The Story

As Labour’s party conference gets into full swing in Liverpool this week, we look in detail at a key part of the government’s employment rights package: working from home. Keir Starmer says flexible and hybrid working is better for productivity while large companies like Amazon have ordered their staff to return to the workplace five days a week. Who's right? And what does it mean for where you will work in 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: Harriet Minter, author of WFH (Working From Home): How to build a career you love when you're not in the office.Chris Smyth, Whitehall Editor, The Times. Host: Luke Jones.Clips: LBC, Times Radio. Episode artwork: Getty Images Get in touch: TheStory@thetimes.com

Exploding pagers and walkie-talkies targeting Hezbollah members have killed dozens of people and injured thousands in Lebanon and Syria. Israel hasn’t commented on the blasts, but the country’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant called it "a new phase in the war". What’s next for the region? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribeGuest: Samer Alatrush, Middle East Correspondent, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Clips: NBC News, The Sun, Sky News, Al Jazeera. Photo: Getty ImagesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

At the UN General Assembly next week, Ukraine's President Zelensky will present his 'plan for victory' to world leaders. Key to that victory, he thinks, is being allowed to shoot British-made 'Storm Shadow' missiles into Russian territory. Keir Starmer agrees, Joe Biden does not. Is Biden right to be worried - or is this all part of a wider plan by the president to bring us closer to some kind of peace?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: Mark Urban, writer and columnist, The Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones. Clips: BFBS Forces News, CBC, FT.Episode artwork: Getty Images Further reading: Are Russia and Ukraine edging towards an endgame?Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

As a new TV drama re-examines Prince Andrew’s controversial 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, it's understood King Charles is losing patience with his brother over his financial support of him. What is the Duke of York’s future within the Royal family?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribeGuest: Kate Mansey, Assistant Editor and Royal Editor, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Clips: BBC Newsnight, Scoop/Netflix, A Very Royal Scandal/Amazon, CBS News. Photo: Getty Images - Prince Andrew and King Charles in 2012. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com 

How do you live in a society where you can’t speak in public? Where you can’t travel to work without a chaperone? Where you can’t leave the city with your family? We speak to a young woman in Afghanistan who tries to explain. And as Afghanistan’s national cricket team faces off against South Africa this week – how is the nation enforcing a gender apartheid not facing boycott?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryHost: Manveen Rana.Guests:Christina Lamb, Chief Foreign Correspondent, The Sunday Times.A female doctor in Afghanistan.Clips: Afghanistan Cricket Board, Sky Sports.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.comEpisode artwork: Getty Images.

The shiny, indestructible metal saw its fortunes wane in the postwar years, but investors and central banks are again flocking to it, with its value hitting new records. What’s fuelling this demand? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribeGuest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times. Host: Luke Jones Clips: The Italian Job (1969) Paramount Pictures, ITV News, YouTube/@MengerCenterPhoto: Getty ImagesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

In the week that thousands of inmates were freed early from prison, we revisit our recent undercover investigation which prompted an urgent investigation by the Ministry of Justice. Our reporter revealed a worrying lack of security at HMP Bedford which houses dangerous criminals. He witnessed fights and drugs - and heard of a prison escape that happened because doors were left unlocked. 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.Clips: ITV News, Times Radio, BBC.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com 

Medical tourism to Turkey for ‘Brazilian butt lifts’ and liposuction is surging despite the risks. The UK government says at least 28 people have died since 2019 as a result of medical tourism to the country. Our correspondent goes undercover to expose the firms recruiting customers in London.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory Guest: Charlotte Wace, Special Projects Correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Get in touch: TheStory@thetimes.com investigations@thetimes.comPhoto: Getty images.Clips: ITV, Talk TV.