The Slow Newscast - podcast cover

The Slow Newscast

The Observerobserver.co.uk

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.


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 

Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Eight years hard Labour: episode 3 - Oh Jeremy Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn faces an unexpected general election, called by Theresa May. Against the odds Labour does better than expected, although it’s still not the biggest party in Westminster. But Jeremy Corbyn’s star is undimmed. He is greeted with a rapturous reception on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. You can find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Be...

Jan 04, 202428 minSeason 1Ep. 246

Eight years hard Labour: episode 2 - The chicken coup

Murmurings of discontent grow among some Labour MPs. The blame the Brexit referendum result on Jeremy Corbyn’s half hearted campaigning efforts. They launch a dramatic attempt to get rid of him. Sir Keir Starmer has to decide who he’s going to back. You can find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's ...

Jan 03, 202439 minSeason 1Ep. 245

Eight years hard Labour: episode 1 - Jez we can

In 2015 Labour is back in opposition after another election defeat. The party needs a new leader. It chooses Jeremy Corbyn, a long serving left-wing MP who’s never run anything. He is the party’s most radical and unlikely leader in its history. The newly elected former Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Keir Starmer, takes a job under Corbyn as a shadow minister.  You can find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscr...

Jan 03, 202438 minSeason 1Ep. 244

Motherland

The story of motherhood is strangely absent from a lot of literature. After her own experience of childbirth, Catherine Nixey takes on millennia of canonical literature and asks: why the start of the story is never fully told? To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and ...

Jan 02, 202417 minSeason 1Ep. 243

The poet's window

Arifa Akbar lost her sister far too young. She died from a 19th century illness in a 21st century hospital. Arifa’s journey through grief takes her to Rome, Keats…and gentle words of reflection. To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch...

Dec 26, 202326 minSeason 1Ep. 242

Helen versus Sam: The battle for OpenAI

Former OpenAI board member Helen Toner calls herself an “effective altruist”. That philosophical movement fuelled the firing and rehiring of Sam Altman last month – and has tried to steer the future of AI to the tune of half a billion dollars. To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium aud...

Dec 19, 202338 minSeason 1Ep. 241

Assad: The rubble king

President Assad has won the war in Syria and to consolidate his power he’s demolishing opposition neighbourhoods in order to create a shiny new Syria - one in which dissent never existed. To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more If you want to get in touch with u...

Dec 12, 202341 minSeason 1Ep. 240

Unforgivable: Boris Johnson and Covid’s second wave

From the middle of Sep 2020 to the end of October, Boris Johnson’s government dithered and delayed the decision over a second national lockdown. This is the story of those 43 days, laid bare at the Covid Inquiry: a story of chaos. To find out more about Tortoise: Download the Tortoise app  - for a listening experience curated by our journalists Subscribe to Tortoise+  on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content Become a member  and get access to all of Tortoise's premiu...

Dec 04, 202351 minSeason 1Ep. 239

Eight years' hard Labour

This is the inside story of two revolutions in the Labour party in eight short years. From the takeover by the far left under Jeremy Corbyn to the election of Keir Starmer who set about erasing all traces of his predecessor.  To listen to the full series subscribe to the feed. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.  For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to furt...

Nov 28, 202338 minSeason 1Ep. 238

Walter's War: An English gentleman

To listen to the full series subscribe to the Tortoise Investigates feed. It’s London, 2012. Oliver is a dashing diplomat. Charlie is a young graduate trying to find her feet in the world. They meet online and she falls in love. A few months into the relationship, and with his encouragement, Charlie applies for a job in British intelligence. She's feeling optimistic, the interview goes well. Then, she receives a text message that turns her life - and her relationship - upside down.  10 year...

Nov 21, 202332 minSeason 1Ep. 237

Sneakered: Adidas, Yeezy & Kanye

The deal between Kanye West and Adidas was no ordinary celebrity endorsement. Now under renewed scrutiny after West’s outrageous behaviour, how can one rapper’s departure cause such chaos at a multinational sportswear brand? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.  For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.  If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different...

Nov 14, 202342 minSeason 1Ep. 236

The lottery winner

Paul Caruana Galizia investigates how a lucrative contract to run the UK’s National Lottery was awarded to a company whose Czech billionaire owner retains links with Russia.  Note: Clive Efford MP referred to “a Gazprom owned oil storage unit in the Czech Republic”. It was in fact a “Gazprom owned gas storage unit”. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.  For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Ap...

Nov 07, 202346 minSeason 1Ep. 235

The shadow: Hamas's hidden commander

Mohammed Deif – thought to be the mastermind behind Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7th - hasn’t been seen for 20 years and no one’s even sure if he’s still alive. When the enemy is more of an idea than a person, who do you end up fighting?  For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.  For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.  If you’d like to further support slow journalism and ...

Oct 31, 202341 minSeason 1Ep. 234

Dr Anti-Vax: The fall

A British doctor sparks a global health panic about the safety of vaccines. But even though his work is discredited, he lights a fire that becomes the modern anti-vax movement. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.  For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.  If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Torto...

Oct 24, 202329 minSeason 1Ep. 233

Mr Right: Paul Marshall and the battle for The Telegraph

The Telegraph is for sale for the first time in a generation. The new owner will become one of the most influential people on the right in Britain. Who will win the race? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.  For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.  If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at...

Oct 17, 202332 minSeason 1Ep. 232

Killer mountain: Abandoned on K2

It’s been a dangerous year in the world of extreme mountaineering. Has the focus on record-breaking gone too far? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.  For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.  If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow u...

