Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall – three of the UK’s top journalists – host an award-winning daily news podcast: The News Agents.
They’re not just here to tell you what's happening, but why. Expect astute analysis and explanation of the day's news – and a healthy dose of scepticism and the ability to laugh at it all when needed.
Episodes are available every weekday afternoon. You can listen to The News Agents on Alexa, just say "Alexa ask Global Player to play The News Agents"
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It seems that everyone is talking about the Netflix hit drama 'Adolescence'. It has been viewed 24 million times in just a few days, and is topping the chart in the UK. It deals with raw teenage toxic masculinity - and it’s hit a nerve. Even the prime minister is watching it. As Gareth Southgate warns of the dangers to and from young men who’ve got tangled up in Andrew Tates world we ask why it’s suddenly become a talking point? Later, is Trump being played by Putin? Is he bright enough to even ...
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke for an hour and a half today - could they bring the Ukraine conflict and closer to a sustainable peace? Or is the Russian president only interested in carving up Ukraine and taking the West for a ride? While a ceasefire in Ukraine does appear to be edging ever so slightly closer, the fragile cessation in Gaza collapsed overnight. More than 400 Gazans were killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, as Israel launched a series of airstrikes on the str...
Keir Starmer says he has a "duty" to fix welfare - and has described the current benefits system as "unsustainable" and "indefensible". But many of his own backbenchers fear that the noble rhetoric is an attempt to mask little more than a savings drive, and the backlash is growing. Andy Burnham became the latest Labour figure to voice his concerns, and there are indications that the government is looking again at some of the harshest measures expected to be unveiled tomorrow. But is the PM right...
What is the likely endgame is for the Russia-Ukraine war? How can journalists hold politicians to account when gaining access to them requires towing an idealogical line? And will Rupert Lowe leave Reform? This Friday, Jon and Lewis answer your questions. Editor: Tom Hughes Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt Producer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal Digital Journalist: Michael ...
This week on The Sports Agents... From sneaking a disguised Novak Djokovic into a team talk, to lessons from Ben Stokes and the LIV/PGA divide, we chatted to European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald for an exclusive interview (02:15). One day Jim Ratcliffe said Manchester United were on track to be 'bust by Christmas', and the next they announced plans for a £2bn stadium... so we asked Professor of Football Finance at the University of Liverpool, Kieran Maguire , how that makes sense (08:45). Mich...
Keir Starmer has spoken exclusively to The News Agents in Hull on a big day in both domestic and international politics. In his speech today, the Prime Minister pledged to abolish the biggest quango in the world - scrapping NHS England, the body which manages the day to day running of the health service. In the wide ranging speech in Hull, the PM lamented a state over stretched, inefficient and not delivering security for Brits. As he spoke, Russia came forward to publicly reject the ceasefire p...
Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former Facebook executive, reveals shocking allegations about the company's pursuit of profit and power in her new book. She discusses Facebook's role in the 2016 election, its relationship with China, and its impact on vulnerable users. Meta fiercely disputes these claims, leading to a complex and controversial narrative about the social media giant.
The origins of a peace deal have emerged in Saudi Arabia. There’s just one problem: whilst Zelensky is offering to sign up, there’s no word from Putin. How does a 30 day ceasefire work if the aggressor isn’t on board? And why is Trump convinced that he will be? Later, presidency or shopping channel? Why is Trump flogging Teslas on the White House lawn? Editor: Tom Hughes Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt Producer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social Media Editor: Georgia Fox...
There is growing uncertainty in the American economy as stocks fall, and Donald Trump refuses to rule out a recession. He's even said he will double metal tariffs against Canada and threatened to impose levies on its car industry. As the trade war heats up and Americans watch their market falter, will Donald Trump change his strategy? And how will the rest of the world respond? Editor: Tom Hughes Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt Producer: Natalie Indge Digital Editor: Michaela Walters Social...
"America is not Canada, and Canada never ever will be part of America in any way." The words of the chiselled ice hockey player and former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney who is Canada's new Prime Minister. He's unafraid of Trump, has mocked his economic policy, and his expansionist pretensions. He's put the Liberal Party of Justin Trudeau in poll position to win the next general election against the Conservatives, and against all the odds. Will he become the pin up for centrists around the...
