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The Story

The Story

The Times 1792 Episodes Sep 21, 2026

The Story is a daily podcast that delves into the biggest stories of the day, offering in-depth analysis and reporting from some of the world's best journalists. Hosted by Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, it is published seven days a week and is ready for listeners every morning. The podcast is produced by The Times and The Sunday Times, and is supported by their readers.

Episodes

How history is straining Poland’s ties with Ukraine
How history is straining Poland’s ties with Ukraine Sep 21, 2026 29:20 Anti-Ukrainian sentiment is on the rise in Poland.The rift stems, in part, from a historical dispute over a wartime massacre of Poles 83 years ago, which has bubbled to the surface in recent months. So, how did relations sour so quickly? And what does this mean for Polish support in the war against Russia?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday
Why is Ironman so popular? - The Sunday Story
Why is Ironman so popular? - The Sunday Story Sep 20, 2026 14:03 Ironman ultra-triathlons demand competitors swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles, and then run a full marathon, paying upwards of $1000 for the pleasure. It’s not everyone’s idea of a perfect Sunday, but for its growing base of devotees, it has become almost like a religion. So how did the sport grow from its low-key Hawaiian roots to a money-making global phenomenon? And what drives people to push the
Inside the Macklemore - Ed Sheeran tour fallout - The Saturday Story
Inside the Macklemore - Ed Sheeran tour fallout - The Saturday Story Sep 19, 2026 31:43 All of Ed Sheeran’s support acts have pulled out of his tour after his opening act Macklemore was dropped for making pro-Palestinian remarks on stage. So why has this become such a cause célèbre? What does it mean for Ed Sheeran? And what has happened through history when music and politics meet? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Time
Has space become the final frontier for war?
Has space become the final frontier for war? Sep 18, 2026 23:53 The space race is on, but not as we’ve known it. Instead of a man on the moon, nations are jostling for who can plant weapons on the moon. In a major development this week, the US has announced that it has deployed a weapon to outer space – the first country to do so. But are other nations, like China and Russia, far behind?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of T
 Has Trump paved the way to a united Ireland?
 Has Trump paved the way to a united Ireland? Sep 17, 2026 28:06 President Trump sparked controversy during his recent trip to Ireland when he said a unified Ireland would be “a fantastic thing.” That was followed on Monday by Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh leaders signing a pact pledging to break up the UK. With Prime Minister Andy Burnham set to meet with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin tomorrow, is a united Ireland now more likely?This podcast was brought t
Bonus: Bill Gates on AI risk, regulation and the "vacuum of US leadership"
Bonus: Bill Gates on AI risk, regulation and the "vacuum of US leadership" Sep 16, 2026 28:25 The Microsoft co-founder tells Danny and Katie why AI is "ultra-different" from any previous technology - and why tech companies shouldn’t be responsible for controlling it. Speaking about a new report on AI and equity published by The Gates Foundation he also explores the “vacuum of US leadership” in AI regulation.The Interview is Times Tech's weekly conversation with the people shaping the
How Lucy Letby’s hospital failed her victims
How Lucy Letby’s hospital failed her victims Sep 16, 2026 23:49 The Thirlwall Inquiry into how Lucy Letby was able to murder babies at the Countess of Chester hospital has released a damning report. It found the hospital could have prevented at least three of the murders, if not for evidence of a pernicious “them and us” culture and a lack of safeguards. But what does this report mean for the hospital authorities? And will it have any bearing on Letby's attemp
What the lightning Houthi advance means for the world
What the lightning Houthi advance means for the world Sep 15, 2026 28:31 The Iranian-backed Houthis have seized large swathes of territory in Yemen and taken control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a key shipping corridor between Asia and Europe. About 12 percent of global trade passes through the strait, including huge amounts of oil, so the move has sent energy prices skyrocketing. But, who are the Houthis? What’s their aim? And with regional powers wary of getting drag
Will superintelligent AI destroy humanity? 
Will superintelligent AI destroy humanity?  Sep 14, 2026 29:09 Warnings about the dangers of AI are reaching fever pitch, with cases of AI agents going rogue and attempts by malicious actors to use the technology to create biological weapons. Industry whistleblowers are sounding the alarm about a technology they claim could destroy humanity, while AI CEOs are themselves making proposals for a slow down. So how do they plan to stop this march towards oblivion?
Cover-ups, incompetence, and ‘a litany of failures’ exposed at the Nottingham inquiry - The Sunday Story
Cover-ups, incompetence, and ‘a litany of failures’ exposed at the Nottingham inquiry - The Sunday Story Sep 13, 2026 35:36 In June 2023, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates were stabbed to death by Valdo Calocane, a paranoid schizophrenic who is currently serving an indefinite hospital order. The months-long public inquiry into their deaths has revealed a staggering number of failures by the authorities, and a widespread culture of denial and unaccountability. So what went wrong? And what lessons can b
My life with Freddie Mercury - The Saturday Story
My life with Freddie Mercury - The Saturday Story Sep 12, 2026 25:46 When Freddie Mercury, lead vocalist of Queen and one of the all-time greats of rock music, died from Aids in 1991, he left his beloved Kensington house to his lifelong companion Mary Austin. Once engaged to the superstar – before they both realised he preferred men – Austin was by his side from unglamorous beginnings to global stardom. She exclusively reads the story of their extraordinary relatio
He went to jail for exposing America’s darkest 9/11 secret. Should Trump pardon him?
He went to jail for exposing America’s darkest 9/11 secret. Should Trump pardon him? Sep 11, 2026 37:02 It’s 25 years since the 9/11 attacks; in the aftermath, the CIA hunted down those responsible – detaining suspects and subjecting them to ‘enhanced interrogation.’ One of the prisoners who was subjected to these tactics was Abu Zubaydah, who, at the time, was thought to be a top member of al-Qaeda. John Kiriakou, a former CIA operative who led the operation to capture Zubaydah, blew the whistle on

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