Former US President Bill Clinton ordered to testify about Jeffrey Epstein

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary BBC World Service | Released: August 6, 2025

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1. Former US President Bill Clinton Subpoenaed in Jeffrey Epstein Investigation

In a rare move, former US President Bill Clinton has been ordered to testify before a House of Representatives committee investigating the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Clinton is among ten individuals subpoenaed, including his wife Hillary Clinton and eight former justice officials. The Oversight Committee is seeking to uncover Epstein's network and the extent of Clinton's connections to the disgraced financier.

Nomia Iqbal, BBC’s North America correspondent, provided insights into the committee's intentions:

"By Clinton's own admission, he says you flew on Epstein's jet four times between 2002, 2003. He was also close to Ghislaine Maxwell, attended an intimate dinner in 2014. So there are questions around that." (01:49)

The subpoenas also target former Attorney Generals such as Bill Barr and Jeff Sessions, as well as former FBI directors Loretta Lynch and Eric Holder. The committee aims to determine what these officials knew about Epstein's activities and their involvement in related investigations.

Nomia Iqbal further explained the political undertones:

"It's interesting they're voting to subpoena the Clintons and other former Democrat Attorney Generals in this way." (02:46)

The Trump administration has dismissed the subpoenas as a "Democrat hoax," despite former President Trump's own contentious relationship with Epstein. The committee's actions are viewed as an effort by Democrats to maintain pressure on the Epstein case, potentially undermining political adversaries like Donald Trump.

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2. US Coast Guard Blames Oceangate for Titan Submersible Implosion

The tragic implosion of the Titan submersible in 2023, which resulted in the loss of all five aboard, has been scrutinized in a comprehensive report by the US Coast Guard. The investigation places significant blame on the operator, Oceangate, and its CEO, Stockton Rush.

Jason Neubauer, Chair of the Coast Guard's Marine Board of Investigation, highlighted the failures:

"Oceangate had critically flawed safety protocols and placed much of the blame on Stockton Rush... He could have faced criminal charges had he survived." (05:18)

The report criticizes the submersible's design, particularly its hull made from unreliable carbon fiber layers, unsuitable for deep-sea operations. Additionally, Rebecca Morell, the BBC's science editor, shared her perspective:

"I wasn't surprised. I just knew if they kept carrying on the way they were going, then there would be an incident." (06:52)

The investigation also revealed a toxic workplace culture at Oceangate, where concerns about the Titan's safety were dismissed. David Lockridge, the former Director of Marine Operations at Oceangate, had raised alarms in 2018 but was subsequently fired, preventing potential intervention.

Family members of the victims, including Shehzada and Suleiman Darwood, expressed their anguish and called for regulatory changes to prevent future tragedies:

"If Shehzada and Suleiman's legacy could be a catalyst for regulatory change, it would bring them some measure of peace." (07:00)

Oceangate has since closed down and is cooperating fully with the Coast Guard's inquiry.

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3. US Plans to Impose 250% Tariffs on Imported Medicines

President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose tariffs of up to 250% on imported pharmaceuticals, aiming to boost domestic manufacturing. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce the United States' dependence on global supply chains, a vulnerability highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rebecca Morell explained the rationale behind the tariffs:

"COVID was a wake-up call to try and become less dependent globally on its supply chain when it came to drugs." (08:04)

Instating such high tariffs would significantly increase the cost of imported medicines, potentially making healthcare more expensive for American consumers. The shift aims to incentivize pharmaceutical companies to establish manufacturing facilities within the US, thereby enhancing national security and economic resilience.

However, concerns persist about the feasibility and economic impact of this policy. Building domestic production capabilities is time-consuming, and the immediate effect of tariffs could disrupt the availability and affordability of essential medications.

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4. BBC Investigates Deadly People Smuggling Gang in the English Channel

An undercover investigation by the BBC has exposed a violent people smuggling gang operating across the English Channel. The operation, which has been linked to at least twelve deaths, involves the use of small boats to transport migrants from northern France to the UK.

