Newshour
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.
Episodes
World Cup starts in Mexico City
Football fans have filled the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City for the start of the World Cup. After the opening ceremony, Mexico takes on South Africa in the first of 104 matches in the expanded tournament. 48 nations are competing for football's ultimate prize. The co-hosts Canada and the United States will hold their own opening ceremonies before their first group matches on Friday and Saturday.
Trump says US will hit Iran 'very hard tonight'
The US military has struck another commercial tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing it of violating its blockade of Iranian ports. It's the third ship to be targeted by American missiles this week. All had Indian crews. On Wednesday three Indian seafarers were killed when their vessel was hit off the coast of Oman.Also in the programme: Britain's defence minister has resigned, accusing the prim
Ukraine steps up its aerial campaign
Experts say that recent advances in drone technology, including the AI-enabled Hornet system, have allowed Ukraine to attack Russian targets travelling to the front lines at greater distances and with increased accuracy.Also on the programme: an Israeli airstrike hits the centre of Sidon in Lebanon, we hear from the local MP; violent unrest continues in Northern Ireland over immigration; and the c
US and Iran exchange fire after helicopter downed
The US says it has carried out a series of strikes on Iranian military and surveillance sites in response to the downing of an American helicopter in the Gulf. Iran responded with attacks on American bases across the region.
We hear from Bahrain, one of the Gulf countries where Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed attacks.
Also on the programme: rebels in Myanmar tell th
President Trump says Iran has shot down an American military helicopter
The two crew members of a US army helicopter that crashed near the Strait of Hormuz were rescued by an American sea drone, say US officials. It was the first such operation carried out by US forces, the officials added.Also on the programme: Iran's ticket allocation for its team's World Cup games in the US is cancelled; and the trial opens in Paris over a Europe-wide scheme to steal Russian litera
Hundreds of migrants kidnapped and threatened with kidney removal
A BBC investigation has found that more than 300 migrants heading to the UK last summer were kidnapped, tortured and threatened with forced organ removal. The young men, all from Iraqi Kurdistan, were captured in Libya by a militia which demanded a ransom of $5,000 from each of their families. Newshour hears from Libya expert Tim Eaton.Also in the programme: the chief executive of US Soccer on the
Has President Trump forced Israel to stop attacking Iran?
Iran's military has said it's halting military operations against Israel and media reports in Israel say that it is stopping attacks on Iran “at Trump’s request”Also on the programme: is overheating going to be an issue in the World Cup which starts this week? And the octopus "super bloom" around the shores of England.(Picture: Iranians examine an unexploded missile. Credit: Reuters)
Iran says it is stopping military operations against Israel
Iran's military has said it's halting military operations against Israel, after the first direct hostilities between the two sides in two months. We examine the links between Iran and Hezbollah.Also in the programme: Armenia's pro-EU incumbent wins election; a new online archive of the complete writings and drawings of Leonardo da Vinci.(Picture: A screenshot taken from a handout video released by
Israel carries out deadly strikes on southern Beirut
The Israeli military has carried out deadly airstrikes on the southern districts of Lebanon’s capital, claiming it is targeting Hezbollah sites. In response Iran has fired ballistic missiles towards Israel, the first attack of its kind by Tehran since the ceasefire in April.Also on the programme: Armenians vote in a general election that could determine whether the country looks to Brussels or to
Armenians go to the polls
The people of Armenia are voting in a parliamentary election- a test of whether the country in the Caucasus moves closer to Europe, or remains within Russia's sphere of influence. We hear from both sides.Also in the programme: How China is clamping down on exam candidates who try to get the answers from the inside of their glass lenses: and the boy who has learnt to sing like a bird.Photo: Armenia
Hundreds of Ukrainian drones hit St Petersburg
The strikes on the city were timed to coincide with the final day of a prestigious international economic forum. Russian authorities called the attack ‘unprecedented’, and St Petersburg residents were advised to remain indoors for the first time since the start of the war. We hear from a Ukrainian drone commander and the UK’s former Ambassador to Moscow, Sir Tony Brenton. Also on the programme: mi
