Plus: A polite vice-presidential debate and the end of the line for Kolkata's trams ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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| Hello. After Iran's missile attack on Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised a strong retaliation, while also sending further troops into southern Lebanon. Our international editor Jeremy Bowen says he would not rule out Israeli attacks on anything in Iran, including its nuclear sites. We also bring you reactions to an unusually polite vice-presidential debate in the US, and report on a death knell sounding for Kolkata's trams. | |
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TOP OF THE AGENDA | Netanyahu says Iran made 'big mistake' | | Smoke rises above Beirut after new Israeli strikes on the Lebanese capital. Credit: Reuters | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation against Iran's barrage of missiles on Tuesday, saying its leaders "made a big mistake tonight, and will pay for it". Jeremy Bowen reports that he would not rule out attacks by Israel on Iran's nuclear sites. On Wednesday the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also said additional forces would join raids on Iran's ally, Hezbollah, in southern Lebanon.
Gloves off: Israel now feels more free to retaliate aggressively, following its major blow to Hezbollah, Jeremy Bowen reports.
On the street: Beirut's emergency centres cannot cope with all the refugees from the south - "We risk dying from the cold," one man tells BBC Arabic.
New warning: Israel has told residents of about 25 southern Lebanese villages to evacuate "to save your lives". | |
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| A polite debate, but who won? | | Republican JD Vance and Democrat Tim Walz repeatedly said they agreed with each other. Credit: EPA | US vice-presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz spent more time attacking each other's running mate than one another in last night's debate, writes Anthony Zurcher. The civil discussion contrasted with this year's tense presidential debates - and voters seemed to like it. |
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| | Anthony Zurcher, North America correspondent |
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| | Walz had a shaky start but hit his stride when talking about abortion and the Capitol riot. But the even-tempered, policy-focused debate, with few political body blows, probably served Vance - a polished public speaker - best in the end. |
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BEYOND THE HEADLINES | Iconic trams to ride into Kolkata sunset |
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| | | Kolkata's trams once ran on 52 routes, now only three remain. Credit: AFP | Trams have trundled through the Indian city of Kolkata since 1873, but last week authorities announced plans to scrap them, retaining only a small heritage loop. Tram enthusiasts are fighting back, Sandip Roy reports, arguing that many cities which dismantled their tramways years ago are now rebuilding them at great expense. |
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SOMETHING DIFFERENT | Whale, hello there | In Mexico's Laguna San Ignacio, whales come to watch you. | |
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And finally... | A woman who married herself in a £10,000 ($13,000) unofficial ceremony in front of 40 friends has celebrated her one-year anniversary. Sarah Wilkinson toasted the occasion with fizz, flowers and a steak dinner for one. The 43-year-old said she has managed to avoid any marital spats – but did admit to breaking a "couple of vows". Find out which ones here. | |
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World of Business | Gain the leading edge with global insights for the boardroom and beyond, every Wednesday from New York. | |
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