Criminal gangs have turned Britain's waste system into a goldmine and transformed pockets of the countryside into toxic wastelands. But how do you hide an 11,000 tonne illegal dump in plain sight? Reporters: Jeevan Vasagar and Jonathan Lewis Producer: Jonathan Lewis Sound design: Dominic Delargy Artwork: Lucy Stevenson Executive producer: Matt Russell Editor: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 30, 2026•39 min•Season 1Ep. 416
Each year new temperature records are threatened to be broken. But the UK seems to respond not with innovative adaptation, but with shock. Why? Ada Barumé is joined by academic meteorologist Rob Thomson and Dimple Rana, who is the Heat Resilience Leader at Arup, to discuss how we got here and where we go next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 25, 2026•20 min•Season 1Ep. 415
Following Keir Starmer's resignation, Andy Burnham is now in prime position to become the UK's next prime minister. So what does he stand for? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 23, 2026•29 min•Season 1Ep. 414
This week we’re speaking to Frank Cottrell Boyce, the children’s laureate, who has spent two years visiting schools, libraries, and communities to discover what it means to grow up in Britain today. He’s written about it in a new book ‘A British Childhood: How our children live now’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 18, 2026•26 min•Season 1Ep. 413
Ordinary people are turning to illegally produced peptides in the hopes of a beauty quick fix. How are these shady black market drugs slipping through the regulatory gaps? Reporters: Stephen Armstrong and Madeleine Parr Producers: Madeleine Parr, Matt Russell and Amalie Sortland Sound Design: Dominic Delargy Artwork: Harmony Blaise Editor: Jasper Corbett Clips: ITV News, Channel 4 News, 5 News, Loreal Elvive, Ozempic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 16, 2026•44 min•Season 1Ep. 412
A Sherpa was left for dead on Everest at the end of the climbing season. Stranded for almost a week thousands of metres up in extreme conditions, he survived. But his story is not a new story, and it raises questions about the mountaineering industry that has risen around the industry of summiting the world's most dangerous episodes. We've been here before, so can lessons be learned? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 11, 2026•52 min•Season 1Ep. 411
Children are being caught in a global grooming pandemic. This is the story of a mother whose daughter was one such victim. Reporter: Rachel Sylvester Producer: Matt Russell Illustrator: Sara Andreasson Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 09, 2026•34 min•Season 1Ep. 410
The death of student Henry Nowak has shocked the country and sparked riots in Southampton. Ada Barume is joined by the Observer’s Whitehall Editor Cat Neilan and Home Affairs Editor John Simpson to discuss the implications for the government, and the police. Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: Poppy Bullard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 04, 2026•22 min•Season 1Ep. 409
Senior executives of Swedish firm Lundin Oil stand accused of complicity in war crimes. The case against them took more than a decade to come to trial, and the trial was the longest in Swedish history. If they are found guilty it could change how the rich and powerful operate around the world, but will it deliver justice for the Sudanese victims of war? Reporter: Francisco Garcia Producer: Ada Barumé Executive Producer: Matt Russell Sound Design: Dominic Delargy Artwork: Lucy Stephenson Editor: ...
Jun 02, 2026•51 min•Season 1Ep. 408
Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark joins The Observer to reveal why he believes there is a chance we will see human-level AI by 2028. From how AI is already changing the job market to a historic meeting at the Vatican, he explains why we must prepare for a future where technology forces us to rethink what it means to be human. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 28, 2026•32 min•Season 1Ep. 407
Last year in the UK, a fifth of people arrested for terrorism offences were under 18. Counter-terrorism experts warn that outlawing social media for children is a matter of national security. So what are children really watching online? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 26, 2026•39 min•Season 1Ep. 406
With a leadership election on the horizon, there are discussions among the backbenches about how potential contenders might look to reshape and re-energise the UK's growth. The Observer's political editor Rachel Sylvester speaks with economics editor Ben Zaranko about what the various approaches might look like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 21, 2026•24 min•Season 1Ep. 405
For decades, doping has hid in the shadows of elite sports. Now, for the first time, it’s out in the open. The Enhanced Games promises a new era of ‘superhumanity’ – is this the future of sport? Reporters: Jeremy Whittle and Chris Marshall-Bell Producer: Jonathan Lewis Artwork: Blythe Walker Sibthorp Sound Design: Dominic Delargy Executive Producer: Matt Russell Editor: Jasper Corbett Clips: ABC News, Enhanced Games, Josh Brett, Daily Mail Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...
May 19, 2026•48 min•Season 1Ep. 404
It was recently revealed by The Guardian that before he stood to be an MP in 2024, Nigel Farage received a £5 million gift from billionaire Christopher Harborne. But is there anything wrong with that? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 14, 2026•22 min•Season 1Ep. 403
Blake Lively’s legal action against Justin Baldoni was settled just two weeks before it was due to go to trial. But the legal documents filed by both sides reveal something darker than a celebrity feud; a new troubling PR playbook. Reporting: Stephen Armstrong and Casey Magloire. Producers: Casey Magloire and Katie Gunning. Sound design: Dominic Delargy Artwork: Lucy Stevenson Editor: Jasper Corbett Clips credits; ITV news Vogue New York Times Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...
