Gen Z's increasing support for the Palestinians in the Israeli conflict, influenced by TikTok and left-leaning beliefs. Exploring the impact of social media and university debates on views. The role of media consumption in shaping perception of the conflict and challenges of having productive conversations.

Literary editors discuss taboo-breaking and funny books of 2023, including a steamy scene. They highlight Irish literature and a Victorian London set novel. Also, celebrity memoirs and unconventional 'Erotic Vagrancy' are discussed. Anticipated books for 2024, like 'Long Island' and 'Sam and Rushdie's Knife' are mentioned.

War correspondent Anthony Loyd discusses child slavery and prostitution in Sierra Leone, sharing stories of survivors. The podcast also explores the recent coup attempt and the work of Street Child in supporting young people in the country.

This weekend, Rishi Sunak was in Rome meeting Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni. As well as being a fan of the British PM, she's also a devotee of one of the UK's most famous writers - author of The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien. An exhibition on his life and work has opened in the city, so how did he become a cultural icon for the for Italy’s hard-right?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Tom Kington, Italy Correspondent, The Times. Host: Luke JonesRead more: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/eye-of-meloni-turns-on-jrr-tolkien-exhibition-7xjcf08pq https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/meloni-attends-tolkien-show-kkhj0dwl2 Clips: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/New Line Cinema, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert/CBS, MiC Italia, Vista Agenzia Televisiva Nazionale, France 24, Facebook/Giorgia Meloni, Reuters, CGTN, Fanpage.it, DW News, Barbarossa/Martinelli Film Company International/Rai Fiction.Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.ukFind out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Investigation reveals how the tobacco industry has secretly funded vaping, including bankrolling youth vaping research and lobbying the government. Exposes the connections between tobacco companies, vaping advocacy groups, and scientific papers funded by the industry. Discusses tactics used to influence vaping regulations and the current state of government regulation on vaping in the UK.

Jon Venables was ten years old when he and another boy tortured and killed two year old James Bulger. He’s now been refused parole on his imprisonment for a separate charge. So how did he end up here? Did he get a fair trial in the first place? And are we getting it right when it comes to our treatment of children who kill?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: David James Smith, Sunday Times contributor and author of The Sleep of Reason: The James Bulger Case.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: ITN / Getty, Channel 4, BBC, Merseyside Police, Eyes of the Detective / Teresa Hunt / BBC, TalkTV, Liverpool Lullaby / Martin Wallace / Channel 4, CBS.Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.ukFind out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He's one of the most popular rappers in America: Young Thug is facing up to 120 years in prison for allegedly being the head of a violent criminal gang. State prosecutors in Georgia are using lyrics from his songs as 'proof' of acts they say he was involved in, including the murder of a rival. But with this line of courtroom argument, is artistic freedom of speech under threat? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom'Guest: Keiran Southern, West Coast correspondent, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.ukClips: 11Alive, CNN.Music excerpts:Camilla Cabello ft Young Thug - Havana (Epic/Syco)Young Thug - Stoner (Atlantic Records)Young Thug - Anybody (YSL/300/Atlantic Records)Young Thug - Slime Shit (300/Atlantic Records)Young Thug - Just How It Is (YSL/300/Atlantic Records)Lil Durk - Ahhh Ha (Alamo) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With no fewer than five separate Tory factions meeting to discuss whether or not to back the government on its revised Rwanda policy, Rishi Sunak finds himself fighting for his political reputation on two fronts: immigration and his handling of the pandemic. Yesterday, he faced the Covid inquiry. Our parliamentary sketch writer, Tom Peck, tells Manveen that Sunak may have survived the legal cross-examination, but his political fate is sealed. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Find out how to listen to our bonus episodes - 'Inside the newsroom': https://thetimes.co.uk/bonuspodcasts Guest: Tom Peck, parliamentary sketch writer for The Times. Host: Manveen Rana. Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America’s opioid crisis is now in its third decade and has killed more people than the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Vietnam combined. Fentanyl, the most commonly used synthetic opioid, is up to 50 times stronger than heroin. Made from chemicals manufactured in China, it’s then put into pill form in Mexico and smuggled across the border. As China and the US agree to crack down on the illegal trade, is China deliberately fuelling its rival’s opioid crisis? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Find out more about our Apple bonus series: 'Inside the Newsroom'Guest: Roger Boyes, Diplomatic Editor, The Times.Host: Luke Jones.Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.ukClips: Channel 4 News, PBS, Sky News, NBC News, AP, CBS News, CNBC, Arte, South China Morning Post, Fox News. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boris Johnson faces a grilling at the Covid Inquiry, revealing his changing approach to COVID-19. Controversy surrounding 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme and delayed lockdown decisions discussed. Consequences of decision-making, anticipation of inquiry, and preparation for future pandemics explored.