PBS NewsHour - Segments

The NewsHour family remembers Jim Lehrer

As we continue to grieve the loss of our co-founder and former anchor, Jim Lehrer, we close with the voices of our staff, past and present, and NewsHour family. Jim touched so many lives and leaves an indelible imprint on our hearts -- and as this week's outpouring shows, on those of many of our viewers, too.

Trump poses 'continuing threat' to national interests, say House managers

On their second day of arguments in President Trump's Senate trial, House managers focused on their first article of impeachment, abuse of power. They accused Trump of "extorting" Ukraine's government by withholding $400 million in critical military aid and a White House meeting until Ukraine delivered an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Nick Schifrin reports.

How senators and the White House are reacting to Democrats' abuse of power argument

House impeachment managers are now in their second day of prosecuting the case to remove President Trump from office. On Thursday, they laid out why they believe Trump abused his presidential power. Yamiche Alcindor and Lisa Desjardins join Judy Woodruff to discuss the Democrats' presentation, how senators in the chamber appeared to be receiving it and what we're hearing from Trump himself.

News Wrap: China closes off city of Wuhan to try to contain coronavirus outbreak

In our news wrap Thursday, China closed off Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, in an unprecedented effort to contain a deadly coronavirus. Officials announced two other cities will be shuttered Friday, as infected patients are hospitalized in isolation wards. Also, the International Court of Justice unanimously ordered the government of Myanmar to protect Rohingya Muslims from acts of genocide.

The extraordinary legacy and unique voice of Jim Lehrer

It is impossible to quantify Jim Lehrer's influence on this news program, American journalism, presidential debates or the lives of so many of us. He was an extraordinary journalist, writer, collaborator and friend. Robert MacNeil, Lehrer's NewsHour co-founder, longtime Lehrer friend Justice Stephen Breyer and Sharon Percy Rockefeller, president and CEO of WETA, join Judy Woodruff to remember him.

After fiery Senate trial rules debate, House managers begin their prosecution

Former Rep. Bob Barr, Clinton impeachment manager, on 'fatally flawed' case against Trump

Former Congressman Bob Barr, a Georgia Republican, was a House manager during the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton in 1999. He joins Judy Woodruff to discuss how the roles of the impeachment managers during the Clinton trial were different from today, what he thinks about the current managers' performance so far and why he believes the articles of impeachment are "fatally flawed."

Senate and legal experts analyze the prosecution in Trump's impeachment trial

On Wednesday, House impeachment managers began making their case for the removal of President Trump. Georgetown University's Victoria Nourse, John Hart of Mars Hill Strategies, former Democratic Secretary of the Senate Martin Paone of Prime Policy Group and former Republican Secretary of the Senate Elizabeth Chryst of Congressional Global Strategies join Judy Woodruff to discuss the arguments.

News Wrap: At Davos, Trump urges Europe to liberalize trade policies

In our news wrap Wednesday, President Trump departed the World Economic Forum after urging European countries to liberalize trade. Trump complained that the European Union is "more difficult to do business with than China." Also, high winds and sweltering temperatures have returned to Australia, increasing the risk of fire. A huge dust storm also engulfed several towns in New South Wales.

NEWS WRAP

What we know about China's deadly coronavirus outbreak -- and what we don't

Chinese officials are racing to respond to a highly contagious pneumonia-like virus that has now killed at least 17 people, infected hundreds more and spread to several other countries. In an effort to contain the illness, the city of Wuhan has issued a partial quarantine and shut down public transportation. But the medical gravity of the virus remains unknown. William Brangham reports.

Why the UN thinks Saudi crown prince helped to hack Jeff Bezos' phone

United Nations investigators have unveiled an extraordinary charge: that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia may have been personally involved in hacking Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, one of the world's richest men. Nick Schifrin reports and talks to Agnès Callamard, the UN's special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, about the evidence behind the assertion and what should happen next.

Senate amends impeachment trial rules, but defers on witnesses

The Senate impeachment trial of President Trump got underway on Capitol Hill Tuesday. The first day of proceedings involved hours of debate over the trial rules Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had proposed; ultimately, some changes were accepted. Nick Schifrin reports, and Yamiche Alcindor, Lisa Desjardins and The Washington Post's Robert Costa join Judy Woodruff to discuss the takeaways.

