Author: PBS NewsHour

In our news wrap Thursday, hospital officials and witnesses in central Gaza say an Israeli airstrike killed at least 18 people as they waited for flour, the dangerous summer heat is finally easing across much of the eastern U.S., violent storms in France killed at least two people and injured 17 more and former Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy has died. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Ksenia Karelina thought she was going to visit family in Russia in January 2024, but authorities there had other ideas. They detained the 32-year-old because of a small donation she made to support Ukraine. They charged her with treason and gave her a 12-year sentence in a work camp. Karelina was released in a prisoner swap with the U.S. and sat down with Amna Nawaz for her first interview. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump again forcefully defended his conclusion that the bombing he ordered of Iranian nuclear facilities "obliterated" them. CIA Director John Ratcliffe released a statement affirming the administration’s claims about the effectiveness of the strikes, saying Iran's facilities "would have to be rebuilt over the course of years." Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

To talk about President Trump, Ukraine and NATO’s new spending commitments, Nick Schifrin sat down with Secretary General Mark Rutte. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

To discuss the aftermath of the Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and what the potential consequences of those attacks may be, Geoff Bennett spoke with Jon Finer. He was the deputy national security advisor during the Biden administration and is now a distinguished visiting fellow at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump is in the Netherlands for the NATO summit as the ceasefire between Iran and Israel is holding. Israel described enormous damage to Iran’s nuclear program. But PBS News Hour learned an initial U.S. assessment of the damage caused by the American bombing of 3 Iranian nuclear sites suggests the sites have not been as destroyed as Trump has claimed. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at a U.S. military base in Qatar, though also indicated a desire to de-escalate. President Trump is echoing that call and announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which began this recent conflict when it attacked Iran and its nuclear program 12 days ago. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For analysis of the U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites and Tehran's response, Geoff Bennett spoke with retired Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan. He commanded the U.S. 5th Fleet based in Bahrain and is now a distinguished military fellow at the Middle East Institute. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been reacting to news of the Iran strikes. Lisa Desjardins reports on the role of Congress and what members of both parties are saying. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Middle East stands at a pivot point Sunday after the Trump administration launched airstrikes on three of Iran’s largest nuclear sites. In response, Iran said the time for diplomacy is over and hinted at military retaliation against the United States. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders