The News Agents
The News Agents
Global
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" The News Agents is a Global Player Original podcast. For advertising opportunities on this podcast, email: [email protected] You can visit our website here https://www.thenewsagents.co.uk/
Special Report: Has Zack Polanski peaked?
The Green party has growing pains. Its conference in Brighton this year is bustling - even despite members being urged to spend their time campaigning in Holborn and St Pancras this weekend. There's a big media presence. And there's a lot to celebrate; not least the local election results and that pivotal Gorton and Denton by-election win earlier this year.But that's only one side of the picture. Zack Polanski's approval rating has plummeted. Stories about his tax affairs and CV have dogged the Greens for many months. Andy Burnham has turned the Labour ship around. And a motion at this conference, that 'Zionism is Racism', has dominated the coverage as the party headed down to Brighton. Even the party's former leader has criticised the motion, warning that it could be seen "as a sign that Jewish people aren’t welcome in the party."So how do the Greens and Zack Polanski regain that sense of momentum? How can they reclaim the sense of insurgency that saw them inflicting such serious damage to Keir Starmer just a few short months ago? Or has the Green bubble simply burst?Lewis and Jon have this special report from Green party conference in Brighton.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Oct 2
1 hr 2 min
Is Man City case keeping Andy Burnham awake? - The Sports Agents
The Manchester City case has become a political story.As calls grow for City’s owners to be removed, Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he would be sorry to see them go.Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman are joined by Telegraph sports writer Owen Slot and The News Agents’ Jon Sopel to examine the latest fallout, what happens next for Manchester City — and what the case now means for the Premier League, its owners and the British government.📩 Got a question for The Sports Agents? https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7🖥️ Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportsAgentsPod📱Follow us on socials:TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thesportsagentsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesportsagents/X - https://x.com/sportsagentspod📥 Email: [email protected]💭 Take our listener survey: https://forms.gle/YMUvajQktqBuimgh6Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesSenior Producer: David FinchVideo Producer: Daniel AihieSocial Media Editor: Jasmine WissartTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".👕 The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-sports-agents
Oct 1
32 min
WTF went on at RAF Fairford?
It's still not clear what happened at Fairford in the early hours of Sunday morning. Or why the five suspects arrested in connection with the incident were released on bail - a move even Donald Trump has criticised. But it is increasingly clear that Iran was involved. The News Agents sat down with the Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, for an exclusive interview about the growing threat posed by Iran on British soil, the rise of extremism and foreign-sponsored terror on our streets, and whether Palestine Action should have been proscribed as a terrorist organisation.And later, after the botched execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee, can the death penalty ever be justified?The News Agents is a Global Production.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Oct 1
53 min
Andy Burnham’s dirty political secret
How much does it cost to top the Premier League? A secret £830 million, it seems. Manchester City, and its billionaire Abu Dhabi owners, have been found guilty of a scheme to hide millions pumped into the club, breaking UK spending rules – and possibly a few laws too. It's a problem that kicked off in the beautiful game, but is landing now in politics.In Burnham's celebrated first speech at the Labour Party conference as leader he spoke against big corporations trampling on the average person. So will he stand with his city's big investors, or with those who feel wronged by Man City's financial actions? And how much is his legacy as Greater Manchester Mayor now tarnished by accusations of dirty money?The News Agents is a Global Production.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Sep 30
41 min
Did Andy Burnham just deliver one of the great political speeches?
Andy Burnham promised a speech of substance and he was true to his word. Big announcements on social care, the triple lock, electoral reform, the water industry, the EU - all tied together in a deeply emotional and passionate speech about his vision for Britain.If anyone in Labour had any lingering doubts about toppling Keir Starmer, Burnham put those to bed in an hour and ten minutes on stage in Liverpool. Will it be enough to save Labour? Has his pledge to end the triple lock to fund social care become a stick to beat him with? Has he delivered on the promise to bring back hope?Later, we speak to Scotland Secretary Douglas Alexander - who has written conference speeches since 1991 - on where Burnham's efforts ranked.The News Agents is a Global Production.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Sep 29
33 min
Burnham’s first conference - is there really hope again?
