The US president has threatened the British state-funded broadcaster with a $1 billion lawsuit for misleadingly editing his speech
The BBC is prepared to issue a formal apology to US President Donald Trump to settle a billion-dollar lawsuit he filed earlier this week, according to several media reports.
Trump is demanding the retraction of a documentary that contained a misleading edit of a speech he delivered prior to the 2021 Capitol Hill riot. During the event, a mob of Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol building in Washington, D.C., in a bid to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The US president accused the broadcaster of “reckless disregard for the truth” after a leaked internal BBC dossier, published by The Telegraph last week, revealed that the documentary show Panorama edited his speech to suggest he had incited the riot. The accusations forced both the director general and head of news to resign.
Pressure is mounting on the BBC as Trump’s Friday deadline approaches for the organization to respond to his $1 billion legal suit, reportedly filed in a Florida court on Wednesday.
The BBC is now ready to apologize, with its lawyers currently drafting the wording of their response to the US president, according to The Telegraph. The broadcaster’s leadership faces a difficult decision: engage in a public battle with Trump or make a payment that could be politically damaging given its funding through license fees, the Guardian reported, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
On Monday, BBC Chairman Samir Shah acknowledged that the edited video gave the “impression of a direct call for violent action,” concluding that “the BBC would like to apologize for that error of judgment.”
Trump has since intensified his legal threat, asserting he feels “an obligation” to sue the BBC. “I guess I have to,” he told Fox News. “They defrauded the public and they’ve admitted it.”
The BBC, however, rejected claims that the corporation is “institutionally biased.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office also denied that the broadcaster was biased or corrupt while acknowledging that “clearly mistakes have been made in this case.”
Commenting on the matter, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned efforts to shift blame away from the BBC’s clear responsibility for the scandal as a “disgrace.” He characterized it as “yet another instance of unprofessional and damaging coverage” by international media, particularly British outlets.
Kiev’s backers argued that Oslo could help overcome a weakness to the bloc’s proposed “reparation loan” scheme
Norway will not tap its massive sovereign wealth fund to act as a financial backstop for a proposed EU loan to Ukraine based on Russian assets frozen by the bloc, Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg has said.
Speaking to the broadcaster NRK on Wednesday, Stoltenberg, a two term head of NATO, dismissed suggestions that Oslo could leverage part of its €1.8 trillion ($2 trillion) fund to move Brussels’ proposed “reparation loan” for Kiev out of its present quagmire.
The idea had reportedly been floated in Norwegian media and backed by some local politicians ahead of a visit by Stoltenberg to Brussels on Wednesday.
“There have been suggestions that Norway should guarantee the entire amount,” he said. “That is not the case. Whether we can contribute will depend on what the EU proposes.”
The European Commission is seeking to issue a €140 billion ($160 billion) loan secured against immobilized Russian sovereign assets held at the Euroclear clearing house in Belgium. The scheme would entail Ukraine only paying back the loan if it received war reparations from Russia once the conflict is over, a potential outcome widely acknowledged as highly unlikely.
Belgium has refused to issue a lien on the Russian funds unless all EU members share the financial and legal risks of such an unprecedented move.
Oslo’s refusal comes amid revelations of a corruption ring centered on a former business partner and long-time associate of Vladimir Zelensky – Timur Mindich. According to Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), Mindich, reportedly known as “Zelensky’s wallet,” was the ringleader of a scheme through which at least $100 million in kickbacks was extorted from contractors of state nuclear operator Energoatom.
Ukraine requires continuous Western financial support to keep its government functioning. Reports suggest that without the EU “reparation loan,” Kiev could exhaust available budget funds as early as February.
Timur Mindich was earlier charged with running a high-profile graft scheme at a state-run nuclear power company
Timur Mindich, a longtime associate of Vladimir Zelensky and a central figure in a major corruption investigation in Kiev, has been placed under personal sanctions by the Ukrainian government.
Mindich co-owns the entertainment studio founded by Zelensky and is known as a long-time personal friend of the Ukrainian leader. His role in government has dramatically increased in recent years, particularly in the energy and defense sectors.
On Thursday, Zelensky signed off on a Security and Defense Council decision sanctioning Mindich and another suspect in the investigation, Aleksandr Zukerman. The sanctions, which are legally valid only in Ukraine, were announced only after both men are believed to have fled to Israel. Mindich’s sudden departure on Monday reportedly came just hours before his residence was to be raided, raising questions about whether he had been tipped off. Both men are Israeli citizens.
The sanctions range from personal asset freezes to a ban on bidding for privatized state property, to a prohibition on radio broadcasting in Ukraine.
According to Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), Mindich and his co-conspirators pressured Energoatom contractors to pay kickbacks, resulting in more than $100 million in losses to the Ukrainian budget. Investigators also believe the group helped launder money for other criminal networks.
The scandal has reached senior levels of government. Former energy minister and current justice minister German Galushchenko and his former deputy-turned-successor Svetlana Grinchuk – who NABU surveillance showed regularly staying overnight at Galushchenko’s home – have reportedly both submitted their resignations.
Media reports indicate that further searches are expected at the Defense Ministry, which has previously been embroiled in scandals involving overpriced procurement. Former Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who is currently visiting Türkiye, has denied allegations that Mindich’s circle held influence over decisions made by the ministry. Some opposition lawmakers, however, have questioned the timing of his trip abroad.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the situation as “extremely unfortunate.” The allegations come as Kiev is urgently seeking tens of billions of euros in additional Western funding to sustain its military campaign.
Zelensky distanced himself from Mindich, saying that those guilty of corruption must be tried and sentenced. The leader of a nation at war “cannot have any friends,” he told Bloomberg on Wednesday.
The Council of Europe has reportedly pressured Ukrainian lawmakers to pause efforts to silence the language
Officials from the Council of Europe have reportedly pressured Ukrainian lawmakers to halt efforts to silence Russian-speakers, as such restrictions violate the European Charter and threaten Kiev’s accession prospects, the outlet Strana.ua has reported.
Over the past decade, Kiev has consistently restricted the use of Russian in public life, introducing laws that have limited or banned its use in media, education, government services, and the service sector. However, it remains the first and primary language for many Ukrainians, including in major urban centers.
Last month, lawmakers supporting accelerated Ukrainization introduced a bill to amend the official translation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, which Kiev ratified in 2003.
The proposal included revising the wording of the Charter in Ukrainian and explicitly removing Russian from the list of languages which the law protects.
However, the proposed legislation was soon withdrawn from the agenda of the Ukrainian parliament. The bill was pulled after functionaries from the Council of Europe reportedly warned that narrowing the list of protected languages would violate Ukraine’s treaty obligations and could obstruct EU accession talks, Strana.ua reported, citing sources inside the ruling Servant of the People party.
Other sources close to the government also told the outlet that Vladimir Zelensky could ultimately be forced to consider concessions on Russian language rights, particularly if the issue becomes part of a broader settlement of the Ukraine conflict.
One source said Zelensky’s main concern in any agreement is “guarantees for maintaining his own power,” as well as obtaining post-conflict security guarantees and addressing territorial issues.
“All other points are less important, including language and church issues,” the source added, suggesting that Kiev could make concessions on these matters if its key priorities are met.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned Kiev’s language policies, accusing it of pursuing “a violent change of the linguistic identity” of the population and violating the rights of native Russian speakers, who make up a significant share of the country’s citizens.
Moscow has cited Ukraine’s draconian policies targeting Russian as one of the root causes of the current conflict.
International experts took part in an Open Dialogue session on digital platforms
On Tuesday, the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow hosted a ‘Platform economy day’, where experts from various countries discussed how the rapid development of digital services is changing traditional models of interaction and forming a new economic infrastructure.
