Trump sues newspaper over Epstein story

Summary

Global News Podcast Summary
Episode: "Trump Sues Newspaper Over Epstein Story"
Release Date: July 19, 2025

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1. President Trump Sues Rupert Murdoch and Wall Street Journal Over Epstein Allegations

Overview:
In the episode's lead story, President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against media mogul Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal following an article that alleges Trump sent a "raunchy" birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. This legal confrontation underscores ongoing tensions between Trump and traditional media outlets.

Key Points:

• Legal Action:
  Trump denies the existence of the alleged letter, branding it as fake. He claims that both he and his administration do not engage in the behaviors described by the Wall Street Journal.

• Political Repercussions:
  The lawsuit isn't just a legal battle but also has political implications. Trump faces criticism not only from political opponents but also from within his own party. Members associated with his "Make America Great" campaign are demanding greater transparency regarding his relationship with Epstein.

• Public and Party Pressure:
  Republican gubernatorial candidate Leo Zaki expressed significant frustration with Trump’s handling of the situation:

  [05:37] Leo Zaki: "We want to know who's on that list, who's involved in this... We don't want to have pedophiles running our government."

Notable Quotes:

• Ruda Day Mukherjee:

  [02:26] "Going by what the Wall Street Journal essentially has reported on, there was a typewritten text within the image of a sketch of a naked woman. That's essentially where this entire controversy stems from."

• Leo Zaki:

  [08:17] "Millions of MAGA supporters... are having serious doubts about who they elected."

Analysis:
The lawsuit symbolizes a broader conflict between Trump and established media institutions. It also highlights internal divisions within the Republican Party, as some members challenge Trump’s transparency and honesty. The situation could have lasting effects on Trump’s political influence and public perception.

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2. Renewed Clashes in Southern Syria Between Bedouin Tribesmen and Druze Community

Overview:
Syria's southern province of Suwayda has witnessed a severe resurgence of violence between Bedouin tribesmen and the Druze community, resulting in significant casualties and displacement.

Key Points:

• Violence and Casualties:
  Recent clashes have claimed approximately 600 lives and displaced 80,000 civilians, according to the United Nations.

• Community Tensions:
  Historical grievances and recent political appointments have exacerbated tensions. The Druze community opposes the Syrian government's military presence, leading to conflict over territorial control.

• International Involvement:
  Israel has intervened, aiming to protect the Druze, whom it views as allies. However, many Syrians, including members of the Druze community, are wary of Israeli involvement.

Notable Quotes:

• Raveena Shamdasani:

  [09:30] "Credible reports indicate widespread violations and abuses, including summary executions and arbitrary killings..."

• Leena Sinjab:

  [10:32] "There was a lot of tension because there was no presence of the official army between the militias, the Druze militias and the Bedouins."

Analysis:
The escalation in Suwayda reflects deep-seated ethnic and political divisions within Syria. The involvement of international actors like Israel complicates the situation, potentially prolonging the conflict and hindering reconciliation efforts.

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3. Brazil’s Former President Jair Bolsonaro Placed Under Curfew Amid Coup Plot Allegations

Overview:
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been placed under curfew following allegations that he plotted to overturn the 2022 election results and attempted to secure US assistance in his legal battles.

Key Points:

• Allegations and Legal Actions:
  Bolsonaro is accused of attempting to destabilize Brazil’s democracy by plotting a coup and soliciting foreign intervention to stop his prosecution.

• International Tensions:
  President Trump threatened Brazil with 50% tariffs if the trial proceeded, a move seen as an attempt to influence Brazil’s judiciary.

• Brazil’s Response:
  Brazil’s Supreme Court has acted to prevent Bolsonaro from fleeing, reinforcing the independence of its judicial system. President Lula da Silva has vowed to challenge any imposed tariffs and reject foreign interference.

• Public Sentiment:
  Bolsonaro’s actions and the subsequent legal proceedings have ironically bolstered Lula’s popularity, as Brazilian citizens rally against perceived external interference.