Oct 10, 202347 minSeason 1Ep. 231

Trump and Rudy: A bare-knuckle romance - episode 3

Twenty years ago, Rudy Giuliani was “America’s mayor”. Now he’s been indicted, along with Donald Trump, for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Will Rudy die in jail for The Don? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.  For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.  If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, ...

Oct 06, 202341 minSeason 1Ep. 230

Trump and Rudy: A bare-knuckle romance - episode 2

Twenty years ago, Rudy Giuliani was “America’s mayor”. Now he’s been indicted, along with Donald Trump, for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Will Rudy die in jail for The Don? For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.  If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign ...

Oct 05, 202330 minSeason 1Ep. 229

Trump and Rudy: A bare-knuckle romance - episode 1

Twenty years ago, Rudy Giuliani was “America’s mayor”. Now he’s been indicted, along with Donald Trump, for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Will Rudy die in jail for The Don? For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.  If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do consider donating to Tortoise at tortoisemedia.com/support-us. Your contributions allow us to investigate, campaign ...

Oct 02, 202339 minSeason 1Ep. 228

Blue light: one woman's story of policing on the frontline

For years, Claire McEnery was the most senior woman in the Lancashire police force. With that seniority came exposure to the best – and worst – of life, but also to the best and worst of the police.  For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.  For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.  If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, d...

Sep 26, 202335 minSeason 1Ep. 227

Introducing... Trendy

Welcome to Trendy, the new weekly show from Tortoise. Britain’s top pollster, Sir John Curtice, and former Downing Street advisor, Rachel Wolf, explore the key political, social and economic trends that help shape what voters think and what politicians do. Follow the feed here so you don't miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Sep 21, 20236 min

William and Murdoch: the prince and the press baron

Earlier this year, when the media went into a frenzy about the rift between the royal brothers and the publication of Harry's book Spare Paul Caruana Galizia started looking into a different aspect of the story. One that wasn't getting much attention: Prince Harry’s legal battles with the press. Then in April a new story emerged from that fight. It attracted a brief flurry of interest before seeming to drop out of sight. It was just a line in Prince Harry's court filings, but an extraordinary on...

Sep 19, 202331 minSeason 1Ep. 226

Boris’s Baroness: The mysterious rise of Charlotte Owen

From intern to baroness in seven years, Charlotte Owen’s entry to the House of Lords has left even friends scratching their heads in wonder. Her elevation might be hard to explain, but it tells us volumes about the way British democracy works.  For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app.  For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.  If you’d like to further support slow journalism and ...

Sep 12, 202337 minSeason 1Ep. 225

Attack of the Killer Whales

Humans think of themselves as the world’s apex predator. But what happens when another powerful carnivore threatens us in a place where they are the masters? Killer whales have been attacking - and sometimes sinking - sailboats off the coast of Spain and Portugal. This is the story of the changing relationship between humanity and the world’s biggest predator. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists,  download the free Tortoise audio app . For early an...

Sep 05, 202328 minSeason 1Ep. 224

Putin v Prigozhin: A story of mutiny and death

In late June, Yevgeny Prigozhin marched on Moscow with a small army of mercenaries. Exactly two months later, he was dead. This is the story of what really happened on the road to Moscow. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists,  download the free Tortoise audio app . For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom...

Aug 29, 202332 minSeason 1Ep. 223

Spotted: snooker’s fight against match fixing

In June a scandal erupted that threatened the future of snooker after ten elite players were banned for match fixing. It all starts in a small snooker hall in Sheffield, but ends on a journey through a several hundred billion dollar a year black market in south-east Asia. This is how snooker uncovered the biggest British match fixing scandal in over a decade. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists,  download the free Tortoise audio app . For early and...

Aug 22, 202336 minSeason 1Ep. 222

Sick river: saving the Brent

Cities are where the battle to save planet earth will be won and lost. But it is not the urban environment that matters, but our relationship with nature within it. What can the story of one dying river, plagued by sewage and indifference, and the campaign to save it, teach us about how to reconnect with and value nature? For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists,  download the free Tortoise audio app . For early and ad-free access, subscribe&n...

Aug 15, 202342 minSeason 1Ep. 221

Johnny Depp: the great uncancelling

In 2017 the MeToo movement swept through Hollywood. Some men, such as Harvey Weinstein, went to prison. Others who were accused of sexual misconduct and assault were ostracised and struggled to find parts in big movies. But six years on some of these same people are back on the red carpets. Is Hollywood trying to rewrite history?  For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists,  download the free Tortoise audio app . For early and ad-free access,&nb...

Aug 08, 202342 minSeason 1Ep. 220

The death of Kellie Sutton

 A family's six-year fight for a pioneering legal decision. Will an inquest jury conclude, for the first time, that a woman who took her own life was actually killed?  For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists,  download the free Tortoise audio app . For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to further support slow journalism and help us build a different kind of newsroom, do ...

Jul 31, 202333 minSeason 1Ep. 219

Genocide hunters: on the trail of a mass murderer

For almost three decades, one of the world's most wanted men had stayed at large. Earlier this year, he was finally caught. This is the story of how a small band of genocide hunters caught him in a world riddled with secrets, espionage and a $5 million bounty. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists,  download the free Tortoise audio app . For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to furth...

Jul 25, 202340 minSeason 1Ep. 218
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