The News Agents

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has told Lewis that the wishes of the parents of the babies murdered by Lucy Letby must be respected. And yet - as the inquiry into the hospital culture surrounding those deaths opens in London today, we ask why so many people are refusing to believe the verdict delivered by a jury after a ten month trial. Have we become too distrustful of our institutions? Or is it endemic to this particular case and context? Journalist David Aaronovitch joins us to discuss the growing internet conspiracies.Later, the French rape trial that has confounded public opinion - the husband who admitted to drugging his own wife over the course of a decade to invite men to rape her.Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind BadewalDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The (brat) summer was Kamala's. The Democratic nominee had two months of rave press reviews and sell out crowds. And a convention that left many remarking that the energy and momentum of the race was with her. But two months out from the election - and two weeks before the first ACTUAL postal votes are cast - Harris and Trump are now neck and neck in key swing polls. What's going on there? Later, winter fuel for pensioners. Was the cut to universal allowance a mistake? A sign of strength? Or of battles to come? - MPs vote tomorrow.Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

This week on The Sports Agents, Gabby & Mark were joined by former Chelsea F.C manager Emma Hayes to discuss her brand new book,  ‘A completely different game: My Leadership playbook’.There was a half full Lord's in the cricket - why may that have been?And the team digest how the new Manchester United exec board are getting on after their 3-0 loss to Liverpool. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

The News Agents comes to you live from Ed Davey’s back garden. This is not a euphemism. The Lib Dems are a big force in British politics once again, the most significant third party force in parliament for a century. Davey achieved this breakthrough by doing some very odd things including bungee jumping, paragliding and consistently falling into water.After one of the most curious election campaigns in history, Lewis sits down with the Lib Dem leader, not long before the party’s annual conference. They talk about what he was up to with all the stunts, what he wants to do with his party’s new clout in parliament and whether there’s even further to go: whether they could yet supplant the Conservatives as Britain’s second party.Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Shane FennellyDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulWin a money-can’t-buy meet-and-greet with Jon, after enjoying a live podcast recording by pre-ordering a copy of his new book Strangeland here…https://www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-drawYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The first round of the Conservative leadership race has seen Priti Patel leave the race, and Robert Jenrick take poll position. Could he be the Conservatives next leader? And what kind of Tory is he? We talk to Tory watcher and author Ben Riley Smith from the Telegraph. Later, is Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu in trouble? There is increasing desperation on the streets of Israel after the deaths of more hostages. The public mood has turned against the government and its ongoing war on Gaza. What happens now? We speak to the author and commentator Ayala Panievsky about how domestic politics is shaping Neyanyahu's military strategy.Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulWin a money-can’t-buy meet-and-greet with Jon, after enjoying a live podcast recording by pre-ordering a copy of his new book Strangeland here…https://www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-drawYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The tragedy at Grenfell seven long years ago was one that was entirely avoidable. That was the conclusion today of the inquiry, which stated baldly that those 72 deaths in a high rise fire in west London would not have happened without a culture of dishonesty, greed on the part of the construction companies, and denial by the government who knew the dangers of flammable cladding but did nothing. What happens now for the families of the victims? Does this give closure? Or provoke rage? And will anyone face prosecution for the part they played? Lewis and Emily take you back to the night it happened, and their reporting in the days and weeks afterwards - that interview with PM Theresa May - and ask what now for the hundreds of thousands of people who still live with the consequences of buildings that are deemed unsafe.Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulWin a money-can’t-buy meet-and-greet with Jon, after enjoying a live podcast recording by pre-ordering a copy of his new book Strangeland here…www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-drawYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Actor Michael Sheen joins us today to discuss his latest role playing a royal - Prince Andrew in Amazon's three part drama 'A Very Royal Scandal', based on the Newsnight interview Emily did with him in 2019. He tells us what he privately decided about Prince Andrew's character before he accepted the part - and he tells us what he thinks of Keir Starmer's early days and what needs to needs to happen politically. He also takes us back - metaphorically - to his home town Port Talbot - which has seen the docking of its final ship in the steel making business for which it was formerly famed.There's also competition to win a special prize to come into the studio and watch the News Agents in person. All you need to do to enter is pre-order a copy of Jon's book from the link below.https://www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-drawAndy you can now buy your own News Agents merch in our online store https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agentsEditor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulYou 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/

Germany's hard right party the ADF have made astonishing gains in two regions of the country - the first time the hard right has seen substantial electoral gains since the Nazi era. What is propelling the rise? And what do the governing coalition parties do to combat them. Later, we sit down with Nadhim Zahawi - former chancellor, and former child refugee to talk about his party's rhetoric on immigration. And why he owed the treasury 5 million pounds of unpaid tax. Also, excitingly, there's a competition to win an special prize to come into the studio and watch the News Agents in person. All you need to do to enter is pre-order a copy of Jon's book from the link below.https://www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-draw Andy you can now buy your own News Agents merch in our online store https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agentsEditor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulYou 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/

This week on The Sports Agents, Gabby & Mark paid tribute to the former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson who passed away on Monday. After Emma Raducanu's tearful US Open press conference, following her first-round exit, former British tennis player turned commentator Anna Smith joined us to talk about the 'target on her back'.And as the transfer deadline approached, 'super-agent' Jon Smith gave us an insight into the chaos as clubs try to get last-minute deals over the line before the window closes. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

