The Slow Newscast

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 GreenwoodProducer: Madeleine Parr Additional production: Ada BaruméArtwork: Blythe Walker SibthorpSound design: Dominic DelargyEditor: Matt RussellClip Credits: NBC News, News 10 and News9 LiveSubscribe to The Observer today: https://observer.co.uk/subscribe And get access to:Our podcasts before anyone elseA daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a weekPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordRecipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or onlineSubscribe today for just £1 for your first month.

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 elseAd-free listeningPremium newslettersPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordExclusive offers from our partnersTickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or onlineOr subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to listen to all our podcasts, including this one, without any ads.Reporters - Alexi Mostrous and Frankie VetchProducer - Jonathan LewisAdditional production - Amalie SortlandSound design - Dominic DelargyPodcast illustration - Shonagh RaeEditor - Jasper CorbettCredits - Voice of America, CBS

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 elseAd-free listeningPremium newslettersPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordExclusive offers from our partnersTickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or onlineOr subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to listen to all our podcasts, including this one, without any ads.Reporters - Alexi Mostrous and Frankie VetchProducer - Jonathan LewisAdditional production - Amalie SortlandSound design - Dominic DelargyPodcast illustration - Shonagh RaeEditor - Jasper CorbettCredits - CNBC

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:This series and all our podcasts before anyone elseAd-free listeningPremium newslettersPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordExclusive offers from our partnersTickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or onlineOr subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to listen to all our podcasts, including this one, without any ads.Reporters - Alexi Mostrous and Frankie VetchProducer - Jonathan LewisAdditional production - Amalie SortlandSound design - Dominic DelargyPodcast illustration - Shonagh RaeEditor - Jasper CorbettCredits - Channel 4, Sky News, ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC

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:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content. Head to our website observer.co.uk 

Foundling is a six-part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer. This is episode 1 - On the vergeJournalist 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:Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content. Head to our website observer.co.uk Credits: Reporter - Lucy GreenwellProducer - Katie GunningOriginal theme music - Tom KinsellaSound design and additional music - Rowan BishopPodcast artwork - Blythe Walker SibthorpNarrative editor - Gary Marshall Editor - Jasper Corbett

Last week, the New York Times ran an experiment that has far-reaching implications, especially for book lovers. It asked readers to compare five pairs of writing samples — one written by AI, the other by a well-known author — and choose which they preferred. AI was chosen much of the time. So, can AI actually write good literature? Book Prize judge Erica Wagner, The Observer's book editor Tom Gatti, and author Ada Barumé discuss.

America's war against Iran has revealed plenty of gunslinging, provocative rhetoric from the US defence secretary Pete Hegseth. But is there much to learn about America's aims in Iran from Trump's self-described 'secretary of war'?Reporter/Producer: Alexi Mostrous and Ada BaruméArtwork: Blythe Walker SibthorpSound design: Dominic DelargyEditor: Jasper Corbett

Genetic testing start ups are a booming industry in America. Behind the headlines of 'designer babies' are companies tapping into disputed science, facing accusations that this is a pathway to eugenics. So what does the story of one company in particular tell us about this new field of fertility and science?Reporters: Madeleine Parr and Matt RussellProducers: Madeleine Parr and Matt RussellAdditional production: Gary MarshallArtwork: Blythe Walker SibthorpSound design: Dominic DelargyEditor: Jasper CorbettSubscribe to The Observer today: https://observer.co.uk/subscribe And get access to:Our podcasts before anyone elseA daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a weekPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordRecipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or onlineClick here to subscribe today for just £1 for your first month.