Andrew Harding, the investigative reporter, detailed the gang's operations:

"They are one of only a handful of gangs that control the actual small boat crossings themselves, carving up the coastal launch sites between them." (08:35)

The BBC's reporters infiltrated the gang by paying €1,400 for a crossing, aiming to gather evidence against the organization's network. Despite close encounters with law enforcement and the gang's elusive tactics, the investigation revealed the brutal reality faced by migrants attempting the perilous journey.

During a clandestine meeting at Birmingham's New Street Station, a gang member collected £900 in cash, illustrating the transactional nature of these human smuggling operations. However, when confronted later, the accused smuggler denied involvement and evaded capture, highlighting the challenges authorities face in dismantling such networks.

The story underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts between the UK and French authorities to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable migrants from exploitation and death.

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5. Denmark Zoo Faces Criticism for Accepting Unwanted Pets as Predator Feed

A Danish zoo has come under fire for its practice of accepting unwanted pets to feed its predators. While officials claim that the animals are euthanized humanely by veterinarians before being used as food, the initiative has sparked debate among animal lovers and ethical watchdogs.

James MacKay, a zoologist and falconer, defended the zoo's actions:

"These large predators... need to eat. The more natural diet, the better." (22:35)

He emphasized that receiving donated livestock such as chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and horses aligns with the dietary needs of the zoo's carnivorous animals. Nicholas Iqbal highlighted the emotional and moral dilemmas surrounding the practice:

"Is it okay to euthanise if you can't look after your animal? It's more about the moral standpoint." (23:03)

The zoo maintains that utilizing unwanted pets prevents overcrowding and ensures that the predators receive proper nutrition, mirroring natural feeding behaviors. However, critics argue that the request for live animals is ethically questionable, despite assurances of humane handling.

The debate raises important questions about animal welfare, the responsibilities of pet owners, and the ethical practices of zoos in managing their animal populations.

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6. NASA Accelerates Plans to Build Nuclear Reactor on the Moon by 2030

In a bid to secure a strategic foothold on the lunar surface ahead of international competitors, NASA is fast-tracking plans to construct a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030. This initiative aims to provide a reliable power source for future human settlements and scientific missions.

Sean Duffy, NASA’s acting head, outlined the objectives:

"I want a reactor with 100 kilowatts of power to be put on the lunar surface... ready by 2030." (25:02)

The proposed nuclear reactor would support the establishment of permanent human bases, particularly near the Moon's South Pole, where sunlight is scarce. Rebecca Morell explained the technical considerations:

"The reactor would probably be a compact fission reactor using uranium... the moon is so cold, you almost wouldn't need cooling agents like water." (26:02)

This development raises concerns about the potential for a "land grab" as nations strive to establish exclusive zones on the Moon. The Artemis Accord, an international agreement governing lunar exploration, stipulates that building infrastructure like reactors could lead to territorial claims, prompting fears of a new space race.

With China and Russia also expressing intentions to develop their own lunar reactors, the race to harness extraterrestrial energy sources is intensifying. Morell noted:

"Scientists fear that putting assets on the moon is tantamount to controlling that area." (26:18)

The competition underscores the geopolitical implications of space exploration and the urgent need for updated international regulations to manage the militarization and commercialization of the Moon.

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7. Honoring John Iliescu, Former President of Romania

The Global News Podcast also paid tribute to John Iliescu, the former president of Romania, who passed away at the age of 95. Iliescu played a pivotal role in Romania's transition from a communist regime to a democratic society following the 1989 revolution.

Nick Thorpe, the BBC correspondent, recounted Iliescu's legacy:

"As head of the National Salvation Front, John Iliescu played a central role in consolidating new power and ensuring a stable transition to democracy." (20:11)

Despite his contributions, Iliescu's tenure was marred by controversy, including allegations of allowing former communists to retain influence and engaging in violent suppression of anti-government protests. A judge ultimately dismissed court proceedings against him, leaving a complex legacy of both democratic advancement and political compromise.

