The News Agents

This week on The Sports Agents,

Gabby & Mark asked former Chelsea talisman Frank Lampard for his thoughts on their current one - Cole Palmer - but is he the best player in the Premier League right now?

Plus, Sam Burgess was among our guests as we explored whether the only way to save Rugby was to reunite the two codes!

And after Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate questioned why he hadn't received the Player of the Match award last weekend, we explained how (and who) actually decides...

Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at thesportsagents@global.com

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

After eight years as North America Editor Jon returned home to the UK, but things weren't quite as he had left them.

In his book, Strangeland, Jon recounts what it was like in the US, looking back to the UK - and the strange feeling when he returned home to realise that either Britain had changed, or he had. Lewis sits down with Jon to discuss just how much the British political landscape has changed over the past 10 years.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

And you can grab your News Agents merch, including t-shirts, hoodies and water bottles at the link below.

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The Labour freebies story “broke“ over a month ago. Yet last night whilst Keir Starmer was meeting with Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels he found himself fielding questions about what free stuff he was handing back after agreeing to repay 6k.

Why is Labour being so weird about this? Does it tell us something more about labours naïveté? Or perhaps their unreadiness for government? Or is the media environment just a whole lot more complicated since they were last in power.

Later, new documents have been released overnight in the US claiming Trump “resorted to crime" in his attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Will this change the Supreme Court view that he’s “immune from prosecution?”

And lastly, the Chagos Islands - Where are they and what’s going on?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

And you can grab your News Agents merch, including t-shirts, hoodies and water bottles at the link below.

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Overnight nearly 180 missiles were targeted at Israel by Iran - revenge for the killing of Hizbollah leader, Nasrallah, last week. Western governments have offered their help to Israel - calling it an existential fight for survival. What will Israel do next? How long will their invasion of Lebanon go on? Is Russia involved and was the assassination of Nasrallah helped by an insider? All these questions...Luckily, Mark Urban is at hand.

Later in the show, the Tories are wrapping up their conference with a very different predicted outcome to the one many were expecting. Who's going to make it through to the members vote?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

And you can grab your News Agents merch, including t-shirts, hoodies and water bottles at the link below.

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Overnight Israeli began its ground war in Lebanon. They’re targeting Hezbollah but inevitably ordinary Lebanese citizens will pay a heavy price. Iran, which backs Hezbollah, has said it may strike Israel in retaliation. How should western leaders respond to this escalation? And how can it end? We speak to Shadow Foreign Secretary, Andrew Mitchell.

Later, have the Tories found their new Brexit? Why is Robert Jenrick promising that leaving the ECHR can solve immigration (it can’t)? And why aren’t they a little more scared this week when they reflect on the mountain they have to climb back to power?

Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The Royal Albert Hall on Sunday December 1st. Buy yours from Global Player at the link below.

https://app.af.globalplayer.com/Br0x/7ggnmqw4

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

And you can grab your News Agents merch, including t-shirts, hoodies and water bottles at the link below.

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The Tories suffered their worst electoral defeat for a hundred and fifty years in July. So why are they so upbeat this conference?

Today we introduce you to the four remaining candidates for party leader - frontrunner Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat - and ask the biggest question of all. Why does Liz Truss still believe she can save Western Civilization?

Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The Royal Albert Hall on Sunday December 1st. Buy yours from Global Player at the link below.

https://app.af.globalplayer.com/Br0x/7ggnmqw4

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

And you can grab your News Agents merch, including t-shirts, hoodies and water bottles at the link below.

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

This week on The Sports Agents,

We were joined by an array of brilliant guests to assess Anthony Joshua's shock defeat at Wembley and what's turning into a fierce rivalry between Arsenal and Man City.

Later in the week, what finally feels like the end of the Everton takeover saga was in sharp focus. Gabby & Mark wanted to find out who the prospective new owners - The Friedkin Group - really are and why they've become so unpopular in Rome?

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

What is your biggest journalistic regret? Should a Prime Minister's spouse get an allowance? And what does 'middle class' mean in America?

Thank you all for some BRILLIANT questions. The answers take us down some very strange alleys indeed...

Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The Royal Albert Hall on Sunday December 1st. Buy yours from Global Player at the link below.

https://app.af.globalplayer.com/Br0x/7ggnmqw4

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

And you can grab your News Agents merch, including t-shirts, hoodies and water bottles at the link below.

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Keir Starmer has tried to shake off further accusations that he's indulged in freebies from a Labour donor by pointing out how many in the media do it too. What does this row tell us about the relationship between politicians and the public purse, and the part the media plays in creating that sense of injustice? Are we happy to hunt down every penny gifted - albeit publicly declared - in the quest for 'cleaner politics'? Or will we just invite comparisons that ANYONE in public life is 'all the same'?

Later, Diane Abbot on the 2019 election, that row with Keir Starmer and whether Corbyn got too cosy with Putin's Russia.

Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The Royal Albert Hall on Sunday December 1st. Buy yours from Global Player at the link below.

https://app.af.globalplayer.com/Br0x/7ggnmqw4

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

And you can grab your News Agents merch, including t-shirts, hoodies and water bottles at the link below.

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

The Prime minister has arrived in New York and called on British citizens to evacuate Lebanon after Israeli missiles targetting Hezbollah left more than 550 dead in one day. Who are Hezbollah? Where did this war begin? We talk to the historian James Barr about the strange paramilitary army that is sewn into the society of Southern Lebanon.

Later, Labour lose their first conference vote over winter fuel - UNITE union are triumphant. And... stay with us to the end for a special guest appearance. NO SPOILERS!

Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The Royal Albert Hall on Sunday December 1st. Buy yours from Global Player at the link below.

https://app.af.globalplayer.com/Br0x/7ggnmqw4

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

And you can grab your News Agents merch, including t-shirts, hoodies and water bottles at the link below.

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Keir Starmer made an hour long speech with the one funny moment carefully tucked away 55 minutes in. It was the first conference speech from a Labour prime minister for 15 years, and the hall went wild for every mention of the victory they’d just witnessed. But after that? What was there? A promise from the Prime Minister to restore trust in politics again and make people see it as a force for good. Is the country in the mood to do that?

We talk to health secretary Wes Streeting and look at the wider context of today's speech.

Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The Royal Albert Hall on Sunday December 1st. Buy yours from Global Player at the link below.

https://app.af.globalplayer.com/Br0x/7ggnmqw4

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Rory Symon

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

And you can grab your News Agents merch, including t-shirts, hoodies and water bottles at the link below.

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

As protesters were wrangled off the conference floor, The Chancellor reminded her audience they were not a party of protest but a party of power. They’re now IN power. But Labour’s timetable has created a vacuum into which bad headlines have been allowed to dominate. Are these early teething problems or does it tell us something more structural about a lack of vision?

We talk to Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones, and Tom Baldwin, Starmer's biographer. And we hear from Gary Neville on Arsenal boxes and freebies.

Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The Royal Albert Hall on Sunday December 1st. Buy yours from Global Player at the link below.

https://app.af.globalplayer.com/Br0x/7ggnmqw4

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

And you can grab your News Agents merch, including t-shirts, hoodies and water bottles at the link below.

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

This week on The Sports Agents...

Ahead of the opening matchday of the new and extended Champions League, we were joined by UEFA vice secretary general Giorgio Marchetti and European Clubs Association CEO Charlie Marshall.

Theydiscussed the suggestion that players may need to strike over the ever-increasing number of games and why UEFA's recent letter to No.10 Downing St. was not a thinly-veiled threat to Keir Starmer's government and their plans to introduce an independent football watchdog. And responded to criticism that this new competition format is just a European Super League Mk II.

Later in the week, Gabby and Mark were joined by Olympic bronze medal boxer Lewis Richardson for an insight into what actually happens when an amateur decides to turn professional.

Plus, as the new WSL season kicks off, it's first-ever Chief Exec Nikki Doucetwas in our studio to talk about the big split from the FA this summer and the big challenges facing women's football.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Tickets are now on sale for The News Agents 'live on stage' at The Royal Albert Hall on Sunday December 1st. Buy yours from Global Player at the link below.

https://app.af.globalplayer.com/Br0x/7ggnmqw4

On today's show Jon asks whether we're edging closer to the end of the war in Ukraine. Two and a half years on from Russia's invasion, President Zelenskyy is confident he now has a plan for victory. But how realistic is this? What might a peace deal look like? And how will the outcome of the US Presidential election affect it?

To answer all these questions and more, Jon is joined in the studio by journalist and bestselling author Mark Urban, an expert in diplomacy and conflict.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

And you can grab your News Agents merch, including t-shirts, hoodies and water bottles at the link below.

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Just two months on from the landslide general election and Starmer is having to field questions about the 100k worth of freebies he's received since 2019 and why his chief of staff, Sue Gray, is being paid more than the PM.

The story it tells is of frantic briefing around the PM by disgruntled special advisors. Is this a problem he has to fix? Or can he ignore it? And can he withstand accusations of 'sleaze' after labelling the Tories with that for so long? We talk to the Starmer's chief of staff before Sue Gray - Sam White.

And Aggie Chambre, LBC's political correspondent reveals to us the new rules for MPs at Labour conference.

Tickets for The News Agents live on stage at The Royal Albert Hall go on sale Friday morning from 10am on global player.

https://articles.globalplayer.com/2GXq4afyiJDx1xqP7ZMiP9ZVkWQ

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The attacks on Hezbollah operatives were as audacious as they were incredible. Yesterday, targeting four thousand potential terrorists remotely through their pagers. And further attacks today using handheld radios.

But when the dust has settled, how will the world view this move? Was it justifiable? Or a breach of international law? What are the ethics of targeting so large a group? And was it a breach of Lebanese sovereignty?

Jon and Emily talk to former Newsnight defence editor Mark Urban, and Professor of International Law, Philippe Sands.

Tickets to see the News Agents Live on Stage at the Royal Albert Hall go on sale this Friday, September 20th. They will be available via Global Player at the link below.

https://articles.globalplayer.com/2GXq4afyiJDx1xqP7ZMiP9ZVkWQ

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Donald Trump has blamed Kamala Harris and Joe Biden's rhetoric for the latest assassination attempt, calling them 'Marxist communists'. So how is the rhetoric changing in American politics? And is political violence on the edge of tipping over again?

Later, Keir Starmer is cosying up to Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. And Jon asks about those donations for the Prime Minister's wife's clothes.

Tickets to see the News Agents Live on Stage at the Royal Albert Hall go on sale this Friday, September 20th. They will be available via Global Player at the link below.

https://articles.globalplayer.com/2GXq4afyiJDx1xqP7ZMiP9ZVkWQ

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

It's the second attempt on Donald Trump's life in just two months, once again calling into to question the security services and the state of gun violence in America. But will this change the course of the US elections?

And, why did JD Vance just admit to making up the story about immigrants eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

This week on The Sports Agents, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman are joined by former England rugby captain Will Carling to discuss the future of the game, Spencer Matthews pops by to chat about his successful challenge of running 30 marathons in 30 days and

Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides

Senior Producer: Adem Waterman

Video Producer: Sam Trudgill

Social Media Editor: Calum Scotland

Tom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast network

Vicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global 

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".

And, the Sports Agents now have merch!

It was the interview that shook the monarchy and saw the downfall of one of its most senior members.

A brand new drama based on that interview, titled “A Very Royal Scandal” is set to be released on Amazon next week, so Lewis sits down with Emily to talk about Prince Andrew, the shockwaves it triggered, and the new drama.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Two days after former president Donald Trump claimed immigrants are eating cats and dogs, and babies are being executed after birth, Jon and Lewis discuss how deep-rooted conspiracy theories have become in American politics.

They're joined in the studio by Gabriel Gatehouse, whose book 'The Coming Storm' delves deep into the world of conspiracy, to find out just how much it is dominating American political discourse.