May 12, 2026•35 min•Season 1Ep. 402
The elections look set to create ominous headlines for Labour. In the locals they could see massive losses across the country. But in Wales and Scotland voters go to the polls to determine who will run the Senedd and Holyrood. It means the results might not just determine Keir Starmer’s future, but the future of the United Kingdom. Observer editor-in-chief James Harding sits down with political editor Rachel Sylvester to unpack what the elections could mean for Keir Starmer, Labour and the Unite...
May 07, 2026•26 min•Season 1Ep. 401
Novak Djokovic has long been Serbia’s most successful athlete, and perhaps most famous citizen. But as political conflicts such as youth protests have fractured the country, the tennis superstar has found himself on the outside of a regime and a country who once heralded him. Reporters: Francisco Garcia and Camilla Bell - Davies Producer: Madeleine Parr Artwork: Harmony Closs Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett Clip Credits: Tennis Channel, The Telegraph Hosted on Acast. See aca...
May 05, 2026•42 min•Season 1Ep. 400
Alexi is joined by the Observer's national news editor, Claudia Williams to discuss the case of Tarryn Baird. Last week, her husband, Christopher Trybus was cleared of driving her to kill herself. Where does a grieving mother who spent 10 years searching for answers go from here? Host: Alexi Mostrous Guest: Claudia Williams Producer: Ada Barumé Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 30, 2026•23 min•Season 1Ep. 399
In 1988, a painting by Lucian Freud of his one-time friend Francis Bacon was stolen from a Berlin art gallery. It’s now worth £20 million. This week, Steve Smith goes in search of the lost art. Reporter: Steve Smith Producer: Ada Barumé Artwork: Blythe Walker Sibthorp Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 28, 2026•37 min•Season 1Ep. 398
This week, there’s one story dominating the headlines: the Peter Mandelson scandal and whether it spells the end for Keir Starmer’s troubled premiership. What does this episode tell us about Starmer himself and why has the Epstein scandal had so much political impact in the UK? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 22, 2026•22 min•Season 1Ep. 397
According to United States and Israel, there's 460 kilograms of enriched uranium that Iran are just ten days away from turning into weapons grade nuclear bomb material. The story of Iran's nuclear arms race is less clear than they make it appear though. It's a tale of espionage, assassinations, and a high-stakes game of bluff. Credits: Reporter - Chloe Hadjimatheou Producer - Matt Russell Sound Design - Dominic Delargy Artwork - Blythe Walker Sibthorp Editor - Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See...
Apr 21, 2026•35 min•Season 1Ep. 396
After sixteen years of rule in Hungary, Viktor Orbán has been voted out of office. But in that time, he’s built a deep-rooted network of soft power through think-tanks, universities and media organisations. As the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar seeks to assert his own identity and vision for Hungary, will Orbanism’s influence cause him problems? Slow Newscast Extra: Host: Ada Barumé Producer: Amalie Sortland Executive Producer: Matt Russell Illiberal land: Hungary’s empire of ideas Reporter: Da...
Apr 16, 2026•42 min•Season 1Ep. 395
Ceri Thomas revisits the appalling case of Peter Sullivan, jailed for 38 years for a murder he did not commit and offered no apology when finally released. Why does the court work so slowly? Why is it allowed to mark its own homework, and why is it so resistant to reform? Reporter: Ceri Thomas Producer: Katie Gunning Artwork: Lucy Stevenson Sound design: Dominic Delargy Editor: Matt Russell Subscribe to The Observer today: https://observer.co.uk/subscribe And get access to: Our podcasts before a...
Apr 14, 2026•32 min•Season 1Ep. 394
Meta and YouTube were found liable earlier this year in a social media addiction trial and ordered to pay out $6 million in damages. Could this be a blueprint for how to avoid history repeating itself with AI? Host: Alexi Mostrous Producer: Amalie Sortland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 09, 2026•29 min•Season 1Ep. 393
Last year, a YouTuber attempted to reach an uncontacted tribe on the remote island of North Sentinel, an area that is out of bounds for everyone else on the planet. His bid for content may have been audacious, and illegal, but it’s just the latest in a long line of misguided foreigners attempting to make contact. But do these individuals represent the greatest threat to the tribe? And what do we as a planet stand to lose if contact is made? Reporter: Xavier Greenwood Producer: Madeleine Parr Add...
Apr 07, 2026•34 min•Season 1Ep. 392
A businessman from Tunbridge Wells is accused of leading a double life. He’s secretly recorded planning a brutal attack with ice picks on behalf of the Chinese state. His story takes a dramatic turn with a high-stakes escape. To enjoy the Slow Newscast ad-free, subscribe to The Observer and use the code AUDIO50 to get 50% off your annual subscription. You’ll get access to: This series and all our podcasts before anyone else Ad-free listening Premium newsletters Puzzles from the inventors of the ...
Apr 02, 2026•33 min•Season 1Ep. 391
American citizens are recruited to carry out Beijing’s dirty work on home soil. A Florida correctional officer poses as an art dealer, exposing the murky world of transnational repression and China’s shadow war. This is part two 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. You’ll get access to: This series and all our podcasts before anyone else Ad-free lis...
Apr 01, 2026•21 min•Season 1Ep. 390
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. You’ll get access to:...
Mar 31, 2026•38 min•Season 1Ep. 389
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: Su...
Mar 26, 2026•22 min•Season 1Ep. 388
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: Subscr...
Mar 24, 2026•41 min•Season 1Ep. 387
