The News Agents

After Scotland’s humbling at the hands of Brazil, Mark has his say on FIFA’s “crap way to qualify for the knockout stages of a World Cup”...
Former USMNT, Spurs & Aston Villa Goalkeeper Brad Friedel joins Gabby & Mark to talk about the sporting miracle which is inspiring Mauricio Pochettino and his USA team’s belief that they can go all the way at their home world cup.
And with qualifiers set to end today, we meet Wimbledon wildcard Marcus Willis to talk about the gruelling realities of qualifying for the big slams if you’re a player outside the top 50.

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Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides
Producer: David Finch
Video Producer: Samuel Trudgill
Social Media Editor: Jasmine Wissart
Tom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast network
Vicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for Global
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Overnight, President Trump offered his first slither of a thought on the incoming prime minister Andy Burnham, calling him “extremely liberal" and a mayor of a "town” - which - arguably could have been much worse.
Does Burnham need to put his relationship with Trump centre stage? Or just ignore him? Will Trump be as relevant to Burnham as he was to Starmer?
Later, has the water closed over the Starmer premiership without a ripple? Why have we moved on so quickly? Are we in danger of turning the office of prime minister into a pop up shop?
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Kemi Badenoch looked like - not for the first time - she was going to make the Chancellor cry in the Commons today. She accused her of treachery and betrayal in her behaviour towards the PM. Badenoch then turned her sights on Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, and accused her of being a spiteful class warrior. Why was the Tory leader so vicious in her seeing off of Keir Starmer and his team? Is this the result of being terminally online? Is it a reflection of a more authentic politics? And if the public disapprove of this discourse why has her popularity seemingly improved?
Later, ten years to the day since the Brexit result - what are the places that voted leave feeling?
The News Agents is a Global Production.
The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

You’re going to hear from a staunch Burnham ally today - a blunt speaking man at the heart of his last leadership campaign - and an MP who recently lost the whip from Keir Starmer.
Can Karl Turner tell us what Andy Burnham thinks? And what he wants to do? And isn’t there hypocrisy in anointing another leader without going to the country first?
The News Agents is a Global Production.
The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

And just like that, Keir Starmer became the sixth British prime minister to resign in ten years - triggering a leadership contest it’s increasingly likely no one will enter. Wes Streeting has pulled out of the race. Andy Burnham is arriving at Parliament where he will be sworn in as MP. If there is no challenger, he could be PM in just over two weeks' time. Is this the most perfect heist in political history? Does Starmer have a right to feel aggrieved? And does Burnham have an actual plan?
The News Agents is a Global Production.
The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/