Two suspects were seen fleeing one of the pubs empty-handed
Two pubs in a Cambridgeshire city have been broken into this week. The Cutter Inn pub, in Annesdale, Ely was broken into at around 12.35am on Tuesday, March 3, and two suspects were seen fleeing empty-handed.
Advertisement
A social media post shared by both businesses said: “It’s incredibly frustrating for any business to deal with this, particularly small independent venues that are part of the local community.”
The posts continued: “A special thank you to the scumbags responsible for targeting family run local businesses that work hard to provide jobs, hospitality and places for the community to enjoy. Your efforts are truly appreciated.”
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “A crime has been raised following a business burglary at The Cutter Inn, Annesdale, Ely, at about 12.35am on Tuesday (3 March).”
In another incident, police were called at about 12:40am on Thursday, March 5 with reports of a smashed window at the Riverside Bar & Kitchen restaurant in Ship Lane, Ely. A crime has been raised for criminal damage.
Advertisement
Anyone with information regarding either incident is asked to contact Cambridgeshire Police online or call 101 if you do not have internet access. Quote reference 35/16061/26 for the first incident and 35/16638/26 for the second.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact us online here quoting crime reference 35/16061/26. Call 101 if you do not have internet access.
Ohtani put on a giant show in batting practice hours before he hit a grand slam in the second inning — in the first he doubled on the first pitch of the game but didn’t score — as Japan hammered Taiwan 13-0 in Pool C at the World Baseball Classic.
It was Japan’s first game of four in pool play.
Ohtani drew major Western star power to Japan for the game, with actor Timothée Chalamet and pop singer Bad Bunny in the stands.
Advertisement
Ohtani spoke to the crowd after the game.
“I knew it was going to leave the park right away after I hit it,” Ohtani said of his grand slam. “It’s important to score first.”
Bowing and tipping his cap, Ohtani thanked the fans.
“It was a good game and we got off to a good start, so I think it was all because of your support,” he said to rising applause as he spoke in Japanese. “I think the battles will continue, but if the fans and the team can come together and cheer it will encourage us. So please support us.”
Advertisement
Starting and winning pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto also, of course, credited Ohtani in a post-game press conference away from the field.
“This was our first game of the tournament and to score the first run is always difficult,” he said. “But Shohei hit a huge home run to give us the momentum. So I tip my cap to him.”
An early show in BP
Ohtani’s batting practice thrilled many who had traveled from afar to see him.
Lia Chan and her husband How and other family members flew in from Singapore — about a seven-hour flight to Tokyo — just to watch Ohtani play in the World Baseball Classic.
Advertisement
“And baseball is not even popular in Singapore,” said Lia, who was seated a few rows behind home plate. “We know about baseball, we watch it, but when Ohtani came along it’s just gone out of proportions.”
Lia, her husband and other Singaporeans in their group were among some 40,000 in the stadium oohing-and-aahing on Friday, and this was only for batting practice hours before the second Pool C game.
Ohtani knows about drama.
He kept the crowd waiting for perhaps 30 minutes as other Japanese players practiced and hundreds of reporters with cameras, phones and tripods milled around in a penned-off area on the field.
Advertisement
Finally, Ohtani emerged from the dugout and waited his turn around the batting cage, hugged a few players, made small talk, and greeted some fans in an area for sponsors.
Fans in the stands stood to get a better look. But they were asked to sit down by attendants holding signs in Japanese and English that read: “Please watch from your seats.”
Ohtani took about 25 swings, hit about 10 balls out of the park and another few against the outfield wall.
When batting practice ended, he jogged out to thank the batting practice pitcher, bowed slightly, and gathered a few loose balls and tossed them into the hopper. Then with a bat in each hand, he trotted off the field to prepare for the game against Taiwan.
Advertisement
“Who does things like that?” Lia said. “He’s in another league.”
The incident took place on Friday afternoon when emergency crews were called to an apparent fall on Arthur’s Seat.
22:27, 06 Mar 2026Updated 22:27, 06 Mar 2026
A hiker has been rescued after “falling” from Arthur’s Seat. The alarm was raised shortly before 1.30pm on Friday, March 6 when emergency services were alerted to a climber having ran into trouble at the Edinburgh beauty spot.