Iran targets Bahrain and Kuwait after renewed US strikes
Iran targets Bahrain and Kuwait after renewed US strikes. We speak to a former Kuwaiti minister as the American-Iranian stalemate continues. Also in the programme, India's Cockroach Janta Party takes to the streets to demand the resignation of the education minister; and the African-American musician Brian Jackson on his work and collaboration with Gil Scott-Heron.(Photo: CCTV image of Iranian dro
The International Space Station springs a leak
Astronauts onboard the International Space Station were ordered to prepare for evacuation after an air leak suddenly got worse. The situation returned to normal after two Russian cosmonauts completed repairs. We talk to retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, who served as commander of the ISS in 2013.We'll also hear from the Sherpa who went missing on the upper slopes of Mount Everest for six
Anthropic founder warns of AI risks
One of the biggest artificial intelligence developers, Anthropic has warned that the latest models might escape human control. It has proposed a co-ordinated global slowdown on building AI systems. One of the firm's co-founders, Jack Clark has been speaking to BBC.Also in the programme: the latest from Russia's flagship economic forum in Saint Petersburg; and how an outsider reached the French Ope
Lebanon says it's prepared to use the army to constrain Hezbollah
Lebanon's government says it will use the army to keep Hezbollah out of southern Lebanon, following a truce with Israel. But can that work without Hezbollah’s consent?Also in the programme: we hear from a member of Curacao’s first ever World Cup soccer team; and a Sherpa feared dead on Everest reaches base camp after six days on the mountain.(IMAGE: Smoke billows from southern Lebanon, following I
Venezuela: 5 months since Maduro’s overthrow
It's now five months since the United States removed the then Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from Caracas by force to face trial on drug charges. What has changed in the interim in Venezuela?Also in the programme: The leader of the Cuban Five - Gerardo Hernández - speaks to us about Raúl Castro's 95th birthday, and US pressure for change in Havana; and the German film director Wim Wenders say
Hezbollah: 'we reject these talks'
Diplomats from Israel and Lebanon have been meeting in Washington for a fourth round of talks as Israeli forces continued to carry out strikes in southern Lebanon. We speak to a member of the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah on why it has no plans to give up its weapons. Also in the programme: As the head of the UN gives a stark warning about the most catastrophic El Niño yet, farmers around the
Israel PM orders strikes on Beirut suburbs
Israel has ordered attacks against Hezbollah in the southern suburbs of Beirut - prompting many residents to evacuate the Lebanese capital. Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the military would strike what he called 'terrorist targets' in the area, in response to attacks on Israeli civilians. Also in the programme: Grammy-winning director, Meji Alabi, explores his Nigerian grandfa
Colombians vote for new leader
Colombians are voting in a presidential election after a campaign marred by violence. Also on the programme, the death in prison of Nicaraguan indigenous leader, Brooklyn Rivera; and we hear from John Travolta on his directorial debut.(Photo: Colombia holds first round of presidential election, Bogota - 31 May 2026. Mauricio Duenas Castaneda/EPA/Shutterstock)
New test could eliminate chemo for many breast cancer patients
Millions of people with breast cancer could safely avoid chemotherapy as scientists have developed a groundbreaking DNA test. We speak to an oncologist who has been involved in the research and a woman who has gone through chemotherapy after a breast cancer diagnosis. Also on the programme: we hear from the Romanian president on the Russian drone that hit an apartment block in the east of the coun
Romanian residents injured by Russian drone
Nato and the EU condemn Russia after a drone crashed into a Romanian apartment block, injuring two people. Speaking on Newshour, Romania’s foreign minister, Oana Toia, said the incident was a provocation by Russia. Also on the programme: the government in Bangladesh steps in to save a buffalo named Donald Trump; and artwork by the musician Jack White goes on display in London. (Photo: Romanian la
Israel continues to strike Lebanon
Israel is continuing its attacks on what it says are Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, even as reports emerge from Washington that an extension of the wider ceasefire with Iran is close. We hear from our correspondent in Beirut. Also on the programme: the World Health Organisation has told Newshour it is“fairly confident” it will soon be “on top” of the spread of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Co