Notable Quotes:

• Leandro Prageres:

  [14:49] "Mr. Bolsonaro has allegedly engaged in an international campaign to persuade the US Government to put pressure on Brazil's Supreme Court."

• Leo Zaki:

  [06:10] "How long have we been talking about a list? Six years now... we just feel like we're being talked down to like stupid children."

Analysis:
Bolsonaro’s legal troubles and the international dimension of Trump's involvement highlight the complexities of global political alliances and the integrity of judicial processes. The situation underscores the resilience of Brazil’s democratic institutions despite external pressures.

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4. Cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Amidst Political Pressure

Overview:
The iconic American talk show, "The Late Show" hosted by Stephen Colbert, is set to conclude in May after over three decades on air. While CBS attributes the cancellation to business decisions, there is speculation about political motivations tied to President Trump’s adversarial stance towards the media.

Key Points:

• Business vs. Political Reasons:
  CBS claims the decision is purely economic, but many observers believe political pressures, including potential conflicts with Paramount and concerns over media independence, play a significant role.

• Climate of Fear:
  Senators Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren have voiced concerns that the cancellation may be indicative of a broader climate of fear imposed by the Trump administration on media outlets.

• Impact on Free Speech:
  The termination raises alarms about the freedom of broadcasters to critique political figures without facing repercussions, potentially stifling dissent and satire.

Notable Quotes:

• Raveena Shamdasani:

  [20:48] "Democratic Senator Adam Schiff... wants to know if this was done for political reasons."

• Raveena Shamdasani:

  [22:25] "The Associated Press was banned from some White House events and is suing the administration."

Analysis:
The cancellation of "The Late Show" may signify increasing tensions between entertainment media and political power structures. If true, it poses a threat to journalistic freedom and the role of satire in political discourse.

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5. UK Imposes Sanctions on Russian Military Intelligence Units

Overview:
The United Kingdom has sanctioned three units within Russia’s military intelligence (GRU) and 18 individuals, accusing them of orchestrating destabilizing operations across Europe.

Key Points:

• Targets and Accusations:
  The sanctions target officers involved in actions such as the attack on a theater sheltering civilians in Mariupol, Ukraine.

• Statements from Officials:
  Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that these officers aim to undermine European stability, threaten Ukrainian sovereignty, and endanger British citizens.

Notable Quotes:

• Frank Gardiner:

  [24:15] "The Russian intelligence officers were running a campaign to destabilize Europe, undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens."

Analysis:
These sanctions reflect the UK’s ongoing efforts to counter Russian espionage and military aggression. They reinforce the international community’s stance against Russia’s destabilizing activities in Europe.

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6. Bat Infestation in Aberdeen Forces British Woman Out of Her Home

Overview:
Anne Marie Murchie in Aberdeen, Scotland, faces a severe bat infestation, leading her to live with her mother and endure the challenges of cohabiting with these protected species.

Key Points:

• Infestation Details:
  Over a thousand bats have taken residence in Murchie’s home, causing significant disruption and fear.

• Legal Protections:
  Bats are a protected species in the UK, making it illegal to disturb their roosts without proper authorization.

• Expert Advice:
  Bat specialist Gabrielle Graham emphasizes the importance of not disrupting maternity roosts to prevent the death of baby bats.

Notable Quotes:

• Leo Zaki:

  [25:08] "We had a lot of bats...potentially over a thousand bats."

• Gabrielle Graham:

  [26:10] "If we were to push the bats out just now, then the babies would actually all die."

Analysis:
This story highlights the conflict between wildlife protection and homeowners' rights. It underscores the need for compassionate and legally compliant solutions to human-wildlife conflicts.

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7. Viral Kiss Cam Incident at Coldplay Concert Sparks Speculation

Overview:
A discreet moment between Andy Byron, a software company CEO, and Kristen Cabot, the company's head of HR, turned viral after being captured by the stadium's Kiss Cam during a Coldplay concert, leading to widespread online ridicule and meme creation.

Key Points:

• The Incident:
  The couple’s intimate moment was publicly broadcast to 66,000 concert-goers, causing embarrassment and speculation about their relationship.

