PBS News Hour - World

President Trump is traveling halfway around the world for a state visit to China, and he's bringing a host of top American executives with him. Talks there are expected to encompass the complex economic and security postures of both nations. Nick Schifrin reports from Beijing. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As Russia prepares for a large-scale spring offensive, a city near the frontline is preparing for the worst. Control of Izyum is vital for Ukraine as the link between Kharkiv and Donetsk. Izyum was occupied by Russian forces for six months in 2022. Ukrainian forces liberated it and exposed Russian war crimes. Now, that threat of occupation is real. Producer Amanda Bailly and Nick Schifrin report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The United States and Iran are at an impasse once again in the talks to end more than two months of war. President Trump said the ceasefire is on "life support" after Tehran's latest offer didn't include nuclear concessions. The administration announced new sanctions and Trump said he would meet with his top military commanders to discuss next steps. White House correspondent Liz Landers reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For perspective on the state of the conflict with Iran and the latest peace proposals, Amna Nawaz spoke with Robert Kagan, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a contributing writer for The Atlantic. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As the world waits to hear if there will be diplomatic progress between the U.S. and Iran, on Friday U.S. fighter jets fired on Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as part of the ongoing U.S. blockade. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Rubio continued his visit to Rome, where he urged Europe to do more to reopen the strait. Nick Schifrin reports on the day's developments. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

American counterterrorism officials are meeting Friday with officials from other allied nations to coordinate efforts against what the U.S. calls "deadly threats from terror groups and non-state actors." But the recently released U.S. strategy to fight terrorism contains some unusual targets. William Brangham speaks with Colin Clarke, executive director of The Soufan Center, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The U.S. and Iran have exchanged fire in the Strait of Hormuz, with the top Iranian military command accusing Americans of violating the now-month-old ceasefire, while the U.S. says the truce remains in effect. Nick Schifrin joins Amna Nawaz with the latest developments. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Secretary of State Rubio on Thursday tried to smooth over another conflict sparked by the Iran war, this one with the pope. A meeting between Rubio and Pope Leo came after Trump repeatedly accused the pontiff of wanting Iran to have a nuclear weapon. Stephanie Sy reports on the meeting, and Amna Nawaz speaks with Miguel Diaz, former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, for more analysis. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Thursday, lawmakers in Tennessee passed a new congressional map favoring Republicans, the man accused of a firebomb attack on a pro-Israel rally in Colorado was sentenced to life in prison, health authorities are tracking passengers who left the cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak, and at least 17 people were injured by powerful overnight storms in Mississippi. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In the Atlantic, Spain's Canary Islands are destinations for thousands of migrants seeking asylum in Europe. It's a dangerous, desperate journey — many have died trying to reach European shores. Fellows from the University of British Columbia's Global Reporting Program visited the island and worked with special correspondent Malcolm Brabant on this report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Strait of Hormuz closure is not only driving up prices at the pump in the U.S., it's also driving up the cost of delivering humanitarian aid around the world. That is particularly acute for Somalia, which is facing one of the most complex hunger crises in recent years. Nick Schifrin speaks with the World Food Program's Matthew Hollingworth for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump told PBS News Hour Wednesday there's a "very good chance" the U.S. and Iran are nearing a deal to end the war. The deal on the table would be a negotiated memorandum of understanding that would limit Iran's nuclear program and open the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has kept a chokehold since the beginning of the war and where U.S. warships continue a blockade. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

With the U.S and Iran considering a potential deal to end the war we turn to two or our experts. Alan Eyre of the Middle East Institute was a senior member of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the previous Iran nuclear deal. Miad Maleki was born in Iran and is a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. They join Aman Nawaz for additional perspective. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is now four weeks old. For the people of Iran who've endured decades of repression, economic privation and now a devastating air war, the ceasefire has brought a reprieve. But the threats and counter threats between the U.S. and Iran persist, as does the specter of renewed conflict. Reza Sayah reports from Tehran, a city on edge. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Top U.S. officials said Tuesday that the ceasefire with Iran has not ended, despite exchanges of fire in the Strait of Hormuz. Both Rubio and Hegseth said the U.S. was in a new phase of operations designed to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels stuck in the Persian Gulf. But so far, very few ships appear to want to run the Iranian gauntlet in the strait. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Tomorrow marks four weeks since the day known as "Black Wednesday" in Lebanon. The Israeli military, claiming to be targeting Hezbollah militants, unleashed an unprecedented aerial campaign on April 8 that killed more than 350 people in a matter of minutes. Special correspondent Simon Foltyn reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Douglas Stuart won the coveted Booker Prize in 2020 for his debut novel, "Shuggie Bain," about a boy in 1980s working-class Glasgow caring for his mother as she struggled with alcoholism. Geoff Bennett spoke to Stuart about his latest book, "John of John," which follows a young man as he returns to his home in the islands off the coast of Scotland. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The tenuous truce between the U.S. and Iran was tested Monday, as American ships clearing a lane in the Strait of Hormuz came under fire and sank Iranian boats. Iran also fired drones and missiles at a key oil terminal in the United Arab Emirates, spooking markets and raising concerns that war could resume. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The U.S. military remains poised to resume the war as tensions rose on Monday with President Trump threatening that if Iran fires on U.S. vessels, "they will be blown off the face of the earth." Ian Ralby, president of Auxilium Worldwide, and Ret. Admiral Andrew Loiselle, who has extensive experience in the Navy and operating ships and aircraft in the Middle East, join Nick Schifrin for perspective. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel, and the war in Gaza that followed, have left countless families grappling with profound loss. Two men, one Israeli, the other Palestinian, tell the story of their unexpected journey toward understanding and reconciliation in a new book, "The Future is Peace." Ali Rogin speaks with them to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

It has been 60 days since the Iran war began, which means Friday is a legal deadline for the Trump administration to seek congressional authorization. But the White House informed Congress that it didn't need approval because the war had been "terminated" during the current ceasefire. Nick Schifrin joins Amna Nawaz with the latest developments. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Friday, Trump says he's raising tariffs next week on cars and trucks from the EU, the Pentagon says it has made deals with seven major tech companies to use their AI tools, a former Miami congressman with ties to Rubio was convicted of secretly lobbying for Venezuela, and events have been taking place around the world to mark May Day, also known as International Workers' Day. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

On Thursday, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East briefed Trump on potential military options and the ongoing blockade of the Persian Gulf while talks to end the war with Iran remain at a standstill. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Hegseth faced more grilling from lawmakers as the price of oil surges and a key deadline for congressional wartime authorization approaches. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Despite Trump's repeated threats to withdraw the United States from NATO, Germany's top military officer claims relations with American military leaders are as strong as ever, but he also says that the threat from Russia means Germany's push to strengthen its own armed forces is a race against time. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy