Transcripts For BBCNEWS The Context 20240928

Maybe you all have a better answer is why this is not more the responsibility of israels neighbours, of lebanon said neighbours . Why is egypt and the uae and qatar, why are they not more responsible for what is happening in the Middle East as well . Why are they not more influential with hamas, his brother. That makes no sense to me. � ,. ,. , brother. That makes no sense to me. E. , brother. That makes no sense to me. � , me. Its a good point, its something. Me. Its a good point, its something. Aaron, me. Its a good point, itsj something. Aaron, lets me. Its a good point, its something. Aaron, lets get you back again. While you are thinking about an answer im going to bring another line coming in for the from reuters news agency, this is quoting a senior israeli official that says israel is saying it is the only force actively fighting iran and its proxy. Just going back to the point that hillary was making. Why are other countries within the region not more actively involved . It does feel like this is down to the united states to kind of forces to the line and they are not getting anywhere. To the line and they are not getting anywhere. Hillary asked a very penetrating getting anywhere. Hillary asked a very penetrating question. A very penetrating question. Geographies, the states that are likely to be more of a threat, are likely to be more of a threat, have more of an investment in being active are the Ones Investment in being active are The Ones that share continuous Borders The Ones that share continuous Borders with the state of lsraeh Borders with the state of israel. That leads series offline israel. That leads series Off Line for a number of reasons, Off Line for a number of reasons, lebanon for sure. That leaves reasons, lebanon for sure. That leavesjordan and reasons, lebanon for sure. That leaves jordan and egypt reasons, lebanon for sure. That leavesjordan and egypt Egypt Role In Leavesjordan and egypt egypt role in this is actually been quite role in this is actually been quite helpful behind trying to work quite helpful behind trying to work through some of the issues between work through some of the issues between israel and hamas that could between israel and hamas that could have led to an agreement, particularly over the philadelphia quarter. Magicians understand, hamas was a creation understand, hamas was a creation in the Late 80s and for Each Creation in the Late 80s and for each Of Creation in the Late 80s and for each of the fundamental security for each of the fundamental security problem. At the same time security problem. At the same time no security problem. At the same time no government and the jordanians i think a much more vulnerable jordanians i think a much more vulnerable then the egyptians, no arab vulnerable then the egyptians, no Arab State can essentially throw no Arab State can essentially throw itself into the pro israeli side of this equation, given the images and the pictures and the international media is circulating, given the exponential rise of palestinian deaths. Exponential rise of palestinian deaths, the humanitarian catastrophe that harasses visited catastrophe that harasses visited On Gaza in their efforts visited On Gaza in their efforts to prosecute a War Against efforts to prosecute a War Against hamas. Arab states can play a against hamas. Arab states can play a role, particularly those saudis play a role, particularly those saudis. Someone will have to pay for saudis. Someone will have to pay for the reconstruction of Gaza Pay for the reconstruction of gaza. Whether its a Harris Or Tromp gaza. Whether its a Harris Or Tromp administration, it will not be tromp administration, it will not be the united states for the europeans are already stressed with respects to assistance with ukraine. Trumo assistance with ukraine. Trump. You have to look to the gulf trump. You have to look to the gulf but trump. You have to look to the gulf. But the price of getting lolf gulf. But the price of getting Golf Money or dull political sopport Golf Money or dull political support or arab boots on the ground, support or arab boots on the ground, so to speak, which i wouldnt ground, so to speak, which i wouldnt rule out under some circumstances is a price that wiii circumstances is a price that will compel the israelis to accept will compel the israelis to accept the fact that gaza first, accept the fact that gaza first, what to focus On Gaza fine, first, what to focus On Gaza fine, it first, what to focus On Gaza fine, it cannot be gaza only. That fine, it cannot be gaza only. That raises the question back to hillary that raises the question back to hillary his Point About netanyahu. Is this current government willing to engage in a discussion . Not even implementation, a discussion on the political horizon in which the political horizon in which the government of israel will commit the government of israel will commit itself to a political solution at least two states. The solution at least two states. The reality is, back to henrys first the reality is, back to henrys first point the reality is, back to henrys first point is, no. Benjamin netanyahu is virtually Neta Nyahu is virtually unchallenged. Netanyahu is virtually unchallenged. He has 64 seats in a coalition. 120, all you need in a coalition. 120, all you need a in a coalition. 120, all you need a 60 in a coalition. 