• Public Reaction:
  The video quickly went viral on platforms like TikTok, amassing around 6 million views and spawning numerous memes.

Notable Quotes:

• Frank Gardiner:

  [28:46] "The cringing Ms. Cabot covered her face and Mr. Byron ducked out of sight."

• Frank Gardiner:

  [29:25] "As paraphrased Chris Martin, 'when the dust settles, all this might need some serious fixing.'"

Analysis:
This episode illustrates the pervasive nature of viral media moments and their impact on personal privacy. It also reflects the public’s fascination with celebrities and public figures, magnifying even the most mundane interactions.

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Conclusion:
This episode of the Global News Podcast covered a diverse range of topics, from high-profile legal battles and international conflicts to local human-interest stories and viral internet moments. Through expert analysis and firsthand accounts, listeners gained a comprehensive understanding of significant global and personal events shaping our world today.

For more detailed discussions and updates, subscribe to the Global News Podcast and stay informed with the latest global headlines and insights.

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This summary was crafted to provide an in-depth overview of the podcast episode, capturing essential discussions, quotes, and analyses to benefit those who haven't listened.

Transcript

[Paul Moss]

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[Paul Moss]

This is the global news podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Paul Moss and in the early hours of Saturday 19th July, these are our main stories. President Trump is suing the media mogul Rupert Murdoch over an article in the Wall Street Journal about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Renewed clashes have broken out in southern Syria between Bedouin tribesmen and the minority Druze community. Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has been placed under curfew, allegedly to prevent him fleeing the country. Also in this podcast, a mere adjustment to television schedules or a sign of self censorship. What prompted this announcement on one of America's top television shows? The network will be ending the Late show in May. We hear about the growing political row from our correspondent in New York. They are arguably two of the most powerful people in the world. Donald Trump in charge of America. Rupert Murdoch owning a stable of newspapers and television stations which make him a titan of traditional media. Both support the political right, but they are very much at loggerheads. It centers around a scandal which just won't go away despite Mr. Trump's best efforts. Allegations about his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The president is suing Mr. Murdoch and his paper, the Wall Street Journal, over a suggestion that he sent Mr. Epstein a very raunchy birthday letter back in 2003. The US President denies such a letter exists. And North America correspondent Ruda Day Mukherjee told me what's alleged to be in it.

[Aruna DEI Mukherjee]

Going by what the Wall Street Journal essentially has reported on, there was a typewritten text within the image of a sketch of a naked woman. That's essentially where this entire controversy stems from. Now, the Wall Street Journal reported on some aspects of the letter which are bawdy in nature. Some might call it crude as well. Donald Trump denying this completely, saying this letter is fake, saying that he doesn't talk like this. Neither does he do drawings. You know, you've heard those statements that have come in from Donald Trump since last evening. Since article was published. But that was enough for, you know, this kind of to set in motion several developments, cascading developments, really. First we saw Donald Trump saying that he's going to be suing the publication, which he has now done. Just a short while back, we received confirmation that a lawsuit has now been filed against Wall Street Journal, the parent company, Rupert Murdoch, who you were mentioning just a short while back in your introduction, as well as those two correspondents who broke the story. There is also another significant development again on the legal front, something that he had said he will be asking his Attorney General to. Attorney General Pam Bondi has now moved court, making that request legally to unseal some of those grand jury testimony relating to Jeffrey Epstein. So this is a case that Donald Trump has been wishing that, you know, people should stop talking about it, as he said in numerous media interactions. But clearly exactly the opposite has been happening.

[Paul Moss]

Yeah, I mean, at a legal level, clearly the story's not going away. But we know that courts, legal processes like this can go very slowly indeed. I mean, it may not come to court for a long time. But what about at a political level? Is this continuing to cause him any trouble or is it really just a matter for the law courts and what can I say, media tittle tattle?

