2026 Q&A: Unlikely comebacks, the future of democracy, and Jon's acting debut

Is the government about to stand up to Elon Musk? That now seems possible. Downing Street said today that they would support action from Ofcom - the media regulator - against his platforms if they deemed it necessary.Ofcom has announced that it has launched an investigation into Musk's X platform over its AI tool Grok being used to create non-consensual sexualised images of women and children. Ministers have said they expect action within days.After unveiling the lowest homicide figures in more than a decade, Jon and Lewis speak to Sir Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor - about how to confront the hard right claims that London is a 'hellhole', and what can be done about the misinformation on Musk's platforms.Later, one-time Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi was unveiled today as the latest Reform defector. He's the biggest name to move over to Nigel Farage's party so far but, having pledged he would remain a Conservative for life, why has he done it?

We are barely a week into 2026, and already Donald Trump has toppled the president of Venezuela, threatened a NATO ally, labelled a protestor killed by ICE as a "professional agitator", and insisted his own morality is the only check on his otherwise total power.It appears that America's president is entering the second year of his term more aggressively, more defiantly, and more viciously. What does that mean for the US, and the wider world? And when Trump dismisses legal constraints, threatens to tear up the constitution, and brands entire ethnic groups as suspicious and "garbage", at what point does his administration become fascistic?That question has been on the mind of Mehdi Hasan longer than most. The British former MSNBC host has launched his own media company, Zeteo, and from Washington has become a leading voice on the Left of American politics.He speaks to Lewis about why he started using the F word last year, about the dark path down which America is heading, and what happens after Trump.He speaks to Lewis about why he started using the F word last year, about the dark path down which America is heading, and what happens after Trump.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

What does a strong succession plan look like? Before Darren Fletcher took over as Man United's interim manager he felt he needed Sir Alex Ferguson's blessing. But when everyone's still harping back to Ferguson, who left the club over 12 years ago, you know the succession plan has gone wrong.Man City will be taking note, as their own legendary manager Pep Guardiola isn’t staying forever. While Chelsea have used their multi-club system to take Liam Rosenior from Strasbourg - primed and ready to play in that system but leaving Strasbourg distraught.Mark catches up with football journalist Guillem Balague. Plus we look back at the best bits of The Sports Agents this week, from the Ashes aftermath to Ruben Amorim getting sacked, and the weird and wonderful things managers are asked to do.📩 Got a question? Send it here: https://forms.gle/9SBbW1SYWqXLKnRT7💭 Tell us your thoughts in our listener survey: https://forms.gle/YMUvajQktqBuimgh6🖥️ Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportsAgentsPod📱Follow us on socials:TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thesportsagentsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesportsagents/X - https://x.com/sportsagentspod📥 Email: [email protected] Producer: Adonis PratsidesProducer: Sophie PenneyVideo Producer: Sam TrudgillSocial Media Editor: Calum ScotlandTom Hughes is Editor for The News Agents podcast networkVicky Etchells is the Commissioning Editor for GlobalYou can listen to this episode on Alexa - just say "Alexa, ask Global Player to play The Sports Agents".👕 The Sports Agents have merch! You can buy yours now: https://store.global.com/collections/the-sports-agents

The killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota has exposed just how fragmented American society is in 2026. The mother of three was shot repeatedly in her car by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning, reportedly there as an observer of a protest against the immigration raids in the city.The shooting - and the administration's response - have been condemned by Kamala Harris, Governor Tim Walz, the Mayor of Minneapolis, and many other politicians. Mayor Frey urged ICE to "get the f*** out" of the city and said they were endangering residents.Footage appears to show Good attempting to drive away from the ICE agents when the shots were fired. But Kristi Noem, head of the US department of homeland security, has accused her of attempting to run the officer over and labelled it an act of "domestic terrorism". Donald Trump described Good as a "professional agitator". Tom Homan, the border czar, initially called for people to avoid speculating before the investigation was complete - before falling into line with Trump and labelling ICE agents "heroes".Another brutal death in the city where George Floyd was killed five years ago. Could the reaction to the killing be just as explosive and significant this time? And is Donald Trump deliberately whipping up the tensions for his own political ends?Later, the protests in Iran have got bigger and they have got bolder. Is this the moment the regime in Tehran falls? We speak to British-Iranian comic, actor and writer Omid Djalili.

In dramatic scenes in the Atlantic this afternoon, American forces seized an oil tanker, 'the Marinera', flying the Russian flag. The British military was involved - supporting the US operation with air surveillance and a navy ship.The Kremlin has only said that it has been "following the abnormal situation with alarm" - but the maritime confrontation draws Russia and the US closer to direct conflict.It comes the day after the US, the UK, France, Germany and other allies reiterated their supported for security guarantees in Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. But is the British army in any fit state to police a 2,000km frontline?Later, why hasn't the government come off Elon Musk's X when his AI software Grok is being used to virtually undress women and children?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Less than 3 days after kidnapping the Venezuelan leader, Trump has doubled down on his ambitions to make Greenland the 51st state - despite warnings that coming for the Danish territory would be the end of NATO.With one of Trump's top aides, Stephen Miller, declaring "nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland" is there anything that world leaders can do to stop Trump now?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Not content with the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Air Force One and appeared to spell out the countries now in his line of sight.Colombia is "very sick", according to President Trump. Iran will get "hit very hard" if it kills anti-government protestors. Cuba is "ready to fall", he declared. And, in words that have sparked concern across Europe, he repeatedly declared that America "needs Greenland" from a national security perspective, and that Denmark is incapable of defending it properly.It seems something of a damascene conversion from Trump, who was elected on the promise of no more foreign wars. And, given the intervention in Caracas went smoothly, what's to think he will stop there?Does this mark a profound shift in the international order? Could America seriously annexe territory from a fellow NATO member? And how should Keir Starmer and other European allies react to such a remarkable change in approach?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

In the dead of night, President Trump sent US forces into the Venezuelan capital Caracas and - after bombs and explosions - emerged with its kidnapped head of state, Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Trump claims they are extradited narco traffickers.In a press conference to mark the operation, Trump revealed that America is "going to run" the Latin American petro state, and oil does appear to be at the centre of his motivations for striking. US oil companies, he announced, will be sent into Venezuela to fix its broken infrastructure and start making the county money - and presumably make America money too. He cited the Monroe Doctrine - now the 'Donroe Doctrine' - that sees America seizing assets of states it chooses and intervening where it pleases in the western hemisphere.What will the world do now? Will Russia and China feel newly emboldened? Will the UK and the EU tell Trump what they really think? What about that promise of America First - "no more foreign wars" - is that now dead as a dodo? And how will that impact Trump's political fortunes at home?The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

Who is the most unlikely comeback of 2026? Will the Far Right continue to rise this year? And are things really starting to crumble in MAGA-land?In this special Q&A we look ahead to the year of 2026 and all that it could bring.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/

It was a year of White House stand-offs, viral kiss cams, shock resignations, and the rise of the far right.From rising stars to jaw dropping moments, we look back at the defining stories of 2025 and hand out awards to the moments that shaped the year.The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK - https://www.hsbc.co.uk/