The Observer UKThe Observer recently published a major investigation into the bestselling memoir The Salt Path. In this special episode, Giles Whittell is joined by the journalist behind the story, Chloe Hadjimatheou, and her editor, Alexi Mostrous, to discuss how the investigation unfolded.
The Salt Path Controversy: Behind the scenes | The ObserverThe Observer UK2025-07-17 | The Observer recently published a major investigation into the bestselling memoir The Salt Path. In this special episode, Giles Whittell is joined by the journalist behind the story, Chloe Hadjimatheou, and her editor, Alexi Mostrous, to discuss how the investigation unfolded.
Producer: Poppy Bullard Executive Producer: Rebecca MooreFrom Prison to Painting: Meet the Professional Art Forger | The ObserverThe Observer UK2025-09-12 | David Henty is an established artist, with great skill and precision in his painting. However, what he's painting isn't his. What began as a hobby whilst in prison for producing fake passports, soon became a way of life and he now dubs himself as a professional art forger. He says the art world is inaccessible to nearly everyone and what he's doing is giving back by creating art people can afford, even though his paintings can fetch tens of thousands of pounds. He also says these artists aren't exactly making any more art, so he's giving the art a new lease of life.
Read more about David's life and work here:
Read more of our original journalism observer.co.ukThe climate science deniers at Reform conferenceThe Observer UK2025-09-06 | One of the main sponsors for an event at the Reform Party conference argues that man-made climate change is fake news and a delusion.
The Heartland Institute has compared people who believe in climate science to the serial bomber and terrorist, the Unabomber. The Observer’s Whitehall Editor, Cat Neilan asked people at the conference whether they accept that man-made climate change is real.
Read all of her coverage of the conference at our website or in this week’s paper.
Read more of our original journalism observer.co.ukThe Myth and Mystery of IndyKaila | The ObserverThe Observer UK2025-09-04 | Who is football whisperer, Indy Kaila?
What do transfer window influencers tell us about the growing power of digital natives and our relationship with the truth?
#premierleague #Indykaila #footballBehind the scenes of The War Game Podcast | The ObserverThe Observer UK2025-08-31 | Russia known our weaknesses. But do you?
A major five-part series from Sky News and Tortoise which imagines how a Russian attack on the UK could play out – and invites real-life former ministers, military chiefs and other experts to figure out how to defend the country.
Come behind the scenes to see how the podcast came to be.
#war #thewargame #podcast #behindthescenesThe Lab Detective | Tortoise InvestigatesThe Observer UK2025-08-30 | Kathleen Folbigg was convicted in 2003 of killing her four infant children and was labelled Australia’s worst female serial killer.
Their deaths were initially believed to be caused by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but after the fourth child died, suspicions were raised.
Now, after 20 years behind bars, Kathleen Folbigg has been exonerated through new technologies in genome sequencing that found critical mutations in her and her children’s genes that could explain their sudden deaths.
Scientist Carola Vinuesa and her team at the Francis Crick Institute spent years looking at Kathleen’s case, fighting for the truth. But this case is not the first of its kind, and won’t be the last.
From Tortoise Investigates, Observer reporter Rachel Sylvester looks at this remarkable case where science uncovered the truth, and looks into more cases where genetic information could reshape the law.
#kathleen #injustice #podcast #investigativejournalismThe News Meeting: Salt Path special | The ObserverThe Observer UK2025-08-29 | The Observer recently published a major investigation into the bestselling memoir The Salt Path.
In this special episode, Giles Whittell is joined by the journalist behind the story, Chloe Hadjimatheou, and her editor, Alexi Mostrous, to discuss how the investigation unfolded. #saltpath #scandal #podcast #booktokThe Myth and Mystery of IndyKaila | The ObserverThe Observer UK2025-08-29 | This summer has provided the one of the biggest internet football culture stories. On 6 August, the Athletic journalist David Ornstein – the game’s foremost transfer reporter – tweeted a link to a story suggesting Manchester United wanted to sign Brighton’s Carlos Baleba. A moment later, he added an appendix. It read: “After @indykaila.”
For 13 years the anonymous social media account has posted transfer gossip to the delight – and despair – of fans. Shrouded in mystery, his followers were never sure if the account was a spoof or not, however this summer Indy Kaila began posting rumours that turned out to be true. Where they just lucky guesses? Has Indy Kaila becoming a real football transfer journalist? Or do Indy Kaila's words affect the market?
Read the full article observer.co.uk/news/sport/article/mystery-of-indy-kaila-transfer-gossip-rumour-accountInside an aid drop above Gaza | The ObserverThe Observer UK2025-08-28 | More than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine, marked by widespread starvation, destitution and preventable deaths, according to an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis done this month. By the end of September, multiple organisations, including the WHO and UN, say that more than 640,000 people will face catastrophic levels of food insecurity across the Gaza strip.
The Observer reporter Oliver Marsden went along to an aid-drop over Gaza, delivering vital but no-where near enough aid from planes above. The quickest and easiest way to get aid into Gaza is via road, but that has become increasingly difficult due to blockages from Israel.
Read the full story here: observer.co.uk/news/international/article/despair-among-aid-flight-crews-as-airdrops-bring-only-meagre-relief-for-gazas-starvingInside an aid drop above Gaza #gaza #aid #newsThe Observer UK2025-08-27 | More than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine, marked by widespread starvation, destitution and preventable deaths, according to an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis done this month. By the end of September, multiple organisations, including the WHO and UN, say that more than 640,000 people will face catastrophic levels of food insecurity across the Gaza strip.
The Observer reporter Oliver Marsden went along to an aid-drop over Gaza, delivering vital but no-where near enough aid from planes above. The quickest and easiest way to get aid into Gaza is via road, but that has become increasingly difficult due to blockages from Israel.
It is still not clear precisely why Daejaun was attacked, though police believe he was “g-checked” – slang for being confronted as a suspected rival gang member – before being chased by two of the teenagers, while a third stood close by.
Eyewitnesses saw Daejaun try to flee before his assailants caught up with him. He was struck with a machete after a brief struggle. According to eyewitnesses, he shouted: “I’m 15, don’t let me die.”
Daejaun had been carrying his own knife, which he had thrown at his attackers. He was also found in possession of drugs and cash. At the end of last month, two of the teenagers, both of whom had several prior convictions for carrying knives, were convicted of manslaughter and murder respectively, while the third was acquitted of his murder.
Francisco Garcia went to meet her and hear about her fight for accountability and her hopes of change coming that might save others like her son.
Giles Whittell is joined by NPR's International Correspondent, Lauren Frayer. Plus the Observer's Serena Cesareo and Jessy Parker Humphreys, as they battle it out and pitch the top stories of the day.
Follow us on Social Media: - @ObserverUK on X - @theobserveruk on Instagram and TikTok - @the observeruk.bsky.social on bluesky
Producer: Casey Magloire Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett and Matt RussellShock and anger: the real people in The Salt Path | The ObserverThe Observer UK2025-08-13 | The Salt Path was marketed as an “unflinchingly honest” memoir but Chloe Hadjimatheou's reporting has revealed that the book contains many inaccuracies.
In this next installment of the investigation, we hear from people who appear in the book, whose stories don't match up with the one told by author Raynor Winn.
Australian couple Joanne & David Parsons share how their meeting with Raynor Winn and her husband Moth was moved by two years in the book with some key facts altered. In Cornwall, café owner Joanna and staff member Bonnie reveal why the dramatic scene set in their family-run café could never have happened, with details in the book that simply don't match reality.
Chloe examines these accounts alongside social media posts from the Winns’ own son that suggest even more discrepancies between the memoir and real life.
Featuring: - Deborah Haynes, Security and Defence Editor, Sky News - Professor Lucy Easthope, Co-founder, After Disaster Network - Dr Rob Johnson, Director of the Strategy, Statecraft, and Technology research centre, University of Oxford - Keir Giles, author and researcher on Russia
Join us in the newsroom or online for our future events - observer.co.uk/our-eventsThe Lab Detective | Tortoise InvestigatesThe Observer UK2025-07-22 | Kathleen Folbigg was convicted in 2003 of killing her four infant children and was labelled Australia’s worst female serial killer.
