PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch: S2025 E147

57m 46s

News Wrap: Germany to help Ukraine build missile system

7m 30s

In our news wrap Wednesday, Germany's chancellor offered to help Ukraine build long-range missile systems that could strike deep into Russia, a judge ordered the release of a Russian-born scientist and Harvard researcher saying she was unlawfully held by immigration authorities, the White House says President Trump issued a full pardon for former Congressman Michael Grimm.

As U.S. halts student visa interviews, advocates share views

9m 34s

The U.S. is pausing new student and exchange visitor visa interviews while it looks to expand screening of applicants' social media posts, according to a State Department cable obtained by the News Hour. It's part of a crackdown on immigration and higher education by the Trump administration. Amna Nawaz has views on the effort from Simon Hankinson of the Heritage Foundation and Fanta Aw of NAFSA.

Why health groups are concerned about COVID vaccine changes

7m 20s

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the CDC would drop the COVID vaccines from its list of recommended shots for pregnant women and children. That decision and other recent changes under Kennedy are leading to major worries and unease among medical and public health groups. Ali Rogin discussed more with Dr. Richard Besser.

Three Mile Island gets new chance to become energy hub

8m 57s

After World War II, nuclear power was heralded as the future of energy. Then the partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979 marked a turning point and solidified opposition. In two decades, a dozen U.S. reactors have closed and only three have come online. But the site of America’s worst nuclear accident may now be the site of its rebirth. William Brangham reports for our series, Tipping Point.

The potential impact of Medicaid cuts in Trump's budget bill

6m 8s

As Republicans work to advance a massive bill containing much of President Trump’s domestic agenda, one of the central flashpoints is its potential cuts to Medicaid. Geoff Bennett discussed the impact on healthcare access for millions of lower-income Americans, the elderly and people with disabilities with Jennifer Tolbert, deputy director of the Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured at KFF.

Critics say Trump crypto investment is conflict of interest

5m 22s

This week, Trump Media and Technology Group announced it is selling shares and bonds to raise $2.5 billion to create a "Bitcoin treasury.” It marks the Trump family’s latest addition to their cryptocurrency empire. Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, run the family’s multiple crypto ventures and spoke at the world’s largest Bitcoin conference in Las Vegas. Laura Barrón-López reports.

American violinist explores Carnatic music in India

7m 20s

The violin has a storied place in so much of European classical music. But sometime in the 17th century, it began to intrigue maestros from a very different and ancient music tradition. Fred de Sam Lazaro has the story of one American violinist who sought to explore what’s become known as the Carnatic violin. It's for our arts and cultures series, CANVAS.

U.S.-backed Gaza aid system quickly overwhelmed

10m 25s

The new aid distribution system in Gaza was quickly overwhelmed by Palestinians who for 11 weeks have been blocked from assistance. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the U.S. and Israel, says the old UN-led system allowed Hamas to flourish. But humanitarian groups say the new system is incapable of alleviating the suffering of Gazans. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Ciarán Donnelly.

News Wrap: CDC changes COVID shot recommendations

4m 56s

In our news wrap Tuesday, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the CDC will no longer recommend COVID vaccines for 'healthy' children and pregnant women, the Trump administration is directing federal agencies to cancel all remaining contracts with Harvard, King Charles opened Canada's parliament amid threats from Trump and stocks jumped as investors reacted to Trump's delay of EU tariffs.

'The Afterlife of Malcolm X' examines his lasting impact

6m 47s

It’s been 100 years since Malcolm X was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and 60 years since he was assassinated. His expansive legacy is the focus of a new book written by journalist Mark Whitaker. He sat down with Amna Nawaz to discuss "The Afterlife of Malcolm X: An Outcast Turned Icon's Enduring Impact on America."

A look at Trump's controversial pardons for loyalists

7m 16s

In his second term, President Trump has moved to pardon many who are considered to be loyal to him, from local Republican officials convicted of fraud to Jan. 6 rioters. The New York Times reported that Trump pardoned a Florida businessman convicted of tax evasion after his mother attended a million dollar per-plate fundraising dinner at Mar-a-Lago. Laura Barrón-López discussed more with Liz Oyer.

NPR CEO on suing Trump over order targeting funding

7m 3s

NPR and three Colorado public radio stations filed suit against the Trump administration in federal court over his executive order targeting funding for NPR, PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The lawsuit contends Trump's order is a violation of the First Amendment. Geoff Bennett discussed more with NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher.

University of the People offers affordable college education

8m 58s

The cost of a college education has been under scrutiny amid crippling levels of student debt. That's also true in some cases for online degrees of dubious quality and outcomes. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on an effort to create an accessible, affordable and global university that's getting attention as an online alternative. It's part of our series, Rethinking College.

Calls grow for judges to control their security force

6m 45s

Ensuring the safety of federal judges falls to the U.S. Marshals Service, an agency within the Justice Department. But as President Trump increasingly lashes out at the courts, empowering judges to oversee their own dedicated security force is an idea that is gaining traction. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Jeremy Fogel of the Berkeley Judicial Institute at the UC Berkeley School of Law.

Catholic Relief Services faces uncertain future after cuts

6m 45s

One of the first major policy decisions of the second Trump administration was a significant change in spending on foreign aid. That eventually included effectively dissolving the U.S. Agency for International Development, the primary organization that distributed those funds. Deema Zein reports on how one major recipient of USAID funding is grappling with the impact.

News Wrap: Driver plows into crowd of people in Liverpool

6m 39s

In our news wrap Monday, police arrested a British man after he drove into a crowd of fans in Liverpool as they celebrated their team's Premier League championship, health officials in Gaza say the latest round of Israeli airstrikes killed at least 52 people and President Trump says he's pardoning a former Virginia sheriff who was convicted of federal bribery charges.

Russia escalates drone attacks on Ukraine

10m 2s

In the past week, 30 Ukrainians have died and more than 163 others injured as Russia escalated its bombing campaign amid U.S. efforts to end the war. It prompted President Trump to lash out at not only Russian President Putin, but also Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Laura Barrón-López discussed more with retired Army Col. Robert Hamilton of the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Eurasia Program.

'Putin's Sledgehammer' reveals how Wagner Group gained power

9m 19s

A new book delves deep into the rise and fall of the Russian paramilitary Wagner Group and its close ties to Vladimir Putin. Nick Schifrin sat down with Candace Rondeaux, author of "Putin's Sledgehammer: The Wagner Group and Russia’s Collapse into Mercenary Chaos."

How young Democrats are pushing to redefine the party

3m 20s

Young Democratic candidates are launching primary bids for national office in hopes of charting a new path forward for a party in disarray. We hear from three of those candidates, Mallory McMorrow, Jake Rakov and Kat Abughazaleh, about what they think the Democratic Party needs to do to win.

Amy Walter and Jasmine Wright on Trump's big bill

11m 12s

Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Jasmine Wright of NOTUS join Laura Barrón-López to discuss the latest political news, including lawmakers hearing from constituents about President Trump’s big domestic policy bill passed by House Republicans, the president's attacks on the judiciary and young Democrats running for office.

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