The Story

Keir Starmer has been prime minister for 100 days. It's the point in any premiership that's considered a measure of how a new leader is performing, ever since the days of Franklin D Roosevelt. So how is Starmer doing compared to his predecessors? Two authors of multiple biographies of former PMs - William Hague and historian and author Sir Anthony Seldon - discuss.This episode was recorded live at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestoryGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'Host: William Hague, Times columnist and former leader of the Conservative Party.Guest: Sir Anthony Seldon.Image credit: Getty.

A year on from the October 7th attacks in which some 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 taken hostage, Israel's bombardment of Gaza has resulted in the deaths of 40,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Our colleague Amal Helles was one of the few Palestinians to escape Gaza earlier this year. So what’s life been like for her since, and for her friends and family who remain in Gaza?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryFurther listening: How I survived October 7 Further listening: A diary of war: Three months in GazaGuest: Amal Helles, journalist, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Photo: Abdel Hakim Abu Dagen for The Times.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.co.uk Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Sue Gray resigned amid weeks of bad headlines for the government over freebies. Labour’s troubles arguably began when The Sunday Times revealed a major donor, Lord Alli, had a security pass to Downing Street. Today we speak to Sunday Times Whitehall editor Gabriel Pogrund about how he got the story. 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: Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall editor, The Sunday Times. Gabriel’s reporting:No 10 pass for Labour donor who gave £500,000 How we revealed the Downing Street donor scandal rocking Labour Host: Luke Jones.Clips: Sky News, ITV News, Talk TV, The Times. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

As many take a break from booze for Sober October, the writer Hannah Betts marks ten years since she gave up alcohol. It’s given her a moment to reflect on her father’s death from his own alcohol addiction and to consider why Britain apparently has such a destructive love of booze.If you or someone you know is affected by alcohol addiction support and advice can be found through the NHS and Drinkaware. 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: Hannah Betts, writer, The Times and https://hannahbetts.substack.com/ Host: Luke Jones. Photo: Getty Images. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

A year ago today, 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed in an orchestrated terrorist attack by Hamas. 251 were taken hostage. Today, we hear their stories of survival, and of their loved ones, who were not so lucky. It will not be suitable for all listeners.This episode is the first part of a series marking the anniversary of October 7. Later this week, we will explore a year of devastation in Gaza, in part two.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribeHost: Manveen Rana.Guest: Venetia Menzies, Assistant Data Editor, The Sunday Times.Photo: Venetia MenziesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

This month, Parliament will look at proposals to give terminally ill people in England and Wales the right to choose to end their lives. To better understand this controversial topic, we’re revisiting our episode from March, where we explored what we can learn from Canada, often referred to as the world’s assisted dying capital since it legalised the practice in 2016.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/podcasts/the-story Guest: Sarah Baxter, former deputy editor, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, ITV, Global News, Reuters. Email us: thestory@thetimes.co.ukFind out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom' 

On April 30, 1980, six gunmen stormed the Iranian embassy in London, taking everyone inside hostage. The ensuing siege would change the course of history. But what really happened behind barricaded doors? In a new book, Ben Macintyre tells the real story of those six days for the first time.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe Guest: Ben Macintyre, author of The Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: BBC, ITV.Photo: Times Media Ltd.Further reading: How the SAS were ordered to end Iranian siegeGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Israel has vowed that Tehran will ‘pay’ after Iran launched over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, following an Israeli ground invasion in southern Lebanon and the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. In a week of escalating violence in the Middle East, how might Israel retaliate - and what lies ahead for the region at this dangerous moment?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe Guest: George Grylls, Defence Correspondent, The Times.  Host: Luke Jones. Clips: CBS, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC. Photo: Getty ImagesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com