In our first ever Live Q&A edition Jon and Lewis answer your most pressing questions. Is Trump working for Putin? Will a military coup overthrow the Trump administration? If Zelensky ends up going back to America, should he wear a suit? And why are we all so obsessed with Lewis's jumper? You can watch our Live Friday Q&A here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeOrLLSSBhc Tickets to The News Agents Live On Stage with HSBC UK are now on sale! You can get your tickets for Edinburgh here: htt...
This week on The Sports Agents... Imagine flying on EasyJet and seeing the men's team on private jets. That's one of the many gaps the England women's team experienced before Baroness Sue Campbell stepped in and five years later, the women won the Euros. One of the greatest trailblazers in UK sport joins us for International Women's Day (02:15). After Emma Raducanu spoke out about crying when she saw her stalker at a match, we found out what it's like to have a stalker with former GB middle dist...
Trump is no fan of Zelenskyy. That much has been clear for months. But according to Politico, his administration is now tapping up Ukrainian opposition politicians and former leaders to try to push Zelenskyy out of power. Is America now interfering in Ukraine’s domestic policies as well as forcing its submission to Putin? We talk to CNN Correspondent and Chief International Anchor, Christiane Amanpour about her time with Zelensky. And what do European leaders have to offer Ukraine as they meet n...
A carefully worded letter from Ukraine's President Zelenskyy has made its way to Donald Trump - The News Agents have details on the role that the British government may have played in getting that message delivered to the American President. What's less clear is how Trump will respond - what happens now? He described Zelenskyy's letter as "important" - so why has he suspended intelligence sharing with Kyiv? And will there be any punishment for Russia in this “deal”? Plus, we’re with the CEO of t...
Trump has ordered a “pause“ on all US military aid to Ukraine. All the pending military assistance Biden signed off before leaving office is now in a holding pattern until Trump gets his apology/ submission/ minerals deal from Zelenskyy. How long can Ukraine go on fighting now? Will the EU find the money to plug the gap? And is Trump remotely interested in peace? Later, as tariffs the tariffs imposed on Mexico, Canada and China come into affect we ask how long before Americans will start noticin...
What is it like to take on Rupert Murdoch and win? We have an exclusive interview with David Sherborne - the media barrister who represented Prince Harry last month and has been the go to lawyer for the highest profile celebrity trials ever fought. But we start in Ukraine where Trump is threatening to stop military aid and the British Ambassador to America, Peter Mandelson, appears to have “wandered off the reservation“ in terms of party lines. Tickets to The News Agents Live On Stage with HSBC ...
In this bonus episode of The News Agents, Jon and Lewis get together to discuss Sunday's emergency meeting of European Leaders here in the UK to resolve a peace plan for Ukraine. Will Keir Starmer's plan bring us closer to peace in Ukraine? Will Donald Trump get on board? And what will Putin make of the events that have unfolded over the last few days? Tickets to The News Agents Live On Stage with HSBC UK are now on sale! You can get your tickets for Edinburgh here: https://articles.globalplayer...
In this bonus episode of The News Agents, Jon and Lewis react to Friday evening's remarkable events in the White House. How will the Trump-Zelenskyy fallout impact the war? How will Keir Starmer react? And will Zelenskyy be forced into a resignation as Ukrainian president? Tickets to The News Agents Live On Stage with HSBC UK are now on sale! You can get your tickets for Edinburgh here: https://articles.globalplayer.com/7giHoMavXLgdrd6gaC3GxWG7T8 Editor: Tom Hughes Executive Producer: Louis Dege...
There were smiles, laughs, and a few pats on the shoulder - the mood in the Oval Office felt at times amorous as Keir Starmer and Donald Trump got down to business. The Prime Minister appeared to have defied some of his harshest critics in DC, earning almost fawning praise from the American President and seemingly a series of wins - on tariffs, the Chagos islands, and on Ukraine. But if Donald Trump is a man who trades on personal relationships and rapport, will that positivity endure once Starm...
This week on The Sports Agents... The first refugee to win an Olympic medal, Cindy Ngamba , joined Gabby and Mark before her professional boxing debut to talk about her incredible story from a shock arrest to the hilarious moment she discovered boxing (03:00). The story of fleeing Afghanistan and getting no support from cricket's governing body (the ICC) with Afghanistan women's cricketer, Firooza Amiri , and international cricket journalist Alison Mitchell (09:00). Former England women's footba...
