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/

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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/

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/

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

We are not ones to gossip but frankly the Westminster rumour mill is in overdrive, so we thought we should talk you through how the talk of a general election began and why we are all suspicious of a big announcement.

Later, we talk to the Palestinian High Commissioner as three EU states - including Ireland - state their recognition of Palestine. What effect will this have - what changes?

And we speak to the brother of an Israeli hostage - Naama Levi- about the sexual violence inflicted on women being held by Hamas since October.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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/

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

David Cameron has accused Rishi Sunak of hurting Britain’s soft power and putting universities at financial risk with his threat to curb the visa rights of international students.

Rishi is desperate to see immigration numbers come down. But what will be the knock on effect of these curbs on our own students?

Later, an interview with Ukrainian and Arsenal footballer Zinchenko - and why is Lee Anderson sounding one mushroom

Short of a full English ?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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/

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

The International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister and Defence minister and three Hamas leaders - accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Israeli cabinet has already hit back - calling it 'moral blindness'. But this means the country's leaders could face arrest in over 120 countries (the signatories to the ICC) if they travel abroad.

Why has the prosecutor sought the warrants now - and what impact could this have on the war in Gaza and on Israel's relationships with the international community? Could Netanyahu really end up in the Hague?

Later, as the infected blood scandal finally acnkowledges decades of failure and cover up we ask why these slow burn scandals that wreck so many lives are such a familiar story in the UK.

And we talk to Omid Djalili about the death of Iran's PM in a helicopter crash.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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 are on the ground in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, where Europe and Asia meet. For weeks hundreds of thousands of (overwhelmingly) Gen Zs have taken to the streets to protest against their government. The gates of Parliament have been stormed, tear gas repeatedly deployed, protesters beaten up and with even a fist fight among MPs thrown in.

The clash has centred on the governing Georgian Dream Party’s “Foreign Agent” law, which opponents fear will be a tool to suppress political opponents. But the divisions being exposed in Georgia are far more fundamental and go much beyond than that. At the beating heart of it all is the influence of Russia, Vladimir Putin and a question which haunts many of the Soviet successor states- are we the next Ukraine?

Lewis reports from Georgia in this special extended episode, where he tells a tale of geopolitical intrigue, of misinformation and conspiracy, and of a generation yearning for a different future.

Field Producer: Gabriel Radus

Video Producer: Rory Symon

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 former England defender Rio Ferdinand joined us to discuss the stigma around mental health in football and whether teams are now better equipped to work with players who are struggling.

We were also joined by Jadon Sancho's former youth coach and mentor Sayce Lewis-Holmes to find out more about the level of pressure on aspiring footballers today.

Plus, with a huge final couple of days in the Premier League and WSL seasons this weekend, football writer Henry Winter talked us through a whole host of topics including the 115 charges for Manchester City over alleged breaches of financial fair play.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday

Keir Starmer has rolled up his sleeves, taken off his tie and headed to Essex to unveil his six first steps for government.

Is Starmer looking for Blairite comparisons? Is there the same enthusiasm for change as there was in 1997? And what are the hard questions Labour still needs to answer, but won’t?

Later we speak with Lewis in Tblisi ahead of another critical day of protests by those fighting the Russification of democracy in Georgia.

And the big reveal today comes from Jon. Right at the end. Don’t miss it!

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Field Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly, Rory Symon & 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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Jon’s brand-new book, Strangeland: How Britain Stopped Making Sense, will be available on 26th September 2024. To pre-order a copy or buy a ticket to Jon’s tour, please click this link: lnk.to/StrangelandsBook.

Unlock priority booking for Jon’s tour with the presale code NEWSPRIORITY. General sale booking opens at midday on 17th May.

In an exclusive early interview we speak to the Government's Independent Advisor on Political Violence.

John Woodcock, a cross party peer, has spent the last four years putting together recommendations to make public life safer by cracking down on extreme protest.

He'll present his findings to parliament next week. Why do we need this? And which groups is he talking about banning? Is this a clampdown on democratic norms or a necessary precaution to protect those in public life.

Later, why are the Labour MPs making scary 'whooooooo' noises in Prime Minister's Questions? All will be revealed....

