PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch: S2025 E53

26m 44s

Record ocean heat triggers massive coral reef bleaching

6m

Scientists issued a warning due to record-breaking temperatures in 2023 which accelerated the speed of the second-largest mass coral bleaching event across the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Nearly a quarter of all ocean species rely on the reefs. William Brangham discussed the global situation and what’s at stake with Julia Baum, a marine ecologist and coral reefs researcher.

Melinda French Gates on economic empowerment for women

8m 15s

The United Nations estimates that closing the gender pay gap and giving women more access to loans and capital could give the global economy a $7 trillion bump. These issues are top of mind as leaders gather in Washington for meetings hosted by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. William Brangham spoke with Melinda French Gates about increasing economic empowerment for women.

Iraqi PM on regional turmoil, partnership with U.S.

14m 11s

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani is in Washington this week on the heels of tension in the Middle East. On the agenda was the future of U.S.-Iraq security cooperation, improving Iraqi economic and political integration with the region and the U.S. helping Iraq develop its oil resources. Geoff Bennett sat down with Al-Sudani to discuss those issues and more.

Columbia University president faces antisemitism committee

6m 1s

When presidents of several top Ivy League schools testified about antisemitism on their campuses during a tough hearing this winter, the president of Columbia University was traveling. Wednesday, it was her turn to appear before a House Committee. She strongly denounced antisemitism and hate speech, but some members of the committee felt she had not done nearly enough. Laura Barrón-López reports.

Boeing whistleblowers testify about company's safety issues

4m 48s

Boeing has faced intense scrutiny for months and new whistleblower claims were the focus of a congressional hearing. Aviation correspondent Miles O’Brien reports.

Middle East experts on Israel's response to Iran's attack

8m 47s

For decades, Israel and Iran have fought one another in the shadows and through proxies. That all changed this past weekend with Iran's direct attack on Israel. Israeli officials said they will retaliate but world leaders are urging restraint. Nick Schifrin has two views on the options for Israel and Iran and the risks with Eric Edelman and Vali Nasr.

How Kharkiv is coping after 2 years of Russian strikes

4m 51s

Another deadly Russian strike in Ukraine killed at least 17 people, including three children, and injured many more. Officials say three Russian cruise missiles struck the center of the town of Chernihiv, located about 65 miles from the Russian border and less than a hundred miles from the capital city of Kyiv. Amna Nawaz reports from Ukraine.

Senate dismisses impeachment articles against Mayorkas

6m 49s

At the U.S. Capitol, there was another collision of the biggest issues facing the country and the world. In the House, Speaker Johnson made more moves in his attempt to pass aid for Ukraine and other allies. But in the Senate, the first-ever impeachment trial of a sitting cabinet official quickly ended. Lisa Desjardins reports.

Study links petrochemical plants to poor birth outcomes

8m 59s

About a fifth of America’s petrochemical production is concentrated on a stretch of land along the Mississippi River in southeastern Louisiana. That production comes with serious risks. The area has been known as ‘Cancer Alley’ because of the high rates of cancer among people who live nearby. A new study now shows how those risks may fall on the next generation as well. William Brangham reports.

Sudan humanitarian crisis worsens after 1 year of civil war

10m 12s

This week marks one year since the start of war in Sudan. What began as an internal power struggle has produced the world’s largest displacement crisis. More than 8 million people have fled their homes, around 16 million are facing catastrophic levels of hunger and tens of thousands have been killed. Nick Schifrin reports in collaboration with North African media company, Ayin.

Russian attacks on power plants ravage Ukraine energy system

7m 5s

This year, Russia has launched a deliberate and devastating series of attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Taking advantage of gaps and shortages in Ukraine’s air defenses, Russia has systematically targeted nearly every single power plant in the country. As Amna Nawaz reports, officials say the last few weeks have been unlike any they’ve seen before in this war.

Supreme Court weighs obstruction charge in Jan. 6 cases

4m 15s

The Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a case looking at an obstruction law used to prosecute hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters. The obstruction statute is also key to various legal challenges facing former President Donald Trump. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Politico’s Kyle Cheney, who has been following the Jan. 6 legal fallout.

'Civil War' explores a divided America at war with itself

7m 26s

The new film "Civil War” is stirring debate and provoking conversation about where a divided nation could lead. It topped the domestic box office this weekend with a nearly $26 million opening, the biggest ever for the independent production company A24. Jeffrey Brown spoke with director Alex Garland for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Johnson faces threat to speakership over aid plans

8m 10s

On Capitol Hill, House Speaker Mike Johnson spent the day juggling his foreign aid priorities for Ukraine and Israel with potential threats to his job from members of his own party. Lisa Desjardins reports.

A Brief But Spectacular take on what it means to be human

3m 37s

Yuval Noah Harari is a professor renowned for his broad and thought-provoking perspectives on human history. Harari, who is the bestselling author of "Sapiens," recently released a new volume of this work for younger readers. He gives his Brief But Spectacular take on what it means to be human.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on Trump's first criminal trial

6m 58s

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Geoff Bennett to discuss the latest political news, including the escalating conflict in the Middle East and Donald Trump's first day in court as a criminal defendant.

Here's how tax policies proposed by Biden and Trump differ

7m 18s

It’s tax day and millions of people are filing at the last minute. What many may not know is that the clock is ticking on some potentially big changes that will be decided by the outcome of the 2024 election. Lisa Desjardins has a closer look at what's at stake with Richard Rubin of The Wall Street Journal.

Zelenskyy says 'no chance of winning’ without U.S. aid

17m 42s

Ukraine is facing challenges on multiple fronts, from critical shortages of munitions and manpower to Russia ramping up its attacks. It comes amid uncertainty around future aid from the U.S. Amna Nawaz sat down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv to discuss that and more.

Jury selection begins in Trump’s hush money trial

5m 54s

Donald Trump’s first criminal trial started Monday in New York City. In the first criminal trial of any former president, he faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up an alleged extramarital affair that surfaced during his 2016 campaign. William Brangham has been covering the former president’s legal cases and reports from New York.

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