Their deaths were initially believed to be caused by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but after the fourth child died, suspicions were raised.
Now, after 20 years behind bars, Kathleen Folbigg has been exonerated through new technologies in genome sequencing that found critical mutations in her and her children’s genes that could explain their sudden deaths.
Scientist Carola Vinuesa and her team at the Francis Crick Institute spent years looking at Kathleen’s case, fighting for the truth.
But this case is not the first of its kind, and won’t be the last.
From Tortoise Investigates, Observer reporter Rachel Sylvester looks at this remarkable case where science uncovered the truth, and looks into more cases where genetic information could reshape the law.The Salt Path lies: how a blockbuster book was spun from deceit and desperation | The ObserverThe Observer UK2025-07-06 | Penniless and homeless, Raynor and Moth Winn found fame and fortune with The Salt Path: the “true” story of their 630-mile walk to salvation. It became a global bestseller, selling over 2 million copies, and in 2025 it was adapted into a major film.
It was a heartwarming story of perseverance and hope.
But we can reveal the couple’s tale of endurance was far from the truth.
Ros Hemmings, who was friends with the couple more than two decades ago, says that the story told in The Salt Path makes her ‘feel sick’. She knew them then by their real names – Sally and Tim Walker.
And the story she remembers is different from the one that’s been sold to the world.
Read the full investigation at observer.co.uk: bit.ly/3GtJXsy
Investigation by: Chloe Hadjimatheou Illustration: Observer Design with acknowledgements to Angela Harding / PenguinThe Lionesses Roar: Women, Football & EnglandThe Observer UK2025-07-04 | Join us in conversation with The Observer’s Football Correspondent Rory Smith, Sports Reporter Jessy Parker Humphreys and former Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham player Kate Longhurst to mark the eve of this year’s Women’s Euros.
As England prepares to defend their crown in a challenging group alongside Wales, France, and the Netherlands, we’ll trace the Lionesses’ rise from grassroots pioneers to global icons reshaping football’s landscape.
Be part of the conversation and see more of our unmissable ThinkIns at https://torto.se/3c5i5vmWhy do fans of Chris Brown continue to support him? | The ObserverThe Observer UK2025-06-19 | Chris Brown is no stranger to controversy – he’s due in UK court tomorrow for a hearing regarding his recent GBH arrest. Whilst on bail, he’s been allowed to embark on a tour across Europe. Even more shockingly, to sold out crowds.
Why, and how, does he continue to attract such loyal fans? We spoke to some of the attendees outside his recent concert in Manchester.Karen Hao on the empire of AIThe Observer UK2025-06-12 | Karen Hao, award-winning journalist and AI investigator joined us in The Observer newsroom in conversation with The Observer's tech reporter, Patricia Clarke. The pair talk about the changing AI landscape and Hao's eye-opening new book, Empire of AI: Inside the Reckless Race for Total Domination.
Be part of the conversation and see more of our unmissable ThinkIns at https://torto.se/3c5i5vmWhy We Should Care with Ed DaveyThe Observer UK2025-06-06 | Join us in conversation with Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and lifelong campaigner for carers, on his powerful new memoir, Why I Care: And why care matters.
Be part of the conversation and see more of our unmissable ThinkIns at https://torto.se/3c5i5vmDiet, Drugs and Dopamine: Should we be medicating social problems?The Observer UK2025-05-29 | Be part of the conversation and see more of our unmissable events at observer.co.uk/our-events
The Observer's Deputy Editor in Chief Giles Whittell is joined by three journalists all vying to pitch the top story of the weekend. They discuss youth mobility in a post-Brexit plan with Europe, proposed legislation to prevent spiking and how will Labour's immigration plan affect international students and higher education?
Guests: Rebecca Myers, The Observer's acting national news editor Katie Riley, The Observer's data and graphics editor Cat Neilan, The Observer's Whitehall editor
Producer: Casey Magloire Executive producers: Rebecca MooreThe Animal Sensemaker | Pygmy HippoThe Observer UK2025-04-18 | 🐢🐼🐸🦛 Episode 25 of the Animal Sensemaker is out now.
One animal, each week, to make sense of the world.
