The News Agents

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 fees, a policy she has defended without apology. For that, Badenoch has branded her a "spiteful class warrior."
So we thought this might be the perfect moment to get Bridget Phillipson into The News Agents studio. Is she really the "spiteful class warrior" her critics claim? And if she is, does she wear the label with pride?
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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 stands accused of losing control of their own World Cup, and world leaders begin to ask questions, how does Trump’s close friend, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, survive this one?
Elsewhere as England prepare to face Norway in their quarter-final match, two of the best strikers in the business take to the field in Harry Kane & Erling Haaland - but how do you stop Haaland and Kane from scoring? Nedum has a plan and it doesn’t involve a shotgun…

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Executive Producer: Adonis Pratsides
Producers: David Finch & George Sexton-Kerr
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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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, Farage thought his by-election gamble would put the focus squarely on him and pit his as a champion of the people wrestling against the establishment? Has that backfired in the most almighty way? And his the entire Farage project imploding?
It was Rupert Lowe - and not Farage - who became the first UK politician to appear on Joe Rogan's podcast yesterday. Over two hours he said stuff that was weird, inaccurate and inflammatory - but will his comments about the Dunblane massacre come back to haunt him?
The News Agents is a Global Production.
The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
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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-corruption campaigner and Kensington MP Joe Powell to explain the charges and the investigations now.
The News Agent is a Global Production.
The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Download SAILY in your app store and use our code thenewsagents at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/newsagents

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 anything for Farage - or is this a Trumpian tactic taken from a point of weakness?
The News Agents is a Global Production.
The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/
Download SAILY in your app store and use our code thenewsagents at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/newsagents