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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427 episodes
Updated Today

Episodes427

Newest first

May 26 · 38 min
'Social media is killing our kids'
Last year in the UK, a fifth of people arrested for terrorism offences were under 18. Counter-terrorism experts warn that outlawing social media for children is a matter of national security. So what are children really watching online? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 21 · 24 min
How might Labour's new leaders grow the UK?
With a leadership election on the horizon, there are discussions among the backbenches about how potential contenders might look to reshape and re-energise the UK's growth. The Observer's political editor Rachel Sylvester speaks with economics editor Ben Zaranko about what the various approaches might look like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 19 · 48 min
Doped Up!
For decades, doping has hid in the shadows of elite sports. Now, for the first time, it’s out in the open. The Enhanced Games promises a new era of ‘superhumanity’ – is this the future of sport? Reporters: Jeremy Whittle and Chris Marshall-Bell Producer: Jonathan Lewis Artwork: Blythe Walker Sibthorp Sound Design: Dominic Delargy Executive Producer: Matt Russell Editor: Jasper Corbett Clips: ABC News, Enhanced Games, Josh Brett, Daily Mail Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 14 · 21 min
Nigel Farage and the five million pound gift: what's wrong with that?
It was recently revealed by The Guardian that before he stood to be an MP in 2024, Nigel Farage received a £5 million gift from billionaire Christopher Harborne. But is there anything wrong with that? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 12 · 35 min
Lively vs Baldoni: Inside Hollywood’s PR machine
Blake Lively’s legal action against Justin Baldoni was settled just two weeks before it was due to go to trial. But the legal documents filed by both sides reveal something darker than a celebrity feud; a new troubling PR playbook. Reporting: Stephen Armstrong and Casey Magloire. Producers: Casey Magloire and Katie Gunning. Sound design: Dominic Delargy Artwork: Lucy Stevenson Editor: Jasper Corbett Clips credits; ITV news Vogue New York Times Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 7 · 26 min
How could the elections define the UK?
The elections look set to create ominous headlines for Labour. In the locals they could see massive losses across the country. But in Wales and Scotland voters go to the polls to determine who will run the Senedd and Holyrood. It means the results might not just determine Keir Starmer’s future, but the future of the United Kingdom. Observer editor-in-chief James Harding sits down with political editor Rachel Sylvester to unpack what the elections could mean for Keir Starmer, Labour and the United Kingdom. Producer: Amalie Sortland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 5 · 42 min
Djokovic in exile
Novak Djokovic has long been Serbia’s most successful athlete, and perhaps most famous citizen. But as political conflicts such as youth protests have fractured the country, the tennis superstar has found himself on the outside of a regime and a country who once heralded him. Reporters: Francisco Garcia and Camilla Bell - Davies Producer: Madeleine Parr Artwork: Harmony Closs Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett Clip Credits: Tennis Channel, The Telegraph Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 30 · 23 min
A mother's loss: The case of Tarryn Baird
Alexi is joined by the Observer's national news editor, Claudia Williams to discuss the case of Tarryn Baird. Last week, her husband, Christopher Trybus was cleared of driving her to kill herself. Where does a grieving mother who spent 10 years searching for answers go from here? Host: Alexi Mostrous Guest: Claudia Williams Producer: Ada Barumé Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 28 · 37 min
Freud’s missing Bacon
In 1988, a painting by Lucian Freud of his one-time friend Francis Bacon was stolen from a Berlin art gallery. It’s now worth £20 million. This week, Steve Smith goes in search of the lost art. Reporter: Steve Smith Producer: Ada Barumé Artwork: Blythe Walker Sibthorp Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 22 · 21 min
Can Starmer survive the Mandelson fallout?
This week, there’s one story dominating the headlines: the Peter Mandelson scandal and whether it spells the end for Keir Starmer’s troubled premiership. What does this episode tell us about Starmer himself and why has the Epstein scandal had so much political impact in the UK? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 21 · 34 min
Ten to midnight: Iran's nuclear arms race
According to United States and Israel, there's 460 kilograms of enriched uranium that Iran are just ten days away from turning into weapons grade nuclear bomb material. The story of Iran's nuclear arms race is less clear than they make it appear though. It's a tale of espionage, assassinations, and a high-stakes game of bluff. Credits: Reporter - Chloe Hadjimatheou Producer - Matt Russell Sound Design - Dominic Delargy Artwork - Blythe Walker Sibthorp Editor - Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 16 · 41 min
Is this the end of Orban's influence?
After sixteen years of rule in Hungary, Viktor Orbán has been voted out of office. But in that time, he’s built a deep-rooted network of soft power through think-tanks, universities and media organisations. As the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar seeks to assert his own identity and vision for Hungary, will Orbanism’s influence cause him problems? Slow Newscast Extra: Host: Ada Barumé Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: Matt Russell Illiberal land: Hungary’s empire of ideas Reporter: David Aaronovitch Producer: Jonathan Lewis Artwork: Lola Williams Sound Design: Dominic Delargy Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 14 · 31 min
Unjust: How the Court of Appeal failed an innocent man
Ceri Thomas revisits the appalling case of Peter Sullivan, jailed for 38 years for a murder he did not commit and offered no apology when finally released. Why does the court work so slowly? Why is it allowed to mark its own homework, and why is it so resistant to reform? Reporter: Ceri Thomas Producer: Katie Gunning Artwork: Lucy Stevenson Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Matt Russell Subscribe to The Observer today: https://observer.co.uk/subscribe And get access to: Our podcasts before anyone else A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword Recipes for every occasion Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Subscribe today for just £1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 9 · 28 min
Can we be saved from AI?
Meta and YouTube were found liable earlier this year in a social media addiction trial and ordered to pay out $6 million in damages. Could this be a blueprint for how to avoid history repeating itself with AI? Host: Alexi Mostrous Producer: Amalie Sortland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 7 · 33 min
Frontier Men: The Forbidden Island
Last year, a YouTuber attempted to reach an uncontacted tribe on the remote island of North Sentinel, an area that is out of bounds for everyone else on the planet. His bid for content may have been audacious, and illegal, but it’s just the latest in a long line of misguided foreigners attempting to make contact. But do these individuals represent the greatest threat to the tribe? And what do we as a planet stand to lose if contact is made? Reporter: Xavier Greenwood Producer: Madeleine Parr Additional production: Ada Barumé Artwork: Blythe Walker Sibthorp Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Matt Russell Clip Credits: NBC News, News 10 and News9 Live Subscribe to The Observer today: https://observer.co.uk/subscribe And get access to: Our podcasts before anyone else A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword Recipes for every occasion Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Subscribe today for just £1 for your first month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 2 · 32 min
China’s shadow war: Ice picks in suburbia | Episode Three
A businessman from Tunbridge Wells is accused of leading a double life. He’s secretly recorded planning a brutal attack with ice picks on behalf of the Chinese state. His story takes a dramatic turn with a high-stakes escape. To enjoy the Slow Newscast ad-free, subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription. You’ll get access to: This series and all our podcasts before anyone else Ad-free listening Premium newsletters Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword Exclusive offers from our partners Tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Or subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to listen to all our podcasts, including this one, without any ads. Reporters - Alexi Mostrous and Frankie Vetch Producer - Jonathan Lewis Additional production - Amalie Sortland Sound design - Dominic Delargy Podcast illustration - Shonagh Rae Editor - Jasper Corbett Credits - Voice of America, CBS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 1 · 21 min
China’s shadow war: The Americans | Episode Two
American citizens are recruited to carry out Beijing’s dirty work on home soil. A Florida correctional officer poses as an art dealer, exposing the murky world of transnational repression and China’s shadow war. This is part two of a three part series. To listen to all episodes today, and enjoy the Slow Newscast ad-free, subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription. You’ll get access to: This series and all our podcasts before anyone else Ad-free listening Premium newsletters Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword Exclusive offers from our partners Tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Or subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to listen to all our podcasts, including this one, without any ads. Reporters - Alexi Mostrous and Frankie Vetch Producer - Jonathan Lewis Additional production - Amalie Sortland Sound design - Dominic Delargy Podcast illustration - Shonagh Rae Editor - Jasper Corbett Credits - CNBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 31 · 38 min
China’s shadow war: The dissidents | Episode One
Alexi goes in search of the “long arm” of the Chinese state following a series of attacks and bounties on British soil. He uncovers a coordinated campaign of fear that has left dissidents feeling unsafe in the UK – and asks what British authorities are doing to protect them. This is Part One of a three part series. To listen to all episodes today, and enjoy the Slow Newscast ad-free, subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription. You’ll get access to: This series and all our podcasts before anyone else Ad-free listening Premium newsletters Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword Exclusive offers from our partners Tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Or subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to listen to all our podcasts, including this one, without any ads. Reporters - Alexi Mostrous and Frankie Vetch Producer - Jonathan Lewis Additional production - Amalie Sortland Sound design - Dominic Delargy Podcast illustration - Shonagh Rae Editor - Jasper Corbett Credits - Channel 4, Sky News, ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 26 · 22 min
Why do mothers abandon babies?
Every year babies are abandoned by their parents. Following a long reporting project exploring the story of one foundling on a search for her biological parents, Alexi Mostrous asks, 'why do mothers abandon babies?'. To try and make sense of these complicated, often hidden stories, he's joined by the series reporter Lucy Greenwell and the series' producer Katie Gunning. Subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to binge listen to all 6 episodes. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content. Head to our website observer.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 24 · 41 min
Foundling
Foundling is a six-part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer. This is episode 1 - On the verge Journalist Lucy Greenwell goes in search of Jess following rumours and unanswered questions about where she was born and who gave birth to her. To listen to the rest of the series, just search for Tortoise Investigates wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to binge listen to all 6 episodes. To find out more about The Observer: Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content. Head to our website observer.co.uk Credits: Reporter - Lucy Greenwell Producer - Katie Gunning Original theme music - Tom Kinsella Sound design and additional music - Rowan Bishop Podcast artwork - Blythe Walker Sibthorp Narrative editor - Gary Marshall Editor - Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.