The Story

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.

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.

Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris came straight after a strong performance against the former President, Donald Trump. Our correspondent was in the spin room watching on as the two candidates clashed over foreign policy, immigration and the economy in their televised debate. But will last night shift the dial of the presidential election?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: Tom Newton Dunn, broadcaster and journalist.Host: Manveen Rana. Get in touch: TheStory@thetimes.comFurther listening: Trump vs. Harris: The battle of the sexes & Why tech billionaires are backing Trump Clips: ABC, NBC News. Photo: Getty images. 

The hard-right Alternative for Germany party won its first state election earlier this month in Thuringia. Anti-immigrant, anti-woke and anti-green, its popularity has brought back uncomfortable comparisons with the rise of the National Socialists in the 1930s.On Monday, Berlin announced that controls at all German land borders will be introduced for six months to stop illegal migrants entering 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/thestory Guest: Oliver Moody, Berlin Correspondent, The Times and Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Get in touch: TheStory@thetimes.comPhoto: Getty images.Clips: BBC, DW News, AFP.