Deadly Israeli strikes hit central Beirut

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1:17Hello, I'm Ankur Desai, and in the early hours of Wednesday the 18th of March, these are our main stories. Israel strikes central Beirut as it escalates its war against Hezbollah across Lebanon. Iran vows to avenge the death of its powerful security chief Ali Larijani, who was killed in an Israeli strike. Elsewhere in football, Senegal have been stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title in favour of Morocco after a review of their players' conduct in the final. Also in this podcast we look back on the life of a Japanese survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing Shigaeki Mori who's died at the age of 88 and we dive into the world of the animals who are known to have a tough reputation but who are much better at making friends than first thought Middle-aged sharks had much higher social connectivity than either the younger individuals or the kind of older adults We explore the social networks of sharks

2:20We begin this podcast with a look at one of the countries worst affected by the US-Israel war with Iran. In Lebanon, more than one million people have been displaced as Israel shows no sign of letting up in its military campaign against the Iran-backed militia group Hezbollah.

2:44local officials say two israeli strikes on central beirut overnight have killed at least six people with dozens injured the lebanese government says around 900 people have now been killed in israel's military campaign against hezbollah more than a hundred thousand are thought to be staying in temporary shelters. Jeremy Kondiuk is president of the humanitarian organization Refugees International. He says the situation is becoming critical. It has gotten catastrophically bad very, very fast. To put that million people in context, that's about one in every six people in Lebanon. It's the equivalent of tens of millions of people in the United States being displaced in the course of a few weeks.

3:23Many of them are fleeing mandatory evacuation orders imposed by the Israeli military. The implicit threat there is if you don't evacuate these areas, we will consider you a target. That is not lawful under the laws of war. You can't just designate an area for widespread indiscriminate attack, but that's the clear implication. And we've seen this in Gaza. We're seeing the sorts of tactics now being applied to Lebanon that the IDF applied in Gaza. And in fact, some senior Israeli military officials have been drawing that explicit parallel, talking about doing to Lebanon what they did in two parts of Gaza.

3:55In Lebanon right now, there are about a million Syrian and Palestinian refugees who are dependent on the UN for their services. The U.S. has cut off funding to those entities. So those refugees are not able to get the kind of health care and treatment. If they are injured in a bombing, where do they go to get treatment? They are not supported by the Lebanese national health system. Food, medical treatment, all the sort of things that we rely on, shelter, none of that is where it needs to be. I think the world already is very stretched. If we see a massive new wave of displacement come out of the Iran war, there's simply no capacity to handle that right now.

4:33Israel says it strikes targets that are linked to Hezbollah in response to rocket fire towards Israel and issues evacuation orders ahead of any military action. Those orders have now been extended to vast swathes of southern Lebanon, including the city of Tir, where Weirah Davis has sent this report where he spoke to residents who are refusing to leave.

4:57This is Tir in southern Lebanon, normally a thriving Mediterranean port city where fishing and tourism are key industries. But it's only 10 miles or 19 kilometres from the Israeli border. It has been targeted repeatedly in this conflict and thousands of people have already left.

5:22It used to be really crowded in this neighbourhood. A lot of families lived here. Well, that's Nefe Adib. She's walking alone on these deserted streets in Tir. She says she can't afford to leave despite the bomb damage everywhere because of the cost of leaving and also she's responsible for nine people. My neighbour's house got hit while the family was having iftar. The shrapnel then hit my house, but I have nowhere else to go. I don't have enough money for rent. I have to fix my house. My parents are in their 90s. My husband is disabled. My grandchildren are young. I'm obligated to stay here.

6:02I've been also speaking to a baker who lives around the corner from this bomb site. His business is also badly damaged. But again, he's got no options. He can't leave. His business is here. He sent his family elsewhere for safety. But he's really angry that the fight has been brought here.

6:23I won't leave. How do I leave? I never left my home. From 1978 until now, I've never left. I'm against war, but Israel is hitting civilians. If they want to have a war with Hezbollah, have a war with Hezbollah. Why target civilians? Well, here in Tir, which is the biggest city in southern Lebanon, Israel has been bombing quite intensively, specifically against Hezbollah's business targets. This is a branch of the Kurd al-Hassan bank, which Israel accuses Hezbollah of using to fund terror activities. But George's business was next door. He sells water. He's had to send his family further north, but he says he's remaining here because he needs to keep his business running.

