reade...

When Ceri Menai-Davis’ five year old son Hugh was diagnosed with cancer, his whole family’s life was transformed. The emotional toll was unimaginable, but alongside that came myriad other hidden costs, and he soon found there was no support available. So why does the UK not help families going through this most devastating moment? And could a new law, championed by Ceri, change that? This podcast...

The Notting Hill Carnival began in the sixties as a celebration of the culture of Britain’s Windrush generation - but as the tradition has swelled there are issues of overcrowding and violence. Critics question the policing costs, which run into the tens of millions. With the future of Carnival now a political lightning rod, how long can the party go on? This podcast was brought to you thanks to t...

It’s a crime that many victims don’t know is illegal. Now a Times investigation has found that online platforms are hosting graphic content depicting women being sexually assaulted while they sleep, despite UK laws banning depictions of rape. 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: &nb...

The tech giant Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion and add child-safety measures to its platforms, after settling a landmark trial against a coalition of American states. So, will the forthcoming measures actually lead to real change? And why has 2026 become a year of social media backlash?  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Time...

At least 360 have died, with hundreds more still missing, after a flash flood in Nepal. Experts are warning that a second flood may be imminent. 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:  David Brown, chief news correspondent, The Times. Adam Vaughan, environment editor, The Times....

Does the king get to decide where his grandkids go to school? Could we build data centres underground? And why was the CIA chief in Moscow this week? You asked, so we answered, in this edition of our monthly Q&A series. 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:  Jack Blackburn,...

Ten days ago, Natalie Harp was a name known almost exclusively to those in Washington's political circles but when a Democratic senator name-checked her in a campaign speech, it caused a war of words. So who is she and why does she matter so much to the president? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetim...

Meteorologists are warning about a “Godzilla” El Niño which will cause extreme weather, food shortages and economic disruption. While the weather pattern happens regularly and mostly affects countries around the Pacific, its effects will be far reaching. What should we expect in the UK? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe to...

We’re publishing our monthly Q&A episode this Thursday. Send us your questions by Wednesday, 26 August, 12pm BST. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Further listening: Q&A: Public transport hell and ‘creepy’ AI glasses 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 su...

The Times has discovered that thousands of migrants are using a new, hybrid route to try to come to the UK: legal flights and visas, combined with illegal border crossings. But most don’t make it; the smuggling gangs detain them in Libya, to use them as slaves or for organ harvesting. Our reporter went to meet them. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and...

In his second administration, Donald Trump has so far pardoned or released approximately 1,800 convicted criminals. That includes rioters who stormed the Capitol, fraudsters who stole millions from their victims, and people with connections to the president. So why is Trump on a pardoning spree? And what impact might it have on his support?  This podcast was brought to you thanks to the suppo...

It’s the diet Trump’s inner circle are said to swear by: protein, fermented food and... not much else. Its creator, Sean O’Mara, promises that it works magic on your gut. The Times' feature writer Damian Whitworth’s spoke to him, and tried out the diet. 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...

This is episode five of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing from The Times and The Sunday Times first published in March. In the final episode of our county lines series, we hear how county lines drug gangs are continuing to shift their business model to avoid detection. Policing minister, Sarah Jones, explains how the government is planning to fight back. Plus, The Ti...

Harry and Meghan are reportedly moving back to Britain with Archie and Lilibet, more than six years after leaving royal life for California. But why now — and how will their return work in practice? Roya Nikkhah is joined by Rosamund Urwin, chief news correspondent of The Sunday Times , to discuss the Sussexes’ shock decision, the King’s reaction and what it could mean for Prince William. They als...

This is episode four of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing from The Times and The Sunday Times first published in March. Mike started selling drugs for a county lines gang when he was just a teenager. After being arrested and getting stabbed, he left that life behind. But he's been willing to share his experiences with The Times’ crime editor David Woode for the first...

This is episode three of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing from The Times and The Sunday Times first published in March. Children aren't just running drugs for county lines gangs - sometimes they're running the lines themselves. Today The Sunday Times's northern editor David Collins talks to the police officers who worry laws designed to protect victims of exploitati...

This is episode two of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing from The Times and The Sunday Times first published in March. Today we go inside Operation Titan, as North Yorkshire Police fight back against county lines drugs gangs. But with each line the police shut down, another pops up in its place, sometimes within days. The Sunday Times' northern editor David Collins i...

This is episode one of a five-part special investigation into county lines drug dealing from The Times and The Sunday Times first published in March. Today we reveal how police took down the family controlling the drug trade in one British city, creating a power vacuum that was filled by a new breed of violent, criminal operation - county lines. The Sunday Times' northern editor David Collins is g...

Karen Carter was murdered outside her home in the tranquil Dordogne village of Trémolat. The police launched a manhunt, and slowly a story of obsession, romance, and unrequited love started to come to light. So, why would someone murder a well-liked member of the community? And what’s the latest development in the police investigation? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of reade...