This Friday, Jon and Lewis answer your questions. What's behind Biden and Obama's "complicated" relationship? Do members of the royal family vote? And which state will be the most interesting battle ground in the US election?And, win a money-can’t-buy meet-and-greet with Jon, after enjoying a live podcast recording by pre-ordering a copy of his new book Strangeland here…www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-drawEditor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyDigital Journalists: Michael Baggs & Jacob PaulYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The disastrous "mini budget" of Liz Truss' short time in Downing Street will go down in history. But did she really consider stopping the NHS treating cancer patients in a bid to find the savings to clean up the fallout?Jon and Lewis speak to political biographer, Sir Anthony Seldon, about the dramatic 49 days of the shortest serving British Prime Minister.Editor: Tom HughesProducer: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Keir Starmer is in Berlin, this time for some real politics, not a football match. He’s meeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, unveiling a new UK/Germany defence agreement. Later he’s heading to Paris to meet President Macron. The new government is on a charm offensive, with much lofty talk of a reset of UK/EU relations post-Brexit. But is that really possible? How much is just vibes? Lewis and Jon analyse what has happened and crucially what has not happened, and are joined in News Agents HQ by German Ambassador Miguel Berger.We also talk about whether there’s any truth that Mr Mandelson might be going to Washington and Jon is shilling for his book again. What fun.To enter Jon’s competition head over to www.waterstones.com/win/strangeland-prize-draw to find out more Editor: Tom HughesProducers: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Keir Starmer has made his first major speech as Prime Minister and he had an uplifting message for the public: things can only get worse.Jon and Lewis, firmly ensconced back in News Agents HQ analyse what the PM is up to and ask whether British politics can really sustain another project built on pessimism. They also discuss rumoured changes of the Labour Party’s leadership rules (if that doesn’t make you click, what will?) and Oasis’ imminemt return to the stage. Jon, predictably, swears from the start.Editor: Tom HughesProducers: Natalie IndgeDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

This week on The Sports Agents... Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton's new 31-year-old manager - the youngest in Premier League history - joined Gabby for an exclusive interview. He talks his meteoric rise, embracing the culture on England's South Coast, looking forward to coming up against Pep Guardiola and more. Then on Thursday, with ITV's Mark Pougatch as our special guest host, we examined the Raheem Sterling situation at Chelsea and if their unusual recruitment strategy will ever actually work? Journalist Matt Hughes, applied sport finance expert Rob Wilson and the former Man City defender Nedum Onuoha joined in. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Kamala Harris pledged a "new way forward" for America as she formally accepted the Democratic party nomination for president at the DNC in Chicago.She makes history as the first black and Asian-American woman to lead a party's presidential ticket.But did the American people actually learn enough about Kamala and her politics last night? Will she need to do and say more if she's to beat Donald Trump in November's election? Or will simply being the "anti-Trump" candidate be enough? Editor: Tom HughesProducers: Natalie Indge & Rory SymonDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

We’ve been on the road in Indiana, which isn’t far from the DNC in Chicago and yet feels so distant. Has Kamala Harris’ introduction to the nation reached heartland America? We find a state full of friendly people who have just stopped talking to each other, of not just competing politics, but parallel realities. And back in the United Centre, the previously little known Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has made his keynote speech. Jon has all the reaction from the Democrat bigwig.Editor: Tom HughesProducers: Natalie Indge & Rory SymonDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

The Obama's are back, and last night they enchanted the Democratic Party National Convention in Chicago.They took the fight to Donald Trump. And they did it with glee. They were laughing in the face of the Republican nominee.So how important will Barack and Michelle Obama be for Kamala Harris' campaign? Can they move the dial further in the Democrats favour and help ensure election victory in November?Editor: Tom HughesProducers: Natalie Indge & Rory SymonDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

On Monday night Joe Biden made what was almost certainly his final speech as US President, and Lewis and Jon were in the hall at the Democratic National Convention to watch it all.It was the speech Biden never wanted to make. But did it ensure a smooth handover of the baton to his VP Kamala Harris? Later in the show we bring you a special report from outside the convention centre earlier on Monday where thousands protested against the US government's policy regarding the war in Israel and Gaza.Editor: Tom HughesProducers: Natalie Indge & Rory SymonDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Jon and Lewis are at the opening day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Joe Biden (he’s still president apparently) will be taking to the stage to give a farewell address to the Convention which should have been his. The Dems are giddy at the passing of the torch - but is that euphoria justified? Has Kamala actually restored the Democrats’ chances? We take a look at the electoral map and what’s ahead on this big week in the American political calendar.Editor: Tom HughesProducers: Natalie Indge & Rory SymonDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

Jon and Lewis are live from Chicago on the eve of the Democratic Party national convention, as Kamala Harris prepares to address the nation as her party's presidential nominee.Is she able to put to bed any lingering doubts that she's capable of defeating Donald Trump? Will the positive vibes around her campaign continue? And as tens of thousands of people are expected to protest outside the convention centre on Monday, can she unite the party over the war in Gaza.Editor: Tom HughesProducers: Natalie Indge & Zeynel Can YuceDigital Editor: Michaela WaltersSocial Media Editor: Georgia FoxwellVideo Production: Rory Symon & Shane FennellyYou 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/https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents