PBS News Hour - World

Behind closed diplomatic doors, some of the U.S.'s closest allies view Donald Trump's America as an "unreliable boyfriend", a "security threat," and open to corruption. A Canadian official warns that the world's disappointment with the U.S. will have long-lasting consequences. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses more with Chrystia Freeland, the former deputy prime minister of Canada. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Friday, the White House says Melania Trump brokered a localized ceasefire deal in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, Romania's president blamed Russia for a drone strike that sank a cargo ship in the Black Sea and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the army there to prepare for a full closure of the occupied West Bank. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This weekend, voters in Brazil head to the polls in a high-stakes presidential runoff that could reshape that country's political future. Will Brazil join a rightward shift across parts of the Americas, or stick with its left-wing leadership? Voting is compulsory for most adults, and the race has deepened political divisions across the country. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Ukrainians are desperate for more defense systems to repel Russia's relentless onslaught of drones and ballistic missiles. For the missiles, no system is more valuable than the U.S. Patriot interceptor. But years of use in Ukraine and by the U.S. and allies in the war with Iran have depleted thin stocks. Special correspondent Mike Cerre has an exclusive look at the Patriot manufacturing process. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Russia freed an American imprisoned for the last four years. Stephen Hubbard was captured in Eastern Ukraine and convicted of fighting against Russia. The 74-year-old retired teacher was reportedly freed without a swap. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff greeted Hubbard in St. Petersburg. He also met with the Russian president and praised Putin in unusually glowing terms. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

According to reports, Elon Musk ordered the slowdown of Ukraine's Starshield defense systems. Nick Schifrin reports, and Amna Nawaz discusses how the world's richest man gained such power over U.S. security interests with Charles Galbreath, a retired Air Force colonel who focused on space operations during his 30-year military career and is now at the Air Force Association's Mitchell Institute. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and European officials in Norway in a bid to avoid a further diplomatic rupture with President Trump. Over the past week, Trump has criticized Zelenskyy over Ukraine's efforts to inflict heavy losses on Russia. The meeting was aimed at easing tensions ahead of Witkoff's meeting with Vladimir Putin in Russia. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

To discuss the tensions between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Geoff Bennett spoke with David Kramer. He held a number of senior positions at the State Department during the George W. Bush administration. He's now the executive director of the George W. Bush Institute in Dallas, Texas. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Tuesday, British authorities say they're sending air support to Saudi Arabia to protect against missiles and drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, Vice President Vance says he's not endorsing Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israeli elections and voters in Alberta overwhelmingly rejected a referendum that would have put the province on a path toward independence. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. But many of its people are slowly turning against the one million Ukrainian refugees given sanctuary over the past four years. Divisions between Poles and Ukrainians are being exacerbated by bitter cultural memory of a World War II massacre. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

You may not know the name Sasha Alex Sloan, but chances are you've heard her work. She's become one of music's most sought-after songwriters, writing across pop, country, K-pop, and R&B. As Sloan prepares to release her new album of her own, she joined Geoff Bennett to talk about the craft of songwriting and to perform one of her own songs. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The war of words between President Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy reached another fever pitch on Monday. Trump again excoriated the embattled Ukrainian leader, putting more pressure on Zelenskyy than on the man in Moscow who started this war, Vladimir Putin. The president's comments come after the U.S. has limited a key technology that Ukraine relies on. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

As Ukraine and Russia trade attacks, President Trump has exempted Russia from sanctions, widening his rift with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. To discuss the latest developments, Geoff Bennett spoke with Denys Sienik, Ukraine's Deputy Ambassador to the U.S. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Curfews are in effect in parts of Paris and other French cities as authorities try to restore order following widespread rioting this weekend. Government officials have acknowledged "failures" in their handling of the unrest and say an investigation is underway to track down those responsible. Special correspondent Ross Cullen reports from Paris. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Unsolved mystery or cover-up? What started out as reports of sonic attacks on American diplomats evolved into a phenomenon affecting at least 1,500 people across six continents. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses more with Michael Rey and Oriana Zill de Granados, authors of "The Havana Syndrome: Secret Weapons, a Government Cover-Up, and the Greatest Spy Mystery of Our Time." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The tense alliance between Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and President Trump is nearing a new low point. After days of bitter back-and-forth between the two leaders, Ukraine has resumed strikes on Russian energy targets. Trump had demanded an "energy ceasefire" this past Sunday between the two. Russia never stopped its attacks. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For perspective on the tensions between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, Amna Nawaz spoke with former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor. He's now a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Wednesday, Iran says a cargo ship sank after hitting a mine in the Strait of Hormuz, the Vatican says Pope Leo is eating and walking again following surgery to remove a cancerous portion of his lung, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a privacy case rooted in the era of VHS tapes and Netflix is cutting about 6% of its global workforce. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A key component of Ukraine's communications network was partially disabled on Wednesday. The Starshield satellite network, funded by the Pentagon and operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, was not operating at full capacity, hampering communications within the Ukrainian military. Liz Landers reports and Amna Nawaz discusses the developments with retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The threat of a widening war on the Arabian Peninsula is accelerating. Houthi rebels in Yemen are again targeting Saudi infrastructure and military sites, escalating a conflict which may yet draw in other regional powers. The Saudi-led coalition launched new airstrikes on oil facilities across Houthi-controlled Yemen in response to deadly airport attacks in Riyadh. Ali Rogin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

To discuss the escalating war between the Houthis in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, Amna Nawaz spoke with Michael Ratney. He served as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the Biden administration and is now a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Record high temperatures this year forced European wine producers to harvest grapes much earlier than usual. French wineries fear it will lead to the worst season in 30 years. But Nordic newcomers to the world of wine are toasting what they believe will be a vintage harvest, thanks, in no small part, to climate change. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports from Sweden. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Monday, Houthi strikes on Riyadh's airport killed at least 13 people and injured hundreds more, a federal judge says she is 'furious' with Justice Department lawyers after hundreds of trees were removed from a local golf course and a fire destroyed the oldest covered food market in Paris. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump blames high energy prices on Ukraine, not his war in the Middle East, and made a surprise decision to suspend sanctions against Russia on Friday. William Brangham discusses the latest developments in the Ukraine-Russia war with Andrew Weiss. He's a former State Department official and is now with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Before the Oct. 7 attacks, the U.S., Israel and Saudi Arabia were on the brink of a historic agreement. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses how close they were to normalization, the rush to release hostages and the U.S. response to the war in Gaza with Brett McGurk. He served across four administrations and is the author of "Brink.": Inside the Race to Free the October 7 Hostages." 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 struck a deal with Russia for millions of tons of diesel in a bid to lower U.S. energy prices, Katie Zacharia will replace Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary, the Pentagon's plans to livestream an execution has drawn strong reactions, Trump launched a new effort to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook, and NFL legend Mike Ditka died at age 86. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy