Tuesday morning news: September 24, 2024

Israel-Lebanon » Israeli interceptor missiles launched into the skies over the northern city of Haifa Monday … part of the country’s Iron Dome defense system.

Rockets keep flying into Israel from Lebanon … where the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah is based.

All of this comes after Lebanon's health ministry says Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed more than 300 people Monday.

But Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari says those attacks took out homes that were hiding long-range cruise missiles, rockets and attack drones.

HAGARI: We cannot accept terrorist groups storing weapons inside people's homes, using them to fire at other civilian communities. The international community must condemn Hezbollah's grave violation of international law and actions that endanger civilians on both sides of the border.

And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made his own appeal:

NETANYAHU: I have a message for the people of Lebanon. Israel's war is not with you, it's with Hezbollah. For too long, Hezbollah has been using you as human shields.

Netanyahu urged Lebanese residents to evacuate dangerous areas …

Washington reacts to Israel-Hezbollah » Meantime, the White House says it’s working to tamp down tensions. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre:

PIERRE: The risk of escalation is real.  And so we continue to believe a diplomatic resolution is both achievable and urgent.

Vice President Kamala Harris says she’s personally been working to prevent escalation in the Middle East. But that drew a strong reaction from Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell:

MCCONNELL:  The only way to claim credit for working to quote, prevent an escalation is by pretending like Hezbollah's October 8th attacks or Hamas October 7th massacre weren't actually escalations themselves.

The U.S. is sending additional troops to the Middle East … on top of the 40,000 troops it already has stationed there.

Would-be Trump assassin » The Department of Justice says it plans to pursue attempted assassination charges … against the man accused of trying to kill Donald Trump last week in South Florida. And the DOJ says … he left a note clearly stating his intentions. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin has more.

KRISTEN FLAVIN: Officials say the note was placed in a box … that was dropped at the home of an unidentified person.

Also found inside that box … ammunition, a metal pipe, and other items.

It was left there months earlier, but the recipient reportedly did not open it until after last Sunday's arrest.

The note was addressed, “Dear World,” and was apparently premised on the idea that he would not succeed in assassinating the former president.

The Justice Department says the not plainly stated, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you. I tried my best … It is up to you now to finish the job.”

The 58-year-old suspect faced a judge in the case for the first time on Monday. He already faces federal weapons charges. The state of Florida will likely charge him with multiple felonies as well.

For WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

Zelesnkyy/Blinken hosts Ukraine meeting » Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address the UN General Assembly today in New York. He’s expected to outline Ukraine’s plan to end the war — and Russia’s invasion. The plan includes specific military, political, diplomatic, and economic steps.

Zelenskyy arrived early in the United States … paying a visit to a munitions manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania. He spoke to roughly 400 workers there … who are hard at work, turning out ammunition for Ukraine’s military.

ZELENSKYY: I wanted very much to come here and to thank you.  400 people saved millions of Ukrainians because of the result of your work. I'm very thankful just from ordinary Ukrainians to you.

He’s also set to meet with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris later this week.

Prisoners sent to Ukraine now committing crimes in Russia » A human rights expert says many Russian prisoners who agreed to fight for Moscow in Ukraine in return for their freedom … committed crimes against civilians in Ukraine … and now they’re doing the same back home in Russia.

United Nations analyst Mariana Katzarova:

KATZAROVA:  Many of them who return and this is an emerging trend have been, um, perpetrating new violent crimes to begin to begin with against women, against girls, against children, uh, including sexual violence and killings.

Katzrova says domestic violence and violence against women generally was already at very high levels in Russia.

Biden meets UAE president » President Biden is in the middle of a busy stretch of meetings with international allies … with many already in the country for the UN General Assembly.

On Monday, he hosted the president of the United Arab Emirates.

BIDEN: Mr. President, uh, I want you to know that I remain committed to the UAE’s security …

Biden heard there hosting President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the White House.

He has more meetings scheduled at the White House, including that sitdown with Volodymyr Zelenskky.

Over the weekend, he hosted the leaders of India, Japan, and Australia at his home in Delaware.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Counseling in Kentucky. Plus, a Texas family's library legacy.

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