The Story

The American Dream is as old as the United States itself. But as the country marks its 250th anniversary, with economic uncertainty, political turbulence and social divisions all on the rise, do ordinary Americans still believe? The Times and YouGov spoke to 1800 of them to find out – and we've got their analysis. 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 Guests: Host: Rosie Wright. Producer: Callum Martin and Olivia Case. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: The American Dream is dying, Times poll reveals Further listening: Five years on from the Jan 6 riots, how has the US president changed America? Clips: SullenToys / YouTube, Zohran Mamdani / YouTube. Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Attacks targeting the Jewish community have surged in recent weeks, with synagogues and community centres being hit. Many people are feeling increasingly vulnerable, but what's behind this escalation? And how is it impacting Jewish people? 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 Guests: Host: Luke Jones. Producers: Dave Creasey & Edward Drummond. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Jewish attacks ‘are why state-backed groups must be called terrorists’ Further listening: Danny Finkelstein: How the world’s antisemites turned on me Clips: Channel 4, BBC News, ITV News, Times Radio, Daily Mirror. Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The shaky ceasefire between Iran and the US has been extended. Whether it lasts much longer or fighting resumes depends partly on Lebanon, where another fragile truce has been struck between Israel and the Iranian proxy group Hezbollah. So why is Lebanon so important to peace with Iran? And what happens if the ceasefire fails? 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: Jack Clover, assistant foreign news editor, The Times and The Sunday Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Edward Drummond. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: With war in its DNA, will Hezbollah ever disarm? Further listening: Trump’s ceasefire with Iran - what’s in it and what’s next Clips: Channel 4, The Guardian, CNN, Global News, Middle East Eye, Reuters. Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sir Olly Robbins dropped bombshell after bombshell when he spoke to MPs. Robbins, who was sacked as the Foreign Office’s chief civil servant, has accused Downing Street of placing the department under constant pressure to get Lord Mandelson through vetting. He also said the prime minister had tried to find an ambassadorial job for Matthew Doyle, another Labour peer who's been in trouble for a friendship with a paedophile. Where does it all leave Sir Keir Starmer? Plus, we reveal when the next tranche of Mandelson files will be published. Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture credit: Parliament TV Clips: Parliament TV This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yesterday evening Sir Keir Starmer defended himself in Parliament, stating ‘the facts are incredible,’ but ‘nobody’ in Number 10 knew that Peter Mandelson failed security vetting. Addressing MPs, the prime minister rejected the suggestion that the government’s desire to appoint Mandelson overrode security concerns. Immediately after, we caught up with the Times’ political editor to ask, who exactly knew what when? And how does this all end? Mandelson denies any wrongdoing when it comes to his relationship with Epstein. 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: Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Host: Rosie Wright Producers: Sophie McNulty, Olivia Case We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Keir Starmer ‘put Mandelson job before security’, say Labour MPs Further listening: Can Keir Starmer survive the scandal over Mandelson and Epstein? Clips: Sky News, The Guardian, Keir Starmer - X, The Times, BBC Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jane Coates’ daughter Lucy was just 23 when she was shot and killed by her father, while visiting him in Texas. US authorities quickly ruled her death an accident and no charges were brought. But as The Sunday Times reveals holes in Lucy’s father’s account, Jane wants the case reopened. 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: Host: Manveen Rana Producers: Julia Webster We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: My daughter was shot dead by her father. Why wasn’t he arrested? Father shot daughter dead after ‘arguing about Donald Trump Photo: Picture provided by the family, graphic by Kathia Mestanza This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A strict conservatorship, control of her finances, breakdowns, nonstop media pressure and divorce. It's been one hell of a journey for the Princess of Pop, but the latest news that Britney Spears has entered rehab leaves fans asking the question, will she ever be truly free? 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 Read by: Helen Rumbelow, feature writer for the Times. Producer: Dave Creasey. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Controlled, hounded, scarred. Could Britney Spears ever truly be free? Clips: NBC, ABC, CNN, hugebritneyfan, britneyonline. Music: Baby One More Time - Britney Spears - Sony Music Entertainment. Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yesterday afternoon in Manchester, a man was found guilty of a brutal rape for which an innocent person had been wrongly jailed for more than 17 years. We bring you a special update to our groundbreaking podcast series Seventeen Years - The Andrew Malkinson Story, which first highlighted this tragic miscarriage of justice. You can listen to the full series on The Times Investigates feed: https://pod.fo/e/3256f8 Hosts: Will Roe & Emily Dugan, Sunday Times' Special correspondent. Producer: Will Roe. Clips: Greater Manchester Police. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com If you, or someone you know, has been affected by the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations can help: Rape Crisis England & Wales NHS - Help after rape and sexual assault Criminal Cases Review Commission Appeal - Charity and law practice This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The prime minister says he's "furious" over the latest twist in the Epstein scandal, amid revelations the child sex offender’s former friend Peter Mandelson was appointed British ambassador to the US despite failing security vetting. For months, ​​Keir Starmer insisted his ambassador was properly appointed. Today, he admitted this was not the case. So, what went wrong? And what does it mean for the future of Starmer’s government? 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 Guests: Host: Carolyn Quinn Producers: Sandra Mitchell, Sofia Johanson We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Keir Starmer ‘furious’ over Peter Mandelson vetting failure Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The economic ripples caused by the Iran war are beginning to have an impact across the globe, from fuel rationing across South-East Asia, to fuel protests in Ireland. The IMF’s recent report on the global economy makes for grim reading – and the UK comes out as one of the worst affected of the G7. So could food and fuel shortages be coming to the UK? And how will the government try to mitigate the worst effects? 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 Guests: Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Harry Stott, Micaela Arneson. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Britain preparing for food shortages as Iran war bitesUK economy faces hardest hit from Iran war of G7, says IMFFurther listening: Trump's ceasefire with Iran - what’s in it and what next Clips: BBC, ABC NEWS (Australia), RTE, Sky News. Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the scenes of Iran’s war, China’s been forging alliances, stockpiling oil and building resilience in the form of renewable energy. So how could all of this help it attack Taiwan? When might it happen? And can anyone stop them? 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: Cindy Yu, columnist and contributing editor, The Times and The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Olivia Case. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Iran war latest: Ceasefire with US ‘to be extended by two weeks’ Further listening: The Pope v Trump Clips: Fox, Bloomberg, Times of India, Hoover Institution. Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the weekend, Donald Trump posted an image of himself as a Jesus Christ like figure, which was subsequently deleted. It came after the President and the Pope exchanged a war of words over the conflict in Iran. What’s behind this latest spat, and how could it affect Trump’s standing among American’s Christians? 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 Guests: Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Edward Drummond. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Trump’s row with Pope Leo could cost him dearly among Catholic voters Clips: Times Radio, Fox News, Vatican News, 9News, BBC, Forbes, USA Today, CBS News. Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Viktor Orban, the far-right prime minister of Hungary who led the country for 16 years, was ousted in a landslide electoral defeat on Sunday. He lost to his former ally turned critic, Péter Magyar, despite a strong show of support from the Trump administration. So what does Orban’s defeat mean for Trump? And for the far-right in 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/thestory Guest: Oliver Moody, Berlin correspondent, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Micaela Arneson, Julia Webster. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Why Peter Magyar’s victory is a warning to Trump Further listening: The election that could change Hungary Clips: Al Jazeera, APT News, CSPAN, Fox, Associated Press, United 24 Media, The White House via YouTube. Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The city of Ranya– a small town in Northern Iraq– is more than 2,500 miles from Calais and Dunkirk. But it has a near monopoly on the people smuggling gangs that traffic migrants across the English Channel. The Times visited Ranya to meet the kingpins and ask: how did one village become responsible for Britain’s small boats crisis? 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: Shayma Bakht, reporter, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Micaela Arneson. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: I met the smuggling kingpins behind the deadly Channel crossings Further listening: ‘Repugnant’ or necessary? The new asylum rules Clips: Getty Images, DRM News. Photo: Times Media Ltd. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special two part podcast, Whitehall editor at The Sunday Times, Gabriel Pogrund, is joined by the preeminent investigative journalist and author Patrick Radden Keefe. On a cold November night in 2019, 19 year old Zac Brettler jumped to his death from the balcony of a luxury London apartment. Police concluded it was suicide, however, under Radden Keefe's forensic microscope together with Gabriel's own Sunday Times investigation, serious questions are raised about what really happened that night, and whether it was suicide after all. It's a tale rooted in London's criminal underground, and now the subject of Radden Keefe's latest book, London Falling. In episode 2: What really happened on the night Zac died? Gabriel gets hold of some crucial new evidence which calls into question the Met Police's investigation. 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 Host: Gabriel Pogrund - Whitehall editor at The Sunday Times. Guest: Patrick Radden Keefe. Producer: Dave Creasey. Executive Producer: Kate Ford We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: The dead teenager, the lying suspect and the black box that proves it Photo: The Times, design by Cecilia Tombesi. Click here to buy London Falling at the times bookshop. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special two part podcast, Whitehall editor at The Sunday Times, Gabriel Pogrund, is joined by the preeminent investigative journalist and author Patrick Radden Keefe. On a cold November night in 2019, 19 year old Zac Brettler jumped to his death from the balcony of a luxury London apartment. Police concluded it was suicide, however, under Radden Keefe's forensic microscope together with Gabriel's own Sunday Times investigation, serious questions are raised about what really happened that night, and whether it was suicide after all. It's a tale rooted in London's criminal underground, and now the subject of Radden Keefe's latest book, London Falling. In this episode we hear about how a young man, born into a wealthy family, become embroiled with a notorious London gangster. 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 Host: Gabriel Pogrund - Whitehall editor at The Sunday Times Guest: Patrick Radden Keefe Producer: Dave Creasey. Executive Producer: Kate Ford We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: The dead teenager, the lying suspect and the black box that proves it Photo: The Times, design by Cecilia Tombesi. Click here to buy London Falling at the times bookshop. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades UK sofas have contained chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and infertility because of uniquely strict fire rules. Up to a fifth of their foam consists of a chemical not used in any other country’s sofas, but is now classed “probably carcinogenic to humans” by the World Health Organisation. So how deadly is your sofa, why is the UK an outlier and are things set to improve? 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: Martina Lees, senior property reporter, The Sunday Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Edward Drummond We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Sitting comfortably? Your sofa is among the most toxic on Earth This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After mounting hostilities and Trump’s threats that ‘a whole civilization will die’ unless Iran backs down, Tehran and Washington have agreed to a two week ceasefire. Now, they’re discussing a ten-point plan to permanently end the war. But is this the end of the fighting or just a pause? What’s in the peace plan? And has this conflict taught Iran that it can hold the world to ransom? 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: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Producers: Olivia Case and Sophie McNulty. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: What’s in Iran’s ten-point ceasefire plan? Trump’s stumbling blocks examined Further listening: The West Bank land grab no one’s watching Clips: BBC, CNN, AP, CSPAN, NDTV, The Mary Trump Podcast. Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the world’s attention fixed on the war in Iran, Israeli settler gangs are rapidly and violently expanding outposts in the West Bank – seemingly with impunity. So, what’s it like on the ground? Is the Israeli government softening to the ‘extremist’ settler movement? And will settlers ever be held accountable? 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: Richard Spencer, world affairs correspondent, The Times Host: Manveen Rana Producers: Sophie McNulty, Taryn Siegel We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Israel’s settlers seize their chance to snatch land in West Bank Further listening: The Board of Peace: the new UN or Trump’s vanity project? Clips: CNN, France 24, BBC, CBS, ABC 7, Middle East Eye. Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thousands of pensioners invested their life savings into London Capital and Finance before it was revealed to be the UK’s biggest ever Ponzi scheme. Now, new Times reporting shows how the millions in investments were lavishly spent by LCF’s founders. So how was a scheme on this scale allowed to take root in the first place? 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 Guests: Host: Manveen Rana. Producer: Harry Stott, Callum Martin. We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Inside Britain’s biggest Ponzi scheme: where did £237m go? Clips: Rehman Chisti MP / Facebook. Photo: Getty Images. This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.