BBC News Briefing

3 October, 2024

Matt Murphy

Hello. Israel has continued strikes on central Beirut overnight, killing at least nine people, Lebanese officials say. Nafiseh Kohnavard reports that any feeling of safety is vanishing in the capital, while the Israeli military in southern Lebanon warned that air strikes would continue. We're also bringing you the latest from the ground in Sudan's ongoing civil war, and a growing row over a Spanish shipwreck loaded with loot.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Nine killed in Israeli air strike on Beirut

An apartment block in the Bachoura neighbourhood which was hit in an Israeli airstrike. Credit: Reuters

At least nine people have been killed and 14 wounded in an Israeli air strike on a building in central Beirut, Lebanese officials have said. The multi-storey block in Bachoura housed a Hezbollah-affiliated health centre, which Israel's military said was hit in a "precision" attack. The blast - which occurred close to the Lebanese parliament - was accompanied by five air strikes targeting the southern suburb of Dahieh. Nafiseh Kohnavard reports that "the feeling of safety is vanishing day by day in all parts of Beirut". Our live page is following the aftermath of the attack. In the south of the country, the Israeli military warned this morning that air strikes would continue.

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The latest: Eight Israeli soldiers have been killed in clashes in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military's first losses since it launched a ground invasion to target Hezbollah earlier this week. Hugo Bachega and David Gritten have more.

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Analysis: Iran's missile attack on Israel marks a major gamble by the country's leaders. The question now is how Israel will retaliate, writes Jiyar Gol.

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In maps: Our visual journalism team is tracking Israel's advance and have mapped clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli troops. See more here.

WORLD HEADLINES

Trump accused: Donald Trump "resorted to crimes" in a "private criminal effort" to overturn his 2020 election defeat, prosecutors have alleged in a new court filing.

Matthew Perry death: Dr Mark Chavez has pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine to the actor. The Friends star later overdosed on the drug. Chavez is one of five people charged in Perry's death.

Mexico migrant deaths: Six migrants have died after Mexican troops opened fire on a vehicle travelling in the south of the country.

Fat Bear Week: The annual contest has begun in Alaska, just days after a livestream inadvertently broadcast one contestant being killed by a rival.

CIA recruitment: The US spy agency has launched a social media campaign hoping to recruit new informants in China, Iran and North Korea.

AT THE SCENE

Port Sudan

Sudan's army vows to fight on

Smoke rises in Khartoum, where the army recently launched a new offensive

Sudan's army launched a new attempt to retake Khartoum last week. Credit: Reuters

Sudan's brutal civil war has raged between the country's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for more than 17 months. International efforts to broker a ceasefire had been renewed in recent weeks, but a top general ruled out any imminent peace deal in an interview with Barbara Plett Usher.

Barbara Plett Usher, BBC Africa correspondent

Speaking just days before the army launched an operation to re-take the capital Khartoum, Lt Gen Ibrahim Gabir told the BBC that peace talks "can go on", but they would not impede his troops' advance. The general also hinted that authorities had weapons dealings with Iran, and denied there was famine in the country.

Read more here

Video: Inside a hospital on the front line of Sudan’s hunger crisis.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Battle for the 'Holy Grail' of shipwrecks

The San José, which sank off the Caribbean coast of Colombia in 1708. Credit: Colombian government

The San José was sunk by the British off the coast of Colombia more than 300 years ago. But now its remains - hailed as the most valuable shipwreck in the world - have sparked a bitter dispute between Columbia, Spain, a US salvage company and local indigenous groups. What's at stake? A haul of gold, silver and emeralds worth around $18bn (£13bn), Gideon Long reports.

Read now

A still from Saturday Night Live comedy news segment Weekend Update showing cast member Bowen Yang wearing a hippo costume next to host Colin Jost.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Trite from New York

Saturday Night Live became a TV phenomenon – but then lost its way, writes our critic.

Read the story

And finally...

A husband and wife in Australia have been reunited with the long lost footage of their wedding in Scotland after it was found by chance 57 years later. Aileen and Bill Turnbull, who married in Aberdeen in 1967 before emigrating, had only seen the film once before.

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– Matt

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