The Story

A Russian-born trader and a billionaire who admitted to fraud have topped this year’s Sunday Times Tax List, but more than two-thirds of the 100 individuals and families on the list contributed less tax this year. So, at a time when the tax bill for most people is up, who is paying less, and why?  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: Robert Watts, Contributor, The Sunday Times.Host: Luke Jones.Clips: Sky News, Sky Sports News, Bloomberg, YouTube - Ed Sheeran. Get in touch: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.ukFind out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroomThis 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.

Explore Keir Starmer's plans for government and his lessons from the Blairite playbook, including the possibility of a major political shift, the crucial role of economic growth, Keir Starmer's advisors and their ties to Blairism, and the influence of Tony Blair on Keir Starmer and modern Labour.

Health chiefs have declared a national incident following a surge in measles cases. The tragic story of Rold Dahl's daughter highlights the importance of vaccinations. Andrew Wakefield's controversial anti-vaxx career and film is discussed. Addressing anti-vaccine sentiments and cultural concerns, as well as exploring the surge in measles cases, are also covered in the episode.

A journalist reflects on their experiences reporting from the Middle East, including witnessing a failed coup in Turkey and the battle to free Mosul from ISIS. They discuss the impact of reporting from war zones and the importance of informing readers. The podcast also touches on influential individuals in the Middle East, survival tips, and the guest's recent move to the US as a correspondent.

Author Sathnam Sanghera explores the legacy of British imperialism, discussing topics such as the global influence of the British Empire, the hidden legacy in Barbados, the impact on language, tax havens, and cities, and the complexities surrounding its legacy including positive contributions and negative consequences.

Alistair Dawber, Washington correspondent, The Times and The Sunday Times, joins the podcast to discuss Alabama's decision to execute death row inmate Kenneth Smith via nitrogen suffocation. Topics include the use of untested methods, the traumatic experience of families on death row, concerns for justice, challenging the method of execution, and reflections on Kenny Smith's potential execution.

Holger Hes, a leading expert in international law, discusses South Africa's case against Israel for alleged genocide in Gaza, exploring the legal aspects, Israel's defense, and challenges within international law.

Twenty years after Mean Girls introduced Regina George and her pink-clad Plastics to cinema screens, the high-school Queen Bee is back in a new musical film and a West End stage musical. So why is a film for teenage girls still so popular two decades later? And what did it expose about the complicated politics of girl world?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: Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, pop culture historian and author of So Fetch: The Making of Mean Girls (And Why We’re Still So Obsessed With It).Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Mean Girls (2004)/Paramount Pictures, CBS Sunday Morning, Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Conan O’Brien/NBC, The Breakfast Club/Universal Pictures, Clueless/Paramount Pictures, Rosalind Wiseman/The Empower Program, Mean Girls (2024)/Paramount Pictures, Apex Predator/Barrett Wilbert Weed, Erika Henningsen/Mean Girls (Original Broadway Cast Recording).Read more:The enduring cult of Mean Girls That is so fetch! Reneé Rapp, the star of the new Mean Girls movieEmail us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.ukFind out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'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 podcast explores the recent joint military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen in response to their attacks on cargo ships. It delves into the ideological and political motivations of the Houthis and discusses the impact of airstrikes in Yemen. The podcast also examines the potential consequences of the conflict on global trade and shipping routes.

Will Pavia, New York correspondent for The Times, discusses the recently released court documents on Jeffrey Epstein. They reveal the connections of politicians, businessmen, and celebrities like Clinton, Prince Andrews, Richard Branson, and Trump. The episode explores the involvement of surprising names like Stephen Hawking and various celebrities, such as Michael Jackson and David Copperfield, in Epstein's activities.