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8. The Ethical Debate Over Feeding Predators with Donated Pets

In an exclusive segment, the podcast explored the ethical implications of zoos using unwanted pets as feed for their predators. Megan McCubbin, a zoologist, and James MacKay delved into the moral and practical aspects of this practice.

"Ultimately, these large predators need to eat. The more natural diet, the better." (22:35) James MacKay

Nomia Iqbal posed critical questions about the ethics of euthanizing healthy pets:

"Is it okay to euthanize if you can't look after your animal? It's more about the moral standpoint." (23:03)

The discussion highlighted the balance between ensuring predator welfare and addressing the emotional concerns of pet owners. The zoo's approach to providing a natural diet for carnivores versus the ethical considerations of using deceased pets as feed remains a contentious topic among animal welfare advocates and the general public.

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Conclusion

The August 6, 2025, episode of the Global News Podcast delivered a comprehensive overview of pressing global issues, from high-profile political investigations and tragic disasters to ethical debates and pioneering space initiatives. Through in-depth reporting and expert analysis, the podcast provided listeners with a nuanced understanding of the complex events shaping our world today.

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Produced by Alison Davis and Charles Sanctuary. Edited by Karen Martin. Mixed by Masoud Ibrahim Kyle.

Transcript

[Unknown Reporter]

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the uk.

[Oliver Conway]

You're listening to the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. Hello, I'm Oliver Conway. This edition is published in the early hours of Wednesday 6 August. The former US President Bill Clinton is ordered to testify about Jeffrey Epstein, along with Hillary Clinton and eight former justice officials. A senior U.N. official has told the Security Council the reports of a possible expansion of Israel's military operations in Gaza are. Are deeply alarming, if true. And the U.S. coast Guard says the implosion of the Titan submersible in 2023 could have been prevented if the firm had better safety practices. Also in this podcast, undercover with the People Smugglers. Hello.

[Unknown Reporter]

I want to leave soon. Tomorrow is good. The price is €1,400. I want to pay. In Britain.

[Oliver Conway]

The BBC investigates a gang sending people across the English Channel in small boats. It is rare for a former US President to be ordered to testify before Congress, but Bill Clinton is one of 10 people subpoenaed by a House of Representatives committee investigating the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Hillary Clinton is also on the list, along with six former Attorney Generals and two former FBI directors. They're due to give evidence over the next few months. The Oversight Committee has already demanded the release of files relating to Jeffrey Epstein and subpoenaed his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. I asked our North America correspondent, Nomia Iqbal, what Congress wanted to know from Bill and Hillary Clinton.

[Nomia Iqbal]

The subpoena that was sent to the Clintons. James Comer, the House Oversight Chairman, flags up how? By Clinton's own admission, he says you flew on Epstein's jet four times between 2002, 2003. He was also close to Glenn Maxwell, attended an intimate dinner in 2014. So there are questions around that. There are conflicting reports, however, about whether Mr. Clinton visited the island or not. He's denied it. In terms of Hillary Clinton, it's sort of unclear because she's denied being involved in any of it. Maybe they think she knows something, obviously being Bill Clinton's w. But Hillary Clinton is also someone they do have somewhat of an axe to grind with. Suppose it's worth mentioning the Democrats are also backing these subpoenas. They want to keep the pressure up on Epstein, knowing that it isn't good for Donald Trump. It's interesting they're voting to subpoena the Clintons and other former Democrat Attorney Generals in this way.

[Oliver Conway]

Yeah. And what about the attorney generals? Two of them served in the first Trump administration.

[Nomia Iqbal]

That's right. So just to give you their names President Joe Biden's Attorney General Merrick Garland. They've subpoenaed him. Donald Trump's Attorney General, Bill Barr and Jeff Sessions and Loretta lynch and Eric Holder who worked for President Barack Obama. And then there's Alberto Gonzalez, who was the former President George W. Bush's Attorney General. And I think it's as simple as these were the people heading up the Justice Department during the various investigations that were held into Jeffrey Epstein. So I think it's a case of the committee wanting to find out exactly what they knew.

