The World from PRX

A large fire engulfing a balcony of a multi-story apartment building, with flames and smoke rising from the structure.

Israel escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure in Lebanon

Full Episode
50:17

Smoke and flame rise from a residential building following an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut, Lebanon, March 18, 2026.

Bilal Hussein/AP

Israeli forces are intensifying airstrikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon, as well as hitting targets in Beirut neighborhoods. Also, a meningitis outbreak has public health officials scrambling in the UK. And, Denmark is using heat generated by crematoriums to warm nearby homes. Plus, a look at how Vienna has bucked the trend in dealing with Europe’s rent crisis.

In This Episode

A building engulfed in thick grey smoke, with visible damage to the structure and firefighters standing on a balcony.
Israel escalates attacks on civilian infrastructure in southern Lebanon
Special Coverage
11:10
A few sports stories you may have missed
2:01
Public health officials respond to meningitis outbreak in the UK
5:43
Da Cruz traces her Brazilian and African musical roots
2:22
How Vienna beat Europe’s rent crisis
6:39
El Salvador’s strongman Bukele tightens grip on country
10:57
Interior of a facility showing rows of white coffins stacked on blue metal racks in a large, well-lit room.
How cremations are helping to heat homes in Denmark
Special Coverage
7:15
Scientists transform plastic bottles into drugs to treat Parkinson’s disease
0:26