The Story

The Republicans have defeated a motion in Congress to bring impeachment hearings against US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The articles of impeachment contained serious allegations, including the ordering of extrajudicial killings. What do we know about the US operations in the Caribbean? And with the Iran war being blamed for the Republicans’ midterm defeat, will the Democrats look to prosecute him in the new year? 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 Rose, assistant foreign news editor, The Times George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times Host: Manveen Rana Producers: Robyn Simon and Olivia Case We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Pete Hegseth impeachment effort derailed by House Republicans Further listening: The ultraconservative pastor behind the US Secretary of War Clips: CBS, C-SPAN, The Guardian, PBS, Sunday Guardian Photo: Getty Images 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, is in trouble. His party failed to secure an overall majority in last month’s elections, so his former ally-turned-chief-rival Gadi Eisenkot has been invited to try and form a new government. So who is Eisenkot? And as members of the Knesset are sworn in, will he succeed in ousting Netanyahu and bringing peace to Israel? Guests: Josh Glancy, associate editor, The Sunday Times Gabriella Weiniger, Israel correspondent, The Times Host: Manveen Rana Producers: Micaela Arneson and Paige Reynolds We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: What does Israel want to be? I travelled the land to find out Further listening: Will Netanyahu win the most critical election in Israel’s history? Clips: Middle East Eye, AFP, DW News, RoyanewsEnglish via YouTube. Photo: Getty Images. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The comedian and children’s author David Walliams has been accused of using his power and celebrity status to exploit young women for sex. An investigation from ITV and The Guardian alleges that Walliams sexually assaulted a 15 year old girl and contacted other teenagers who he went on to have sexual relationships with when they were older – allegations he denies. The revelations come after Walliams attempted to quash the reporting through a highly publicised injunction in the High Court, before a judge dismissed the claims last week. But what do these allegations tell us about the state of the UK entertainment industry? And has anything changed today? Our colleagues at Times Radio have the latest. Guests: Ollie Cole, Times Radio reporter. Hadley Freeman, columnist, The Sunday Times. Hosts: Jane Garvey and Fi Glover. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: David Walliams accused of preying on girls as young as 15 Further listening: What the celebrity injunction means for press freedom Photo: Getty Images. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang has admitted to having an affair with a suspected Chinese spy. The potential breach at the world’s most valuable AI company has raised huge national security concerns and taken $200 billion off their value. But what does it mean for the relationship between China and America, fierce competitors in the AI race? And how serious is this for the world's stock markets – and all of our money? Guest: Chris Stokel-Walker, technology journalist, author and contributor, The Times Host: Manveen Rana Producers: Robyn Simon and Olivia Case We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Who is Alice Huang? The Nvidia scandal explained Further listening: How North Korea became a crypto-theft world leader Clips: BBC, CNBC, Alaska’s News Source, Channel News Asia Photo: Chu Yung-Chiang 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's UN climate conference follows a year in which Britain suffered extreme heatwaves while fires, droughts and flooding devastated countries around the world. Ministers are talking about a new "electric century" - but have also just approved new fossil fuel projects. So, as delegates head to COP31 in Turkey, what will be Britain’s role on the world stage? And are the COP meetings really doing anything to help? Guest: Adam Vaughan, environment editor, The Times Host: Luke Jones Producers: Robyn Simon, Harry Stott We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Britain pushes for ‘electric century’ deal at Cop31 climate summit Further listening: Cop30 - is climate diplomacy cracking Clips: BBC, Channel 4, CBS, Sky News, The Independent, Vertex/ Youtube Photo: Getty Images. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With her husband Donald left reeling after last week's US midterm elections, Melania Trump is quietly having a moment. She helped secure a ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky and now has her sights set on further peace in the war torn country - she’s just hosted a meeting at the White House between Russian and Ukrainian delegations. How - and why - did Melania get involved in this war, when she once seemed so keen to stay out of politics? And who’s really benefitting? Guest: Maxim Tucker, Ukraine correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Further listening: How North Korea became a crypto-theft world leader Clips: First Post, CBS, NBC, SKY, Forbes, MS Now, America’s Let’s Move, The Carter Centre, YouTube, StartUp Health, Fox5 Atlanta, CNN, ABC, Kyiv Independent, BBC, MS Now, MSNBC, Nine Network, Melania / Amazon MGM Studios, The National News Desk. Photo: Getty Images. