The Slow Newscast

News & Politics

About

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...

Episodes

  • How could the elections define the UK?

    This episode of The Slow Newscast discusses how upcoming elections could impact Labour, Keir Starmer, and the future of the United Kingdom. It examines potential local losses and the significance of the Senedd and Holyrood polls.

  • Djokovic in exile

    This episode of The Slow Newscast examines Novak Djokovic's changing relationship with Serbia. The tennis superstar, once a national hero, is now seen as an outsider due to political conflicts within the country.

  • A mother's loss: The case of Tarryn Baird

    Alexi Mostrous and Claudia Williams discuss the case of Tarryn Baird, focusing on the legal outcome for her husband, Christopher Trybus, and the ongoing search for answers by Tarryn's mother. The hosts explore the complexities of the case.

  • Freud’s missing Bacon

    This episode of The Slow Newscast explores the 1988 theft of a Lucian Freud painting of Francis Bacon from a Berlin art gallery. Reporter Steve Smith investigates the disappearance of the £20 million artwork.

  • Can Starmer survive the Mandelson fallout?

    This episode discusses the Peter Mandelson scandal and its potential impact on Keir Starmer's leadership. It also examines the political ramifications of the Epstein scandal in the UK.

  • Ten to midnight: Iran's nuclear arms race

    This episode of The Slow Newscast investigates Iran's nuclear program, examining claims from the United States and Israel regarding Iran's proximity to weapons-grade nuclear material. It delves into the complexities of the story, including…

  • Is this the end of Orban's influence?

    After sixteen years, Viktor Orbán has been voted out of office in Hungary. This episode examines the lasting impact of Orban's network of soft power on the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar's ability to assert his own vision for Hungary.

  • Unjust: How the Court of Appeal failed an innocent man

    Ceri Thomas investigates the case of Peter Sullivan, who was imprisoned for 38 years for a murder he did not commit. The episode explores the Court of Appeal's slow process, its self-assessment, and its resistance to reform.

  • Can we be saved from AI?

    Meta and YouTube faced liability in a social media addiction trial, resulting in a $6 million payout. This episode of The Slow Newscast examines whether this legal precedent can be applied to address concerns about AI.

  • Frontier Men: The Forbidden Island

    This episode of The Slow Newscast, titled "Frontier Men: The Forbidden Island", examines attempts by foreigners, including a YouTuber, to reach an uncontacted tribe on North Sentinel Island. The discussion explores the potential threats th…

  • China’s shadow war: Ice picks in suburbia | Episode Three

    This episode of The Slow Newscast covers a businessman from Tunbridge Wells accused of planning an attack with ice picks for the Chinese state. His story includes a dramatic, high-stakes escape.

  • China’s shadow war: The Americans | Episode Two

    This episode of The Slow Newscast discusses how American citizens are recruited by Beijing for operations on home soil. A correctional officer's undercover work exposes transnational repression and China's shadow war.

  • China’s shadow war: The dissidents | Episode One

    Alexi Mostrous explores the reach of the Chinese state within the UK, focusing on alleged attacks and bounties against dissidents. This episode examines the campaign of fear and the response of British authorities to protect those targeted…

  • Why do mothers abandon babies?

    This episode of The Slow Newscast investigates reasons behind infant abandonment. Host Alexi Mostrous discusses the topic with reporter Lucy Greenwell and producer Katie Gunning, drawing from a reporting project about a foundling searching…

  • Foundling

    Journalist Lucy Greenwell investigates the story of Jess, a foundling, in the first episode of this six-part series. The episode focuses on the search for answers regarding Jess's birth and parents.

  • Can AI write good literature?

    This episode explores whether AI can write good literature, referencing a New York Times experiment where readers often preferred AI-generated writing. Book Prize judge Erica Wagner, The Observer's book editor Tom Gatti, and author Ada Bar…

  • Kill talk: Pete Hegseth and the language of war

    This episode of The Slow Newscast examines the provocative rhetoric of US defense secretary Pete Hegseth concerning Iran. It explores what can be inferred about American objectives from his statements.

  • Your best baby

    This episode of The Slow Newscast examines the booming genetic testing industry in America. It delves into the disputed science behind "designer babies" and addresses accusations of eugenics in this new field of fertility.

  • Rogue Brits: The Orthobros

    Alexi and reporter Francisco Garcia discuss the Orthodox Church and its connection to Putin's frontline. They explore the reasons behind the conversion of young men to this form of Christianity.

  • Rogue Brits: Fighting for Putin

    This episode of The Slow Newscast features the story of Jay Fraser and other British individuals who chose to fight for Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. They recount their experiences on the frontline.

  • Stephen Miller’s America

    This episode of The Slow Newscast examines Stephen Miller's impact as the United States Homeland Security Advisor, highlighting his involvement in key US policies such as ICE enforcement and the plan to capture Venezuelan President Maduro.…

  • “My best pal”: Mandelson and Epstein

    New documents from the Epstein Files reveal a closer relationship between Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein. This episode investigates the nature of their relationship and whether it provided Epstein access to the British government.

  • Mismatch: Bumble vs the men’s rights activists

    This episode of The Slow Newscast explores how the dating app Bumble, which was built on the premise of women making the first move, faced a legal campaign by men’s rights activists that challenged its core identity. The episode also inclu…

  • Russia's shadow war at sea

    This episode of The Slow Newscast investigates how numerous oil tankers are reportedly involved in financing Russia's war in Ukraine by trading sanctioned oil and sabotaging infrastructure. The episode explores the challenges faced by auth…

  • The God complex: Part 2

    In this episode, Rachel hears the story of “Patient A” and how sexual misconduct cases are handled in healthcare. The testimony raises questions, and victims call for change.

