The Story

Off the coast of Venezuela, a small armada of US navy warships and a fleet of fighter jets have struck several small boats, killing 17 people. The Trump administration says the boats were carrying drugs to the US; Venezuela says they were fishing vessels. But does President Trump really care about winning the war on drugs? Or is there another motive?

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: Jon Bonfiglio, journalist in Latin America. 

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Micaela Arneson. 

Read more: Trump has Maduro in his sights. Will it mean war in the Caribbean?

Clips: NBC News, Bloomberg News, Forbes Breaking News, Republic World, US Justice Department, Diario AS.

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: [email protected]     

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.

As the Labour conference ramps up in Liverpool, we bring together three of The Times' keenest political minds to discuss the three biggest problems facing the government. Are the scandals which have beset ministers, the sluggish growth of the economy, and stubbornly high levels of small boat crossings Labour's fault, and could they prove terminal for Keir Starmer?

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: Aubrey Allegretti, Chief Political Correspondent, The Times, Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times, Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times. 

Host: Luke Jones.

Producers: Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson.

Clips: Sky, BBC, 5 News, Youtube / @Farage Reform, The Times. 

Photo: Getty Images.

Get in touch: [email protected]

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 Alpha School in Austin, Texas is hoping to revolutionise education forever, swapping teachers for laptop lessons and AI, and motivating pupils with cold, hard cash. Is this the future of education?

Guest: Danny Fortson, Co-host of The Times Tech Podcast and The Sunday Times' West Coast Correspondent.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Dave Creasey.

Read more: This primary school got rid of teachers — and the parents approve

Hear more: Open AI’s Sam Altman: ‘We’re about to empower people more than ever before’ .

Clips: Modern Wisdom, NBC News.

Get in touch: [email protected]. 

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 is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each episode is hosted by The Story released as a bonus weekly series on Saturdays.

In the remote Himalayan valley of Humla, Rinzin Phunjok Lama is protecting endangered species like the snow leopard and wild yak. Using Buddhist principles, local knowledge, and community-led conservation, he is tackling climate change in one of the world’s harshest landscapes. He tells Adam Vaughan why saving one Himalayan valley matters to the world.

Host: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times

Guest: Rinzin Phunjok Lama, Conservation Biologist and Rolex Award Laureate

Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia

Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.

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.

As England’s Red Roses head into the World Cup final tomorrow, it might be the largest audience that women’s rugby has ever seen. With its TikTok superstars and crocheting players, it’s creating new fans and connecting with people in ways the men's teams can only dream of. So why has it taken so long to get here?

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: Elgan Alderman, Co-host, The Times' Rugby podcast, The Ruck.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Shabnam Grewal.

Read more: Rugby World Cup: how Canada ‘crowdfunded’ way to final

Further listening: The Ruck: Women's Rugby World Cup final preview!

Clips: @worldrugby, BBCSport, ITN News, @mandabed, @rugbyworldcup, @nwsirensgirlsrfu, @ilonamaher, Whistledown Productions, BBC Radio4, englandrugby.

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: [email protected].

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.

A geopolitical battle between Russia and the EU will unfold this Sunday as Moldovans vote in a pivotal parliamentary election. The result could steer the country closer to the EU, or back towards Moscow. With Russia accused of bribery and vote rigging to sway the outcome in its favour, which path will Moldova choose?

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: Jack Clover, assistant foreign editor, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Edith Rousselot and Dave Creasey

Read more: Inside Putin’s propaganda playground — cash, clicks and clergy

Clips: European Parliament Youtube channel, DW News, AP News.

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.

An undercover Times investigation reveals how US-inspired Christian activists are running services across the UK, offering pro-life advice to those looking for impartial support. They also recommend exploring an ‘abortion reversal pill’, against national guidelines. So who are these groups, and what is their real mission?

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: Constance Kampfner, Northern Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Rosie Stopher.

Photo: YouTube/March for Life UK / Composite design by Cecilia Tombesi.

Get in touch: [email protected]

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.

President Trump has publicly linked the use of Tylenol, or paracetamol, during pregnancy to an increased risk of autism, despite experts saying the connection is unproven. The extraordinary announcement came after months of dramatic changes at US public health bodies, spearheaded by the health secretary and vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr. So, how did health become politicised in America? And could the same thing happen in the UK? 

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 (US), The Times, Tom Whipple, science writer and special correspondent, The Times.

Host: Rosie Wright. 

Producers: Micaela Arneson and Shabnam Grewal. 

Read more: Trump to claim taking Tylenol in pregnancy is linked to autism

Further listening: The momfluencers embracing ‘Make America Healthy Again

Clips: Forbes Breaking News, NBC News, WHAS11, PBS Newshour,New York Post, Joe Rogan Experience, Lex Fridman, Club Random with Bill Maher, MSNBC, ABC News, ITV News.

Get in touch: [email protected]   

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 UK, Australia and Canada have formally recognised Palestine as a state ahead of high level meetings at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly this week. But as the votes and debates continue, little seems to change outside the diplomatic bubble. We discuss with a former Deputy Secretary-General of the UN what relevance the organisation still holds. 

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: Mark Malloch-Brown, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Host: Luke Jones.

Producer: Taryn Siegel.

Read more: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/britain-recognise-palestine-state-9fz0pvq87 

Clips: United Nations, ABC, Getty, Clinton Presidential Library, The Economic Times, Sky News, Al Jazeera, Global News.

Get in touch: [email protected]     

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 his looks, charisma and string of hits, Robert Redford, who died this week, was the face of Hollywood cinema in the 1970's. But he was so much more than a pretty face, and quickly moved into directing and producing awards winning films, before pivoting to focus on what really mattered to him: the Sundance Film Festival, to support independent film. Despite his huge public profile, Robert Redford remained an elusive, unknowable and very private man. 

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: Anna Temkin, deputy obituaries editor for The Times, Ed Potton, arts commissioning editor for The Times.

Host: Rosie Wright 

Producer: Shabnam Grewal

Read more: Robert Redford obituary: elusive legend of the big screen

Further listening:

Clips:

• @SAGAFTRAFoundation, CBS Sunday Morning,
• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid ClippTM & © Fox (1969) Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation;
• Raindrops keep falling on my head (B.J. Thomas version): Songwriters: Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Original Publishers: BMG Gold Songs, Songs of Fujimusic, New Hidden Valley Music, Pw Arrangements, and Universal Music Corp. 

Photo: Getty Pictures

Get in touch: [email protected]     

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.