[Oliver Conway]

And what will the Trump administration make of all this? It's been trying to play it down.

[Nomia Iqbal]

It still trying to play it down. I mean, President Trump is now bizarrely saying this is a Democrat hoax, completely ignoring the fact that he for years fueled the conspiracy theories around Jeffrey Epstein, promised his supporters that he would be transparent when he got into office. But there was a massive backlash after a two page memo was released by his Department of Justice and the FBI saying that there was no Epstein client list. This list apparently which exists, I mean, there's no evidence of it, of rich and well connected associates implicated in his crimes. Just to remind, Epstein was found dead in his jail cell while he was awaiting trial in 2019. It was ruled a suicide. But there are plenty of people, including Mr. Trump, to a certain extent, when he was feeling those conspiracy theories, are not sure about that. They think he had well documented links to Hollywood stars, high powered lawyers, politicians, influential business leaders, and it's caused furious speculation for years. President Trump wants it to go away, but his base in particular are demanding answers, which is why we are in this position where we are now. Just to remind you, lawmakers are on a months long break, but they have still found time to issue these subpoenas because the issue of Epstein is still very much riding high here.

[Oliver Conway]

NAMI Ekbal in Washington. In June 2023, the world was gripped by the fate of the Titan submersible which disappeared while diving to the wreckage of the Titanic. Hopes of a rescue were dashed. When emerged, Titan had imploded, killing all five people on board. The US Coast Guard has now issued its report into the disaster and it places much of the blame on the submersible's operator, Oceangate. Our science editor Rebecca Morell has this report.

[Rebecca Morell]

What was that like?

[Jason Neubauer]

This was the sound of the Titan submersible imploding captured by acoustic ocean sensors 900 miles away. It was just 90 minutes into a dive to the Titanic when it catastrophically failed in instantly killing all five people on board. A two year investigation has concluded that this disaster was preventable. The US Coast Guard's report says that Oceangate had critically flawed safety protocols and placed much of the blame on Stockton Rush, the company's CEO who died in the disaster. They said he could have faced criminal charges had he survived. Jason Neubauer was the chair of the Coast Guard's Marine Board of Investigation.

[Oliver Conway]

From the structure that the company, you know, management, one of the biggest standouts that I think that any company could take this away is that your CEO was also filling the role of safety officer, lead engineer. At the end, it's a consolidation of power that leads to no checks and balances.

[Jason Neubauer]

The investigation concluded that Oceangate had a toxic workplace culture and evaded regulatory scrutiny. The report said Stockton Rush misrepresented Titan as indestructible. The submersible was anything but. Its hull was made from layers of carbon fibre. It's a highly unusual material for a sub and is unreliable at depth. David Lockridge was Oceangate's former director of Marine Operations. He had serious concerns about the vessel but was fired after raising them. He tried to alert the US authorities in 2018. The report says it was a missed opportunity to prevent the disaster.

[Rebecca Morell]

I wasn't surprised. I just knew if they just kept carrying on the way they were going, then there would be an incident. So yeah, I had it in the back of my mind every time I read about them going back out there and I just hoped that nothing would happen. But it did.

[Jason Neubauer]

The Titan submersible never had an independent safety assessment. The US Coast Guard says it now wants to close loopholes in maritime regulations. The family of Shehzada and Suleiman Darwood, the father and son who died during the disaster, said unregulated behavior, a lack of accountability and a fundamentally flawed design cost the lives of all on board. They said if Shehzada and Suleiman's legacy could be a catalyst for regulatory change, it would bring them some measure of peace.

[Oliver Conway]

Rebecca Morale and Ocean Gate said it offered its deepest condolences to the families of the victims. It said the company had closed down and was fully cooperating with the Coast Guard's inquiry. President Trump has said U.S. tariffs on imported medicines could hit 250%. He wants more pharmaceuticals to be made in the United States. As our New York business correspondent Michelle Fleury explains, what we all saw during.

