1A - Unpacking The Cost Of The War On Iran

Waging war is not cheap. Experts estimate that the U.S. has already spent more than $10 billion launching missiles at Iran in the past few weeks.

Meanwhile, thanks to fighting in the Strait of Hormuz disrupting the global energy supply trade, the price of oil is rising sharply worldwide. With no clear end in sight, how will Congress wrangle the high price tag of the war – economically and politically?

We try and make sense of the cost of war, especially as more and more Americans feel the squeeze in their budgets at home.

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Inside Europe - Sirens on Cyprus: how war is reawakening the island’s past traumas

Cyprus on alert as Middle East tensions spill into Europe; Orban turns anti‑Ukrainian rhetoric into campaign fuel; and Paris heads to the polls in a tight left‑right showdown. Plus: Turkey’s AI‑driven protest surveillance, Spain’s weather reporters under attack, Tromso’s tourism troubles, and a taste of tradition from Bologna.

Global News Podcast - Iran’s new leader in defiant first message

Iranian state television has broadcast a message in the name of the newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. The message was read by an announcer and gave no clue as to the state of the leader's health. Some reports say he was injured on the first day of US and Israeli attacks. In the message, he said Iran would avenge the blood of its martyrs, and continue to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which one fifth of the world's oil passes. We hear from people in Iran, many of whom say they are now living in constant fear. We also report from the US, where public approval for the war with Iran is the lowest at the start of any conflict since the Second World War, with around 41% agreeing with the US decision to attack Iran. In other news, a court in Russia has given life sentences to four men convicted of carrying out one of the worst terrorist attacks of recent years - the mass shooting at a concert hall outside Moscow. Also: an auction of a remarkable collection of legendary guitars - including Kurt Cobain's trademark 1969 Lake Placid blue Fender Mustang and other famous musical instruments, literary artefacts and sporting and film memorabilia - which belonged to the late billionaire American businessman, Jim Irsay.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Newshour - Iran’s Supreme Leader issues threat after cargo ship attacks

Iran's new supreme leader vows to keep blocking Strait of Hormuz in his first statement released by the regime after more attacks on cargo ships in the Gulf in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, causing another spike in oil prices.

Can American naval power keep those shipping lanes open? We'll assess the options and hear what people in America's heartland think about the war.

Also in the programme: Will a new "ethnic unity" law in China lead to more disunity?; and a piece of rock music history goes up for a sale - a rather battered guitar that belonged to Nirvana's Kurt Cobain.

(Photo shows the Thai-flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree on fire after being hit by Iranian missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran, on 11 March 2026. Credit: Royal Thai Navy)

WSJ Minute Briefing - Iran’s New Leader Vows to Fight On

Plus: The U.S. trade deficit declined in January, continuing a volatile run. And Honda expects to swing to its first annual loss in decades after reevaluating its EV strategy. Pierre Bienaimé hosts.


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An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor.

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Focus on Africa - Senegal doubles penalty for same-sex relationships

During a parliamentary session, legislators in Senegal voted on a bill that was introduced last month by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, doubling the penalty for same sex relationships that are already a crime in the West African country. People convicted under the new law will now serve prison sentences of between 5 and 10 years and face fines of up to 17,600 USD.

We also look at why snakebite antivenom is so expensive in many African countries. In a conversation with Professor John Amuasi of the Global Snakebite Task Force, we discuss what can be done to improve access to treatment for snakebites in remote parts of Africa.

Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Bella Twine, Basma El Atti and Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: Jonathan Mwangi Senior Producers: Daniel Dadzie and Blessing Aderogba Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla

Marketplace All-in-One - Local eatery obituaries

Data shows that chain restaurants grew by 3% last year, while smaller independent restaurants declined by more than 2% as they struggled to navigate rising prices for real estate, food, insurance, and labor. When all restaurants are basically the same city to city, what does it mean for the unique flavor of a place? But first, Iran has ratcheted up its attacks on Gulf countries and in the Strait of Hormuz.