So why is America so pre-disposed to conspiracy? How will it affect the election? And just how much is it tearing American society apart?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Donald Trump was either up early this morning or didnt go to bed at all after his encounter with Kamala. He appeared on Fox News as they were discussing last night's debate performance - and claimed that 'polls' had called him the winner by 80 percent. Does he really believe it went well? Will he be convinced to do another one in October? And whose mind will have been changed by the performance of either candidate.

There was no rowing back from the 'pet eating migrants' line. No softening on his stance on executed babies. But he took the news of Taylor Swift's endorsement of his opponent by predicting she would 'suffer for it in the marketplace'.

For the first time since July 5th all three News Agents are in the studio together to discuss the fall out. And ask what now for Labour after the cuts to winter fuel bill passed with only one rebellious MP.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The Presidential debate on Tuesday night was everything that team Harris were praying it would be. Trap after trap laid for Donald Trump which he appeared to walk into.

His areas of strength - the economy and immigration - didn’t really get off the ground. She baited him on his rallies and his racism. And he got very cross.

Moments after the debate ended the Democratic nominee won the support of arguably the most powerful woman alive - Taylor Swift. How will this shift the electoral race?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Rory Symon

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

You can also buy your very own News Agents merch at the link below...

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has told Lewis that the wishes of the parents of the babies murdered by Lucy Letby must be respected.

And yet - as the inquiry into the hospital culture surrounding those deaths opens in London today, we ask why so many people are refusing to believe the verdict delivered by a jury after a ten month trial.

Have we become too distrustful of our institutions? Or is it endemic to this particular case and context? Journalist David Aaronovitch joins us to discuss the growing internet conspiracies.

Later, the French rape trial that has confounded public opinion - the husband who admitted to drugging his own wife over the course of a decade to invite men to rape her.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The (brat) summer was Kamala's. The Democratic nominee had two months of rave press reviews and sell out crowds. And a convention that left many remarking that the energy and momentum of the race was with her. But two months out from the election - and two weeks before the first ACTUAL postal votes are cast - Harris and Trump are now neck and neck in key swing polls. What's going on there?

Later, winter fuel for pensioners. Was the cut to universal allowance a mistake? A sign of strength? Or of battles to come? - MPs vote tomorrow.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

This week on The Sports Agents,

Gabby & Mark were joined by former Chelsea F.C manager Emma Hayes to discuss her brand new book,  ‘A completely different game: My Leadership playbook’.

There was a half full Lord's in the cricket - why may that have been?

And the team digest how the new Manchester United exec board are getting on after their 3-0 loss to Liverpool.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

The News Agents comes to you live from Ed Davey’s back garden. This is not a euphemism. 

The Lib Dems are a big force in British politics once again, the most significant third party force in parliament for a century. Davey achieved this breakthrough by doing some very odd things including bungee jumping, paragliding and consistently falling into water.

After one of the most curious election campaigns in history, Lewis sits down with the Lib Dem leader, not long before the party’s annual conference.

They talk about what he was up to with all the stunts, what he wants to do with his party’s new clout in parliament and whether there’s even further to go: whether they could yet supplant the Conservatives as Britain’s second party.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Win a money-can’t-buy meet-and-greet with Jon, after enjoying a live podcast recording by pre-ordering a copy of his new book Strangeland here…https://www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-draw

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The first round of the Conservative leadership race has seen Priti Patel leave the race, and Robert Jenrick take poll position. Could he be the Conservatives next leader? And what kind of Tory is he? We talk to Tory watcher and author Ben Riley Smith from the Telegraph.

Later, is Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu in trouble? There is increasing desperation on the streets of Israel after the deaths of more hostages. The public mood has turned against the government and its ongoing war on Gaza. What happens now? We speak to the author and commentator Ayala Panievsky about how domestic politics is shaping Neyanyahu's military strategy.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Win a money-can’t-buy meet-and-greet with Jon, after enjoying a live podcast recording by pre-ordering a copy of his new book Strangeland here…https://www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-draw

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The tragedy at Grenfell seven long years ago was one that was entirely avoidable. That was the conclusion today of the inquiry, which stated baldly that those 72 deaths in a high rise fire in west London would not have happened without a culture of dishonesty, greed on the part of the construction companies, and denial by the government who knew the dangers of flammable cladding but did nothing.

What happens now for the families of the victims? Does this give closure? Or provoke rage? And will anyone face prosecution for the part they played?

Lewis and Emily take you back to the night it happened, and their reporting in the days and weeks afterwards - that interview with PM Theresa May - and ask what now for the hundreds of thousands of people who still live with the consequences of buildings that are deemed unsafe.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

Win a money-can’t-buy meet-and-greet with Jon, after enjoying a live podcast recording by pre-ordering a copy of his new book Strangeland here…www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-draw

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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Actor Michael Sheen joins us today to discuss his latest role playing a royal - Prince Andrew in Amazon's three part drama 'A Very Royal Scandal', based on the Newsnight interview Emily did with him in 2019.

He tells us what he privately decided about Prince Andrew's character before he accepted the part - and he tells us what he thinks of Keir Starmer's early days and what needs to needs to happen politically.

He also takes us back - metaphorically - to his home town Port Talbot - which has seen the docking of its final ship in the steel making business for which it was formerly famed.

There's also competition to win a special prize to come into the studio and watch the News Agents in person. All you need to do to enter is pre-order a copy of Jon's book from the link below.

https://www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-draw

Andy you can now buy your own News Agents merch in our online store

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Germany's hard right party the ADF have made astonishing gains in two regions of the country - the first time the hard right has seen substantial electoral gains since the Nazi era. What is propelling the rise? And what do the governing coalition parties do to combat them.

Later, we sit down with Nadhim Zahawi - former chancellor, and former child refugee to talk about his party's rhetoric on immigration. And why he owed the treasury 5 million pounds of unpaid tax.

Also, excitingly, there's a competition to win an special prize to come into the studio and watch the News Agents in person. All you need to do to enter is pre-order a copy of Jon's book from the link below.

https://www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-draw

Andy you can now buy your own News Agents merch in our online store

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

This Friday, Jon and Lewis answer your questions.

