Observe and Retort: the news you missed this week

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We bring you the week's best weird, obscure, or underreported news stories that have slipped under the radar but definitely deserved more attention. Observe & Retort releases every Monday.

Luna Stjerneby & David Nri


    • Jan 1, 1970 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 5m AVG DURATION
    • 50 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Observe and Retort: the news you missed this week

    Week 9: reptiles, rollerblades, & crimes against pizza

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 67:33


    This week Luna talks about how one woman’s faith in shape-shifting reptiles from outer space had severe consequences for her husband. David brings us the story of a new funky initiative that police in Karachi is rolling out. WWTFs includes a terrifying encounter with a brown snake, crochet kit-cocaine, and the your mum jokes three boys in California couldn't escape.

    Week 8: grinding nemo, inception reception, & an immaculate conception

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 55:14


    Week 8 brought us some fascinating news! Luna unpacks the new scientific breakthrough where scientists have communicated with lucid dreamers in real-time. David takes us to Germany where young conservative men are writing off "cuffing the carrot", "paddling the pink canoe", "celebrating palm Sunday"... You get the picture! WWTF is packed with instant classics such as, a woman impregnated by a "gust of wind ", a man who got into the most confusing and horrifying fight ever, and a story that debuts Luna's sex hotline voice. Enjoy!

    Week 7: citizenship, sperm, & a tooth in a blender

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 80:56


    This week David updates us on a new Danish law proposal that has us discussing, what does it mean to be Danish? And who will really benefits from putting Danishness into a box? Luna brings us the baffling case of a New Delhi man who's been court ordered to donate sperm to his estranged wife who can't be bothered to go get it elsewhere. This week's WWTFs present you with a man who turned his uncle's bones into a guitar, and a woman who turned her cheating boyfriend into a tasty treat. Enjoy!

    Week 6 of 2021: Avalanches, ice skating & injuries

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 55:47


    This week Luna brings the story of how the decades old mystery of the Dyatlov Pass Incident has been solved with the unexpected help of Disney's Frozen. We get all into the old mystery and the new science that has emerged. WWTFs serves up all kinds of fuckery, such as the Italian mafia has some feedback for the ambulance service. And David reveals new data on what the whitest injuries are.

    Week 53 of 2020: The news we missed this YEAR

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 78:49


    We all survived 2020! So this week we look back across the full year for the best news that didn't get the attention it deserved. David talks about the racism that doesn't get enough attention - the funny racism. Luna brings us a selection of scientific discoveries that went under our radar, and beautifully wraps up 2020 up with one disturbing Christmas threesome.

    Week 52: the greatest prank call in history, tweet murder, & bathroom raves.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 60:04


    In the final normal episode of 2020, David brings us the story of an unbelievable prank call from Russia. Luna talks about how one Japanese guy claimed to help suicidal people. David brings us some Christmas-related data about emergency surgery & the cherry on top is the story about a 12 year old kid who said fuck 2020 and threw a rave in the school toilets.

    Week 50 & 51: blocking puberty blockers, homophobic hypocrisy, & Hitler in Namibia

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 89:46


    This week David brings us a nonsense ruling affecting the future of British trans kids. Luna talks about the Hungarian anti-LGBTQ MEP who sure loves going to gay sex parties! Oh, and Adolf Hitler gets elected in Namibia.

    Week 49: flushing your career, Inuit blood, & old people fucking.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 61:38


    This week Luna brings you the story of a conservative woman who flushed her career down the toilet. David story sparks a discussion on racial identity. And we discuss the important matter of old people fucking.

    Week 48: a weekly wtf extravaganza

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 78:47


    This week is a real wtf extravaganza! We bring you stories of an alleged microwave weapon attack, runaway cadavers, a town that will punish you for walking your dog, and a meth-carrying biker who shoots himself before being hit by a car, AND MORE. It's a lot, people. So buckle up and go on this wild ride with us!

    Week 47: Pineapple becomes mayor, undercover clowns, & a helicopter heart hullabaloo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 75:00


    This week David brings us the fun story of Pineapple - the new of Rockhampton, Australia. Luna talks about the undercover cops clowning around Leeds. Finally in Weekly WTFs we have the heart transplant clusterfuck that beat the odds and an update on last week's art destruction story.

    Week 46: Danish king loses head, the worst job opportunity, and robot-wolf vs bear

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 60:45


    This week Luna talks about how a group of Danish artist activists has taken inspiration from protests around the world. David brings us the unbelievable story of how 400 Sudanese mall guards were given a slightly different assignment than they were promised. And we have a whale of a WWTF for you to round things off.

