The Slow Newscast
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Über den Podcast
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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Folgen 450
The 30-Year veteran photographer attacked by settlers
Last week, a group of West Bank settlers attacked Palestinian farmers and veteran Washington Post photographer, Heidi Levine, who was there to cover the annual olive harvest. The assault left Levine in hospital …
Shownotes
Last week, a group of West Bank settlers attacked Palestinian farmers and veteran Washington Post photographer, Heidi Levine, who was there to cover the annual olive harvest. The assault left Levine in hospital with broken bones, but she is not the first foreigner to be caught in the middle of increasingly violent attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank.
Basia Cummings speaks to the Observer's Ruth Michaelson who is in Tel Aviv covering the upcoming elections, about what happened and whether it'll impact the outcome of the vote.
Producer: Ada Barume
Exec: Matt Russell
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Christ is King: the far right and God
In September 2025, religious leaders in the UK got a shock: protests at Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom rally were carrying crosses, and waving signs with Christian slogans. On stage, pastors led the crowd …
Shownotes
In September 2025, religious leaders in the UK got a shock: protests at Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom rally were carrying crosses, and waving signs with Christian slogans. On stage, pastors led the crowd in song and prayer. One of those pastors is Rikki Doolan, who says he converted Tommy Robinson while he was in prison. This is the story of how the far-right found God.
Reporter: Kart Mathieson
Reporter/producer: Poppy Bullard
Sound design: Dominic Delargy
Artwork: Lucy Stevenson
Editor: Jasper Corbett
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How an innocent man was put on death row
For decades, Paul Skalnik made a living telling police and prosecutors that other prisoners had confessed to crimes. The former police turned con artist and jailhouse informant helped send a man called Jim …
Shownotes
For decades, Paul Skalnik made a living telling police and prosecutors that other prisoners had confessed to crimes. The former police turned con artist and jailhouse informant helped send a man called Jim Dailey to death row for the murder of a teenage girl.
Basia Cummings speaks to investigative journalist and author Pamela Colloff who spent years uncovering his deceptions, and his story exposes a criminal justice system prioritising winning convictions over the truth.
Producer: Amalie Sortland
Exec: Matt Russell
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bones and all: the trade in human remains
Britain’s cultural institutions are wrestling with what to do with the human remains in their collections. But as they reckon with the ethical ramifications the sale of body parts remains largely unregulated …
Shownotes
Britain’s cultural institutions are wrestling with what to do with the human remains in their collections. But as they reckon with the ethical ramifications the sale of body parts remains largely unregulated. Who are the people selling? And why is it easier than ever to buy human remains?
Reporter: Evan Moffitt
Producer: Ada Barumé
Sound design: Dominic Delargy
Artwork: Blythe Walker Sibthorp
Exec producer: Matt Russell
Editor: Jasper Corbett
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Fixer: The life of Len McCluskey | Ep 2
The former Unite boss says the police investigation into alleged corruption during his tenure will clear his name after years of accusations. But whether it can erase this dark episode in British trade unionism …
Shownotes
The former Unite boss says the police investigation into alleged corruption during his tenure will clear his name after years of accusations. But whether it can erase this dark episode in British trade unionism is another matter. So will the reputation of someone who was one of the UK's most influential power brokers stand the test of time?Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Fixer: The life of Len McCluskey | Ep 1
The former Unite boss says the police investigation into alleged corruption during his tenure will clear his name after years of accusations. But whether it can erase this dark episode in British trade unionism …
Shownotes
The former Unite boss says the police investigation into alleged corruption during his tenure will clear his name after years of accusations. But whether it can erase this dark episode in British trade unionism is another matter. So will the reputation of someone who was one of the UK's most influential power brokers stand the test of time?Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The rivalry that spawned the weight-loss jab race
James Tapper, The Observer's Science editor and a weight-loss jab user, tells the story of his journey using the weight-loss drugs. A journey that along with lost kilograms, led him to the godfather of these …
Shownotes
James Tapper, The Observer's Science editor and a weight-loss jab user, tells the story of his journey using the weight-loss drugs. A journey that along with lost kilograms, led him to the godfather of these drugs: a man who discovered the hormone that led to the development of GLP-1s and who reveals his concerns about their widespread use.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duped and deployed: the Kenyans fighting for Russia
Kenyan men are leaving their country for work – and ending up on the frontlines of Russia’s war in Ukraine. This is the story of the recruiters, the promises and the poverty that keeps the pipeline moving …
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Kenyan men are leaving their country for work – and ending up on the frontlines of Russia’s war in Ukraine. This is the story of the recruiters, the promises and the poverty that keeps the pipeline moving.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
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
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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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
“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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
Is ECT therapy safe? Postcode prescribing leaves patients at mercy of psychiatric opinions. Jessica Rawnsley has been investigating what this means for patientsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 …
Shownotes
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.
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 NeilanSeries Reporter/Producer - Poppy …
Shownotes
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.
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 NeilanSeries Reporter/Producer - Poppy …
Shownotes
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.
Have England failed again?
Another heartbreak for England in the World Cup, but does the tournament tell us anything about the nation's mentality? Rory Smith reveals the stories and moments that have stuck with him from six weeks on the …
Shownotes
Another heartbreak for England in the World Cup, but does the tournament tell us anything about the nation's mentality? Rory Smith reveals the stories and moments that have stuck with him from six weeks on the road in America.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Fire on the mountain: Mistaken identity
Ademola Adedeji was wrongfully identified as a gang member and jailed for conspiracy to commit GBH. This is the story of how a nine second clip from a rap video upended his life.Reporter: Ciaran TraceyProducer …
Shownotes
Ademola Adedeji was wrongfully identified as a gang member and jailed for conspiracy to commit GBH. This is the story of how a nine second clip from a rap video upended his life.
Reporter: Ciaran Tracey
Producer: Matt Russell
Artwork: Lucy Stevenson
Sound design: Dominic Delargy
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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