The Story

As discussions - and tensions - rumble on in the Middle East, what are the stumbling blocks that have prevented a peace deal so far? And the Makerfield by-election which could help decide our next prime minister is fast approaching; we’ve got all you need to know on both topics, in our monthly Q&A.

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

Hosts: Manveen Rana and Luke Jones.
Producer: Olivia Case.

We want to hear from you - email: [email protected]
Read more: Israel bombs ancient sites as it pushes deeper into southern Lebanon
Further listening: Is Trump being out-negotiated over Iran?
Clip: 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.

In January last year, a 14 year old girl we’re calling Olivia, was attacked by three boys in Fordingbridge in Hampshire. Two were aged 14 and one just 13 years old. One of the boys raped her while the other two filmed the attack. Just two months earlier, the older boys had attacked another girl in an underpass in the same town.

The three boys were convicted of ten rape charges related to the two attacks. But they were given rehabilitation orders rather than jail time. It’s a decision which has sparked outrage. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister announced their sentence will now be reviewed.

Now, Olivia and her family have spoken to The Times about the trauma they've experienced and what they hope will happen next.

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: Jessica Sharkey, crime correspondent, The Times.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Producers: Sophie McNulty, Harry Stott, Micaela Arneson.
We want to hear from you - email: [email protected]

Read more: Fordingbridge rape victim: I feel like I’m the one being punished
Further listening: She convicted her rapist years after her death
Clips: Channel 5 News, ITN, BBC, The Times.
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.

Iranian officials remain in Qatar, negotiating the details of a possible peace plan for the region. Discussions continue even after American strikes hit targets in southern Iran late on Monday. So, is peace actually within reach? What’s really on the table? And after months of escalation and bluster, could President Trump end up the biggest loser in all of 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

Guest: Michael Stephens, senior associate fellow, RAND Europe and RUSI.
Host: Manveen Rana.
Producers: Sophie McNulty, Micaela Arneson.
We want to hear from you - email: [email protected]

Read more: Trump’s Iran peace deal will come with strings attached
Further listening: How did Pakistan become the peacemakers?
Clips: The White House, CNN, Channel 4 News, NBC News, Fox 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.

A leaked Pentagon memo suggesting the US could withdraw support for British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands has thrust the remote territory back into the global spotlight. The controversy revived memories of war in 1982, when the Argentinian junta attempted to assert their own claim to the islands. The scars of that conflict are still deeply felt – so could US statements renew fears of invasion? And what is life like for islanders today?

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: Matthew Campbell, foreign features editor, The Times and Sunday Times.
Host: Luke Jones.
Producers: Julia Webster and Sophie McNulty.
We want to hear from you - email: [email protected]

Read more: The Falkland Islands are richer than Britain, but anxiety’s in the air
Further listening: Why Svalbard could be in Putin’s sights
Clips: Sky News, C5N, BBC.
Photo: Sunday Times photographer Jack Hill.
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 manosphere in mainstream, make way for the "femosphere". A movement urging women to rethink love entirely. Less romance and more strategy, no splitting the bill and no over-investing emotionally. But is it a bleak vision of dating, or the future of feminism?

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: Sarah Ditum, contributor, The Times.
Host: Luke Jones.
Producer: Dave Creasey
We want to hear from you - email: [email protected]
Read more: No hook-ups and men must pay: inside the femosphere
Clips: The Female Dating Strategy, CNN.
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.