120, all you need a 60 plus. They wont come back need a 60 plus. They wont come back into need a 60 plus. They wont come back into recess into it later. Hes back into recess into it later. Hes waiting to see who the next hes waiting to see who the next President Of The United States next President Of The United States is. He will adjust his tactics states is. He will adjust his tactics accordingly. But staying in power is his Prime Directive staying in power is his Prime Directive. Its the overarching, Overriding Principle of his world and he wanted principle of his world and he wanted more and he needs it more wanted more and he needs it more because hes on trial for bribery, more because hes on trial for bribery, Breach Of Trust in a court bribery, Breach Of Trust in a court four bribery, Breach Of Trust in a court four years running. He supposed court four years running. He supposed to be testifying. If he doesnt remain in power he faces he doesnt remain in power he faces two he doesnt remain in power he faces two choices for The One, a conviction or two, a Plea Bargain a conviction or two, a Plea Bargain which will be the end of his bargain which will be the end of his political career. For netanyahu it is politically existential. Hillary is right. His dominant constituents, not the arab his dominant constituents, not the arab world, not the international community and, Notjoe International Community and, notJoe Biden it is his domestic partner injures that enable domestic partner injures that enable right now the right Wing Government in the state Of Israei government in the state of israel presided over by the longest israel presided over by the Longest Governing Prime Minister in the state Of Israei. Minister in the state of israel, the most talented, ruthless israel, the most talented, ruthless politician on the israeii ruthless politician on the israeli political scene. Last point, israeli political scene. Last point, sorry to drone on. By 2026. Point, sorry to drone on. By 2026. I point, sorry to drone on. By 2026, i dont expect any talk of elections, frankly, serious talk of elections, frankly, serious talk probably until the spring of 2025 talk probably until the spring of 2025. , talk probably until the spring of2025. , talk probably until the spring of2025. , of 2025. Really good to get our of 2025. Really good to get your thoughts. Of 2025. Really good to get your thoughts. Really your thoughts. Really appreciate you yourthoughts. Really appreciate you talking us through it. Erin david melia miller. Peace being what everything miller. Peace being what everything that miller. Peace being whatl everything that everybody miller. Peace being what. Everything that everybody is striving everything that everybody is striving for everything that everybody is striving for. Everything that everybody is striving for. Really appreciate our striving for. Really appreciate your time striving for. Really appreciate your time. Just striving for. Really appreciate your time. Just while we striving for. Really appreciate j your time. Just while we were listening to aaron, i want to remind you of these break it lines coming into us. We can show you the latest advice from the idf, from the Israel Defense forces, the military ordering residents in some areas of Southern Route to evacuate. These orders are relating to a building and a number of other structures. They basically are warning local residents there that for your Interest And Safety you are obliged to evacuate the buildings immediately. Natalie, were obviously talking about what is happening on the ground. Ultimately its the civilians are always caught up in this. , in this. Yes, it is a civilians. In this. Yes, it is a civilians. Adding i in this. Yes, it is a| civilians. Adding to in this. Yes, it is a civilians. Adding to what in this. Yes, it is a civilians. Adding to what aaron said, civilians. Adding to what aaron said. Iet civilians. Adding to what aaron said, let me add one consideration. Those civilians, thinking consideration. Those civilians, thinking both of the 60 odd thousand israeli civilians that would thousand israeli civilians that would like to return to their homes, would like to return to their homes, be at the civilians ireing homes, be at the civilians being either killed or becoming refugees in lebanon. In a sense, refugees in lebanon. In a sense, especially its been part sense, especially its been part of sense, especially its been part of the story for almost a Year Part of the story for almost a year now part of the story for almost a year now. The question really is, why year now. The question really is, why is year now. The question really is, why is happening now . This goes is, why is happening now . This goes back is, why is happening now . This goes back to point of the interests of this is really government. It seems to me that on the government. It seems to me that on The One government. It seems to me that on The One hand with the war and on The One hand with the war and reducing the Intensity And Gaza and reducing the Intensity And Gaza without having achieved its Military Objectives or its political its Military Objectives or its political objectives for that matter political objectives for that matter. On the other hand the inevitable matter. On the other hand the inevitable period of the law that inevitable period of the law that comes with the run up to the us that comes with the run up to the us election thirdly, this hasnt the us election thirdly, this hasnt been mentioned before but Benjamin Netanyahu is back up but Benjamin Netanyahu is back up in but Benjamin Netanyahu is back up in the but Benjamin Netanyahu is back up in the polls as a result of all this up in the polls as a result of all this it up in the polls as a result of all this. It creates an incredible. This Government Reaitv incredible. This government really pressed court. Weve been really pressed court. Weve been talking about the failures of diplomacy. Diplomacy