The Story

The rap mogul’s, whose real name is Shawn Carter, billion dollar empire is at risk after he was named in a civil lawsuit accusing him of raping a 13-year-old in 2000. Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, was named alongside Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Both men strongly deny the claims. So how did Jay-Z become a giant of American culture?If you've been affected by issues in this podcast:Victim Support provides emotional and practical help to victims or witnesses of any crime, whether or not it has been reported to the police. Phone: 0808 16 89 111 (24/7) Visit the Victim Support websiteRape Crisis England & Wales offers confidential support and information to women in England and Wales who have survived any form of sexual violence, no matter how long ago. Also provides immediate support to friends and family on how to support female survivors of sexual violence. Phone: 0808 802 9999 (12–2:30pm & 7–9:30pm daily) Visit the Rape Crisis websiteThis podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Craig MacLean, freelance arts journalist and contributor to The Times. Host: Luke Jones.Further listening: The P Diddy lawsuits: The downfall of a rap legend Read more: Jay-Z, Beyoncé and a billion-dollar hip-hop empire in jeopardy Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comClips: On The Red Carpet, Forbes, CBS, NBC News, CNN, UNICEF, MTV, BBC News, BBC Glastonbury. Music clips: Brooklyn’s Finest, JAY-Z, ℗ 1996 S. Carter Enterprises, LLC., Distributed by Equity Distribution, Roc-A-Fella.Izzo (H.O.V.A.), JAY-Z, ℗ 2001 S. Carter Enterprises, LLC., Universal Music Group.Dead Presidents II, JAY-Z, ℗ 1996 S. Carter Enterprises, LLC., Distributed by Equity Distribution, Roc-A-Fella.Empire State Of Mind, JAY-Z ft. Alicia Keys, © 2014 S. Carter Enterprises, LLC., Distributed by Roc Nation Records, LLC. Sorry, Beyoncé, ℗ 2016 Parkwood Entertainment LLC, under exclusive license to Columbia Records, a Division of Sony Music Entertainment, Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia. Photo: Getty Images  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prince Andrew has now "ceased all contact" with an alleged spy working on behalf of China's shadowy United Front Work Department. But their relationship has raised questions about how the 'desperate' prince pays for his lifestyle and whether he inadvertently enabled the Chinese state to infiltrate the British royal family.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: Kate Mansey, Assistant Editor & Royal Editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC; Sky News Australia.Photo: Pitch@Palace. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Security services have issued an unprecedented warning about a shadowy Russian military unit accused of carrying out assassinations and cyberattacks on the streets of Britain. So as the government ramps up its defence against the threat from the Kremlin, what exactly is Unit 29155? And why is it targeting the West?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: Fiona Hamilton, Chief Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Reuters, OnDemand News, Sky News, BBC News, Channel 4 News, RT, CBS News, Independent.Photo: Getty Images/Times IllustrationGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2024.Millions of social media users are flocking to follow the Trad Wives: stay-at-home mothers who champion a life making meals from scratch and serving their husband’s and children’s every need. Our reporter goes to meet the woman behind the most popular account: Hannah Neeleman of Ballerina Farm. Is she selling a feminist dream or an unattainable lifestyle?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: Megan Agnew, Senior Features Writer, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Clips: TikTok/esteecwilliams, TikTok/naraazizasmith, TikTok/ballerinafarm, ABC News. Get in touch:  thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After nearly a week on the run, Luigi Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania for the murder of health insurance CEO, Brian Thompson. But in a macabre twist, Mangione has found widespread support on social media, which has dubbed him the ‘hot assassin’. Why?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: Luke Jones.Guest: Sam Lovett, US reporter, The Times.Clips: The Daily Show, ABC7 News, Fox11 News, TikTok/xyathanchekass, TikTok/dpshw, TikTok/imcodyjacob, other TikToks, Edith finding sourcesFurther reading: ‘The hot assassin’: how the internet became obsessed with Luigi MangioneGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.comPhoto: Benjamin B. Braun/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/AP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Kim Darroch is the former UK ambassador to the USA and worked with Trump for two years during the President’s first term. So how should the UK deal with Trump 2.0? And as our former National Security Advisor - before his Washington post - how will the UK government be reducing the terrorism threat from Syria, and balancing trade opportunities versus security issues when it comes to China.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/thestoryHost: William Hague.Guest: Sir Kim Darroch, former UK Ambassador to the USA and former National Security Advisor.Image credit: The Times / Tom Jackson.Further listening: Putin’s ‘nuclear blackmail’Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Healthier, eco-friendly, altogether virtuous. This may be how we think of milk alternatives but new research is calling into question the ‘plant-based milk myth’. So what’s the truth? How good for you - and the environment - is your oat milk flat white?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: Manveen Rana.Guest: Libby Galvin, writer, The Times.Further reading: How good is your milk (for you and for the environment)?Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comPhoto: Getty Images. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a new leadership emerges in Syria, disparate groups remain in control of different parts of the country. In the midst of the fluctuating situation, what dangers might return?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: Mark Urban, Writer and Columnist, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: BBC News, AP, Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, CNN.Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gisèle Pelicot waived her right to anonymity when her husband - and dozens of other men - were charged with raping and sexually assaulting her. Her decision allowed journalists to cover the trial in full and made her a feminist icon in France. But as we await the final verdicts and sentencing, what does the case tell us about French attitudes to rape? And with the French government promising change, will this be a watershed moment? The episode contains discussion of rape and sexual assault. 