The Story

For centuries, people who’ve survived near-death experiences have told eerily similar and strange stories. They talk of bright lights, a feeling of euphoria, life flashing before their eyes. For much of that time, such accounts were often relegated to the realm of mysticism. But now, some scientists are beginning to reconsider what happens to you when you’re on the very edge of life and death.

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: John Naish
Producer: Sophie McNulty
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com
Read more: The neuroscientists who had near-death experiences – and how it changed them
Photo: Getty Images
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Did King Charles really tell Earl Spencer that Diana would soon be forgotten? In his new memoir, Swan Song, Diana’s brother makes a series of explosive claims about the King’s behaviour following her death — prompting a swift and unusually personal response from Buckingham Palace.

Roya Nikkhah and Kate Mansey are joined by Andrew Morton, author of Diana: Her True Story, to examine Spencer’s disputed account and ask whether the Palace scored a “colossal own goal” by responding. He also reveals where Spencer’s version conflicts with Diana's own account, and explains why he believes the memoir is an attempt to take control of her story ahead of the 30th anniversary of her death.

They also discuss William’s reported “multigenerational fury”, Harry’s relationship with the Spencer family and whether the book honours Earl Spencer’s pledge to protect Diana’s sons — or risks them reliving their grief.

Who should have the final say over Diana’s story? Get in touch: theroyals@thetimes.co.uk

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Read more: Hypocrite Spencer is peddling Diana's privacy, say King's allies
Further listening: Catherine, Meghan, Camilla, Diana — the price of marrying a prince
Producer: Robert Wallace
Video Producer: Eve Chadbourn
Executive Producer: Priyanka Deladia
Image: Getty
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.

Britain’s small boats saga has had a dramatic week. Wednesday saw 781 people arrive in Britain, the highest number of the year, while on Monday a dingy carrying 60 migrants was met at sea by the far-right activist ‘Danny Tommo’. Protests have since engulfed parts of the south coast, but why is this all happening now? And what can the government do to get a handle on it?

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: Emma Yeomans, news reporter, The Times.
Host: Luke Jones.
Producers: Jesse Fox, Robyn Simon.
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: How Danny Tommo came face to face with migrants in the Channel
Further listening: Flights, visas, and kidnappers: The new migrant route to Britain
Clips: Danny Tommo YouTube, Channel 5 News, ITV News, BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Al Jazeera, The Central Club podcast, Dan Wootton (Facebook), BBC Politics.
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 an area just north of Blackpool, a chemical factory sits on the River Wyre. In the past few years, journalists have detected large amounts of forever chemicals in land around the plant. And yesterday, some residents discovered they had high levels of these chemicals in their blood. So, what does this mean? And what can those tested do about it?

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: George Odling, senior news reporter, The Times.
Host: Luke Jones.
Producers: Robyn Simon, Jesse Fox.
With audio from: Lara Wildenberg.
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Alarm over 'forever chemicals' in blood of Lancashire town residents
Clips: CBN News, BBC News, BBC World Service, News4AJAX, ‘Dark Waters’ - Universal Pictures.
Photo: James Speakman for The Times.
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 US president will greet his Chinese counterpart at the start of a state visit later today. The two leaders will hold talks in Washington, DC tomorrow during which artificial intelligence is expected to be high on the agenda. Despite weeks of warnings about the devastation AI could cause to humankind, the two countries are locked in a battle for global domination of the technology. Could Donald Trump and Xi Jinping stop the escalation?

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: Rana Mitter, professor of US-Asia relations, Harvard Kennedy School.
Host: Luke Jones.
Producers: Micaela Arneson, Jesse Fox.
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: China’s AI is not the best but it can still come first
Further listening: Will superintelligent AI destroy humanity?
Clips: BBC, LiveNOW from FOX, USA Today, CNBC, C-SPAN.
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.