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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: dax@global.com

You can visit our website here https://www.thenewsagents.co.uk/

The News Agents

Keir Starmer came to power vowing to smash the gangs and stop the boats. He believes in the power of returns agreements to solve the problem - and established the 'one in - one out' system with France. An irregular migrant is returned for each refugee who has gone through the process properly. But, in a moment of low farce and high tragedy, an Iranian man - one of the very first to be sent back to France - turned back up on these shores on a small boat for a second time. So much for a deterrent, it would seem. So is the system broken? And could Labour now be thinking the unthinkable about the cancelled Rwanda plan? 

Later, Wikipedia is reaching its 25th anniversary. The total sum of human knowledge freely available online - and powered by volunteers. How did such a vast, ambitious and optimistic idea ever come off? We speak to founder Jimmy Wales about tech billionaires, trust and human nature.

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

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Is the government's small boats plan "in tatters"?

The pressure is mounting on Parliament to scrutinise the housing arrangements of our Royal family after the times revealed this week Prince Andrew pays a mere peppercorn rent on Royal Lodge. 

Could he be called before MPs to explain his finances? Does the tax payer still fund this disgraced Royal? And what is the nature of the relationship between Parliament and palace that makes them so unwilling to ask?

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

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Will Prince Andrew be called to face Parliament?

Amy Wallace, the co author of Virginia Giuffre‘ s memoir - which is published today - has told Emily it’s possible more women will now come forward to reveal what they know about Prince Andrew’s actions on Epstein’s island. She calls on Andrew to “name names” of other abusers around Epstein. And she speaks for the first time about what Virginia believed happened on the night Epstein died.

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

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Prince Andrew - Could more women now come forward?

Virginia Giuffre is speaking to us from beyond the grave - with her memoir about the abuse she suffered at the hands of Epstein and - she claims - Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew continues to deny those allegations.

The book is a harrowing account of abuse, pain and control. Does it change how we see Andrew? Should he now stand trial? And what does it tell us more widely about complicity and power?

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

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Prince Andrew and the Epstein scandal - Virginia Giuffre in her own words

You've loved Coining It, so it's back for episode 3. Thank you for the brilliant response to the first two episodes. If you don't want to wait for episode 4 on this feed, the entire series is available now on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode... Destination: Dubai. James Parker and his newly hired financial advisor are on the trip of a lifetime - to meet a man who can turn their glitched Bitcoin into gold and cash. But just as they’re about to board the plane, James gets a call. It’s the owner of the trading platform… and he wants his money back. Now.

From Global and Free Turn, Lewis Goodall uncovers the true story of a man who found a crack in the system and pulled his whole world through it.

Coining It with Lewis Goodall | Ep 3 - Coining It

It's just six weeks since Zack Polanski became leader of the Green party. He's not even an MP. And yet, in that short space of time, he's become something of a political rockstar for those on the left of British politics. 

His party is shooting up in the polls, he's attracted a devout and growing following on social media, and his modern style of communication is marking him out against what can at times feel like a rather stale political establishment in Westminster. 

In this extended interview, Lewis speaks to Polanski about his political journey and about his radical vision. Why does he support the break up of the United Kingdom? Does he recognise his stance on NATO sets him at odds with the public? And could Labour MPs be about to join him?

Visit our new website for more analysis and interviews from the team: https://www.thenewsagents.co.uk/

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

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Zack Polanski on populism, patriotism and poverty

British Gymnastics has been on a journey of root and branch reform since the damning 2022 ‘Whyte Review’ exposed systemic abuse and cultural failings.

We are now three years into its "Reform 25" plan, which was designed to "create safe, positive and fair experiences for all in gymnastics by 2025" by implementing the Whyte Review recommendations. 

So as the World Artistic Gymnastic Championships starts, has enough progress been made? 

Gabby and Mark are joined by Joseph Carr, Senior Associate in the Abuse Team at Bolt Burdon Kemp, who has acted for around 40 clients bringing abuse cases in gymnastics. 

British Gymnastics have yet to respond to The Sports Agents' request for comment. Their latest progress report can be found here: https://a.storyblok.com/f/83342/x/f0b8c9f937/british-gymnastics-reform-25-final-progress-report-v4.pdf 

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast help is available at charities such as Gymnasts for Change (https://www.gymnastsforchange.com/) 

📩 Got a question? Send it here: https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7

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🖥️ Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportsAgentsPod 

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📥 Email: thesportsagents@global.com 

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

You 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

Weekend Edition: Has British Gymnastics cleaned up its act? - The Sports Agents

Zack Polanski is riding high right now. The polls have buoyed since he became leader of the greens. And membership has significantly increased too. Today he suggested to Lewis that Labour MPs might defect to his party. Is that going to happen? 

And what does it tell us about the way left wing populism is mimicking the style of right wing populists in 2025? 

Later, France’s new prime minister looks ravishingly similar to France’s new prime minister. Because it’s the same man. Will he stay in the job longer than a month? And what is the structural problem France is battling right now which make its politics so febrile?

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

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Could Labour MPs jump ship to the Green Party?

JD Vance has had his sights on the UK since becoming vice president - fixating on our free speech laws, criticising Britain in strong terms.

But is that part of a wider movement? There is evidence of a growing concerted effort, by rich and organised American advocacy groups, setting their sights on the UK, trying to influence public mood and indeed politics itself.

Tommy Robinson is claiming that his legal bills are being funded by Elon Musk, and a new report from the New York Times suggests that one American organisation is set on shifting opinions here on abortion. We speak to the investigative reporter Jane Bradley.

Lewis and Emily dissect a combative PMQs over the China spying row - is this now a he said-she said row or is there more serious jeopardy for Keir Starmer?

And lastly, Emily asks why the toilets are being reinforced at The Royal Albert Hall...

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

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Are American billionaires trying to reshape British politics?

The Conservatives have accused Keir Starmer and those around him of wilfully forcing the collapse of a trial involving two young British men accused of spying for the Chinese government - allegations they deny. Security minister Dan Jarvis got to his feet in the Commons last night to angrily deny Kemi Badenoch's attacks - it's all the fault of the last Conservative government was his counter charge. So why exactly did the case collapse? Did those in government really choose to protect economic interests over national security? Or could this be a case of cock up rather than conspiracy?

Later, which party leader emerged best from the conference season. And what might this tell us about the public hunger for change?

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

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Did the government willingly collapse the China spy trial?

Net migration figures hit more than 900,000 in the year up to June 2023. And fell by 20 percent this year, down to 730,000. It was only a decade ago that Prime Minister David Cameron was talking about bringing immigration into the "tens of thousands". So, where did things go so badly wrong? And why after the Brexit referendum and the pledge to 'Take Back Control' did Boris Johnson's administration see immigration rise to a million people? 

Today we ask new Labour MP, Jake Richardson - who has Reform snapping at his heels - what the Labour plan is? And if the government is prepared to issue fewer student visas if that brings the core number down?

Later, Mark Zuckerberg banned Donald Trump from Facebook after the January 6th riots. Now they're dining together in Mar a Lago. How is American business recalibrating in preparation for a second Trump term?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt

Producer: Natalie Indge 

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob Paul

You can watch Lewis's special report on the abortion crisis in Florida here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df5BCL0ocFE

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below: 

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents 

The News Agents USA now have merch! Click here to buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents-usa

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/

Net migration: Is it really out of control?

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