The Story

In the week that thousands of inmates were freed early from prison, we revisit our recent undercover investigation which prompted an urgent investigation by the Ministry of Justice. Our reporter revealed a worrying lack of security at HMP Bedford which houses dangerous criminals. He witnessed fights and drugs - and heard of a prison escape that happened because doors were left unlocked. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: ITV News, Times Radio, BBC.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Medical tourism to Turkey for ‘Brazilian butt lifts’ and liposuction is surging despite the risks. The UK government says at least 28 people have died since 2019 as a result of medical tourism to the country. Our correspondent goes undercover to expose the firms recruiting customers in London.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: Charlotte Wace, Special Projects Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Get in touch: TheStory@thetimes.com investigations@thetimes.comPhoto: Getty images.Clips: ITV, Talk TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris came straight after a strong performance against the former President, Donald Trump. Our correspondent was in the spin room watching on as the two candidates clashed over foreign policy, immigration and the economy in their televised debate. But will last night shift the dial of the presidential election?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: Tom Newton Dunn, broadcaster and journalist.Host: Manveen Rana. Get in touch: TheStory@thetimes.comFurther listening: Trump vs. Harris: The battle of the sexes & Why tech billionaires are backing Trump Clips: ABC, NBC News. Photo: Getty images.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The hard-right Alternative for Germany party won its first state election earlier this month in Thuringia. Anti-immigrant, anti-woke and anti-green, its popularity has brought back uncomfortable comparisons with the rise of the National Socialists in the 1930s.On Monday, Berlin announced that controls at all German land borders will be introduced for six months to stop illegal migrants entering the country.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: Oliver Moody, Berlin Correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Get in touch: TheStory@thetimes.comPhoto: Getty images.Clips: BBC, DW News, AFP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Kamala Harris and Donald Trump face off tonight in their first TV debate, it’s more than just a political showdown - it's a battle of the sexes. The polls are too close to call with women heavily favouring Harris, while men lean towards Trump. Could the hot-button topic of abortion prove the issue that shifts the electoral balance?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Sarah Baxter, former Deputy Editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Further listening: Why tech billionaires are backing Trump Further reading: Why Donald Trump is suddenly talking about cocaineGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.comClips: NBC, Fox, AP Archive.Photo: Getty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the Duke of Sussex turns forty. A milestone for anyone - but for Harry, could this moment of natural reflection be a turning point? There are reports the King’s second son wants to come back to the UK with his wife Meghan Markle. So, as he begins to assess his legacy, what next for him?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryArticle: Prince Harry stayed at Diana’s family home in latest UK visit Guest: Kate Mansey, Assistant Editor and Royal Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones. Photo: Jack Hill, Times photographer.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comClips: ITV News, ITV X, BBC News, ITN Archive, 5News, Sky News, 7 News Australia, TODAY Australia.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zoe Blaskey, author of Motherkind, didn’t realise that she was unprepared for the huge psychological and physiological changes that motherhood brought. Now she’s spreading the word to other mothers. But why are we still not talking about this?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Zoe Blaskey, author of the book 'Motherkind' and host of the podcast 'Motherkind'Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Peanut and Motherkind, Motherkind podcast.Episode artwork: Getty Images Further listening: What two gay dads can teach fathers about parentingGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will there ever be peace in the Middle East? How should we interact with China, Russia and Europe? And how does the man who took the UK into the Iraq war look back on his legacy? William Hague talks to his former adversary from across the dispatch box, Tony Blair.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Tony Blair, former prime minister.Host: William Hague.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comFind out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'Photo credit: Times photographer Richard Pohle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, has condemned the British government’s decision to suspend some arms sales as ‘shameful’. But what was the UK sending, and can its policies really impact the war in Gaza?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times. George Grylls, Defence and Politics Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: Parliament Live, Sky News, LBC, BBC Radio 4 Today, BBC News.Episode artwork: Getty Images Further listening: Why there’s talk of civil war in IsraelGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.comFind out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk and other tech billionaires in Democrat-leaning Silicon Valley are backing Donald Trump in 2024. What’s driving this shift, and what could it mean for the presidential race?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestoryGuest: Danny Fortson, West Coast correspondent, The Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones.  Further listen: The political transformation of Elon MuskClips: ABC News, X.com/Elon Musk, Bitcoin Magazine, The Ben & Marc Show.  Photo credit: Getty ImagesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conspiracy theories have swirled around the former nurse found guilty of murdering seven babies. But now some experts have also raised concerns about the safety of her conviction. We talk to one of them.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests:Ali Mitib, News Reporter, The Times.William Thompson, Professor Emeritus of Criminology, Law and Society, UC Irvine.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Sky News, ITV, The Telegraph, Parliament TV.Episode artwork: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Public Inquiry into the fire at Grenfell Tower will publish its final report on Wednesday. Ahead of its findings, we're re-visiting a two-part series that looked into the failings that lead to the tragedy - and the stories of the families who lived in the tower.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestoryGuest: Martina Lees, Senior Property Writer, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: ITV News, Grenfell Inquiry, BBC News, ABC News Australia, OnDemand News, AP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Public Inquiry into the fire at Grenfell Tower will publish its final report on Wednesday. Ahead of its findings, we revisit a two-part podcast from June 2022. In part one, we remember the night of the fire on June 14, 2017, through the stories of three families who called the tower home.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestoryGuest: Martina Lees, Senior Property Writer, the Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Channel 4 News, ITV News, BBC News, Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide.A year on from the original series, James sits down with his producer, Will, to go over all the latest developments on the case, as Kenneth Law is expected to go on trial in 2025 accused of 14 counts of murder.If you or someone you know has been affected by suicide or needs to talk to someone, please get in contact with the Samaritans online https://www.samaritans.org/ or call them for free on their 24-hour helpline 116 123.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryHost: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The Times.james.beal@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was first published in 2023.Warning, this episode contains discussions about suicide.On Tuesday night, police in Canada announced the arrest and charge of a 57-year-old man on two counts of aiding or counselling suicide.If you or someone you know has been affected by suicide or needs to talk to someone, please get in contact with the Samaritans online https://www.samaritans.org/ or call them for free on their 24-hour helpline 116 123.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryHost: James Beal, Social Affairs Editor, The Times.james.beal@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.