Ebola: WHO chief travels to DR Congo
The head of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo as fears grow about the Ebola outbreak. Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Ghebreysus warned that the country is facing a catastrophic collision of disease and conflict Also in the programme: Israel has carried out a strike in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, after warning people in t
Israel strikes after ordering evacuation in south Lebanon
Israel's issued an evacuation order for all of southern Lebanon and carried out air strikes, saying the whole region's now a combat zone. We'll have the details from our correspondent who’s been there recently.Also on the programme: the authorities in New York and New Jersey have launched an investigation into the way Fifa's been selling tickets for the men's World Cup; and a former member of the
Iran accuses US of breaching ceasefire
Iran accused the United States of breaching their ceasefire on Tuesday. It warned it was ready to retaliate after overnight US strikes targeting Iranian missile sites and mine-laying boats. Newshour hears from a UAE political scientist and from former US state department negotiator Aaron David Miller.Also in the programme: NASA announces moon base plans; and the man who discovered Sierra Leone's 7
US launches strikes on Iran, targeting missile sites and boats
Iran has issued a new warning, after the US carried out air strikes on Iranian missile sites and mine-laying boats. Also on the programme, how countries around world are adapting to heatwaves and higher summer temperatures; and, on his 100th birthday we ask what made Miles Davis one of the jazz greats from a musician who played with him.(Photo: An Iranian woman walks next to an anti-Israeli mural
Trump: Iran talks 'constructive'
President Trump says he's told American negotiators not to rush into a deal with Iran. In a post on social media, he said the US blockade of Iranian ports would continue until an agreement had been certified and signed. Key sticking points remain, including control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear programme.Also in the programme: Turkish riot police have stormed the headquarters of the m
Trump: Iran ‘a lot closer’ to agreement
US President Donald Trump has indicated that his country and Iran is getting ‘closer’ to achieving a peace deal. He told CBS News that despite seeing a ceasefire draft with Iran, however, he would only sign off on a deal where the US gets ‘everything’ it wants. The BBC’s State Department correspondent breaks these developments down with us. Also in the programme: As the Ebola crisis in the DRC
Is an invasion of Cuba imminent?
A day after the US's indictment of former Cuban president Raul Castro, Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Havana has accepted an offer of $100m in aid but that the chances of a negotiated settlement was "not high". Could the US be considering an imminent invasion of Cuba? Also on the programme: Amid a growing number of cases, a hospital treating Ebola patients in Congo is set on fire; and the new
Former Cuban president Raul Castro indicted in US
The US Justice Department has indicted Cuba's former leader, Raul Castro, on criminal charges. The allegations centre on a Cuban military offensive against US civilian aircraft in 1996. The planes were operated by an organisation called Brothers to the Rescue and were searching for people who wanted to leave the island, when they were shot down by the Cuban military, which was led by Castro at the
Ebola: Is lack of testing the problem?
Why was the Ebola outbreak able to spread so quickly? We speak to the co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response about Ebola testing shortfalls in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Also on the programme: we examine the relationship between Russia and China as Vladimir Putin fails to reach a gas pipeline deal during a visit to Beijing. Plus, we hear why the Tyrannosaur
WHO warns Ebola cases in DRC could double
We hear from a journalist in eastern DR Congo on how situation is becoming more and more difficult for people in the city of Goma, a major transport hub - and we speak to Tom Frieden, a leading US scientist involved in fighting the last major Ebola outbreak. Also on the programme: An interview with former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez, pardoned by Donald Trump, now in hiding in the US
WHO scaling up response to Ebola outbreak
The World Health Organisation has sent six tonnes of medical supplies to the Democratic Republic of Congo as it continues to sound the alarm over the scale of the Ebola outbreak in central Africa. We hear why the authorities are battling against the widespread local belief that symptoms are caused not by the Ebola virus, but witchcraft.Also, a look ahead to today's primary contests in the United S
Deadly outbreak of Ebola virus spreading in central Africa.
