Hello. US President Joe Biden has delivered his first public address since Tuesday's election. Bernd Debusmann Jr reports on the speech from the White House Rose Garden. From Lebanon, Rami Ruhayem looks into Israel's strategy of targeting civilian organisations backed by Hezbollah. We also explore smoking's recent glamorisation and, finally, congratulate a Scottish man who got his dream job - as a lighthouse keeper on an Australian island.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Hezbollah’s civilian network under attack

Israeli strikes targeted about 30 AQAH branches in Tyre and elsewhere in Lebanon last month. Credit: AFP

Israel has been hitting some of the civilian organisations linked to Hezbollah, as part of its campaign in Lebanon. In a response to the BBC, the IDF said its operations "have been planned based on extensive intelligence gathering and in strict accordance with international law".

Which organisations have been attacked?

There's Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association (AQAH), a charity that offers interest-free microloans. Then there's the Islamic Health Society (IHS), funded by Hezbollah, which operates emergency services, hospitals and medical centres across the county. Israel has also struck its search-and-rescue teams, killing dozens of rescue workers. 

What has been the response to these strikes?

The attacks raised widespread suspicion here in Lebanon that Israel is targeting the civilian population that is supportive of Hezbollah. Israel says AQAH finances Hezbollah’s military activities - a claim denied by the group, which says it has no role beyond offering small, interest-free loans to ordinary Lebanese, in line with Islamic law’s prohibition on charging interest.

What does international law say about striking these kinds of targets?

Experts say AQAH is not a lawful military target regardless of Israel’s claims that it plays a role in financing Hezbollah. “International humanitarian law does not permit attacks on the economic or financial infrastructure of an adversary, even if they indirectly sustain its military activities,” according to Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-terrorism. It would not be the first time Hezbollah’s social base came under attack.

• Medical evacuations: Israel says more than 200 seriously injured and ill Palestinians and their carers have been allowed to leave Gaza, in one of the biggest operations of its kind in months.

• Knesset vote: The Israeli parliament has passed a law allowing the government to deport the family members of people convicted of terrorism offences, including Israeli citizens.

THE BIG PICTURE

The celebs glamorising smoking

Christian Cowan's show at New York fashion week in February featured models smoking on the runway. Credit: Getty Images

The risks of smoking are well known- in the UK, it's still the leading cause of preventable death. Despite this, singers, actors and influencers seem to be bringing smoking back into fashion. Yasmin Rufo investigates the cigarette's resurgence.

And finally... in Australia

Scottish man Sandy Duthie has landed his dream job. He is a lighthouse keeper on Gabo Island, off the coast of Victoria, for six months a year - one month on and one month off, alternating with another keeper - with a colony of penguins for company. He believes his enormous beard may have helped in the job interview. Would you have hired him?