This week, we're meeting an animal who became a viral sensation in 2024 - the Pygmy Hippo.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts:
In partnership with @OntheEdge_orgMaking Sense of Minority Rule with Ash SarkarThe Observer UK2025-04-15 | We live under minority rule. But who is the ruling minority? Catch-up on our conversation with Ash Sarkar, political commentator and author.The Animal Sensemaker | The Harlequin Toad | Episode 24The Observer UK2025-04-11 | 🐢🐉🐼🐸 Episode 24 of the Animal Sensemaker is out now.
One animal, each week, to make sense of the world.
This week, we're meeting a tiny, colourful amphibian who takes their name from a comedy character in traditional pantomime - the Harlequin Toad.
In partnership with @OntheEdge_orgIntroducing... Hot Air | How does climate misinformation spread online?The Observer UK2025-04-08 | Introducing Hot Air, a publicly-available interactive database and visualisation tool highlighting the volume of online misinformation surrounding climate change.
Developed in partnership with C3DS at the University of Exeter and supported by Octopus Energy.
The tool tracks online climate misinformation, revealing the origins of stories such as:
🌍 Wind turbines being harmful to whales 🌎 Volcanic eruptions being responsible for temperature increases 🌏 Farmers forced to kill livestock to meet net zero targets
With assistance from the University of Exeter, our data team identified almost 300 individual actors who regularly post online about climate – in ways that range from scepticism to outright misinformation.
#shorts #climatechange #globalwarming #environment #climate #changeThe Animal Sensemaker | The Red Panda | Episode 23The Observer UK2025-04-04 | 🐢🐉🐒🐼 Episode 23 of the Animal Sensemaker is out now.
One animal, each week, to make sense of the world.
This week, we'll meet an intrepid explorer with a head for heights who enjoys their me-time and good cosy nap - the Red Panda.
In partnership with @OntheEdge_orgThe Animal Sensemaker | Western Hoolock Gibbon | Episode 22The Observer UK2025-03-28 | 🐢🐉🕊️🐒 Episode 22 of the Animal Sensemaker is out now.
One animal, each week, to make sense of the world.
This week, we’re taking inspiration from Southeast Asia’s very own rockstar – the Western Hoolock Gibbon.
In partnership with @OntheEdge_orgThe Animal Sensemaker | The Swift | Episode 21The Observer UK2025-03-21 | 🐢🐀🐉🕊️ Episode 21 of the Animal Sensemaker is out now..
One animal, each week, to make sense of the world.
This week, the ultimate commuters who spend most of their lives on the move – the Swift.
In partnership with @OntheEdge_orgThe Fight for Human Rights: In Conversation with Kenneth RothThe Observer UK2025-03-18 | Former long-time head of Human Rights Watch and author of “Righting Wrongs” Ken Roth joined us in the Tortoise newsroom. He talks through his impressive career travelling all around the world to fight cruelty and injustice, from the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, to confronting Russian War crimes in Ukraine and addressing China’s persecution of Uyghur Muslims.
Roth has challenged the most ruthless oppressors and persuaded leaders from around the globe to take a stand against their repressive counterparts – no matter the cost.
Be part of the conversation and see more of our unmissable ThinkIns at https://torto.se/3c5i5vmThe Animal Sensemaker | The Komodo Dragon | Episode 20The Observer UK2025-03-14 | 🐢🦒🐀🐉 Episode 20 of the Animal Sensemaker is out now.
One animal, each week, to make sense of the world.
This week, the world’s largest lizard – the Komodo Dragon.
In partnership with @OntheEdge_orgThe Animal Sensemaker | The Olm | Episode 19The Observer UK2025-03-07 | 🐢🦒🐻🐀 Episode 19 of the Animal Sensemaker is out now.
One animal, each week, to make sense of the world.
This week, an ancient creature found in Europe's caves – the Olm.
In partnership with @OntheEdge_orgThe Animal Sensemaker | The Wombat | Episode 18The Observer UK2025-02-28 | 🐢🦒🐳🐻 Episode 18 of the Animal Sensemaker is out now.
One animal, each week, to make sense of the world.
This week, nature's chunky little teddy bear with a secret weapon – the Wombat.
