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The Slow Newscast

The Observer

The Slow Newscast from The Observer takes the news slowly. We investigate, and every week we focus on stories that really matter in the UK and around the world. From wars in Ukraine and Gaza through to true crime and injustice and real life mysteries, The Slow Newscast team is devoted to narrative investigations covering some of the biggest topics of the day.

Who are the people biohacking themselves in a quest for immortality? Or the man taking on an entire nation in the high seas to protect whales? And what happened when humanity's most distant messenger fell silent? From a newsroom with a different approach to journalism these are the stories we tell.

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35 episodes
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English

Episodes 35

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S1 · E444
Friday · 24 min
How I fell in love with a Russian spy
Stephanie Arcanjo spent three years building a life with her boyfriend, Eric. One day he vanished, and the police came knocking. Only then would she learn his true identity, and that their life together was a lie. Basia Cummings speaks to Sao Paolo based reporter Oliver Basciano about Stephanie and hears her side of the story. Oliver Basciano's reporting can be found at https://observer.co.uk/contributor/oliver-basciano Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E443
Tuesday · 43 min
Careless
Nkechi Simms is a successful actor who’s had parts in Top Boy and BBC comedy PRU. Outwardly life is good and at 26 she’s got everything going for her. But this hasn’t always been the case. When she was 12 Nkechi’s mother handed her over to Camden Council and she was placed in foster care. Now she wants to find out what happened to her and why. The only way she can do this is by getting hold of her care records. But that’s easier said than done. And will those records answer her questions? Careless is a 4 part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer. To binge listen to all episodes today, ad-free, subscribe to The Observer. Or subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to listen to all our podcasts, including this one, without any ads. Reported by Ashley John-Baptiste and Madeleine Parr Produced and written by Madeleine Parr Sound design by Simon Panayi Artwork by Jon Hill The editor is Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E442
September 18 · 22 min
How Ivanka Trump enraged all of Albania
What links a rare breed of flamingo and government corruption? In Albania, plans to redevelop Sazan, the country's biggest island, and disrupt the wildlife that lives there, caused protests. When it emerged that it was Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka who was behind the development, the protests became about not just than just wildlife, but about the way the country is run. Andrew Anthony visited the country to find out more. Host: Basia Cummings Reporter: Andrew Anthony Producer: Poppy Bullard Executive Producer: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E441
September 15 · 32 min
The trials of Ben Stokes
In Ben Stokes, England cricket created a star....and quickly lost control of that star. This is the story of how a maverick genius built and broke the team he created. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E440
September 11 · 25 min
What made Syrians fight for revolution?
What drove Syrians to rise up and overthrow a brutal dictator? ‘Days of Love and Rage’ by Anand Gopal is an intimate account of how one town in Syria joined a revolution. The book took him 8 years to report and write. The Observer’s Basia Cummings and Chloe Hadjimatheou, reporter of the We Call Her Emma podcast series about Asma al-Assad, talk to Gopal about how Syrians took politics into their own hands while facing threats from their own government and then ISIS. Anand Gopal's reporting on Syria and ISIS can be found here: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/03/18/the-open-air-prison-for-isis-supporters-and-victims His book, Days of Love and Rage, can be found here: https://www.plutobooks.com/product/days-of-love-and-rage/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E439
September 8 · 48 min
“I will never judge you”: A grandmother’s promise
Ten years ago Kim Edwards and her boyfriend, Lucas Markham, who were both 14 at the time, stabbed Kim’s mother and Kim’s younger sister to death. They were both sentenced to life in prison and became the youngest, and among the most notorious, double murderers in Britain. For the first time Kim’s grandmother, Maxine Follows, tells her side of the story, and questions how the criminal justice system treats children. Reporter: Katie Glass Producer: Ada Barume Sound Design: Dominic Delargy Artwork: Lucy Stevenson Executive Producer: Matt Russell Editor: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E438
September 4 · 31 min
The teacher, the school, and the myth of the 'Lucky Boy'
In the late 1980s 14-year-old Gareth had a sexual relationship with his 27-year-old chemistry teacher, Sally-Anne Bowen. His friends told him at the time that he was a ‘lucky boy’. Last week Sally-Anne Bown was convicted of seven counts of indecent assault. The Observer’s podcast series ‘Lucky Boy’ played a part in the case. Basia Cummings is joined by Chloe Hadjimatheou, who reported the story, to discuss the conviction of Sally-Anne Bowen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E437
September 1 · 48 min
Paolo Zampolli: Trump’s matchmaker
Paolo Zampolli, the Italian modelling agent who introduced Donald Trump to his future wife, Melania, has gone from the 1990s fashion world to the very top of the Trump administration, joining the small circle of loyalists Trump likes to keep close to advance his brand and influence. It is a story about how power works at the White House and how the distinction between private interests and public office are increasingly blurred. Reporter: Stephen Armstrong Producer: Jonathan Lewis and Amalie Sortland Sound Design: Dominic Delargy Artwork: Emma O’Neill Editor: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E436
August 28 · 23 min
Why is electroconvulsive therapy still used?