What's behind Biden and Obama's "complicated" relationship? Do members of the royal family vote? And which state will be the most interesting battle ground in the US election?

And, win a money-can’t-buy meet-and-greet with Jon, after enjoying a live podcast recording by pre-ordering a copy of his new book Strangeland here…www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-draw

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The disastrous "mini budget" of Liz Truss' short time in Downing Street will go down in history. But did she really consider stopping the NHS treating cancer patients in a bid to find the savings to clean up the fallout?

Jon and Lewis speak to political biographer, Sir Anthony Seldon, about the dramatic 49 days of the shortest serving British Prime Minister.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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Keir Starmer is in Berlin, this time for some real politics, not a football match. He’s meeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, unveiling a new UK/Germany defence agreement. Later he’s heading to Paris to meet President Macron. The new government is on a charm offensive, with much lofty talk of a reset of UK/EU relations post-Brexit. But is that really possible? How much is just vibes? Lewis and Jon analyse what has happened and crucially what has not happened, and are joined in News Agents HQ by German Ambassador Miguel Berger.

We also talk about whether there’s any truth that Mr Mandelson might be going to Washington and Jon is shilling for his book again. What fun.

To enter Jon’s competition head over to www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-draw to find out more

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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Keir Starmer has made his first major speech as Prime Minister and he had an uplifting message for the public: things can only get worse.

Jon and Lewis, firmly ensconced back in News Agents HQ analyse what the PM is up to and ask whether British politics can really sustain another project built on pessimism.

They also discuss rumoured changes of the Labour Party’s leadership rules (if that doesn’t make you click, what will?) and Oasis’ imminemt return to the stage.

Jon, predictably, swears from the start.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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This week on The Sports Agents...

Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton's new 31-year-old manager - the youngest in Premier League history - joined Gabby for an exclusive interview. He talks his meteoric rise, embracing the culture on England's South Coast, looking forward to coming up against Pep Guardiola and more.

Then on Thursday, with ITV's Mark Pougatch as our special guest host, we examined the Raheem Sterling situation at Chelsea and if their unusual recruitment strategy will ever actually work? Journalist Matt Hughes, applied sport finance expert Rob Wilson and the former Man City defender Nedum Onuoha joined in.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Kamala Harris pledged a "new way forward" for America as she formally accepted the Democratic party nomination for president at the DNC in Chicago.

She makes history as the first black and Asian-American woman to lead a party's presidential ticket.

But did the American people actually learn enough about Kamala and her politics last night? Will she need to do and say more if she's to beat Donald Trump in November's election? Or will simply being the "anti-Trump" candidate be enough?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Rory Symon

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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We’ve been on the road in Indiana, which isn’t far from the DNC in Chicago and yet feels so distant. Has Kamala Harris’ introduction to the nation reached heartland America? We find a state full of friendly people who have just stopped talking to each other, of not just competing politics, but parallel realities.

And back in the United Centre, the previously little known Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has made his keynote speech. Jon has all the reaction from the Democrat bigwig.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Rory Symon

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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The Obama's are back, and last night they enchanted the Democratic Party National Convention in Chicago.

They took the fight to Donald Trump. And they did it with glee. They were laughing in the face of the Republican nominee.

So how important will Barack and Michelle Obama be for Kamala Harris' campaign? Can they move the dial further in the Democrats favour and help ensure election victory in November?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Rory Symon

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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On Monday night Joe Biden made what was almost certainly his final speech as US President, and Lewis and Jon were in the hall at the Democratic National Convention to watch it all.

It was the speech Biden never wanted to make. But did it ensure a smooth handover of the baton to his VP Kamala Harris?

Later in the show we bring you a special report from outside the convention centre earlier on Monday where thousands protested against the US government's policy regarding the war in Israel and Gaza.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Rory Symon

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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Jon and Lewis are at the opening day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Joe Biden (he’s still president apparently) will be taking to the stage to give a farewell address to the Convention which should have been his.

The Dems are giddy at the passing of the torch - but is that euphoria justified? Has Kamala actually restored the Democrats’ chances? We take a look at the electoral map and what’s ahead on this big week in the American political calendar.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Rory Symon

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Jon and Lewis are live from Chicago on the eve of the Democratic Party national convention, as Kamala Harris prepares to address the nation as her party's presidential nominee.

Is she able to put to bed any lingering doubts that she's capable of defeating Donald Trump? Will the positive vibes around her campaign continue? And as tens of thousands of people are expected to protest outside the convention centre on Monday, can she unite the party over the war in Gaza.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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This week on The Sports Agents,

As we enjoy a brief post-Olympic break, we paused to reflect on an unforgettable summer of sport...

From England's run to the final of the Euros in Berlin, to all of Team GB's success in Paris and so much sporting drama in between - The Sports Agents have been there for all of it.

Plus, before leaving France, Gabby & Mark sat down to wade through all of your questions on everything from the rivalry between broadcasters, which sport they'd compete in at LA 2028 and how to stop a new Premier League season from casting a shadow over all the other sport we've fallen in love with at The Olympic Games.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

This Friday, we answer your most pressing questions...

Will Trump drop JD Vance as his VP before the election? Who are the serious Tory leadership candidates? And what products does Lewis use on his hair?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The News Agents look back on how Twitter has evolved since it has become X under Elon Musk and ask if it's time to leave what has become an often dangerous platform of misinformation and abuse.

And it's A Level results day, so Lewis puts Jon to the test.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng joins us at News Agents HQ for an exclusive interview.

He reflects on his disastrous time as chancellor under Liz Truss, and the mini-budget which sparked a market crash. He still bristles when asked to apologise for his role in it all.

He discusses the future of the Conservative Party as it searches for its new leader, the US Presidential election, and of course his thoughts on Liz Truss herself, describing her as an "unusual" woman.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Trump and Musk - it was a rambling conversation covering an extensive list of Trump's grievances. Will an endorsement from Elon Musk change the course of Trump's election campaign?

And, Lewis and Jon are joined by Madam Speaker Nancy Pelosi for an in depth conversation about the presidential race, social media and Liz Truss.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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Ukrainian forces have charged in to Russia in a surprise attack - how will this play out for President Zelensky?

And, as the Olympics come to an end in Paris we ask how successfully they reunited the county.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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As we bid 'au revoir' to the 2024 Paris Olympics, The Sports Agents round up the best of the big interviews from our final week inside Team GB House...

Gabby & Mark were joined by running sensation and 1500m silver medalist Josh Kerr, and the most decorated British gymnast in history, Max Whitlock.

Plus, renowned sports scientist, Professor Ross Tucker, to debunk and explain the controversy surrounding the two Olympic boxers at the heart of a gender row.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

After weeks of rising tension and violence across the country, we take a deep dive inside the mind of the far right.

Lewis speaks to a former friend of Tommy Robinson - the man who made him go viral. What made him turn his back on their ideology? And what is the future of the far right in the UK?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Last night, the UK braced for violence. But a defiant display of counter-protest won. Jon and Lewis ask what happened to the far right riots - and will there be more to come?

Later, Jon speaks to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who shares his experience as a prominent Muslim politician and his defiant stance in the face of racism.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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Kamala Harris has finally selected her running mate - Minnesota governor Tim Walz. So can the pair take on Trump and Vance?

And, with the UK military on standby to evacuate British citizens from Lebanon we speak to former British Ambassador to Lebanon, Tom Fletcher.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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As planned violence continues this week the Prime Minister has a new battle on his hands - and it's one of the most influential men on the planet. Elon Musk is trolling Kier Starmer. So, how do governments take on Big Tech?

Later, Jon speaks to Scotland's former First Minister Humza Yousaf who questions whether the UK is the right place to raise his family following the "horrendous violence".

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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A week on from the attack in Southport, cities across the UK are burning as disinformation spreads and far right groups gather to riot.

Lewis and Jon analyse Kier Starmer's response - how can the government get control of the situation? And how much is Elon Musk and social media to blame for the spread of the riots?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

After an unforgettable first week at the Paris Olympics,The Sports Agentsreturn to round up the big interviews from their first week in Paris...

Gold medal rowers Hannah Scott and Lola Anderson joined Gabby & Mark, in our Team GB House studio, to reflect on a nail-biting photo-finish win and wanting to shatter the traditional image of what a female athlete 'looks like'.

Sky Sports boxing commentator Andy Clarkewas on hand to try to explain GB boxing's disastrous Olympics so far and the bigger question which hangs over boxing's future as an Olympic sport at all.

Plus, synchronised divers Noah Williams and Scarlett Mew Jensen reveal what it's really like to hit the pool at speeds of over 30mph.

Search for The Sports Agents to listen to these interviews in full, plus so much more insight and reaction to the Games.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

This Friday we answer your questions.

Which upcoming elections will Jon and Emily be staying up to watch? Will Huw Edwards have to pay back his BBC salary? And could Kamala Harris serve three terms as President?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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Trump turned up at the national association of black journalists yesterday and they just laughed at him. He took questions from a panel and found himself saying Kamala Harris had “turned herself black“. Cue hoots of outraged derision. And a former president complaining about the “horrible“ questions. Is there any strategy here or is it all going a bit wrong ?

Later, should the English Defence League be a proscribed terror group or would that give too much credence to a bunch of thugs? We talk to the former head of counter terrorism about the impact of these knife edge decisions. And we hail the release of Wall street journalist Evan Gershkovich - held in a Russian cell on trumped up spying charges.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Last night police in Southport were pelted with bricks and rocks as hundreds of people gathered in protest outside a mosque - after disinformation about the suspect of the stabbing attack was spread online.

Today we talk about the power of ‘disinfluencers’ and the menace they create - for money, power or clicks - destabilizing vulnerable communities at a time of grief.

How should we deal with ‘shared’ misinformation? And what responsibility do our leaders have to make sure conspiracies aren’t spread through their words?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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We’ve spent the afternoon at the Treasury with the chancellor. How does she justify scrapping the cap on social care? Why is she wasting money by cancelling transport schemes we need ? And what are the taxes that ARE going up that she won’t rule out? We have the full interview.

Later, an exclusive look with Reeves around the bathroom that all the former chancellors have used. Spoiler alert - it’s a urinal…

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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The Tory leadership window has just closed and six MPs have thrown their names in. On one side of the party sits Tom Tugendhat and Mel Stride. On the other, Priti Patel, Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch. James Cleverly sits somewhere in the middle and Suella Braverman is now nowhere to be seen.

We talk to former Tory chairman, Lord Chris Patten, about the shape of his old party now. And ask Henry Hill - at Conservative Home - to read the tea leaves.

Later, the next in our thrilling 'US Presidential Election movies you might have missed' series. This one stars James Spader and John Cusack. Can you guess?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

All week long The Sports Agents have been building up to the start of The 2024 Paris Olympics...

London Mayor Sadiq Khan sat down with Gabby to reflect on the real legacy of London 2012, why he wants to bring the Games back to the capital and as more and more international sporting events come to the UK, if Premier League games will go the other way?

Earlier in the week, Andy Anson - British Olympic Association Chief Executive - explained what makes brand 'Team GB' so unique in world sport. And the former Olympian Jack Buckner, now head of UK Athletics, explained how the sport can evolve to protect its own future, despite a 'golden generation' of British athletes.

Got a question about the Olympics for Gabby & Mark - email (or send a voice-note) to us atthesportsagents@global.com

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Is it sexist to call Kamala by her first name? What happens to the election if Trump loses? Who’s the best president America never had? 

After a full on crazy week in America we answer your questions.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

It was an act of supreme selflessness. And one of utmost urgency. Joe Biden acknowledged both things in his speech to the nation last night confirming he wouldn’t seek re-election. His rhetoric was rousing. But his speech faltering. He confirmed for many why he had to go, and left questions as to what happens in this final stretch of his presidency.

