Articles by Anabelle Colaco

Politics

Trump urges revoking ABC broadcast licenses after reporter's question

Trump urges revoking ABC broadcast licenses after reporter's question Judge says DOJ showed 'disturbing' missteps in Comey indictment Trump launches 'FIFA Pass' to speed visa interviews for World Cup fans Rights Group Says Nearly 100 Palestinians Have Died in Israeli Custody Trump urges revoking ABC broadcast licenses after reporter's question WASHINGTON, D.C.: A brief exchange with a reporter has prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to renew his calls for federal regulators to strip broadcast licenses from ABC affiliates, escalating his long-running campaign against media outlets he says treat him unfairly. During an Oval Office appearance with the Saudi crown prince this week, an ABC News reporter asked Trump about the Jeffrey Epstein political scandal. Trump bristled at the question, responding, "I think the license should be taken away from ABC, because your news is so fake and it's so wrong." The remark is Trump's latest attempt to pressure the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) into punishing a broadcaster he frequently criticizes, though such efforts have so far yielded little tangible action. He praised FCC Chair Brendan Carr, whom he appointed in January, and urged him to "look at that." Carr met with Trump in Florida over the weekend, according to a social media post. The confrontation marks the second time in recent months that ABC has drawn Trump's public ire. In September, Trump applauded Carr after he pressured stations to pull ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off the air over comments Kimmel made regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. At the time, Trump again floated the idea of stripping broadcast licenses. Trump has repeatedly called on the FCC to revoke licenses held by affiliates of ABC and Comcast-owned NBC, and to charge them for using public airwaves. The FCC, however, is an independent agency with narrow authority. It grants licenses to individual broadcast stations, not networks, for eight-year terms. Although the FCC can revoke a license under a public-interest standard, it has not exercised that power in more than 40 years. Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez pushed back forcefully on Trump's latest comments. "The FCC doesn't get to decide whether the news coverage of those in power is acceptable," she said. "It has neither the legal authority nor the constitutional right to pursue broadcasters for their journalism. These threats sound ominous, but they're empty." Trump has also recently targeted other media figures. Earlier this month, he called on NBC to fire late-night host Seth Meyers after criticizing Meyers' satirical monologue. In July, the FCC approved a US$8.4 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, subject to Skydance agreeing to ensure that CBS programming is free of bias and to employ an ombudsman for at least 2 years. The approval came soon after Paramount agreed to pay $16 million to settle Trump's lawsuit over the editing of a "60 Minutes" interview with then–Vice President Kamala Harris, which House Democrats are now investigating. In January, Carr reinstated complaints involving the Harris CBS interview, ABC News' moderation of the Biden–Trump debate, and NBC's decision to allow Harris to appear on Saturday Night Live shortly before the election. Trump's first FCC chair, Ajit Pai, rejected similar demands in 2017, saying the agency "does not have the authority to revoke a license of a broadcast station based on the content." Trump urges revoking ABC broadcast licenses after reporter's question Trump urges revoking ABC broadcast licenses after reporter's question Anabelle Colaco 21st November 2025, 11:26 GMT+11 WASHINGTON, D.C.: A brief exchange with a reporter has prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to renew his calls for federal regulators to strip broadcast licenses from ABC affiliates, escalating his long-running campaign against media outlets he says treat him unfairly. During an Oval Office appearance with the Saudi crown prince this week, an ABC News reporter asked Trump about the Jeffrey Epstein political scandal. Trump bristled at the question, responding, "I think the license should be taken away from ABC, because your news is so fake and it's so wrong." The remark is Trump's latest attempt to pressure the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) into punishing a broadcaster he frequently criticizes, though such efforts have so far yielded little tangible action. He praised FCC Chair Brendan Carr, whom he appointed in January, and urged him to "look at that." Carr met with Trump in Florida over the weekend, according to a social media post. The confrontation marks the second time in recent months that ABC has drawn Trump's public ire. In September, Trump applauded Carr after he pressured stations to pull ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off the air over comments Kimmel made regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. At the time, Trump again floated the idea of stripping broadcast licenses. Trump has repeatedly called on the FCC to revoke licenses held by affiliates of ABC and Comcast-owned NBC, and to charge them for using public airwaves. The FCC, however, is an independent agency with narrow authority. It grants licenses to individual broadcast stations, not networks, for eight-year terms. Although the FCC can revoke a license under a public-interest standard, it has not exercised that power in more than 40 years. Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez pushed back forcefully on Trump's latest comments. "The FCC doesn't get to decide whether the news coverage of those in power is acceptable," she said. "It has neither the legal authority nor the constitutional right to pursue broadcasters for their journalism. These threats sound ominous, but they're empty." Trump has also recently targeted other media figures. Earlier this month, he called on NBC to fire late-night host Seth Meyers after criticizing Meyers' satirical monologue. In July, the FCC approved a US$8.4 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, subject to Skydance agreeing to ensure that CBS programming is free of bias and to employ an ombudsman for at least 2 years. The approval came soon after Paramount agreed to pay $16 million to settle Trump's lawsuit over the editing of a "60 Minutes" interview with then–Vice President Kamala Harris, which House Democrats are now investigating. In January, Carr reinstated complaints involving the Harris CBS interview, ABC News' moderation of the Biden–Trump debate, and NBC's decision to allow Harris to appear on Saturday Night Live shortly before the election. Trump's first FCC chair, Ajit Pai, rejected similar demands in 2017, saying the agency "does not have the authority to revoke a license of a broadcast station based on the content." 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World

