Author: PBS NewsHour

Pope Leo XIV is the first American to lead the Catholic Church, and after nearly a year of advocating for the poor and cautiously opposing controversial U.S. policies, Leo is offering a more public contrast with Trump. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses the pope's first year and what his recent criticism says with Joseph Capizzi, Father Thomas Reese, Annie Selak and Stephen White. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For the first time in five weeks of war with Iran, two American combat aircraft were shot down in separate incidents. One of two service members onboard an F-15E was rescued. The whereabouts and status of the second crew member are either unknown or haven't been disclosed. During a rescue mission, a Blackhawk helicopter was also shot at, but was able to return to base. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For insight into what it takes to conduct a search and rescue operation for a downed combat air crew, Amna Nawaz spoke with retired Master Sergeant Wes Bryant. He spent his career in the Air Force Special Operations and participated in these kinds of missions. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Friday, President Trump is asking for $1.5 trillion in defense spending for the upcoming financial year, March was a strong month for the jobs market even as soaring energy prices from the war in Iran had many Americans on edge and Ukrainian officials say that Russian airstrikes killed at least eight people, in what President Zelenskyy denounced as an "Easter escalation." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Human rights groups say a new Israeli law that expands the death penalty for killings classified as terrorism is expected to apply exclusively to Palestinian prisoners in the occupied West Bank. As Israel and the U.S. wage war in Iran, there has been a surge of violence there, mostly by Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Nick Schifrin visited to understand its impact on Palestinian families. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In New York and London, European and Middle Eastern countries tried to develop a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has largely been closed since the war in Iran began. Following President Trump's address predicting two to three more weeks of war, the U.S. and Israel continued to bomb Iran, and Iran continued its strikes on Gulf countries and Israel. 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 reaction to President Trump's announcement that the U.S. will continue attacking Iran for two to three more weeks, Amna Nawaz spoke with Robin Niblett and Firas Maksad. Niblett is a distinguished fellow and former director at Chatham House. Maksad is managing director of the Middle East and North Africa practice at the Eurasia Group. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Estimates show Russian forces have suffered more than one million casualties in the war against Ukraine. At the same time, its territorial gains have been some of the slowest in modern history. Special correspondent Simon Ostrovsky has a rare look at the Kremlin's war machine and reveals the brutality and corruption eating away at the Russian military from the inside. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Trump administration is sending more military forces to the Middle East, while at the same time saying Iran has asked for a ceasefire, a claim Iranian officials say is not true. President Trump is scheduled to address the nation and is expected to provide an update on the war effort and reiterate why he believes it was necessary. 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 Wednesday, House Speaker Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Thune say they have agreed on a path to fund the Department of Homeland Security through September, Iraqi officials say American journalist Shelly Kittleson remains missing after her abduction and a daytime drone attack by Russia killed at least four people in Ukraine. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy