PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

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Watch Latest: S2024 E322

26m 45s

Extreme drought plunges southern Africa into hunger crisis

5m 45s

A devastating drought induced by El Nino has scorched crops and left millions hungry in southern Africa. As aid groups face budget cuts and broaden their operations to other conflicts, the region’s crisis is expected to worsen. Ali Rogin speaks with Zimbabwe-based journalist Tendai Marima to learn more.

A Brief But Spectacular take on the miracle of flight

2m 31s

Entrepreneur and author Derrick Fennell has been a flight attendant for more than 14 years. Many of his passengers know him for his in-flight poems reflecting on his time in the skies. Fennell shares one of his poems and his Brief But Spectacular take on the miracle of flight.

How golfer Charlie Sifford broke the PGA’s color barrier

10m 28s

Charlie Sifford was the first Black player to get a PGA card, qualifying him for the professional golf tour. It came in 1961, a full decade after the color barrier had fallen in professional football, baseball and basketball. John Yang speaks with Sifford’s elder son, Charles Sifford Jr., and sportswriter Peter May about Sifford’s legacy on and off the golf course.

How Arizona’s abortion ban revival affects close 2024 races

5m 22s

The near-total abortion ban that the Arizona Supreme Court revived this week dates back to 1864, a time when Arizona wasn’t a state, slavery was legal and only white men could vote. Many GOP officeholders and candidates scrambled to distance themselves from the law. John Yang speaks with Republican strategist Barrett Marson for more about how party members are navigating the political fallout.

Robert MacNeil's colleagues remember his life and legacy

9m 6s

Former colleagues of NewsHour co-founder Robert MacNeil joined to reflect on his life and career after his death at the age of 93. Judy Woodruff, Jeffrey Brown and former executive producer Linda Winslow worked with MacNeil over many years and counted him as a dear friend.

Renowned journalist, NewsHour co-founder Robert MacNeil dies

13m 2s

Robert MacNeil died Friday morning at the age of 93. He was the visionary and driving force in the creation of the institution that, with Jim Lehrer, became the NewsHour. Jeffrey Brown looks back at his life and legacy.

Brooks and Marcus on abortion restrictions motivating voters

10m 40s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Ruth Marcus join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including a major abortion decision out of Arizona weighs on the minds of voters and Republicans on Capitol Hill navigate their agenda with influence from Donald Trump.

What to expect when Trump's 1st criminal trial begins Monday

7m 26s

The nation is about to enter uncharted territory. On Monday, for the first time in American history, a former president will be tried in a court of law. Donald Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records to prevent news of an alleged extramarital affair from becoming public. William Brangham previews this complicated, historic case.

Israel awaits possible retaliatory attack from Iran

4m 43s

Warning signs are flashing red throughout the Middle East and beyond as Israel and the U.S. await a possible Iranian response to the attack on its last week in Damascus, Syria. That Israeli airstrike killed one of Iran's senior military leaders. The Islamic Republic has vowed vengeance. Nick Schifrin reports.

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.

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