In partnership with @OntheEdge_orgThe Animal Sensemaker | The Dwarf Sperm Whale | Episode 17The Observer UK2025-02-21 | 🐢🐘🦒🐳 Episode 17 of the Animal Sensemaker is out now.
One animal, each week, to make sense of the world.
This week, what this timid yet crafty animal can teach us about escaping unwanted attention – the Dwarf Sperm Whale.
In partnership with @OntheEdge_orgHas MAGA changed US politics forever? | Listen to the News MeetingThe Observer UK2025-02-17 | "I think we're into a new form of politics."
Has MAGA changed US politics forever? CNN News Anchor & Correspondent Max Foster CNN joined us for the latest episode of the News Meeting. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
#shorts #news #maga #trump #musk #donaldtrump #elonmuskThe Animal Sensemaker | Giraffes and their dating habits | Episode 16The Observer UK2025-02-14 | 🐢🐋🐘🦒 Episode 16 of the Animal Sensemaker is out now.
One animal, each week, to make sense of the world.
This week, we’ll learn about some unique dating habits from the world's tallest land animals – Giraffes.
In partnership with @OntheEdge_orgWhy I regret my involvement in Capitol Hill riot – Ex-MAGA Granny speaks on Donald Trump U-turnThe Observer UK2025-02-13 | Pam Hemphill, known as “MAGA Granny”, took part in the January 6 insurrection on the Capitol in 2021. She was arrested and sentenced to a two months in jail, and since then she has renounced her support for President Trump and says she was caught up in lies and propaganda.
On the Slow Newscast, Pam spoke to Tortoise reporters Stephen Armstrong and Claudia Williams on what she thinks of the January 6 events now, and her regrets surrounding her involvement.
Listen to hear more to The Slow Newscast wherever you get your podcasts: lnk.to/dwVfJPThe Animal Sensemaker | The Asian Elephant | Episode 15The Observer UK2025-02-07 | 🐢🐋🦥🐘 Episode 15 of the Animal Sensemaker is out now.
One animal, each week, to make sense of the world.
This week, the creative ways India is encouraging people to live peacefully alongside the world’s second largest land mammal – the Asian elephant.
In partnership with @OntheEdge_orgJaz OHara and Gulwali Passarlay on life as a refugee | Kite Festival 2024The Observer UK2025-02-06 | Author and speaker Gulwali Passarlay shares his experience of fleeing from Afghanistan with refugee rights campaigner Jaz O’Hara at Kite Festival 2024, held in the iconic Abbey Road Studios.
For the past 10 years Jaz O’Hara has visited refugee camps across Europe and the Middle East in an endeavour to humanise and tell stories of refugees. Her podcast Asylum Speakers seeks to amplify voices and debunk some of the misconceptions around migration today.
Gulwali left Afghanistan in 2006 when he was just 12-years-old. After an extraordinary journey across eight different countries, he arrived in the UK a year later. He speaks of the realities of the ‘jungle’ in Calais and his fight to gain citizenship in the UK to seek asylum here.
One animal, each week, to make sense of the world.
This week, an animal committed to taking life in the slow lane – the pygmy three-toed sloth.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https:
In partnership with @OntheEdge_orgLong stories short – Listen the latest episode of the News MeetingThe Observer UK2025-01-30 | How much is tech guru Bryan Johnson willing to put his 19-year-old son through in his quest to avoid dying?
Why 33% of surveyed Gen Z-ers say they prefer the army to run the country?
What happens to the West Bank during a Trump administration?
In the latest episode of the News Meeting, Basia Cummings is joined by scientist and broadcaster Adam Rutherford, plus Tortoise’s Cat Neilan and Stephen Armstrong, as they battle to pitch the top story.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
#shorts #podcast #newspodcast #news #journalismDavid Nicholls on modern love and One Day | Kite Festival 2024The Observer UK2025-01-27 | Novelist and screenwriter David Nicholls joined us at Kite Festival 2024, held in the iconic Abbey Road Studios.
David talks through the Netflix adaptation of his best-selling book ‘One Day’ and why he thinks audiences are still so attracted to Emma and Dexter’s love story.