The Story

With the South African police’s search for missing British tourist Lorna McSorley gone cold, locals take matters into their own hands. Their investigation uncovers extraordinary and deeply troubling facts about her disappearance, linking it to a string of other missing people in the area.

This is part two of a special three-part investigation.

WARNING: This episode contains graphic descriptions of murder and violence.

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

Host: Jane Flanagan.
Producer: Harry Stott.
Executive Producers: Taryn Siegel and Kate Lamble.
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Disappearances stoke fear of more ‘witchcraft murders’ after Briton vanished
Clips: Newzroom Afrika / Youtube.
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.

Seventy one-year-old British tourist Lorna McSorley went out for a walk near South Africa's Ghost Mountain. She never returned.

In the first part of this three-part investigation, we travel to the remote, superstitious heart of KwaZulu-Natal to retrace Lorna’s final steps. As the police search hits a dead end, bizarre rumours begin to emerge - including talk of witchcraft and an illicit trade in body parts.

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

Host: Jane Flanagan.
Producer: Harry Stott.
Executive Producers: Taryn Siegel and Kate Lamble.
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Disappearances stoke fear of more ‘witchcraft murders’ after Briton vanished
Clips: Newzroom Afrika / Youtube.
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.

Defence Secretary John Healey resigned this afternoon, over the government’s much delayed defence funding plan. In a letter to the prime minister, Healey said Keir Starmer had been “unable” to commit resources that the UK desperately needs. So what does this mean for Starmer’s leadership? And will taxpayers ultimately be left to foot the bill?

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:
Anna Mikhailova, political editor, Times Radio.
Larisa Brown, defence editor, The Times.
General Sir John McColl, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
Host: John Pienaar.
Producers: Angus Mitchell, Sofia Johanson.
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: John Healey has launched a broadside at Keir Starmer. Will the PM surrender?
Further listening: Has Britain become ungovernable?
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.

There has been a second night of riots in Belfast following a knife attack in the Northern Irish city on Monday. Yesterday authorities called for calm after vehicles and houses were set alight. As violent anti-immigration protests continue, what’s it like on the ground and what can the government do going forward?

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:
Constance Kampfner, northern correspondent, The Times
Oliver Wright, policy editor, The Times

Host: Manveen Rana
Producers: Sophie McNulty, Olivia Case, Micaela Arneson.
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com
Read more: Belfast attack latest
Further listening: What Henry Nowak’s murder means for policing
Clips: X, The Times, BBC, Times Radio.
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.

The fragile ceasefire in the Middle East appears to be unravelling, with Iran and Israel exchanging missile strikes. The violence has been met with fury from President Trump, who’s been pushing to get a peace deal over the line for weeks. So why is Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu risking his relationship with his greatest ally? And how much are pressures at home dictating Israel's stance in the war?

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: Gabrielle Weiniger, Israel correspondent, The Times
Host: Manveen Rana
Producer: Sophie McNulty
We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com

Read more: Netanyahu’s ticking time bomb? Inside the political war at home
Further listening: “Everyone hates you now” - Could Lebanon cost Trump his Iran deal?
Clips: The Times, Fox News, Al Jazeera.
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.