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/thestoryIf you've been affected by anything you've heard in this episode or need help or support around issues involving sexual assault, you can contact womensaid.org.uk or malesurvivor.co.uk. You can also call Refuge's 24-hour freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.Host: Manveen Rana.Guests:Constance Kampfner, Northern Correspondent, The Times.Katie Tarrant, News Reporter, The Sunday Times.Clips: Euronews, The Times, France24, Paris Match, Channel 4, BBC, Forbes.Image credit: Getty Images.Further reading: A disturbing encounter with one of Gisèle Pelicot’s 50 alleged rapists.I sat in court at the Gisèle Pelicot rape trial. This is what I sawGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, No 10 confirmed it wouldn’t stand in the way of a deal to return the Elgin Marbles to their original home in Athens. The comments came after a meeting between Keir Starmer and his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Our former host David Aaronovitch spoke to classicist and British Museum trustee Dame Mary Beard about how the Parthenon sculptures ended up in the UK 200 years ago.This episode was first broadcast on 5 December 2022.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guests:- Dame Mary Beard, classicist.- David Sanderson, Arts Correspondent, The Times.With thanks to The British Museum.Host: David Aaronovitch.Clips: Channel 4 News, Times Radio, Reuters, CBC News, BBC World Service, Al Jazeera, ITV Good Morning Britain, LBC, UK Parliament, LSE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode of our fellow Times podcast How To Win An Election.The prime minister wants to blame the last government for leaving the economy in a mess, just like David Cameron did in 2010 - but is the strategy working, and for how long?The political masterminds - and Hugo - discuss the whether voters will reward Starmer for being sensible, whether he should be more like Harold Wilson, and whether any Western government can get to grips with migration.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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nightclubs are closing their doors at an alarming rate. Research by The Night Time Industries Association shows that as many as three clubs a week have closed since 2020. Our journalist went to Manchester to find out why they’re struggling - but is the underground clubbing scene really as threatened as it might seem? 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: Katie Gatens, Deputy Editor of News Review, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: Saturday Night Live/NBC.Photo: Joel Goodman for The Sunday TimesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With wars raging in Israel and Lebanon, no one was watching neighbouring Syria. Until an alliance of rebel forces launched an astonishing offensive a week ago, sweeping the north and taking the prized city of Aleppo. But who are they, who backs them, and why now?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/thestoryHost: Manveen Rana.Guest: Mark Urban, Writer and Columnist, The Sunday Times.Clips: Channel 4 News, SkyNews, ABC News, The Telegraph.Image credit: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, Australia became the first country to block under 16s from social media. Age verification AI could be a crucial tool in the ban, so we spoke to our journalist who has been to the industry-leader’s HQ to find out if the technology actually works. And we ask, could the UK follow suit? 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:Mark Sellman, Technology Correspondent, The Times.Helen Rumbelow, Feature Writer, The Times. Read Helen’s report: Can AI tell if a teen lies about their age?Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: ABC News, 10 News First Australia, BBC Radio 4. Photo: Getty ImagesFurther listening: The myth of the X exodus The Times and The Sunday Times starter pack on BlueskyGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gregg Wallace, the presenter of one of the BBC's most popular programmes 'MasterChef' has stepped back from the show while allegations of historical misconduct are investigated. Over the weekend, he said complaints came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age” - a comment he has now apologised for. His lawyers say he denies behaviour of a sexually harassing nature but as the BBC faces pressure to pull the programme from the schedules, and even Downing Street has waded in, what now for the presenter - and for the BBC?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: Rosamund Urwin, Media Editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, Gregg Wallace, Times Radio.Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It started two years ago, when Elon Musk bought Twitter, now X. People fled the social media platform, citing a change in the algorithm and concerns over the unchecked spread of misinformation, conspiracy theories and hate speech. Following the US election and Musk's appointment to Donald Trump's team, millions more have departed - including The Guardian newspaper. So, does this signal a sea change in our social media habits? Or is this just a momentary tiff?  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: Danny Fortson, US West Coast Correspondent, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: CNN, MSNBC, NBC News, TalkTV.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Ireland went to the polls in a general election where for the first time in the history of the republic, immigration was among the leading issues in voters’ minds as they cast their ballots. In August we looked at the rise of a new political movement in Ireland, inspired by American far-right groups and fuelled by anger over immigration.This episode was first broadcast on 20 August 2024.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: John Mooney, Investigative Reporter, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen RanaFurther listening: Inside the Kinahan crime cartel and their €1 billion empireClips: Gript Media, Irish Mirror, Cllr Gavin Pepper, RTE News, Irish Times, Euronews, The National Party — An Páirtí Náisiúnta, Tucker Carlson, , Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a bonus episode, we’re bringing listeners of The Story an episode from Off Air with Jane & Fi podcast from The Times.General David Petraeus, former director of the CIA, discusses global security, amongst many other things...If you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radioFollow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producer: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie CutlerThis podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Observers of Britain today might think of it as a more meritocratic and socially equal society than ever before. But, while the narratives have certainly moved on, the elites who run the political, economic and cultural life of the country remain much the same. 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: Sam Friedman, sociologist and co-author of “Born To Rule: The Making and Remaking of the British Elite.”Host: Luke Jones.Clips: BBC.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomorrow, MPs will vote on a Bill that, if passed, would allow terminally ill people with less than six months to live the right to take their own lives - a radical departure from the status quo. The debate has split parliament and the public. So, is it a kindness or the beginning of a dangerous and slippery slope?If you or someone you know has been affected by suicide, support and advice can be found with the Samaritans or SANE. 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: Mark Mardell, broadcaster and writer, Movers and Shakers podcast and assisted dying correspondent, Prospect.Kaya Burgess, science reporter and religious affairs correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Times Radio, ITV News, Two Women Chatting. Photo: Getty Images/Times illustration Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.