    Week 45: dog-meat saviours, charity traffickers, & the definition of 'full contact'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 65:33


    This week we talk about the rescuing of nearly 200 dogs in South Korea, and reflect upon our own meat-hypocrisy. Luna brings us the terrible duo who trafficked Albanian immigrants and took every penny they didn't have, and a bloody philosophy argument in Moscow that one Russian man apparently Kant handle.

    Week 44: Cannibal castration, German art attack and penguin baby drama.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 56:39


    This week Luna brings us scary scrotum news, and David zooms in on an art attack by a German nazi vegan chef. Animals are at the center of the WWTF this week, tune in to find out if you can eat penguin eggs - and follow us for more recipes!

    Week 42 & 43: #metoo reaches Denmark, woman ghosted by a ghost, & the Danish Elon Musk's prison escape.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 68:34


    This week's episode has a bit of everything. We take a deeper look into the intense wave of #metoo cases that have hit Denmark three years after the rest of the world realised sexual harassment was a problem. We take an incredibly shallow look into a woman getting ghosted by her ghost fiance, a police robbery squad that was confused about the assignment, and some cursed keepsakes from Pompeii.

    Week 41: a Russian Cinderella story, an Aussie-shit show, & Thai tripadvisor trouble

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 59:59


    This week we talk about the election result that even the winner didn't expect, why one man couldn't keep his job at a rural Australian mine, & how one Thai hotel struck back against a Karen's review.

    Week 40: birdwatchers get aggressive, pregnant woman vs shark, & 345,000 recycled condoms.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 52:55


    This week we discuss how birds have become embroiled in a 70 year old conflict, how far one pregnant woman went to save her husband, and how one business created a sustainable approach to used condoms.

    Week 39: death-by-selfie, ISIS snitches, and a floppy rebellion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 76:03


    This week we talk about life-changing selfies, how the new leader of ISIS may have a problem on his hands, and how environmental protesters have fought back against arrests.

    Week 38: dick destruction, lululemon's idiocy, & a return to Belarus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 73:05


    This week we discuss the new radical paedo-penalty in Nigeria, the irony of Lululemon selling anti-capitalist workshops, and the developments in Belarus.

    Week 37: living a black lie, Russian tourist activities, & it's raining weed

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 72:26


    This week we talk about a lot of things and we are pretty sure no one reads the description anyway. Win a prize if you get in contact and show us we are wrong.

    Week 36: Brazilian murder scandal, boy destroys a language, & Christians against dinosaurs.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 72:28


    This week, one celebrity politician, her 55 (yes, fifty-five) kids, and a murder are ingredients in an event so scandalous it has even shocked Brazil. We also discuss how one young man has "engaged in cultural vandalism on an unprecendented scale" & the Christians taking a stand against the dinosaur hoax.

    Week 35: an eye-opening autopsy & Danish Intelligence not so intelligent

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 56:09


    This week we talk about life after death for one woman in Detroit and the scandal at the top level of the Danish foreign intelligence service.

    Week 34: princesses, period leave, and guns pointed at penises

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 73:51


    This week we talk about the German princess who is trying to hide her racist past, whether a new time off for period pains is feminist or not, and how one man became a hero to a facebook group of activists who support 'irresponsible gun ownership'.

    Week 33: a runaway king, zombie insects, & arm-grown penises.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 67:46


    This week we talk about the corruption scandal that has forced the Spanish king into exile, sex-crazed zombie cicadas, how one man solved his penis problem, what to do when a bear attacks, & a new dating app for people who don't believe in corona.

    Week 32: students kidnapping themselves, Europe's 'last dictatorship' catches some spies, & junk food monkeys

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 61:46


    This week we discuss the scammers making Chinese students kidnap themselves, the unexpectedly hilarious way Belarus uncovered a secret network of foreign soldiers, & an overload of weekly what the fucks - junk food monkeys, chocolate lawsuits, champagne destruction, and a missing newborn in Uzbekistan.

    Week 31: a life or death movie recommendation, IKEA vs Poland, and the struggle to remain hopeful

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 61:29


    This week we give an update on racism. We also talk about a hostage-taker with a very specific demand, why the Polish government is suing IKEA, and the impossible challenge of finding positive news in 2020.

    Week 30: antisemitism in the black community, #freebritney, & Colombian cartels' public health initiatives

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 103:34


    This week we explore the racism that no one is talking about, Britney Spears' mental health & as always our weekly WTF competition with three absolutely wild stories.

