The Story

This episode was originally published last December.Australia is the first country to block under-16s from social media -- and age-verification AI could be a crucial tool in the ban. We spoke to our journalist who has been to the industry-leader’s HQ to find out if the technology actually works. And if it does, could the UK follow suit? 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:Mark Sellman, Technology Correspondent, The Times.Helen Rumbelow, Feature Writer, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Sam Chantarasak.Further reading: Can AI tell if a teen lies about their age?Clips: ABC News, 10 News First Australia, BBC Radio 4. Photo: Getty ImagesGet in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

In this episode, Lucy and Holly ask why a new generation of investors is turning to one of the world’s oldest assets: gold. Joined by Brian Byrnes from Moneybox, together they unpack gold’s historical role in the economy, its incredible performance, and how it compares to trendier assets like Bitcoin and tech stocks. Is gold still relevant in a digital-first world? Why are younger investors increasingly drawn to it? And does it have any downsides? Plus, we hear from young financial coach Laura Ann Moore, on how it fits into our own long-term investment plan.Guests: Brian Byrnes, Head of Personal Finance at MoneyboxContact: Lucy and Holly at: moneyteam@thetimes.co.uk

The Beatles will be the subject of four interconnected films - one for each member - planned for release close together in April 2028. We asked the author of a recent book on The Beatles to tell us how he’d make the films - and what is still left to discover about the most famous band in history. 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: Ian Leslie, author of John and Paul: A Love Story in Songs. To order a copy go to timesbookshop.co.uk. Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ membersHost: Manveen Rana. Producer: Sam Chantarasak.Read exclusive extracts from Ian’s book: John Lennon, Paul McCartney and the grief that united two lost teens Paul McCartney and the song that made him John Lennon’s equal Clips: Sky News, ITN/Getty Images, BBC News/WISH-TV, C-SPAN. Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

What are the practical implications for trans women after the Supreme Court ruled that under equality law, sex means biological sex? And how is the Labour government grappling with the ruling? Last week we heard from one of the campaigners for single sex spaces. Today we speak to someone who was stunned by the court's decision.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:Helen Belcher, Managing Director, TransActual.Aubrey Allegretti, Chief Political Correspondent,The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Rosie Stopher.Shabnam Grewal.Further reading: What caused Keir Starmer’s U-turn on whether trans women are women?Further listening: Defining a womanClips: UK Parliament, Times Radio.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com     

The Times’ crime correspondent David Woode sits down with a 19-year-old man who was recently imprisoned for carrying a knife. We get a rare insight into what someyoung people are really facing in London, and why he felt he had to arm himself with a deadly weapon.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryIf you've been affected by issues in this podcast, you can find useful links and helplines here: https://talk.tv/helplines Thanks to Marcus, Desmond Skyers and the St Giles Trust. Host: David Woode, Crime Correspondent, The Times. Producer: Sam Chantarasak.Further reading: The Times Crime and Justice Commission Further listening: What’s behind the rise in knife crime on our streets Photo: Times photographer Richard Pohle. Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com     

Following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, cardinals from across the world will now descend on Vatican City in Rome to choose the next Pope. The Oscar-nominated film Conclave dramatised the political machinations and backstabbing involved in choosing a successor - so, with incriminating dossiers and secret plots, is fact about to mirror fiction?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, correspondent in Rome for The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Sam Chantarasak.Further reading: Pope Francis's legacy: Loved by millions, hated by the old guardClips: ABC News, Euronews, CBS News, CNN, Conclave/Focus Features. Photo: Getty.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com 

This episode was first published last August.When Alex Campbell suggested to his high school sociology class that they would be investigating a 40-year-old cold case, he had no idea where it would lead. Within a year, a serial killer had been identified. In his next class, they decided to try and overturn a wrongful conviction. And they did. So just how did Mr. Campbell breed a class of super sleuths?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: Harriet Alexander, Senior Features Reporter, The Times and The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Clips: WBIR Channel 10, NewsNation, WKRN News 2.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com

Ryan Peterson is the CEO of Flexport, a company that plans and manages shipping globally. Perfectly positioned, then, to lay out the inside story on how companies have been affected by President Trump's tariffs and what happens next.

Romance fraud is at an all time high, low-hanging fruit in the growing world of online scams. But what are the methods? Who falls for it? And are there ways we can all avoid it?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: Mary Chater, romance fraud victimAlexis Conran, TV and radio presenterHost: Luke Jones.Producer: Edith Rousselot.Further reading: The Times's Crime and Justice Commission - The justice system is in crisis. We spent a year finding solutionsClips: The Real Hustle Youtube channel, Still Watching Netflix Youtube channel. Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com