The French Far Right leader Marine Le Pen is barred from standing in the country's next presidential election following her conviction for embezzlement. She’s beginning an emergency appeal straight away, and her party says “democracy has been executed“ in France today. Will that conviction silence them? Or could it be a rocket boost to their electoral fortunes?

Plus, we have an exclusive interview with International barrister Philippe Sands on what happens when the law and politics clash, why Trump may cancel the next elections - and his new book '38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia'.

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

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The White Lotus - now in its third series has proved a recipe for a smash hit. Take a fabulously wealthy bunch of characters. Make most of them dreadful. And watch them fight it out in a tropical paradise. We’re joined in today’s episode by one of this series stars, Jason Isaacs AKA Tim Ratliff, to discuss whether getting roles now depends on your political persuasions. And whether it pays to be outspoken in MAGA America.

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

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This week on The Sports Agents...

Britain's biggest boxing promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren made a rare appearance together. How is it being partners after 15 years of rivalry? Could boxing gyms help with issues raised in 'Adolescence'? And could Anthony Joshua fight influencer Jake Paul? (02:15)

Leaving your boyhood club in search of a Ballon D'Or - is Trent Alexander-Arnold a traitor or should we admire his ambition? Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague and John Gibbons from The Anfield Wrap debate it out. (12:30)

And we all love jeopardy in sport but has the Brisbane 2032 Olympics taken it a bit too far... did someone say crocodiles?! (20:30)

Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at thesportsagents@global.com

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

No sooner had the Chancellor sat down after her Spring Statement than Donald Trump announced to the world that he was slapping 25% tariffs on all cars imported into America. Car manufacturers are livid - and scared. And the OBR has warned that if the US goes further and imposes blanket tariffs, they could wipe out any short term prospect of growth in the British economy. With her room for manoeuvre already tight, could Rachel Reeves now have to rip up her latest plans? Are tax rises on the way? And is the UK going to be knocked about at the whim of Donald Trump and whatever he decides next?

Later, as the White House condemns criticism of the Yemen Signal security breach as “a witch hunt“, could it be that the US President is actually feeling more than a little bruised at the fallout from the revelations?

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

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Today, the Prime Minister was asked to directly express his confidence in the Chancellor. He did so without missing a beat. But how much support does Reeves have more widely in government, in her party and in the country at large?

Later, as Trump's defence secretary insists no war plans were leaked when a group chat on the cusp of bombing Yemen accidentally invited a journalist to join. The journalist in question then publishes the war plans he received. Like shooting fish.

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

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In the days before a US bombing campaign against the Houthis in Yemen, key members of Trumps administration began to plan the attack in a group chat. They accidentally invited a top journalist into the group - in what has become one of the all time best security fuck ups ever. Will anyone pay the price? What will Trump do now ? And do Europeans still trust America with their security?

Later, we are joined by the Adolescence writer and creator Jack Thorne - what does he want to see happen for the future of young men and boys?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalist: Michael Baggs

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

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The jailing of Turkeys main opposition leader - President Erdogan's biggest rival - has sent thousands on to the streets in protest. Students who’ve never lived under anyone’s rule but Erdogan are now fearful this spells the end of democracy in the once great bastion of free secular expression and economic growth. Is Erdogan following the Putin playbook for staying in power? Is Trump about to follow both? And why is no one in NATO prepared to call it out? We speak to the main opposition party who are fearful the West has turned a blind eye.

Later, what WAS that Tucker Carlson interview with Steve Whitkoff? Why do they both love Putin so much? And is anyone surprised they haven’t reached a peace deal?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalist: Michael Baggs

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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It has now been more than a year since plans for a compensation scheme were laid out for those affected by the sodium valproate scandal - and it is a state failure that stretches back decades.

Sodium valproate is an effective treatment for epilepsy, but it has been linked to lifelong disabilities in around 20,000 babies born since the 1970s whose mothers were prescribed the drug while they were pregnant. Many were not properly warned of the risks, and a 2020 review concluded that thousands of mothers and babies had been exposed to "avoidable harm".

In opposition, Labour said that financial redress for victims was "desperately needed" - so why has nothing happened since the party took office? And how much longer will those families be forced to wait?

In a special report, Lewis talks to the families affected, including one for The News Agents not far from home.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalist: Michael Baggs

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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This week on The Sports Agents...

First up, an exclusive interview with the most important man in English rugby union, Bill Sweeney, CEO of the RFU. He faces a vote of no confidence next week after accepting a £350,000 bonus, taking his pay to £1.1m, when clubs are going bust, redundancies have been made and the community game is crying out for help (02:30).

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer celebrated with Gabby (and Sam Fender) as they won their first domestic trophy in 70 years (13:30).

And we talked about Lewis Hamilton's back seat driver and a big win for Lando Norris at Formula One's opening weekend with one of the world's most decorated female racing drivers and Sky Sports F1 Analyst, Jamie Chadwick (20:30).

Got a question for The Sports Agents - email us at thesportsagents@global.com

New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.

In dramatic fashion, The Sun reports that a leaked government memo claims that the UK's race to reduce carbon emissions could trigger a financial crash. Kemi Badenoch also ditched her party's commitment to net zero by 2050 this week, insisting that the target was now "impossible". So if the cross party consensus on Britain's climate targets are over - could Starmer's so far steadfast commitment to the green revolution come under pressure?

Later, as Steve Bannon suggests a plan is being cooked up that would see Donald Trump running for a THIRD presidential term, what would it mean for American democracy - and what would it mean for JD Vance, the Vice President already taking up pole position as the MAGA successor?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalist: Michael Baggs

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

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It seems that everyone is talking about the Netflix hit drama 'Adolescence'. It has been viewed 24 million times in just a few days, and is topping the chart in the UK. It deals with raw teenage toxic masculinity - and it’s hit a nerve. Even the prime minister is watching it. As Gareth Southgate warns of the dangers to and from young men who’ve got tangled up in Andrew Tates world we ask why it’s suddenly become a talking point?

Later, is Trump being played by Putin? Is he bright enough to even know? And does driving a Tesla make you “a nazi twat“?

Editor: Tom Hughes

Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalist: Michael Baggs

Don’t forget you can also subscribe to our other News Agents podcasts via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/thenewsagents

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal https://nordvpn.com/thenewsagents Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee