The Story

A sunny afternoon at Utah Valley University suddenly became a scene of terror when the right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during a campus event on Wednesday, 10 September. His death was quickly described as an “assassination” by President Trump, and it is the latest in a worrying spate of politically-motivated attacks in the US. So what’s behind this trend? Is political violence becoming normalised? 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: Katy Balls, Washington Editor and Columnist for The Times and The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Shabnam Grewal and Micaela Arneson. Read more: Search for Utah Valley University shooter after two suspects released Who was Charlie Kirk? TikTok wizard who conjured up Trump youth vote Clips: New York Post, Republic TV, CNN, KTLA 5, Fox News, Charlie Kirk via Instagram, President Trump via Truth Social Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As people continue to starve in Gaza, the war once again spread beyond its borders this week when Israel bombed Hamas fighters in Qatar - a country that’s involved in the peace negotiations. Meanwhile, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog met Keir Starmer in London yesterday. So what does this all mean for the peace process - and for Gazans? 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: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Edith Rousselot and Olivia Case. Clips: The Times, Reuters, The White House, Sky, Al Jazeera, The Sun, BBC. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do we care about climate change anymore? Five years ago The Times asked a representative bunch of British people a range of questions about climate change. When we went back and asked a similar group the same questions, the answers were surprising. 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 Wright Host: Manveen Rana Producer: Shabnam Grewal Read more: We’re ready to become net-zero heroes by 2050 (but only if the price is right) Clips: Channel 4, Sky News, ITV News, BBC, Guardian News, UN Climate Change, @downingstreet, Photo: Getty images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last Friday, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner resigned after a report said she broke the ministerial code by not paying enough stamp duty on her second home. But how serious is this latest loss for Labour, who could replace her, and can Keir Starmer's reshuffle reboot a struggling premiership and party? 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: Geraldine Scott, assistant political editor, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producers: Clips: BBC, Sky, Channel 4. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As French Prime Minister François Bayrou faces a motion of no confidence in the National Assembly, a grassroots protest movement is gathering steam with its rallying cry to "Block everything" on September 10. Organisers hope to bring the country to a standstill to protest against Bayrou’s national budget plan ­– even though the current government is likely to fall before the demonstrations begin. So is the French government on the brink of collapse again? Guest: Peter Conradi, Europe editor, The Times and The Sunday Times Host: Luke Jones Producer: Edith Rousselot and Hannah Varrall Read more: France heading for ‘Liz Truss-style catastrophe’, warns PM Clips: DW News, Sky News, France 24, BBC News. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15-year-old Carlo Acutis will become the first millennial saint today, after the Catholic Church posthumously attributed two miracles to him. So who was this extraordinary boy and how does the church 'fact' check a miracle? 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: Kaya Burgess, science reporter and religious affairs correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. Further reading: London-born teenager to become the first millennial saint Clips: YouTube / Miles Christi Religious Order, YouTube / Shalom world. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Polyamory is on the rise — especially in one US city where romantic partners have organised themselves into ever expanding networks. Yes, it can get complicated, they tell Megan Agnew. Written and read by: Megan Agnew, Senior Features Writer, The Sunday Times. Producer: Shabnam Grewal. Read more: Forget love triangles. Meet the ‘polycule’ with 80 people in it Photo: Getty Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. https://www.thetimes.com/article/ee936f90-30f9-4119-a879-5229eba4b8c8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Reform’s conference begins today, the party leads the opinion polls. Nigel Farage is attempting to portray himself as the next Prime Minister, but in places they already hold power - ten councils and two mayoral authorities - there have been hints of serious problems, from failed cost cutting measures to infighting and resignations. So is Reform ready for power? 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: Aubrey Allegretti, Chief Political Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Clips: TalkTV, Sky, The Telegraph, Tiktok / Nigel_Farage, Channel 5, LBC, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Nottinghamshire Live, EU Debates / YouTube, Reform UK, ZiaYusufOfficial / Youtube. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ten years ago, the United States Supreme Court voted to make same-sex marriage legal by five votes to four. Since then the court has reversed one landmark ruling by overturning Roe v Wade, the 1973 decision that established a right to abortion under federal law. With divisions in attitudes to gay marriages and relationships increasing - could the court rethink its decision on gay marriage? 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: Matilda Davies, data journalist, The Times and Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Shabnam Grewal. Read more: Why is gay marriage losing US support — and are bans looming? Clips: @hrcmedia, Retroreport.org, CBS, USA TODAY, NBC,ABC, NOW THIS IMPACT, ALLSHEWROTESBOOKS.COM. Photo: Gettyimages. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political figures from the right and left have suggested that leaving a European convention could reduce the number of people seeking asylum in Britain. So what is the ECHR? And would leaving it actually make a difference? 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: Host: Manveen Rana Producer: Hannah Varrall Read more: What would actually happen if we left the ECHR? Leaving the ECHR won’t fix the asylum crisis Further listening: Hard borders, harder politics: Europe’s migration crisis Clips: GB News, Parliamentlive.tv Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World leaders have gathered in China ahead of tomorrow’s military parade to mark the end of the Second World War. Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Narenda Modi were among the 20 other leaders welcomed to what's been dubbed the 'anti-NATO' summit to discuss global security and economic matters ahead of the event. What can we learn from the relationships between the attendees and how should the West react? 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: Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Edward Drummond. Clips: APT, Reuters, SCMP. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomorrow, the Greens announce their new leader, and one contender has been borrowing from the Farage playbook in his campaign. Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn's new populist party is getting hundreds of thousands of sign-ups since its launch. Are the days of gradualism - and our two-party system dominance - over? 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: Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. Clips: YouTube / Break Through News, Sky, YouTube / @zakpolanskigreen, Novara Media, The Telegraph, ITV, YouTube / Ellie and Adrian 2025. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Caribbean nation of Haiti is now at the mercy of gangs bent on kidnap, rape and murder. Louise Callaghan meets their victims — and confronts a warlord. Written and read by: Louise Callaghan, US correspondent, The Sunday Times. Producer: Edith Rousselot. Photo: Giles Clarke/ Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his new book, Power and the Palace, the former Times royal correspondent Valentine Low uncovers the secretive relationship between the monarchy and government. Speaking to Palace aides, politicians and civil servants, he reveals the private side of Queen Elizabeth II. © Valentine Low 2025 Extracted from “Power and the Palace” by Valentine Low, to be published by Headline Press on September 11 at £25 Available to buy from The Times Bookshop. 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 Written and read by: Valentine Low. Producer: Euan Dawtrey. Photo: Ian Gavan / Stringer. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Taylor Swift announced her engagement to boyfriend of two years, NFL tight end Travis Kelce. So what can we expect at America's version of a royal wedding? Will there be hints or Easter eggs about it in her new album? And what could a stable love life mean for an artist who’s built a career on heartbreak? 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: Sarah Ditum, writer, The Times and The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. Read more: Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce is an all-American love storyHappily ever after? The Disneyfication of America’s ‘royal couple’Taylor Swift’s $1m ring is so huge she’ll get a six-pack on her fingerClips: Fix, iHollywoodTV, ABC, New Heights podcast, CDC / Pfizer, E! Entertainment. Music: All Too Well / Taylor Swift / Republic Records, Bejewelled / Taylor Swift / Republic Records, You Belong With Me / Taylor Swift / Republic Records, So High School / Taylor Swift / Republic Records. Photo: Instagram / @TaylorSwift. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Trump announced on Truth Social this week that he had fired Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook. While most people had no idea who she was, her sacking could have a massive impact. The move is seen as part of the continued politicisation of the Fed, the US’s independent central bank and some economists fear it could be the start of a journey towards economic meltdown in America with global repercussions. 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: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Shabnam Grewal. Read more: Trump is rapidly tightening his grip on US central bankDollar weakens after Trump ‘sacks’ Fed governor Lisa CookClips: CNN, Bloomberg, The Legal Defence Fund. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yesterday Nigel Farage unveiled Reform UK’s plans to tackle the issue of small boats and illegal migration. It's a problem that's driven European politics for almost a decade, we look to the continent for lessons they've learned on how it could be solved. 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. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Edith Rousselot. Read more: Look to Sweden for bold policies on migrants Clips: Times Radio. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the prospect of peace in Ukraine looking increasingly clouded following Donald Trump's attempts at inter-continental deal-making, the former head of the UK military, General Sir Nick Carter, tells Tom Newton Dunn that the US president doesn't understand his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Can Europe's leaders achieve some kind of security guarantee without US boots on the ground to back it up? And does Trump understand the lessons of history? Guest: General Sir Nick Carter, Former UK Chief of the Defence Staff. Host: Calum Macdonald and Tom Newton Dunn. Producer: Sophie McNulty. Clips: Fox News. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ron Hubbard is the biggest builder of underground bunkers, giving security to wealthy buyers who fear the world is coming to an end. And business is booming 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 Written by: Bevan Hurley. Read by: Edward Drummond. Producers: Edward Drummond and Kate Lamble. Photo: James Breeden for the Times. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bobby Cunningham was 31 when he became Head of Security at Wandsworth Prison, Britain’s most notorious jail, where he was tasked with fighting corruption. The Sunday Times's Whitehall editor Gabriel Pogrund reveals his dealings with organised crime. 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: Gabriel Pogrund Host: Manveen Rana Producers: Olivia Case, Edward Drummond, Shabnam Grewal. Read more: Revealed: the prison chief linked to organised crime Clips: BBC, Sky News. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.