If you’ve been charged with people trafficking and rape, entry into the US is normally impossible. But it seems the Trump administration has been instrumental in ‘persuading’ the Romanian authorities to hand back the US passports of Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan. But why? Why would the US president want to help a man facing the most serious criminal charges - and he is wanted by the authorities in the UK too? Well Andrew Tate’s following on social media is huge. And his macho, misogyny br...
As we record, Zelenskyy is looking through the draft agreement which would give America oil, gas and mineral rights in exchange for…what? The final part of the deal is the bit that's missing. Will America pledge military help? And if not what does Ukraine get back? Later, former Chief Whip Simon Hart describes the utter circus (*shitshow) that surrounded the last few years of Conservative rule. His book, "Ungovernable: The Political Diaries of a Chief Whip", is brutally honest. Will it put peopl...
On the eve of his trip to Washington, Keir Starmer told the commons that UK defence spending would rise to 2.5 percent within two years. It’s an increase in real money of £13.4 billion. £5 billion of which will come from cutting our foreign aid budget. Is he trying to protect Europe? Or to please Trump? And will it work? Later, does Labour have the right response to the falling birth rate? Why are all the conversations about family and children coming from the hard right and the MAGA traditional...
It didn't take long for Germany's new Chancellor in waiting, Friedrich Merz, to make his presence felt across the Atlantic. Before the final ballots had even been counted in the German elections, Merz took to a television debate to warn that "after Donald Trump's remarks last week...it is clear that this government does not care much about the fate of Europe". He called for the EU to work together at pace to "really achieve independence from the USA", even questioning whether NATO in its current...
Right now, culture wars seem to punctuate every moment of our daily lives. Politicising more and more and dividing people over issues both big and small. How have culture wars embedded themselves in so deeply in our politics? What if they are part of a wider design to keep the rich powerful? And how damaging have identity politics been for the left? Ash Sarkar sat down with Lewis to discuss these questions, which are at the heart of her new book 'Minority Rule: Adventures in the Culture War'. Ti...
This week on The Sports Agents... Mark and Gabby hit the road this week, meeting Formula One drivers at the O2 Arena and travelling to Wigan to chat to the best and possibly most underrated coach in Britain. First up, an exclusive interview with three-time Grand Prix winner George Russell about taking over from Lewis Hamilton as Mercedes lead driver, swearing rules and the moment you know if your car will be good enough to win a world championship (it's sooner than you think!). (02:45) Mark also...
The backlash against Donald Trump for his diatribe against Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strengthened. Keir Starmer called the Ukrainian President in a show of support and told him it was "perfectly reasonable" to have suspended elections given Russia's invasion. European leaders have also lined up to reject Trump's claims that Zelenskyy is a "dictator" - even Nigel Farage has distanced himself from that notion, though pointedly has suggested that Ukraine needed to set a timeline for new elections. Bu...
Not content with parroting talking points from the Kremlin, Donald Trump has hardened his position on Ukraine even further. Taking to Truth Social, the US president branded Volodymyr Zelenskyy a "dictator without elections" who has done "a terrible job" for his country. He warned his counterpart in Kyiv to "move fast or he is not going to have a country left". Those words will chill European leaders, already baffled at President Trump's decision to align himself with Russia so acutely - are we w...
In the weeks following Donald Trump’s scrapping of diversity, equality and inclusion schemes in government, a number of big-name companies have followed suit rolling back their DEI commitments. So why are so many big companies ditching DEI? And what could this rolling back of DEI policies mean for businesses and workplaces? We speak to Alexandra Mousavizadeh. Later, Gabriel Gatehouse joins us to tell us about frozen heads, psychedelic art, and his search for the mysterious Bitcoin founder. Ticke...
European leaders are heading to Paris. American negotiators are heading to Saudi. And the News Agents have arrived in Birmingham. It’s our first live show of 2025 and as a broadcasting first we’re joined by some abseiling window cleaners on today’s episode. We discuss Americas unilateral plan for Ukraine. Why has it left Europeans in tears? What can Starmer do with Trump? And are we really going to see British troops on Ukraine's borders? Tickets to The News Agents Live On Stage with HSBC UK are...
