The Slow Newscast
The Observer
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 contentHead to our website observer.co.uk Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalistsIf 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 hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 9, 2021 • 41min
The super divorce
London's courts play host to some of the world's most high-profile divorces. In the sorry case of Akhmedov vs Akhmedova, a family feud turned into a costly game of hide and seek... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 2, 2021 • 46min
A place for Elliott
This is a story about a boy called Elliott – trapped in time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 25, 2021 • 51min
Retreat from Kabul – Part 1
Over a handful of chaotic days this summer, Western forces withdrew from Afghanistan. The legacy of the decision to leave after 20 years has been wretched for many Afghan people, and a brutal lesson for the UK. In this two-part Slow Newscast, Matthew d'Ancona charts events as they unfolded. Part 1: As the Taliban closed in on Kabul, Britain found itself frozen out of decision making and incapable of influencing events. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 25, 2021 • 49min
Retreat from Kabul – Part 2
In Kabul, the Taliban’s takeover was assured. In London, an ignominious retreat, and the betrayal of former comrades in the Afghan army, was more than a group of ex-soldiers, now MPs, could stomach... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 18, 2021 • 46min
Who is REvil?
Who are the people behind a spate of multi-million dollar ransomware attacks on financial institutions, schools and hospitals? When Nicky Woolf began to investigate the highest-profile ransomware outfit, REvil, it was almost completely hidden from view. But then... the cyber-police started to uncover its secrets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 11, 2021 • 41min
Nazanin: trapped in Whitehall
Since 2016, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been held hostage in Iran. Ceri Thomas investigates how a long-forgotten debt could be the real reason behind her incarceration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 4, 2021 • 42min
Shamsa, the forgotten princess
The reputation of Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai has been tarnished beyond repair by the way he treated his wife Haya and daughter Latifa. At least we know about what they went through. There's another daughter - Shamsa - who was the first to try to escape the Sheikh's clutches. She, and her story, have almost vanished. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 28, 2021 • 32min
Introducing: Sweet Bobby
Kirat Hukurat Kur Asi, a local radio presenter, shares her chilling experience with a man named Bobby, revealing an epic scam that entangled her for a decade. They discuss how a single moment can change life's trajectory, reminiscent of 'Sliding Doors'. Kirat dives into the complexities of online relationships, detailing the manipulation masked by Bobby's charm. The narrative unearths a twisty tale of betrayal and mystery surrounding Bobby's sudden death, all while foreshadowing an investigation into the web of deception that ensnared them both.
Oct 21, 2021 • 39min
True crime: the tragedy of Gabby Petito
When a young woman travelling across the US disappeared, an army of digital detectives and citizen journalists jumped on the case. When she was found murdered, they went into overdrive. In this week’s Slow Newscast, we examine a true crime story happening in real time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 14, 2021 • 41min
Havana Syndrome: the mystery illness spreading through America's embassies
It started with a high-pitched noise. Then, American diplomats started getting sick. Nausea, dizziness, confusion. Across the world, this strange syndrome is spreading. Is it an attack? A sophisticated weapon? In this episode, we investigate the mystery of the immaculate concussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