Later, why are some Labour candidates accusing the Independent “pro Gaza“ MPs of running “toxic” electoral campaigns?

In response to our interview with Heather Iqbal, The Workers Party said:

"The Workers Party was closely associated with a number of Independent candidates who stood on a platform opposed to the genocide unfolding in Gaza. Our candidates and those with whom we were most closely associated polled a quarter of a million votes.

In Manchester our supporters were the victim of a hit and run attack in May, during the general election in Littleborough a female campaigner of ours was assaulted outside the polling station and in Birmingham masked men attacked our canvassers with machetes and bats in Sutton Coldfield. No other party receieved this sort of violent harassment. All cases are reported in local and national media if you Google them, and all were caught on CCTV."

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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Keir Starmer has faced down his first rebellion by removing the whip from 7 Labour rebels who voted with the SNP to end the cap on child benefits for families of more than two children.

Did Starmer overreact? Or does it look decisive? And is this really the policy he wants to hold out on? A decade old policy of Osborne austerity.

We speak directly to one of the rebels who lost the whip and ask what happens now.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can Yuce

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

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Kamala Harris raised a hundred million dollars in the day and a half since Joe Biden announced he wouldn't be standing for re-election.

She has now passed the delegate threshold to stand as the candidate - and as we record no one else has thrown their name into the ring.

Republicans are meanwhile having to accommodate the new reality of having the oldest candidate in the race.

Later, we look at the UK broadcasting landscape with Ofcom regulator Melanie Dawes. Does Ofcom have teeth? And will it use them?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Natalie Indge

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

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There is a dizziness to American politics right now - Vice President Kamal Harris raised 49 million dollars in the first twelve hours following Joe Biden's announcement that he would exit the race.

She spent ten hours hitting the phones to garner Democratic support and is insisting she must 'earn' the votes of the delegates. But is the race already sewn up? Or might other candidates throw their names in the mix? And how well do we really know the figure who could be America's first female president?

We talk to Ambassador Tony Gardner - a man right at the centre of the Democrats presidential campaigns, and to our leading historian Simon Schama - about the legacy Biden will leave and what this moment means for America.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

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Chaos reigns in the Democratic party. In a virtually unprecedented move President Joe Biden has stepped aside from the presidential race weeks before he was due to become the Democrats’ candidate at their national convention in Chicago.

Biden has endorsed his VP Kamala Harris. But is she assured of the crown?

In a hastily assembled emergency podcast Jon, Emily and Lewis discuss the implications for the Dems, the election and the rest of the world.

Editor: Tom Hughes

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This week on The Sports Agents, Gareth Southgate resigned following England's Euro 2024 final defeat, and the world's best golfers tee'd it up for the 152nd Open Championship...

The man who hired Gareth, former FA Managing Director Martin Glenn, joined Gabby & Mark for an insight into the process of finding his replacement and The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke joined us in the studio to help assess the leading candidates.

After Rory McIlroy defended his own caddie ahead of his first appearance at a major tournament since his US Open collapse, we were also joined by caddies Billy Foster(Matt Fitzpatrick) and Jeff Brighton(Colin Montgomerie)to find out more about the mind-blowing complexities of the role and how much difference a great one can really make.

Search for The Sports Agents to hear these episodes in full. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Lewis is joined in the studio by one of the most senior women in British political history, former Labour Deputy Prime Minister, Harriet Harman.

Two weeks into a new Labour government, she joins us for an extended conversation about her political life and journey, her memories of working alongside Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, and her advice to her successors in the party.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Natalie Indge

Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

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It feels like the walls are finally closing in on President Biden. His closest political allies, the leaders of the Democratic Party in Congress, are abandoning him.

Every interview he does poses more questions than it answers. How long can he fight on? Jon, Lewis and Emily discuss.

Talking of Emily - have you ever thought she might need to get her head examined? Kari Lake, the Republican candidate for Senate in Arizona, thinks so. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage thinks she has no friends.

Listen to both interviews to reveal all.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Natalie Indge

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

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Keir Starmer promised "national renewal" in today's King's Speech, where he outlined his policy plans for the next parliament.

So did we get our first glimpse of what Starmerism might look like? Is the state back? And do we now have the most interventionist government for decades?

Later in the show we return to Milwaukee and the Republican Party National convention. Emily is there speaking to senior party figures and asking where all the traditional Republicans have gone, as Trump and his acolytes take over the GOP.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Natalie Indge

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

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Emily is live from the Republican Party National Convention in Milwaukee, a room full of "cranks and weirdos", as we react to the news that Ohio Senator J.D Vance will be Trump's running mate in the 2024 Presidential election.

What does Vance stand for? Will he change the trajectory of the campaign? And is he even more Trump than Trump himself?

Later in the show we discuss two men who have resigned from their jobs today. Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething, and England manager Gareth Southgate.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Natalie Indge

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

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Emily is in Milwaukee for the Republican Party National Convention, just 36 hours after an assassination attempt on their Presidential candidate Donald Trump.

As both he and President Biden call for unity, we ask whether the shooting on Saturday will help both candidates. Is it an easier race now for Trump? Has it ensured a stay of execution for Joe Biden? And how long will this new-found unity last?

Later in the show, historian and journalist Nick Bryant joins the show to talk about American's violent and constant battle with itself.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Natalie Indge

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

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Hours after Presidential candidate Donald Trump was shot at a rally in Pennsylvania, Jon and Lewis take a look at how the assassination attempt will impact the election in November.

Will it strengthen Trump's campaign? And does it mean Joe Biden will now definitely stand against him?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

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This week on The Sports Agents,

We reflected on England's run to today's Euro 2024 final, Lewis Hamilton's record 9th British GP win and Novak Djokovic turning on the centre court crowd at Wimbledon.

But you asked us to find out what's going on at Manchester United, after it emerged that the Women's side would be moved to 'portacabins' in order to accommodate the men - so we were joined by a host of guests including the former Head of Women's football at United, Polly Bancroft, to investigate a growing sense that the club's new owners simply don't care about the Women's game.