Crews including Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Scottish Ambulance Service rushed to the peak, located within Holyrood Park, as did the coastguard in desperate attempts to help the individual involved.
The SFRS confirmed they sent two appliances, a height appliance and a rope rescue appliance to the incident, with a Coastguard helicopter also seen circling the skies around the popular site, located near the Scottish Parliament.
Advertisement
Photos taken at the scene show an air ambulance circling the area. A Coastguard spokesperson confirmed that the male hiker was rescued and put into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service, reports Edinburgh Live.
The name, age and gender of the person is not yet known, nor is the extent of their injuries, how it happened, or whether they required hospital treatment.
A spokesperson said: “At around 2.07pm, HM Coastguard was made aware of a male with injuries sustained in a fall at Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh.
“An HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter was sent, and the casualty was rescued and put into the care of Scottish Ambulance Service.”
Advertisement
A SFRS spokesperson added: “We responded to reports of a casualty in Holyrood Park at 1.24pm on Friday, March 6. We had two appliances, a rope rescue appliance and a height appliance in attendance.”
Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service has been approached for comment.
Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.
Devolution in North Yorkshire is ‘not working as planned’, the Mayor of Whitby, Cllr Sandra Turner, has said.
Cllr Turner said that local decision-makers should be properly consulted before North Yorkshire Council (NYC) implements projects across the county.
Speaking at a meeting this week, Cllr Turner said “things happen in Whitby that we know nothing about” and criticised NYC for a lack of information about it projects.
Advertisement
The county’s borough and district councils were abolished in 2023, and North Yorkshire Council was created as part of a plan for double devolution, whereby the government hands over decision-making powers and money to regional leaders.
Additionally, parish and town councils gain additional responsibilities.
“When North Yorkshire was first looking to go unitary, one of the biggest drivers of that was that they would work closely and collaboratively with every town and parish council,” said Cllr Turner.
“But over the last year, we’ve had things happen in Whitby that we know nothing about. We have the infamous wheel on West Cliff that we read about on Facebook. We’ve got the Sunken Gardens that have been altered and improved, which we applaud, but about which we knew nothing.”
Advertisement
Similar concerns have been raised recently by councillors representing coastal areas on North Yorkshire Council.
Cllr Turner added that elected members on NYC providing updates at town council meetings was not adequate and that more should be done to involve the parish sector.
“It’s not working the way it was suggested it would in the initial start-up,” the mayor added.
Cllr Liz Colling, chair of the Scarborough and Whitby area committee, provided a response on behalf of North Yorkshire Council.
Advertisement
Cllr Colling said that North Yorkshire Council’s pledges included undertaking statutory consultations with the parish sector, engaging with the parish sector on key issues that are likely to affect or be of particular interest to their area, and providing parish councils with “sufficient information to enable them to reach an informed view on matters upon which they’re being consulted”.
She said: “It’s important to note however that Whitby Town Council remains a consultee among many on such matters and the ultimate decisions rest with North Yorkshire Council.
“Whitby more than pulls its weight in tourism income for this county, with two million visitors a year, and I think out of pure respect, we should be informed when something’s happening in our town.
“It’s critical that if we are to maintain the Whitby that we all love and portray to be the golden egg of the county, then we need that information coming forward.”
Advertisement
Cllr Colling said: “There are 729 parishes across North Yorkshire and they don’t all have parish councils or town councils, but there are 430 parish councils that North Yorkshire is dealing with, and I just need to put that in context of your request.”
What’s in store for you today? (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
The Sun aligns with Mercury’s retrograde in Pisces, highlighting hopes, dreams and maybe infatuations. Don’t allow rationality to float off completely today.
Virgo, Leo and Cancer, avoid finality. It may serve you hold off from any major decisions, until the cosmic haze has passed.
Revisiting the past could bring new discoveries, as this placement encourages reflection. However, don’t get stuck looking behind you.
Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Saturday March 7, 2026.
Advertisement
Like checking your horoscope every morning?You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.
Today’s celestial blend highlights dreams, intuition and unfinished emotional business. You may feel reflective, nostalgic or slightly sleepy as the universe whispers, ‘Slow down.’ Old thoughts resurface, messages from the past reappear and your subconscious is storytelling in full colour. Rest, release and rediscover what has been buried beneath pent-up energy.
