Global News Podcast – US Congress Votes to Release Epstein Files
BBC World Service | Host: Nick Miles
Date: November 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the US Congress's landmark decision to force the release of the Justice Department's files on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It examines the political debate and implications of this move, alongside updates on Donald Trump's shifting position, high-profile international relations with Saudi Arabia, increased settler violence in the West Bank, international oil sanctions on Russia, developments in the tech industry, a deadly snowstorm in Chile, the future of test cricket, and a quirky legal case involving Vegemite in Australian prisons.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Congress Moves to Release Epstein Files

• Bipartisan Action: The House passed the bill 427-1, with the Senate following suit, mandating the release of all Epstein-related records held by the Justice Department.

  • [02:10] "That was the result of a vote in the House of Representatives where both Democrats and Republicans overwhelmingly approved the release..."

• Victims and Accountability: Lawmakers emphasized justice for Epstein’s victims and transparency regarding powerful associates.

  • Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia:
    • [03:20] “This fight and this vote tonight...is about the power less taking power away from the very powerful.”
  • Republican Rep. Nancy Mace (paraphrased): Also urged transparency and accountability.

• Donald Trump’s Position:

  • Trump initially supported releasing the files during his campaign, reversed course as president, and switched sides again after a party rebellion.
  • Claims he cut ties with Epstein and deflected attention to public figures like Bill Clinton and Larry Summers.
    • Trump:
      • [04:20] “You’re a terrible person and a terrible reporter. As far as the Epstein files is, I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick pervert. But I guess I turned out to be right.”

• Congressional Maneuvering:

  • The bill is set to land on Trump’s desk, which he pledged to sign quickly.
  • He attempted to redirect the public debate to Republican policy achievements.
    • [05:20] Sean Dilley: “President Trump says the second it hits his desk he's going to sign it...he says that the party's done reducing the cost of living and the work they've done around transgender issues in sports...”

• Scope of the Files:

  • Files could reveal the involvement of powerful individuals worldwide, including politicians, royal family (notably Prince Andrew), and international figures.
  • Recent release: 23,000 emails; questions about both Democratic and Republican links.

• Political Fallout:

  • Even prominent MAGA Republicans (e.g., Marjorie Taylor Greene) supported the release, signaling shifting electoral and intra-party calculations.

2. Trump Defends Saudi Crown Prince in Khashoggi Case

• Context: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman makes his first D.C. visit since Jamal Khashoggi’s 2018 murder.

  • [11:08] Tom Bateman describes “the ultimate lavish welcome” for the Crown Prince.

• Trump's Stance:

  • Publicly rebuffs US intelligence blaming bin Salman for Khashoggi’s murder.
  • [12:10] Trump: “Fake News. A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman...Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happened, but he [MBS] knew nothing about it. And we can leave it at that. You don’t have to embarrass our guests...”
  • Analysts highlight Trump siding with a foreign leader over US intelligence (“not for the first time”).

• Response from Khashoggi's Widow:

  • Hanan Elatta Khashoggi expresses pain at Trump’s comments, appeals for the Crown Prince’s help in recovering her husband’s remains, official apology, and compensation.
    • [13:30] “They ended my life the day they killed my husband. They killed me with my husband. Every day I say at daylight I wish to be died.”

3. Russia’s Oil Sanctions Evasion via 'Shadow Fleet'

• Sanctions and the Shadow Fleet:

  • Despite sanctions following the Ukraine war, Russia’s oil revenues remain strong, aided by fleets of tankers using false flagging and illicit tactics.
  • [17:00] Commodore Ivo Värk (Estonian Navy): “There is a tendency...an increasing number of vessels sailing around and having not valid flags. The dark fleet is getting darker.”

• Maritime Risks:

  • Analyst Michel Wieser Bochmann:
    • [18:20] “The Shadow fleet is an accident waiting to happen.”
  • Estonian, Swedish authorities highlight their limited capacity for enforcement and concerns about ‘freedom of the seas’.
  • Russia blames Western sanctions for endangering commerce.

4. Rising Israeli Settler Violence in the West Bank

• Incident: Israeli settlers attack Palestinian homes and cars in the village of Juba; injuries include a baby.

  • [22:05] Graphic first-hand accounts—teenager Leanne:
    • “They want us to run away from our land. They don’t want us to be here so they can achieve their own plans.”
  • Context: Settler outposts, Israeli government policies, and unprecedented violence levels in recent months.

