BBC

After a day of questioning by police on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his role as a UK trade envoy, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been released. He hasn't responded to the BBC’s requests for comment on any of the specific allegations prompted by the release of the Epstein files last month. In the United States, members of Congress have urged the US government to take action against associates of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the former Prince's arrest. Also: In Venezuela hundreds of political prisoners could soon be released after an amnesty bill has been approved. Following the recent deadly protest in Iran, it's emerged that dozens of protesters were promising athletes. In Austria, a " gross negligent manslaughter " verdict for a man who left his girlfriend on Austria's highest mountain; The US President welcomes global leaders to Washington for the launch of his "Board of Peace". And scientists make a revolutionary nasal spray universal vaccine for cold, flu, COVID and allergies that works on mice.

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Wahat al-Salam/Neve Shalom is a unique community located on a hilltop between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, where Jewish and Palestinian families have lived together since the late 1970s. Journalist Mike Lanchin first visited the community in the early 1980s when there was just a handful of Jews and Palestinian families living in makeshift houses poking out from the scrub land. Now, it boasts a fully bilingual-binational day school - the first of its kind – with children coming from the surrounding area, as well as a conflict resolution centre visited by Palestinians and Jews. Facilitators from the centre host inter-faith workshops outside the community. More than 40 years after its establishment, Wahat al-Salam/Neve Shalom today faces some of its most testing times following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Mike has been speaking to residents, young and old, about what the future now holds for this cross-community experiment.

He was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office. We hear from our correspondent outside Buckingham Palace, a former press chief in the Royal household, a former Minister who opposed Andrew becoming UK trade envoy, and we look at how the Royal family has recovered from previous crises. Also tonight: scientists have just announced that a unique vaccine they've developed could have universal application against colds, 'flu, bacterial infection and allergies.

Buenos Aires comes to a halt as workers stage another general strike over labor reforms - with protestors gathering outside Congress, as politicians inside debated. We hear the latest from the ground.

US imports continued to outpace exports last year, pushing the country’s trade deficit to a record high of about 1.2 trillion dollars. Meanwhile, Canada has narrowed its trade deficit thanks to aerospace exports. We speak to the president a Miami‑based consultancy that looks at trade figures.

And Nestle has unveiled its full year results - announcing it was streamlining its operations, including selling its remaining ice cream business to Haagen-Dazs owner Froneri. We hear from someone who represents investors in Nestle as a fund manager with the Lichenstein State Bank and ask if recent baby formula controversy has damaged the company's overall financial position.

(Picture: Demonstrators take part in a protest outside Argentina's National Congress on the day lawmakers discuss labor reforms proposed by President Javier Milei's in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 19, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian).

Buenos Aires comes to a halt as workers stage another general strike over labour reforms, with protestors gathering outside Congress, as politicians inside debated. Also, why has the US trade deficit reached a record-high of $1.2 trillion. And, as Nestlé announces its full years results we hear why the company is selling off its ice-cream business.

(Picture: Demonstrators take part in a protest outside Argentina's National Congress on the day lawmakers discuss labor reforms proposed by President Javier Milei's in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 19, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian).

Buenos Aires comes to a halt as workers stage another general strike over labour reforms, with protestors gathering outside Congress, as politicians inside debated. Also, why has the US trade deficit reached a record-high of $1.2 trillion. And, as Nestlé announces its full years results we hear why the company is selling off its ice-cream business.

(Picture: Demonstrators take part in a protest outside Argentina's National Congress on the day lawmakers discuss labor reforms proposed by President Javier Milei's in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 19, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian).

Police in Britain say the former prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been released under investigation following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. After being held for a day, he was photographed slouched in the back of a car leaving a police station in eastern England. Earlier his brother, King Charles, said the investigation would have the Royal Family's full support and co-operation. Police are looking into allegations that when he was a British trade envoy, he shared confidential documents with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Officers have searched his current and former homes at Sandringham and Windsor. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has previously denied wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

Also in the programme: President Trump's Board of Peace meets for the first time, pledging to end conflicts and rebuild Gaza; and the fantasy epic Game of Thrones gets a Shakespearean twist.

(Photo: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, younger brother of Britain’s King Charles, formerly known as Prince Andrew, leaves Aylsham Police Station in a vehicle on the day he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Britain February 19, 2026. Credit: Reuters/Phil Noble)

Tom has reservations, and Stella has some mopping up to do.

Leanna Byrne looks at the opening of India’s AI Impact Summit, where the withdrawal of Microsoft founder Bill Gates has cast a shadow after he cancelled his keynote appearance. His foundation says he stepped back to avoid distracting from the event.

France and Germany are at odds over their joint next-generation fighter jet project, raising doubts about its future.

And the IMF warns China is relying too heavily on industrial subsidies.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is in custody over his links to the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Police have been looking into allegations he shared documents with Epstein when he was a British trade envoy. Officers have also carried out searches at two addresses in England, including the former prince's residence at Sandringham. Also: a UN fact-finding mission in Sudan has determined that atrocities carried out against non-Arabs by the Rapid Support Forces in Darfur point to genocide. As the Board of Peace meets for the first time in Washington, is Hamas regaining control of Gaza? The paradox of China - the world's biggest polluter has installed more solar and wind projects than the rest of the world. A British couple are sentenced to ten years in prison in Iran. And as the celebrated conservationist David Attenborough approaches 100, we look back at his most memorable broadcast.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.

Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.

Get in touch: [email protected]