has tried of diplomacy. Diplomacy has tried to of diplomacy. Diplomacy has tried to do a Lot Anthony Blanket tried to do a Lot Anthony Blanket has been trying to do a lot. Blanket has been trying to do a lot as blanket has been trying to do a lot. As long as that diplomacy is equipped with six and carrots, is equipped with six and carrots, notjust direct diplomacy but regional diplomacy, that talk is not going diplomacy, that talk is not going to diplomacy, that talk is not going to go that far faced with this overriding incentives of this this overriding incentives of this very this overriding incentives of this very extremist israeli government. On the us essentially, and on the European Side we never really considered exerting any kind of cash considered exerting any kind of Cash 0n considered exerting any kind of cash. On the Regionalaffairs Neither cash. On the Regionalaffairs Neither has things like Normalisation Noah has leverage via has Normalisation Noah has leverage via has the mass been exerted. Its via has the mass been exerted. Its no via has the mass been exerted. Its no wonder that were where were its no wonder that were where were. Antony blinken can fly in and were. Antony blinken can fly in and out were. Antony blinken can fly in and out but its not surprising that weve ended up where surprising that weve ended up where were. Surprising that weve ended up where were. Obviously, we all know that where were. Obviously, we all know that antony where were. Obviously, we all know that Antony Blinken where were. Obviously, we all know that Antony Blinken has l know that Antony Blinken has beenin know that Antony Blinken has been in the region so many times. With we were saying with erin that these deal not achieved. Thank you very much for that natalie mentioning the polls when it comes to Benjamin Netanyahu. He has been really interesting to see how you doing in the polls after he spoke at the Un General Assembly because he was really rigid and saying he was not rolling back on the peace deal. My rolling back on the peace deal. My colleague not a topic was monitoring from New York. That point that he did not mention a Cease Fire at all in any way, Shape Orform and Cease Fire at all in any way, Shape Or Form and then Cease Fire at all in any way, Shape Orform and then moments later we saw that attack on bait route. It was interesting to hear the Secretary Of State saying numerous times here On The Verge of a deal here at the Un General Assembly again he thought he was On The Verge of a deal, 21 days Cease Fire deal worked on with france, the uk and others only to help the israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make that speech, very defiant saying he came with the message of the assembly and the world that israel is winning. Vowing to push on. Of course that massive in beirut. Here the United Nations for diplomats there is this sense that a deal is just not going to happen. One diplomat told me before the election they see the chances of that as very, very slim. They understand the domestic pressure that president Joe Biden is on and not wanting to perhaps hurt the chances of his party. Regardless of that we know thatJoe Biden has been very, very reluctant to use any leverage to israel, although he supplies with arms has never threatened taking those out in a serious way. What we heard from the un secretary general, others having the Security Meeting right now is that because israel has not had any kind of pressure put on it they argued, Arab States at least that they were blatantly violating the un charter of international law, acting as a Rogue State because they are convinced they are above the law and get away with it. From the secretary general, he has warned that the world cannot afford endless negotiations on lebanon, similar to gaza. Afford endless negotiations on lebanon, similarto gaza. He saying that the key to all of this is having a Cease Fire in a peaceful resolution to the situation in gaza, that is directly tied. Situation in gaza, that is directl tied. ~ , directly tied. Thank you very much for directly tied. Thank you very much for keeping directly tied. Thank you very much for keeping us Across. J much for keeping us Across. Lets bring our panel backend. You sense that frustration when you got the international Community And Youve got the us arguably not raining Benjamin Netanyahu back. As we heard even from arab countries is not listening and doesnt care any more. So what leverage . Us Defence Secretary say on All Out War should be avoided in lebanon. Nobody wants a conflict but totally different scenario when it comes to what were seeing on the ground. They us has withheld some weapons and more recently or delayed some shipments. Israel has plenty of weapons on their own. They dont need weapons right now to do what they are doing. It does not require more shipment. In fact weve heard reports that israel has enough military capability to keep this war going for quite a long time on its own, even if no country supported it. Im not making excuses for the us and not being forceful. What im saying is i do think that there is a Countervailing Pressure here. Weve heard aaron say this before, any time egypt or jordan get involved in trying to make peace they are seen as being pro israel as opposed to pro peace. And that is whats happening. It seems to me that we dont have a situation where people view the israeli state as being a long Term Operation because of that. That i think is why netanyahu has become popular. These countries are essentially able to believe that not being an existing state is actually an option. Natalie, when it comes to. We just had a line saying Irans Leader is denouncing