A deadly outbreak of the Ebola virus is spreading in central Africa. We'll talk to a doctor with experience of both treating and contracting the disease. A report from Ukraine's "kill-zone". Elon Musk loses AI lawsuit against Sam Altman. and a survivor of the Blitz on her recollections of the horrors of that bombing campaign on the UK.
Ebola outbreak declared emergency of 'international concern'
An ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been declared a public health emergency of international concern. The World Health Organisation has said that the virus has spread beyond the DRC, with confirmed cases reported in neighbouring Uganda. Two other neighbours - Rwanda and South Sudan - are also now on "high alert". The current strain of Ebola is caused by the Bundibugyo virus f
Ukraine strikes Moscow in biggest attack on Russia
Ukraine sent nearly 600 drones into Russia overnight, the biggest single attack on the country since the start of the war. Targets in Moscow and a patrol ship in the Caspian Sea were hit, with at least four killed in the offensive. We hear from The Economist's Shashank Joshi about the significance of the strikes, and from Russia analyst Professor Nina Khrushcheva about how President Putin might re
Six dead in Maldives scuba diving tragedy
A rescue diver from the Maldives has died after searching for the bodies of five Italians who were exploring an underwater cave. The team from Italy were diving at depths that are not permitted for recreational divers. We hear from a government spokesperson about the rescue operation and from a former military diver about the conditions in the cave.Also on the programme: more than 50 children have
US-Nigerian operation kills Islamic State commander
Nigeria and the United States say they have killed a senior Islamic State leader in a joint operation. Abu-Bilal al-Minuki oversaw IS-linked activities across Africa and was declared a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by Washington in 2023. We speak to a spokesperson for the Nigerian president and a regional security expert. Also on the programme: where has this week's US-China summit left Ta
Cuba: US plans to indict Raul Castro
CIA chief makes rare trip to Cuba as oil terminals run dry, meanwhile US media reports say Washington is preparing criminal charges against its former leader Raul Castro. Also in the programme: why nationalist vigilante groups are spreading across Russia; and a French museum holds a display of famous art works from the Second World War in order to reunite them with their rightful owners.(Image: A
Trump and Xi conclude 'very successful' talks with Xi in Beijing
US President Donald Trump left Beijing after a two-day summit saying he had struck "fantastic trade deals, great for both countries", but few details have emerged on what the two superpowers agreed. President Trump, who's flying back from a summit in Beijing, says he doesn't think there's a risk of conflict between the US and China over Taiwan.
Also on the programme: US media reports say Washing
New challenge to British PM Keir Starmer's leadership
Is the United Kingdom on the verge of replacing another Prime Minister? The incumbent Sir Keir Starmer faces fresh challenges to his leadership today, beginning with the resignation of his Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has already called on the Prime Minister to step down after disastrous local election results last week. Meanwhile, the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, says he's going to s
Xi tells Trump they should be partners not rivals
President Xi Jinping described US-Chinese relations as "the most important" in the world and stressed to President Trump that the US and China should be partners and not rivals. Also, in the programme; the dental tools used by Neanderthals and we hear from an exiled Venezuelan politician on how his country is five months after Maduro's capture.(Photo: President Trump and Xi walking in the Great Ha
Fanfare in Beijing, as Trump is welcomed for summit
President Trump has been given a lavish welcome to Beijing where he and American business leaders will hold talks with their Chinese counterparts on Thursday. Also on the programme, is the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, about to be forced out of office? And, we hear from Alex Batty, the British boy who sparked a high-profile international missing person investigation. He tells us what happ
President Trump arrives in China
President Trump arrives in China, the first US president to go there in nearly a decade. We'll look at how the balance of power has shifted since then and how Chinese perceptions of America have also changed.Also in the programme: on the day of the King’s Speech to Parliament setting out the next legislative programme, speculation mounts that a senior minister will challenge Britain's Prime Minist