Is ECT therapy safe? Postcode prescribing leaves patients at mercy of psychiatric opinions. Jessica Rawnsley has been investigating what this means for patients Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E435
August 25 · 36 min
My father, the vampire hunter
After a spate of paranormal sightings in 1970s London, debate raged over the existence of a vampire in Highgate Cemetery. Fifty years on, the legend has been taken on by a new generation, fuelled by the world’s longest-running online feud Reporter: Francisco Garcia Producer: Poppy Bullard Sound Design: Dominic Delargy Artwork: Blythe Walker-Sibthorpe Editor: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E434
August 21 · 25 min
What does a mass shooter’s chatbot history reveal?
After a 2025 mass shooting on Florida State University’s campus, investigators found a year’s worth of chat history between the shooter and ChatGPT. MotherJones’ Mark Follman has been investigating what the chat log reveals about the shooter and the chatbot and examines how AI responds when faced with severe warning signs and where the responsibility lies when something goes wrong. Note: This story discusses suicide and violence. Mark Follman's reporting can be found here: https://www.motherjones.com/media/2026/08/openai-chatgpt-fsu-mass-shooting-chat-logs/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E433
August 18 · 35 min
Ctrl Alt Restore
Rupert Lowe is the MP for Great Yarmouth, and the leader of Restore Britain, a right-wing political party which launched in February this year. So, how did the leader of such a young, fringe party end up appearing as a guest on the world’s most popular podcast? And what does it tell us about how the far-right works? Reporter: Poppy Bullard Producers: Amalie Sortland and Ada Barume Sound Design: Dominic Delargy Artwork: Lucy Stevenson Editor: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E432
August 14 · 22 min
What next for Reform and Nigel Farage?
Nigel Farage has been re-elected as MP for Clacton. But that also means a Parliamentary investigation into Farage resumes. So what's next for Reform and their leader? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E428
August 11 · 28 min
The Mandelson files
When Peter Mandelson was sacked as the UK’s ambassador to the United States over his links with Jeffrey Epstein people wondered how he ever got appointed in the first place. Eventually Keir Starmer’s government was forced to publish more than a thousand pages of emails, messages and letters which reveal how Peter Mandelson was appointed, vetted and cleared to become the UK’s most influential diplomat. What emerges from those documents, is a story about who wields power in Britain today, how it works and how we conduct our politics. The Observer’s Ada Barumé tells the story of a political farce that begins with the appointment of Peter Mandelson and ends with the resignation of Keir Starmer. All four episodes are now available to listen to for subscribers to the Observer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E427
August 7 · 29 min
Is mountaineering getting more dangerous?
On Thursday 30th July, an avalanche hit the world's twelfth highest mountain. Ten experienced climbers were caught by it, among them one of the world's most famous and experienced mountaineers Nirmal Purja. Is the world of mountaineering becoming more dangerous? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E426
August 4 · 40 min
Hard knocks: the cost of courage
When World Cup Winner Phil Vickery retired in 2010, he thought his toughest physical battles were behind him. Today, like hundreds of former players, he lives with memory loss and the looming threat of brain trauma – and he’s demanding answers. And across the world, more and more people are looking towards one man in particular. Reporters: Ben Coles and Jonathan Lewis Producer: Jonathan Lewis Artwork: Lucy Stevenson Sound design: Dominic Delargy Executive producer: Jasper Corbett Credits: ITV, BBC, Dodge Woodall, ABC News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E425
July 31 · 25 min
Who owns our water?
What are companies extracting British spring water, companies like Coca Cola and Nestle, paying for that water? The answer is extraordinary. And with the threat of nationalisation, what does the future hold for our water companies? In other words, what is our water worth? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E424
July 28 · 38 min
One-star review: A stolen year
How a mislaid phone led to a nightmare of fake reviews and claims of antisemitism. When Ali, a restaurateur, realised his mobile’s security had been breached and that random things were missing from his flat, he began to feel uneasy. Was he being targeted for his politics or his personal life? And more importantly, who could stop it? Credits: Reporter - Eva Wiseman Producer - Matt Russell Sound design - Dominic Delargy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E423
July 23 · 37 min
Bankrolling Farage: Who Funds Reform? Episode two: The Money Men
In early 2025, Reform hosts a fundraiser at private member’s club Oswald’s. In attendance are many of the men whose deep pockets line the party’s accounts. Reporter - Cat Neilan Series Reporter/Producer - Poppy Bullard Narrative Producer - Matt Russell Sound Design - Dominic Delargy Artwork - Blythe Walker Sibthorpe Producer for Goalhanger - India Dunkley Executive Producer for Goalhanger - Tom Whiter Executive Producer for the Observer - Jasper Corbett Clips: GB News, Xenia Tchoumi, Spears Magazine, Sky News Australia, Reform UK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E422
July 21 · 27 min
Bankrolling Farage: Who Funds Reform? Episode one: The Missing Millions
In 2019, Nigel Farage leads the Brexit Party to victory in the European Elections. But there’s a mystery at the heart of the party’s accounts. Reporter - Cat Neilan Series Reporter/Producer - Poppy Bullard Narrative Producer - Matt Russell Sound Design - Dominic Delargy Artwork - Blythe Walker Sibthorpe Producer for Goalhanger - India Dunkley Executive Producer for Goalhanger - Tom Whiter Executive Producer for the Observer - Jasper Corbett Clips: Reform UK, BBC, The Times, House of Commons Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Showing 1–20 of 35 episodes