Global News Podcast: "Deadly Israeli strikes hit central Beirut"

Host: Ankar Desai, BBC World Service
Date: March 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode covers major global developments with a focus on the escalating war between the US-Israel and Iran, particularly the intensifying conflict in Lebanon following Israeli strikes on Beirut. The show addresses the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, Iran’s response to the killing of security chief Ali Larijani, and the resulting regional fallout. Other stories include the unprecedented reversal of the Africa Cup of Nations football result, the legacy of Hiroshima survivor Shigeaki Mori, global economic disruptions due to the war, and new research on shark social networks.

Main Segment: Middle East Update

Israeli Strikes on Beirut and Humanitarian Crisis (01:09–08:20)

• News Summary

  • Israeli airstrikes hit central Beirut, escalating the war with Iran-backed Hezbollah.
  • Over 1 million displaced in Lebanon; at least 6 killed, dozens injured in the latest strikes.
  • Lebanese government: ~900 killed, 100,000+ sheltering in temporary housing.
  • Widespread displacement due to mandatory evacuation orders from the Israeli military.

• Key Voices

  • Jeremy Konduk (President, Refugees International) on displacement:

    • "It has gotten catastrophically bad very, very fast... 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." (03:02)
    • Stresses the unlawfulness and humanitarian implications of Israeli evacuation orders: “That is not lawful under the laws of war. You can't just designate an area for widespread indiscriminate attack." (03:24)
    • Highlights the compounded impact on Syrian and Palestinian refugees due to aid cuts.

  • On-the-ground in Tyre, Southern Lebanon (report by Wira Davis):

    • Residents unable or unwilling to leave, citing poverty and family obligations.
    • Nife Adif: "My neighbor's house got hit while the family was having iftar. The shrapnel then hit my house. But I have nowhere else to go..." (05:33)
    • Local baker: Sent family away but stays for his business.
    • George (local resident): "I have to work here because nobody is help me in money...I'm working to save money to give it to my family." (07:35)
    • The requirement to remove van roofs to avoid being targeted by airstrikes.

• Economic and Social Impact

  • Thousands have fled Tyre, a once-thriving city; local businesses suffer, uncertain long-term economic prospects.

Iran and Regional Escalation (08:20–13:29)

• Killing of Ali Larijani and Iranian Retaliation

  • Security chief Ali Larijani killed by Israeli strike; Iran promises decisive revenge.
  • Iranian missiles retaliate, with casualties near Tel Aviv; Gulf states intercept further attacks.

• Analysis by Jeremy Bowen (BBC International Editor)

  • “It’s very clearly explicitly stated war aimed to try to destroy the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran by wiping out its leadership as well as its military capacity.” (09:17)
  • Larijani portrayed as a central, pragmatic regime insider; uncertainty over his hardline replacement.
  • US policy dilemma – “For Donald Trump, no easy options, no good ones. And if anything, the indicators are pointing to more escalation coming from his side.” (10:45)

• Life under Bombardment in Iran

  • Civilian death toll above 1,300; no independent media present.
  • Anonymous residents describe daily fear:
    • Baran (businesswoman): "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." (11:54)
    • Ali (young man): “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.” (12:54)
  • Tehran residents report the city feels like a trap; fear both bombs and government reprisals.

Africa Cup of Nations: Result Overturned (13:29–17:22)

• Context

  • Senegal stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title, awarded to Morocco after a review.
  • Senegal penalized for leaving the pitch in protest during the final; rulebook invoked post-appeal.

• Key Insights from John Bennett (BBC Sport, commentator)

  • “It was one of the most astonishing matches I've ever seen, one of the most astonishing finals in major tournament history.” (14:25)
  • Senegal punished despite returning to the field; strict rule application after Morocco’s appeal: "If a team refuses to play... they'll be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition." (15:39)
  • Fallout anticipated for future Africa football competitions and relations between teams.