[Aruna DEI Mukherjee]

I think this story is going to play out on two levels. One is the legal level and one is the political level. You've seen the murmurs and the indications on the political level already over the past one week. And even beyond that, you know, the kind of pressure that Donald Trump and his administration has been under, not just from his political critics or opponents, but also from members of his own party and especially those who are associated with his Make America Great campaign who've been repeatedly demanding greater transparency when it comes to this issue. You know, they're arguing is that during the election campaign, Donald Trump had promised that he would be making a lot of these public. But what happened now? And they see the attempt by the Department of Justice or the FBI in those memos saying that, you know, we don't have a client list and sort of, you know, putting at rest any kind of conspiracy theories. They feel that this could be something that indicates a possible cover up, which is why he's facing pressure from those who are also part of his political base. But legally, you know, it's also going to be a lengthy process because the attorney general has to make a case in court that these grand jury testimonies or transcripts have to be released in public interest. Now, that could be a Lengthy process. It is going to be subject to court approval. So this is certainly something that could take a significant amount of time as well. While all the politics plays out simultaneously.

[Paul Moss]

Aruna DEI Mukherjee. Well, as we heard there, Donald Trump faces mounting pressure from his own supporters who are pointing to promises he made during his presidential election campaign to release files relating to Epstein. Liya Zaki is a Republican running for governor of California. And among those feeling aggrieved. My colleague Julian Wariker asked him why.

[Leo Zaki]

I'm really concerned about these files that we've been promised and these lists that we've been talking about for years. All of a sudden they don't exist. And we want to know who's on that list, who's involved in this? Because it's bigger than just, oh, who's a pedophile? And that's a big deal. We don't want to have pedophiles running our government. But who's being controlled by somebody else or a foreign entity via blackmail because of this?

[Paul Moss]

There's a lot in there. You're convinced a list exists, are you? Even though a joint FBI and Department of justice report only last week said they'd found no evidence of a list.

[Leo Zaki]

How long have we been talking about a list? Six years now. And all of a sudden, after we have all these people telling us, oh, you know, we're gonna release this list. There's this list, there's this list. And then all of a sudden he killed himself. And yeah, the list doesn't exist, even though they released. But they gave all those influencers, remember? They gave the influencers and all those people like that big binder of supposedly the list, and then it was all heavily redacted with no real information in it.

[Paul Moss]

One of the way the Trump administration has handled this in recent times. Are you disappointed by your president, who is a straight talking man who now appears not to be talking straight?

[Leo Zaki]

Yes, we've been prompt. We were told there was gonna be a release of this list and now all of a sudden doesn't exist and shut up. You're stupid. Don't ask questions. It's really insulting.

[Paul Moss]

I mean, I'm surprised that you're quite as critical of your president as you have just been. That shows how angry you are.

[Aruna DEI Mukherjee]

Does it?

[Leo Zaki]

You have to be critical of your leaders. You can't just have blind allegiance. I don't care who it is.

[Paul Moss]

Does that mean you don't trust him anym?

[Leo Zaki]

Well, look, I'm going to give him praise where praise is due. Like, is he doing a great job right now when it comes to economic things, I mean, we have to do something different. What we were doing as a country wasn't working, but it definitely is not what I was expecting. And at the same time, you have to remember that it's always been this choice of a lesser of two evils. And for the first time, I think we, the people that voted for Donald Trump, were like, oh, my God, it's not the lesser of two evils. We got the right guy. And then something like this happens, and it's like, my God, that I just get fooled.

[Paul Moss]

And how many people do you think who are deep down supportive of him are now in the same place as you and are having serious doubts about who they elected here?

[Leo Zaki]

Millions.

[Paul Moss]

Millions of MAGA supporters.

[Leo Zaki]

Absolutely. I mean, there's. But I think it's more. The younger generation more than anything. And we want to put America first. And so when we have somebody that's told us that we're going to release this list, and then they do this whole charade with those binders for those influencers, and then Pam Bondi's like, oh, it's on my desk. And then there's, oh, apparently it's a miscommunication. We just, we just feel like we're being, we're being talked down to like, like stupid children and just like, shut up and do what you're told. And we don't, we don't respond positively to that.