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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 have a real live government Secretary of State with us in News Agents HQ today - David TC Davies insists the election still winnable for the Conservatives  - and says if you want to see what Labour would do in power, then look at the mess unfolding in Wales. Is he missing something or are we?

Later, Peter Conradi - author of Who Lost Russia - takes us gently through all that is unfolding right now in Russia, Ukraine and Georgia, and why - despite the Western sanctions - it all speaks to a resurgent Putin.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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/

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

If it had been a speech about defence, it might have made more sense. But Rishi Sunak had no new policy offerings in todays pronouncement - he warned of a scary future under Starmer - then started talking about football shirts, ozempic, civic duty, literacy, and optimism.

It was, in essence, an electioneering speech - criticising labour for blaming the Tories for the last 14 years.

Meanwhile his Common Sense Minister Esther McVey has gone to war on the office lanyard.

Later, will former lawyer and indeed felon Michael Cohen make or break Trump when he appears in court this week?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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/

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

Lewis Goodall hosts a special report from Port Talbot, South Wales, where thousands of jobs are about to be lost at Tata Steel.

Port Talbot is Britain's last great steelworks, and a community has been built around it for generations. But Tata has announced 2,800 job losses across the UK as part of the closure of the site's blast furnaces and a transition to greener steelmaking.

We visited the site and the town itself, to assess the impact it could have on an economy already battered by the de-industrialisation of the 1980s.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Field Producer: Rory Symon

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

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,

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 week on The Sports Agents, Gabby & Mark took a closer look at a controversial new rule in cricket - the impact player in the IPL - and whether it's introduction became a threat to the fabric of the sport.

The Telegraph's Nick Hoult joined us in the studio to discuss it's impact on the game and whether the current domestic schedule demands too much from players.

And with the 'fight of the century' a week away between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, just how big is the latest drug scandal to hit boxing?

Two-weight world champion Carl Frampton and broadcaster Adam Catterall explore how sensation Ryan Garcia is making headlines.

Catch up with full episodes for more on how much Declan Rice's West Ham depature impacted David Moyes and his final season at the club, and just how do Real Madrid always find a way in the Champions League?

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Did the Labour Party screw up in welcoming Natalie Elphicke into its party?

One former frontbencher tells us Keir Stamer got this wrong.

They're calling on him to now re-admit Dianne Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn into the Labour fold.

Has Keir just made his life much harder in search of onesexy headline?

Later, Is Biden about to stop arms sales to Israel - and why doesn't the Speaker of the House know about this?

And what's happening to Israel's Eurovision entry. Can we remove politics from the cultural stage?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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/

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

Very little political news is truly jaw dropping. But this morning's was. Natalie Elphicke, on the Conservative right of the party, and MP for Dover, has defected to Labour.

She crossed the floor before Prime Minister's Questions and was warmly welcomed by Keir Starmer. It was not so long ago that Rachel Reeves was telling Elphicke to "fuck off", after her comments about Marcus Rashford. And it was not so long ago Elphicke herself was defending her convicted sex offender husband as being the 'victim of dirty politics'. Is this really the new face of Labour?

Later, why has Astra Zeneca pulled it's Covid vaccine from the shelf. Is this about legal woes? Or commercial ones? And where is this country now on vaccine hesitancy?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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/

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

The government is determined not to let a little thing like a disastrous set of local elections put it off its stride.

Over the course of the bank holiday we were told that 'the plan is working... it just needs a little more time'.

Labour is having none of it - accusing the PM of 'gaslighting' the public over the state of the UK economy.

But what if the economy DOES start to improve? What if inflation DOES start to fall? Can the public be pursuaded things... can only get better...?

We have an extended interview with Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Later. What do Javier Milei and Liz Truss have in common? Erm, nothing. Nothing whatsoever it transpires....

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

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Cip Credits:

Rachel Reeves speech on Tuesday 7th May

Andrew Mitchell on Sky News

Andrew Griffith on BBC Radio 4

Rishi Sunak on Sky News

Mark Harper speaking to Lewis Goodall on LBC

Ione Wells speaking to Javier Milei in Buenos Aires for BBC News

Liz Truss interviewed on GB News

The local election and mayoral results flood in.