• Quote from Moroccan Football Federation

  • "Its approach has never been to challenge the sporting performance... but solely to request the application of the competition's regulation." (16:48)

Global Economic Ripple Effects (17:22–25:37)

Sri Lanka’s Response to Fuel Shortage (23:29–25:37)

• Regional Fuel and Economic Crisis

  • War disrupts oil supply and trade; countries in Asia adopt emergency measures.
  • Sri Lanka: Implements a four-day working week for state employees to save fuel; widespread rationing via QR code system.

• Comments from Sri Lankan economist, Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar

  • "Our biggest import cost is fuel... Over a million people out of our 22 million population work in the Middle East." (24:14)
  • "There's also a lot of anxiety among the people because Sri Lanka has gone through repeated crises." (25:11)

• Tuk tuk drivers voice daily struggles:

  • "I'm here from 4:30 in the morning. I don't know whether the children have eaten..." (23:29)

Remembering Shigeaki Mori: Hiroshima Survivor (25:37–28:12)

• Story Overview

  • Shigeaki Mori, Hiroshima survivor and campaigner for peace, dies at 88.
  • Dedicated life to reconciliation, notably commemorating 12 US POWs killed in the Hiroshima bombing.

• Memorable Moments

  • Recounts the horror: "I was inside the mushroom cloud. I remember this most vividly. It was pitch black. Gradually, the pitch black... started clearing and I was able to see all around. That was the moment the full horror of the ravages of war hit me." (26:48)
  • 2016: Barack Obama embraces Mori in a symbolic visit to Hiroshima.
  • Obama’s message: "We're not bound by genetic code to repeat the mistakes of the past... we can tell our children a different story, one that describes a common humanity, one that makes war less likely." (27:28)
  • Mori felt his peace work was lonely but essential: "Everybody talks about peace, but doing this is what peace is about." (27:42)

Science: Social Lives of Sharks (28:12–30:38)

• New Research: Sharks Are Social Creatures
  • Bull sharks in Fiji exhibit complex social networks; middle-aged sharks most connected.
  • Dr. David Jacoby (Lancaster University):
    • "Middle aged sharks had much higher social connectivity than either the younger individuals or the kind of older adults, which... mirrors perhaps something we see in our own societies." (29:21)
    • Male sharks found to have greater social connections than females.
    • “We don’t know... once they move offshore, we have very little idea... so it’s interesting to have a site... to be able to spend time watching...” (30:01)
  • Research based on 150 hours of underwater observation of 184 sharks.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Lebanese crisis:
  "That's about one in every six people in Lebanon... 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."
  — Jeremy Konduk, 03:02

• On war in Iran:
  "They sleep under the stars at night and we sleep under rockets. Both skies give light, but different kinds of light."
  — Baran (anonymous Iranian resident), 11:54

• On football justice:
  "If a team refuses to play or leaves the field before the end of regulation time... they'll be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition."
  — John Bennett quoting African Football rulebook, 15:39

• On Hiroshima’s legacy:
  "I was inside the mushroom cloud... Gradually... I was able to see all around. That was the moment the full horror of the ravages of war hit me."
  — Shigeaki Mori, 26:48

• On shark society:
  "Middle aged sharks had much higher social connectivity than either the younger individuals or the kind of older adults..."
  — Dr. David Jacoby, 29:21

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:09 – 08:20: Middle East update: Beirut strikes, Tyre and humanitarian impact
• 08:20 – 13:29: Iran’s response, Larijani’s killing, civilian experience
• 13:29 – 17:22: Football: Senegal/Morocco AFCON controversy
• 17:22 – 25:37: Oil prices, Sri Lanka’s four day work week, Asian fuel shortages
• 25:37 – 28:12: Hiroshima survivor Shigeaki Mori’s legacy
• 28:12 – 30:38: Sharks’ social lives—scientific insight

Closing Notes

The episode weaves hard-hitting war and political coverage with global stories that highlight both resilience and vulnerability, exploring effects far beyond the battlefield, from football pitches in Africa to fuel stations in Asia, and even the unexpected social lives of sharks—a classic BBC blend of global scope, humanity, and curiosity.