There's a surprising buoyancy at Labour conference this year. For all the warnings of the grim economic backdrop and the myriad challenges facing Andy Burnham, his message of 'Hope Again' does seem to have registered, at least with the party faithful at Liverpool.But John Healey couldn't really sell sunlit uplands in his speech today - he was at pains to point out that this is NOT the 1990s. And a potential diesel export ban from Donald Trump could make things a whole lot bleaker. Can Burnham sail through this conference on vibes?And if his government is so keen on growing the economy, why can't they say where they stand on another runway at Heathrow? We speak to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.The News Agents is a Global Production.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Sep 28
35 min
How the Royal family gets away with it
What if King Charles did tell Earl Spencer that "we’ll forget [Diana] soon enough" in the days after her death? It's one word against another but the public discourse seems pretty settled - that Diana's brother is at best misremembering, at worst lying.How much has the Palace spin team forged that narrative? If you read the Palace statement closely, you'll notice that it never outright denies the claim, even if it does point out that "the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason"."Never complain, never explain" is the motto associated with the Buckingham Palace media strategy. But they do complain. And they do explain - just not often publicly.Andrew Lownie's bombshell biography of Andrew Moutbatten-Windsor - 'Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York' - shone a light on Andrew's relationship with Epstein before the release of the Epstein files. He has reported on and written about the Firm for years, but - unlike much of the Royal rota - they would much rather he didn't.In the week where the Royals find themselves dragged into yet another scandal, he sat down with Lewis to explore how the press operation around the King works, why he believes Spencer, and what Andrew thinks now.The News Agents is a Global Production.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Sep 25
36 min
Andy Murray, Andre Agassi, Arthur Fery: Laver Cup All-Access Pass | The Sports Agents - The Sports Agents
The Sports Agents are at the Laver Cup 2026 in London for a special episode with three generations of tennis stars.Andy Murray joins Gabby Logan for a wide-ranging conversation about life after tennis, the intensity of competing at the very top, and how his relationship with the game has changed.Murray is joined by one of the biggest names in the history of the sport, Andre Agassi, who reflects on rivalry, pressure, longevity and what it takes to survive at the highest level.And with Wimbledon Semi-Finalist Arthur Fery also joining the show, we look ahead to the next generation trying to make their mark.From two Grand Slam greats to one of Britain’s emerging talents, this is tennis past, present and future at the Laver Cup.Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:32 Andre Agassi 16:28 Arthur Fery 26:30 Andy Murray📩 Got a question for The Sports Agents? https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7🖥️ Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportsAgentsPod📱Follow us on socials:TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thesportsagentsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesportsagents/X - https://x.com/sportsagentspod📥 Email: [email protected]💭 Take our listener survey: https://forms.gle/YMUvajQktqBuimgh6Executive Producer: Adonis PratsidesSenior Producer: David FinchVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial Media Editor: Jasmine WissartTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".👕 The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-sports-agents
Sep 24
48 min
Is Tony Blair getting in Andy Burnham’s way?
On the eve of Andy Burnham’s first party conference as Prime Minister, Tony Blair has entered centre stage - to talk about rejoining the EU. Is he nudging Burnham towards his own goal? Or putting unnecessary hurdles in the new PM's way? And what is the state of the relationship between them? We talk to The New Statesman’s Tom McTague.And, as a new mega MRP poll lands suggesting the current number of parliamentary seats each party would win if the election were held tomorrow, we analyse why a snap election is so unlikely.The News Agents is a Global Production.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Sep 24
42 min
Will Piers Morgan make Earl Spencer pulp his own book?
"I made a small error and I've apologised and it will be put right in the second edition, but that's it." That's what Earl Spencer told Lorraine this morning. The error in question is about Piers Morgan. In his new book, Spencer claims that Morgan published a hidden camera photo of Diana in 1993 while working for the Daily Mirror. The big problem with that? Morgan didn't join the Mirror until 1995. He's launched legal action against Diana's brother - and speaks to Jon and Emily.Later, Andy Burnham will be pleased that his first face to face with Donald Turmp went off without any major hiccup. Their meeting on the sidelines of the UN was actually pretty chummy in large part - so why is the UK now having to rethink its plan for the Chagos Islands as a result?The News Agents is a Global Production.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Sep 23
34 min
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