How bad are they for the Tories? How much of that is Reform? And how well have Labour actually done?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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/

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

Cip Credits:

Ben Houchen with Sophie Ridge on Sky News

Rishi Sunak talking to BBC News

Andrea Leadsom with Jo Coburn on PoliticsLive on BBC Two

This week on The Sports Agents, Gabby & Mark explored whether a Premier League salary cap will actually help smaller clubs bridge the gap to the 'Big 6' and if it could lead to a bigger drain on top English talent...

Former Lioness Jill Scott was in the studio to explain why Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham is the obvious candidate to succeed Bayern Munich's Harry Kane as England captain - as they went head-to-head in the Champions League semi-finals.

And legendary boxing promoter Frank Warren joined us to reflect on his rivalry with the Hearn family, the British public's complicated relationship with Tyson Fury and the night he was shot outside one of his shows...

Catch up with the full episodes for more on Billy Vunipola's Mallorca arrest and Jadon Sancho's resurgence in Dortmund.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

After several delays, Brexit checks finally came into force this week - adding cost and delay to how small businesses can get their goods into the UK. It'll see prices pushed up on the consumer's end too.

But, you won't hear either main party discussing this in great detail. Why? As an election issue - it's almost radio silence - even as the UK becomes the worst performing economy in the G7.

We'll hear from Peter Foster from the Financial Times and What Went Wrong With Brexit on the Brexit economics and Labour's strangled relationship with this issue - and from Tim Shipman - chronicler of Brexit diaries with No Way Out - on what the Conservatives now make of the brexit they delivered.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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/

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

As of this week, Rishi Sunak can boast he has sent asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Admittedly, it was just one guy. Admittedly he was paid £3k to go. Admittedly he'd already failed the asylum test to remain in Britain and admittedly - crucially - he went voluntarily. This is NOT the same forced deportation plan that Rishi promised would "stop the boats".

But don't let pesky details get you down. The headline - conveniently dropping before tomorrow's local elections - make it sound like the Rwanda plan is flying.

Later - what should you be looking out for in the Glastonbury weekend of fun that is the local elections.

And what's going on with the protests on US college campuses - are we next?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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/

If the Palace of Westminster were a village - the Head of Counter Terrorism police tells us - NO one would dare to live there.

Today we ask why so many of our MPs face threats to life - and what it's doing to our democracy more broadly, in terms of how they vote and speak out.

Also, should we be concerned about actual terrorist acts from countries like China and Russia and Iran - are they operating on our streets - without the public even knowing?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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/

On the stroke of midday, Humza Yousaf, Scotland's First Minister, made the announcement that just a week ago would have been unthinkable.

Acknowledging the miscalculations he made in the sacking of his Green cabinet members last week - and the confidence vote he would - in all likelihood - have lost - the head of the Scottish government resigned.

For fifteen years the SNP have been a political behemoth in Scotland - writing the rules of devolution and looking to a time of future independence. But after a year of utter political turmoil, is their time in power up?

Today, we look at how we got here, the mistakes made, and who can take the party forward.

We talk to a potential future leader, Stephen Flynn, and ask what this means for Labour at the General Election and for the shape of British politics more broadly.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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/

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

In 2024 Britain nearly 140,000 kids are homeless. Just because you don’t see them on the street doesn’t mean they’re not there. This is Britain’s temporary accommodation crisis, one which is worsening.

Temporary accommodation was once a safe harbour for a few days, a week, a month or so at most.

Now, thanks to rocketing rents and inadequate housing supply, more and more families find a single room in a hotel or accommodation block their permanent home.

In this latest News Agents Investigates series, Lewis hits to road to find out just how big a problem it is, where it comes from and why so many working class kids may find themselves ruined by forces outside their control.

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Video Production: Rory Symon

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 week on The Sports Agents...

A Premier League launched an attack on VAR via their social media account - and threatened legal action... Is there actually any legal recourse for victims of a dodgy offside decision? The Athletic's David Ornstein joined us on the pod to discuss the chaos at Nottingham Forest.

Ultra-marathon runner Jasmine Parris then spoke to Gabby & Mark about becoming the first women to ever complete the Barkley Marathons and just what it takes to conquer the legendary 100-mile race.

With the NFL Draft taking place this weekend and the number one pick going to Mark's beloved Chicago Bears, former Dallas Cowboys star Jason Bell told us how it all works and why the ingenious system should be the envy of European football.

And after Liverpool's defeat to Everton in midweek we asked if Jurgen Klopp has announced his Anfield departure too soon.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Lord Neil Kinnock - Labour leader from 1983 to 1992, Thatcher's biggest rival in her pomp, joins Lewis in the studio for a sit down chat to talk about his political life, from the 1950s to Harold Wilson, his interactions with Jeremy Corbyn and his hopes, (or whether he has any doubts), about Sir Keir Starmer.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Interview Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Rory Symon

Video Production: 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/

Scotland's First Minister is facing a confidence vote after he pulled the plug this morning on his coalition government by ejecting the two Green party members of his cabinet.

Humza Yousaf is making the case for a fresh start - unburdened by culture wars issues and climate change issues pulling the SNP in a direction it's no longer prepared to go in. But the Conservatives in Scotland smell blood.

Can they bring the whole government crashing down with their vote?

Later, Mick Lynch on the Labour plan for railways and what he makes of Angela Raynor's housing issue.

And we bring you the snap results - from JL Partners - of which way GB News viewers are voting. It's quite the poll.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Interview Producer: Alex Barnett

Social Media Editor: Rory Symon

Video Production: 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/

The Prime Minister is in Europe this week making the case for an increase in defence spending of £75 billion over the next six years - to deal with growing global threats in a turbulent world.

That's the headline at least. But Labour is asking pesky questions. Where is the new money actually coming from? And is the lift as great as it actually seems? We break down the numbers a little to see if the sums work.

Later, Angela Rayner put her own housing issues centre stage at PMQs today against the Deputy PM. Did it work? And is 'pint size' now legit criticism in the Commons?

And what's happening to TikTok after US legislators voted to see it banned or sold?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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/

Australia’s PM is at war with Elon Musk - calling him an ‘arrogant billionaire’ - and worse.

He’s fighting to get violent images of a church stabbing in Sydney banned from Twitter/X. Elon Musk says it's censorship and an infringement on free speech. So who is going to win out here - regulation or tech money?

Later, as more immigrants die in the Channel, we ask if Rwanda can act as a deterrent. And - on St. George’s day - what does patriotism mean to you - red and white cuff links? Cups of tea? Or mumbled embarrassment?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: 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/

Rishi is making those naughty Lords stay in the chamber until they pass his Rwanda Bill without pesky amendments. That may come in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

But even once the legal hurdles are passed, the practicalities will still be fiendish. Why has the first plane date been delayed again? Which airline is willing to take on the legal risk? How do immigrants' 'inadmissability appeals' work? And why did the government slip out the 24% INCREASE on small boat arrivals during this morning's press conference?

Later, what actually happened in that encounter between the policeman and the antisemitism campaigner.

And - Huw Edwards resigns from the BBC - what happens now.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & 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/

This week on The Sports Agents...

A Sports Agents exclusive - Mark & Gabby had a first-look at an independent report into diversity at the senior levels of sport across every major National Governing Body in UK - Sporting Equals Chief executive Arun Kang joined them in the studio to unpack the findings...

Former Lioness Eni Aluko then reflected on her own experiences - after becoming the first black woman in Italy to own a football club.

Plus, how damaging were Manchester City & Arsenal's Champions League exits for English football's chances of a fifth qualifying spot in next season's competition?

And after Lord Seb Coe announced he had chaired the first meeting of The Old Trafford Regeneration taskforce - Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham sat down with Mark to talk about public money, opportunity and London 2012.

Here's some of our favourite bits - new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

The Middle East, the world, not for the first time in these long six months, has been holding its breath. Ever since Iran fired 300 hundred rockets into Israel, itself a response to the Israel’s killing of several senior Iranian military figures in Damascus, that dreaded word “escalation” has haunted the conversation, the grim realisation that the region, maybe more than the region, is just one mistake, one miscalculation away from all out war in every direction.

Overnight, the promised Israeli retaliation to the Iranian attack came, with missle attacks in the heart of Iran itself, in the cities of Isfahan and Tabriz.

Is this it? Can we exhale again? And for how long?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & 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/

**Since publication, Savanta revised the polling data included in this episode to show the Labour candidate on a two point lead. More information here**

A 3am call, and a Tory MP talking about a life or death situation in which he was being held captive in a flat.