  • Archive: Peltz-Beckham: A super-wedding gone wrong

    This episode of The Slow Newscast examines the events surrounding Brooklyn Beckham's wedding to Nicola Peltz, which led to a lawsuit and exposed family tensions. It explores the implications of treating a wedding as a business deal.

  • The God complex: Part 1

    This episode of The Slow Newscast, "The God complex: Part 1," investigates the case of a transplant surgeon accused of sexual harassment who was not struck off the medical register. Reporter Rachel Sylvester uncovers that this incident is…

  • Introducing the new host of the Slow Newscast

    The Slow Newscast announces Investigations Editor Alexi Mostrous as its new host. He encourages listeners to share feedback and suggestions for future stories.

  • The Walkers: The real Salt Path

    This episode of The Slow Newscast investigates the origins of a global blockbuster story, stemming from an alleged theft in a small town in North Wales. It highlights how a local incident can evolve into a widely recognized narrative.

  • Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene: The MAGA divorce

    This episode of The Slow Newscast discusses Donald Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene. It examines their reported split and potential wider divisions within the MAGA movement following the attack on Venezuela.

  • Sycamore Gap: felling of a tree

    This episode of The Slow Newscast examines the 2025 trial concerning the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree. Andrew Hankinson explores the identities and potential motivations of the accused men involved in the incident.

  • A reckoning at the Guildhall School of Music

    The Guildhall School of Music is again confronted with its past as a second former student alleges abuse by staff in the 1990s. This episode explores how the institution is responding to these historical claims.

  • Archive: Beastly: The stories of David Walliams

    David Walliams has been dropped by his publisher due to alleged inappropriate behavior. This episode revisits the claims against him, his denial, and past controversies surrounding his work, including "Little Britain" and his children's bo…

  • Killing time: Part 2

    This episode of The Slow Newscast, "Killing time: Part 2", features reporter Hilary Andersson as she covers an execution by lethal injection in Oklahoma. The episode focuses on the case of Tremane Wood, who has been on death row for over t…

  • Killing time: Part 1

    Reporter Hilary Andersson was selected to witness an execution by lethal injection in Oklahoma. She investigated the case of Tremane Wood, who had spent more than two decades on death row.

  • My boy Gianni: Infantino and Trump

    This episode of The Slow Newscast examines the evolving relationship between Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump prior to the 2026 World Cup. It raises questions about Infantino's priorities and commitment to the sport.

  • Inside the Treasury

    This episode of The Slow Newscast examines the Chancellor's budget, viewed as an exercise in political survival. It details how Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves engaged with the radical budget.

  • What's Left?

    This episode of The Slow Newscast explores the new political party announced by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, and why it was overtaken by another rival on the left. It investigates what happened during a summer of disarray for the party.

  • Deep Water

    Travel writer Lydia Gard investigates rumors of doping in freediving, a sport she discovered three years ago. She explores the darker side of the sport, characterized by diving as deep as possible on a single breath.

  • William: The reluctant prince

    This episode of The Slow Newscast examines Prince William's role as a future monarch, considering the challenges faced by the Royal family. It explores the purpose and potential for survival of the monarchy.

  • Epping: A very English uprising

    This episode of The Slow Newscast investigates mass protests in Epping, a town on the outskirts of London. It examines the events that unfolded and discusses what they reveal about the direction of the political right in Britain.

  • Among the settlers on Gaza's border

    This episode of The Slow Newscast focuses on Israeli settlers located just outside Gaza. It explores their movement and potential influence within Israel's cabinet regarding a future peace plan for Gaza.

  • Trolled: Brigitte Macron

    This episode of The Slow Newscast discusses French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron taking American commentator Candace Owens to court. The legal action is in response to claims that Brigitte Macron is transgender a…

  • The shakedown: Donald Trump vs the media

    This episode examines Donald Trump's strategy against major media organizations, involving four lawsuits seeking up to $15 billion in damages. Reporter Giles Whittell explores the background and key figures behind this ongoing conflict wit…

  • Gaza's Deadly Aid

    This episode of The Slow Newscast examines the circumstances surrounding the deaths of almost 900 Palestinians near aid checkpoints since May. Reporter Ruth Michaelson investigates what has occurred at these locations.

  • An uncivil war inside Unite

    This episode of The Slow Newscast examines ongoing internal friction within the trade union Unite, while also including an apology for previously omitting the union's perspective regarding its financial health and the delayed audit of its…

  • Introducing ... We Have Notes

    Liv Little and Miranda Sawyer introduce their new podcast, We Have Notes, which offers weekly commentary on cultural topics ranging from reality TV and film to art and social media trends.

  • Contagion: RFK Jr’s war on public health

    This episode explores allegations that US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dismantled the Center for Disease Control. It examines the potential global implications for future pandemic preparedness.

  • The match: My sister and her new DNA

    This episode explores the experiences of a woman whose physical features changed after receiving a stem cell transplant from a stranger. Reporter Eva Wiseman investigates the impact of receiving new DNA through this medical procedure.

  • The immortality bros: the new frontiers of health

    This episode of The Slow Newscast examines the rise of experimental gene therapies, moving from a start-up in Honduras to discussions in the United States and within Capitol Hill.