Your social sphere and long-term goals may feel hazy. You could reflect on friendships, revisit old dreams or reconnect with people from the past unexpectedly. Inspiration flows, but details blur, so double-check plans and pause before major decisions. This is a time for gentle edits, not final drafts. Trust intuition but keep logic close by.
With the Sun merging with Mercury in its rewind, your career path may take a few detours. You may revisit professional plans, rethink your public image or hear from past colleagues. This is not the time to finalise long-term goals. Listen inward, review priorities and reconnect with what genuinely excites you.
Your mind drifts towards distant horizons, spirituality and long-held dreams. You may revisit beliefs, rekindle travel ambitions or reconnect with a former mentor or passion project. The universe invites you to redraw your personal map, but not in ink just yet. Let intuition guide you but avoid locking anything in too prematurely, Cancer.
Your emotional depths glow with insight and mystery. Secrets, shared resources and intimate bonds come up for review. This is a powerful moment to examine emotional fine print you usually skim. You may reconnect with an old flame or rediscover a forgotten part of yourself. Trust instincts but verify facts before making promises or investments.
Relationships are under review as the Sun aligns with Mercury retrograde. Old flames may resurface, misunderstandings seek clarity or you reassess the give-and-take in close bonds. This is not the moment for final declarations. Listen, reflect and revise your approach to partnership with compassion and honesty.
Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today
Libra
September 24 to October 23
Daily rhythms, routines and wellness habits are under scrutiny. You are invited to slow down and reassess how you care for your body, mind and schedule. Expect minor mix-ups or forgetfulness, especially at work, but also flashes of insight that realign you with what truly nourishes you. Aim for flow, but perhaps not perfection.
Romance, creativity and joy call softly rather than loudly. This is a beautiful time to revisit a creative project, reconnect with a past love or let imagination roam freely. Just avoid getting lost in fantasy, as the Pisces influence loves twists and turns. Let your inner child speak and your muse dance.
Your sanctuary and personal history echo with memories. You may revisit family stories, rethink your roots or reconnect with someone familiar. This is a time for reflection, restoration and perhaps refreshing your space to match inner changes. Emotions may rise like tides, let them. Home is evolving, and so are you.
Your thoughts drift into intuitive territory. Conversations, ideas and creative projects circle back for review. This is a good moment to revisit unsent messages, revive old ideas or simply listen more than speak. Avoid forcing outcomes. Reflection, revision and rest bring clarity. Wisdom whispers when you slow down.
Finances and priorities may feel muddled as receipts disappear, subscriptions resurface or values come into question. This pause invites you to reassess not only what you own, but how you value yourself. Avoid rushing major financial decisions, but reflect on where your energy and income truly flow.
With the Sun merging with Mercury retrograde in your sign, you are a blend of insight and déjà vu. Old ideas, conversations or shelved dreams resurface for review. Communication may be muddled, but your intuition is finely tuned. Trust your instincts more than messages or schedules today.
Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
As a loyal Metro reader, we want to make sure you never miss our stories when searching for your news. Whether it is the latest politics news explained, live football coverage or a showbiz scoop.
Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.
Headteachers in Wales have the power to ban or restrict the use of mobile phones in their schools, but there could soon be new national guidance
The Welsh Government has issued an update on mobile phone use in schools. The impact of social media and phones on children and young people in Wales is “a matter of significant concern” the minister responsible for schools said.
Advertisement
“Schools and parents have been raising their concerns about the significant influence that technology and mobile phones can have on the health, wellbeing, and learning experiences of our children and young people,” said Cabinet Secretary for Education Lynne Neagle. Currently, it is up to individual schools to decide whether pupils can bring in and use mobile phones.
Some schools allow pupils to have phones in school provided they are switched off and not used in lessons. Others have a total ban during the school day, including breaks and lunchtime. Some schools have special lock up pouches where children leave their devices when they arrive and collect when they leave the building.
Lynne Neagle said she will issue national guidance in the new school year – should Labour still be in charge after May’s Senedd election.
“I continue to believe that schools are best placed to make these decisions, based on how technology is used in their setting and the needs of their learners,” she said.
Advertisement
“However, I also recognise that this is an area where our schools are increasingly seeking national direction.
“Following the 2025 Behaviour Summit and drawing on the recommendations of the Senedd Petitions Committee, I established a dedicated practitioner and stakeholder forum on mobile phone use in schools.
