
The Slow Newscast
The Slow Newscast from Tortoise 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 Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf 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 and explore, and to build a newsroom that is responsible and sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

May 21, 2024 • 52min
The Good Soldier: Killings and cover-up in Afghanistan
The podcast delves into serious allegations of war crimes committed by the British SAS in Afghanistan, including unlawful killings and cover-ups. It explores the challenges faced by soldiers in intense combat, the efforts to protect soldiers from false allegations, and the uncovering of suspicious SAS operations. The inquiry reveals alarming deletions and potential cover-ups by UK Special Forces headquarters, highlighting a battle for transparency amidst leadership failures and recognition of advocacy efforts for veterans.

May 14, 2024 • 44min
The Sacklers: Getting away with it
The Sackler family, billionaires from OxyContin, face legal battles amidst the opioid crisis. Podcast delves into legal troubles, lifestyle, personal stories of addiction, and the controversies surrounding Sackler deal and Mundi Pharma's opioid sales. It explores the urgent need for recovery and treatment initiatives.

Apr 30, 2024 • 52min
Panic in the Boardroom
A year ago the Confederation of British Industry was at the centre of a media storm and a crisis at the organisation quickly ensued. Members left in droves, dozens of staff lost their jobs, board members stepped down, and staff felt unsafe in the workplace. But what really happened? Barney Macintyre and Rebecca Moore investigate.To find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf 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.

Apr 23, 2024 • 34min
Brace, brace: Boeing's hard landing
Boeing once ruled the skies. Now they find themselves in the middle of a scandal, without public trust and their reputation in free-fall. This is the story of where it all went wrong.To find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf 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.

Apr 16, 2024 • 36min
Zaporizhzhia: Ukraine's nuclear front
In the early days of the invasion, Russia took over Europe's biggest nuclear power station. For two years, Zaporizhzhia's nuclear plant has been under Russian control, and while a nuclear crisis has so far been averted, the fighting has repeatedly threatened a catastrophic situation. The employees are overcoming the threat of torture to manage the plant's safety. This is the story of what happens when a nuclear power station becomes a pawn in a war.To find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf 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.

Apr 9, 2024 • 41min
Hong Kong's billionaire rebel
At his height Jimmy Lai was a newspaper owner and tycoon who loved to cause trouble. But he’s been behind bars for more than a thousand days with no end in sight. The Hong Kong authorities, assisted by Beijing, seem determined to silence him. Jimmy Lai is a British citizen. This is the story of one man’s efforts to take on the Chinese state.To find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalistsSubscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free contentBecome a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf 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.

8 snips
Apr 4, 2024 • 25min
Putin's murders: The full Stalin - episode 3
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, imprisoned in an Arctic labour camp, discusses Putin's crackdown on dissent and the mysterious deaths of his opponents. The podcast delves into Navalny's resilience, challenges, and defiance against Putin's regime, shedding light on the murky world of Kremlin politics.

8 snips
Apr 3, 2024 • 24min
Putin's murders: Follow the money - episode 2
Explore Putin's ruthless tactics in eliminating rivals like Alexei Navalny, with mysterious deaths marking his rule. Uncover the dark web of corruption, money laundering schemes, and assassination plots linked to Putin's inner circle. Delve into the dangers faced by those challenging authority in Putin's Russia, with murders near the Kremlin revealing the grim reality of power struggles.

Apr 2, 2024 • 24min
Putin's murders: A culture of political murder - episode 1
The chilling culture of political murder in Russia is dissected, revealing how Vladimir Putin's rise was marked by fear and violence. The podcast uncovers the mysterious deaths of his opponents and the brutal regime silencing dissent. It dives into the 1999 apartment bombings that propelled Putin to power and his deep connections to organized crime and the KGB. The discussion highlights the ideological roots of political violence in Russia and the complex relationship between authoritarianism and domestic support.

Mar 26, 2024 • 47min
Dangerous games: Red Bull's killer PR
Explore Red Bull's controversial role in mainstreaming extreme sports, raising ethical concerns about safety and accountability. Delve into tragic fatalities in base jumping and skydiving, highlighting the lack of regulation. Discover the sponsorship dilemma in extreme sports, touching on the pressures faced by athletes to engage in risky behaviors for corporate sponsorships.
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