[Paul Moss]

Leo Zaki, speaking to Julian Waricker. Nobody ever thought it would be easy for Syria's president, Ahmed Al Shara. When he came to power in January, he inherited a country riven with the divisions of civil war. But still, the latest clashes have been brutal, even by Syrian standards. Fighting between the army, Bedouin tribes and the country's Druze community have reportedly killed as many as 600 people this week alone, as well as displacing 80,000 civilians. According to the United Nations. Raveena shamdasani of the UN's Human Rights Commission said atrocities have been committed by both sides.

[Raveena Shamdasani]

Credible reports that our office has received indicate widespread violations and abuses, including summary executions and arbitrary killings, kidnappings, destruction of private property, and looting of homes in the southern city of Suwaydah. Among the reported perpetrators were members of the security forces and individuals affiliated with the interim authorities, as well as other armed elements from the area, including the Druze and Bedouin.

[Paul Moss]

The fighting's been concentrated in Syria's southern province of Sueda, with the latest report suggesting that Bedouin forces are approaching the provincial capital. Video From a nearby Druze village shows fighters strolling among burning buildings. Syria's neighbor Israel has also been involved, saying it wants to protect the Druze who it sees as allies. Indeed, it's a sign of this involvement that Israel has now said it will allow the Syrian army to dep in the south of what is its own country. Our reporter in Damascus is Leena Sinjab. I asked her first about the origins of this latest violence.

[Leena Sinjab]

To start with, I think the main problem that the Druze since the fall of Assad, some of the Druze factions and community leaders, religious leaders, refused to have any presence of the Syrian army in security. However, the new government has appointed a governor who is not from Sueda to govern that area. There was a lot of tension and there was also tension because there was no presence of the official army between the militias, the Druze militias and the Bedouins or tribal fighters who are surrounding Swayda. This has been historic. This is not something. This kind of tension is not new. Even before Assad regime used those tribal fighters to, you know, attack the Druze at some point they came in under the flag of isis. Many people describe them as this at the time. But now it seems that, you know, the tension that happened because of kidnapping of a tradesmen exploded into like big violence and got the government involved. Now some people say that the government used this as an excuse to force itself and its power and its army within Sweden. But the forces who entered, as you know, we've heard from the UN committed crimes, committed killing, committed looting and humiliation of the Druze which led to a big fallout and it was coincided with the Israelis also attacking both inside Sweden attacking the government troops, but also attacking the military headquarters in Samar in Damascus, which led for the government forces to withdraw completely.

[Paul Moss]

I'm just looking at Newswise and there are breaking reports of clashes at the entry to Suwayda between tribal fighters. That's how they're being described and the Druze. What's the latest that you're hearing?

[Leena Sinjab]

Well, everyone I spoke to today were telling me that the tribal fighters are trying to enter Sueda from various entry points. They were mainly located to the north and west entrance to Sweda. They are in many villages there. But already these villages are clear of any people inside because people ran away or have been killed in the fighting. The number of people over the past few days where like reach 600. So there are attempts by the tribes to enter Sueda. The fighters from the Druze community are trying to push them back. But we heard also that the Israelis have allowed the government security forces to enter Sweden again for 48 hours to maintain stability. However, the anger and mistrust from the Druz community towards this government is massive and there's a big gap. Almost everyone I spoke to, they said they don't want to see anyone from the government again in Sweden. They don't trust them, and they feel that this is not a government that is going to protect anyone in Syria.

[Paul Moss]

We've mentioned Israel. Can you just briefly explain, Lina, what is Israel's strategic interest in this part of Syria?

[Leena Sinjab]

It's really complicated the situation because at the end of the day, the IDF says that they are interfering to protect the Druze. However, no one from the Druze inside Syria have called on the Israelis to help them. There are some, the Druze who are in the Golan Heights who are putting pressure, perhaps for Israel to interfere and defend the Druze community. But many of the people we spoke to inside Syria, they reject that. And they said that although maybe this intervention helped end the violence, but they don't want this to be by their own names.