With England v Spain on the brain and to mark two weeks until the start of the Olympics in Paris - a couple of TeamGB icons, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Iwan Thomas, joined us to talk about how to 'peak' at just the right time for a moment that may only come around once in an athlete's career.

Search for The Sports Agents to listen in full. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

A week on from a Labour landslide in the 2024 General Election, Lewis and Emily answer the questions that have been bugging you over the past seven days.

They're asked why Tories are giving speeches in America, whether Reform are now getting too much media attention, and when the next General Election be held. That and much more.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Natalie Indge

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

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Last night, the pressure on Joe Biden ramped up a notch - George Clooney called on the President not to stand in November, through a piece in the New York Times.

It's being reported today he ran the op-ed past Barack Obama - who didnt try and dissuade him.

Nancy Pelosi - arguably the Dem's most formidably woman -suggested Biden should 'make his decision...as time was running out'.

And two senators spelled out the words the White House was dreading - Biden will lose to Trump if he doesn't quit the race.

Will Biden reckon he can sit this one out until the media storm passes - or will the focus be unbearable until he chooses to go gracefully?

It's fifty-fifty right now - and the Republican Convention kicks off in Wisconsin this weekend - how will the Democrats start talking about something else?

Later, the new MPs sitting 'behaviour training ' courses - to remind them not to be rude/abusive/drunken in the commons - Aggie Chambré has the story.

And - will Mr. Brightside become the 2024 euros anthem after The Killers Killer moment? We discuss the football, feelgood factors and folklore.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Yuce

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

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PM Starmer has just arrived in Washington to meet President Biden for the first time.

Arguably at a time when Biden needs Starmer more than Starmer needs the US president.

He’s there to talk NATO - and our commitment to Ukraine. But questions about our own defence spending will pursue him.

We’ll talk to the shadow foreign secretary Andrew Mitchell about Sir Keir's first week and the Tories last (in government for now). What lessons are his own party gleaning from their election defeat?

And we reflect on billionaire brexiteer household appliance maker James Dyson’s fortunes as he fires a thousand people.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Yuce

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

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A tale of two thinktanks - you lucky things.

Jon has spent the day at the Tony Blair Institute and Emily has been with the Popular Conservatives (PopCons), Liz Truss' former parish.

After the worst result in their history, how does the Conservative party rebuild?

And what lessons are those on the right of the party taking away from Thursday night's defeat? Lewis talks to former party treasurer and donor, Lord Michael Spencer, about the direction for the party now.

Later, crunch time for Joe Biden - will his own party really seek to remove him before the week is done?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Yuce & Natalie Indge

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

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Last night the final exit polls of the French election were revealed to a collective stunned gasp.

The far-right RN party of Marine Le Pen - and Jordan Bardella - is in third place.

Macron's centrist grouping is in second place - but the dominant bloc emerging is a collective of radical left parties - with the controversial figurehead of Jean-Luc Melenchon at its helm. Macron's PM has stayed on -for now - as caretaker.

But there is a collective political fog over the shape of France’s next parliament. Has Macron's gamble paid off? Macron will argue he kept fascism at bay - but for how long?

Later, what will Labour's planning changes mean for young people trying to buy houses? Can it work?

And how does the Speaker of the house learn 334 brand new MP's names... by next week?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Yuce & Natalie Indge

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"

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Now that PM Sir Keir Starmer has assembled his first cabinet, the first Labour cabinet in 14 years - who are the people now running the country? What will they do?

Just hours after becoming the Official Opposition, the Tories turn to their next task - who will be their next leader? Contenders have already started to hit the airwaves.

And the second round in France as the far-right National Rally edge closer to parliamentary power.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind Badewal

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This week on The Sports Agents,

As the French public head to the polls on Sunday for the final round of voting in their own National Election, Gabby and Mark reflect on the significance of France's Euros campaign after Kylian Mbappeand co. urged young voters to resist the rise of the far-right.

Gabby & Mark caught up with French football writer Tom Williams and our own Jon Sopel to explore a complicated history between the country and it's men's national team.

And ahead of the British Grand Prix, McLaren's Lando Norris joined us in studio for a fascinating interview, just days after his Austria crash with friend and rival Max Verstappen.

In a wide-ranging interview he explains the speed of thought required to make split-second decisions while driving at speeds of over 200mph and what it would trade to win his home race!

Search for The Sports Agents to listen in full - Plus, more on Mark Cavendish' record-breaking Tour de France stage win & Cristiano Ronaldo's heart-rate during a penalty shoot-out.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Labour are the new government. Sir Keir Starmer is our new Prime Minister.

He's in Downing Street, and he's about to appoint his cabinet...what next?

Plus, we recap on the likes of Liz Truss losing her seat. Yes, LIZ TRUSS.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind Badewal

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Keir Starmer’s Labour has won a landslide.

Rishi Sunak’s Tories have had their worst defeat in history.

Beneath the bonnet of that is perhaps the weirdest election of the modern era.

Bleary-eyed and caffeine-fuelled after a night of live broadcasting Jon, Emily and Lewis bring you the results of the 2024 general election and analyse what this decision we’ve all made will mean now.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind Badewal

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A special polling day Q&A.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind Badewal

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Fourteen years is a long time for any one party to be in government. Today we reflect on some of the moments of the last five Conservative governments and how things have shifted - societally, economically and in the media.

We also bring you news of George Galloway's big donor - a man accused of human trafficking - and discuss the missing postal vote saga and the impact it might have.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind Badewal

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We sit down with Boris Johnson's director of communications, Lee Cain.

In the last 48 hours Rishi has accused Starmer of being a threat to national security and a delight for Putin, a work-shy sloth who clocks off at 6pm, and a leader who's going to rig the electoral system forever more.

Is this the sound of a man who thinks his campaign is going to plan?

Perhaps the problem began long long before Rishi Sunak called the election - or even got into power.

