Global News Podcast – BBC World Service
Episode Title: ICC judges hear charges against ex-Philippine leader
Date: February 23, 2026
Host: Janak Jalil

Episode Overview

This episode delivers in-depth coverage of the day's pivotal global stories. The main focus is on the International Criminal Court (ICC) hearing to determine whether former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte should stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity tied to his controversial anti-drug crackdown. Additional highlights include humanitarian crises in South Sudan, headlines about Australia’s stance on Prince Andrew, major shifts in the entertainment industry, the ongoing war in Ukraine and its effects, and a landmark paleontological discovery in the Sahara.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. ICC Hearing: Rodrigo Duterte (00:45 – 10:30)

• Background:
  The episode opens with the ICC's long-awaited hearing to consider charges of crimes against humanity against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, particularly for his anti-drug crackdown alleged to have killed thousands.
• Duterte has been detained in The Hague after his arrest in Manila; he opted not to attend the hearing, which angered victims' families and activists (01:55).

Prosecution's Arguments:

• The killings “weren’t random or spontaneous, but part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population” (Anna Holligan, 04:30).
• Duterte accused of orchestrating a nationwide campaign of extrajudicial killings (05:20).
• Prosecutors claim Duterte formed Davao death squads as mayor, and, as president, launched “Double Barrel,” rolling out tactics nationwide (05:45).
• Highlighted that suspects in drug cases weren’t granted due process, ironically unlike Duterte himself at the ICC (06:20).

Defense's Arguments:

• Duterte’s legal team insists he is “absolutely innocent” and that the trial is politically motivated (Howard Johnson, 03:10).
• Submission from Duterte claims he’s too old (80 years) and suffering from dementia to take part; ICC judges reject this, say he’s fit for hearings (07:25).

Victims’ and Public Reactions:

• Families express frustration over Duterte’s absence:
  “We’ll be here every step of the way until we get justice, until the police chiefs are there… until we see the changes that we want to see in the Philippines.” (Protester, 02:40)
• Victims’ representatives argue Duterte’s refusal to appear in court denies them access to justice (08:15).
• A powerful, graphic image was shown in court of a victim in a partner’s arms after an alleged extrajudicial killing (08:50).
• More graphic testimony expected in coming days.

2. Humanitarian Crisis in South Sudan (10:31–17:10)

• Intensified fighting between government and opposition has displaced over 200,000 civilians; many lack food, medical care, or clean water (10:40).
• Bol Rambang, local organizer: “At the moment, the humanitarian situation is extremely critical... No food distribution, no mobile clinics, no nutrition services and no clean water supply.” (11:40)
• UN's Tom Fletcher: South Sudan is “the forgotten conflict” compared to Sudan, with an overwhelming humanitarian need and not enough global attention (15:20).
• Reports of deliberate targeting of fleeing civilians and a surge in violence against women and girls (Tom Fletcher, 13:25).
• “People are eating leaves from the trees. There is so little food.” (Rob Young, 14:50)

3. Australia Backs Prince Andrew’s Removal from Royal Succession (17:11–21:10)

• Australian PM Anthony Albanese supports removing Andrew Mountbatten Windsor from royal succession, in light of recent arrest and expenses scandal (17:25).
• For removal to occur, all 15 Commonwealth nations where King Charles is head of state must agree; Australia is the first to state public support (17:55).
• New allegations from ex-civil servants claim Andrew misused taxpayer funds for massages and extravagant travel (Nick Johnson, 19:00).
• “Staff were reluctant to challenge Andrew’s expenses claims and that his trips were rubber stamped rather than given any scrutiny.” (Nick Johnson, 19:51)
• No evidence of unlawful activity; Andrew strenuously denies all wrongdoing.

4. Entertainment Industry Shake-up: Netflix, Paramount & Warner Bros. Discovery (21:11–28:45)

• Intense takeover bids for Warner Bros. Discovery:
  • Netflix offer: $83B for select assets; Paramount offers $108B for the whole company.
• Netflix’s CEO Ted Sarandos: “Our deal is growth. We’ve been growing and growing… in the UK, we spent $6 billion on original programming since 2020, creating 50,000 jobs.” (Ted Sarandos, 23:25)
• Paramount's approach seen as old-school consolidation; Netflix’s as innovation-driven and content-focused (Theo Leggett, 24:55).
• Concerns voiced over what the deal means for cinema; Sarandos claims Netflix would actually boost film content, including theatrical releases (27:05).
• Political overtones: Donald Trump calls for Netflix to sack Susan Rice from its board due to perceived political bias; Sarandos: “This is a business deal. It's not a political deal. And [President] Trump… likes to say things on social media.” (28:10)

5. Ukraine War: Looming Negotiations & Domestic Impact (28:46–37:30)

Peace Talks & Front Line Progress:

