Flashpoint Global Crises - Voice of America

Israeli forces launch a strike on Beirut, killing a top Hezbollah official; and disturbing video from the West Bank of an Israeli soldier pushing dead bodies off a rooftop. Russia is looking to the global south to find soldiers for its war in Ukraine. A frank discussion with a top general about America’s military footprint in Africa, Sri Lanka’s elections and a preview of the UN General Assembly.

Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah are heading to a boiling point after this week’s exploding device attacks in Lebanon. We’ll hear from a national security expert on the covert nature of this operation and the Japanese tech company whose labels were on some of the devices is investigating. The EU says it will use frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine’s devastated energy infrastructure ahead of another winter of war. A look at Iranian efforts to undermine the American election, and voters in Kashmir are going to the polls as well. Plus, a promising South African study that could mark a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug-resistant TB.

Growing concerns of a regional conflict as the Middle East reels from an attack Tuesday when thousands of pagers exploded simultaneously across Lebanon and parts of Syria. What we know and don’t know about the planning of what appeared to be a sophisticated, remote operation. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Egypt says the U.S. was unaware of the pager attack. Ukrainian drone strikes hit a major weapons arsenal warehouse in Russia. The U.S. says massive wildfires and flooding across Europe Massive wildfires and flooding in Europe are proof of “climate breakdown.” And what human rights investigators are revealing in the aftermath of Venezuela’s disputed election.

With the U.S. presidential election less than two months away, an apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump is raising concerns of more political violence. Amid the tensions, American foreign adversaries are stepping up influence campaigns to impact the outcome. Israel says it is considering a wider military operation in Lebanon aimed at halting Hezbollah attacks, despite calls to prioritize a cease fire and hostage release deal. Millions of hectares of Brazil’s forest and land destroyed by wildfires this year could have further global warming implications.

Donald Trump is safe, and a suspect is in custody after Secret Service shoots at a man with a gun near the former president at a golf course. Houthis fire missile into central Israel, Netanyahu vows retaliation. Ukraine attacks Belgorod in western Russia. And in eastern Russia, joint Chinese-Russian naval drills. An interview with former national security advisor John Bloton about the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, and a look at air quality in Kenya plus labor unrest in Europe and Asia.

British Prime Minister Kier Starmer visits the White House where he and President Biden are expected to announce that they will allow Ukraine to use Western-provided weapons for long-range attacks into Russian territory. Israel is defending its strike on a U.N. school turned shelter in central Gaza and says that the six U.N. aid workers among the 18 killed were members of Hamas. North Korea shows off new centrifuges, raising questions about its nuclear capabilities and ambitions. A vaccine for Mpox passes a critical hurdle and a look at Chinese propaganda.

Russian attacks and air raid warnings in Ukraine Wednesday as top U.S. and British officials met with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv. We get insights into what U.S. foreign policy would look like with either of the candidates in the White House. Residents in Southeast Asia are still reeling from Typhoon Yagi. And how health officials in Africa are working with American biotech companies to prevent the spread of deadly diseases around the world.

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced each other for the first time Tuesday night in a combative debate as the two presidential candidates clashed over issues including immigration, foreign policy and abortion. Moments after the debate, Taylor Swift told her 283 million Instagram followers that she will be voting for Vice President Harris in the Nov. 5 election. We’ll talk to a political analyst for perspective on whether the debate or the endorsement could change the equation. Americans are commemorating remembering the lives lost on September 11, 2001, when al-Qaida operatives hijacked planes killing nearly 3,000 people. And dangerous zoo animals are washing up in a northeastern Nigerian community.

Dozens killed or injured in an Israeli missile strike on a crowded tent camp with displaced Palestinians who had fled from fighting elsewhere in the country. The Israeli military said the strike on a Hamas command center. And what an Israeli expert who just met with hostage families on their anguish over efforts to bring them home. And Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will come face to face to square off in their first presidential debate. The U.S. calls on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro needs to release data from July's disputed election to address global concerns about its validity.

The United States hints of a new peace proposal in the coming days as U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk called on countries to make ending the war in Gaza a priority. An Israeli apartment building is damaged in a rocket attack. Ukrainians are looking nervously towards the U.S. election in November and Russian mercenaries are leaving Burkina Faso. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to England. Storms wreak havoc in Asia, causing a bridge to collapse in Vietnam and wildfires burn in California.