We ask the man who presided over Boris Johnson's 2019 campaign - Director of Comms Lee Cain - if he accepts the rot set in with him. The lies, the Covid parties, the narcissism - and the opportunities missed by the last Conservative PM to hold onto his massive majority.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Can Yuce

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly, Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

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Live from Paris, Lewis and Jon react to the news that the far-right have stormed the French parliamentary elections in the first round - putting Macron in severe peril and the radical right, formed decades ago from the embers of Nazism, at the top of power in France.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: : Rory Symon

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Jon and Lewis in France ahead of the first round of the French elections, which could see the far-right of French politics became the main political force in France.

And we report from Birmingham, following round an independent candidate who thinks he has a chance of beating Labour MP Shabana Mahmood. He's pretty controversial, and for good reason.

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Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

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This week on The Sports Agents,

We asked if the media actually has any responsibility to help build the confidence of the England National team, after Harry Kane and other members of the squad responded to recent criticism of their performances at Euro 2024...

Conor Coady- part of Gareth Southgate's last two England squads for major tournaments - joined Gabby & Mark for insight into the 'meticulous' nature of the England manager, how difficult social media has made it for players to ignore abuse while stuck in a Euros camp and which young players are ready to step up and lead in the absence of some of the old guard.

Later, as a flurry of 'swap deals' for academy graduates between Premier League clubs for eye-catching transfer fees made headlines, Professor of Applied Sports Finance at UCFB, Rob Wilson, explored how 'fair market value' for a player is actually determined.

And we heard from PFA Managing Director Maheta Molango, on the state of thecurrent transfer market, the welfare of the young footballers at the centre of these deals and if strike action is inevitable.

Remember, you can send your questions, story suggestions or thoughts on the weekend's action to us - thesportsagents@global.com.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

With now less than a week to go, we answer your General Election questions.

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Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

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This was a TV debate unlike any other. Excruciating doesn’t even cover it.

Whilst Trump confidently lied his way through the facts, Biden barely reached the end of his sentences without meandering off into a far distant phrase.

It was painful to watch and it will raise serious questions now amongst senior Democrats. Can they, must they replace Joe Biden as their presidential candidate?

And if so who will be the first top figure to say it out loud?

We take you through the most painful moments of the night and the conversations after the debate and ask if the voters will forgive this more easily - or if it’s time to take drastic action to save the Democratic Party from disaster in November.

Editor: Gabriel Radus

Video Production: Shane Fennelly

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A week today your Twitter feed will be filing up with dogs at polling station memes.

Yes dear listeners the marathon is almost done.

On today's episode we will be looking at two TV debates - last night we saw the prime ministerial candidates on stage for the last time.

Tonight it’s the turn of the US presidential candidates in Atlanta, Georgia. Do these debates ever change minds or just let audiences get things off their chest?

We will hear from the Trump campaign team and ask if the stakes are higher for Biden or Trump, or Sunak or Starmer?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Can Yuce

Social Media: Jacob Paul

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

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The latest numbers from More in Common suggest that Nigel Farage may come to regret his comments over Putin and the Ukraine war.

Reform has slipped back in the polls - and one in four voters believe that Farage is sympathetic to Putin.

How will any of this play into the way people vote for his party next week?

But we start with the gambling scandal.

Keir Starmer has become the latest party leader to dispatch a candidate for betting - after Ipswich candidate Kevin Craig was found to have placed a bet on himself losing. North of the border, the Conservatives Scottish Secretary has come under fire for his own political flutter - even though it was not done with any inside knowledge. Are we in danger of descending into moral panic over any gambling?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Can Yuce

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

You can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The News Agents"!

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We will be telling the extraordinary story of Julian Assange in this episode - how he gained such legendary status - and whether he was more saint or sinner - as he leaves Belmarsh prison and heads to his new life in Australia.

But we have to start with the latest twist in the gambleshambles as, you’ve guessed it, Rishi Sunak has now bowed to the inevitable pressure and pulled his support from two candidates who admitted to making an ill advised bet on the date of the election.

Why could the whole country see this coming except the PM?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Zeynel Can Yuce

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

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Why is the Mail having a go at Nigel Farage and why is Nigel Farage having a go at Boris Johnson? These three are now firm 'frenemies' - calling each other 'morally repugnant' and calling in the lawyers...

What does it tell us about the power on the right of British politics? And is Farage now regretting his 'Putin friendly' comments?

Later, the Gambleshambles has reached the dizzy heights of second most damaging gaff for the election campaign amongst members of the public.

Why has the cut through been so strong?

And why hasn't anyone in Tory HQ managed this scandal better?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

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The Sunday Times report that Nick Mason, the party's chief data officer, is the fourth Conservative being looked into over bets allegedly placed on the date of the general election. But still, no one has been suspended by Rishi Sunak. Why not? And, how far and how high does Gamblegate go? Could even someone as high up as a cabinet member be allegedly implicated?

And later, we talk Brexit 8 years on and Lewis is at a focus group in the crucial voting area and demographic of Whitby.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

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This week on The Sports Agents,

After Rory McIlroy's dramatic decision to take a break from Golf, following his collapse at the US Open, Gabby & Mark were joined by 2010 Ryder Cup winning captain and five-time major runner up Colin Montgomerie, to debate whether golf is the most mentally-challenging sport out there and to re-live the US Open he himself 'threw away' back in 2006. 

Later in the week, as Scotland kept their hopes a place in the knock-out stages of Euro 2024 alive, David Moyes joined Gabby for a morning coffee in Berlin, to discuss Tartan Army spirit, his own managerial future and player welfare as the number of games they're expected to play each season, continues to grow.

Plus, with the new season's Premier League fixtures announced, we explored how the televised calendar really comes together with Sky Sports Director of Football Gary Hughes. 

Don't forget to rate, follow or subscribe so you never miss a show.

Send your questions (or voicenotes) for our upcoming Euro 2024 Q&A to us at thesportsagents@global.com or via our socials.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Emily, Jon and Lewis answer your General Election questions

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: : Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

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