Global News Podcast – Russia ‘used frog toxin’ to kill Alexei Navalny

BBC World Service | Host: Paul Moss | February 15, 2026

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This episode covers a breaking revelation into Alexei Navalny’s death, new tensions and attempted healing in transatlantic relations at the Munich Security Conference, global protests against Iran’s regime, Venezuela’s political prisoners, a tourism crisis in the US, Cuba’s energy woes, an ancient mammal discovery in Costa Rica, and a UK prison's innovative gardening program.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alexei Navalny’s Poisoning: The Frog Toxin Revelation

• [00:48] Five European countries announce forensic evidence that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned with epibatidine—a rare, deadly toxin most notably found in an Ecuadorian frog, but also synthesizable in labs.
• UK Foreign Office attributes motive, means, and opportunity solely to Russia.
• Sergei Guryev, Navalny’s friend and anti-Kremlin economist, says the announcement is “not unexpected. We were not surprised, which is pretty scary.” He adds, "It was very likely that Vladimir Putin killed Alexei Navalny. It's just we now have proof coming from five independent sources, so nobody's surprised." (Sergei Guryev, [02:05])
• Kremlin continues denial, dismissing the findings as Western distraction tactics.
• Context: Russia’s history of using exotic poisons (e.g., polonium with Litvinenko, novichok agents).

Science Spotlight: What is Epibatidine?

• [04:30] Dr. Rebecca Tarvin (biologist, UC Berkeley) explains:
  • Found in one Ecuadorian frog species, though the frog absorbs it from diet; the original plant/animal source remains unknown.
  • Synthetic versions have existed since the 1990s.
  • “People have tried to adapt it for pharmaceutical use because it has analgesic properties. But... it has such broad non-specific effects on the body that it causes vomiting and other side effects.” (Dr. Tarvin, [05:10])
  • Toxic effects in mammals: tremors, paralysis, vomiting, dizziness. Human lethality is presumed but data is limited.
  • Gathering enough natural toxin would require “hundreds of frogs”, making the synthetic route more plausible ([07:11]).

2. Tensions & Assurances at the Munich Security Conference

• [11:00] US Secretary of State Marco Rubio adopts a conciliatory tone, seeking to “revitalize” the US-Europe alliance but repeats expected calls for Europe to do more for its own security:
  • “The fate of Europe will never be irrelevant to our own.” (Marco Rubio, [11:30])
• European leaders remain divided: Some want to preserve ties with the US; others, like EU foreign policy chief, Kaia Kallas, see the US as less dependable.
• Kaia Kallas ([13:00]) notes:
  • “American public is seeing Europe as its biggest ally... But, you know, it is also clear that we have different concerns and we also need those concerns to be heard.”
  • On Russia’s war in Ukraine: “If the victim just surrenders... it is not a formula for long-term peace. There will be a pause where the aggressor can get its act together again and then move on with bigger force.” (Kallas, [15:30])

3. Global Iranian Opposition Protests

• Widespread protests mark “International Day of Action” against Iran’s government, sparked by a brutal crackdown last month.
• [17:10] Large rallies in Toronto, Los Angeles (~300,000 attendees), and Munich — the largest since the 1979 revolution.
• Protesters’ voices:
  • “We want to change this dictator regime because terrorism has started with Islamic regime of Iran.” ([18:00])
  • BBC’s Kashia Janadi (from LA): Demonstrations were called by exiled prince Reza Pahlavi, urging international support for democratic regime change.

4. Venezuela: Political Prisoner Releases Amid Leadership Change

• [21:00] Following President Maduro’s seizure by US forces and leadership turmoil, Venezuela releases some political prisoners; critics call it a publicity stunt to appease Washington.
• Vote on an amnesty bill for mass release is postponed.
• Carmen Ortez, daughter of detainee Xiomara Ortiz:
  • Describes her mother’s torture and doubts the government’s commitment.
    • “Most of the political prisoners are innocent. They have no crime. The crime is to be opposition. So they don’t really need amnesty... they just need to be released.” (Carmen Ortez, [22:45])

5. US Tourism Decline: Causes & Consequences

• [31:40] Visitor numbers unexpectedly fall by 4.5 million—despite the upcoming World Cup and 250th Independence anniversary.
• Causes: Stricter travel restrictions, confusing policies, higher costs, international backlash against President Trump’s administration.
• Rahul Jain (NY government official):
  • “There’s a list of 75 countries in which visas may not be granted. Brazil is one of those... When countries like that drop out..., obviously we don’t expect [visitation] to return as quickly.” ([32:45])
• Damian Blackshaw (LA tour company):
  • Effects of new tariffs: “You went from getting two to three bookings a day to getting a booking every two to three days. It was so dramatic... You just can’t replace 50% of your clientele.” (Blackshaw, [34:10])

