Global News Podcast – US Puts Sanctions on Russian Oil Giants Over Ukraine War

Host: Charlotte Gallagher (BBC World Service)
Date: October 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode provides a comprehensive roundup of major global stories. The headline is the US’s imposition of sweeping new sanctions on Russia’s largest oil companies as part of efforts to pressure the Kremlin over the war in Ukraine. Other key topics include escalating US military actions off South America, the International Court of Justice’s ruling on Israeli obligations in Gaza, a dramatic jewel heist at the Louvre, the rise of US ownership in British football, a major fake agents scandal hurting African footballers, the transformation of Confederate monuments in America, and the plight of independent journalists in Georgia.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Imposes Major Sanctions on Russian Oil Giants

Segment starts: 00:00

• Background: President Donald Trump has announced sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil firms, breaking from his previous reluctance to escalate economic warfare against Moscow.
• Motivation: Frustration with President Putin over failed peace talks and lack of Russian seriousness about a Ukraine ceasefire.
• Scope of Sanctions:
  • US persons and firms prohibited from business dealings with the oil giants and their subsidiaries.
  • Assets in the US are frozen; aim is to cripple Russian capacity to fund its military.
• Expert Analysis:
  • Peter Bowes (North America Correspondent):
    “This is a clear attempt, and I think the most aggressive attempt during this war by the US to really cripple the Russian economy… But the key objective is to get Moscow to engage in a peace process and end the war.” (02:04)
  • On why now:
    “It’s in large part because of President Trump’s frustration with President Putin. That meeting didn’t really go anywhere… so it’s certainly a very significant move, a change in policy by President Trump.” (03:26)
• Notable Quote:
  • Donald Trump: “They're massive sanctions… among the biggest in the world. But hopefully he'll become reasonable and hopefully Zelensky will be reasonable too. It takes two to tango, as they say.” (01:33)

2. US Strikes on Narco-Terror Suspects Off South America

Segment starts: 04:15

• Event: The US destroyed a boat off Colombia’s coast, killing two suspected narco-terrorists; first such Pacific action.
• Escalating Tensions: US strikes (eight to date) have led to 34 deaths, mostly near Venezuela, stoking regional anger.
• Reactions:
  • President Trump claims each destroyed boat saves “25,000 American lives” (04:42).
  • Colombian President Petro threatens legal action against Trump’s “slanderous accusations” after being labelled a drug traffic leader.
• Context & Legal Debate:
  • Eric Schmidt (NYT, with Tim Franks): Strikes have expanded from the Caribbean to the Pacific, “suggesting… these strikes are not so much to thwart drugs... but rather to put pressure on the regime of authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.” (05:30)
  • Legal experts question the US basis for military strikes without Congressional approval. (08:30)
• Notable Quote:
  • Eric Schmidt: “It's not just by declaring these individuals terrorists, they have the right to kill them… The United States just cannot go out and strike boats. Willy-nilly.” (08:46)

3. International Court of Justice Ruling on Israeli Obligations in Gaza

Segment starts: 09:09

• Key Ruling: The ICJ issued legal guidance that Israel, as an occupying power, must facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza, cooperating with UN agencies, including UNRWA.
• Significance: Though advisory and not a finding of breach, it adds legal, moral, and political weight amid ongoing UN and ICC cases.
• Reporting:
  • Anna Holligan (The Hague): “The judges didn't use that word [breach], but they talked about Israel's obligations repeatedly… outlining with definitive legal guidance Israel's obligations under international law…” (10:10)
• Implications: Advisory opinion likely to play a role in future international legal action relating to Gaza.

4. Dramatic Louvre Crown Jewels Heist

Segment starts: 11:41

• Incident: $100 million worth of French crown jewels stolen using a truck-mounted ladder and a first-floor window; suspects escaped on scooters.
• Visitor Reactions:
  • “We've waited a lifetime to come see the jewels… and they're not here.” (11:41)
• Security Concerns:
  • Senate questions underinvestment in security; Louvre president admits camera blind spot was exploited.
  • President Macron orders accelerated security upgrades.
• Notable Quote:
  • Laurence Descartes (Louvre president): “What we have is totally inadequate and does not cover the whole of the Louvre facade. …the only camera was pointing towards the west and therefore did not cover the balcony where the thieves broke in.” (13:09)

5. Fake Agents Endangering Young African Footballers

Segment starts: 14:29

• Issue: Young players in Africa are being scammed by fake agents promising European trials that don't materialize, sometimes leaving them abandoned abroad or worse.
• Personal Accounts:
  • Marshal Manetzi (Zimbabwean footballer): Shared stories of peers stranded in France after being promised trials. (14:29)
• Scale of the Problem:
  • Kogosana Masaseng (FIFPRO Africa):
    • 70%+ of surveyed players contacted by fake agents.
    • About half never get the promised trial; some face dangerous or exploitative situations.
    • “...Now people are trying to take advantage of these unsuspecting youngsters who really want to make it big in football.” (15:46)
• Solutions: Focus on education, FIFA agent registration, and enforcement.

6. Confederate Monuments Reimagined in US Art Exhibition

Segment starts: 17:56

• Exhibition: LA museum displays toppled Confederate statues as art, many removed following Black Lives Matter protests, now accompanied by contemporary works.
• Controversy & Messaging: Debate over Civil War legacy remains unresolved.
• Notable Moments:
  • Curator Hamza Walker:
    “We can't agree on why the Civil War was fought… No matter how you get there, the reason for the Civil War was slavery.” (20:30)
  • Artist Kara Walker: Describes her transformation of a Stonewall Jackson statue:
    “A haint, which would be a ghostly form…disembodied horse and rider… We've had a lot of words like zombie and reanimation…that's sort of what came out.” (21:23)
• Significance: Reflects ongoing battles over historical narrative, especially as Trump orders Confederate art reinstalled in government spaces.

7. European Sakharov Human Rights Prize Awarded to Jailed Journalists

Segment starts: 22:48

• Awardees: Andrei Pozobut (Polish-Belarusian) and Mazia Amaglobelli (Georgian) win EU’s top human rights honor.
• Human Rights Context:
  • Amaglobelli imprisoned for anti-government protest; suffered severe health deterioration.
  • Irma Dimitradz (colleague):
    “She just became a symbol of fight and resistance… The fall of independent media or journalism in Georgia will mean destroying all personal freedoms.” (25:04)

8. Major Roman Coin Discovery in Wales

Segment starts: 25:15

• Discovery: Amateur metal detectorist David Moss found two clay pots containing ~15,000 Roman coins. He slept in his car for three days to guard the treasure.
• Next Steps: Coins now at National Museum of Wales for analysis.
• Notable Quote:
  • “He got goosebumps when he came across [the coins].” (25:15)

9. Surge in US Investment in British Football

Segment starts: 26:10

• Trend: Over a third of English league clubs—including famous teams—now partly or wholly US-owned.
• Motivations:
  • Rob Kuig (Reading FC owner): “It's an undervalued commodity or asset… you could not buy a minor league baseball team in America for the equivalent amount in football.” (26:48)
• Case Studies:
  • Birmingham City: Now boasts a new fan park, celebrity co-owners, and major infrastructure investment plans.
  • Wrexham: Global media attention and docuseries have driven sponsorship/ad revenue up sevenfold.
    • Christina Filippou (University of Portsmouth): “They went from… sponsorship and advertising revenue… up more than seven times… That is massive.” (29:53)
• Fan Perspectives: Largely positive about infrastructure and financial investment, some skeptical about revenue focus.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Donald Trump on sanctions:
  “They're massive sanctions... but hopefully he'll become reasonable and hopefully Zelensky will be reasonable too. It takes two to tango, as they say.” (01:33)

• Eric Schmidt, NYT:
  “The United States just cannot go out and strike boats. Willy-nilly.” (08:46)

• Laurence Descartes (Louvre):
  “What we have is totally inadequate and does not cover the whole of the Louvre facade.” (13:09)

• Hamza Walker (Confederate monuments):
  “We can't agree on why the Civil War was fought… No matter how you get there, the reason for the Civil War was slavery.” (20:30)

• Irma Dimitradz (Georgian journalism):
  “The fall of independent media or journalism in Georgia will mean destroying all personal freedoms.” (25:04)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• US Sanctions on Russia: 00:00–04:15
• US Military Strikes in South America: 04:15–09:09
• ICJ Ruling on Gaza: 09:09–11:41
• Louvre Heist: 11:41–14:29
• Fake Football Agents in Africa: 14:29–17:56
• Confederate Monuments Exhibition: 17:56–22:48
• Sakharov Human Rights Prize: 22:48–25:15
• Roman Coin Find in Wales: 25:15–26:10
• US Ownership in British Football: 26:10–end

Overall Tone & Takeaways

The reporting is authoritative, balanced, and brisk, reflective of the BBC’s commitment to high-quality global news coverage. The episode is peppered with direct quotes from stakeholders, eyewitnesses, experts, and those most affected by the events, lending immediacy and grounding to each story.

This episode is essential listening for anyone seeking a concise yet thorough update on geopolitics, international law, culture, sports business, and social issues from around the globe.