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431 episodes

Ctrl Alt Restore
18/08/2026 | 35 mins.
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?
14/08/2026 | 22 mins.
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
11/08/2026 | 28 mins.
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?
07/08/2026 | 29 mins.
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
04/08/2026 | 40 mins.
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.

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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