The shiny, indestructible metal saw its fortunes wane in the postwar years, but investors and central banks are again flocking to it, with its value hitting new records. What’s fuelling this demand? 

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.com/subscribe

Guest: Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times. 

Host: Luke Jones 

Clips: The Italian Job (1969) Paramount Pictures, ITV News, YouTube/@MengerCenter

Photo: Getty Images

Get in touch: [email protected]

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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/thestory

Guest: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Clips: ITV News, Times Radio, BBC.

Get in touch: [email protected] 

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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: [email protected] 

[email protected]

Photo: Getty images.

Clips: ITV, Talk TV.

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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: [email protected]

Further listening: Trump vs. Harris: The battle of the sexes & Why tech billionaires are backing Trump

Clips: ABC, NBC News. 

Photo: Getty images. 

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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: [email protected]

Photo: Getty images.

Clips: BBC, DW News, AFP.

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As Kamala Harris and Donald Trump face off tonight in their first TV debate, it’s more than just a political showdown - it's a battle of the sexes. The polls are too close to call with women heavily favouring Harris, while men lean towards Trump. Could the hot-button topic of abortion prove the issue that shifts the electoral balance?

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: Sarah Baxter, former Deputy Editor, The Sunday Times. 

Host: Manveen Rana. 

Further listening: Why tech billionaires are backing Trump

Further reading: Why Donald Trump is suddenly talking about cocaine

Get in touch: [email protected]

Clips: NBC, Fox, AP Archive.

Photo: Getty.

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This week the Duke of Sussex turns forty. A milestone for anyone - but for Harry, could this moment of natural reflection be a turning point? There are reports the King’s second son wants to come back to the UK with his wife Meghan Markle. So, as he begins to assess his legacy, what next for him?

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

Article: Prince Harry stayed at Diana’s family home in latest UK visit

Guest: Kate Mansey, Assistant Editor and Royal Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones. 

Photo: Jack Hill, Times photographer.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Clips: ITV News, ITV X, BBC News, ITN Archive, 5News, Sky News, 7 News Australia, TODAY Australia. 

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Zoe Blaskey, author of Motherkind, didn’t realise that she was unprepared for the huge psychological and physiological changes that motherhood brought. Now she’s spreading the word to other mothers. But why are we still not talking about this?

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: Zoe Blaskey, author of the book 'Motherkind' and host of the podcast 'Motherkind'

Host: Manveen Rana. 

Clips: Peanut and Motherkind, Motherkind podcast.

Episode artwork: Getty Images 

Further listening: What two gay dads can teach fathers about parenting

Get in touch: [email protected]

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Will there ever be peace in the Middle East? How should we interact with China, Russia and Europe? And how does the man who took the UK into the Iraq war look back on his legacy? William Hague talks to his former adversary from across the dispatch box, Tony Blair.

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: Tony Blair, former prime minister.

Host: William Hague.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Photo credit: Times photographer Richard Pohle.

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Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, has condemned the British government’s decision to suspend some arms sales as ‘shameful’. But what was the UK sending, and can its policies really impact the war in Gaza?

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: 

• Aubrey Allegretti, chief political correspondent, The Times. 
• George Grylls, Defence and Politics Correspondent, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana. 

Clips: Parliament Live, Sky News, LBC, BBC Radio 4 Today, BBC News.

Episode artwork: Getty Images 

Further listening: Why there’s talk of civil war in Israel

Get in touch: [email protected]

Find out more about our bonus series for Times subscribers: 'Inside the newsroom'

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk and other tech billionaires in Democrat-leaning Silicon Valley are backing Donald Trump in 2024. What’s driving this shift, and what could it mean for the presidential race?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.co.uk/thestory

Guest: Danny Fortson, West Coast correspondent, The Sunday Times. 

Host: Luke Jones.  

Further listen: The political transformation of Elon Musk

Clips: ABC News, X.com/Elon Musk, Bitcoin Magazine, The Ben & Marc Show.  

Photo credit: Getty Images

Get in touch: [email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.