The Story

Eighty years ago this week, the first atomic bomb to be used in war was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Three days later, the city of Nagasaki was hit by a second. Hundreds of thousands of people died and Japan eventually surrendered. But why did America decide to use the bombs, given that Japan was already expected to lose the war? And how did Times readers debate the ethics of this decision in the pages of the newspaper?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:Jack Blackburn, History Correspondent, The Times.Tom Whipple, Science Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Olivia Case.Clips: YouTube / Harry S Truman Library, YouTube / The Atlantic / Castle Films, YouTube / Huntley Film Archives, YouTube / US National Archives.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

As anti-immigrant protestors declare today ‘No Aslyum Day’, and Nigel Farage continues his Summer of Crime campaign, can the Government wrest back control of the immigration crisis with its new small boats migrant deal? 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: Matt Dathan, Home Affairs Editor, The TimesHost: Manveen RanaProducer: Rosie StopherRead more: Migrants can use human rights ‘loophole’ to avoid return to FranceFascists buy up land for white-only communities in WalesMore from the Story:The far-right party spreading ‘sensible nationalism’Clips: Sky News, The Sun, The Daily Express.Photo: Getty images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com    

A Times investigation has found companies have been offered sponsorship deals involving private meetings with an ‘influential Labour figure’. The reporters spent months working undercover, speaking to dozens of sources and combing through leaked documents. 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: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Edward Drummond. Read more: Revealed: Labour group’s £9,500 ‘cash for access’ breakfastsHow we exposed Labour’s cosy links to lobbyistsPhoto: Times illustration. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Our Ukraine correspondent Maxim Tucker returns from the frontlines of the country's defence against Russia's invasion. With its soldiers under constant attack, a new war has opened up - this time against corruption at home. It comes as the US special envoy Steve Witkoff travels to Moscow this week for 'last chance' ceasefire talks.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: Maxim Tucker, Ukraine correspondent, The Times. Host: Calum MacDonaldProducer: Kate LambleRead more: How Ukraine’s air defence warriors take aim at Putin’s drone swarmsAnti-corruption bodies arrest four over drone sales fraudClips: AP, BBC News, Fox News, Times Radio, Kyiv Independent, Tucker Carlson Network.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com     

Frazzled American parents are swapping a nightly glass of chardonnay for chewable THC gummies. But are they ignoring the health risks?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, US correspondent, The Sunday TimesHost: Luke Jones.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Read more: Mummies on cannabis gummies: meet the mothers getting high at homeClips: Focus on Sanity.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

It is one of Netflix’s most watched documentaries – The Tinder Swindler told the story of scammer Simon Leviev and how he conned women out of more than $10 million. Now two of his most high-profile victims reveal the depression and bankruptcy that followed and how they’re taking revenge by turning their story into a book.Swindled Never After: How We Survived (and You Can Spot) a Relationship Scammer by Cecilie Fjellhoy and Pernilla Sjoholm (Podium Publishing, £15.99) is published on August 19This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryWords by: Charlotte Lytton.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Read more: Conned by the Tinder Swindler: how his victims took revengePhoto: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com.

It’s been four years since the Taliban retook control of Kabul, marking the end of the UK’s 20-year military presence in Afghanistan. This week, Patrick sits down with James Cowan, CEO of the HALO Trust and a former army officer who led Task Force Helmand from 2009 to 2010. Together, they reflect on the 2021 evacuation, the recent Afghan data leak, their regrets, and whether Britain’s involvement in Afghanistan was, frankly, worth it.

A council in Hampshire has passed a motion to grant ‘personhood’ to the River Test, an ancient chalk stream which runs through the county. Although largely symbolic, calls for rivers to have rights are becoming more widespread. What’s driving this burgeoning environmental movement, and what difference could it make to our lives? 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: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times. Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Edward Drummond.Read more: The benefits of human rights for riversFurther listening: Thames Water: the business model built on shitClips: BBC, Sky News.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com    

The UK government will recognise Palestine as a state in September, unless Israel meets certain conditions to ease the situation in Gaza. But what would statehood mean? And is it just political posturing or could this help end the war in Gaza and solve one of the world’s most intractable conflicts?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: Chris Smyth, Whitehall Editor, The Times, andCatherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Olivia Case.Read more:Is Israel’s aid U-turn making a difference in Gaza?What impact would British recognition of Palestinian state have?Clips: BBC, DW News, YouTube / William J Clinton Presidential Library.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com