The Story

In 1992, Helen Down's brother Richard was studying for a master’s in artificial intelligence at Cardiff University. There, he had a brief side hustle as a sperm donor - a confession he'd only made to his family as an adult. Through a DNA website, the link was made and Helen met her niece and nephew for the first time in 2024 - the product of her brother’s sperm donation 30 years ago. So, what exactly happened at at the family reunion? And how did these new family members unlock an even bigger mystery?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryRead by: Helen Down. Producer: Dave Creasey.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: What happened when a sperm donor met his unknown kidsPhoto: Tim Jobling, Duncan Elliot for The Times Magazine.

Melania Trump this week releases her new documentary 'Melania' which takes viewers inside the enigmatic first lady’s second term. Directed and produced by Melania herself, it's a project that's had plenty hype and some controversy. The studio Amazon MGM bought the rights for $40 million - the highest price ever paid for a documentary. So, what do we learn about real Melania - the power behind the throne with firm views on her husband’s actions?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: Meghan Agnew, Senior Features Writer, US.Host: Luke Jones.Producers: Dave Creasey and Micaela Arneson.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Sensitive Trump, Melania the boss… inside the first lady’s second termClips: The Today Show, BBC News. Rolling Stones, Gimmie Shelter, Decca Records (UK).Photo: Getty Images.

Keir Starmer is visiting China, becoming the first UK prime minister to travel to Beijing in eight years. His trip comes amid a queue of world leaders seeking meetings with Xi Jinping, as some countries look for leverage in an increasingly volatile global order. But can China be trusted as a global partner? And as the US appears to be stepping back from its role as the world’s policeman, what kind of power is China prepared to become?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: Cindy Yu, columnist and contributing editor at The Times & The Sunday Times.Isabel Hilton, journalist and China watcher.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Julia Webster, Harry Stott, and Sophie McNulty.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: What Keir Starmer and Xi Jinping said in China (and what they meant)Further listening: Is China’s mega-embassy a mega-spy base?Clips: BBC, World Economic Forum, CBS, APT, DRM NewsPhoto: Getty Images.

It’s been a whirlwind start to the year. In just three weeks, tensions between Donald Trump and Iran have escalated, the U.S. captured Venezuela's President Maduro, while British politics has been rocked by defections and leadership challenges. And we're still only in January. To help cut through the chaos, we’re taking a moment to answer your biggest questions about what’s been happening.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comThis podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryHosts: Manveen Rana & Luke JonesProducer: Sophie McNultyFurther listening:Everything you need to know about the Iran protestsHas ICE become the US president’s ‘private army’?Starmer v the ‘King of the North’ - who really won?Photo: Getty Images.

This week, the Times is launching another new politics podcast – a sister show to our Westminster offering, but this time across the pond, taking you inside the White House… Subscribe to The State of It: USA, wherever you get your podcasts.Welcome to the first ever episode of The State of It: USA. An attack on Iran looks imminent: we reveal what senior military and political figures are saying about it. Also, is Donald Trump taking a softer line on immigration after the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis? And get ready for Melania, the movie.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryHosts: Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist at The Times and The Sunday Times.Gerard Baker, columnist at The Times and editor at large at The Wall Street Journal.Producer: Euan Dawtrey.Executive Producer: Molly Guiness.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comFurther listening: The State of It

As immigration rules have tightened in recent months, some migrants already working in the UK, whose visas have been cancelled, find themselves in a precarious position. Agents are selling a workaround, offering to arrange fake jobs which can be used to obtain real visas, in exchange for exorbitant fees. The Times went undercover, posing as a migrant facing deportation, to expose how this black market is operating.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: Shanti Das, senior investigations reporter, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Taryn Siegel.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: How migrants are buying fake jobs to stay in the UK illegallyPhoto: Times Media Ltd.

Sir Keir Starmer has seen off a potential leadership challenge by blocking his rival – Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham – from returning to Westminster. But many Labour MPs have been deeply critical of the move, accusing the PM of orchestrating a “stitch up”. So was it worth it? And might Starmer face a leadership challenge anyway? 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 for The Times.Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Harry Stott.  We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: What happens next for Labour and Keir Starmer?Further listening: Who will move first: Streeting or Burnham?Clips: Sky, Times Radio, BBC, Novara Media. Photo: Getty Images.

When the new Archbishop of Canterbury is confirmed on Wednesday she’ll become the first woman to lead the Church of England. But Dame Sarah Mullally’s gender and views are already threatening to cause a schism in the global Anglican church. So who is she and can she unite the Church, which has been beset by scandals and shrinking congregations?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: Kaya Burgess, science and religious affairs correspondent, The TimesHost: Manveen Rana.  Producer: Olivia Case.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: New archbishop: Slave ‘reparations’ will not eat into parish fundsFurther listening: Monica Lewinsky: What happened nextClips: The Vicar of Dibley / BBC / Tiger Aspect Productions, Channel 4, The Archbishop of Canterbury / YouTube, BBC, WION, France 24, The Southwark Cathedral podcast, The Church of England, ITV.  Photo: Getty Images.

It's the debate of our time. How much is too much and what's the impact of screentime for children? With a proposed ban on social media for under 16s being debated in the UK, and children arriving at primary school swiping books like phones, we take a deep dive into the impact, and future, of screentime and AI in schools. Actress and campaigner Sophie Winkelman, a prominent voice of the dangers of increased screentime for children and Ben Gomes, Chief Technologist at Google, who is leading in the implementation of AI in schools, set out the arguments.Guests: Sophie Winkleman, actress, campaigner and trustee of charity School-Home Support.Ben Gomes, Chief Technologist, Learning and Sustainability, Google.Host: Manveen Rana.  Producer: Dave Creasey.Clips: Times Radio.Photo: Getty Images, Christopher L Proctor for the Sunday Times.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com