Germany builds up its military to prepare for a potential future without U.S. support

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

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

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

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