Israel Beirut as a Plague Workaround for that weve heard how we got three issues with of the situation in gaza, the situation in gaza, the situation is increasingly getting heated over the past week in lebanon. We always have to remember that what is arguably a proxy war, i ron. How do the international community ive read. How did the international community navigate when it comes to iran because extensions are not working. I because extensions are not workinu. ~ because extensions are not working because extensions are not workinu. ~ ,. , working. I think in the case of iran it working. I think in the case of iran it is working. I think in the case of iran it is fair working. I think in the case of iran it is fair to working. I think in the case of iran it is fair to say up working. I think in the case of iran it is fair to say up until i iran it is fair to say up until now iran it is fair to say up until now lets iran it is fair to say up until now lets see if the situation changes now lets see if the situation changes now for the around seems changes now for the around seems to changes now for the around seems to has not seemed interested in war. Back in aprii interested in war. Back in april there was the Tit For Tat with april there was the Tit For Tat with israel, essentially iran and with israel, essentially iran and israel in the axiom that they and israel in the axiom that they pursued both in terms of quite they pursued both in terms of quite explicitly varied. Essentially signalling the fact that they didnt want to ask two that they didnt want to ask two escalators into war. So far and the two escalators into war. So far and the situation in lebanon, despite and the situation in lebanon, despite what has been happening so far despite what has been happening so far i despite what has been happening so far i ron keeps on to these two seems to signal it doesnt see an two seems to signal it doesnt see an interest in this escalating into an All Out War. The escalating into an All Out War. The question really is, is there the question really is, is there at the question really is, is there at some Point A Tipping Point there at some Point A Tipping Point that were not quite clear point that were not quite clear where it is . Point that were not quite clearwhere it is . In many respects clearwhere it is . In many respects what has happened, probably without this situation a few probably without this situation a few months ago we would have said that a few months ago we would have said that Tipping Point has already said that Tipping Point has already been surpassed. We dont already been surpassed. We dont know exactly in todays beirut. Dont know exactly in todays beirut. If dont know exactly in todays beirut, if they develop, for the sake beirut, if they develop, for the sake of argument, we dont know the sake of argument, we dont know this. The sake of argument, we dont know this, or ended up as one of the know this, or ended up as one of the victims of this attack, without of the victims of this attack, without be the Tipping Point . So far without be the Tipping Point . So far around has been deterred. I dont think so much because deterred. Idont think so much because of deterred. I dont think so much because of Anything Or Anyone else because of Anything Or Anyone else is because of Anything Or Anyone else is done. I think i ron itself else is done. I think i ron itself is else is done. I think i ron itself is not seeing in interest. It has been a winner from interest. It has been a winner from this interest. It has been a winner from this regional escalation in the from this regional escalation in the Middle East so long as it doesnt tip into in all out regional it doesnt tip into in all out regional war involving itself with regional war involving itself with up regional war involving itself with up dash iran. There may be point with up dash iran. There may be point where that changes for the its point where that changes for the its very difficult to detect the its very difficult to detect what the Thought Process is here detect what the Thought Process is here for the and the power within is here for the and the power within iran. Within iran. Does Power Dynamics within iran. Does Power Dynamics. Meanwhile i within iran. Does power| dynamics. Meanwhile on within iran. Does Power Dynamics. Meanwhile on the ground is the people who are suffering as israel is now saying, telling in southern beirut leader. Will keep an eye on this. Another big story in the united states. Millions of americans still without power. Tropical Storm Helene hit florida 5 gulf coast, georgia, and other southeastern states. Videos on Social Media show widespread damage in florida, with high waves crashing onto the Coast And Flooding homes and streets. This was the scene along the shoreline in treasure island, florida, where boats were washed up onto the front yards of homes. A man and his dog were airlifted to safety by the us coast guard, after their yacht got into difficulties and started taking on water, around 25 miles off sanibel island. This was atlanta, georgia, where homes, vehicles and streets were flooded. Helene, one of the biggest storms to ever hit the gulf coast, has now weakened into a tropical storm, as it moves inland through georgia and south carolina. I am joined now by lauren peace, she is a reporter for Tampa Bay times working now for a dedicated Hurricane Go To team. You certainly have got your work cut out for that what is it like on the ground they are . Weve been out since about midnight last night at a Peak Search was between midnight and two a m. We been canvassing our neighbourhoods ever sense. Its worse than the areas we got out