• Retaliation and Escalation:

  • Shortly after, Palestinian attackers kill an Israeli near a settlement; tensions escalate, and both Israeli and Palestinian communities remain on edge.

5. Meta (Facebook) Wins Major Monopoly Lawsuit

• US Court Ruling:

  • Meta not found to hold a "monopoly" in social networking, countering FTC arguments.
  • [27:07] Lily Jamali:
    • “Judge Boasberg saying...the agency...has not carried its burden, that Meta holds no monopoly...Meta argued it faces a whole host of competitors... including YouTube and TikTok.”

• Tech Antitrust Enforcement:

  • The government’s previous momentum in Big Tech antitrust cases may be slowing; case was reportedly always difficult to prove.

6. Deadly Snowstorm in Patagonia (Chile)

• Tragic Incident: Five trekkers died in Torres del Paine National Park during a sudden, violent snowstorm.

  • [29:40] Danny Eberhard:
    • “The weather can change very, very suddenly...wind speeds were 190 kilometers an hour. That’s equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane...If you imagine that...things can go very bad very quickly.”

• Rescue Efforts: Twenty-four joined the rescue operation; four others were saved.

7. The Future of Test Cricket

• Economic & Cultural Shift:

  • Test cricket, like The Ashes, is struggling against the popularity and profitability of shorter T20 formats.
  • [32:40] Prakash Wakanka:
    • “What the IPL did...was it brought Bollywood front and center. It became an entertaining evening with cricket as its ostensible centerpiece.”
  • [34:20] Russell James:
    • “The Ashes...is by far and away the most dominant cricket product...much more than the IPL within this country.”

• Financial Pressures:

  • Test matches are costly to host. Some countries, like South Africa, have stopped scheduling long-form matches except against top market teams.

8. Unusual Legal Case: Vegemite Ban in Australian Prisons

• Story: Inmate André McKechnie challenges a ban on Vegemite, arguing it violates his cultural rights.
  • [36:30] “Four in five people have a jar of it in their kitchen cupboards. But one place you won’t find a jar of Vegemite is in a prison in the state of Victoria… [he] says the rule breaches the state’s Human Rights Act…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[This] is about the power less taking power away from the very powerful.” — Rep. Robert Garcia (03:20)
• “I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. I threw him out of my club many years ago because I thought he was a sick pervert.” — Donald Trump (04:20)
• “The dark fleet is getting darker.” — Commodore Ivo Värk, Estonian Navy (17:00)
• “They ended my life the day they killed my husband. They killed me with my husband. Every day I say at daylight I wish to be died.” — Hanan Elatta Khashoggi (13:30)
• “The Shadow Fleet is an accident waiting to happen.” — Michel Wieser Bochmann (18:20)
• “What the IPL did...was it brought Bollywood front and center. It became an entertaining evening with cricket as its ostensible centerpiece.” — Prakash Wakanka (32:40)
• “Four in five people have a jar of [Vegemite] in their kitchen cupboards. But one place you won’t find a jar... is in a prison in the state of Victoria.” — Ella Bicknell (36:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:45 – Headline summary
• 02:10 – Congress votes to release Epstein files
• 03:20 – Congress debate: Garcia and Mace
• 04:20 – Trump press conference on Epstein
• 05:20 – Sean Dilley on political implications
• 11:08 – Saudi Crown Prince welcomed in Washington
• 12:10 – Trump's response to Khashoggi questions
• 13:30 – Remarks from Hanan Elatta Khashoggi
• 17:00 – Baltic shadow fleet discussion
• 18:20 – Ship instability and safety concerns
• 22:05 – Settler violence in the West Bank
• 27:07 – Meta wins antitrust lawsuit
• 29:40 – Details of the Patagonia snowstorm
• 32:40 – Explosive growth of IPL cricket
• 36:30 – Vegemite ban in Australian prisons

Tone & Language

• The reporting is direct, analytic, and maintains journalistic neutrality, echoing the BBC’s style.
• Primary quotes preserve the speakers’ voices—at times combative (Trump), emotional (Khashoggi’s widow), or authoritative (navy, experts, lawmakers).

This summary captures the episode’s comprehensive exploration of pressing global and domestic issues, providing a detailed overview, direct quotes, and in-depth analysis of the stories shaping the world.