The News Agents

Louise Casey's report on grooming gangs is incredibly tough reading. She details, over 200 pages, the repeated failings of local authorities, police forces, government departments and indeed the legal system, which treats the victims of the most horrific abuse as somehow culpable.

She was tasked to look into the issue following a clamour for a national inquiry earlier this year. Bundled up in those calls - propelled by Elon Musk - was the claim that Pakistani men were responsible for the vast majority of "group-based" child sexual exploitation offences. Baroness Casey has looked at that claim. She has found a comprehensive failure of adequate data gathering, although from the records of three police forces says there is an "over-representation" of Asian and Pakistani men. She is concerned about the politicisation of the debate, the risks of racists hijacking the issue, and most profoundly, about fixing a system which still sees girls subject to heinous abuse at the hands of male predators.

Baroness Casey came in to speak to Emily and Lewis, as the Prime Minister backed her call for a new national inquiry.

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What is Israel's end game in Iran? Does it genuinely believe Iran is making nuclear weapons - or is this about overthrowing the whole regime? Did Trump make Iran more dangerous when he ripped up the diplomatic deal Obama had forged with the country? And will Trump end up dragging America into a brand new Middle East war?

We talk to CNN correspondent and Ex Files host, Christiane Amanpour and ask how Iranians themselves are feeling about the prospect of their own leaders being toppled.

Later, why is abortion still technically illegal in England and Wales. And does the law need to change? Tomorrow MPs will be given a free commons vote. We ask Labour backbencher Stella Creasy why pressure from America is making her bring this amendment now.

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The last two decades have led to the last 24 hours: Israel, going for broke and launching an all out assault on Iran’s nuclear programme. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu claims he is trying to prevent a “nuclear holocaust.” But why now? And in acting in this way will Israel succeed in halting an Iranian nuclear weapon or guarantee it?

PLUS Lewis talks at length to Zia Yusuf, the former Reform Chairman about that weekend, where he resigned and unresigned in the space of 72 hours. Is Reform really about to storm Westminster, or rather is it its best disguised joke?

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

This week on The Sports Agents...

We hear the secrets behind match fixing from convicted match fixer and former professional footballer, Moses Swaibu. With the Lucas Paqueta trial coming to an end, Swaibu tells us how many people it takes to fix a match, what signs you can look out for, and how to put an end to all of this. (01:00)

Mark heads down to Soccer Aid to chat to a host of sporting stars. What does Joe Hart make of Manchester City's transfer business? How does Bryan Habana rate the Lions' chances on tour? And can he still race a cheetah? (14:45)

Got a question for The Sports Agents? Email us at [email protected]

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

It's been 3 days since the streets of Ballymena in Northern Ireland went from peaceful protest to full on riots. Since then, 41 police officers have been injured, rioters have hurled petrol bombs, and people have fled their homes as hate-filled mobs set fire to them.

As the tensions builds and the protests turn to racist rioting, is this more of what we saw in Southport last summer, or is this specific to Northern Irish identity?

Later, Jon sits down with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Jamie Oliver to talk about his latest campaign on how the education system leaves children with dyslexia behind.

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

Today, in a marked change of tone, Rachel Reeves laid out her spending review. The Chancellor set out budgets for government departments, boosting budgets for the NHS and Home Office. But the Tories are calling her approach "spend now, tax later".

So is this the plan too ambitious? And are tax rises inevitable in the Autumn? And can Reeve's spending review help to rebuild her reputation? We speak to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones.

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

Keir Starmer has done his first media round since the u-turn on winter fuel payments, attempting to argue that the country’s finances are now stable and also still reeling from Liz Truss mini budget. 9 million pensioners are now eligible for the benefit. Including many well off couples. Is this really the best use of public money when young families are struggling and child poverty is double the level of pensioner poverty?

Later, the SNPs Stephen Flynn joins us in the studio to talk about Gaza, Reform, the SNPs record in government, and that Hamilton by-election result.

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

Why has Trump sent the National Guard onto the streets of L.A. to deal with protests against his immigration raids? Normally, this would only happen at the invitation of the State's governor. This time, Trump acted without consultation - and the governor, Gavin Newsom, is now threatening to sue him.

Is Trump right to say he needs to assert law and order on a few protestors before it gets out of control? Is this a personal vendetta against Newsom? Or might it be for more sinister reasons - a dress rehearsal for a President working out how to use emergency powers to seize control of local operations of government?

Later, actor comedian poet and writer Tim Key joins us to discuss his smash hit film 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' - and an update on the Chancellor's winter fuel u-turn.

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

Last night, one of the world's most powerful relationships came to a dramatic end. Over the course of one evening, Elon Musk set fire to his already fracturing partnership with Donald Trump. The bitter feud over Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' spilled out to accusations that the President is in the Epstein files and calls for his impeachment.

As the break up plays out on social media, Jon and Lewis ask is the bromance truly over? Will Trump sell his Tesla? Will Musk be deported? And is there any coming back from this war of words?

Later - does Zia Yusuf's departure as Reform chairman derail Nigel Farage's pitch to voters?

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

This week on The Sports Agents...

With the NBA Finals starting, Gabby and Mark chat about Michael Jordan returning to our screens and why the NBA hasn't taken off in the UK with host of The Athletic’s NBA Daily podcast, Dave DuFour. (03:30)

Comedian Lee Mack joined us for a laugh ahead of Soccer Aid, spilling the secrets from playing with some of the world's most famous footballers. (09:30)

Former Chelsea and Nigeria player John Obi Mikel came into the studio to chat about the upcoming Club World Cup and whether players really stop playing football when they're on holiday. (14:45)

Is PSG winning Champions League masking the terrible financial state of Ligue 1? We speak to Tariq Panja, Global Sports Correspondent for the New York Times. (18:15)

Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at [email protected]

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.