The Story

The Labour psychodrama continues. Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary on Thursday afternoon, stating that it was clear Sir Keir Starmer would not lead the Labour Party into the next general election. However he has not yet triggered a leadership contest. Meanwhile, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said he’ll plan to run for a parliamentary seat in a by-election. So, where does this leave the party? And what will happen next?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: Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday TimesHost: Manveen RanaProducers: Sophie McNulty, Harry BlighWe want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Keir Starmer latest - live pageFurther listening: What the hell’s going on in Westminster? Clips: Sky News, BBC, C4 News, Times RadioPhoto: Getty Images.

Donald Trump is in Beijing for his much-anticipated trip to see President Xi - the leaders meet today. But with the US seemingly stuck in a frozen conflict in the Middle East, does Xi see Trump as a lame duck? Will he help Trump persuade Iran to end the war or could the conflict embolden Xi’s pursuit of Taiwan? And how could the trip affect the Asian pivot away from the USA and towards China?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:Professor Rana Mitter, S.T. Lee Professor of U.S.-Asia Relations, Harvard.Richard Spencer, China correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Summit of the superpowers: what’s on the agenda for Trump and Xi?Further listening: The end of the ceasefire in Iran…..or notClips: CNA, Fox, Reuters, Al Jazeera, Richard Nixon Foundation / YouTube. Photo: Getty Images.

This morning the Times broke the news that Wes Streeting had told allies he was preparing to resign as Health Secretary tomorrow to trigger a leadership contest. The story emerged just ahead of the King’s arrival in Westminster for the state opening of parliament. What do we know now? And what does this mean for Starmer’s future?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:  Anna Mikhailova, political editor, Times RadioAubrey Allegretti, chief political editor, The TimesHost: John Pienaar, Manveen RanaProducers: Sandra Mitchell, Harry Bligh We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Keir Starmer latest - live pagePhoto: Getty Images.

As Keir Starmer clings on to his premiership, there’s one man continuing his victory laps. Nigel Farage’s party Reform UK was the big winner in last week’s local elections, picking up more than 1,450 council seats. So, what’s behind this? Is this just a blip – or the start of a new phase of British politics?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: Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producers: Callum Martin, Sophie McNulty.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: New Reform councillor suspended after racist posts emergeFurther listening: “Keir Starmer couldn’t run a bath.” What next for Labour?Clips: BBC, Manchester Evening News, LBC, Reform UK, APT. Photo: Getty Images.

An extraordinary day in British politics: Keir Starmer vows to fight on, but the resignations keep on coming. How long can the prime minister survive? What's next, and who will move first? Wes Streeting has one shot: will he take it? What is Andy Burnham's plan?Recorded at Temple Church as part of the Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words.Hosts:Steven Swinford, political editor, The TimesPatrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The TimesGabriel Pogrund, editor of Insight, The Sunday TimesProducers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry KitsonExecutive producer: Molly GuinnessPicture credit: Getty Images 

Republican voters across the United States are rejecting ultra-processed foods, marking a striking political and cultural shift. But, how did the ‘bread basket of America’ get so ultra-processed in the first place? And is this the moment Big Food faces a reckoning?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: Louise Callaghan, Americas correspondent, The Sunday TimesHost: Luke JonesProducer: Sophie McNultyWe want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: How Maga fell out of love with fast foodFurther listening: The momfluencers embracing ‘Make America Healthy Again’Clips: Robert F Kennedy Jr. - YouTube, The White House, Fox News, Charles McCall - Instagram, The Internet Archive, US National Archives, Pringles - YouTube. Photo: Getty Images.

More than 50 MPs have publicly urged Keir Starmer either to resign immediately or set out a timetable for his departure as PM, after he made a speech this morning attempting to save his premiership after last week’s disastrous election results. So has he done enough to prove the doubters wrong for now?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:  Anna Mikhailova, political editor, Times Radio.Steve Reed, Housing Secretary.Host: John Pienaar.Producer: Edward Drummond, Sandra Mitchell.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Rebel MP gathers names calling for resignationPhoto: Getty Images.

Labour suffered historic losses in Thursday’s elections, triggering dozens of the party’s MPs to call for Keir Starmer’s resignation. And yet, even with the party in disarray, the PM has so far remained defiant. So, can he survive? And what do the election results tell us about the country’s political future? 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: Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The TimesHost: Manveen RanaProducers: Sophie McNulty, Dave CreaseyWe want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Challenge Keir Starmer by Monday or I will, Labour MP tells cabinetFurther listening: Reform shake Labour to its coreClips: BBC, ITN, Times Radio, The TimesPhoto: Getty Images.

Amanda Knox was at the centre of one of the most gruesome murders and sensationalised trials of the 21st century. Accused of killing her flatmate, she transformed into a global media obsession almost overnight. Now, nearly two decades later, she’s turning that experience into an Edinburgh Fringe comedy show. Is it brave, morally questionable, or both?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: Helen Rumbelow, feature writer, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Dave Creasey.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Amanda Knox: Why I’ve turned my life into an Edinburgh comedy showClips: ABC, CNN, BBC News, Sky News.Photo: Getty Images.