6. Cuba’s Energy Crisis Halts Cigar Festival

• [36:55] Cuba cancels high-profile cigar festival; the nation faces rolling blackouts (up to 18 hours/day), restricted hospital services, severe oil shortages, and airline disruptions.
• Will Grant (BBC, Central America correspondent):
  • “The idea of holding a lavish fair... would have likely been poorly received by those who are struggling to survive... Airplanes cannot refuel in Havana... insufficient fuel for transport... gala dinner could have been plunged into darkness.” ([38:10])

7. Ancient Mammal Discovery in Costa Rica

• [40:00] Fossil remains of a giant sloth and an elephant-like mastodon unearthed; rare for the wet tropics due to preservation challenges.
• Dr. Emily Lindsay (paleontologist, La Brea Tar Pits):
  • On significance: “It's exciting… an opportunity to fill in some gaps in our knowledge of the Ice Age of Central America.” ([41:30])
  • On the animals: Mastodon “looked very much like elephants today... separated by about 20 million years of evolution.” Giant sloths were “the size of modern African elephants.”
  • Both were possibly social and semi-aquatic, sharing habitats with early humans, possibly linking to their extinction.
  • Impact for Costa Rica: “Another exciting thing for tourists to experience… real fossils of these extremely large, really interesting animals.” (Lindsay, [45:20])

8. UK Prison Gardening Scheme Aims to Cut Reoffending

• [47:00] A women’s prison near London runs a gardening scheme, supported by charity The Clink, to teach horticultural skills and offer therapeutic benefits.
• Steve Head (program manager):
  • “We are rebuilding an individual. We're providing them with an opportunity and say, right, you're at rock bottom. This is your chance to rebuild.” ([47:50])
• Data: Employment within 6 weeks of release halves the risk of reoffending.
• Testimonials from prisoners (“Mary” and “Susan”):
  • “I just remember doing my first lettuce where I'd done it from seed. It grew and I was so happy.” (Susan, [49:15])
  • “It’s certainly a stepping stone for you. I cannot go back to what I was, and this is my way forward.” (Mary, [50:40])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sergei Guryev on Kremlin denial:
  “Never believe anything until Kremlin denies it. Kremlin always lies, Kremlin always denies. And we just need to follow the evidence.” ([02:38])
• Kaia Kallas on Russia’s war on Ukraine:
  “...if the victim just surrenders and gives everything that the aggressor wants... it is not a formula for long term peace.” ([15:35])
• Carmen Ortez on her mother’s imprisonment:
  “My mom is 63 years old. They got no mercy with her.” ([21:42])
• Dr. Rebecca Tarvin on epibatidine:
  “There's no way it would have been found naturally in Russia. … [Collecting toxin] would be a lot of work, I think.” ([08:25])
• Damian Blackshaw on the tourism drop:
  “You just can't replace 50% of your clientele. I’ve seen other companies shut down... If I hadn’t branched out, I just don’t know whether we would be able to keep going.” ([34:20])
• Mary (prisoner/gardener):
  “It’s my potato area. I won’t be growing anything else there because getting the roots of potatoes out… It’s certainly a stepping stone for you. I cannot go back to what I was.” ([49:50], [50:40])

Useful Timestamps

• Navalny poison announcement: [00:48–04:00]
• Sergei Guryev reaction: [02:00–03:05]
• Epibatidine science (Dr. Tarvin): [04:30–09:00]
• Munich Security Conference/US-Europe tensions: [11:00–16:00]
• Iranian opposition protests: [17:00–20:00]
• Venezuela political prisoners: [21:00–24:00]
• US tourism crash: [31:40–35:00]
• Cuba cigar festival cancellation: [36:55–39:00]
• Costa Rica fossil discoveries: [40:00–45:50]
• UK prison gardening program: [47:00–51:00]

Tone & Delivery

The episode is reported with the BBC’s trademark clarity and gravitas, balancing thorough reporting with personal testimonies and expert analysis. The language is factual, direct, and gives space for strong, personal voices—especially those most affected by political and humanitarian crises.

This episode is a compelling roundup of urgent global stories, blending breaking news, analytical depth, and human experience.