[Paul Moss]

Lina Sinjab. His home and party headquarters raided by police, are now wearing an ankle monitor. Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has been barred from leaving the country following an order from the Supreme. Mr. Bolsonaro is on trial for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election and prevent his successor, President Lula da Silva, from taking office. He's also accused of trying to solicit help from the United States to interfere in the case. Last week, President Trump called for the trial to be halted, threatening Brazil with 50% tariffs if it didn't comply. So was the Supreme Court's decision a way of telling the US those threats won't work? BBC Brazil's Leandro Prageres told us why the court says it made the decision.

[Leandro Prageres]

Well, the main reason behind the court decision was that Mr. Bolsonaro has allegedly engaged in an international campaign to persuade the US Government to put pressure on Brazil's Supreme Court. The goal would be to put a halt on the trial that Mr. Bolsonaro is facing here in Brazil, case that could potentially send him to jail for more than four decades.

[Paul Moss]

Actually, I mentioned the threat by Donald Trump that if Brazil didn't drop the trial, he would impose 50% tariffs on Brazil. And I just wondered, is it a coincidence that happened just a few days ago, or is this Brazil, I suppose, effectively calling Donald Trump's bluff and saying, you wanted us to stop, as you call it, persecuting Mr. Bolsonaro, we're going to put more limitations on him.

[Leandro Prageres]

Well, that's a very interesting question. In Brazil, the justice branch is independent from the executive branch. But what we can say for sure is that the Brazilian authorities have been treating the 50% terrorist threat very seriously. For example, the government has been saying that it's trying to establish a negotiation channel with the US government. But on the other hand, Brazil's president, Mr. Lula da Silva, said just yesterday on TV that the country would seek any legal instrument to challenge the tariffs and that Brazil would not accept any sort of foreign interference in its justice system.

[Paul Moss]

I've seen some suggestion that Donald Trump's threat has effectively backfired, that what he's done has actually improved the popularity of Lula da Silva.

[Leandro Prageres]

Yeah, that's exactly what polls have been showing so far. A recent poll that was released just Yesterday showed that Mr. Lula da Silva's popularity has increased compared to his situation before the threat of the tariffs on Brazil. And that's one of the reasons why many political analysts have been saying that Brazil's president is saying repeatedly and repeatedly that he would not accept any sort of foreign interference in the country.

[Paul Moss]

Leonardo Projeris still to come.

[Leo Zaki]

I've been staying at my mum's. I've been, I mean, I've been sleeping in my car because I'm too scared to go in. Most recently there was one in my toilet roll holder in the actual house.

[Paul Moss]

The British woman forced out of her home by an invasion of flying creatures. And why she can't do anything about it. People's homes blown up, entire towns and suburbs leveled. The latest pictures from Gaza give an idea of the physical damage the Palestinian territory has suffered, along with a near 60,000 people killed, according to the Hamas run Health Ministry. The images have been examined by the BBC's Verify team and suggest there's been widespread demolition of civilian buildings by Israel since it withdrew from a ceasefire agreement with Hamas and that much of the damage has been inflicted in the past few weeks alone. As Merlin Thomas reports, 21 months of.

[Merlin Thomas]

War has ravaged Gaza. Homes, streets, parks, once bustling with life, are now left in ruins. BBCVerify identified footage of infrastructure being demolished in 40 locations since a ceasefire ended in March. In that time, Israeli forces and contractors have levelled large swathes of the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. At the end of May, Tel Al Sultan, or once one of the city's most vibrant neighbourhoods, had survived more than a year and a half of war. Now a maternity hospital is one of a handful of buildings left standing. Controlled explosions, excavators and bulldozers have obliterated whole areas. And it's not just the military involved in these demolitions. BBC Verify has also identified dozens of ads posted on Israeli Facebook groups offering demolition work in Gaza to contractors promoting excellent conditions and special projects. The Israeli army says it operates in accordance with international law that Hamas conceals military assets in civilian areas and that property is destroyed only when deemed a military necessity. But legal experts like Jeleena Dill, professor of global security at the University of Oxford, say this may be a war crime.

[Raveena Shamdasani]

The expectation that Hamas may return to.

[Aruna DEI Mukherjee]

A neighborhood would not meet the standard.

[Paul Moss]

Of imperative military necessity. It is too speculative.

[Aruna DEI Mukherjee]

And when entire neighborhoods get leveled, this simply raises the suspicion that the standard used here for deciding what is necessary.

[Raveena Shamdasani]

Or militarily useful is lower than what the law demands.

[Merlin Thomas]

If and when the long awaited ceasefire comes for those who return, only ruins will remain.

[Paul Moss]

Merlin Thomas the American television host Stephen Colbert is known for applying his biting wit to the news. As presenter of the Late show for the past decade, he certainly pushed the boundaries of political satire. But still there was genuine shock at what he had to say during Thursday's program.

[Leo Zaki]

Next year will be our last season.

[Paul Moss]

The network will be ending the Late show in May. And yeah, I share your feelings. After more than three decades on air, then, one of America's most famous chat shows, a show for many years presented by David Letterman, is being dropped. But this isn't merely yet another U.S. entertainment story. CBS, the network which airs the Late show, insisted it was purely a business decision. But as our North America correspondent Netta Tarfeek explained to me, plenty of people see something rather more sinister at work involving the CBS parent company Paramount, and with implications for how free broadcasters are to say what they want in the era of President Trump.

[Raveena Shamdasani]

Immediately there was speculation and real concern that actually this decision was tied directly to the government's review of Paramount trying to make a merger with this company called Skydance. And keep in mind, just three days ago, Stephen Colbert had actually criticized a settlement between CBS and the Trump administration, saying that it was essentially a big fat bribe. Now, CBS had originally called the lawsuit completely without merit. They settled for 16 million. But this is something that is just out there. And so it has really led to speculation from many that this is paramount. You know, instead of standing up to the administration really worrying about its bottom line. Prominent Democrats, for example, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff saying that the president has created a climate of fear that he is making news organizations afraid, he's making universities afraid, etc. And so he said he wants to know and the deserves to know if this was done for political reasons. The same thing has been echoed by Senator Elizabeth Warren and many others who are wondering if this is part of a climate of fear, if there is.

[Paul Moss]

This climate of fear. I mean, are there other examples that people are citing where it seems entertainment or news organizations are doing things in order to stay in Donald Trump's good books?

[Raveena Shamdasani]

Well, yeah, look, there is no doubt that the landscape has shifted dramatically. I mean, for example, the Associated Press was banned from some White House events and is suing the administration. You now have funding cuts to the likes of NPR and pbs. So there is very much this change in relationships the administration. You know, the counter to that is some people say there's greater attention to free speech and First Amendment because other outlets and, you know, podcasters and others are having greater access to the White House than just traditional media companies. You see Donald Trump, for example, celebrating Stephen Colbert's firing, saying that, you know, the Fox News late night host is far better and that others, like Jimmy Fallon on NBC, for example, should be next to go.

[Paul Moss]

Stephen Colbert will be on air for another 10 months before his contract ends. Are we expecting him to keep his mouth shut or carry on saying it how he sees it?

[Raveena Shamdasani]

I don't think anybody expects Stephen Colbert and the Late show on CBS to change its approach at all. He's always mixed sharp political critique with comedy. That's been his appeal. That's been what's made his brand so special in the last few years. And he has not singled at all that in these next 10 months he will tampen down any criticism or his approach to the administration, specifically Neda Taufik.

[Paul Moss]

The British government has placed sanctions on a number of Russian military intelligence units and individual suspected agents. It accuses them of spreading chaos and disorder instigated by the Kremlin carrying out operations in Europe and beyond. Security correspondent Frank Gardiner reports.

[Frank Gardiner]

The U.K. a nation considered public enemy number one in Moscow, has announced new sanctions on three units of Russia's military intelligence, the GRU, and 18 of its officers, naming them publicly online. Some of the alleged spies are accused of involvement in the attack on a theater sheltering civilians in Mariupol in Ukraine at the start of Russia's full scale invasion. The foreign secretary, David Lammey, said the Russian intelligence officers were running a campaign to destabilize Europe, undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and threaten the safety of British citizens.

[Paul Moss]

Frank Gardner now to a bizarre story which began as a flapping sound in the cavity walls and roof of a house in Aberdeen, on the northeast coast of Scotland. It ended with the discovery of a colony of hundreds of, well, tiny flying mammals. Anne Marie Murchie is the unfortunate homeowner.

[Leo Zaki]

They were situated in the centre of our house, so basically we had pest control round thinking we had wasps. And then we made the gruesome discovery that we. We had, well, potentially over a thousand bats.

[Paul Moss]

She sounds almost amused there. But life with a bat infestation proved surprisingly disruptive.

[Leo Zaki]

It's an absolute nightmare because, I mean, I'm scared to go in the house at certain times, you know, because they're going between like, 10, 15 and 5am I've been staying at my mum's. I've been. I mean, I've been sleeping in my car because I'm too scared to go in. And then most recently, there was one in my toilet roll holder in the actual house. Martin gave me a scare one morning, which was horrific.

[Paul Moss]

In the uk, bats are a protected species and Amory Murchie's been told it's illegal for her to touch them or their roosts, but that they will probably move on. In September, my colleague Paddy o' Connell spoke to a bat specialist. Gabrielle Graham had asked first whether she's sympathetic to Ms. Murchie's plight.

[Gabrielle Graham]

Yeah, of course I'm sympathetic and I think what's really important to remember is that it should really never have come to this far. And I think all of us listening have a lot of sympathy for what she's. She's going through. It's important to remember as well that large maternity routes like that won't actually form overnight. And so if you're actually concerned, then there are. There's plenty of time and there's things that you can do to help the bats and, you know, not get into the similar situation that she's in.

[Paul Moss]

Well, can I do anything to help the bats to push off?

[Gabrielle Graham]

So let's have a little moment and think about what's happening with the roosts at the moment. So she mentioned on the program that it's a maternity roost, which means that all the female bats will be getting together and having their part and that's the babies. And if we were to push the bats out just now, then the babies would actually all die. And I think that we can all agree that that's less than ideal situation to be in. One thing she did mention also is that, you know, this has been happening previously and so whilst the roosts are protected. There are things that you can't do and you can actually work with. In her case, nature. Scott who's the government organization that deals with this and actually put measures in place to prevent the bats from coming in into the future.

[Paul Moss]

Gabrielle Graham we still don't know quite what the relationship was between the chief executive of a software company and a member of his staff, whether they're illicit lovers or just good friends. But the embrace they shared at a Coldplay concert in the US has now been seen by millions around the world. It was picked up by a so called Kiss cam and projected onto a giant screen, not perhaps what the two people involved really wanted. As our correspondent Duncan Kennedy reports, if.

[Frank Gardiner]

It was meant to be a discreet night out for a couple in search of privacy, then, in the words of one of Coldplay's best known songs, it soon turned to trouble. Picture the scene. Andy Byron, the chief executive of a software development business, and Kristen Cabot, the company's head of human resources, were watching the band at a stadium near Boston. Mr. Byron was standing behind Ms. Cabot, his arms laced around her, her hands clutching his. How do we know all this? Well, because the stadium's Kiss cam caught them and been their image to the 66,000 other people at the concert. When the pair spotted themselves on the big screen, their smiles disappeared quicker than what Coldplay might have called the speed of sound. The singer, Chris Martin was watching.

[Paul Moss]

As.

[Frank Gardiner]

The cringing Ms. Cabot covered her face and Mr. Byron ducked out of sight. Asking whether the couple were having an affair or were just very shy sent the audience into hysterics.

[Paul Moss]

Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy.

[Frank Gardiner]

The actual answer is we don't know. But the clip of them bolting hasn't stopped the moment going viral. On TikTok alone, it's been viewed around 6 million times. Their mortified faces now centre stage in a thousand memes. To paraphrase Chris Martin, when the dust settles, all this might need some serious fixing.

[Paul Moss]

Duncan Kennedy and that's all from us for now. But there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcastbc.co.uk.com you can also find us on XBCWorldService. Use the hashtag globalnewspod. This edition was mixed by Jack Wilfan and the producers were Alison Davies and Daniel Mann. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Paul moss. Until next time. Goodbye.