• Possible new round of peace talks with Russia in Geneva, per President Zelenskyy’s chief of staff (28:55).
• Ukrainian negotiator Serhiy Kiselitsa:
  “We have… an agreement, at least for 90% of the issues. We are not able to deal with about 10%... because they are politically conditioned.” (30:50)
• Contentious unresolved points include Donbas territorial status and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (31:30).
• Kiselitsa notes significant US pressure: “They say, stop the killings, find the compromise. So it's not that you are pressed to the wall… but they say we must find the solution.” (33:10)
• Ukrainian resolve remains firm: “There is no reason for us to surrender.” (34:10)

Russia’s Homefront:

• Steve Rosenberg reports from Yelets: war weariness, economic stress, and rising casualties increasingly shape Russian civilian life (35:12).
• Irina, bus station worker: “In World War II, we knew what we were fighting for. I’m not sure what we’re fighting for now.” (36:40)
• Some, like Ivan Pavlovich, support the war but complain of economic hardship: “The special military operation is excellent. It’s just that prices keep rising… What do I gain? Nothing.” (37:05)
• Overall, people feel life is worsening, and there’s little hope for quick improvement.

6. BAFTA Awards: Tourette’s Controversy and Representation (37:31–43:20)

• John Davidson, subject of the BAFTA-winning film “I Swear,” involuntarily shouted a racial slur during the ceremony due to Tourette syndrome.
• Lauren Wyatt, Tourette’s advocate, explains:
  “People with Tourette’s do not get to choose our tics… They have never once reflected my true feelings… Punishing a touretic person for one of their tics would be like jailing an innocent man for someone else’s crime.” (Lauren Wyatt, 42:15)
• Only 15% of those with Tourette’s experience coprolalia, the involuntary utterance of socially inappropriate tics.

7. Paleontology: New Dinosaur Discovery in Sahara (43:21–48:45)

• Dr. Paul Sereno’s University of Chicago team uncovers a new Spinosaurus species in the Niger Sahara:
  “It’s low and long like an alligator… But then sweeping off the top of the skull is this crest. It looks like a scimitar. We call it a scimitar-crested dinosaur.” (Dr. Sereno, 47:00)
• The team describes the dinosaur as a 40-foot ambush predator, dominating Saharan coasts 95 million years ago.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the ICC & Duterte:

  • “People in positions of power cannot escape the rule of law.” (Prosecutor at ICC, 01:25)
  • “We’ll be here every step of the way until we get justice… until we see the changes that we want to see in the Philippines.” (Philippine protester outside ICC, 02:40)

• On South Sudan:

  • "Without immediate humanitarian intervention, mortality is expected to increase." (Bol Rambang, 12:05)
  • “People are eating leaves from the trees. There is so little food.” (Rob Young/Tom Fletcher, 14:50)
  • “South Sudan is getting, I'm afraid, none of that [international attention]. The forgotten conflict.” (Tom Fletcher, 15:20)

• On Prince Andrew:

  • “These are claims… that his trips were rubber stamped rather than given any scrutiny.” (Nick Johnson, 19:51)

• On Ukraine-Russia Negotiations:

  • “We have… an agreement, at least for 90% of the issues. We are not able to deal with about 10%... because they are politically conditioned.” (Serhiy Kiselitsa, 30:50)
  • “Don’t let the enemy poison you with their rhetorics.” (Kiselitsa, 32:45)
  • “There is no reason for us to surrender.” (Kiselitsa, 34:10)

• On Tourette’s at the BAFTAs:

  • “People with Tourette’s do not get to choose our tics. Our tics do not represent our personal feelings or beliefs.” (Lauren Wyatt, 41:35)
  • “Punishing a touretic person for one of their tics would be like jailing an innocent man for someone else’s crime.” (Lauren Wyatt, 42:15)

• On the Dinosaur Discovery:

  • “It’s low and long like an alligator… sweeping off the top of the skull is this crest. We call it a scimitar-crested dinosaur.” (Dr. Paul Sereno, 47:00)
  • “Our analysis is something like a hell heron… a stalking predator of the coastline.” (Dr. Sereno, 47:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |--------------------------------------------------------------|----------|----------| | ICC Duterte Hearing & Human Rights (Philippines) | 00:45 | 10:30 | | South Sudan Humanitarian Crisis | 10:31 | 17:10 | | Australia & Royal Succession Debate | 17:11 | 21:10 | | Warner Bros. Discovery Takeover Drama | 21:11 | 28:45 | | Ukraine War: Diplomacy & Russian Civilians | 28:46 | 37:30 | | BAFTA Awards & Tourette’s Discussion | 37:31 | 43:20 | | Dinosaur Discovery in the Sahara | 43:21 | 48:45 |

Episode Tone & Style

• Direct, factual, and urgent where necessary (especially with humanitarian or legal news)
• Compassionate when highlighting personal stories from victims or in crisis areas
• Explanatory and occasionally dramatic in discussion of cinematic industry and paleontological finds

This comprehensive summary provides a clear, chronological breakdown of all major segments, offering listeners a concise yet detailed overview of each global headline from the episode.