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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. Subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription: Early access, bonus content and ad-free listening to our podcastsA daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a weekPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordRecipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Check latest episodes from The Slow Newscast podcast

The rivalry that spawned the weight-loss jab race

2026/10/02

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

2026/09/29

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

2026/09/25

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

2026/09/22

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.

How Ivanka Trump enraged all of Albania

2026/09/18

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

2026/09/15

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?

2026/09/11

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

2026/09/08

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'

2026/09/04

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

2026/09/01

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?

2026/08/28

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.

My father, the vampire hunter

2026/08/25

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?

2026/08/21

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

2026/08/18

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?

2026/08/14

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.

Podcast reviews

Read The Slow Newscast podcast reviews

4.5 out of 5

118 reviews

★★★★☆

MTAKWA 2026/08/28

Flawed and biased episode on ECT

The tone of the journalist discussing ECT was immediately negative and judgmental. Her grasp of the science, psychiatry in general and the struggle of...

★★★★★

MissBoo 2024/08/06

Neil Gaiman is a rapist.

That's it. The end. At least 5 victims have come forward now: Scarlett, K, Claire, Caroline, Julia. And there's more to come. Stop protecting him. Let...

★★★★★

east_of_eden 2024/07/08

Gaiman Want-to-Bes with the one stars lol

Just in the reviews to see who has empathy for a sexual abusers! Masks off, we see you! Thanks for the excellent and complex story. Checks right out.

★☆☆☆☆

km34 2024/07/05

Irresponsible

I found the coverage of the “Neil Gaiman” bit to be irresponsible, bordering on unethical. Innuendo, quick-clips that seem like the reporters are cut...

★☆☆☆☆

Bellamammal 2024/07/04

What are you doing to young women’s minds in the U.K.?

How could anyone hear Scarlett’s words to Neil and come away with any impression other than she was way into it? ALL of it. Then to find out about he...

★★★★★

MereMay87 2023/09/25

The News We Need

In a world of fast paced, breaking news, Tortoise stands out above the rest, as it methodically makes it’s way to the finish line, gathering info alon...

★★★★★

EdmondsKat 2023/02/15

Very engaging

Love love love Basia’s voice. So soothing as she comprehensively lays out the story. Her manner has heart without being emotional and compromising fa...

★★★★★

PNWSeaTown 2022/07/05

Balanced, in depth and compelling

I like the depth of each report and story, the narrative and the level of professionalism of journalism and integrity in this podcast. It’s quickly mo...

★★★★★

jackson lind lebuffe 2021/06/04

great podcast

★★★★★

motoutofafrica 2021/05/02

Proper News

Just so good. Informed, intelligent, lively, and searingly relevant. Proper news.

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