The News Agents
@newsagents.bsky.social
Lifting the curtain on the biggest stories in the UK, U.S. & beyond.
With Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel & Lewis Goodall. Listen on Global Player.
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With Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel & Lewis Goodall. Listen on Global Player.
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"Donald Trump has blown up the diplomatic goodwill many people felt towards the United States," says analyst and writer Dan Wang.
If America loses the economic battle with China, will it all be the fault of the president?
If America loses the economic battle with China, will it all be the fault of the president?
December 6, 2025 at 9:01 AM
"Donald Trump has blown up the diplomatic goodwill many people felt towards the United States," says analyst and writer Dan Wang.
If America loses the economic battle with China, will it all be the fault of the president?
If America loses the economic battle with China, will it all be the fault of the president?
"When it comes to building public works – never trust anyone who speaks English."
Analyst, writer and China specialist Dan Wang tells Lewis Goodall why the British are among some of the worst at building and have the highest housing costs in the western world
Analyst, writer and China specialist Dan Wang tells Lewis Goodall why the British are among some of the worst at building and have the highest housing costs in the western world
December 5, 2025 at 3:22 PM
"When it comes to building public works – never trust anyone who speaks English."
Analyst, writer and China specialist Dan Wang tells Lewis Goodall why the British are among some of the worst at building and have the highest housing costs in the western world
Analyst, writer and China specialist Dan Wang tells Lewis Goodall why the British are among some of the worst at building and have the highest housing costs in the western world
“Revolting armchairs and redacted names - it’s the world’s worst holiday brochure.”
Images of Jeffrey Epstein’s private island home have been released by House Democrats - is this a threat to Trump to finally release the Epstein files?
Images of Jeffrey Epstein’s private island home have been released by House Democrats - is this a threat to Trump to finally release the Epstein files?
December 5, 2025 at 9:44 AM
“Revolting armchairs and redacted names - it’s the world’s worst holiday brochure.”
Images of Jeffrey Epstein’s private island home have been released by House Democrats - is this a threat to Trump to finally release the Epstein files?
Images of Jeffrey Epstein’s private island home have been released by House Democrats - is this a threat to Trump to finally release the Epstein files?
"She watched him on FaceTime flossing his teeth, which she seems to have found quite erotic - and I found profoundly disgusting."
@helenlewis.bsky.social on the ‘digital affair’ between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and journalist Olivia Nuzzi.
@helenlewis.bsky.social on the ‘digital affair’ between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and journalist Olivia Nuzzi.
December 5, 2025 at 7:17 AM
"She watched him on FaceTime flossing his teeth, which she seems to have found quite erotic - and I found profoundly disgusting."
@helenlewis.bsky.social on the ‘digital affair’ between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and journalist Olivia Nuzzi.
@helenlewis.bsky.social on the ‘digital affair’ between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and journalist Olivia Nuzzi.
"It’s self-evident that leaving the EU badly damaged our economy, took us out of an important marketplace and created serious friction. Untruths were being peddled."
Are Labour ready to reopen the Brexit debate?
Emily and Jon ask Deputy PM David Lammy.
Are Labour ready to reopen the Brexit debate?
Emily and Jon ask Deputy PM David Lammy.
December 4, 2025 at 2:58 PM
"It’s self-evident that leaving the EU badly damaged our economy, took us out of an important marketplace and created serious friction. Untruths were being peddled."
Are Labour ready to reopen the Brexit debate?
Emily and Jon ask Deputy PM David Lammy.
Are Labour ready to reopen the Brexit debate?
Emily and Jon ask Deputy PM David Lammy.
"Crooks and frauds are attracted to MAGA because it's a place that it's 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 to be cancelled from."
'Weird sex poems' and a 'digital affair' - why has no one in MAGA blinked at RFK Jr.’s new sex scandal?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social | @helenlewis.bsky.social
'Weird sex poems' and a 'digital affair' - why has no one in MAGA blinked at RFK Jr.’s new sex scandal?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social | @helenlewis.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 11:43 AM
"Crooks and frauds are attracted to MAGA because it's a place that it's 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 to be cancelled from."
'Weird sex poems' and a 'digital affair' - why has no one in MAGA blinked at RFK Jr.’s new sex scandal?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social | @helenlewis.bsky.social
'Weird sex poems' and a 'digital affair' - why has no one in MAGA blinked at RFK Jr.’s new sex scandal?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social | @helenlewis.bsky.social
"Perhaps Robert Jenrick sees his job as putting disinformation out there."
David Lammy responds after Robert Jenrick branded him a 'hypocrite' for scrapping jury trials - when he once tweeted that doing so was a 'bad idea'.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
David Lammy responds after Robert Jenrick branded him a 'hypocrite' for scrapping jury trials - when he once tweeted that doing so was a 'bad idea'.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
"Perhaps Robert Jenrick sees his job as putting disinformation out there."
David Lammy responds after Robert Jenrick branded him a 'hypocrite' for scrapping jury trials - when he once tweeted that doing so was a 'bad idea'.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
David Lammy responds after Robert Jenrick branded him a 'hypocrite' for scrapping jury trials - when he once tweeted that doing so was a 'bad idea'.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
"𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘪𝘵… 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵."
