PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch Latest: S2025 E55

57m 46s

Biden to close 'gun show loophole,' expand background checks

7m 5s

The Biden administration is issuing a rule designed to close a gap that allows gun buyers to avoid background checks. The move will end the so-called "gun show loophole” and require checks when dealers sell guns at gun shows, flea markets, social media or other places outside of brick-and-mortar stores. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Kris Brown.

Right-wing Republicans block reauthorization of FISA

6m 35s

GOP infighting continues on Capitol Hill as Speaker Mike Johnson tries to rally his conference into passing a controversial intelligence provision before the weekend. A faction of House Republicans broke rank and failed to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a federal law that allows intelligence officials to spy on communications of foreign nationals. Lisa Desjardins reports.

'Chili crunch' trademark sparks debate over food and culture

7m 15s

A hot debate over the ownership of a spicy Asian condiment has sent social media into a frenzy over food, culture, heritage and business. Momofuku founder David Chang is spearheading a trademark battle to protect its chili crunch brand. But the backlash against him has been swift. Stephanie Sy reports.

Wind-assisted vessels could make shipping climate-friendly

7m 20s

Is a revolution in commercial shipping to take place? Eighty percent of all international trade is carried by sea, producing substantial carbon emissions. Following the successful operation of two giant wind-assisted vessels, a British company predicts that by 2026, half of all new ships will have high-tech sails. Malcolm Brabant reports.

U.S. bolsters Asian military ties amid Chinese provocations

8m 59s

President Biden hosted the leaders of Japan and the Philippines on Thursday, sending a strong message of unity to Beijing. The administration says the network of alliances and partnerships in Asia is expanding in direct response to actions by China. Nick Schifirin discussed the developments with Zack Cooper, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

How Simpson's murder trial exposed a stark racial fissure

9m 22s

O.J. Simpson, whose murder trial captivated international attention for months, died Wednesday of cancer. His case dominated headlines during the 90s and was a prime example of people's fascination with celebrities and crime. But the trial also exposed another stark racial fissure in America. William Brangham discussed more with Dave Zirin.

Minneapolis Fed president on inflation and interest rates

6m 6s

Inflation came in higher than expected last month, raising concerns once again about its persistence. Some experts also worry that it could delay or prevent a series of interest rate cuts expected from the Federal Reserve later this year. Geoff Bennett discussed the latest with Neel Kashkari, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

EPA puts new limits on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water

6m 51s

The Environmental Protection Agency says that so-called “forever chemicals,” which are harmful to human health, must be removed from U.S. drinking water. It's a moment public health advocates have long called for as PFAS have been linked to certain cancers and birth complications. William Brangham discussed more with Melanie Benesh.

Ukrainian Christian groups face violence from Russian forces

10m 24s

Russia first occupied the Ukrainian city of Melitopol in March 2022. After the persecution of pro-Ukrainian activists, former government officials, human rights defenders and journalists, Russian secret services turned its attention to churches, their pastors and congregations. With the support of the Pulitzer Center, special correspondent Simon Ostrovsky and videographer Yegor Troyanovsky report.

Oregon highlights political rift between rural, urban areas

11m 47s

The divide between rural and urban areas in the United States has been growing in recent decades with grievances and political consequences on both sides. Judy Woodruff traveled across Oregon to learn more about that rift for her series, America at a Crossroads.

How Muslims in Jerusalem observed holidays amid war in Gaza

5m 12s

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan has ended, and with it comes Eid al-Fitr, the holiday of breaking the fast. But in Jerusalem and the West Bank, the mood is subdued as fellow Palestinians struggle in Gaza with hunger, even starvation, as the war between Israel and Hamas grinds on. Nick Schifrin reports.

Women who inspired 'Rosie the Riveter' honored for service

3m 44s

Some 80 years after their wartime efforts, real-life Rosie the Riveters are receiving the nation's highest civilian honor from Congress. John Yang has their story.

King Charles presented with banknotes bearing his portrait

2m

British King Charles was presented with the new banknotes of his reign. The king, who is being treated for an undisclosed cancer, received the notes bearing his portrait at a brief ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Chris Ship of Independent Television News reports from London.

Appalachian cultural hub faces recovery after floods

8m 20s

In the summer of 2022, historic flooding in eastern Kentucky washed away homes and entire communities, claiming more than 40 lives. It also devastated an important cultural hub for the larger region, Appalshop, home to a large archive of Appalachian history and culture. Jeffrey Brown first brought us Appalshop’s story in 2018 and recently returned for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

'Quiet on Set' directors on exposing abuse at Nickelodeon

7m 44s

Nickelodeon helped shape pop culture for decades. But a docuseries is exposing the toxic culture behind some of the iconic children’s shows of the 90s and 2000s. As young viewers flocked to the channel for beloved programs, sexual abuse and harassment were rampant behind the scenes. Amna Nawaz discussed more with “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” directors Emma Schwartz and Mary Robertson.

Rahm Emanuel on building military cooperation with Japan

8m 41s

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, will meet with President Biden on Wednesday for a trilateral summit. The Biden administration has been improving military cooperation with Asian countries as a means to counter China's increasingly assertive behavior. Geoff Bennett discussed more with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel.

Rwanda marks 30 years of reconciliation after genocide

8m 43s

Rwanda is holding observances to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the genocide in that East African nation that took one million lives. Rwanda has won praise for rebuilding efforts, but democratic backsliding and conflict just outside its borders have raised concern over the country’s future stability. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports. A warning, this story discusses and has imagery of genocide.

Johnson fights to hold speaker job among divided GOP

4m 20s

Congress arrived back in Washington with a long list of priorities for House Speaker Mike Johnson to accomplish and a razor-thin margin to get it done. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Ariz. Supreme Court upholds 1864 law banning most abortions

6m 6s

Arizona will soon be the latest state with a near-total abortion ban after the state Supreme Court revived a 160-year-old law. The law provides no exceptions for rape or incest. Doctors who perform abortions could face criminal prosecution and prison time, though the Democratic attorney general says she will not prosecute. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Carter Sherman of The Guardian.

Biden announces new plan to forgive student loan debt

7m 34s

President Biden on Monday announced new plans to cancel student debt for millions of borrowers, his broadest student loan forgiveness attempt since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his more sweeping plan over a year ago. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, who covers the economics of higher education for The Washington Post, joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss.

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