[Rebecca Morell]

COVID was how much countries depend on other places, whether it's sourcing materials that go into drug making or the actual finished product. And that was a Wake up Call, certainly in America, to try and become less dependent globally on its supply chain when it came to drugs. And that's part of the goal here, to increase tariffs to try and bring manufacturing back to the United States. But it takes a lot of time and if you do see tariffs go up to 250%, that would make it very expensive for drugs to come into America.

[Oliver Conway]

Michelle Flaherty. A BBC investigation has exposed a powerful and violent people smuggling gang sending migrants across the English Channel in small boats. Undercover reporters gained access to the gang's hideout in northern France and identified links to the uk. Andrew Harding has the story.

[Unknown Reporter]

At Birmingham's New Street Station, the culmination of a year long investigation. Excuse me, sir, we're from BBC News. We know you are linked to a people smuggling gang that's responsible for at least a dozen deaths. It was in April last year that we first encountered one particular smuggling gang. They were battling French police on a beach near Calais. Five people died in the chaos that followed, including a seven year old girl. Since then, we've been tracking this gang across Europe. We know who you are. You're a smuggler.

[Nomia Iqbal]

No?

[Unknown Reporter]

Confronting one of the gang's leaders in Luxembourg, he quickly vanished. In France, we've now learned more about the gang's operations as they've changed names and phone numbers. They are one of only a handful of gangs that control the actual small boat crossings themselves, carving up the coastal launch sites between them. From our contacts, we hear reports of the gang's violence on land and confirmation that it's linked to at least seven more deaths at sea. So 12 in all. The next step is for our undercover reporter to book a place by phone on a small boat. Hello. I want to leave soon. Tomorrow is good. The price is €1400. I want to pay. In Britain, the smuggler's name is Abdullah, in charge of logistics in France, a key role. He agrees the money can be paid in Britain, specifically in Birmingham. He wants it to happen fast. And so we set up a meeting in Birmingham with Abdullah's contact there. We arrange for another colleague to hand over the cash. At New Street Station, a young bearded man arrives as we record secretly.

[Oliver Conway]

I have the money with me.

[Unknown Reporter]

£900. Right, so that's it. He's taken the money and left the station. Now, you may well be asking why we would pay money to criminals. We believe it is the only way that we can gain access to the gang and expose its network, not least its network here in the uk. At which point we need to return to France to our main undercover reporter, who is now ready to begin his journey with the gang. He heads to the forest where the smuggler Abdullah has his camp. There are often stabbings and gun fights here between rival gangs, but our smuggler seems relaxed. We need to move early to avoid the police. It's a catamask game with them. Two days later, and it's time to set off for the coast. Abdullah escorting a big crowd south, first by train, then bus, then into the woods south of Boulogne. Our undercover colleague slips away at this moment and we take over, following the group openly. Now the police finally find them, but don't intervene. Instead, we learn early the following morning that they found the smuggler's inflatable boat nearby and destroyed it. That's happening a lot now. Quietly, people collect their belongings and trudge away to wait for another chance to cross. Days later, we'll call Abdullah by phone and challenge him. He denies being a smuggler and hangs up.

[Oliver Conway]

The next station is Birmingham Moore Street.

[Unknown Reporter]

But before that, we return to Birmingham's new street station. We've told the gang we have more people wanting to pay for a small boat crossing. They send someone new to collect the cash. He's bearded, young and quick to run when I walk up to him. Excuse me, sir. We're from BBC News. You're Kurdish? Yes. We know you are linked to a people smuggling gang that's responsible for at least a dozen deaths in the channel. He sprints outside and vanishes, the way this gang always seems to do. A sign of the challenges facing the authorities on both sides of the channel as they try to to smash the gangs.

[Oliver Conway]

That report by Andrew Harding, still to come on the Global News podcast.

[Rebecca Morell]

If humans are going to live there, we'll need power. Obviously you can't use wind and it would be very expensive to send fuel there. And solar. It would only work for half of the lunar cycle. So actually, scientists do think it's inevitable that we'll have nuclear reactors.

