PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

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Watch: S2024 E319

57m 46s

News Wrap: Authorities arrest 7 accused of plotting attack

3m 25s

In our news wrap Thursday, authorities in Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands arrested seven people accused of plotting terror attacks, the U.S. House overwhelmingly passed a defense policy bill today worth $886 billion, Kenya's military intensified efforts to evacuate hundreds of people trapped by flooding and retail sales rebounded in November in a surprise start to the holiday shopping season.

Israel says war will continue 'more than several months'

3m 14s

With global pressure on Israel growing over the war in Gaza, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his top lieutenants Thursday. U.S. criticism of Israel's operations, which have killed more than 18,000 people, is growing, but Netanyahu said after the meeting that Israel would continue until "absolute victory." William Brangham reports.

What needs to happen to pass Ukraine aid, border funding

5m 59s

In a sign that a deal on border security and Ukraine funding could still emerge by Christmas, the U.S. Senate is staying in town next week instead of going on its scheduled recess. Congressional Correspondent Lisa Desjardins and White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López discuss Thursday's developments.

Gaza civilians face new threat with spread of disease

5m 55s

The United Nations says Gaza’s health system has virtually collapsed, and Gazans who have survived daily bombings now face the risk of disease amid chronically overcrowded hospitals. William Brangham discussed that with Avril Benoit, the executive director of Doctors Without Borders in the U.S. The international humanitarian organization has been operating in Gaza since the start of the war.

Real estate commission challenges could shake housing market

8m 49s

The Federal Reserve is projecting as many as three interest rate cuts next year. That could help lower mortgage rates, which have been at a two-decade high this year, and help improve the affordability of buying a home. But a landmark jury decision could also change the costs of buying and selling a home and its overall price tag. Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports from Missouri.

Rush's Geddy Lee reflects on music and life in new memoir

7m 24s

The Canadian band Rush achieved big success across 40 years, from the 70s into the 2000s, driven by musicianship and eclectic, lyrical content. After the death of drummer Neil Peart in 2020, singer and bass guitarist Geddy Lee stepped away from the stage. But he has returned in a spoken word tour to accompany a new memoir. Lisa Desjardins spoke with him for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

The self-driving safety concerns that led to Tesla recall

5m 21s

Tesla has recalled 2 million cars, nearly all of its vehicles sold in the U.S. since 2012, because of issues with its self-driving features. Safety regulators have investigated nearly a thousand crashes involving Tesla's autopilot system, which can fully take over steering, braking and acceleration. William Brangham discussed the recall with Faiz Siddiqui of The Washington Post.

Drone warfare transforms battle between Ukraine and Russia

7m 51s

With Congress deadlocked on whether to approve tens of billions of dollars in additional aid for Ukraine, that nation's domestic arms industry is becoming increasingly important. Perhaps the most vital weapons system it's producing is an army of drones. Nick Schifrin and videographer Eric O’Connor visited the frontline in southern Ukraine to understand how drones have transformed the war.

Impeachment expert breaks down House GOP inquiry into Biden

10m 53s

House Republicans voted to open an impeachment inquiry into President Biden and his family's business dealings. Lisa Desjardins reports on the developments and William Brangham discusses the inquiry with Michael Gerhardt, author of "The Law of Presidential Impeachment: A Guide for the Engaged Citizen."

Federal Reserve suggests it may cut interest rates in 2024

5m 32s

The Federal Reserve opted to leave interest rates unchanged, but Fed Chairman Jerome Powell suggested there may be as many as three rate cuts next year. Powell said rate hikes appear to be over for now and the economy is well positioned for a so-called "soft landing." Stephanie Sy discussed more with economist Julia Coronado of MacroPolicy Perspectives.

COP28 nations agree to transition from fossil fuels

6m 27s

The COP28 climate conference closed with more than 200 nations agreeing they should transition away from the fossil fuels that are warming the planet. They also pledged to triple the amount of renewable energy deployed by 2030 and curb the release of methane. But reaction to the agreement has been mixed. William Brangham discussed that with Manish Bapna of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Israeli troops meet renewed resistance from Hamas in Gaza

9m 50s

Israeli troops met renewed and heavy resistance from Hamas militants across the Gaza Strip and civilians remain caught in the middle. The Gaza health ministry says nearly 19,000 people have been killed in the enclave since the Hamas terror attacks of Oct. 7. John Yang discussed the pressure on Israel to increase humanitarian aid and reduce civilian casualties with Natan Sachs.

What Shohei Ohtani’s unique contract could mean for baseball

6m 26s

Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is the highest in professional team sports in North America. The 29-year-old from Japan dominates in both pitching and hitting and was the American League’s most valuable player this past season. Stephanie Sy discussed the Ohtani phenomenon, his unique contract and what it could mean for baseball with Joe Posnanski.

Jewish Americans on how the war is affecting their Hanukkah

3m 56s

Hanukkah is Judaism’s celebration of finding light in the darkness. But for some Jewish Americans, this year’s celebrations are tempered by the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and antisemitism concerns closer to home. We hear from people across the country about what Hanukkah means to them and if they are celebrating it differently this year.

How a New York law opened 'Diddy' to sexual assault lawsuits

7m 25s

Four women are suing hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs over sexual assault allegations dating back to the early 90s. Previously, those lawsuits couldn’t have been filed because of the statute of limitations. But most were filed under a New York state law that allowed survivors a one-year window to sue for past abuse. Amna Nawaz discussed more with attorney Mariann Wang and Sidney Madden of NPR.

Chinese seafood processed using forced labor sold in U.S.

6m 59s

An investigation into Chinese fishing fleets and processing centers has discovered that seafood produced with forced labor is making its way to American dinner tables. That's despite a U.S. ban on imports made by workers from China’s Xinjiang province. That region is home to Muslim minority Uyghurs who have been the victims of well-documented human rights violations. John Yang reports.

Why some climate experts are criticizing COP28 conference

6m 14s

As the COP28 climate conference comes to a close, countries are racing against the clock. More than 100 nations are pushing for a firm commitment to stop the use of coal, oil and gas after earlier drafts advocated for eventually phasing out fossil fuels. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Michael Mann, one of the climate experts critical of what’s happened at the summit.

Biden says Israel losing support over indiscriminate bombing

2m 43s

The UN General Assembly approved a measure calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The U.S. was one of ten nations to vote against the non-binding resolution. Before the vote, President Biden said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to change his hardline government, adding that Israel is losing global support due to its “indiscriminate bombing” in Gaza. Geoff Bennett reports.

Zelenskyy makes case to Congress for more aid for Ukraine

12m 10s

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Washington urging Congress to unfreeze badly needed military aid. The debate over U.S. aid comes as a declassified intelligence assessment details staggering losses for Russia. It shows nearly 90 percent of its pre-war force has been killed or wounded in Ukraine.

Research shows climate change putting human health at risk

8m 14s

As the U.N. climate conference nears its end, there's concern over whether countries can or will meet prior pledges to hold down global temperatures. If temperatures continue to climb, the impact on health could be profound and some doctors say their profession is not prepared. William Brangham reports in collaboration with the Global Health Reporting Center with support from the Pulitzer Center.

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