to, water was waist high but we have worth the surge reach six feeds and some of our communities. Today Video Images have been devastating for that walking around talking with folks with up a lot of homes caked with Mud And Lyric frame we keep hearing is its like nothing weve ever seen before. ~ ,. ,. , before. When you put it into context at before. When you put it into context at its before. When you put it into context at its height before. When you put it into i context at its Height Hurricane Helene was the size of the uk putting it into perspective, absolutely enormous. For people on the ground, how do you even start bracing yourself or something like this . People who have been Floridians Something like this . People who have been floridians for something like this . People who have been floridians for a something like this . People who have been floridians for a long l have been floridians for a long time know that Hurricane Season comes every year for the its getting more intense as the gulf warms. Were seeing more of these intensification happening. They getting bigger and they are increasing in intensity and faster than be seen in the past. We really work to prepare for that youre talking about Hurricane Season and how to make sure that communities are braced for it for the messaging is always something we struggle with. I think people have seen these storms in the past, they havent been as severe or maybe theyve got lucky and have an experience flooding. They think well, ive been fine in the past i will be fine in the future. Itsjust not past i will be fine in the future. Its just not the case. A lot of work cut out to continue increasing awareness about these hurricanes and the conditions are amplifying the intensity and impact. Conditions are amplifying the intensity and impact. When you are talking intensity and impact. When you are talking about intensity and impact. When you are talking about amplifying are talking about amplifying intensity, we hear of severe weather conditions for that they are just getting worse for that they are increasing in impact. Does Climate Change. Are people talking when youre out and about as it is dedicated Hurricane Go To reporter, a people talking about Climate Change . Some are, some arent about Climate Change . Some are, some arent. One about Climate Change . Some are, some arent. One of about Climate Change . Some are, some arent. One of the about Climate Change . Some are, some arent. One of the things i some arent. One of the things about living in florida is the impact is right in front of you. Whether you use the term Climate Change, global warming, you cant deny the environmental conditions are changing. As such our communities are being threatened and up to date when i was out, not a lot of talk about Climate Change but certainly plenty of conversation about the way that these floodwaters are increasing in height. We had lots of people who had never had flooding before, just walls of water in the house today. Refrigerators, toppled over, beds being moved, the drywall completely ruined, floors caked with mud. As Peter Catastrophic for the whether you call it Climate Change or not you cant deny were at risk where we live. �. , deny were at risk where we live. � deny were at risk where we live. , live. All i can say to you is ust live. All i can say to you is just stay live. All i can say to you is just stay safe, live. All i can say to you is just stay safe, be live. All i can say to you is just stay safe, be careful i live. All i can say to you is i just stay safe, be careful and carry on reporting for that Tampa Bay hurricane team reporting. Thank you lauren peace. Stay safe. Hurricane go to team, amazing title for the a difficultjob. Lots of that on our website for them when it comes to the Weather Situation they are in the region for the lets go back to the developing story in the Middle East. Weve been monitoring those lines coming through with it lets bring in our panel. Hillary and natalie, a lot of concern about what is happening on the ground. I want to show the live shot, were expecting some spokespersons for the Israel Defense forces just to bring us an update. Were monitoring that podium there where were expecting an update on what we have been seeing in notjust that earlier strike on what israel is saying his Brother Hq and also the Evacuation Or Request by the idf. We mentioned were always thinking about the people on the ground because they are The Ones that inevitably had their lives totally uplifted, up rooted whether its on the israeli size of the lebanese side of the Border. Israeli size of the lebanese side of the Border. Sure. Its particularly side of the Border. Sure. Its particularly painful side of the Border. Sure. Its particularly painful when particularly painful when netanyahu just particularly painful when Neta Nyahu just today, particularly painful when netanyahu just today, ive lost track of the hours, is at the un saying all we want is peace. Were there proponents of peace. His words ring hollow for people around the world in many ways, i think. Hejust needs to understand that. That is not to say that there is not some effort on Israels Part to also participate in a Cease Fire conversation but it does not feel like there is a piece at any Cost Mentality or the israeli government, nor frankly for hamas or his brother. If netanyahu who is so strongly in power and has such a strong weapon system, who is now the aggressor in retaliation for the lack of security they felt, if he does not make a move then moves are not make a move then moves are not going to happen. It not make a move then moves are not going to happen. Not going to happen. It was ust not going to