Global News Podcast – February 10, 2026

Host: Alex Ritson, BBC World Service

Episode Overview

This episode of the Global News Podcast covers several major breaking stories, with a central focus on the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, new political turbulence in the UK government, unrest in Australia over an Israeli presidential visit, a landmark social media lawsuit in the US, repression of reformists in Iran, ethical jewelry initiatives in conflict zones, and a quirky malfunction at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

1. US Congress Accesses Unredacted Epstein Files

Timestamps: 01:05 – 06:15

Key Points

• Unprecedented Congressional Access:
  US lawmakers were granted access to millions of previously heavily redacted documents related to the Epstein investigation.

• Strict Security:
  Lawmakers can take notes, but no electronic copies are permitted, and must view files alone.

• Unnecessary Redactions Highlighted:
  Senior Democrat Jamie Raskin, after reviewing files, criticized excessive redaction, including release of victim identities and unnecessary withholding of prominent names.

  “There were tons of completely unnecessary redactions in addition to the failure to redact the names of victims. And so that's troubling to us.” — Jamie Raskin (02:52)

• Political Implications:
  Representative Thomas Massie noted at least six men’s incriminated names were unnecessarily redacted.

• Possible Next Steps:

  • Calls within Congress to publicly disclose some previously redacted names, potentially causing a political bombshell.

  • House Judiciary and Oversight Committees may schedule public hearings, including scrutiny of Department of Justice procedures.

  • Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to give public, possibly televised depositions before the House Oversight Committee.

    “If the names of individuals were revealed, there could well be formal hearings... Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to give depositions... they have insisted themselves that this be in public, quite possibly televised live.” — Peter Bowes (04:38)

Notable Quotes

• Peter Bowes on the gravity:

  “Representatives... have suggested they may want to publicly disclose previously redacted names... that would be quite a bombshell.” (04:07)

2. Ghislaine Maxwell Testifies (or Doesn’t) Before US Congress

Timestamps: 04:54 – 06:15

Key Points

• Maxwell Pleads the Fifth:
  Ghislaine Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, appeared by video before a US congressional panel.

  Q: "Did you at any time play any role in Epstein's activities...?"
  Maxwell: "I invoke my Fifth Amendment right to silence." (05:16)

• Offer for Clemency:
  Maxwell’s lawyer, David Marcus, stated she would offer full testimony if granted clemency by President Trump, aiming to avoid self-incrimination.

  “He said Maxwell would be willing to testify fully and honestly if President Trump granted her clemency.” — Peter Bowes (05:36)

3. UK Royal and Political Fallout from Epstein Scandal

Timestamps: 06:15 – 13:46

Prince Andrew Under Police Review

• Royal Family Pressure:
  King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales released statements as fresh reports linked Andrew Mountbatten Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew) to sending official UK government documents and confidential reports to Epstein after Epstein’s 2008 conviction.

  “In a separate email exchange, the former Prince apparently sent Epstein a confidential briefing on investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.” — Helena Wilkinson (07:22)

• Police Assessment Underway:
  The anti-monarchy group Republic has filed a complaint to UK police, who are reviewing the evidence.

Keir Starmer’s Precarious Premiership

• Political Crisis:
  UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced calls to resign after appointing Peter Mandelson (noted for links to Epstein) as US Ambassador.

  • Mixed Party Loyalty:

    • Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell struck an optimistic tone after a crucial party meeting:

      “Keir has faced challenges before and he's incredibly stoic... he owned what's happened and he set out how he was going to learn from that.” — Lucy Powell (08:59)

    • However, other MPs remain skeptical:

      “He's sort of maybe mortally wounded now... we're not sure whether he'll be able to do that [clear his name].” — Simon Ofer and Rob Watson (09:32–09:52)

  • Dramatic Westminster Day:

    “It's been a quite extraordinary 24 hours in British politics, Alex... there was a genuine sense at Westminster that it might really be all up for Sir Keir Starmer." — Rob Watson (10:12)

  • "Living on Borrowed Time":
    Despite a brief rally in support, many believe Starmer’s leadership may only last until May’s regional elections.

    “It does still feel like he is a Prime Minister living on borrowed time. [...] I think despite the euphoria of that meeting, there is a widespread feeling... that Sikhistama is not up to what it takes...” — Rob Watson (11:51)

4. Clashes in Sydney over Israeli President’s Visit

Timestamps: 13:46 – 16:21

Key Points

• Protest and Clashes:
  Demonstrations organized by the Palestine Action Group coincided with Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s controversial visit. Police invoked expanded powers due to recent violence, leading to tense clashes, arrests, and use of pepper spray after protesters attempted an unsanctioned march.

  “There was a lot of tension, lot of shouting, trying to ask to move forward. But, you know, it got very heated... police pushed back and there was pepper spray...” — Katie Watson (15:18)

5. US Social Media Addiction Lawsuit

Timestamps: 18:28 – 21:17

Key Points

• Major Tech on Trial:
  Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and YouTube face a landmark lawsuit from a 20-year-old Californian woman (KGM) alleging intentionally addictive design harmed her mental health.

  • TikTok and Snapchat settled out of court.

• Arguments:

  • Plaintiff’s lawyer: Companies deliberately created addictive platforms.
  • Meta’s legal team: Disputed the link and shifted blame to KGM’s pre-existing familial trauma.

  “These companies deliberately designed their platforms to make them addictive and that because they did this deliberately, they are negligent.” — Lily Jamali (19:11)

• Big Names to Testify:

  • Mark Zuckerberg (Meta)
  • Adam Mosseri (Instagram)
  • Neil Mohan (YouTube)

• Implications:
  The case marks a breakthrough in challenging the legal shield (Section 230) tech companies have long used.

  “This case really looks at the issue of design choices made by the companies... how they configure their algorithms and other features to... keep users, especially these young users, scrolling.” — Lily Jamali (20:46)

6. Iran Detains Reformist Leaders

Timestamps: 21:17 – 23:06

Key Points

• Wave of Arrests:
  Following last month’s mass anti-government protests, several senior reformists and civil society figures were detained after signing a statement urging the Supreme Leader’s resignation.

  “There were 17 signatories to that statement. Four of them have now been arrested.” — Helena Wilkinson (22:31)

• Context:
  The crackdown demonstrates regime insecurity rather than a targeted blow against President Masoud Bezoshkiyan, who has backed the government's hardline stance.

  “It's not necessarily a blow to the government, but a demonstration of how insecure the regime feels towards groups as restrained as the reformers.” — Peter Bowes (22:44)

7. Ethical Jewelry in Conflict Zones

Timestamps: 23:06 – 27:27

Key Points

• Traceable, Conflict-Free Jewelry:
  London jeweler Pippa Small leads a network linking women miners in Afghanistan, Colombia, and the West Bank to ethical jewelry chains, emphasizing traceability and fair trade.

• Empowerment and Impact:

  • Women miners avoid toxic chemicals, resist illegal mining and exploitation, and support their communities.

    “Mining defines our lives in a challenging and complex way... Illegal mining affects us deeply because we are exposed to gender-based violence, labor exploitation, the dispossession of our lands.” — Carmen, Colombian miner (25:46)

  • Afghan and Palestinian participants describe the process as empowering amidst broader hardship.

    “When women are excluded from education and employment, the whole community suffers. Teaching, creating and serving my community gave back my dignity and a sense that my life has meaning beyond survival.” — Mara, Afghanistan (26:14)

8. Winter Olympics Medals Breaking

Timestamps: 27:27 – 29:29

Key Points

• Faulty Medals:
  Multiple athletes at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics found their medals breaking shortly after being awarded.

  • Notable Incidents:

    • US skier Breezy Johnson’s gold medal broke mid-interview.

      “I'm really sorry about your medal. I think it'll fix. It will fix.” — Joanna Keen (27:56)

    • US figure skater Elisa Liu posted about her broken medal; German and Swedish athletes also affected.

  • Official Response:
    Organizers pledged to investigate and fix design flaws.

    “A medal being handed over... is one of the most important moments and they want everything to be perfect... For now, some advice from Breezy Johnson to fellow athletes: yeah, don't, don't jump in them.” (28:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Redacted Epstein Files:

  “It could be to save them from public embarrassment or, or worse.” — Peter Bowes (03:07)

• On Starmer’s Survival:

  “Support is partial for him, let's put it that way.” — Rob Watson (10:00)

• On Jewellery’s Meanings:

  “Can jewelry ever be truly conflict free?... Jewellery, which reflects the origins of the precious metals and the women who mined them.” — Helena Wilkinson (23:46, 24:33)

Timestamps by Segment

| Topic | Start | End | |-----------------------------------------------------|---------|---------| | US Congress & Epstein Files | 01:05 | 06:15 | | UK Royals & Political Fallout | 06:15 | 13:46 | | Sydney Protest Clashes | 13:46 | 16:21 | | US Social Media Lawsuit | 18:28 | 21:17 | | Iran Reformist Crackdown | 21:17 | 23:06 | | Ethical Jewelry in Conflict Zones | 23:06 | 27:27 | | Broken Medals at Winter Olympics | 27:27 | 29:29 |

Conclusion

This episode delivers a global sweep of major news: explosive developments in the Epstein case, UK’s ongoing political crisis, unrest on Sydney’s streets, legal challenges for tech giants, repression in Iran, stories of women’s empowerment through ethical jewelry, and Olympic hiccups. The reporting is fast-paced, richly sourced, and focused on stories with broad international impact.