[Oliver Conway]

The race to build a reactor on the moon.

[Jason Neubauer]

Travis fell in love with the perfect woman.

[Rebecca Morell]

She listened.

[Unknown Reporter]

She cared.

[Jason Neubauer]

There was just one catch.

[Nomia Iqbal]

She wasn't human.

[Jason Neubauer]

She was an AI companion. But when her behavior takes a disturbing turn, Travis finds himself at the center of a much darker story.

[Nomia Iqbal]

This is Flesh and Code, a true.

[Jason Neubauer]

Story of love, loss and the temptations of technology.

[Nomia Iqbal]

Listen to Flesh and Code wherever you get your podcasts.

[Oliver Conway]

As we record this podcast. The UN Security Council has been meeting to discuss the conflict in Gaza. The UN said reports that Israel may soon expand its Military operations in Gaza were deeply alarming. If true, the Assistant Secretary General, Miroslav Yencha, said it would severely destabilize the situation and put the remaining hostages in even greater danger.

[Fabrizio Carboni]

This would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza. International law is clear in this regard. Gaza is and must remain an integral part of a future Palestinian state, as declared by the International Court of Justice.

[Oliver Conway]

The meeting was called at Israel's request after videos emerged showing two hostages looking severely malnourished. One of them was Eviatar David, and addressing the session, his brother Eli spoke of the pain his family have endured after the release of the video.

[Fabrizio Carboni]

My little brother was forced to speak.

[Oliver Conway]

To the world and then actively began.

[Fabrizio Carboni]

To dig his own grave inside the.

[Oliver Conway]

Filthy, dark tunnel in Gaza. My mother and I could not even bring ourselves to watch it.

[Fabrizio Carboni]

We knew that if we did, we.

[Oliver Conway]

Would be unable to function. My father and sister, however, felt they had to see him, to hear his.

[Fabrizio Carboni]

Voice, to feel him somehow.

[Oliver Conway]

Now these images haunt them. My father cannot sleep and my mother has not stopped crying ever since. Our North America correspondent, Neda Taufik, was watching the meeting at the un.

[Neda Taufik]

Even before the meeting began, Israel's foreign minister said that the hostages cannot be forgotten. He called this meeting to try to put the focus on the hostages, telling international community that he wants more condemnation of Hamas and a greater focus on the hostages. But he also, in those comments, claimed that Israel was facilitating a huge amount of aid despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. So that has gotten a lot of criticism already in the Council. We heard from Algeria's ambassador, who showed pictures of babies who have died from malnutrition. And he talked about how it is a basic human right for everyone to have food. And he said that aid drops that are happening from the sky at the moment are insufficient, that food cannot be used as a weapon of war. And he made the point that there shouldn't be a double standard when talking about morality when it comes to Palestinians and the hostages, that there should both be a ceasefire and aid going in so that Palestinians have the basics to live and that hostages, they should be unconditionally released. And that's the kind of mood we've heard from other Council members as well.

[Oliver Conway]

Netta Taufik at the UN in New York. Meanwhile, the news site Axios is reporting that the Trump administration plans to, quote, take over the management of the humanitarian effort in Gaza. It says that, according to one administration official, Israel is not handling it adequately. The BBC Sumi Somaskander spoke to Fabrizio Carboni of the International Committee of the Red Cross about the aid program.

[Fabrizio Carboni]

Gaza is a very dangerous place, obviously for the Gazan population, for the hostages and for the humanitarian actors to do their work. So there is an issue around the quantity of assistance going in today. There is a lot of focus on food, but if you don't have water, if you don't have fuel to cook, you know, you have what we see in our hospital, people burning plastic, people burning trash and having lung infection and then going to our hospital.

[Neda Taufik]

We just mentioned that there is reporting that the Trump administration has said it could possibly look at taking over aid distribution because according to one official, Israel has not handled it adequately. Would that be a good solution from the Red Cross's perspective?

