The Story

Investigators in the Philippines are looking into Thomas Markle Sr, the father of the Duchess of Sussex, after his son told authorities he had found child sex abuse images at his father’s former home. So, what exactly do we know about the allegations? What could happen next? And is the scandal shifting the narrative around Meghan?Thomas Markle Sr denies the allegations against him. 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: Kate Mansey, assistant editor & royal editor, The Times & co-host, The Royals podcast. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Sophie McNulty, Micaela Arneson. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Police suspect Meghan’s father is ‘grossest kind of sex offender’Further listening: The Royals with Roya and KateClips: TalkTV, ITV News, E! News, The Daily T Podcast, The Real Thomas Markle Jr. and Friends - YouTube, Hard Megxit - YouTube, ABC News, Dan Wootton Outspoken - YouTube, 7News, Sky News. Photo: Getty Images.

We’re publishing our monthly Q&A episode this Friday. Send us your questions by Wednesday, 28 October, 5pm GMT.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comFurther listening: Q&A: Harry and Meghan return, underground data centres and peace for Ukraine?

Tomorrow is Andy Burnham’s 100th day in office. To mark the occasion, the prime minister sat down for a series of four interviews with The Sunday Times. He tells political editor Ben Riley-Smith how he felt like an imposter when he first came to Westminster, his strategy in dealing with Donald Trump, and how much closer he actually wants to get to 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: Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Rosie Wright.Producers: Micaela Arneson, Harry Stott.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: The inside story of Andy Burnham’s first 100 days: ‘I’ve got to be radical’Further listening: Bonus: Andy Burnham's radical British resetClips: Sky, Andy Burnham via YouTube, Onlooker UK, BBC, Times Radio, Andy Burnham via X, TalkTV.Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.

Four schoolgirls in Bicester are asking the government to ban school uniforms in porn, arguing it sexualises minors and puts them at risk. The outfits are a common costume for female performers in pornography, despite the fact that one UK study revealed 35% of girls surveyed had received unwanted sexual attention whilst wearing one. So why is this legal? And could a new piece of legislation make a difference?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 Rumbelow, feature writer and columnist, The Times.Rose, Mae, Aylin and Willow, students at the Cooper School in Bicester.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: The teen girls campaigning to get school uniform banned from pornFurther listening: What happens when we stop reading?Clips: House / Heel and Toe Films / Shore Z Productions / Bad Hat Harry Productions / Universal Television[d] / FOX, The Big Bang Theory / Chuck Lorre Productions / Warner Bros.Television / CBS, Britney Spears / Baby One More Time / Jive, St Trinian's / Ealing Studios / Fragile Films / UK Film Council, BBC.Photo: Philippa James for The Times.

Three years ago, the journalist Ann Treneman was told that her husband, Ian, had inoperable cancer. Just six weeks later, Ian had died. As time has moved on, Ann continues to grapple with her loss. The experience has forced her to confront how little she once understood grief, and to consider why something so universal remains so difficult for us to talk about.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: Ann Treneman, notebook columnist, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Robyn Simon.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: What no one tells you about grief: the loss doesn’t heal with timePhoto: Grey Hutton for The Times

This Sunday, Brazilians go to the polls to choose their new president. It’s a hugely consequential contest between the incumbent president, left-wing Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and right-wing Flávio Bolsonaro, son of ‘Trump of the Tropics’ Jair Bolsonaro, the jailed former president. But what will it mean if this powerhouse of South America follows so many other countries in the region and swings to the right – and towards the White House?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: Stephen Gibbs, contributor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Lula v Bolsonaro Jr: the grudge match to decide who Brazil dislikes leastFurther listening: The fight to expose Mexico's sex-trafficking capitalClips: CBS, The Guardian, @glglobo, Journal da Gazeta, FlavioBolsonaro / Instagram, AP, CBC, Forbes, CBN, lulaoficial / Instagram.Photo: Getty Images.

Yesterday, Labour greenlit Jackdaw, the biggest new British gasfield in almost a decade. But, will it help with energy security or reducing energy bills? And what does it mean for the government's commitment to net zero?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: Adam Vaughan, environment editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Sophie McNulty, Olivia Case.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Who owns Jackdaw field and how will drilling affect the economy?Further listening: Why does the UK have the most expensive energy in Europe?Clips: Sky News, The Guardian, BBC, ITV, Nigel Farage - YouTube, Times Radio, Real Media, Reuters, Scottish Daily Record, Forbes, News24.Photo: Getty Images.

What began as student protests in France against a struggling education system has erupted into a wider wave of unrest over the rising cost of living and failing public services. Similar grievances have sparked demonstrations across Europe, with violent clashes in Belgium and Italy over the weekend. French authorities have now imposed localised curfews, while declaring a state of emergency remains on the cards. So is Europe facing a wider crisis of public discontent? And is this a tipping point? 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: Charles Bremner, contributor, The Times. Tom Kington, contributor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Robyn Simon and Olivia Case. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: How our local school protest set France alightFurther listening: The student protests putting Macron’s legacy at riskClips: Channel 4, France 24, Al Jazeera, Tousi TV, DW News, Photo: Getty Images.

For residents of Kyiv, 2026 has been the deadliest year since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Air defences are virtually nonexistent so strikes and civilian deaths have skyrocketed, making Kyiv’s firefighters evermore crucial. Amid the terror and destruction, they have emerged as heroes – public servants who run towards danger to rescue civilians while being targeted by Russian strikes.For the first time, Ukrainian emergency services have allowed a journalist to embed with them. The Sunday Times’ Tom Watling has the exclusive.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 Watling, writer, The Sunday Times.Host: Rosie Wright.Producers: Micaela Arneson and Olivia Case.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: A week with the Kyiv firefighters battling Russian drone strikesFurther listening: Sir Anthony Beevor: Russia is ‘a prisoner of their own past’Clips: Fox, BBC, Newsmax, 9News, TalkTV, Asia One News.Photo: Paula Bronstein for The Sunday Times.