Humanitarian payloads from planes are costly and largely ineffective but they remain one of few ways to ease people’s suffering in Gaza.

Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland, with additional reporting by Oliver Marsden

Episode Photography: Oliver Marsden and Alex Jones

Executive producer: Rebecca Moore

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 

Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

If 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 [email protected]

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

More than 1.5 million people in the UK now use weight-loss injections like Mounjaro. But as official prices rise by as much as 140%, illegal trade is growing too.

Writer: James Tapper and Jessica Hayden

Producer: Amalie Sortland

Host: Tomini Babs

Episode photography: Alex Jones

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

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 

Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

If 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 [email protected]

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

Comedy game show Taskmaster is about to air its 20th UK series and has spawned versions all over the world. We discover its secrets.

Writer: Rachael Healy

Producer: Amalie Sortland

Host: Casey Magloire

Episode photography: Joe Mee

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

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 

Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

If 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 [email protected]

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

Computer chip company Nvidia’s revenue is soaring to record highs, but an MIT report found 95% of companies investing in generative AI haven’t made money from it.

Writer: Poppy Bullard

Producer: Poppy Bullard

Host: Claudia Williams

Episode photography: Joe Mee

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

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

A new wave of influencers are urging their followers to go outside in the hottest part of the day, skip SPF and even lie on towels that attract sunlight.

Writer: Ada Barumé

Producer: Ada Barumé

Host: Andrew Butler

Episode photography: Joe Mee

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

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

3D printing technology is used to re-construct the faces of injured Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.

Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland

Episode Photography: Joe Mee

Executive producer: Rebecca Moore

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 

Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

If 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 [email protected]

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

What does one transfer window influencers tell us about the growing power of digital natives and our relationship with the truth?  

Writer: Rory Smith

Producer: Casey Magloire

Host: Claudia Williams

Episode photography: Joe Mee

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore 

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

A High Court injunction, granted to Epping Forest District Council, will mean the end of asylum seekers being housed in a local hotel. 

Writer & Producer: Amalie Sortland with additional reporting from Xavier Greenwood

Episode Photography: Joe Mee

Executive producer: Rebecca Moore

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 

Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

If 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 [email protected]

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

Millions of Afghans who fled decades ago are now being returned from neighbouring Pakistan and Iran as part of one of the largest deportations in recent history.

Writer: Serena Cesareo

Producer: Serena Cesareo

Host: Tomini Babs

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore

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

One region in western Ukraine has become a key sticking point in President Trump’s attempts to bring the war to an end.

Writer: Casey Magloire

Producer: Casey Magloire

Host: Tomini Babs

Episode photography: Joe Mee

Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore 

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