Amazingly, that wasn't even the weirdest bit. As the day, and the story, unfolded, there were allegations of campaign money donated by Conservative supporters being used to pay for the MP's medical bills and more.

Mark Menzies , Fylde MP, is just - remarkably - the latest in a long line of MPs - both Tory and Labour - who have lost the whip this parliament.

What's going on? Has scandal become easier to detect? Harder to hide? Or is this what the end of every reign starts to feel like?

We talk to the Times journalist who broke the story, Billy Kenber, and to the man whose job at the heart of Downing Street was interfacing between the PM and his MPs' each time scandal broke, Craig Oliver.

Later, whats going on in the West Midlands race? We have exclusive Savanta polling.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & 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/

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

Yes, yes, yes. She crashed the economy, has blamed everyone else, made Britain a laughing stock, inflicted higher mortgage rates on millions of households, and was the shortest serving prime minister in our history. But her 49 days has spawned a 100,000 word book (be thankful she didn’t last ten years - can you imagine how long that book would be?). And it does have a central argument - that Britain has become an administrative state, with civil servants ruling the roost.

Does she have a point? We speak to John McTernan, Tony Blair's former political advisor, and Tom Fletcher, diplomat who's co-authored a report for the UCL Policy Unit on the need for Whitehall reform.

Meanwhile Rishi Sunak is likely to get his Rwanda legislation passed this week. But will getting planes off the ground happen anytime soon?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & 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/

It was a conference that few people here would have ever noticed. Suella, Nigel, Orban - speakers deemed "far right" by the Brussels authorities - found their conference filled with Belgian police as they took to the stage for their NatCon gathering.

The Federal Deputy served a court order on the grounds the conference "endangered public safety" and asked for its immediate closure. Cue great excitement amongst the Nat Conners. They could not be more delighted with this intervention which allowed them to rail - with some justification - against "Belgian democracy".

Has it helped their cause and fuelled their victimhood narrative? Or were police right to act? Later, Rishi wants to ban smoking for anyone born after Jan 1st 2009. Can he? and should he?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & 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/

On Saturday night, Israel warned its citizens to go to a safe room and prepare to spend the night there.

Two hours later, Iran began sending drones into Israeli territory - revenge for the killings of 7 men in the Iranian consulate two weeks ago in Damascus, Syria.

Of the 350 drones, 99 percent were intercepted. Tragically -and miraculously - there was only one reported injury - a 7 year old Israeli bedouin child.

So what happens next? Does Israel retaliate? Or heed it's allies and 'walk away with a win'. We talk to Tim Marshall and Yaakov Katz who know this war well.

Later, Liz Truss tells our colleague Iain Dale she has 'unfinished business'. Is that a sign she's coming back? Her new book is out tomorrow. His interview with her is out tonight. We give you the sneak peak.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon & 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/

This week on The Sports Agents...

An array of stardust as the likes of legendary jockeyAP McCoy and Team GB icon Denise Lewis joined Gabby & Mark on the podcast.

Is your Premier League club trying to kill off season tickets and is Everton's latest points deduction fair?

Does Seb Coe deserve credit for announcing prize money will be paid to Athletes who win gold at the Olympics - and after terror threats at Champions League games - how will Paris ensure fan safety at the Games this summer?

All this and much more on the Sports Agents over the last seven days.

Here's a little flavour of some of the highlights...

On today's episode, we speak to Europe's first black leader - Vaughan Gething, the new First Minister of Wales. In an extended conversation, we talk his rise to the top of Welsh politics amidst experiences of racism, his political motivations and what is next for Wales if Labour return to power.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and 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/

TW: This episode includes discussions around suicide. If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans listen. Call them on 116 123.

Last week, The National Union of Education voted overwhelmingly at their conference to 'abolish Ofsted' - saying it causes more harm than good and needed urgent and fundamental reform.

They can't, of course, but today we - with your help - are asking if Ofsted is fit for purpose.

We hear from teachers and heads - our listeners - who tell us what needs to change.

We speak to Julia Waters, the sister of Ruth Perry, the Head of Caversham Primary who killed herself in the aftermath of an 'inadequate' rating and inspection, and finally we speak to Ofsted's new head - Sir Martyn Oliver.