7:10No, there is no safety here. The door is, and the window door is bombed. And I'm working. I have family. I want to live in peace.

7:24George is trying to keep his business going, filling up his truck with water bottles. But one thing he's having to do is remove the roof from his van and the direct orders from the Israelis. Obviously the implication is there that anybody with a roof on their van, the Israelis don't know what's inside. and it could be a target for an Israeli airstrike. Are you going to stay here? I have to work here because nobody helped me in money. So I'm working to save money, to give it to my family. And you will stay here even if... I'm here. I don't move. Only if they said they want to destroy this, they will warn us.

8:01So I have to go. But I hope there is no war anymore. TIA is known for being one of the commercial hubs of southern Lebanon. These streets, apart from the odd moped and the odd person trying to shop in the corner shop, is completely empty. Obviously thousands of people have left here, but the long-term impact on the economy of TIA and the rest of Lebanon is difficult to assess. Wura Davies reporting. Iran and its militia allies, meanwhile, have carried out a series of airstrikes which they say are in revenge for the death of one of the Islamic regime's most powerful figures, the security chief Ali Larijani.

8:43Hours after the Israelis had announced his death in a targeted strike, Iranian state TV confirmed the killing.

8:57The Iranian army chief Amir Hatami has threatened Israel and the US with a decisive response. The Israeli authorities said two people were killed on the outskirts of Tel Aviv after being hit by shrapnel from an Iranian missile. And Gulf states, including Qatar and Kuwait, said they intercepted the latest barrage of Iranian missiles. With his assessment of what Ali Larijani's death means for Iran's leadership, here's our international editor, Jeremy Bowen. This is part of Israel's mission. It's very clearly, explicitly stated war aim to try to destroy the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran by wiping out its leadership as well as its military capacity.

9:37Now, what kind of man was Mr. Larigiani? Well, he has effectively been the guy who's been running the war. So very central figure. The centre of the regime for 40 years, he's been there. His brothers are also a senior people, seen as a pragmatist over the years, but a regime insider with the clout, if eventually a deal was put on the table to end the war, the clout perhaps to make that sort of deal. Now, if he's replaced by someone who's much more of a hardliner, maybe someone from inside the IRGC, then he might be rather less pragmatic and want to fight it out to the end. So, look, let's quick look at where we are at the moment.

10:22Donald Trump's anger at his allies is palpable. Harsh words about NATO. It shows the bind that he's in. Does he declare victory? Can he declare victory and go home hard politically? Does he escalate? Talk of going for the Iranian oil facilities on Karg Island. That brings its own dangers of Iran hitting back at Gulf Arab oil installations, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates. So for Donald Trump, no easy options, no good ones. And if anything, the indicators are pointing to more escalation coming from his side. Jeremy Bowen. As we record this podcast, attacks on Iran have been continuing, with the US military saying it struck sights along Iran's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz.

11:10In Iran itself, human rights groups estimate that more than 1 ,300 civilians have been killed in the country since the war began. No independent reporting is allowed from within Iran, but the BBC has been able to obtain interviews, giving an insight into the experiences of people living through the conflict. Fergal Keane reports.

11:37The barking dogs are the first warning of approaching aircraft, then the ominous percussion of bombing. But what's it like to live in the wartime city? We've heard from two residents who've given frank accounts. Those who speak out risk, arrest, torture and possibly execution. We've changed names and voices to protect their identities. Baran, a businesswoman, spoke of her experience. Do you know what the difference is between our sky and the sky of the rest of the world? They sleep under the stars at night and we sleep under rockets. Both skies give light but different kinds of light. I fear for my tomorrow.

12:21Today I survive somehow, but how will I get through tomorrow? Will I even live tomorrow?

