PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

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Watch: S2024 E318

57m 46s

Mideast experts on cease-fire prospects after assassination

6m 44s

Ismail Haniyeh, the top political leader for Hamas, was killed by an airstrike in Iran. Both Hamas and Iran blamed Israel for the assassination. Geoff Bennett has views on the development from Nathan Brown, professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University, and Hanin Ghaddar, the Friedmann Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Deaths of Hamas, Hezbollah chiefs escalate Mideast war fears

4m 18s

The top political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed overnight in Tehran, just hours after an Israeli airstrike killed one of the top military leaders of Hezbollah in Beirut. Taken together, after ten months of war in Gaza, the attacks escalated fears that a simmering regional conflict could explode into a new and more dangerous phase. Nick Schifrin reports.

Online safety bill sparks debate over censorship and privacy

7m 29s

The U.S. Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act on Tuesday. If the bill is approved in the House, it will mark the first time in 25 years that Congress has passed a law aimed to better protect children from dangers online. Stephanie Sy has a closer look at the plan with Ava Smithing of the Young People’s Alliance, an organization promoting youth advocacy.

Hong Kong bookstore begins new chapter in upstate New York

6m 47s

From 2021 to 2022, Hong Kong experienced its biggest population drop since record-keeping began more than 60 years ago. Tens of thousands left because of strict COVID-19 policies and a crackdown on civil liberties by Beijing. Special correspondent Christopher Booker spent time with an American couple part of this exodus and reports on their journey for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Acting Secret Service head grilled over security failures

5m 36s

One week after the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, acting successor Ronald Rowe spent Tuesday morning acknowledging the agency’s failures and trying to reassure Congress during a hearing that the Secret Service is capable and accountable. Rowe was joined at the hearing by the deputy director of the FBI. Geoff Bennett reports.

Inside the Democratic strategy to flip control of the House

6m 45s

The dramatic changes in the presidential race could have implications for the other major battles for control of the House and Senate. Both chambers are up for grabs with Democrats particularly hopeful about flipping the House of Representatives. Lisa Desjardins discussed that effort with Rep. Suzan DelBene, chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Republican mayor from Ariz. explains why he endorsed Harris

5m 26s

Since Kamala Harris launched her presidential campaign, she’s racked up endorsements from former presidents, party leaders in Congress and won the support of enough delegates to clinch the nomination. Now, the Harris campaign announced the support of more than a dozen mayors in Arizona, including Republican John Giles of Mesa. Geoff Bennett spoke with Giles about his decision to back Harris.

Voters share how Harris shifted the mood of the election

5m 8s

Vice President Kamala Harris is hitting the campaign trail in the battleground Georgia, her first visit since locking up the votes for the nomination. She plans to visit several swing states in the coming weeks ahead of the Democratic convention. Laura Barrón-López reports from Atlanta.

Israel targets Hezbollah leader in Beirut strike

8m 48s

Israel says it has killed one of Hezbollah’s most senior military officials in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Israel blames Fuad Shukr for this past weekend’s strike that killed a dozen children. His possible death is sparking fears of an escalating war in the region. Nick Schifrin discussed the developments with Randa Slim of the Middle East Institute.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on the Harris campaign momentum

8m 59s

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 momentum behind Vice President Harris' campaign, Democrats labeling Trump and his allies as "weird" and the criticism surrounding the pick of JD Vance as the Republican vice presidential candidate.

Trump shifts cryptocurrency stance to win new voters, donors

6m 35s

Cryptocurrency’s largest annual conference featured a gathering of leaders, celebrities, tech industry insiders, and crypto-enthusiasts. Both Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke in favor of boosting crypto during their remarks. The rise of cryptocurrencies has created a new bloc of mega-donors candidates are trying to win over. William Brangham discussed more with David Yaffe-Bellany.

How Trump and Harris campaign messages are resonating

3m 57s

It’s only been a week since the 2024 race for the White House was upended, but it’s already entering the final countdown with fewer than 100 days until Election Day. In the last couple of days, the Republican ticket of Donald Trump and JD Vance hit the campaign trail together while Kamala Harris spent her first full weekend as the likely Democratic nominee. Lisa Desjardins reports.

How a 94-year-old became the breakout star of the summer

7m 42s

One of the Hollywood box office stars of the summer is a 94-year-old veteran of stage and screen in her very first starring role. In "Thelma," June Squibb plays the victim of an online scam who decides to take matters into her own hands. Squibb sat down with Jeffrey Brown to talk about aging on screen and in life. It's part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Olympian Apolo Ohno on prioritizing athletes' mental health

6m 51s

Millions of people are closely watching the performance of Olympic great Simone Biles as she competes for gold. Biles has also helped open the door wider to conversations around mental health and the incredible pressure to compete. Amna Nawaz discussed that with Apolo Ohno, the most decorated American Olympian of the Winter Games.

Biden proposes Supreme Court term limits, ethics reforms

4m 40s

President Biden unveiled three proposed reforms in response to legal, ethical and political controversies around the Supreme Court. The plan includes an enforceable code of ethics for justices, term limits for the Supreme Court and a constitutional amendment limiting the recent decision on presidential immunity. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López breaks down the proposals.

Venezuela in political standoff after disputed election

7m 52s

The U.S. says it has serious concerns about the election results in Venezuela after authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro declared a victory in a tumultuous presidential race. Exit polls showed a blowout win for the opposition party. Both Maduro and the opposition have claimed a win, but most world leaders held back from recognizing the results. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Ricardo Zuniga.

How the Harris 2024 campaign affects down-ballot races

7m 33s

Just 100 days out from Election Day, the U.S. political landscape is drastically different than it was a little more than a week ago. The effects of the shakeup on the Democratic presidential ticket are being felt in the battle for the House and Senate and the fight over big issues on the ballot in many states. Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter joins John Yang to discuss.

What’s behind a decline in doctors going into pediatric care

7m 23s

An ongoing shortage of pediatric specialists in areas like neurology and pulmonology has meant long waits or long drives for specialized care. Experts warn that missing early treatment and prevention of diseases can mean more problems and higher costs down the road. John Yang speaks with Dr. Sallie Permar to learn more.

Wild chimpanzees reveal the medicinal properties of plants

2m 13s

Scientists are uncovering the healing power of plants with help from an unlikely source: chimpanzees. For years, researchers at the University of Oxford have taken samples of plants favored by injured wild chimps to learn about their medicinal properties. Sangeeta Kandola of Independent Television News reports.

How Lois Curtis fought for the rights of disabled Americans

2m 40s

For the next installment in our “Hidden Histories” series, Ali Rogin brings us the story of Lois Curtis, an artist whose lawsuit 25 years ago over the conditions of her confinement in state institutions ended up at the Supreme Court and established the rights of disabled Americans.

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