happen. It was just utterly not going to happen. It was just utterly wrong not going to happen. It was just utterly wrong today, i not going to happen. It was just utterly wrong today, it| just utterly wrong today, it does feel like its. Such a fast moving story. When we start Neta Nyahu fast moving story. When we start netanyahu he felt the need to go to the un but then he was pretty scathing about it. One of the quotes is that he described the un is a House Of Darkness and a swap of anti semitic bile. We saw people walked out, diplomats walked out before he spoke. It walked out before he spoke. It says so much. Yes, it says so much says so much. Yes, it says so much for says so much. Yes, it says so much for them as hillary was saying. Much for them as hillary was saying, and as i was dating earlier saying, and as i was dating earlier he saying, and as i was dating earlier he doesnt actually really earlier he doesnt actually really care. I think there is a sense really care. I think there is a sense of really care. I think there is a sense of a really care. I think there is a sense of a perverse dynamic that sense of a perverse dynamic that exists, in a war and a conflict that exists, in a war and a conflict between state and a very conflict between state and a very powerful one like israel, logically very powerful one like israel, logically back politically and militarily by the worlds greatest superpower. Obviously is far greatest superpower. Obviously is far more capable compared to the militias, whether its hamas the militias, whether its hamas but i think the perversity in this is the situation and it seems to be extremely skewed in one direction, the truth of the matter direction, the truth of the matter is that for a state to win matter is that for a state to win against a Militia It essentially needs to achieve its maximus aims. Essentially needs to achieve its maximus aims. Were going to have to its maximus aims. Were going to have to leave its maximus aims. Were going to have to leave it there its maximus aims. Were going to have to leave it there for i to have to leave it there for that natalie, hillary, were out of time for the due stay with us here on bbc news. Friday we had flooding causing disruption on Road And Railway networks, particular focus on the midlands with a this is one of our flooded communities look like and we still have a number of Flood Warnings currently in force for the clustered around the midlands and of course here where were seeing extreme rainfall this month. In Bedfordshire Weve had over four times, well over three to the average rainfall in oxfordshire that is what caused the flooding issues for that the flooding issues for that the window of weather into saturday at Chile Northwesterly Winds and a few showers draped around her coastal ranges, many in land there is dry, clear and cold. Heading into the first part of Saturday Morning in the Countryside Temperatures well down into single figures, cold for crossed into scotland and northern england. Saturday a very cold start to the day for september but plenty of sunshine for most. The exception of scotland where Week Weather fronts will move in bringing thicker cloud and a few patches of light rain. There could be an odd hour for north island, England And West wales should be mostly trifles was absurdly fine for southern parts of wales, southern england, the midlands and eastern england, lots of sunshine but another chilly day for this time of year. Today, second half of the weekend is dominated by this next area of low pressure another cold morning, plenty of Morning Sunshine and then it turns cloudy from the southwest the wind started to pick up and becomes very windy for wales in Southwest England for the cost around 50 or 60 mph, through the afternoon and eventually some rain getting into northern ireland, wales and western areas leaving the northeast of uk dry with some hazy stencil and sunshine. Through Sunday Night into monday that is when we will see some of that rain falling on our communities. I would say the Rain Isnt going to be as extreme as it has been the clearly any extra rain is probably not to be too helpful. A wet and windy day for most of us on monday. It will continue to be cool for the time of year, temperatures from around 12 in edinburgh to around 16 in london. Heading into the first part of october, where has this year gone . It looks like it should be dry but on the chilly side. Bye for now. Tonight at ten beirut rocked by multiple blasts, as israel says it has carried out a strike on hezbollahs headquarters. Explosions. Plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the heavily populated south of the city. The israeli military says it is targeting the leader of hezbollah its not clear if he is still alive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the Go Ahead from his Hotel Room in New York while on a visit to the United Nations. Well be reporting from Across lebanon and talking to our international editor Jeremy Bowen about what happens next. Also on the programme. One of britains finest actors of stage and screen, dame maggie smith, has died at the age of 89. Put the van in your drive . That never occurred to me. She won two oscars and played many much loved characters over the decades including the lady in the van. It emerges Sir Keir Starmer received another £16,000 worth of clothes from the labour peer, lord alli. And were on the us Border with mexico, talking to voters about a key electoral issue illegal immigration. On newsnight at 10. 30pm, well bring you fresh insight on the stories of the day, with big interviews and our regular panel of newsnighters, and of course look at what the papers are saying