PBS News Hour full episode, May 26, 2026

U.S. 'self-defense' strikes against Iranian missile launch sites and boats, which the U.S. claims were attempting to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz, have led Iran to accuse the U.S. of violating a truce and acting in bad faith. Despite U.S. officials insisting the cease-fire is holding, Iran's state broadcasters promised consequences, and a resident expressed distrust in U.S. agreements.

Iran says the U.S. has violated its truce after the U.S. carried out what it called self-defense strikes against Iranian missile launch sites and boats. (00:02:16) William Brangham reports on Iranian state broadcasters promising consequences for recent U.S. strikes. (00:02:57) A Tehran resident stated, 'The politicians should not pay any attention to America and their agreements at all, because they really go back on all their agreements.' (00:04:00)

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton argues that the U.S. should use military force to open the Strait of Hormuz, rather than negotiate with Iran. He believes negotiations would legitimize Iran's control over the strait and set a dangerous precedent for international waterways. Bolton also explicitly calls for regime change in Iran, asserting that the current regime is entrenched and dangerous.

John Bolton states, 'I do not believe the U.S. should be negotiating with Iran or working towards a deal, that the U.S. needs to use military force to open the Strait of Hormuz.' (00:06:55) He adds, 'I have heard in another interviews you have also been calling for regime change, a full-on regime change in Iran.' (00:11:18)

A U.S. Tomahawk missile strike on February 28 flattened half of Shajarah Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, Iran, killing 168 people, including 120 students aged 6-11. The Pentagon claims the school was inside an active military base, but local residents and authorities vehemently deny this, asserting it was a civilian area. The attack has fueled anti-U.S. sentiment among survivors and victims' families.

More than 150 people were killed when airstrikes hit the school in Minab, most of them children. (00:13:28) Reza Sayah reports the elementary school was believed to be hit by a U.S. Tomahawk missile strike on February 28. (00:14:15) Jafar Karimi, a resident, states, 'It's not. That's a lie.' regarding the Pentagon's claim of a military base. (00:16:07)

North Carolina Central University's nursing program is leveraging immersive interactive labs, virtual reality (VR), and generative AI to train students. This technology allows students to practice critical thinking, prioritization, and patient communication in a safe, realistic environment, addressing challenges like limited clinical placements and improving licensure exam pass rates from 94% to 96%.

North Carolina has one of the largest projected nursing shortages in the country. (00:37:03) Tina Scott, director of the Experiential Learning Center, states, 'We're able to train more students. We're able to bring more students in.' (00:37:15) After the introduction of immersive technologies, North Carolina Central's pass rate for the nursing licensure exam rose from 94 to 96 percent. (00:41:50)

The Ebola outbreak in Central Africa has resulted in at least 220 deaths and nearly 1,000 suspected cases, with the WHO warning that its spread is outpacing response efforts. Key challenges include armed conflict, militants, refugee camps, and deep community mistrust of health authorities, leading to resistance against safe burial teams and contact tracing efforts, which are severely underfunded due to USAID cuts.

At least 220 people are believed to have died from the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, with suspected cases now nearing 1,000. (00:31:06) Dr. Celine Gounder highlights 'armed conflict. You have these militants backed by the Rwandan government in much of the affected area.' (00:32:55) She notes, 'only one in five [contacts] are currently undergoing contact tracing and follow-up.' (00:33:37)