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's conviction of Russell Brand on rape and sexual assault charges followed a joint investigation into the comedian and Hollywood actor by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches programme. Today we're re-publishing that original investigation, led by journalists Rosamund Urwin and Charlotte Wace, as it went out in The Story in September 2023. A warning: this episode does contain detailed allegations of rape and sexual assault. Rosamund and Charlotte have since been covering Brand's trial in our sister podcast, The Trial of Russell Brand Brand himself denies the allegations. Guests: Rosamund Urwin, chief news correspondent, The Sunday Times Charlotte Wace, investigations correspondent, The Times Host: Manveen Rana Producers: Will Roe and Edward Drummond Read more: Russell Brand accused of rape, sexual assaults and abuse Russell Brand told the world who he was for decades Clips: BBC, Channel 4, Universal Pictures UK, ITV News, ITV, Endemol, Russell Brand YouTube Channel, CBS Photo: Getty image Helplines: Rape Crisis England & Wales Rape Crisis Scotland 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, it emerged that an unnamed celebrity had asked a court for anonymity, and an injunction to stop two news outlets airing allegations that he abused his fame to prey on young women. The request was partly made on mental health grounds - he said he’d kill himself ‘at the earliest opportunity’ if publication went ahead. It’s prompted a storm of speculation about who the man is, and sparked a debate on press freedom and responsibility. So will the claims be published and will the man - who denies the allegations - be revealed? This podcast contains discussions around suicide. 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: Pia Sarma, editorial legal director at Times Media and deputy general counsel, News UK. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Celebrity ‘suicide’ injunction could open floodgates, warns Ian Hislop Further listening: How the rich and powerful try to intimidate the press Clips: TalkTV, Times Radio, Sky, Channel 4, Al Jazeera. Photo: Getty Images. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The comedian and Hollywood actor Russell Brand has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault following a trial at London's Southwark Crown Court. The trial itself followed an investigation by The Times and The Sunday Times, along with Channel 4's Dispatches . In this episode of our sister podcast, The Trial of Russell Brand , the reporters who led that investigation join Luke Jones to describe being in court as the jury delivered its verdict. Watch or listen to The Trial of Russell Brand every weekday on Apple Podcasts , YouTube or listen on Spotify . Follow the show to never miss an episode. Send us your questions: investigates.podcasts@thetimes.com 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The results of Tuesday’s US midterm elections are in – and the results are astounding. Democrats flipped some historic red states to gain control of Congress, in a bruising rebuke to Donald Trump. But what does this stunning victory mean for the Democrats? And who could run for president in 2028? We asked our reporters across the US after they watched the results come in. 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 Charter, assistant editor in the US, The Times. George Grylls, Washington correspondent, The Times. Susie Coen, US correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Shabnam Grewal. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Will Trump be impeached? What happens now Democrats have won the midterms Further listening: US midterms: Can the Democrats flip Texas? Clips: ABC, NBC, BBC, The Guardian, Fox News, James Talarico via Facebook, C-SPAN, CNN. Photo: Getty Images. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, cryptocurrency exchange Binance was hacked, affecting a record £4.7bn of assets. While North Korea denies being behind the attack, investigators say clues point to the actions of the rogue state. How did the country develop into a hacking superpower, and as cyber crime escalates, how can we protect ourselves? 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: Richard Lloyd Parry, Asia editor, The Times and The Sunday Times. Ciaran Martin, Professor of Practice in the Management of Public Organisations, University of Oxford, and founding Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, part of GCHQ. Host: Manveen Rana Producers: Robyn Simon and Olivia Case. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Binance heist: investors pull out $4.5bn after hackers’ attack Further listening: Unit 29155: The Russian cyberagency targeting Britain Photo: Getty Images. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

King Charles is in the Caribbean – his first tour there as monarch. Along with the royal processions, meetings and public appearances, Charles’ recent visits have also included discussions of Britain’s historic role in the transatlantic slave trade. Now, local calls for an apology and even reparations for slavery have grown louder. So how will the King and the UK government answer 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/thestory Guests: Kate Mansey, assistant editor and royal editor, The Times. Sathnam Sanghera, writer for The Times and the author of Empireworld: How British Imperialism has shaped the globe. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Robyn Simon. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Soaked King demands brolly as slavery row dominates Caribbean tour Further listening: Building Britain | The Legacy of Penrhyn Castle Ep. 1 Clips: Sky News, Global News, BBC, GB News, The Royal Family Channel, ITV News, The Guardian, ITN, TODAY. Photo: Getty Images. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tomorrow, Americans head to the polls in the most expensive election in US political history: the 2026 midterms. Although Trump’s not on the ballot, the elections are seen as a referendum on his leadership, and alongside diesel prices and the war in Iran, there’s a new issue getting Americans nationwide to reconsider their vote: data centres. So why have data centres become such a hot button issue? What is resistance like on the ground? And how will this change how Americans vote tomorrow? 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: Susie Coen, US correspondent, The Times. Darrell West, senior fellow, The Brookings Institution. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Paige Reynolds. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: We refuse to have a data centre on our farm, even for $26m Further listening: US midterms: Can the Democrats flip Texas? Clips: CNN, AP, NBC, KENS 5, ABC news, CBS News Chicago, MLive, CBS News, Fox News, USA Today Photo: Glenn Hartong for The Times. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last month, 33 year old bodybuilder Mateusz Chmura collapsed and died during a prestigious UK competition. The cause of his death is yet to be confirmed but it’s raised fresh questions about why there are so many fatalities in the sport – some figures suggest around 50 a year, internationally. So what’s killing these athletes? And is the widespread substance abuse in this world spilling over into the mainstream? 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: Matt Lawton, chief sports correspondent, The Times. Imran Khan, sports and exercise physiologist and director of SafePulse. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Questions for bodybuilding after death following on-stage collapse Clips: BBC, frontdouble1 / instagram, Fitness Routine English / Youtube. Photo: PCA / Instagram 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest installment of the wildly popular Court of Thorns and Roses series hit the bookstores on Tuesday. Mega fans celebrated the midnight release with parties at Waterstones across the country. So just how did Sarah J Maas’ romantic fantasy - ‘romantasy’- series become a global literary phenomenon? The Times went to one of the parties to find out. 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 Read by: Sarah Ditum, contributor, The Times. Producer: Micaela Arneson. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Fairies, foxtrots and sauciness — my night at the romantasy ball Clips: @thtgrlreads - TikTok, @archgosai - TikTok, @mikaelakelling - TikTok, @fantasticalbookworm - TikTok, The Mel Robbins Podcast, Born To Make You Happy by Trisha Paytas provided by Symphonic Distribution. Photo: The Times / Gareth Iwan Jones. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following this week’s elections in Israel, will Benjamin Netanyahu cling on as Prime Minister? Why did Christa Pike’s execution fail? And as Andy Burnham weighs up a return to free movement with the EU, have the political class ever accepted Brexit? 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: Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times. Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times. Olivia Empson, US correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times. Tom Whipple, Science Writer and Special Correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana, Luke Jones. Producer: Jesse Fox, Paige Reynolds. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Netanyahu edges ahead — but is facing weeks of election wrangling Further listening: The Inside Story of Burnham’s first 100 days Photo: Getty Images. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chancellor John Healey has delivered the first budget of Andy Burnham’s government. It was a deliberately low-key statement marked by a string of small policy announcements, and thin on detail when it came to the government’s two biggest fiscal headaches: defense spending and the ballooning welfare bill. So, did the budget actually deliver? And how will it affect you? 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: Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times. Rachel Mortimer, deputy money editor, The Times & The Sunday Times. Host: Rosie Wright. Producers: Micaeala Arneson, Jesse Fox, Dave Creasey. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Budget 2026 key points: a summary of the highlights Further listening: The inside story of Burnham’s first 100 days Clips: Parliamentlive.tv Photo: Getty Images. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last Friday, the UK government told British households to have three days’ worth of food and water in their homes, as insurance against national emergencies. Now, the UK is prepping. But what exactly are the threats? Are we lagging behind our European cousins when it comes to readiness? And what do you need to do? 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: Professor Lucy Easthope, emergency planning and disaster recovery expert and government advisor. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Don’t call us preppers, we just want to be prepared Further listening: The inside story of Burnham’s first 100 days Clips: BBC, @the.realsashb / Instagram, @merlemunster / Instagram, thechristycollins / TikTok, @muddlethroughmummy / Instagram, @iamellahudson / Instagram, fatgirls.problems / TikTok, Imperial War Museums, BBC, GBNews, ABC, @SimonClark / YouTube, NewsX / Facebook, Al Jazeera, DW News, FRANCE 24. Photo: Getty Images. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investigators in the Philippines are looking into Thomas Markle Sr, the father of the Duchess of Sussex, after his son told authorities he had found child sex abuse images at his father’s former home. So, what exactly do we know about the allegations? What could happen next? And is the scandal shifting the narrative around Meghan? Thomas Markle Sr denies the allegations against 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/thestory Guest: Kate Mansey, assistant editor & royal editor, The Times & co-host, The Royals podcast. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Sophie McNulty, Micaela Arneson. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Police suspect Meghan’s father is ‘grossest kind of sex offender’ Further listening: The Royals with Roya and Kate Clips: TalkTV, ITV News, E! News, The Daily T Podcast, The Real Thomas Markle Jr. and Friends - YouTube, Hard Megxit - YouTube, ABC News, Dan Wootton Outspoken - YouTube, 7News, Sky News. Photo: Getty Images. 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re publishing our monthly Q&A episode this Friday. Send us your questions by Wednesday, 28 October, 5pm GMT. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Further listening: Q&A: Harry and Meghan return, underground data centres and peace for Ukraine? 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 subscribe here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.