“The forum has recently completed a first draft of new guidance to support schools to develop and introduce a mobile phone policy that is appropriate for their school.
“My aim has always been to strike the right balance in supporting schools to minimise the impact of mobile phones on learning and pupil wellbeing, while still maintaining local flexibility.
Advertisement
“To ensure this guidance is robust, practical, and reflective of the sector’s needs, I have committed to a programme of engagement with the sector in the period ahead of the election, with a full public consultation on the final guidance after the election to enable publication before the new school year.
“Today, I am launching a national survey of the education workforce to further explore existing mobile phone policies, the rationale behind them, and their impact. I encourage all schools to take part. The findings will directly support us in refining the draft guidance and ensure that future steps are evidence based and fully reflect what works best for our learners and schools in Wales. “
Welsh Government officials will be discussing the draft guidance with schools, the education workforce unions, local authorities and children and young people.
Advertisement
Ms Neagle added: “In the meantime, I want to place on record my support for any school that seeks to introduce a policy restricting the use of mobile phones, in the interests of protecting learners and improving their engagement in lessons.”
Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
The expert has spoken out amid rising tensions in the Middle East which has triggered fears of a global nuclear war
A recent study has revealed that only two countries would survive a nuclear war. This comes as tensions have intensified in recent days with America and Israel, both nuclear powers, launching missiles at Iran.
Advertisement
Israel has been striking Tehran, the Iranian capital, whilst the Taliban in Afghanistan have launched an attack on nuclear-armed Pakistan. The UAE confirmed yesterday that it continues to intercept missiles directed towards Israel as conflict in the Middle East continues.
This has raised concerns that wars could potentially escalate in the coming weeks. And now a new peer-reviewed study has found that a nuclear war could wipe out approximately five billion people, reports Unilad.
Fireballs could reach temperatures of up to 100 million degrees Celsius whilst a nuclear winter would engulf every corner of the globe, say scientists in the Nature journal. They claim that both Australia and New Zealand would survive, the Express reports.
Armageddon expert Annie Jacobson, author of Nuclear War: A Scenario, used scientific papers and defence experts to predict what would happen should the world’s 12,000 nuclear weapons be launched. On The Diary of a CEO podcast, she stated: “Hundreds of millions of people die in the fireballs, no question.”
Annie explained that regions surviving the initial blasts would also face catastrophic consequences. She said: “Places like Iowa and Ukraine would be just snow for 10 years, and so agriculture would fail. When agriculture fails, people just die.”
The expert believes that roughly three billion people could survive the initial explosions, though their existence would be fundamentally transformed.
She suggests that Australia and New Zealand would largely withstand the nuclear winter and maintain agricultural production.
Advertisement
Annie detailed that the detonation of thousands of modern nuclear warheads would destroy a thin layer of gas protecting us from the sun.
She maintains that alongside ozone layer destruction, there would be significant radiation poisoning risks.
Whilst Australia and New Zealand might survive, she expects residents would be forced to exist in darkness.
She envisages people would be “fighting for food” and “living underground”.
Advertisement
Annie’s predictions come after a series of maps suggested Iranian missiles could devastate numerous countries, including popular tourist destinations.
Reports indicate that the warheads could reach distances of up to 1,240 miles.
This means favourite holiday spots such as Dubai, Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt could fall within striking distance. On Thursday (March 5) the UK government’s first flights left the Middle East to help evacuate British nationals.
The maiden flight departed from Oman on Thursday afternoon. The government is continuously assessing its response to the unfolding situation in the Middle East.
Advertisement
It has been officially announced that the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon will be deployed to the Mediterranean, potentially as early as next week. This move is intended to bolster defences around a British military base at Akrotiri following an attack by an Iranian drone.
Liverpool spent more than £450m last summer to rebuild their team, but this was an evening for the elder statesmen and home-grown talent of the club. Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, with their Premier League titles and Champions League winners’ medals, booked a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals. Curtis Jones, from the club’s academy, also scored.
All three have attracted interest from other clubs, and their position as regular starters was not guaranteed after the signings made before the campaign. Salah turned on Arne Slot and the club after losing his place, Tottenham made a bid for Robertson in January and Jones has been on the wanted list of several clubs.
With none of the summer signings starting, those three shone at Molineux along with 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, also from the academy. Despite a crisis at Anfield in their title defence this season, they are now just one win away from a trip to Wembley.
Advertisement
How Liverpool fans would love another two trips to the national stadium and to win a trophy in such a difficult year. The Cup has not been a route for regular success over the years, this being the third time in the last 11 years they have got this far. Their last quarter-final was when they won the competition in 2022.
This was a huge contrast to the defeat here earlier in the week in terms of the result, although Slot saw the same pattern as the 2-1 loss. “Of course it is the perfect response when you look at the result, but every stat is exactly the same as three days ago,” Slot said. “The execution was better than three days ago.”
Amy Louise Leonard died in October 2025 after sustained recreational use of nitrous oxide as a coping mechanism for her anxiety – her family is now campaigning to raise awareness of the dangers of the drug
23:06, 06 Mar 2026Updated 23:11, 06 Mar 2026
The family of a young woman have been left heartbroken by her death.
Amy Louise Leonard, from Bolton, is remembered as a “bright and bubbly” woman who was building a career as a talented makeup artist. In the weeks before her tragic death at the age of 20, she relied on nitrous oxide as a coping mechanism to help her “feel happier” during periods of anxiety and low moods, Bolton Coroners’ Court heard on Friday.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is legally used in catering and healthcare, including during labour as a form of pain relief. However, the drug is also misused recreationally by inhaling the gas from balloons. Recreational use of nitrous oxide is classified as a Class C drug, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Advertisement
Amy first went to hospital on September 20, 2025, after experiencing 10 days of lower back pain, numbness and tingling in her legs, and bladder incontinence, the court was told.
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
Prior to this, Amy had been using “one large canister of nitrous oxide every day for a period of time”, Detective Inspector Stuart Woodhead, from Greater Manchester Police, told the court.
Advertisement
Doctors initially suspected cauda equina – a medical emergency caused by severe compression of nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord – but later diagnosed Amy with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, a progressive neurological disorder caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
In Amy’s case, her “heavy, sustained, excessive abuse of nitrous oxide” led to a functional deficiency of B12, the court heard.
In the days after her hospital admission, Amy’s condition worsened. Her mobility decreased until she collapsed 10 days later on September 30, suffering two sudden cardiac arrests. Although doctors restarted her heart both times, she sustained severe brain damage and later developed a pulmonary embolism after deep vein thrombosis (DVT). She sadly passed away on October 2.
Consultant neuropathologist Dr Neil Papworth told the court that fatalities from nitrous oxide are “rare and unfortunate”. He said: “Nitrous oxide abuse is thought to be quite widespread. Most people who use nitrous oxide recreationally do not suffer fatal consequences. This is a rare and unfortunate consequence.”
Advertisement
Dr Papworth explained that nitrous oxide is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, inactivating vitamin B12 and causing a functional deficiency, which in Amy’s case led to subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
Also giving evidence at the inquest was Kerry Taylor, a consultant forensic toxicologist, who said that nitrous oxide use has increased and there have been more deaths linked to the drug.
“I have seen an increase in deaths where nitrous oxide has been found at the scene,” Miss Taylor told the court. “We do struggle to look for it in the blood, but there has been an increase, even anecdotally, in incidents where nitrous oxide has been found at the scene.”
Advertisement
Concluding the hearing, Senior Coroner Timothy Brennand told the court that misusing nitrous oxide is “akin to playing a game of chemical Russian Roulette”.
“Drug misuse has killed and taken from a family a bright young woman,” he told the court. “She had so much to live for, she was at the heart of a functioning family.”
He ruled Amy’s death as misadventure, meaning it was an unintended consequence of her nitrous oxide use.
Advertisement
Amy’s family are desperate to raise awareness about the dangers of abusing nitrous oxide. Her brave mother, Katrina Proctor, recently appeared on Good Morning Britain to share her daughter’s story with the hope of preventing other families from experiencing a similar loss.
Amy is remembered by her family as a ‘bubbly and bright’ young woman who worked hard and was always the “life of the party”. Alongside her sister Caitlin, she was a finalist for the Young Business Woman of the Year award, with the final set to take place in three weeks.
The 20-year-old is also remembered for her work in mental health. She and her sister Caitlin created mental health journals called ‘Between the Lines’, designed to support others who might be struggling.
