Flashpoint Global Crises - Voice of America

Israel said it struck Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday, a massive explosion was seen in the city. Joe Biden makes a quick trip to Germany and the race between Trump and Harris for President is getting nasty: will that help either candidate? There’s an election in Moldova, Ukraine’s neighbor to the west where Russian influence is one of the biggest issues in the race. Plus, Italy’s controversial plan to curb illegal migration has begun.

As the one-year anniversary of the October 7th incursion into Israel by Hamas approaches, the region is closer to all-out war. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led Friday prayers in Tehran as tensions with Israel and the West rise. A look inside Gaza at the daily routines of people whose communities have been destroyed, also a look at health care in Sudan in the midst of a brutal civil war where hospitals have become targets. More Russian attacks in Kyiv as President Zelenskyy asks Joe Biden for the same help shooting down Iranian drones that he is giving to Israel, and there’s an election in Tunisia

Israel’s military announced Thursday that it killed 15 Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon and carried out airstrikes on Beirut. Ricki Rosen in Tel Aviv has updates on the clashes. On Wednesday afternoon, Israel and Iran exchanged threats of retaliation if attacked, as the United Nations Security Council convened amid growing fears of a broader conflict. Ukrainian officials report a Russian-guided bomb hit a five-story apartment building in Kharkiv as part of a wider assault on 15 Ukrainian regions. Anna Chernikova is in Kyiv with more details. In Africa, Nigeria has launched a nationwide blood donation campaign in response to a severe shortage.

Israel says Iran “will pay” after hundreds of missiles are launched towards Israel on Tuesday. The US military maintains its defensive posture in the region while adding additional troops and Iran’s Supreme Leader says that “removing” Israel is the only way for the hostility to stop. JD Vance and Tim Walz faced off in a rather uneventful vice-presidential debate in New York and Samantha Power, the head of USAID, is in Kyiv. Plus, a look at the plight of displaced people in Sudan.

Iran launches a missile attack towards Israel. The new NATO chief voices strong support for Ukraine and says it has the right to defend itself, even beyond its borders. More than 20 people have been killed when a bus carrying young students, and their teachers caught fire in suburban Bangkok on Tuesday. The U.S. vice presidential candidate face off Tuesday night in their only debate before the November election. And celebrating his 100th birthday Tuesday, Jimmy Carter becomes the first American president to have lived a full century.

Israel increases its attacks in Lebanon as it targets Hezbollah militants and leadership. The US is set to increase its presence in the region. Russia attacked Ukraine, including Kyiv, with drones and Ukraine struck a Russian weapons depot. The right-wing is ascendent in Austria as Jens Stoltenberg says ‘farewell.’ A look at Chinese investment in the US and its impact on American politics and aid groups are blocked from entering war ravaged Sudan as millions on the brink of starvation are eating leaves to survive. Hurricane Helene leaves devastation in the US southeast, and it’s the end of the road for coal in England.

The United Nations General Assembly continues on Friday with an address by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this follows Thursday’s speech my Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations continue on the conference's sidelines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is still in the US, he meets with presidential candidate Donald Trump on Friday, he met with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on Thursday, all as Russian shelling continues. And the mayor New York, the US’s most populous city, is under federal indictment.

Israel rejects proposals for a ceasefire with Hezbollah, defying allies including the United States which called for an immediate end to the fighting. President Biden and Vice President Harris will meet with Ukraine’s president as the White House announces billions more in military aid for Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s continued invasion. And Florida braces for a potentially catastrophic hurricane.

A look at the ongoing UNGA in New York, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy makes his case to the Security Council as Russia’s attacks continue. Israel and Hezbollah continue to push each other closer to the brink of war, but where does Hezbollah’s support come from? Sri Lanka’s first female Prime Minister in 24 years is sworn in. And Prince Harry in New York for the annual Climate Week.

Israel's military said it launched airstrikes against Hezbollah sites in Lebanon on Monday, which Lebanese authorities said had killed nearly 500 people, and sent tens of thousands fleeing for safety. Joe Biden makes his final address to the UNGA on Tuesday morning and Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke on Monday. Plus, journalism students navigate Taliban media suppression in Afghanistan.