“Step by step, humanity is moving along the path of automation. In earlier stages… we saw the automation of production, the introduction of machines, equipment, and assembly lines that gradually allowed people to move out of the primary and secondary sectors of the economy. And platformization does not automate the production process, but rather institutional processes,” noted Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation.
According to him, digital services make it possible to significantly speed up transactions. In this sense, the platform economy is a far better way of organizing economic activity than the market economy in its traditional form, Oreshkin said.
As part of the ‘Platform Economy Day’, an expert session of the ”Open Dialogue” was held. Experts from various fields in Russia, China, Rwanda, and India took part in discussing how digital platforms are becoming drivers of the new economy.
Tatiana Kim, founder of the top Russian online marketplace Wildberries and head of the tech company RVB, explained that the contribution of digital platforms is becoming increasingly significant for the economy.
“Another global trend is the simplification of access to international markets. Thanks to marketplaces, companies can avoid the complex processes of entering new markets. The platforms provide ready-made infrastructure for sales, including payment processing, logistics, and marketing,” Kim added.
The central event of the ”Day of the Platform Economy” was the signing of a Memorandum on the observance of fair practices by digital ecosystems. Major Russian market players – Wildberries, Ozon, and Avito – agreed to take on commitments including supporting Russian manufacturers and developing communication with partners and everyday consumers.
“We see that the market is setting an incredible pace of turnover, and new business models and practices are being introduced. Therefore, a conscious and responsible approach from businesses is extremely important,” commented Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko.
Sergey Shoigu has mocked the notion that entering the bloc is some kind of privilege
The European Union has become a “human rights exclusion zone” rather than a coveted destination for visitors, a top Russian security official has said.
Brussels last week banned EU states from issuing multi-entry visas to Russian nationals. Reacting to the bloc’s newest visa restrictions, Sergey Shoigu, secretary of Russia’s Security Council and a former defense minister, mocked comments by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who claimed that “travelling to the EU is a privilege, not a given.”
“Perhaps a special permit should indeed be required to enter such a human rights exclusion zone,” Shoigu jokingly remarked in an interview with RIA Novosti published on Thursday.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova previously criticized Kallas’ framing, asking whether her remark applied to “millions of illegal migrants enjoying dine-and-wine privileges in the EU” or only to “law-abiding tourists who pay for visas and want to see sights like the Eiffel Tower or shop in Milan.”
Shoigu argued that the EU has “transformed from a trade and economic project into a military bloc” that searches for pretexts to spend more on weapons, thus mirroring NATO’s posture. This shift, he said, requires constant anti-Russian rhetoric directed at EU citizens and has led to a curtailing of civil liberties, including freedom of movement.
“The Europeans have abandoned the values they preached for many years. They no longer need freedom of expression or free press. Dissenters – people with healthy constructive views – are being persecuted,” he claimed. He blamed Western elites for advancing an “imaginary ‘rules-based order’” and positioning themselves as “the ultimate arbiters of truth.”
Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, countries that cite historic grievances with Moscow, have long urged Brussels to add broad travel restrictions to its sanctions policy. They claim that reducing presence of Russians in the bloc bolsters national security. Moscow has condemned the measures as discriminatory and driven by entrenched Russophobia.
Corriere della Sera has refused to publish the Russian foreign minister’s remarks, claiming they are “controversial”
The liberal Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera has refused to publish an interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, citing what it called “controversial claims” in his remarks.
Its editors refused to print an abridged version of the interview, nor did they post the full text online, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, describing the incident as “outrageous censorship.”
The ministry offered the outlet an exclusive interview with Lavrov after noticing “a growing amount of misinformation about Russia in Italian media,” according to the statement.
The newspaper’s editors initially “enthusiastically agreed” and submitted a list of questions. Lavrov promptly answered all of them, providing detailed responses, and the text was ready for publication. However, after receiving the material, the newspaper declined to publish the interview.
