PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

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Watch: S2024 E319

57m 46s

Why you may be ingesting more microplastics than you thought

6m 24s

From takeout containers to water bottles, plastic seems unavoidable in our daily lives. Now, two new studies have found that we’re eating and drinking more plastic than we might have realized. George Leonard, a co-author of one of the studies and chief scientist at Ocean Conservancy, joins John Yang to discuss the findings.

How Taiwan’s presidential pick affects relations with China

6m 48s

The results of Saturday’s Taiwanese presidential election has big implications for both Beijing and Washington. President-elect Lai Ching-te, who is also known as William Lai, rejects China’s claim of sovereignty over Taiwan. Ali Rogin speaks with Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, the China reporter for Axios based in Taiwan, about the election and what to expect next.

Brooks and Capehart on Iowa expectations, Biden's campaign

10m 8s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, the dynamics of the GOP race and expectations heading into Iowa and Democrats concerned about the Biden reelection campaign strategy.

What's at stake for China and U.S. in Taiwan's elections

6m 23s

In Taiwan, voters head to the polls on Saturday for presidential and parliamentary elections. The results will be as closely watched in Beijing and Washington as they will be in Taipei. China considers Taiwan a breakaway republic, and President Xi Jinping often speaks of reunification with the island. Nick Schifrin looks at the candidates and the stakes for the vote.

New COVID variant responsible for latest wave of infections

6m 55s

The U.S. and other parts of the world are in the midst of another COVID-19 wave. Infections and hospitalizations are on the rise this winter and a new variant is responsible for most of those cases. John Yang discussed these current trends and if the approach to the virus needs to change with Dr. Eric Topol.

Iowa 'kingmaker' on the GOP race and white evangelical vote

8m 54s

The Iowa caucuses are now just three days away, which means the candidates are making their final pitches to a coveted group of voters: white evangelicals. Bob Vander Plaats is perhaps Iowa’s most recognizable and influential evangelical leader and is often called a kingmaker in Iowa politics. Lisa Desjardins sat down with him in Des Moines to discuss the GOP race.

UN agency describes dire humanitarian situation in Gaza

5m 49s

Friday marks 97 days of the war in Gaza and the humanitarian toll on its population has been devastating. According to the U.N., 90 percent of Gazans are displaced, more than one in four are starving and there’s not a single hospital in the strip that is fully functional. Ali Rogin spoke with the U.N. Relief and Works Agency to get an update from the ground in Gaza.

How U.S. strikes on Houthis could alter Middle East conflict

5m 23s

The U.S. strikes against Houthis in Yemen mark a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The world is now waiting to see whether the strikes will accomplish their goal to stop the Houthis from harassing ships in the Red Sea or raise the risk of a wider conflict. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Nadwa Al-Dawsari, a nonresident scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington.

Houthis vow revenge after U.S. and U.K. airstrikes in Yemen

3m 17s

Houthi militants in Yemen promised retaliation after U.S. and U.K. airstrikes. U.S. officials said the strikes were not intended to widen the war in Gaza, despite Houthi claims that their missile and drone attacks in the Red Sea were designed to target Israeli-affiliated shipping. As Nick Schifrin reports, the U.S. said it could strike again if the Houthi campaign continues.

What the Epstein documents reveal about his sex trafficking

4m 30s

Thousands of court documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein have been made public as part of a settled lawsuit involving one of his victims. The records detail Epstein’s sexual abuse and trafficking of underage girls and include the names of 150 people who were in contact with him. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Julie K. Brown, author of “Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story.”

A Brief But Spectacular take on dance as activism

2m 49s

Joya Powell is an award winning choreographer, activist and educator whose work focuses on community and the African diaspora. She is the founder of Movement of the People Dance Company, a group that addresses socio-cultural injustices through dance. She shares her Brief But Spectacular take on dance as activism.

Experts give views on genocide accusations against Israel

12m 43s

Before an international court, South Africa is accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. So how strong is the case and what will be Israel's defense when it presents its side on Friday? Nick Schifrin has two views from Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, and Yuval Shany, chair of international law at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

South Africa accuses Israel of genocide at top UN court

4m 39s

The International Court of Justice in The Hague heard arguments from South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. It's a rare case and could drag on for years. But as Nick Schifrin reports, South Africa is requesting a preliminary ruling, which could have far-ranging implications for Israel and the United States.

GOP contenders sprint across Iowa with 4 days until caucuses

7m 57s

With just four days until the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses, the Republican presidential field continues to shrink and the remaining candidates are making their closing arguments. Lisa Desjardins is in Iowa and reports on the contenders and their messages.

What happened during closing arguments in Trump fraud trial

4m 37s

One of Donald Trump’s trials came to an end in New York City on Thursday. A judge will now determine whether the former president committed fraud by inflating the value of his real estate assets. Trump and his attorneys argue the case is politically motivated and prosecutors have no evidence of wrongdoing. William Brangham was in the courtroom and reports from New York.

U.S., U.K. strike Houthis in Yemen for Red Sea attacks

3m 30s

The United States and Britain launched strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The strikes are in response to numerous attacks against shipping vessels in the Red Sea in recent months. Nick Schifrin reports.

Inflation uptick complicates Fed's plan to lower rates

6m 34s

New data shows that inflation ran a little higher at the end of the year than expected but slowed down significantly in 2023. Consumers are still hesitant to embrace the economy's strength, a theme that was consistent throughout last year's strong economic performance. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest numbers and what might be ahead with Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic.

House Republicans poised to impeach DHS Secretary

6m 30s

For the first time in nearly 150 years, the House of Representatives is poised to impeach a member of the president’s Cabinet. But while conservative lawmakers are accusing the Homeland Security Secretary of losing control of the border, they’re struggling to control their chamber. Congressional Correspondent Lisa Desjardins saw it all firsthand.

Quantum computing lab transformed into artistic oasis

5m 30s

Advance technology labs are not places where you're likely to find much creative artistic expression, let alone color. But a scientist and an artist have joined forces to help inspire the development of the next generation of computing at Google’s Quantum A.I. Lab. Special correspondent Mike Cerre reports for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Hundreds of bodies found buried behind Mississippi jail

7m 28s

The discovery of 215 bodies buried in unmarked graves behind a jail outside of Jackson, Mississippi, has left a community in disbelief. The families are angry they were never notified of the deaths and how their loved ones are buried in graves marked by just a metal rod and a number. Amna Nawaz discussed the disturbing details that have emerged with Bettersten Wade and attorney Ben Crump.

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