The Slow Newscast

When Peter Mandelson was sacked as the UK’s ambassador to the United States over his links with Jeffrey Epstein people wondered how he ever got appointed in the first place.Eventually Keir Starmer’s government was forced to publish more than a thousand pages of emails, messages and letters which reveal how Peter Mandelson was appointed, vetted and cleared to become the UK’s most influential diplomat.What emerges from those documents, is a story about who wields power in Britain today, how it works and how we conduct our politics.The Observer’s Ada Barumé tells the story of a political farce that begins with the appointment of Peter Mandelson and ends with the resignation of Keir Starmer.All four episodes are now available to listen to for subscribers to the Observer.

On Thursday 30th July, an avalanche hit the world's twelfth highest mountain. Ten experienced climbers were caught by it, among them one of the world's most famous and experienced mountaineers Nirmal Purja. Is the world of mountaineering becoming more dangerous?

When World Cup Winner Phil Vickery retired in 2010, he thought his toughest physical battles were behind him. Today, like hundreds of former players, he lives with memory loss and the looming threat of brain trauma – and he’s demanding answers. And across the world, more and more people are looking towards one man in particular.Reporters: Ben Coles and Jonathan LewisProducer: Jonathan LewisArtwork: Lucy StevensonSound design: Dominic DelargyExecutive producer: Jasper CorbettCredits: ITV, BBC, Dodge Woodall, ABC News

What are companies extracting British spring water, companies like Coca Cola and Nestle, paying for that water? The answer is extraordinary. And with the threat of nationalisation, what does the future hold for our water companies? In other words, what is our water worth?

How a mislaid phone led to a nightmare of fake reviews and claims of antisemitism. When Ali, a restaurateur, realised his mobile’s security had been breached and that random things were missing from his flat, he began to feel uneasy. Was he being targeted for his politics or his personal life? And more importantly, who could stop it?Credits:Reporter - Eva WisemanProducer - Matt RussellSound design - Dominic Delargy

In early 2025, Reform hosts a fundraiser at private member’s club Oswald’s. In attendance are many of the men whose deep pockets line the party’s accounts.Reporter - Cat NeilanSeries Reporter/Producer - Poppy BullardNarrative Producer - Matt RussellSound Design - Dominic DelargyArtwork - Blythe Walker SibthorpeProducer for Goalhanger - India DunkleyExecutive Producer for Goalhanger - Tom WhiterExecutive Producer for the Observer - Jasper CorbettClips: GB News, Xenia Tchoumi, Spears Magazine, Sky News Australia, Reform UK

In 2019, Nigel Farage leads the Brexit Party to victory in the European Elections. But there’s a mystery at the heart of the party’s accounts. Reporter - Cat NeilanSeries Reporter/Producer - Poppy BullardNarrative Producer - Matt RussellSound Design - Dominic DelargyArtwork - Blythe Walker SibthorpeProducer for Goalhanger - India DunkleyExecutive Producer for Goalhanger - Tom WhiterExecutive Producer for the Observer - Jasper CorbettClips: Reform UK, BBC, The Times, House of Commons

Another heartbreak for England in the World Cup, but does the tournament tell us anything about the nation's mentality? Rory Smith reveals the stories and moments that have stuck with him from six weeks on the road in America.

Ademola Adedeji was wrongfully identified as a gang member and jailed for conspiracy to commit GBH. This is the story of how a nine second clip from a rap video upended his life.Reporter: Ciaran TraceyProducer: Matt RussellArtwork: Lucy StevensonSound design: Dominic Delargy