    Week 29: seduction in Nepal, house fire heroes, & secret torture chambers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 55:49


    This week we bring you a tale of diplomatic intrigue from the Himalayas, the story of two brave heroes in an emergency, & an update on the activities of Europe's criminal networks. Follow us on Instagram @ObserveAndRetort to get updated when we release an episode & bonus material.

    Week 28: organised crime, penises & flights to nowhere.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 62:00


    This week we explore the biggest ever UK police operation against organised crime, how one man is using sculpture to fight back against municipal bureaucracy, and how Taiwanese airports are coping with the reduction of the travel business. Contact the hosts with your underreported stories for next week - @DavidNri on Twitter, @nocturnalunatic on Instagram.

    Trailer: Bringing you the news you missed this week

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 1:55


    A comedic podcast about the news stories that didn't make it to the front pages, but really should have.

    Week 5 of 2021: drug prison, dick prison, & squirrel contraception

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 73:21


    This week had everything! Luna dives into Vancouver's vote to decriminalize drugs. David brings us the story of a man whose penis prison got hacked! And the WWTFs is packed with hits such as An Orgasm to Die for, Squirrel Contraception, and Orange Overload. Enjoy!

    Week 4 of 2021: hedge fund horror, cock cupcakes, & exquisite dinosaur buttholes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 66:34


    This week, David tells us about about how a bunch of idiots on the internet turned the tables on billionaire hedge funds. Luna shares the story of how one chef got arrested for penis cupcakes in Egypt, and we get into some truly wild WWTFs that you do not want to miss.

    Week 3 of 2021: avian execution avoidance, the worst job offer, & feline soup

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 74:58


    This week Luna brings the story of Joe the Pigeon's death row pardon. David tells us about the elaborate scam of an Indian journalist who quit her job for a fake one. Prepare to exclaim "WTF!" when you hear about Azealia Banks cooking her dead cat, and the restaurant runaway who decided to swim from the bill. We also touch upon the worst trip of them all that left a man with mushrooms growing in his veins!

    Week 2 of 2021: willy waving, news shaming, & a dramatic potato

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 65:31


    This week David gets into the outrage around the Danish kids show John Dillermand. Luna shares the story of another Danish TV-host facing sexual assault allegation, and she has a good old rant about how Danish society is unbelieably behind in the #metoo debate. And our WWTFs bring you the story of one dramatic potato, angry squirrels, and a huge vagina on a hill!

    Week 1 of 2021: unique taxidermy, tunnels of infidelity, & Celine Dion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 50:54


    It’s the first week of 2021 and do we have some news for you! Luna takes us to Mexico where one man dug a tunnel from his house to his mistress’, something neither of their partners was a big fan of. David brings us the story of a man who decided to do something nice for himself and got his leg taxidermied. This year’s first WWTFs offer a drunken name change, a potential Jurrasic Park situation... and poopsicles. Enjoy!

    Week 28 of 2021: all things must end

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 73:23


    This week marks the one year anniversary of Observe and Retort, and we have decided that this will be our last episode. Bringing you news every week has been a lot of fun and we cannot express how much we have appriciated all the love from you, our wonderful listeners. In this final episode, we bring you updates on some of the most memorable news we brought to you this past year. WWTF includes a sadistic tooth fairy, a naked porn-making gun-shooting robber, and a woman who needed a snack-break from a police chase. We hope you enjoy the episode as much as we have enjoyed entertaining you.

    Week 27 of 2021: cop psychology, champagne diplomacy, & cocaine cacti

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 70:14


    This week Luna talks about a woman who wanted action but got gaslighted instead. David brings us one very bubbly story, and WWTF includes a cocaine-loving toy and a woman who got her house stolen. Enjoy!

    Week 26 of 2021: burning, breaches of trust, & betrayal from your own grandfather

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 71:25


    This week, David talks about the heartbreaking ongoing discoveries of graves of Canada's First Nation children. Luna talks about the Danish case of two awful officers (and one sausagelious defense lawyer), and WWTF includes an exorcism in the lumber aisle, a ‘Redneck Rave', and a man who's child is his uncle!?! You're gonna wanna listen to this one folks.

    Week 24 & 25 of 2021: football fraud, financial fraud, & defrauding death

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 68:01


    This fortnight Luna talks about one relentless soccer scammer brougt down by sex workers, and David brings us that sweet sweet cryptocurrency news. WWTFS are packed with wild headlines, but one whale of a story takes the prize.