The Russian flag has returned to the global sporting stage, appearing at the Winter Paralympics for the first time in over a decade.
Boos were heard as Russian athletes followed the flag into the Milan Cortina opening ceremony – the first winter games the tricolour has appeared at since 2014 in Sochi.
The four-strong delegation waved to the crowd as they paraded at the ancient Arena di Verona in a ceremony boycotted by some nations because of their presence.
Russia was initially banned from the 2016 Summer Paralympics over a state-sponsored doping scandal, and a further ban followed its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Advertisement
Image: Athletes of Russia in the athletes parade during the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympics. Pic: Reuters/Matteo Ciambelli
With the suspension now overturned, the Winter Paralympics could see the Russian national anthem played for the first time at a major international sporting event since 2022.
Russia’s ally, Belarus, also made a return, with two athletes participating in the parade, having likewise been banned over the 2022 invasion.
There was applause when Ukraine was announced, but no athletes represented the country in the parade after they went ahead with a boycott.
Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Poland and Lithuania also joined their protest.
Advertisement
Image: The flag of Russia and other flags fly in the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium. Pic: AP
Image: The Russian flag in its last appearance at a Paralympic Winter Games opening ceremony in 2014 in Sochi. Pic: Reuters
Iran did not appear after its only competing athlete had to withdraw from the games, having been unable to travel to Italy due to the ongoing conflict with Iran in the Middle East.
With the games taking place in multiple locations across Italy, many athletes were unable to attend, and only 45 of the more than 600 competing represented their nations at the ceremony.
The Milan Cortina games, which mark the 50th anniversary of the Winter Paralympics, will see athletes competing across 79 events in six sports.
Beirut’s southern suburbs have been subjected to waves of airstrikes by the Israeli military, but it has been virtually impossible to document the damage they cause.
The area known as Dahiyeh, which consists of four densely populated districts adjoining the city centre, is simply too dangerous to access.
The sound of Israeli drones and fighter jets are a constant presence in the sky and plumes of smoke rise above this part of the city.
Image: The bomb site we visited was a popular local market, the Hezbollah guide told us
Image: Dahiyeh in Beirut has been targeted by Israeli airstrikes
We decided to make a trip to one of several large intersections that serve as gateways into Dahiyeh and informed representatives of Hezbollah, who effectively control this part of the city, that we planned to make a brief visit.
It presented an opportunity to assess the mood in a place being bombarded from the air – if not an opportunity to document the consequences.
On arrival, however, a local Hezbollah member wearing a full balaclava offered to take us to the nearest bomb site.
Image: Hezbollah militants effectively control this part of Beirut
Two minutes’ filming in the ‘red line’
He jumped on his moped and drove down the so-called ‘red line’, which effectively divides the city from the ‘no-go zone’ declared by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Advertisement
We stopped in front of a vast city block that had been rearranged – and largely destroyed – by Israeli explosives.
“We’ve got two minutes, two minutes to film,” said our local producer as we jumped out of our van and into the dust and the acrid smoke that was blanketing the area.
You can see what we saw and experienced in our video above.
Bombing in Iran continues
Advertisement
Advertisement
Watch: Inside an Israeli wedding amid a war
The IDF says it is targeting “executive council command centres” and “weapons storage depots” in Beirut’s southern suburbs, but Hezbollah told us the bomb site we visited was a popular local market.
With only a few minutes to film, our camera operator, Sam Williams, let his camera roll.
Exit blocked by Hezbollah
Advertisement
But on our return to the busy intersection, we found our pathway had been blocked.
There was another group of Hezbollah members who seemed unaware of our presence and suspicious of our activities.
How Beirut is coming under heavy attack
They placed their motorcycles around our van in case we were minded to flee.
Advertisement
Hezbollah makes the rules in this part of Beirut, and there is a countless number of men who seem ready to enforce them.
As our identities were checked and our journalistic intentions interrogated, there was a loud bang or blast not far from our vehicle.
It was not immediately clear whether it was a missile strike – or some sort of Israeli warning device – but it was a reminder that we were operating at the edge of the warzone.
Advertisement
After a tortuous few minutes, Hezbollah allowed us to leave and our driver steered the vehicle into the intersection. As we edged our way through, the black-clad militiamen pointed their rifles in the air and fired off a few rounds.
