The Story

The government’s Strategic Defence Review has set out a vision for Britain’s defence for the next decade. One of its authors, General Sir Richard Barrons, spoke to Manveen Rana about the threat from Russia, the wars and weapons of the future and how quickly society can collapse.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: General Sir Richard Barrons, co-author of the Strategic Defence Review 2025. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Edward Drummond.Further listening: The rise of killer robots: The future of modern warfare?     Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, BBC News, Rusi. Photo: Getty Images/Adobe Stock Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com     

The dollar has been the global reserve currency nearly a century. But four months into the new Trump administration, could that be about to change?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: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Further reading: Trump’s ‘revenge taxes’ are more dangerous than his trade warFurther listening: Why the price of gold is skyrocketingClips: CNBC, Soar Financially, Forbes Breaking News, MSNBC.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com    

Anthony Loyd and the legendary photographer Don McCullin have been to Syria to chronicle the destruction of Palmyra by Islamic State and to see what is changing under the new Syrian regime. Manveen sat down with them at Don’s house in Somerset to reflect on war, loss, friendship — and a remarkable career. 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: Anthony Loyd, Special Correspondent, The Times.Don McCullin, photographer.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Kizzy Bray and Edward Drummond.Further reading: Don McCullin, 89, returns to Palmyra: ‘This time will be my last’Clips: Reuters, NY Times.Photo: Anthony Loyd/The Times.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com     

Giorgia Meloni has world leaders falling at her feet and the Trump administration in her thrall. But how did she reinvent herself from leader of a minor neo-fascist party to the new political queen of Europe?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: Tom Kington, The Times correspondent in Rome. Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Edith Rousselot.Further reading: Stop flirting with Giorgia Meloni! She’s a serious leaderClips: AFP, Atlantic Council, AP News, EU Debates, PBS NewsHour, The Express Tribune.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

This episode was originally published last March.Japanese ‘kidults’ revolutionised pop culture in the 90s and 00s, turning to their inner children to cope with economic crisis and post-industrial societal ills, despite being ridiculed. As the milestones of adulthood - property, marriage and careers - become increasingly difficult for millennials and Gen Z to achieve - are westerners now turning to ‘kidulting’ to find answers? 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 Alt, author of Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Sam Chantarasak.Further listening: Studio Ghibli: Is this the end for the Japanese studio that inspired Pixar?The South Korean culture machine that conquered the worldClips: SEGA, Pokémon Theme/POKEMON, MSNBC, CNN, AJ+, Sony, PlayStation, CBS, SXSW, TikTok/@otakuintokyo, TikTok/@kaitlyneats, Your Name/dir. Makoto Shinkai/CoMix Wave Films/Toho.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Ever been ghosted by a brand after a bad buy? You're not alone. In this episode of Feel Better About Money, we dive under the cushions of luxury sofas gone wrong, and hear about rejected refunds on financed cars, and overseas purchases gone bust. The Times Consumer Champion Kat Denham joins Holly and Lucy to reveal how to fight back when companies say no, and what your rights really are. Plus, some big news from Lucy as she signs off from the show, off to a brand new job!Guest: Katherine Denham, The Times Consumer Champion.

Since being elected, Donald Trump’s personal fortune has more than doubled, and members of his family are doing well too. The White House says he’s given up a successful business career to serve the country, but critics say he’s cashing in on his position. How has the president made so much money? 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: Alistair Dawber, Washington Correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Edward Drummond. Further reading:  How presidency saved Trump from ruin and made him a fortuneClips: DAR Global, CNN, Fox News, USA Miracle Center, MSNBC, CNBC, PBS News, Ben Shapiro podcast, The White House, DonaldTrump.com.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com     

With Labour MPs increasingly in revolt across a range of policies, the prime minister last week made a surprise u-turn on the winter fuel allowance. A day later, a private memo written by Angela Rayner to Rachel Reeves, which argued for a slew of tax rises, rather than spending cuts, found its way to the press. The deputy prime minister denied leaking, but her alternative programme for a Labour Government is gaining traction - not only as a way to move on from Starmerism, but as the potential antidote to Farage. 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: Patrick Maguire, Chief Political Commentator, The TimesHost: Manveen RanaProducer: Shabnam GrewalFurther reading:Winter fuel U-turn exposes vacuum at heart of No 10Reform UK local election surge is existential threat to the big twoClips:  GBNews, ITV NEWS , SKY NEWS, BBC News, Good Morning Britain , New Statesman, Reform UK Photo: Getty Images Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com     

From its inception at a drunken party seventeen years ago, the second-hand clothing app Vinted is now worth over £4 billion. Nearly sunk by one bad business decision, how did the company reinvent itself and the way we shop today?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: Sarah Ditum, Contributor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.Further reading: Antiques boom as the Vinted generation catch the bugClips: Slush / YouTube, sTARTUPDAy / YouTube.Photo: The Sunday Times.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com