12:32The official narrative portrays a defiant and united people. But away from the choreographed demonstrations, in the quiet of people's homes, there is another reality. Ali is a young man who's seen the streets near his home fill with armed security, people he accuses of stealing the city he loves. Ali opposes the government, but the war has created conflicting emotions. Now, after almost two weeks, when I see my relatives, I see both hope and fear for the future. Fear that the skies of your country are controlled by enemy forces. But at the same time, there is always a hope in people's hearts. It's not that we're supporting America or Israel, but hoping simply that for one moment something might happen that ends the current Iranian regime.

13:22The citizens of the 6 ,000-year-old city live in fear, fear of bombs and of the regime and its torturers. For many, Tehran has become a trap from which there's no easy or immediate prospect of escape. Fergal Keane reporting. And we have more on what the security chief's death and who's now in charge on our YouTube channel. Search for BBC News on YouTube and you'll find Global News Podcast in the podcast section. There's a new story available every weekday. Now let's take you back to January.

14:01After some wild parties on the streets of Dakar, we're talking dancing, flares and a lot of football shirts being waved over heads after Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations. Except now the result has been overturned. The hosts of that tournament, Morocco, who Senegal beat in the final two months ago, have been awarded the title because at one point Senegal left the pitch in a remarkable protest over a penalty decision. BBC Sports' John Bennett was commentating on the game in the stadium and told me more. It was one of the most astonishing matches I've ever seen, one of the most astonishing finals in major tournament history.

14:39So the drama started when Senegal had a goal disallowed near the end of the game. Then in injury time, Morocco get a corner. There's contact between a Senegal defender and Morocco's star player, Brahim Diaz, in the penalty area. The referee doesn't give a penalty, but eventually he goes over to the screen, the VAR screen on the side of the pitch, and he gives a penalty. Then there's chaos. Some Senegal fans try to get onto the pitch. And this is the key bit. The Senegal manager tells his players to leave the field in protest. And they leave the field for around 16 minutes. Eventually, thanks to Senegal's legendary player, Sadio Mane, he convinces them to come back onto the pitch.

15:19Morocco have this penalty. Brahim Diaz takes it. It's an awful penalty. He chips it basically to the Senegal keeper. Awful penalty. And then the game goes through extra time. Senegal win it with a brilliant goal. They are African champions. But now that has all changed. It's all been overturned. And suddenly, Morocco, a couple of months later, have been declared African champions. It seems pretty unprecedented. Have you ever heard of anything quite like this in world football, let alone African football? It is astonishing because 10 days after the final, there was a ruling from the Confederation of African Football, their disciplinary body.

15:56There were fines worth more than$1 million handed out to both teams, combined that is$1 million, and several players were punished. But Morocco appealed because they felt they'd been unfairly treated. And that appeals board has now overturned the result. They declared a 3-0 win for Morocco. And it all comes down to the rulebook. If you go into the rulebook, it states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the field before the end of regulation time without the referee's permission, they'll be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition. So Morocco have pointed to the rulebook here and the appeals board have backed them up and awarded Morocco the victory.

16:34This isn't a great look for the competition, isn't a great look for the continent, really. Could we see some serious fractures when it comes to AFCON now? That is a great question. You think about the World Cup coming up, which Senegal and Morocco are both taking part in. You think about when the next Africa Cup of Nations will be. What if these two teams meet? It really is an unprecedented situation. There will be fury from the Senegalese football authorities about this. And, of course, relief from the Morocco authorities. They've released a statement, the Moroccan Football Federation. They say they wish to recall that its approach has never been to challenge the sporting performance of the teams involved in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition's regulations.

17:22So again, they point to the rulebook and they say the rulebook wasn't followed properly. And now they say two months later, it has been followed properly. John Bennett reporting. And Senegal's Football Association now say they will appeal what they consider an unjust AFCON ruling. So to come in this podcast. I'm here from 4.30 in the morning. I don't know whether the children have eaten in the morning or not. The amount of fuel isn't enough. At least with this, there is some control. As the ripple effect of the conflict in the Middle East is felt around the world, we're in Sri Lanka, which has put in a four-day working week to try to save fuel.

18:11The sun's shining, birds are singing, and all feels right in the world. Until the season changes, and suddenly you lose your motivation to get out of bed. In fact, one in five people experience some form of depression no matter the season or time of year. At the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, our vision is to build a mentally healthy nation for all. Because we want you to live your best life and be your best you all year round. Please visit MentallyHealthyNation.org to learn more. It's 2009 and we're in the German mountains. A man straps himself into a car on the world's most dangerous racetrack.