David Lammy sends a clear message to colleagues getting "cosy" with journalists and "bitching" about peers, after admitting the government "feels very leaky".
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
David Lammy sends a clear message to colleagues getting "cosy" with journalists and "bitching" about peers, after admitting the government "feels very leaky".
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
"𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘪𝘵… 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵."
David Lammy sends a clear message to colleagues getting "cosy" with journalists and "bitching" about peers, after admitting the government "feels very leaky".
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
David Lammy sends a clear message to colleagues getting "cosy" with journalists and "bitching" about peers, after admitting the government "feels very leaky".
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
"All governments make mistakes - 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥."
Deputy PM David Lammy on whether he’s ever known a time where there has been such disillusionment in Britain.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social.
Deputy PM David Lammy on whether he’s ever known a time where there has been such disillusionment in Britain.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social.
December 3, 2025 at 3:57 PM
"All governments make mistakes - 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥."
Deputy PM David Lammy on whether he’s ever known a time where there has been such disillusionment in Britain.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social.
Deputy PM David Lammy on whether he’s ever known a time where there has been such disillusionment in Britain.
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social.
"We see strike action as the only option to get [Wes Streeting] to come to the table.”
"We think we're being really reasonable," says Dr Callum Parr, Deputy Chair of the Resident Doctors Committee.
Do the public back resident doctors striking ahead of Christmas?
"We think we're being really reasonable," says Dr Callum Parr, Deputy Chair of the Resident Doctors Committee.
Do the public back resident doctors striking ahead of Christmas?
December 2, 2025 at 5:31 PM
"We see strike action as the only option to get [Wes Streeting] to come to the table.”
"We think we're being really reasonable," says Dr Callum Parr, Deputy Chair of the Resident Doctors Committee.
Do the public back resident doctors striking ahead of Christmas?
"We think we're being really reasonable," says Dr Callum Parr, Deputy Chair of the Resident Doctors Committee.
Do the public back resident doctors striking ahead of Christmas?
"It gives more power to a smaller number of people - 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺."
Is scrapping jury trials for crimes that carry a likely sentence of under 3 years the right move?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Is scrapping jury trials for crimes that carry a likely sentence of under 3 years the right move?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:12 PM
"It gives more power to a smaller number of people - 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺."
Is scrapping jury trials for crimes that carry a likely sentence of under 3 years the right move?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Is scrapping jury trials for crimes that carry a likely sentence of under 3 years the right move?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
"The language Rachel Reeves uses - calling it 'a contribution' - drives me 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘴!"
"It's not optional - you're being saddled with extra taxes."
Has Labour's budget led to a further erosion of trust in politics?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
"It's not optional - you're being saddled with extra taxes."
Has Labour's budget led to a further erosion of trust in politics?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 3:25 PM
"The language Rachel Reeves uses - calling it 'a contribution' - drives me 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘴!"
"It's not optional - you're being saddled with extra taxes."
Has Labour's budget led to a further erosion of trust in politics?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
"It's not optional - you're being saddled with extra taxes."
Has Labour's budget led to a further erosion of trust in politics?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social
"Labour has managed to squander its capital with immense speed, it's more than a little shocking."
Salman Rushdie says a reluctance to acknowledge the damage Brexit has done and is harming people's faith in politics.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Salman Rushdie says a reluctance to acknowledge the damage Brexit has done and is harming people's faith in politics.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:22 PM
"Labour has managed to squander its capital with immense speed, it's more than a little shocking."
Salman Rushdie says a reluctance to acknowledge the damage Brexit has done and is harming people's faith in politics.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Salman Rushdie says a reluctance to acknowledge the damage Brexit has done and is harming people's faith in politics.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
“The BBC continues to be really stupid, I think, and there’s no cure for stupidity.”
Salman Rushdie criticises the BBC’s self-censorship in a Reith lecture, saying it hands ammunition to those who want to take down public broadcasting.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Salman Rushdie criticises the BBC’s self-censorship in a Reith lecture, saying it hands ammunition to those who want to take down public broadcasting.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:52 PM
“The BBC continues to be really stupid, I think, and there’s no cure for stupidity.”
Salman Rushdie criticises the BBC’s self-censorship in a Reith lecture, saying it hands ammunition to those who want to take down public broadcasting.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Salman Rushdie criticises the BBC’s self-censorship in a Reith lecture, saying it hands ammunition to those who want to take down public broadcasting.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
"I want to get the welfare bill down - its size is a symptom of failure."
Does Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell foresee Labour backing welfare cuts as the bill keeps climbing?
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Does Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell foresee Labour backing welfare cuts as the bill keeps climbing?
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:01 PM
"I want to get the welfare bill down - its size is a symptom of failure."
Does Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell foresee Labour backing welfare cuts as the bill keeps climbing?
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Does Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell foresee Labour backing welfare cuts as the bill keeps climbing?
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
"I want to get the welfare bill down - its size is a symptom of failure."
Does Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell foresee Labour backing welfare cuts as the bill keeps climbing?
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Does Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell foresee Labour backing welfare cuts as the bill keeps climbing?