    Week 22 & 23 of 2021: swingers, robots, & Uttar Pradesh

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 64:47


    This episode we discuss consent and kinks as David brings us the story about a Danish journalist who recently conducted an interview from an unusual position. Luna talks about a new survey that suggests that people are keen to switch out politicians with robots, and David wins the past two weeks' WWTF with an outrageous story from our favorite place, the Florida of India: Uttar Pradesh.

    Week 21 of 2021: slime crime quick-thinking time, the enchanted guitar, & pikachu's political power

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 39:16


    This week Luna talks about a bold 11-year-old who brought her almost-kidnapper down with slime, and David brings us the stories of three unconventional politicians who mixed things up. WWTF includes one big amputation fuck-up, tree farts, and a substitute suitor.

    Week 20 of 2021: power plants & potholes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 67:46


    This week David breaks down bitcoin and Luna takes us to New Zealand where one man's penis-campaign has sparked change. WWTF includes mindboggling breakthrough science, a cow with three eyes, and one chill cat.

    Week 19 of 2021: dungeons, dragons, & a dreadful air force

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 52:19


    This week Luna talks about a fucked up hazing ritual in France and David dishes on the AI dungeon game that took a very dark turn. WWTF includes stories about a shit-swinging Kid Rock-loving neo-nazi, a Chinese zoo letting loose, and a woman who just had NINE BABIES!

    Week 18, 2021: unbelievable discoveries, unsafe orbits, & explosive orgasms

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 59:18


    This week's episode is BONKERS! Luna talks about 21 tons of recklessness spinning around earth's orbit, and David shares some unbelievable discoveries about a forgotten empire. WWTFs include the shocking truth about one missionary's position in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Jerusalem, the most bomb sex toy, and a Russian trapped on a Chinese reality show for the past three months. Enjoy!

    Week 17 of 2021: Chad, clones & the cursed VHS

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 52:34


    This week David talks about the big presidential drama in Chad (the country). Luna talks about Russia's announcement that they will clone a 3000 year old very very dead army of Scythian warriors. WWTF has treats such as Battle of Josh, a 15 year sick day, and how Sabrina the Teenage Witch put a bad curse on one Nebraskan woman.

    Week 16 of 2021: league of their own, donut death, & the Krakow creature conundrum

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 63:38


    This week David fights a losing battle, and Luna brings us the story about a man who got buried in a creme doughnut. WWTF uncovers why Switzerland is burying underwear, and last - but not least - the tale of the mysterious creature that has terrified residents of Kraków the past week. Enjoy!

    Week 14 & 15 of 2021: billions to bust, military unmentionables, & a marriage miracle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 81:16


    This episode updates you on the wild things that've happened in week 14 and 15! Luna brings underwear news from Switzerland and a game changing CRISPR discovery, and David fills us in on the stonks-man who lost 20 billion in just two days! WWTFs is packed with unbelievable stories like the pastor who thinks his farts are healing people, and a mother who discovered her son is marrying her long lost daughter. This episode is off the rails, enjoy!

    Week 13 of 2021: step-boat I'm stuck, fake fake news, & lots of love

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 74:11


    It's week 13 and boy do we have news for you! Luna talks about the ship that pulled a real dick move, and David has a fake news update on a previous penis-cage story. The WWTFs are abundant this week, and they include a Florida mother who made some very bad choices involving a boxing glove, Meat Loaf's new dating show, and a new Danish mountainbike route that has disrupted a gay paradise. As a cherry on top, David has a wonderful AI surprise for you in the end that might be just what you need to elevate your dating game.

    Week 12 of 2021: French flatpack felonies, Spain shrinking struggles, & Denmark disappoints

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 77:16


    This week Luna talks about Spain's 4 day work-week initiative. David brings us the story of a French IKEA branch who was a bit too snoopy about their employees and ended up in court. WWTF includes an entitled 41 year old man-baby suing his parents, and a Floridian cyclist who dared to leap. Enjoy!

    Week 11 of 2021: the line in the sand, noodle nightmare, & cheerleading corruption

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 76:14


    This week David takes a deep-dive into the sci-fi city being built in the desert, and Luna brings us the story of a woman who absolutely can top your worst work seminar experience. WWTFs include racist diabetes, one cheerleader's biggest cheerleader goes too far, and the world's worst wannabe driver. Enjoy!

    Week 10 of 2021: executions, earthquakes, & erections.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 62:05


    This week David talks about how Japan's strict gun laws have resulted in the emergence of a new weapon trend, and Luna informs us that Iceland has been shaking for a week! WWTF brings you angry satan cats, an entitled crybaby cop, and a nine-day erection. Enjoy!

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