What's Happening

International

Israel Assassinated Hezbollah's Leader…Now What?

What's going on: The assassinations of senior Hezbollah commanders, including the militant group's leader Hassan Nasrallah, have escalated tensions in the Middle East and sparked fears of a possible ground invasion. Israel killed Nasrallah in an airstrike on Friday, making him the seventh Hezbollah leader targeted in just over 12 days. In the past two weeks, Israel has intensified its operations, including targeted assassinations. Israeli strikes — and the detonation of Hezbollah’s pagers and walkie-talkies — have been aimed at key leaders, in an attempt to weaken the group. At least 1,000 people have been killed and thousands wounded by Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Hezbollah's command is also “nearly decimated,” according to a White House spokesperson. The big questions now are whether the Iranian-backed militant group can recover from the losses and whether Iran will be forced to get more involved.

Tell me more: Hezbollah is one of Iran's most valued militant groups in its “Axis of Resistance,” which is made up of Iranian-backed groups aligned against Israeli and American influence in the Middle East. So far, Iran has restrained itself from engaging directly with Israel. These latest attacks on Hezbollah leaders are equally a setback to the militant group as they are to the Iranian government, which might now urge proxy groups to ramp up their attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region. While the Iranian embassy in Lebanon stated that the strikes have changed “the rules of the game,” many experts believe Iran is cautious and will avoid direct military retaliation, which would likely draw the US into the conflict. Israel’s strike on Nasrallah also raises questions about communication between Tel Aviv and Washington. US officials said they were not given advance notice of Israel’s plans. Still, the US characterized Nasrallah's death as “justice” for heading a terrorist organization that killed hundreds of Americans.

Related: Israeli PM Netanyahu Steers Middle East Strategy, Minimizing Biden’s Impact (NBC)

US News

Hurricane Helene Devastates the South, Leaving 90 Dead, Hundreds Missing, Thousands Without Power or Water

What's going on: Hurricane Helene left behind "biblical devastation" in the South, killing more than 90 people, leaving hundreds missing, and causing thousands struggling without basic necessities like water, food, gasoline, and cell service. The hurricane made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm on Thursday evening, causing flooding and devastation as it moved through the South and Appalachia over the weekend. It quickly moved along the Florida coast, through Georgia and into Tennessee, swallowing entire communities in its wake. The storm left four million people without power in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia. The hurricane was particularly devastating for North Carolina's mountain regions, as the area experienced unprecedented flash flooding and mudslides. At least 37 people died in the area, as bridges collapsed, roads were demolished, power lines went down, and water treatment facilities were damaged. Almost half a million people still didn’t have power there as of Sunday night, with over a thousand taking refuge in shelters. At one point, helicopters were swooping in to drop food to folks… where they could. 

What it means: Hurricane Helene is being described as one of the most extensive and devastating storms on record in the Southeast. In the coming days, officials will begin to understand the full extent of the storm's damage, which could have lasting physical and psychological effects. This storm shows how the brutality of hurricanes — and the extent of the damage they cause — is getting worse, in part, thanks to climate change and because the federal and state governments aren’t as prepared as they could be. It also is one more example of how many climate-influenced storms involve “rapid intensification.” These swiftly evolving storms complicate forecasting and crisis response for governments, leaving communities with little time to prepare for their devastating impacts.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Hurricane Insurance (USA Today)

Sports

WNBA's Historic Season Brings Bigger Spotlight, New Fans — And Racist Comments

What's going on: Following the WNBA's thrilling regular season (with record-breaking viewership, viral pre-game looks, and arguably one of the most exciting rookie classes), viewers are eagerly tuned in for the playoffs. However, off the court, racist and homophobic attacks against the players are in the spotlight. WNBA players have said the hate has reached new levels this season. After the Connecticut Sun knocked Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever out of the playoffs last week, Sun player DiJonai Carrington faced backlash. Carrington said she received messages filled with racial slurs and hateful threats following an accidental collision with Clark on the court. Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese, who is often pitted against fellow star rookie Clark, has received similar online hate. Clark has condemned fans using her name to spew hate. And she had words for those who continue to do so: “Those aren’t fans. Those are trolls.”

What it means: The WNBA is experiencing explosive growth in part due to players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Many new fans are ready to embrace and support all players in the league — where the majority of the players are Black and many identify as LGBTQIA+. But at games and online, not everyone has been supportive. The WNBA has previously faced criticism for not directly addressing the racism and abuse its athletes endure, raising questions about its responsibility to protect and support all players. The WNBA released a statement last week saying it “will not tolerate” this behavior and will “work directly with teams and arenas to take appropriate measures.” Other sports organizations have attempted to curb fans’ racist behavior with varying degrees of success; for instance, FIFA implemented stricter disciplinary responses for fans who engage in hate, though those measures haven't always been effective.

Related: “We Have a Scar as a Team”: The New York Liberty Looking to Dethrone the Las Vegas Aces (ESPN)