Global News Podcast – February 20, 2026

Host: Charles Havilland, BBC World Service
Episode Title: Former Prince Andrew released as investigations continue

Episode Overview

This episode delivers comprehensive global news, focusing on the breaking story of Former Prince Andrew's release and ongoing investigation regarding his links with Jeffrey Epstein. It also covers: significant political events in Venezuela following an amnesty law for political prisoners, the targeted killing of Iranian athletes during protests, a breakthrough universal vaccine, latest developments regarding Gaza’s reconstruction, a controversial manslaughter case in Austria, and a theatrical adaptation of Game of Thrones by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. Former Prince Andrew Arrest and Investigation

(00:55 – 09:10)

• Background:
  Ex-Prince Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was driven back to his home after being arrested and questioned by UK police for suspected misconduct in public office, specifically sharing confidential documents with Jeffrey Epstein. He denies wrongdoing.
• Royal Response:
  • King Charles, via a statement:

    “What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated...They have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation. Let me state clearly, the law must take its course.” – King Charles, Statement Read by Colleague (02:02)

• Reaction of Epstein Survivors:
  • Amanda Roberts, sister-in-law of Virginia Giuffre:

    “Wow...it was 3am our time when we got the news and a bit of a shock, like, hits you in that moment...If it had not been for Virginia, none of this would have been uncovered.” – Amanda Roberts (03:27)

• International Impact:
  • US President Trump, from Air Force One:

    “I think it's very sad...To me, it's a very sad thing to see it and to see what's going on with his brother, who's obviously coming to our country very soon.” – President Trump (05:00)

  • US Lawmakers:
    • Rep. Stephen Lynch:

      “Look what the British government is doing in light of the evidence and look what the United States government’s doing. Nothing. It is refreshing that the British government is coming forward...I wish our government were doing the same.” – Stephen Lynch (06:40)

    • Marjorie Taylor Greene on social media:

      “We have zero Epstein related arrest and investigations since the release of the files.”

Notable Moment

• Emphasis on the unique position of Prince Andrew as the first high-profile person outside of Epstein or Maxwell to be arrested and on pressure for accountability in the US.

2. Venezuela’s Amnesty Law and Political Prisoners

(09:40 – 14:40)

• Overview:
  Interim President Delcy Rodríguez signed an amnesty expected to release hundreds of political prisoners, under international and US pressure, following the ousting of Nicolás Maduro by US military intervention.
• Key Points from Jorge Rodríguez (Assembly Head):

  “My only regret is that such regretful and catastrophic events had to take place so all of us could seek fraternity, union and peace for the republic.”

• Details & Limitations:
  • About 400+ prisoners expected to be released, mostly activists facing government accusations since 1999.
  • Exclusions: Military officers accused of rebellion, those charged with hate crimes (such as social media dissent), and likely corruption charges.
  • Release not automatic—requires court orders, leading to continued anxiety and uncertainty.
• Comments from Families and Specialists:
  • Luis Fajardo (BBC Monitoring):

    “There is still a degree of uncertainty because there's some details that have not come out yet...But this is seen as a step forward towards reconciliation.” – Luis Fajardo (11:45)

  • Hunger strikes by families persist until all prisoners released.

3. Iranian Protest Crackdown – Athletes Killed

(14:45 – 19:45)

• Key Facts:
  • Dozens of Iranian athletes, including 47 confirmed by the US-based Center for Human Rights, killed during the recent suppression of protests.
  • Example: Ahmad Khosravani, a 21-year-old basketball star shot dead; Arnica Dabar, a 15-year-old swimming champion, killed.
• Regime Intimidation:
  • Saada Pashai (former youth wrestling coach):

    “I think deliberately targeting and arresting athletes has a history with the Islamic regime because they want to send this message that we have no red line. Whoever stand against Ayatollah will be shot and will pay the price. I have never seen anything like this. This is the biggest tragedy we have seen.” – Saada Pashai (17:50)

• International Response:
  • Calls for global sporting bodies to leverage their influence; concern raised by the International Olympic Committee.

Memorable Moment:

• Silent, unsmiling protests by women’s football teams at national finals—even as confetti rains down, in tribute and mourning.

4. Universal Nasal Spray Vaccine Breakthrough

(19:55 – 22:10)

• Science Update:
  • US researchers at Stanford have developed a nasal spray vaccine that, in mice, provides broad protection against “virtually all viruses...and even allergens.”
• Expert Explanation:
  • Prof. Bonnie Palendran:

    “This vaccine...has been developed on the principle of programming our immune systems...broadly protective against not just the flu virus, not just the COVID virus, not just a common cold virus, but against virtually all viruses, as many different bacteria as we've tested, and even allergens.” – Prof. Palendran (20:40)

  • Lasts three months in mice, but human trials still to come.

5. Gaza Reconstruction & the Board of Peace

(28:35 – 34:45)

• US-Led Effort:
  • President Trump launched his “Board of Peace,” pledging $10 billion to Gaza’s reconstruction; Gulf states commit $7 billion; European powers notably absent.
• Trump’s Perspective:

  “Hamas has been, I think they're going to give up their weapons, which is what they promised. If they don't, it'll be...harshly met, very harshly met.” – President Trump (29:22)

• Skepticism & Challenges:
  • No Palestinian representation on the board.
  • Major EU powers boycott effort, seeing it as rival to UN.
  • Critics argue US plan erases Gaza’s old communities in favor of isolated residential and industrial hubs, prioritizing control/profit over local needs.
• On-the-Ground Voices:
  • Gazan resident:

    “Honestly, let any forces come...what matters is that we want peace.” – Gaza resident Mohammed Khalafala (32:45)

  • UN estimates $70 billion, decades needed for full reconstruction.

6. Austrian Manslaughter Trial after Mountain Death

(34:50 – 37:55)

• Context:
  • A man found guilty of gross negligent manslaughter for leaving his girlfriend on the mountain during bad weather, resulting in her death.
• Key Legal Debate:
  • Issue of personal vs. professional responsibility in dangerous situations.
  • Defendant’s justification: left to get help, but failed to ensure her safety.
• Reporter Stephanie Prentice:

  “It will be very interesting to see how this guilty verdict could influence future cases involving Alpine deaths and potentially other extreme sports.” – Stephanie Prentice (37:37)

7. Game of Thrones – Shakespearean Stage Adaptation

(38:10 – 41:50)

• Royal Shakespeare Company’s “The Mad King”:
  • Prequel set a decade before the main books/shows, focuses on rise to power of Robert Baratheon.
  • George R.R. Martin executive producing; Dominic Cook directing.
• Artistic Approach:
  • Dominic Cook:

    “We've started very much from the fact that the first books...were based on Shakespeare's history plays...We thought we would use the form and structure of a Shakespeare play to organise the material.” – Dominic Cook (39:15) “TV's all about realism...This is much more sort of metaphorical, much more poetic in the way. Non-literal in the way we're approaching it.” – (41:00)

• For Fans and Newcomers:
  • Designed to resonate with long-time fans and those unfamiliar with the series; fundamentally about power and its corruptions.

Memorable Quotes

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |------------|-------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:02 | King Charles (statement)| “The law must take its course... They have our full and wholehearted support.” | | 03:27 | Amanda Roberts | “If it had not been for Virginia, none of this would have been uncovered.” | | 05:00 | Donald Trump | “I think it's very sad...To me, it's a very sad thing to see it.” | | 06:40 | Stephen Lynch | “Look what the British government is doing...I wish our government were doing the same.”| | 11:45 | Luis Fajardo | “There is still a degree of uncertainty...this is seen as a step forward towards reconciliation.”| | 17:50 | Saada Pashai | “I have never seen anything like this. This is the biggest tragedy we have seen.” | | 20:40 | Prof. Bonnie Palendran | “...a radical departure from the principle by which all vaccines have worked so far.” | | 29:22 | Donald Trump | “If [Hamas] don’t [give up their weapons],…they’ll be harshly met, very harshly met.” | | 32:45 | Gaza resident | “Honestly, let any forces come...what matters is that we want peace.” | | 37:37 | Stephanie Prentice | “It will be very interesting to see how this guilty verdict could influence future cases...”| | 39:15 | Dominic Cook | “We thought we would use the form and structure of a Shakespeare play to organise the material.”| | 41:00 | Dominic Cook | “This is much more...metaphorical, much more poetic in the way. Non-literal in the way we’re approaching it.”|

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:55 – Andrew’s arrest and royal response
• 03:27 – Reaction from Virginia Giuffre’s family
• 05:00 – Donald Trump’s reaction
• 06:40 – US political response
• 09:40 – Venezuela’s Amnesty Law
• 14:45 – Iranian athletes killed in crackdown
• 19:55 – Universal vaccine breakthrough
• 28:35 – Gaza reconstruction and Trump’s Board of Peace
• 34:50 – Austrian mountain manslaughter case
• 38:10 – Game of Thrones stage adaptation

Tone & Closing Notes

The episode maintains the BBC’s objective tone—calm, analytical, and empathetic where appropriate (notably in discussing victims of injustice or tragedy). It blends urgent, high-impact news with deeper analysis and context, ensuring listeners come away informed on global issues as well as notable cultural events.

This summary captures all key content, making it accessible for those who missed the episode while retaining the spirit and tenor of the original discussions.