“They ‘explained’ to us that Lavrov’s words ‘contain many controversial assertions that require fact-checking or additional clarification, the publication of which would lead to exceeding reasonable volumes,’” the ministry said.
Commenting on the matter, the outlet stated that the Russian Foreign Ministry had provided a “lengthy text full of… propagandistic claims” in response to its questions.
The media outlet relayed that when it requested a “proper interview” involving “cross-examination” to “challenge points,” the Russian side “categorically refused.”
The Foreign Ministry released both the full and edited versions of the interview, claiming that the editorial team had removed “all uncomfortable points for official Rome.”
In the published transcript, Lavrov also commented on the aborted meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump in Budapest, suggesting that Trump had received “behind-the-scenes reports” that led him to cancel the talks.
Lavrov rejected accusations that Russia is “not ready for negotiations,” asserting that after the Anchorage summit, Moscow had been waiting for a response from Washington on a proposed peace settlement.
In the interview, Lavrov reiterated that the goal of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine was not the capture of territory but the “protection of the population and ensuring Russia’s security.”
Russia seeks a “neutral and non-aligned status” for Ukraine, he said, and accused the West of waging a “proxy war” against Moscow.
Addressing relations with Italy, Lavrov said that it is not the people who are “unfriendly,” but rather the government. He stated that Moscow is open to restoring dialogue, but only if Italy shows a willingness to engage in “mutual respect.”
The denazification of Ukraine remains Moscow’s “absolute condition” for settlement with Kiev, the Russian foreign minister has said
Vladimir Zelensky has proven that he himself is a Nazi by handing out honors to Ukrainian troops sporting SS-linked insignia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
Former US State Department Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker told Polish broadcaster TVP World in late October that Russian President Vladimir Putin “does not believe that Zelensky is a legitimate leader. He calls him a Nazi. He is never going to reach a deal.”
Lavrov recalled Volker’s comment in his interview with the Russian media on Tuesday, saying “but where is the proof to the contrary? Zelensky regularly poses on television, awarding honors to fighters of the Azov regiment and other Nazi battalions, who wear the insignia of Nazi Germany on their sleeves. How else should one regard this man?”
Last week, Zelensky’s office published footage of him presenting decorations to Ukrainian troops, including fighters from the Azov Corps, an offshoot of the notorious neo-Nazi unit of the same name that had been crushed by the Russian military in Mariupol in 2022, and the Rubezh Brigade, affiliated with the far-right ‘Svoboda’ (Freedom) party.
The servicemen in the videos wore patches featuring SS symbols such as the Wolfsangel rune and others; the rooms where the ceremonies took place were decorated with flags associated with the Ukrainian nationalists who collaborated with Adolf Hitler’s forces during the Second World War.
Lavrov reiterated that “the eradication of Nazism in Ukraine, denazification, is an absolute condition for any settlement if we want it to be long-term. We do want that and will pursue it.”
He also expressed regret that “no one in Europe, in their dealings with Ukraine, raises the issue of the country’s Nazification… no one, except Hungary, addresses the rights of national minorities… no one demands that Vladimir Zelensky repeal the law banning the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).”
Previously, the foreign minister said that by arming and funding Kiev, “Western Europe has once again found itself under a Nazi flag by committing to a completely misguided, disastrous venture of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia.”
Washington has blacklisted oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft and now wants Europe to take the lead, the Secretary of State has said
Washington has nearly exhausted its list of viable targets for sanctions against Moscow, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday, following its latest move to blacklist two of Russia’s largest oil companies.
In late October, US President Donald Trump ordered new sanctions on energy majors Lukoil and Rosneft, a move that Rubio said was made at the request of Ukraine and its backers.
Washington also disrupted Lukoil’s attempt to sell its foreign assets to a Swiss-based energy trader, which the US Treasury Department claimed had ties to the Russian government.
