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The News Agents

The News Agents

Podcast | United Kingdom | Left

UK political news podcast with Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel, and Lewis Goodall. Making sense of the news.

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Articles

Discussions from The News Agents

Geopolitics

Will Argentina be punished for their Falklands stunt?

The last minute defeat by Argentina was a hard cross to bear if you’re an England fan. But what happened afterwards propelled the game into a whole different sphere. Argentine players paraded a banner that fans threw onto the pitch calling for Las Malvinas to be returned to Argentina. It is a highly political message. The kind FIFA is normally quick to ban. But at the time of writing FIFA has said nothing. Why? And what happens when politicians get in on the act too? Later, Keir Starmer flies...

Argentina
Politics

Starmer hands the torch to Burnham - does he have a plan?

There were tears, there was gags, there were plenty of World Cup references. Keir Starmer's final PMQs had something of the last day of school about it as he and Kemi Badenoch shared some rare bonhomie and Starmer reflected on his time in No 10. Tributes to Ann Widdecombe were paid at the start of Starmer's last trip to the Chamber, and there was a rare friendly atmosphere in parliament with MPs clearly keen to show that there is common ground despite the weekly mudslinging. Will some Labour ...

United Kingdom
Geopolitics

England vs Argentina: Is this the most toxic rivalry on Earth?

Maradonna's 'Hand of God'. The Falklands war. The Beckham hissy fit. The religion of Messi. The backdrop to tomorrow's World Cup semi-final is steeped in intensity and passion - so much so that the FBI has judged it to be the highest risk match of the tournament. Just how much is riding on tomorrow’s game - and how do the geopolitics of our two nations affect what happens on the pitch? We speak to Gary Lineker who was playing for England against Maradonna in that game, Peter Frankopan - just ...

United Kingdom
Politics

Was Ann Widdecombe the victim of a political assassination?

The murder of Ann Widdecombe has sent shockwaves through Westminster and beyond. News came today that counter terror police have now taken over the investigation following "new information and evidence". So what has changed? What have detectives found? And how do police steer the fine line between informing the public and telling us too much too soon? We talk to the host of the Crime Agents podcast, Andy Hughes. Later, how does this feel if you’re a highly visible MP? Does the relationship be...

United Kingdom
Politics

The day Infantino & Trump BROKE the World Cup - The Sports Agents

Can Gianni Infantino survive his friendship with Donald Trump? The presidents of both FIFA and the USA have been busy this week ensuring that USA could field top scorer Folarin Balogun in their Quarter-final match against Belgium. Trump’s incredible intervention into football has rocked the sport and left FIFA’s credibility in tatters - particularly after England defender Jarell Quansah’s own red card ban is extended - is it one rule for Trump’s team and another for the everyone else? As FIFA...

Global
Politics

Bridget Phillipson: "Spiteful class warrior" and proud

Recently, the Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, has seemed particularly exercised by one woman on Labour's front bench. Yes, Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary and one of Keir Starmer's closest allies, has become something of an obsession for the Leader of the Opposition. Interviews come and interviews go, yet somehow Badenoch always seems to find a way to bring Phillipson into the conversation. Much of the hostility stems from Phillipson's determination to impose VAT on private school fee...

United Kingdom
Politics

Farage vs Binface: How Nigel humiliated himself

Within hours of the Farage resignation statement all the main parties made it clear they would not be fighting his by-election and called the whole attempt a gimmick. Unity amongst the parties is a rare beast indeed - but they've all found their common enemy in a man who appears to resist transparency or accountability. What happens to the Clacton circus now? And more pressingly, what is the process for parliamentary scrutiny if the enquiry is temporarily suspended for a campaign? We ask anti...

United Kingdom
Politics

Is Nigel Farage's career unravelling before our eyes?

The bad news isn't stopping for Reform and Nigel Farage. He's facing fresh questions about the timeline surrounding the £5m gift from a crypto billionaire. The police are investigating a separate donation made to Robert Jenrick (who has described the claims as a politically motivated smear). The party has urged volunteers to divert from the Greater Manchester mayoral contest - in an effort to shore up Nigel Farage in a contest against a bin that he himself has triggered. Just a few days ago, ...

United Kingdom
Politics

The temper tantrum that triggered Farage's by-election

Nigel Farage says he's "never been angrier in his life". He's accusing the media of intimidating his family. He's claimed standards are being weaponised to go after him. And for that, he's asking the people of Clacton to stomach a by-election and re-elect him as their MP. Farage is framing it as a 'People vs The Establishment' contest - but is it more of a smokescreen to move the conversation away from the growing questions around his finances? Will the gamble work? And will it actually solve...

United Kingdom
Culture

What makes Mexico INVINCIBLE at the Azteca & Maresca's Man City - The Sports Agents

After Harry Kane got them out of jail against DR Congo, Nedum believes this is the start of a glorious run for England at the FIFA World Cup. It’s Mexico next at the iconic Azteca stadium, altitude, pollution, and an army of noisy fans await. Nedum & Gabby discuss performing at altitude, Mexican welcoming committees and what makes this the “hardest game that can be played at this tournament” Elsewhere the guys reveal new Man City manager Enzo Maresca’s coaching philosophy - with insights from...

Global
Politics

Has Trump just trashed his own World Cup?

Jon has woken up in Mexico City with a fever dream about an epic England win and a football shirt covered in beer and tequila. Elsewhere the game doesn’t feel quite so beautiful - after it emerged that Trump's political meddling got a red card overturned for US player, Folarin Balogun. Why did the FIFA president cave to Trump's swagger and pressure? How has it left the players feeling as they head into the next stages? And what does it tell us about Trumps tendency towards tyranny as America ...

Global
Politics

Why everything you feared about Trump is true

It feels different this time around. Donald Trump's second term is more ferocious, more feral, more imperial. There are two chroniclers of the Court of Trump who know this better than anyone. And they have just published 'Regime Change' - the authoritative account of the White House under Trump 2.0. Their access is remarkable. Inside accounts of the discussions, arguments, and fawning taking place inside the incredibly small circle of people truly in Trump's orbit. Trump has slated the book a...

United Kingdom