PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch: S2025 E55

57m 46s

Significance of prisoner swap between the U.S., Venezuela

6m 28s

In a historic prisoner swap, ten Americans are headed home after the U.S. freed a top ally of Venezuelan President Maduro. Six of the Americans were judged "wrongfully detained" by the State Department. The Maduro government also agreed to free 20 Venezuelan political prisoners and return fugitive defense contractor Leonard Francis to the U.S. Amna Nawaz discussed the deal with Jonathan Franks.

Church leader hopes hand-written Bible can heal divides

7m 45s

When the printing press was invented nearly 600 years ago, it put an end to centuries of hand-written manuscripts in which scribes, mostly in monasteries, tediously wrote and illustrated sacred texts, such as the Bible. Fred de Sam Lazaro revisits one monastery that brought back that tradition and in the process, is helping bridge divides. It’s part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

How the media is covering Trump's anti-democratic rhetoric

10m 55s

Former President Trump has said he’d be a dictator for one day, echoed anti-immigrant words of Adolf Hitler, called for terminating the Constitution, lied about America’s election system and vowed to use the power of the Justice Department as his personal tool for revenge. So how should the press cover Trump in the coming year? Laura Barrón-López discussed that with Jeff Goldberg and Jay Rosen.

News Wrap: Deal on Ukraine aid not expected before holidays

4m 22s

In our news wrap Tuesday, Senate leaders say they don't expect a deal on aid for Ukraine and border security until after the holiday break, an earthquake in China killed at least 127 people, bushfires in Australia made the air quality in Sydney among the worst in the world and the U.S. Forest Service is calling for cuts in logging to conserve old-growth forests.

Ukraine prepares for Russian attacks on energy grid

6m 52s

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy expressed confidence that both the U.S. and the European Union would deliver tens of billions of dollars in much-needed assistance. The aid is crucial for Ukraine’s air defense, which is becoming more important as Russia begins what appears to be another winter-long campaign of strikes on Ukraine’s infrastructure. Nick Schifrin and videographer Eric O’Connor report.

Iceland escapes worst-case scenario from volcanic eruption

4m 55s

Iceland appears to have so far escaped the worst-case scenario after a volcano erupted overnight about 50 miles from the capital Reykjavik. The lava flow is moving away from important infrastructure, including a fishing port where 4,000 people had been moved waiting for just this moment. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports.

Texas legislator on law targeting illegal border crossings

7m 20s

A new Texas law makes it a state crime to illegally cross the southern border into Texas. In the past, courts have ruled that only the federal government has the right to enforce immigration laws and civil rights have already sued to challenge the law. Stephanie Sy discussed more with state Rep. David Spiller, the Texas Republican who sponsored the bill.

How the U.S. plans to protect ships from attacks in Red Sea

4m 32s

Tensions are rising in the Red Sea, where about 12 percent of the world's global trade passes through. Houthi militias in Yemen say they are attacking ships to support Palestinians. Defense Secretary Austin announced a new multinational effort to protect ships in the region. Geoff Bennett and retired Gen. Frank McKenzie discussed how that will work.

Area where Palestinians found shelter becomes battle zone

4m 50s

Israel's campaign in Gaza continues with deadly effect as diplomats work to secure another deal to pause the fighting to release hostages held by Hamas in return for Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody. An attempt at the U.N. to secure a vote in the Security Council on a cease-fire was delayed by at least one more day. William Brangham reports.

U.S. military leaders urge Israel to scale back Gaza assault

4m 30s

America's two top defense officials are in Israel with a dual message: the U.S. supports the right to self-defense, but Israel must stop killing so many Gaza civilians and focus its operations. The war continues at a brutal pace with hundreds killed this past weekend. Leading to more calls for a cease-fire from Israel's non-U.S. allies. Geoff Bennett reports.

Surgeon describes experience treating patients in Gaza

7m 30s

The health system in Gaza has collapsed with 75 percent of the hospitals there not operational. Those that are open lack crucial medical supplies and are overcrowded and understaffed. Amna Nawaz spoke with Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a British Palestinian surgeon who spent a month-and-a-half in Gaza, tending to people at the peak of the Israeli bombing campaign.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on immigration reform

8m 40s

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 Senate negotiations over Ukraine funding and a border deal, the importance of immigration policy in the 2024 election and anti-immigrant rhetoric takes center stage in the Republican presidential race.

The barriers women still face after O'Connor's appointment

7m

Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, lay in repose Monday, giving members of the public the chance to pay their respects. While the court has changed substantially since O’Connor first joined the bench more than 40 years ago, John Yang looks at the other ways the legal profession has not evolved.

Promise of police body cameras falling short of expectations

6m 28s

The use of police body cameras has become much more widespread in recent years with the hope that they will curb police violence and improve accountability. But a new investigation by ProPublica and The New York Times Magazine found it can often take months or years before the video is released, if at all. William Brangham discussed more with Eric Umansky of ProPublica.

Schools turn to 4-day week to cope with staffing shortfalls

5m 34s

Across the country, more school districts are making the change to a four-day school week. NewsHour Communities Correspondent Gabrielle Hays traveled to one of those districts in Missouri to see how teachers and parents are adjusting.

Political experts examine America's divisions ahead of 2024

8m 11s

All this year, Judy Woodruff has been exploring the deep divisions we see playing out every day in the country. She’s distilled much of that reporting into a special airing Tuesday night on PBS. For that, she recently sat down with a panel to talk through their concerns heading into another contentious election year. It's for her series, America at a Crossroads.

Why Sandra Day O'Connor fought to end elections of judges

7m 12s

Sandra Day O'Connor, who died in December at 93, will lie in repose Monday at the Supreme Court. The retired justice of the nation’s highest court spent her last active years working to end the election of judges, which she saw as incompatible with an independent judiciary. John Yang speaks with Rebecca Love Kourlis, a former Colorado Supreme Court justice, to learn more.

What to know about upcoming changes to FAFSA

6m 42s

The road to college financial aid usually begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. After years of delays, a new version of the form will be released at the end of December. While it promises increased access to aid, the delays could put universities and students in a bind. The Washington Post’s Danielle Douglas-Gabriel joins John Yang to discuss what’s changed and why.

How Arizona is responding to a record surge of migrants

6m 8s

White House officials and Senate Republicans resumed talks Sunday aimed at a deal on new border security measures. A record number of migrants on the southern border could push President Biden to consider restrictions he’s previously denounced. John Yang speaks with Arizona Public Media’s Danyelle Khmara for a look at the situation on the border.

The issues driving a growing rift in the Catholic Church

7m 30s

Efforts by Pope Francis to make the Catholic Church more inclusive for LGBTQ+ people and women, alongside urging vaccination against COVID, have been creating a growing chasm between the Vatican and traditionalist American Catholics. David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, joins Ali Rogin to discuss.

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