Is the UN useless?

The UK, Australia and Canada have formally recognised Palestine as a state ahead of high level meetings at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly this week. But as the votes and debates continue, little seems to change outside the diplomatic bubble. We discuss with a former Deputy Secretary-General of the UN what relevance the organisation still holds. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Mark Malloch-Brown, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.Host: Luke Jones.Producer: Taryn Siegel.Read more: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/britain-recognise-palestine-state-9fz0pvq87 Clips: United Nations, ABC, Getty, Clinton Presidential Library, The Economic Times, Sky News, Al Jazeera, Global News.Get in touch: [email protected]      Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With his looks, charisma and string of hits, Robert Redford, who died this week, was the face of Hollywood cinema in the 1970's. But he was so much more than a pretty face, and quickly moved into directing and producing awards winning films, before pivoting to focus on what really mattered to him: the Sundance Film Festival, to support independent film. Despite his huge public profile, Robert Redford remained an elusive, unknowable and very private man. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Anna Temkin, deputy obituaries editor for The Times, Ed Potton, arts commissioning editor for The Times.Host: Rosie Wright Producer: Shabnam GrewalRead more: Robert Redford obituary: elusive legend of the big screenFurther listening:Clips: @SAGAFTRAFoundation, CBS SUNDAY MORNING,  BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUN DANCE KID CLIPP TM & © Fox (1969)Courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Film CorporationRAINDROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD (B.J. Thomas version):Songwriters: Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Original Publishers: BMG Gold Songs, Songs of Fujimusic, New Hidden Valley Music, Pw Arrangements, and Universal Music Corp. Photo: Getty PicturesGet in touch: [email protected]       Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each episode is hosted by The Story released as a bonus weekly series on Saturdays. Deep in the Amazon, the mysterious pink river dolphins are under threat from pollution, mining, and habitat loss. Marine biologist Fernando Trujillo, known locally as Omacha, has dedicated more than 30 years to protecting them. From satellite-tagging dolphins to training fishermen and lobbying governments, he tells Adam Vaughan what it takes to safeguard one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.Host: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times. Guest: Fernando Trujillo, Founder of the Omacha Foundation and Rolex Award Laureate. Series Producer: Priyanka DeladiaSound Designer: David CracklesThis podcast is advertiser funded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thirteen years after her body was discovered floating in the septic tank of a hotel in Kenya, an arrest warrant has been issued for a former British soldier over the alleged murder of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru. If extradited, it would be the first time a British soldier is sent to face such a charge on foreign soil - and follows years of dogged investigation by The Sunday Times. We speak to reporter involved, and ask whether the culture of the British army has changed over the years.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: David Collins, northern editor, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Micaela Arneson.Read more: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/agnes-wanjiru-british-soldier-murder-xr0bv2qwg Clips: NTV Kenya, Citizen TV Kenya.Photo: Getty Images.Get in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US President's state visit to the UK is marked by royal pageantry, political tension, and public protest. But what could the UK gain from it? And what are the potential pitfalls lurking for Keir Starmer?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuests: Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist, The Times and The Sunday Times and Oliver Wright, Policy editor, The Times. Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Edith Rousselot and Shabnam Grewal.Clips: Sky News, Reuters, The White House. Photo: Getty ImagesGet in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the years since Omar al-Bayoumi was released by British police, new evidence has come to light which was not shared with the officers carrying out his interrogation. Today, he stands accused of being a Saudi agent who helped the terrorists who carried out 9/11, something he has always denied.This is part three of a three-part special investigative series.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Amardeep Bassey, journalist, The Sunday Times.Host: Taryn Siegel. Producer: Taryn Siegel.Sound designer: Tiffany Dimmack.Read more: Revealed after 24 years, how UK was forced to free 9/11 ‘plotter’Clips: Metropolitan Police Services.Photo: Tony Bell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On September 21, 2001, Omar al-Bayoumi was arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of the preparation, instigation or commission of acts of terrorism. Police would have seven days before they would need to charge, extradite, or release him. Over the next week of questioning, there would be extraordinary revelations -- but also leads not followed, and crucial information not shared. So what went wrong? This is part two of a three-part special investigative series.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Amardeep Bassey, journalist, The Sunday Times.Host: Taryn Siegel. Producer: Taryn Siegel.Read more: Revealed after 24 years, how UK was forced to free 9/11 ‘plotter’Clips: Metropolitan Police Services.Photo: Tony Bell.Get in touch: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was there another man involved in plotting the 9/11 terrorist attacks that killed thousands in 2001? And why did British police, acting on the instructions of American law enforcement, let him go?This is part one of a three-part special investigative series.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Amardeep Bassey, journalist, The Sunday Times.Host: Taryn Siegel. Producer: Taryn Siegel.Read more: Revealed after 24 years, how UK was forced to free 9/11 ‘plotter’Clips: Metropolitan Police Services, CBS News, NBC News.Photo: Tony Bell.Get in touch: [email protected]      Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He appeared at a Russian film festival, wants to work with Trump and still says Jeffrey Epstein was “charming and personable”. Does the film director Woody Allen not care what people think? Hadley Freeman meets him and his wife, Soon-Yi, at home in New York.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/thestoryWritten by: Hadley Freeman, columnist and features writer for The Sunday Times.Read by: Micaela Arneson.Producers: Shabnam Grewal and Micaela Arneson.Photo: Guerin Blask/The Sunday Times.Get in touch: [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each episode is hosted by The Story released as a bonus weekly series on Saturdays. From oil spills to climate change, penguins are on the frontline of environmental change. Pablo García Borboroglu has spent more than three decades rescuing colonies, moving shipping lanes, and protecting over 32 million acres of penguin habitat. He joins Adam Vaughan to share what it takes to keep these charismatic seabirds alive in a rapidly changing world.Host: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times. Guest: Pablo García Borboroglu, Founder of the Global Penguin Society and Rolex Award Laureate. Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia Sound Designer: David CracklesThis podcast is advertiser funded.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.