Greece is on fire. About half of the country is on red alert, after dozens of fires broke out — including several close to the capital, Athens. A prolonged drought and soaring summer temperatures are making it hard for authorities to contain the blazes. Also, Russian leader Vladimir Putin is threatening to restart production of intermediate range nuclear weapons. This is in response to plans by the US to position long-range missiles in Germany. And, we have a wrap-up on the Olympics in Paris, where the closing ceremony and final events took place on Sunday.

Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

Russian strikes in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region have killed around a dozen people and injured 37 others. It comes as Ukraine's incursion into Russian territory continues into its fourth day. Also, Japan Meteorological Agency has issued its first-ever advisory warning of the risk of a huge earthquake along the Pacific coast to help focus people on earthquake readiness. And, with tensions high across the Middle East, we talk to people in Israel, Lebanon and Iran as they face the possibility of a full-blown war. Plus, dark skies are getting harder to find, but some places, like in Denmark, are are now trying to protect their dark nighttime skies by fighting light pollution.

Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

Authorities in Austria have canceled a series of Taylor Swift shows after learning of an alleged ISIS plot to attack the music venues along her much-hyped Eras Tour. Also, after preparing themselves for an evening of violent far-right protests, police in the UK encountered peaceful anti-racism rallies overnight. And, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government. Plus, thousands of bagpipe enthusiasts have gathered for the annual bagpipe festival in a village in Bulgaria.

Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

Hamas has a new leader, Yahya Sinwar, who is said to be one of the main planners of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Also, US Ambassador Rahm Emmanuel will skip the ceremony in Japan this week that remembers the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, because of a decision by Tokyo to exclude Israel. And, China agrees to crack down on some precursor chemicals used by cartels to make fentanyl. Plus, young musicians from South America, Africa, Europe and the Middle East convene at New York City's Carnegie Hall for World Orchestra Week.

Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

In Bangladesh, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed as the head of the country's interim government after the army  stepped in following anti-government protests that pushed a long-serving prime minister out of power. Also, public health officials warn that some diseases are seeing concerning spikes in Gaza. And, a federal judge in the US has ruled that Google has a monopoly on the internet search. Plus, what is the relatively new Olympic event, sport climbing?

Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule came to an end today after weeks of violent clashes with protesters left more than 300 people dead. Jubilant scenes emerged from the capital, Dhaka, after Hasina resigned and fled the country. Also, it's been five years since India revoked the special status of Kashmir. And, nearly 400 people were arrested in about a dozen cities across the UK over the weekend, after the murder of three young children sparked anti-immigrant riots. Plus, a look at the largest drumming orchestra in the Americas as hundreds of drummers play together in downtown Florianopolis, Brazil.

Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

A UNICEF official talks about what humanitarian aid workers are doing in Gaza to help Palestinian civilians. Also, Vladimir Putin met released Russian prisoners on a red carpet at the airport on Thursday. We'll hear about Moscow's view of the historic prisoner exchange. And Thailand’s wildlife is fantastically diverse. Its elephants, primates and wild tigers are a source of national pride. But one native species that is not loved is the water monitor. It's a dog-sized creature with snakelike fangs and is widely despised by Thais. But one group of young people wants to convince society to start loving this four-legged creature. Also, our reporters serve up samples of the food and drink people enjoy across the globe, when weather heats up. 

Fariba Nawa is threatened. She steers her reporting to focus on impunity. The investigation into Iran's hunt for dissidents goes to the United Nations, inside a Turkish parliamentary hearing, and to the US State Department to find out if anyone will intervene.

American citizens have been freed from Russia on Thursday in a prisoner exchange, including the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Also, nearly 23 years after the attacks of Sept. 11, the man accused of planning those attacks — along with two accomplices — agreed to plead guilty. Plus, as the incumbent president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, faces accusations of election fraud, the legacy of a former president, Hugo Chávez, looms large over the country, even though he died more than a decade ago. 

The Israeli army claimed responsibility for a missile strike that killed a Hezbollah commander in his Beirut apartment. At least three people were killed in that strike and some 70 wounded. Hours later, Hamas' leader-in-exile Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed as they slept in Tehran. Following the assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah figures, there are fears about a wider conflict engulfing the Middle East. Also, some Brazilians along the southern coast of the country are celebrating the "day of the right whale." This is an endangered species of whale that has made a comeback in the region due to conservation efforts by the Brazilian government. And, efforts to make the Seine "swimmable" for this year’s Olympics draw on lessons from successful restoration projects in other parts of the world.