[Fabrizio Carboni]

Look, it's difficult to comment. I would say today there are systems in place in the private sector, in the humanitarian sector, ready to deliver at scale what's needed in Gaza. What is needed is a coordination mechanism and an agreement that today humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza needs to be central and not be a political or a security bargaining chip.

[Neda Taufik]

Your organization is also also been speaking about the hostages. In fact, the Red Cross has offered itself continuously as an intermediary, a humanitarian intermediary. Has Hamas ever responded to those offers?

[Fabrizio Carboni]

We had statement from Hamas, you know, floating the possibility of the ICSC visiting hostages. They put conditions asking for humanitarian corridor. Our response is one, we are ready, we've always been ready and we taking security risk in Gaza that we don't take in any other place around the world just to be there when it happens. The second is that we should stop conditioning assistance to hostages, assistance to wounded, assistance to kids in Gaza, to other political systems, security conditions. This access should be unimpeded, unrestricted. Today the hostages in Gaza need an urgent assistance. They need first to be freed and two, it's time for the parties to this conflict to be serious and give us access. And the same goes for the civilian population in Gaza.

[Oliver Conway]

Fabrizio Carboni of the Red Cross, the former president of Romania, John Iliescu, has died at the age of 95. Originally a communist, he played a key role in the revolution which overthrew the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and helped steer the country through its democratic transition. Nick Thorpe looks back at his life. More than a thousand people died during the revolution in Romania in December 1989. As head of the National Salvation Front, John Iliescu played a central role in consolidating the new power and ensuring A stable transition to democracy. But he also ensured that many communists kept their influence and were able to turn this into wealth in post revolutionary Romania. He also invited coal miners to Bucharest to violently restore order in 1990 during anti government protests. A judge later rejected court proceedings against him. He was president twice from 1990-96 and from 2000 to 2004. Nick Thorpe Animal lovers have criticized a call by a zoo in Denmark for unwanted pets to feed to its predators. Officials say the donated animals would be killed by vets before being eaten, but they wanted to provide food similar to the kind hunted in the wild. The zoo has turned down a request for an interview, but Katie Razzle spoke to zoologist Megan McCubbin and zoologist and falconer James MacKay. First to James was he surprised at the zoo's appeal for donated pets to eat? I was surprised that anyone had the.

[Unknown Reporter]

Guts to do it, but I think.

[Oliver Conway]

It'S a really good idea because if.

[Unknown Reporter]

People have got unwanted pets, which means they're probably languishing in a cage not being cared for properly, no one really bothers about them, they may be throwing a bit of food every now and then. I personally think that's cruel. If they can then be used in a proper way to help other animals, I see that as no different from you or I going down to the shop and buying some lamb to eat for lunch.

[Nomia Iqbal]

But just explain why it takes guts then, in your view, to say this.

[Unknown Reporter]

Because there are so many lovey doveies who will say that it's wrong to eat little rabbits and things.

[Nomia Iqbal]

Megan McCubbin James says it's lovey doveies.

[Rebecca Morell]

Who say it's wrong. What do you think?

[Nomia Iqbal]

Are you one of them?

[James MacKay]

Ultimately, of course, these large predators, rightly or wrongly, whether we should have large predators in captivity, need to eat. And the more natural diet, the better. And we see this across all zoos in that they are fed different types of meat, they're fed chickens, they're fed horses. And I've grown up in a zoo background and I know horses that are donated once they have got to a certain old age and it's ethical to euthanize at that point.

[Jason Neubauer]

And are these horses being fed to animals?

[Nomia Iqbal]

Is that what they're being donated for?

[James MacKay]

Yes. So a lot, a lot of big cats will eat horse meat as well as venison, something that has to be culled in the UK for ecological reasons.

[Nomia Iqbal]

Yes, because the zoo was asking for people to bring in live horses as well.

