PBS News Hour - World

In our news wrap Wednesday, the Federal Reserve's Inspector General found no criminal activity by former Chair Jerome Powell related to the renovation of the central bank's headquarters, Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon will cut the number of its generals and admirals by roughly 20% and Ukraine officials say Russian strikes killed at least seven people, including a child. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

U.S. forces formally withdrew from Iraq today, marking the end of a long and turbulent military presence. The withdrawal brought celebrations in the capital -- but also concern about what comes next. For insight and analysis, Geoff Bennett spoke with James Jeffrey and Feisal Istrabadi. Jeffrey was ambassador to Iraq under President Obama, and Estrabadi served as Iraq's ambassador to the UN. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In 2024, Wall Street Journal correspondent Evan Gershkovich was freed from detention in Russia, as part of a complex prisoner swap that included 16 people from seven countries. Gershkovich sat down with Amna Nawaz to discuss his arrest, his time in prison and his new book, "This Cursed Beautiful Land." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Estonia formally accused Russia of an arson attack on a robotics company this past August that it said was part of a wave of Russian sabotage across Europe. In Poland, leaders are warning that Russia is planning a major attack to test NATO. Malcolm Brabant reports from Poland's border with Russia's Baltic enclave, Kaliningrad. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Top tech executives met with President Trump on Tuesday to discuss the future of artificial intelligence amid growing concerns over AI models losing control. Researchers and lawmakers are calling for stronger safeguards, but Trump said the technology is transforming the economy and that the U.S. cannot afford to lose its lead over China. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Gary Marcus. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Tuesday, the Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to continue deporting migrants to countries other than their own for now, federal prosecutors charged a Venezuelan delivery driver who was shot by an ICE officer with assaulting a federal officer and Dutch police arrested a suspected member of the ShinyHunters group that claims it hacked the FBI's jobs database. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The United Nations recently announced a new executive director for the World Food Programme. Luke Lindberg was a Trump administration Agriculture Department official and inherits one of the UN's toughest jobs. Hundreds of millions around the world go hungry every day, and reaching as many as possible is a monumental task. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Carl Skau, the acting director of the WFP. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Trump administration is rolling back federal fuel economy standards for new vehicles. The move reverses policies meant to increase fuel efficiency to encourage greater use of electric vehicles. The boost for gasoline-powered vehicles comes as the war in Iran continues to drive up oil prices. Amna Nawaz discussed the changes with David Shepardson of Reuters. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Cleanup efforts are underway after a powerful nor'easter battered parts of the East Coast, bringing dangerous waves, flooding and damaging winds from New England to New Jersey. The storm also knocked out power for many. Jeffrey Brown reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Monday, UK police are investigating five British nationals in connection with a possible plot at an American airbase, prosecutors in New York say they are reopening a criminal investigation into an alleged sexual assault at a Cornell University fraternity in 2024 and officials in Ukraine say at least seven people were killed and more than 80 were wounded in Russian strikes. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Key European leaders are sounding the alarm over Russian aggression, warning that Vladimir Putin is planning attacks aimed at testing NATO's security alliance. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses those concerns with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and two former U.S. ambassadors to NATO, Julianne Smith and Kurt Volker. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Friday, Chinese President Xi wrapped up a three-day state visit with President Trump that was heavy on pageantry and light on policy announcements, tens of millions of people along the East Coast could see flooding, rough surf and high winds due to a powerful nor'easter and New Jersey's lieutenant governor stepped down amid accusations of sexual harassment and ethics violations. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump struck the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement in his first term, but threw out that trade agreement after retaking office last year. He imposed steep tariffs on both neighbors and even started a trade war with Canada. To discuss trade talks between the countries, Amna Nawaz spoke with Mexico's foreign secretary, Roberto Velasco Álvarez. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This week marks two years that Iranian American journalist Reza Valizadeh has been detained in Iran. For a decade, he worked for Radio Farda — an independent, but U.S.-funded Farsi-language news service. During a trip to Iran to visit family, Valizadeh was arrested and sentenced to ten years in prison for "collaborating with a hostile government." Amna Nawaz spoke with his attorney, Ryan Fayhee. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Ahmad Joudeh is a ballet dancer of unusual grace and grit. He was born stateless in a Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus, Syria. He has traveled far on the power of his dreams and the elegance of his dance. He survived a traumatic childhood, much of Syria's civil war and constant threats of execution by ISIS. We met Joudeh in his new home in San Diego. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a fiery speech at the U.N. General Assembly and dismissed allegations of genocide in Gaza, eight people were killed in the latest barrage of Russian drones and missiles in Ukraine and Texas election officials are scrambling to clear a backlog of voter registration applications caused by an error at the state level. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As prediction markets continue to expand, they are drawing attention in Washington and states across the country. Companies like Kalshi and Polymarket allow people to trade contracts tied to the outcomes of real-world events, including elections. Liz Landers discussed the growing calls for more regulation with Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The president of Iran told the United Nations General Assembly his country won't bend to U.S. intimidation. Masoud Pezeshkian spoke one day after President Trump threatened to escalate the war from the same stage. On the sidelines, U.S. and Iranian officials signaled no breakthroughs in mediated talks. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington Wednesday evening for his first state visit in more than a decade. At the same time, a federal judge heard arguments in a lawsuit brought by CNN, MS NOW and Politico challenging President Trump's ban on the outlets from the White House. Liz Landers reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Wednesday, the FBI says it's investigating a claim by a criminal hacking group that it stole "very sensitive data" from the bureau's job website, Hurricane Polo off Mexico's western coast has strengthened into one of the most powerful storms in decades and a federal court temporarily blocked the deportation of a Venezuelan delivery driver who was shot by an ICE agent in Austin. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Moldova is an Eastern European nation of almost three million people nestled between NATO member Romania and Ukraine. It has become a stage for Russian interference and drone incursions. Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan spoke with Nick Schifrin about Russia's attempts to sway the former Soviet republic back into its orbit, and the government's current efforts to move closer to the West. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump took his "America First" foreign policy to the world stage, using his address to the UN General Assembly to defend the war with Iran and issue a stark warning to Iran's leadership. Trump said a deal could come after the midterm elections and that the alternative was to "annihilate the Islamic Republic." Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Tuesday, a grand jury declined to bring charges in the death of Nolan Wells, a coroner found that actress Hayden Panettiere died from an accidental overdose of several drugs, including fentanyl and Republican Sen. John Curtis is calling for the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate Donald Trump Jr. after news that a Russian businessman partially bankrolled his wedding party. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A day after Paramount Skydance and a group of state attorneys general announced a settlement clearing the way for its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, questions remain about whether the deal does enough to protect consumers and competition. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Oliver Darcy of Status. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy