The Slow Newscast

Paolo Zampolli, the Italian modelling agent who introduced Donald Trump to his future wife, Melania, has gone from the 1990s fashion world to the very top of the Trump administration, joining the small circle of loyalists Trump likes to keep close to advance his brand and influence. It is a story about how power works at the White House and how the distinction between private interests and public office are increasingly blurred.Reporter: Stephen ArmstrongProducer: Jonathan Lewis and Amalie SortlandSound Design: Dominic DelargyArtwork: Emma O’NeillEditor: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a spate of paranormal sightings in 1970s London, debate raged over the existence of a vampire in Highgate Cemetery. Fifty years on, the legend has been taken on by a new generation, fuelled by the world’s longest-running online feudReporter: Francisco GarciaProducer: Poppy BullardSound Design: Dominic DelargyArtwork: Blythe Walker-SibthorpeEditor: Matt Russell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rupert Lowe is the MP for Great Yarmouth, and the leader of Restore Britain, a right-wing political party which launched in February this year. So, how did the leader of such a young, fringe party end up appearing as a guest on the world’s most popular podcast? And what does it tell us about how the far-right works? Reporter: Poppy BullardProducers: Amalie Sortland and Ada BarumeSound Design: Dominic DelargyArtwork: Lucy StevensonEditor: Matt Russell  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

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

Ordinary people are turning to illegally produced peptides in the hopes of a beauty quick fix. How are these shady black market drugs slipping through the regulatory gaps? Reporters: Stephen Armstrong and Madeleine ParrProducers: Madeleine Parr, Matt Russell and Amalie Sortland Sound Design: Dominic DelargyArtwork: Harmony BlaiseEditor: Jasper CorbettClips: ITV News, Channel 4 News, 5 News, Loreal Elvive, Ozempic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.