18:47He whispers to himself, It's time to put my balls on the dashboard. As he starts the engine. In 15 minutes, he's in an ambulance, unconscious. In 15 years, he's a billionaire. This is Toto Wolff, Formula One's most powerful team boss and the breakout star of Drive to Survive. This week on Good, Bad, Billionaire, how Toto Wolff made his billions. Listen wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

19:15You're listening to the Global News Podcast. Voice of America was set up by the U.S. during the Second World War to counter Nazi propaganda and went on to become a global outlet for impartial news. But it was pulled off the air a year ago when the Trump administration targeted the federally funded broadcaster, accusing it of being radical. Now a U.S. judge has ordered the government to allow VOA to resume broadcasting and to reinstate the jobs of more than a thousand journalists. Our North America correspondent Peter Bowes told me about the U-turn. Donald Trump has been a long-time critic of Voice of America.

19:54He was particularly critical of what in effect was an editorial firewall at the service that prevented the US government from intervening in its coverage, its editorial coverage. Last year, he appointed Carrie Lake, who's a former television news presenter and an unsuccessful Senate candidate at the last election from Arizona. She was appointed to run the agency which operates Voice of America, and she implemented some pretty widespread cuts that, in effect, took the service off the air. And as you say, more than a thousand people put on paid leave. Three of those employees filed a lawsuit seeking to reverse her decisions.

20:36And then 10 days ago, a judge ruled that she had been unlawfully appointed by Donald Trump, that she was never nominated by the president for the position. She wasn't confirmed by the Senate, as the court implies she should have been. Now, in the last few hours, the judge has ordered that the employees be brought back to work and that they put a plan in place by next week to resume the service's international broadcasts. What could be the possible reaction to this, another possible appeal from the other side? And what does this say about the state of press freedom in the States right now? Well, reaction from those employees who took the legal action.

21:17They have, in fact, released a statement saying that they're welcoming the judge's ruling. They're eager to begin, they say, repairing the damage Carrie Lake has inflicted on the agency and their colleagues. and they want to return to, as they put it, their congressional mandate and to rebuild the trust of the global audience that they say they've been unable to serve for the past year. In terms of a government response, the Trump administration has already said that it plans to appeal the judge's previous ruling that Carrie Lake's appointment was unlawful. Peter Bowes. The surge in oil prices and the wider disruption to global trade caused by the US-Israel war with Iran is being felt far beyond the Middle East.

22:03Asia has been hit hard and many countries have introduced belt-tightening measures to conserve fuel. For example, Thailand has cracked down on the use of air conditioning and elevators in offices. Bangladesh has brought forward Ramadan holidays at universities and people in Myanmar can now only drive on alternate days depending on their license plate number. Sri Lanka has become the latest country to introduce a four-day work week starting today. And that received mixed reviews from these tuk-tuk drivers who've been queuing for hours at a petrol station. I'm here from 4.30 in the morning. I don't know whether the children have eaten in the morning or not.

22:42They wouldn't have been able to go to school today. What's the solution? The amount of fuel isn't enough, but at least with this there is some control. So that is a good thing. Ahelan Qadir Gamer is an economist at Sri Lanka's University of Jaffna. He told us more about the government's response. Sri Lanka is facing fuel shortages. We just introduced a QR code, in other words, rationing petrol and diesel for all vehicles. And soon after, the government has announced that every Wednesday will be a public holiday for state employees, for schools and universities. And they've also recommended that the private sector also follow suit.

23:27If you look at Sri Lanka's economy, our biggest import cost is fuel. And two big foreign exchange earners, one is tourism and the other is foreign remittances and mainly of people working in the Middle East. over a million people out of our 22 million population work in the Middle East. So we're also going to be short of foreign exchange. And the tourism sector, it's already been affected with all the cancellation of flights. It's affecting us on all fronts. So there's also a lot of anxiety among the people because Sri Lanka has gone through a repeated crisis, the COVID-19 crisis, then a major economic crisis from which we haven't recovered.