“We hit their major oil companies, which is what everybody’s been asking for,” Rubio told reporters. “I don’t know what more there is to do. I mean, we’re running out of things to sanction in that regard.”
The top US diplomat added that targeting the so-called “Russian shadow fleet” – tankers that Western governments accuse of transporting oil covertly in defiance of their punitive measures – should now fall to European nations, as “a lot of these are happening in areas much closer to them.”
The US and its allies have sought to cripple the Russian economy with sanctions and provide an advantage to Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. However, Moscow maintains that its economy has adapted, redirecting trade to non-Western markets.
Meanwhile, Ukraine faces a worsening financial crisis, with reports suggesting that it may run out of cash as early as February without an increase of Western aid. The European Union is pushing for a €140 billion ($160 billion) “reparation loan” to keep Kiev afloat, using frozen Russian sovereign assets as collateral – a move Moscow has condemned as outright theft.
Belgium, which holds the majority of the immobilized Russian funds through the clearing house Euroclear, has blocked the proposal, demanding that other Western states share the financial and legal risks.
Sheikh Hasina spoke to RT about the involvement of external forces in the uprising that ousted her in 2024
Bangladesh’s interim government was “imposed” on the people following last year’s uprising, the South Asian nation’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina told RT in a written interview on Wednesday.
Recalling the events of August 2024, when she was forced to resign as prime minister and flee to India, where she now resides, Sheikh Hasina argued that there is “forensic evidence” suggesting that “foreign mercenaries” were present at the protests, instigating the masses.
She also asserted that Nobel Peace laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who was named as leader of the country’s interim government and has “many admirers in the West” was involved in the uprising that left hundreds dead.
The former PM also criticized the West for preaching democracy while ignoring the fact that the current leadership of Bangladesh has run the country for over a year and a half without holding elections. While general polling is expected to take place in the country in February 2026, the former ruling party, the Awami League, had been banned from participation.
The interview comes as a Bangladesh court is hearing a controversial crimes against humanity case filed against Hasina. Dhaka has been put on high alert with security forces, including the army and police, deployed to maintain law and order amid continuing tensions.
Madam Sheikh Hasina, your government didn’t just fall- itcollapsed like a house of cards.Was that chaos born on the streets… or scripted in Washington?
The protests began peacefully and my government ensured students’ safety and listened to their concerns. But matters were escalated by radicalists and firebrands who destroyed our communication infrastructure and burned down state buildings and police stations. Dr. Yunus later granted indemnity to these hooligans and even glorified them as ‘July warriors.’ He also dissolved a Judicial Inquiry Committee into the origins of the violence. Rather than giving grieving families and other Bangladeshis an independent and impartial inquiry into what happened last year, he has sought to scapegoat the Awami League.
I have no doubt that Yunus and his followers were involved in fomenting the uprising. There is forensic evidence to suggest that foreign mercenaries were present and acted as provocateurs. It is also true that Yunus has many admirers in the West. They preach democracy but ignore the fact that he has been imposed upon Bangladesh’s people, rather than voted for by them. All of that said, I do not believe the US government was involved. I have had good relationships with successive presidents and am a particular admirer of President Trump.
Rumors swirl aroundSt. Martin’s Island.Did the US want a base there? Did you say no- and pay the price?
There have always been discussions surrounding St. Martin’s Island, since the days of my father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I will not discuss confidential conversations that may have taken place with the US but, as I’ve mentioned, we had a constructive relationship with Washington.
IsMuhammad Yunusa reformer or a front-man for American interests in Bangladesh?
Yunus had many admirers in the West owning to his previous work as an economist. I imagine these admirers are dwindling in number now. They can see that he has plunged our country into disorder, overseen arbitrary arrests and violence against citizens, and sown division.
He’s not a front-man for the US government, however. Donald Trump has seen through him and is on record expressing his dislike of Yunus.
Around the world,‘Gen Z protests’are toppling governments overnight. Is it a coincidence, or playbook politics – external influence from third nations?
