Newshour

China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, has described the American blockade as 'irresponsible' while the IMF is warning that the global economy could slip into recession because of the Iran war. Also on the programme: Israel and Lebanon have held direct talks for the first time in decades, to discuss the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah; and we hear about the return of a centuries‑old stone carving of the Zimbabwe bird - the country's sacred national emblem.
(A vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, Credit: Reuters)

Israeli and Lebanese officials to meet to discuss Israel's campaign against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. We report from southern Lebanon.
Also in the programme: a BBC investigation into Greek police recruiting mercenaries to push migrants back into Turkey; the rise and fall of the Chinese property developer who was once Asia's richest person but has now pleaded guilty to fraud; conservation success in Uganda where numbers of mountain gorillas are rising; and could small talk be good for you?
(IMAGE: Israeli soldiers stand among destroyed buildings in southern Lebanon, near the Israel-Lebanon border, as seen from the Israeli side of the border in northern Israel, April 14, 2026 / CREDIT: REUTERS/Florion Goga)

A US blockade of the Iranian coastline has come into force, after the failure of peace talks between the US and Iran at the weekend. The US says all vessels will be subject to interception, diversion and capture, except those transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.
Also in the programme: President Trump criticises the Pope; and the controversial ‘taxi test’ being used in job interviews.
(Photo: US President Trump at the White House in Washington, DC,13 Apr 2026. CREDIT: SALWAN GEORGES/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock)

Péter Magyar is expected to be the new Prime Minister as Orbán's 16-year reign comes to an end. Record numbers of Hungarians showed up at the polls for an election which was seen as pivotal to the future of Hungary and Europe. Magyar has promised closer ties to the EU and an anti-corruption agenda. Our presenter in Budapest Rajini Vaidyanathan speaks to people on the ground to discuss what this new chapter means for the country.
Also on the programme: Donald Trump says he wants to intercept all ships who pay Iran to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. We discuss the legal implications of his suggestion with marine lawyer Caroline Tuckett. And, the British rockband Deep Purple are touring the world where they met an unexpected huge fan - the Japanese prime minister.
(Photo: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban reacts as people applaud after the announcement of the partial results of parliamentary election in Budapest, Hungary, April 12, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

Péter Magyar's centre-right pro-European Tisza party wins crucial two thirds majority in Hungary. The landslide win ends Viktor Orbán's 16 years in power and opens the door to major changes. Newshour is live in Budapest where the news is sinking in; and we get reaction from Europe and Russia.
Also in the programme: the US is set to begin a blockade of Iran's ports in an hour's time – we ask what it could achieve; President Trump denounces the Pope, who's arrived in Algeria at the start of a tour of Africa; and could microscopic fungi hold the key to future supplies of chocolate?
(Photo: Leader of the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party, Peter Magy, holds a press conference after winning two-thirds of the votes in parliamentary elections, Budapest, Hungary, 13 April, 2026. Credit: Tibor Illyes/EPA/Shutterstock)