The Story

As demand for fashionable pets soars, vets and animal welfare charities say we're creating breeds that are destined to suffer. So, why are we prioritising cuteness over welfare? And what would it take to change the way we breed and buy our pets?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: Matt Rudd, contributing editor, The Sunday TimesProducers: Emily Webb, Jennifer KennedyWe want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: ‘They’re not dogs’: how extreme breeding is making our pets sickPhoto: Paul Stuart, The Sunday Times

Donald Trump has announced that a deal has been reached to disarm Hamas in Gaza, while also forcing Israel to withdraw its troops from the strip. The President is hailing it as a ‘monumental step towards lasting PEACE and SECURITY’. But can it succeed where so many other attempts have failed?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: Michael Evans, contributor and former defence editor, The Times.Jonathan Conricus, former spokesperson of the Israel Defense Forces and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank.Hosts: Ryan Tubridy, Ayesha Hazarika.Producers: Lewis Decker, Musty Aziz.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Trump hails historic Gaza deal – but will it work?Further listening: The ticking time bomb Netanyahu faces at homePhoto: Getty Images.

After a scandal-ridden tournament, there’s a new crisis brewing for the World Cup. As exclusively revealed by the Times, FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to monetise and Americanise football by selling off the tournament. But the Union of European Football Associations, UEFA, has threatened to boycott the tournament if that goes ahead. So what is Infantino thinking? And what does Donald Trump have to do with 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: Alyson Rudd, senior sports writer, The Times. Tom Clarke, sports editor, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Deluded Gianni Infantino can’t read room — he must be kicked outFurther listening: Who is the “king of soccer" Gianni Infantino?Clips:  Associated Press, WTHR, TalkSport, ABC News, SKY, ABC, ITV, Bloomberg, The Daily Mail. Photo: Getty Images.

Why are transport links in the north of England so poor, and what could Andy Burnham do about it? Should women be worried about Meta’s AI glasses? And what is Trump planning – in Iran and beyond? You asked, so we answered, in this edition of our monthly Q&A series. If you have a question, send it to us at thestory@thetimes.com, and we’ll try to answer it in a future Q&A episode!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: David Collins, northern editor, The Sunday Times.Chris Stokel Walker, tech journalist.  Hosts: Manveen Rana, Luke Jones. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Yasmin Choudhury. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: The rise of Islamist terror in GermanyFurther listening: Can Trump run for a third term?Clips: Kylie Jenner via Instagram, Associated Press. Photo: Getty Images.

Tom Clarke speaks to The Times’ chief sports reporter Martyn Ziegler, following his exclusive story on Fifa president Gianni Infantino's plans to offer 'stakes' in the World Cup. So, what are these plans? Why does it matter and what happens next? 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: Martin Ziegler, chief sports reporter, The TimesHost: Tom ClarkeProducer: Neil CartmellWe want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Gianni Infantino tells countries: Agree to World Cup sale plan or miss extra fundingEnough is enough — it’s time to stand up to Fifa and protect game we loveFurther listening: The Game podcast

Andy Burnham’s plans to shift power out of London are already taking shape, with No 10 North open for business in Manchester. The city sees yet more political action tomorrow, with Labour expected to win Britain’s biggest ever by-election and usher in a new mayor. But what will Burnham’s plans for devolution really mean for the country?  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: Darryl Morris, presenter, Times Radio.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Olivia Case.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Andy Burnham vows to put practical education on par with academiaFurther listening: Can Burnham learn from Starmer's mistakes?Photo: Getty Images.

In France and Spain wildfires have been ripping through communities, forcing 325,000 to flee. And it’s not just mainland Europe feeling the heat. In Britain, wildfires have broken out across the country. So what does the future hold?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: Katie Gatens, Europe correspondent, The Sunday Times. Emma Yeomans, news reporter, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Emily Webb and Jennifer Kennedy.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: As the wind drops and rain falls, a moment of 'false calm' amid wildfiresClips: Reuters, Sky News.Photo: Getty Images.

We’re publishing our monthly Q&A episode this Thursday. Send us your questions by Wednesday 12pm BST!We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comFurther listening: Q&A: Departures, diplomacy, and an unused motorhome

In Germany the radical right is on the rise. The Alternative for Germany, or AfD, has gone from the fringes to the second largest party in federal government. And it is expected to win more state elections this autumn. So how did the AfD become so popular in a country that's worked so hard to distance itself from its fascist history? And could it be stopped?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: Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Olivia Case, Jesse Fox. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: How to beat the AfD: the German town where political rivals uniteFurther listening: The far-right plot to overthrow the German stateClips: Ungeskriptet Podcast, DW News. Photo: Getty Images.