Does he think Ofsted has made mistakes? Did he fire anyone following the coroners verdict into Ruth's death? Would he change the one word summary ruling of 'outstanding' down to 'inadequate'.

And how does he reflect upon words and actions of Amanda Spielman, his predecessor at Ofsted - criticised by many teachers for failing to find the right, compassionate tone in the face of that tragedy.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producers: Laura FitzPatrick & Shane Fennelly

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and 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/

William Wragg, the MP who found himself blackmailed by a person to whom he'd sent explicit photographs - last night resigned the Conservative party whip.

It means Sunak has lost another MP - Wragg will quit parliament anyway after the next election. He was the victim of a honeytrap which lured him into believing the messages he was receiving from a stranger.

But he was also unwise enough to share colleagues contact details when pressured by his blackmailer. Today we go back to the origins of the honeytrap story with the Politico journalist who broke the story, Aggie Chambre.

Later we look at Sunak's relationship with the voter - as revealed in this morning's LBC interview with various callers. What does it tell us about his campaigning strategy?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and 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/

It is a truth near-universally acknowledged (amongst pollsters at least) that Labour will be the largest party at the next election.

But how would they actually differ from the Tories in terms of what they do once in power?

They've pledged not to raise taxes and not to remove the recent cuts. They're determined to be fiscally responsible - which means little room for spending plans.

So what will actually change - at a moment when the country is crying out for repair?

We talk to Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

And - Suella has returned from Israel and come to the LBC studios to share her thoughts on the Middle East and the shape of the Tory party. Does she represent a significant chunk of the country in what she thinks? We discuss.

Oh and Liz Truss was given advice by the Queen - which she ignored...

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon and 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/

Police are re-examining claims Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner may have broken electoral law more than a decade ago by failing to pay a capital gains tax worth around £2000. Is there a real story here? Is it about impropriety? Class? Big money vs. small money? And who’s behind it?

Later author of Autocracy Inc. Anne Applebaum on Donald Trump's plan to “end the Ukraine war“ and why it makes no sense.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon and 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/

This week on The Sports Agents, your questions for Gabby & Mark on everything from Olympics predictions, to how the panel on Match of the Day is selected!

Plus, Sky Sports NFL analyst Phoebe Schecter on Louis Rees-Zammit's chances of becoming a regular starter for the reigning Super Bowl champs, after he made the switch from Rugby to NFL.

And a closer look at the 'fractured' state of Golf - a week away from The Masters - with English pros Richard Bland and Laurie Canter on the reality of playing on the controversial breakaway LIV Golf tour.

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

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

Ian Hislop, editor of The Private Eye and team captain on Have I Got News For You sits down with Lewis for an extended conversation about political satire in the modern era of the Westminster psychodrama, and what it was like to have contestants like Piers Morgan and Boris Johnson on his show.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and 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/

In the early hours of Thursday morning Layla Moran - the only British MP of Palestinian heritage- received news she’d been longing to hear for months.

Her family had finally escape from Gaza. Through perilous crossings and treacherous check points a family of five - including a seventy year old grandmother and two young children- had walked to safety.

As Layla herself recognises their relief is starkly contrasted with the two million others who can’t escape. Today we hear that story.

And we ask why the Lib Dem’s have referred Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron to the ethics adviser over questions of whether he concealed what he knew about the illegality of Israel’s war. We will discuss whether there is a case for government to answer. And where the war in Gaza goes now.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and 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/

The Prime Minister has called the Israeli Prime Minister's actions in Gaza 'increasingly intolerable' in a phone call with Netanyahu after the deaths of three British aid workers in an Israeli airstrike.

The words are tougher than we've seen before.

But the PM is now coming under pressure to end arms sales to Israel. Will he wait for America to move first? Is he watching to see where public opinion goes? Should Keir Starmer be more forthright - as the Lib Dem leader has been - in taking the initiative and call for arms sales to end - something many in his party are desperate to see.

We speak to Zarah Sultana , the Labour backbencher who's been at the forefront of this appeal - and to former Labour front bencher Jess Philips.

Later, what time is it on The Moon and why does NASA believe we need to sort it out?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus

Producer: Laura FitzPatrick

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Shane Fennelly and 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/