[James MacKay]

Yes. Yeah. And that's quite standard among zoos. But obviously Something that isn't spoken that much about and understand that it does breed this emotion of concern, but it is important for the predators welfare. But the moral question that I have when you read these headlines which are made to make us feel very emotive, is these unwanted healthy pets. Now pets of course are something we consider family. We love them and does this kind of breed. The idea of animals can be free, discarded, we don't want them anymore, we'll just chuck them to the zoo. But it's not about so much where the animal ends up after it's been euthanized. It's this moral standpoint of when is it okay to euthanise, Is it okay if you can't look after your animal? Or you know, as James said, it's in terrible conditions, you don't have capacity or you're not really someone that should probably have a pet because you don't know how to look after it. Right. We need to be looking at licensing for pets ultimately, you know, should we just be giving these animals up in that sense when they're healthy? It's more about that than where that animal goes after it's died.

[Oliver Conway]

Megan McCubbin and James Mackay an all boar zoo has issued a statement saying for many years we fed our carnivores with smaller livestock. When keeping carnivores, it's necessary to provide them with meat, preferably with fur, bones, etc. To give them a diet as natural as possible. Therefore, it makes sense to allow animals that need to be euthanized to be of use in this way. The livestock we receive as donations are chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and horses. Now could we be seeing the start of the next space race? According to US media, NASA is planning to fast track plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030. The acting boss of the agency says the US needs to stake a claim before China and Russia who have agreed to cooperate on their own reactor. Our science correspondent Georgina Reynard told us more.

[Rebecca Morell]

Sean Duffy, the acting head of NASA, told his staff that he wants a reactor with 100 kilowatts of power to be put on the lunar surface. That's relatively small, but he said he wants it to be ready by 2030. He didn't say where he wants it to go on the moon, but it seems logical that it would be where the US has set its lights on for their permanent human base and that is near the South Pole and it would be basically used to generate power for those humans that go and live there. This is this long held goal by the US and other nations if humans are going to live there. But we'll need power. Obviously you can't use wind and it would be very expensive to send fuel there for electricity generators and solar. Although it does work and we see it used on some of the instruments and the robots we send there, it would only work for half of the lunar cycle. So the other 14 days it's almost totally dark on the moon. So obviously those solar panels wouldn't work and we'd have to build very, very large batteries. So actually scientists do think it's inevitable that we'll have nuclear reactors.

[Oliver Conway]

2030 isn't very far away. How do you go about building a nuclear reactor on the mo?

[Rebecca Morell]

So there's a lot of research that's already gone into it. I think it would be built on Earth and taken up there it would probably be a compact fission reactor using uranium. And because the moon is so cold, you almost certainly wouldn't need cooling agents like water. So we wouldn't have some of the same problems as we have on Earth.

[Oliver Conway]

And what does this mean for conflicting claims to territory on the moon?

[Rebecca Morell]

So lots of scientists fear this. This is a bit of a land grab by stealth. You know, it's sort of possession is 9/10 of the law. And so if you start to put assets and equipment on the moon, scientists fear that that is tantamount to controlling that area. There is an agreement called the Artemis Accord that was signed by lots of nations to lay out how countries should cooperate during moon exploration. But part of that says if you build an asset like a nuclear reactor, you could establish a zone, which means other countries shouldn't come there. And we know that this announcement came after China and Russia said they want to build their own nuclear reactor. So I think it's very explicit that the US is worried about that. And as they make these moves towards 2030, I think we could see lots of other nations following suit.

[Oliver Conway]

Yeah. Does that mean in a couple of years time we could see a whole load of bases on the moon?

[Rebecca Morell]

Well, that is definitely a long term goal, permanent human settlements. And then those humans could do a lot of scientific work. It also, as is one of NASA's other main goals, a stopping point on the way to Mars.

[Oliver Conway]

Georgina Renault and that's all from us for now, but the Global News podcast will be back very soon. This edition will was mixed by Masoud Ibrahim Kyle and produced by Alison Davis and Charles Sanctuary. Our editors, Karen Martin. I'm Oliver Conway. Until next time, goodbye.