There are several factors driving youth-led protests around the world. Technology has given people access to more information and, in some cases, social media has coarsened public debate. Yet the underlying themes are clear. Young people everywhere are frustrated by limited economic opportunities, a perceived lack of a political voice, and a sense that their leaders are not representing them. This is not a phenomenon unique to Bangladesh, and we are likely to see similar situations emerge elsewhere if these issues are not addressed.
The next Bangladesh elections are being called‘free’ – but with you banned and the Awami League outlawed, what’s free about that?
These elections are neither free, fair, nor inclusive. We are Bangladesh’s principal party, supported by tens of millions, and have been elected nine times in our country’s history – including in the last election our country had. Without our participation, Bangladeshis are not being given a genuine choice.
Furthermore, it was the Awami League that introduced key reforms to ensure transparency – photo-based voter lists, transparent ballot boxes, and the establishment of an independent Election Commission. Ironically, the only party which ensured free elections is now barred from participating.
You face the harshest possible sentence under theICT.Is this justice, orrevenge dressed as law?
The ICT (International Criminal Tribunal) has been turned into a kangaroo court by my political opponents, who are trying to use it to nullify me and the Awami League. The ICT’s verdict is a foregone conclusion and the call for a death sentence reveals the interim’s government’s sense of insecurity and its murderous intent. Both the UN High Commissioner and Human Rights Watch have pleaded with Yunus to not pursue the death penalty. Both calls have gone ignored.
TheJuly Charterpromises reform by the interim Bangladesh government. Could thismanipulate Bangladesh’s constitutional framework under foreign supervision?
The Yunus-led interim government has far exceeded the justifiable limits of an interim authority. Not one citizen of Bangladesh has cast a vote for Yunus, and yet he believes he can rewrite not just our laws, but our Constitution.
Reports suggest that hardliners are back, and minorities are terrified. Has Bangladesh tradedstability for ideological chaos?
We worked hard to contain extremist forces during our time in office and to ensure that all citizens, no matter their religion, were free and safe to live their lives as they chose. These values were enshrined in our Constitution. Yet the Yunus regime has overseen and even denied attacks against religious minorities, and welcomed Islamic factions, businesses and radicalists into our country. At the most basic level, a government must ensure the safety of its people. We must return Bangladesh to a place where ordinary Bangladeshis are no longer afraid to leave their homes.
Relations between Dhaka and Islamabad are warming up again. Is this a genuine, healthy reset, ora new axis in someone else’s game?
Bangladesh wants and needs a stable relationship with Pakistan, but it needs to tread carefully before it gets too close.
To confidently forge our nation’s place in global politics, and to balance the safety of our country as well as the stability of the region, a leader must enjoy the support and consent of the people.
Dr. Yunus has not been chosen by our country to make these decisions. He is not a politician and certainly not a statesman. We must rescue the country from the violence, chaos and division he has sown domestically before we can hope to formulate a coherent foreign policy.
They sayBangabandhu’s nameis fading from public life. Is that erasure accidental – ordeliberate de-Mujibization?
Everybody in Bangladesh knows that my family had the privilege of playing a role in securing independence from Pakistan and building an independent, proud Bangladesh. They also know that my family paid for that privilege in its own blood. Many families across the country also remember their own martyrs. Those memories will not fade despite Yunus’s efforts to rewrite our history.
India once bet on you. Now it’s silent. How do you seeBangladesh-India relationsunder current dynamics?
India is a longstanding friend, and I am deeply grateful to the Indian people for welcoming me. However, Yunus’ sponsorship of extremists, his failure to protect Hindus, and the idiotic hostile rhetoric towards India emanating from Dhaka, threaten to undo the partnership that we’ve worked hard to cultivate. So does the unravelling of trading ties that has happened under his watch. But the ties that bind our countries are deep. I am grateful for India’s support and patience as they wait for Bangladesh to get its affairs in order.