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:50 PM
"I want to get the welfare bill down - its size is a symptom of failure."
Does Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell foresee Labour backing welfare cuts as the bill keeps climbing?
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Does Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell foresee Labour backing welfare cuts as the bill keeps climbing?
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
"Rachel Reeves promised it was 'one and done' last year - now, you've come back for a massive amount more."
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com ask Labour MP @torstenbell.bsky.social if the average worker should feel better or worse off after the Budget.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com ask Labour MP @torstenbell.bsky.social if the average worker should feel better or worse off after the Budget.
November 26, 2025 at 9:42 PM
"Rachel Reeves promised it was 'one and done' last year - now, you've come back for a massive amount more."
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com ask Labour MP @torstenbell.bsky.social if the average worker should feel better or worse off after the Budget.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com ask Labour MP @torstenbell.bsky.social if the average worker should feel better or worse off after the Budget.
“There is a wild west of amorality in Trump’s Washington that doesn’t exist in [the UK] - there are still standards to uphold here.”
Why have Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson been punished over the Epstein files, but not Trump?
Why have Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson been punished over the Epstein files, but not Trump?
November 26, 2025 at 9:47 AM
“There is a wild west of amorality in Trump’s Washington that doesn’t exist in [the UK] - there are still standards to uphold here.”
Why have Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson been punished over the Epstein files, but not Trump?
Why have Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson been punished over the Epstein files, but not Trump?
“How do you cover Trump at the BBC without fear right now?”
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com unpack the many pressures currently facing BBC journalists.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com unpack the many pressures currently facing BBC journalists.
November 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
“How do you cover Trump at the BBC without fear right now?”
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com unpack the many pressures currently facing BBC journalists.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com unpack the many pressures currently facing BBC journalists.
“The nightmare scenario would be Zelenskyy accepting the deal and then being removed.”
Could the proposed peace deal destabilise Ukraine enough to see Zelenskyy replaced as leader?
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Could the proposed peace deal destabilise Ukraine enough to see Zelenskyy replaced as leader?
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:23 AM
“The nightmare scenario would be Zelenskyy accepting the deal and then being removed.”
Could the proposed peace deal destabilise Ukraine enough to see Zelenskyy replaced as leader?
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Could the proposed peace deal destabilise Ukraine enough to see Zelenskyy replaced as leader?
@jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
“What timeline are we in where Zohran Mamdani and Trump are suddenly best buds, while MTG has quit the party over a bitter feud?”
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com discuss why Trump seems so taken with New York’s new Democrat mayor.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com discuss why Trump seems so taken with New York’s new Democrat mayor.
November 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
“What timeline are we in where Zohran Mamdani and Trump are suddenly best buds, while MTG has quit the party over a bitter feud?”
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com discuss why Trump seems so taken with New York’s new Democrat mayor.
@jonsopel1.bsky.social and @lewisgoodall.com discuss why Trump seems so taken with New York’s new Democrat mayor.
“Were the seeds of racism or anti-Semitism sown at Dulwich College?”
@maitlis.bsky.social, @lewisgoodall.com and Michael Crick
- who challenged Farage back in 2013 over claims about his school days - discuss whether his past is relevant to the politician he is today.
@maitlis.bsky.social, @lewisgoodall.com and Michael Crick
- who challenged Farage back in 2013 over claims about his school days - discuss whether his past is relevant to the politician he is today.
November 20, 2025 at 5:27 PM
“Were the seeds of racism or anti-Semitism sown at Dulwich College?”
@maitlis.bsky.social, @lewisgoodall.com and Michael Crick
- who challenged Farage back in 2013 over claims about his school days - discuss whether his past is relevant to the politician he is today.
@maitlis.bsky.social, @lewisgoodall.com and Michael Crick
- who challenged Farage back in 2013 over claims about his school days - discuss whether his past is relevant to the politician he is today.
“Starmer’s poll ratings are 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 bad… he’s the most unpopular leader since modern polling began - worse than the entire litany of recent catastrophic PMs."
Is Starmer irreparably damaging the Labour brand?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Is Starmer irreparably damaging the Labour brand?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM
“Starmer’s poll ratings are 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 bad… he’s the most unpopular leader since modern polling began - worse than the entire litany of recent catastrophic PMs."
Is Starmer irreparably damaging the Labour brand?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
Is Starmer irreparably damaging the Labour brand?
@maitlis.bsky.social | @jonsopel1.bsky.social | @lewisgoodall.com
“Our personal flight reservations were cancelled at the last moment… I was interrogated by federal agents… it’s made me feel more negative about the climate in the US.”
Anti-fascism expert Mark Bray on his family’s unnerving exit from the country to escape harassment.
Anti-fascism expert Mark Bray on his family’s unnerving exit from the country to escape harassment.
November 19, 2025 at 4:13 PM
“Our personal flight reservations were cancelled at the last moment… I was interrogated by federal agents… it’s made me feel more negative about the climate in the US.”
Anti-fascism expert Mark Bray on his family’s unnerving exit from the country to escape harassment.
Anti-fascism expert Mark Bray on his family’s unnerving exit from the country to escape harassment.