China halts Japanese seafood imports as diplomatic tensions escalate

Trump urges revoking ABC broadcast licenses after reporter's question Judge says DOJ showed 'disturbing' missteps in Comey indictment Trump launches 'FIFA Pass' to speed visa interviews for World Cup fans Rights Group Says Nearly 100 Palestinians Have Died in Israeli Custody China halts Japanese seafood imports as diplomatic tensions escalate TOKYO/BEIJING: China has moved to shut off all Japanese seafood imports, deepening an already volatile diplomatic clash that has rattled political ties, disrupted travel and now threatens a key segment of Japan's export economy. Media outlets reported on November 19 that Beijing informed Tokyo of the new ban, which marks a sharp escalation in tensions following comments by newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Earlier this month, Takaichi said that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan's survival could prompt a military response, remarks China has demanded she withdraw. Beijing has since urged its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan, triggering a wave of cancellations that could weigh heavily on the world's fourth-largest economy. The ban also reverses progress made just months ago, when China partially eased restrictions it had imposed after Japan released treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant in 2023. According to Kyodo news agency, China told Japan the renewed ban was due to the need for further monitoring of the water discharge. China's commerce ministry and customs administration did not immediately respond to queries. Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries also could not be reached. The backlash against Takaichi has intensified in recent days. Following harsh criticism from a Chinese diplomat in Tokyo and state media attacks, Japan warned its citizens in China on Monday to take extra precautions and avoid crowded areas. Tokyo maintains that Takaichi's remarks in parliament align with existing government policy, suggesting little room for a diplomatic reset. China had said in June that it would resume seafood imports from all but 10 of Japan's 47 prefectures. The full re-imposition of the ban now deals a major blow to Japanese exporters eager to re-enter what was once one of their most important markets. Before the 2023 restrictions, China was Japan's biggest scallop buyer and a major importer of sea cucumbers. Japanese Agriculture Minister Norikazu Suzuki said nearly 700 exporters had applied to re-register for shipments to China, but only three had been approved so far. The impact is not limited to seafood. China's informal travel boycott could have significant consequences for Japan's fragile economy. Tourism contributes roughly 7 percent of the country's GDP, and visitors from mainland China and Hong Kong account for around one-fifth of all arrivals. More than 10 Chinese airlines have offered refunds on Japan-bound flights through December 31. One airline analyst estimated that 500,000 tickets have already been cancelled. A staff member at a state-owned Chinese bank said employees were told on Tuesday that requests to travel to Japan would not be approved for now. The diplomatic rift is also spilling into academic and cultural exchanges. China's foreign ministry said an annual meeting of scholars set to begin in Beijing on Saturday has been postponed. An event promoting Japan–China friendship, scheduled for November 21 in Hiroshima, was likewise cancelled. China has suspended screenings of upcoming Japanese films, and some Japanese entertainers with large Chinese fan bases have responded by publicly supporting Beijing. "China is like my second homeland to me, and all my friends in China are my cherished family — I will always support One China," Japanese singer MARiA wrote on Weibo. China halts Japanese seafood imports as diplomatic tensions escalate China halts Japanese seafood imports as diplomatic tensions escalate Anabelle Colaco 21st November 2025, 11:25 GMT+11 TOKYO/BEIJING: China has moved to shut off all Japanese seafood imports, deepening an already volatile diplomatic clash that has rattled political ties, disrupted travel and now threatens a key segment of Japan's export economy. Media outlets reported on November 19 that Beijing informed Tokyo of the new ban, which marks a sharp escalation in tensions following comments by newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Earlier this month, Takaichi said that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan's survival could prompt a military response, remarks China has demanded she withdraw. Beijing has since urged its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan, triggering a wave of cancellations that could weigh heavily on the world's fourth-largest economy. The ban also reverses progress made just months ago, when China partially eased restrictions it had imposed after Japan released treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant in 2023. According to Kyodo news agency, China told Japan the renewed ban was due to the need for further monitoring of the water discharge. China's commerce ministry and customs administration did not immediately respond to queries. Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries also could not be reached. The backlash against Takaichi has intensified in recent days. Following harsh criticism from a Chinese diplomat in Tokyo and state media attacks, Japan warned its citizens in China on Monday to take extra precautions and avoid crowded areas. Tokyo maintains that Takaichi's remarks in parliament align with existing government policy, suggesting little room for a diplomatic reset. China had said in June that it would resume seafood imports from all but 10 of Japan's 47 prefectures. The full re-imposition of the ban now deals a major blow to Japanese exporters eager to re-enter what was once one of their most important markets. Before the 2023 restrictions, China was Japan's biggest scallop buyer and a major importer of sea cucumbers. Japanese Agriculture Minister Norikazu Suzuki said nearly 700 exporters had applied to re-register for shipments to China, but only three had been approved so far. The impact is not limited to seafood. China's informal travel boycott could have significant consequences for Japan's fragile economy. Tourism contributes roughly 7 percent of the country's GDP, and visitors from mainland China and Hong Kong account for around one-fifth of all arrivals. More than 10 Chinese airlines have offered refunds on Japan-bound flights through December 31. One airline analyst estimated that 500,000 tickets have already been cancelled. A staff member at a state-owned Chinese bank said employees were told on Tuesday that requests to travel to Japan would not be approved for now. The diplomatic rift is also spilling into academic and cultural exchanges. China's foreign ministry said an annual meeting of scholars set to begin in Beijing on Saturday has been postponed. An event promoting Japan–China friendship, scheduled for November 21 in Hiroshima, was likewise cancelled. China has suspended screenings of upcoming Japanese films, and some Japanese entertainers with large Chinese fan bases have responded by publicly supporting Beijing. "China is like my second homeland to me, and all my friends in China are my cherished family — I will always support One China," Japanese singer MARiA wrote on Weibo. Discover moreBreaking news appDefense industry reportsWorld politics documentariesNews aggregator serviceInternational relations degreesGlobal travel guidesCurated news summariesWorld history booksInternational news subscriptionsWorld news analysis Jaishankar meets Afghan Trade Minister Azizi, discusses strengthening bilateral trade, connectivityExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met Afghanistan's Industry and Commerce Minister, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, in the national capital as part of the Taliban leader's five-day official visit to the country. During the meeting, both leaders held discussions on strengthening bilateral traBig News NetworkUndoFull Highlights: Seahawks vs. BuccaneersBig News NetworkUndoTrump and Xi eye TikTok deal as part of effort to cool trade tensionsBig News NetworkUndoSaints Thursday Injury 2025 Week 3 vs. Seattle SeahawksSix Saints listed on Thursday's Injury ReportBig News NetworkUndoSeahawks acquire WR Rashid Shaheed from SaintsBig News NetworkUndo2020 Week 16 Key Matchups: Seahawks vs. RamsBig News NetworkUndo Read This Next Wall Street Sinks as Tech Rout Drags Nasdaq Sharply Lower International student enrollment falls 17% amid tighter US visa rules Google's data hub sparks renewable energy debate on Christmas Island US emerges as largest recipient of Chinese state loans ING Bank Slaski to buy last 55% in Goldman Sachs TFI for $108 million Big News Network Big News Network News Agency Midwest Radio Network Mainstream Media BIG NEWS NETWORK.COM Contact & Support Terms & Conditions PRODUCTS & SERVICES News Releases Copyright © 1998-2025 Big News Network All rights reserved. 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