The News Agents The News Agents

We are on the ground in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, where Europe and Asia meet. For weeks hundreds of thousands of (overwhelmingly) Gen Zs have taken to the streets to protest against their government. The gates of Parliament have been stormed, tear gas repeatedly deployed, protesters beaten up and with even a fist fight among MPs thrown in.
The clash has centred on the governing Georgian Dream Party’s “Foreign Agent” law, which opponents fear will be a tool to suppress political opponents. But the divisions being exposed in Georgia are far more fundamental and go much beyond than that. At the beating heart of it all is the influence of Russia, Vladimir Putin and a question which haunts many of the Soviet successor states- are we the next Ukraine?
Lewis reports from Georgia in this special extended episode, where he tells a tale of geopolitical intrigue, of misinformation and conspiracy, and of a generation yearning for a different future.
Editor: Tom Hughes
Field Producer: Gabriel Radus
Video Producer: Rory Symon
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/
https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

This week on The Sports Agents former England defender Rio Ferdinand joined us to discuss the stigma around mental health in football and whether teams are now better equipped to work with players who are struggling.
We were also joined by Jadon Sancho's former youth coach and mentor Sayce Lewis-Holmes to find out more about the level of pressure on aspiring footballers today.
Plus, with a huge final couple of days in the Premier League and WSL seasons this weekend, football writer Henry Winter talked us through a whole host of topics including the 115 charges for Manchester City over alleged breaches of financial fair play.
New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday

Keir Starmer has rolled up his sleeves, taken off his tie and headed to Essex to unveil his six first steps for government.
Is Starmer looking for Blairite comparisons? Is there the same enthusiasm for change as there was in 1997? And what are the hard questions Labour still needs to answer, but won’t?
Later we speak with Lewis in Tblisi ahead of another critical day of protests by those fighting the Russification of democracy in Georgia.
And the big reveal today comes from Jon. Right at the end. Don’t miss it!
Editor: Tom Hughes
Producer: Laura FitzPatrick
Field Producer: Gabriel Radus
Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell
Video Production: Shane Fennelly, Rory Symon & Arvind Badewal
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/
https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents
Jon’s brand-new book, Strangeland: How Britain Stopped Making Sense, will be available on 26th September 2024. To pre-order a copy or buy a ticket to Jon’s tour, please click this link: lnk.to/StrangelandsBook.
Unlock priority booking for Jon’s tour with the presale code NEWSPRIORITY. General sale booking opens at midday on 17th May.

In an exclusive early interview we speak to the Government's Independent Advisor on Political Violence.
John Woodcock, a cross party peer, has spent the last four years putting together recommendations to make public life safer by cracking down on extreme protest.
He'll present his findings to parliament next week. Why do we need this? And which groups is he talking about banning? Is this a clampdown on democratic norms or a necessary precaution to protect those in public life.
Later, why are the Labour MPs making scary 'whooooooo' noises in Prime Minister's Questions? All will be revealed....
Editor: Tom Hughes
Producer: Laura FitzPatrick
Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell
Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal
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/
https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

We have a real live government Secretary of State with us in News Agents HQ today - David TC Davies insists the election still winnable for the Conservatives  - and says if you want to see what Labour would do in power, then look at the mess unfolding in Wales. Is he missing something or are we?
Later, Peter Conradi - author of Who Lost Russia - takes us gently through all that is unfolding right now in Russia, Ukraine and Georgia, and why - despite the Western sanctions - it all speaks to a resurgent Putin.
Editor: Tom Hughes
Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus
Producer: Laura FitzPatrick
Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell
Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal
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/
https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents

If it had been a speech about defence, it might have made more sense. But Rishi Sunak had no new policy offerings in todays pronouncement - he warned of a scary future under Starmer - then started talking about football shirts, ozempic, civic duty, literacy, and optimism.
It was, in essence, an electioneering speech - criticising labour for blaming the Tories for the last 14 years.
Meanwhile his Common Sense Minister Esther McVey has gone to war on the office lanyard.
Later, will former lawyer and indeed felon Michael Cohen make or break Trump when he appears in court this week?
Editor: Tom Hughes
Senior Producer: Gabriel Radus
Producer: Laura FitzPatrick
Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell
Video Production: Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal
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/
https://store.global.com/collections/the-news-agents