PodcastsDocumentaryThe Slow Newscast

The Slow Newscast

The Observer
The Slow Newscast
Latest episode

390 episodes

  • The Slow Newscast

    China’s shadow war: The dissidents

    31/03/2026 | 38 mins.
    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.

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    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.
  • The Slow Newscast

    Why do mothers abandon babies?

    26/03/2026 | 22 mins.
    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.
  • The Slow Newscast

    Foundling

    24/03/2026 | 41 mins.
    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.
  • The Slow Newscast

    Can AI write good literature?

    19/03/2026 | 23 mins.
    Last week, the New York Times ran an experiment that has far-reaching implications, especially for book lovers. It asked readers to compare five pairs of writing samples — one written by AI, the other by a well-known author — and choose which they preferred. AI was chosen much of the time. So, can AI actually write good literature? Book Prize judge Erica Wagner, The Observer's book editor Tom Gatti, and author Ada Barumé discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • The Slow Newscast

    Kill talk: Pete Hegseth and the language of war

    17/03/2026 | 33 mins.
    America's war against Iran has revealed plenty of gunslinging, provocative rhetoric from the US defence secretary Pete Hegseth. But is there much to learn about America's aims in Iran from Trump's self-described 'secretary of war'?

    Reporter/Producer: Alexi Mostrous and Ada Barumé
    Artwork: Blythe Walker Sibthorp
    Sound design: Dominic Delargy
    Editor: Jasper Corbett
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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About The Slow Newscast

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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The Slow Newscast: Podcasts in Family

  • Podcast Foundling  | Tortoise Investigates
    Foundling | Tortoise Investigates
    Documentary, Society & Culture, True Crime