The News Agents

Overnight, progressives in New York witnessed a political earthquake. A resounding win on a high turnout for the city’s first Muslim mayor - a democratic socialist with robust ideas about capitalism. Was it his youth? His clear cut policies? Or was it his authenticity that energised the city’s voters? And are there lessons to be learned for how politics should be done here in 2025?

Health Minister, Wes Streeting, joins us to talk about personality in politics, and what Labour could learn from Mamdani's example.

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

At 8:10 this morning the Chancellor made a speech in Westminster. 45 minutes later no one was any the wiser. She promised to be honest with the public but refused to confirm tax rises or a commitment to her manifesto pledge and rule them out. So what was it all for?

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

The appalling train stabbing on Saturday night has sent politicians scurrying to find the right policy response. The shadow Home Secretary is calling for a dramatic increase in stop and search. Would this yield more arrests? Create a deterrent? Or just create tension and division amongst communities? We talk to Neil Basu, former head of counter terrorism and frequent target of Stop and Search himself.

Later, why is Elon Musk conflating hobbits and rapists in rural England?

You can listen to The Crime Agents special episode on the train stabbings here: https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/episodes/7Drv3Y1/

And Sir Gareth Southgate's interview with The Sports Agents is here: https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/episodes/7Drv3Wz/

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

We're back with the penultimate episode of Coining It. Thank you for the brilliant response to the series so far. If you don't want to wait for the last episode on this feed, the entire series is available now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode... The party’s over. When one of James’ friends goes to the police, detectives finally connect the dots. James is hauled in for questioning - but doesn't give a monkeys. As greed and paranoia take hold, his last friendships fracture beyond repair.

Coining It is a Global production

It's a 2025 royal knockout. After sustained and mounting pressure, the King took drastic action last night, stripping his brother of his prince title and turfing him out of Royal Lodge.

Prince Andrew becomes Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. Why has King Charles moved so decisively against his brother now? And will this draw a line under the Epstein scandal that has dogged the Palace - or are there still questions that remain unresolved?

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

Did you know the government doesn't fund deaf athletes, because they aren’t allowed to compete at the Paralympics? 

For 100 years now they’ve been holding their own competition - the Deaflympics - where referee whistles are replaced by flag signals, and starting guns by flashing lights. But no Paralympics means no funding. All because they were born with the so-called “wrong” disability. Great Britain medal hopefuls Charlotte Gower and Nathan Young join Gabby.

Plus we look back at the best bits from this week on The Sports Agents from the NBA gambling scandal featuring the mafia and x-ray glasses with Andy Hughes (Co-Host of The Crime Agents podcast) and The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov; to a love letter to the Ashes with some hilarious stories from Phil Tufnell.

You can watch the Deaflympics live on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@TOKYO2025DEAFLYMPICS And find out more information about DeaflympicsGB here: https://www.deaflympicsgb2025.co.uk/

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Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides

Producer: Sophie Penney

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

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Why are British-made military items being found on the killing fields of Sudan? It's a question that the government has been asked in parliament today, amid escalating reports of the most brutal mass killings of civilians.

The Guardian revealed this week that UK-manufactured military equipment is being used by the RSF militia in Sudan - who are accused of committing genocide in the country by the USA. So what's going on? And could it prompt a rethink of where we sell our military equipment?

Later - is Geert Wilders returning to the wilderness? The Dutch electorate seem to have dealt him a blow with a centrist candidate now the favourite to become the country's next PM. Are there lessons for the PM here in the fight against populism?

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

With the budget looming next month, Keir Starmer has refused to stand by his manifesto commitments not to raise income tax. It comes as Labour's poll rating hits an all time low - so will this be the final blow for voters?

Later, after admitting he won't (probably) won't be seeking another term, was Trump ever serious about a third run at President? And what is the future for MAGA when he leaves office?

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

Donald Trump is declaring his actions in the Caribbean a war on drugs. Democrats are calling it "state-sanctioned murder". What is Trump's game plan for Venezuela? Is it about fentanyl? Oil? Or regime change?

Later - the latest YouGov poll has put four major parties all within two points of each other. What does it tell us about the state of UK politics? And what can we learn from Plaid Cymru’s success in last week's Caerphilly by-election ?

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

Why was the king heckled outside Lichfield Cathedral? Will Andrew vacate Royal Lodge for two other royal homes? And when will the public appetite be satisfied that the palace has done enough? We take you behind the curtain to the events at the end of last week and the key conversation that never happened.

Later, was Reform MP Sarah Pochin racist in her comments about TV adverts? And is she a danger to Reform, or an asset?

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