What we learned from the 1st day of Trump's Senate impeachment trial

What did we learn from the first day of substantive proceedings in President Trump's Senate impeachment trial? Brookings Institution's Margaret Taylor, John Hart of Mars Hill Strategies, former Democratic Secretary of the Senate Martin Paone of Prime Policy Group and former Republican Secretary of the Senate Elizabeth Chryst of Congressional Global Strategies join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

In Davos, Trump hails U.S. 'economic boom,' downplays climate crisis

As his Senate impeachment trial begins, President Trump is meeting with other world leaders, economic scholars and business moguls in Davos, Switzerland, as part of the World Economic Forum. In an address there, Trump hailed a U.S. economic "boom" and said the outlook is strong for a trade deal with Europe. But not all attendees shared his optimism. Special correspondent Ryan Chilcote reports.

News Wrap: China's viral pneumonia spreads to the U.S.

In our news wrap Tuesday, an outbreak of viral pneumonia in China has spread to the United States. Federal health officials confirmed a Seattle-area man, now hospitalized in good condition, brought the virus back from a trip to China, where it has killed six people. Also, North Korea is warning it no longer feels bound to refrain from testing nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.

Idlib is the last refuge for Syrians fleeing Assad -- and it is barely livable

The war in Syria has waged for almost nine years and claimed millions of lives. Northwest Idlib province is the last refuge for Syrians fleeing attacks by President Bashar al-Assad's regime. But the crowded, muddy refugee camps there offer little shelter or support, and to the north, Turkey's border is closed to those seeking better conditions. Nick Schifrin reports on Idlib's "fragile stability."

How Polaroid pioneered the instant photography revolution

The Polaroid camera bypassed the entire process of film development, thus providing photographers an immediate look at their work. Released for sale in 1948, the first version was an "instant" hit. Now, the museum at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is showcasing the intersection of technology and art. Special correspondent Jared Bowen of WGBH reports.

What to expect from Trump's legal team and House managers during impeachment trial

On Monday, President Trump's legal team released its first official defense in advance of his Senate impeachment trial, which begins Tuesday. The president's attorneys say Trump didn't condition military aid to Ukraine on investigations into the Bidens. Meanwhile, the House impeachment managers were preparing their counterarguments. Lisa Desjardins reports and joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

News Wrap: At least 3 dead, dozens injured in Baghdad protests

In our news wrap Monday, at least three people died and dozens were wounded after new battles broke out between anti-government protesters and security forces in Iraq. Demonstrators clogged Baghdad's streets and threw rocks at security forces, who fired live rounds and tear gas back. Also, health officials in China confirmed an outbreak of viral pneumonia there poses the risk of spreading quickly.

Gun-rights advocates turn out in huge numbers to protest proposed Virginia restrictions

Huge numbers of gun-rights supporters gathered in Richmond, Virginia, Monday to protest a wave of gun-control measures being proposed by the state's new Democratic majority. Despite fears of violence, the demonstrations remained peaceful as thousands of demonstrators (some heavily armed) rallied to defend the Second Amendment. William Brangham reports and joins Nick Schifrin to discuss.

Could Australia's bushfire disaster alter the conversation on climate change?

Australia has been suffering a summer of extreme weather and dire consequences. Thunderstorms and hail have been pelting eastern sections of the country, while strong winds have produced dust storms. Plus, drought conditions and devastating bushfires remain a major problem. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien reports from Australia on why this fire season and its terrible impact are far from over.

Former Defense Sec. William Cohen on partisanship and impeachment evidence

Former Rep. William Cohen was among a handful of Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee in 1974 to vote for the impeachment of President Nixon. Cohen later served as secretary of defense under President Clinton, who was impeached during that time. Former Sec. Cohen joins Judy Woodruff to discuss his unique perspective on impeachment as President Trump's Senate trial dawns.

As Iowa approaches, 2020 Democrats highlight differences but push for unity

Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren appeared to put their recent clash behind them as they joined a South Carolina celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday. But former Vice President Joe Biden questioned whether either of them would benefit the Democratic Party as the 2020 nominee. As Amna Nawaz reports, plenty of uncertainty remains only two weeks out from the Iowa caucuses.

Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on Iowa caucus dynamics, impeachment politics

NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including what Democratic voters in Iowa are thinking about the 2020 primary race, the elusive definition of "electability" and how President Trump's Senate impeachment trial could affect the candidates.

Entertainment lawyer Nina Shaw on trailblazing and MeToo

Nina Shaw is an African American entertainment lawyer at the forefront of the industry's MeToo movement. She grew up in Harlem and the Bronx against the backdrop of the civil rights era and now represents prominent artists including Laurence Fishburne and Ava DuVernay. Shaw joins Steve Goldbloom to discuss being a trailblazer, what it took for her to get this far and her hopes for the future.

Entertainment lawyer and MeToo trailblazer Nina Shaw on a pivotal career moment

Nina Shaw is an African American entertainment lawyer at the forefront of the industry's MeToo movement. She grew up in Harlem and the Bronx against the backdrop of the civil rights era and now represents prominent artists including Laurence Fishburne and Ava DuVernay. Shaw joins Steve Goldbloom to discuss being a trailblazer, what it took for her to get this far and her hopes for the future.

Ukraine stuck in a tug-of-war between Russia and the West

After years of war with Russia and with a new president at the helm, Ukraine has played a crucial role in the struggles between Russia and the West, before it was drawn into U.S. politics and President Trump's impeachment. NewsHour Weekend looks back at our Ukraine coverage with Simon Ostrovsky, who's reported often from the region with Pulitzer Center support. He joins Hari Sreenivasan for more.

Black Comic Book Festival draws thousands in Harlem

New York's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture celebrated the tradition of black comics this weekend with its annual Black Comic Book Festival. Thousands attended the two-day exhibition in Harlem, which also featured screenings, panel discussions and a cosplay competition. And for fans, it was a chance to meet some of their favorite comic creators and superheroes. Karla Murthy reports.

Disease threatens Italy's once booming olive oil industry

More than a third of olive oil in the U.S. comes from Italy, which has kept a longstanding reputation for quality. But the quantity of olive oil made in the south of Italy has been in sharp decline. A disease in the region of Puglia has been attacking olive trees, decimating the industry and causing Italy to import olive oil for the first time. Special correspondent Christopher Livesay reports.

Making NewsHour Weekend: Covering stories at home, abroad and everywhere in between

NewsHour Weekend producers Laura Fong and Mori Rothman reported in 2019 on the impact of the U.S. trade war with China on farmers in North Carolina and Wisconsin a year ahead of the 2020 Republican and Democratic national conventions. They also reported on the effect of climate change near American Samoa and on a diversity debate in New York schools. They sat down with Hari Sreenivasan to discuss.

Will the GOP allow witnesses to testify after Dems release new evidence?

As questions continue to swirl over whether witnesses will be allowed to testify during President Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate, new evidence released by Democrats on Friday shows possible connections between the White House and GOP-linked operatives in Ukraine. Ryan Goodman, of the national security website justsecurity.org and an NYU law professor, joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss.

News Wrap: Amid protests, Iran's Khamenei lashes out at U.S.

In our news wrap Friday, Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lashed out at the U.S. amid new unrest in his country. He addressed Friday prayers for the first time in eight years, telling crowds the U.S. is lying when it says it supports protesters. Also, Sec. of State Mike Pompeo said he will investigate allegations that the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine was under surveillance before her ouster.

Australian ecosystems left vulnerable in wake of bushfire catastrophe

Firefighters in Australia are finally getting some help from nature, in the form of lower temperatures and rain. But many fires are still burning, and millions of acres have been lost. The blazes have also caused tremendous damage to the surrounding ecosystems and wildlife -- some of which don't exist anywhere else in the world. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

How Trump's USDA wants to change rules around school nutrition

Improving school meals was among Michelle Obama's key initiatives during her tenure as first lady. Since then, the Trump administration has rolled back Obama-era school nutrition policies they argued went too far and were ineffective. Now, the Department of Agriculture has made additional major changes. Crystal FitzSimons of the Food Research and Action Center joins Amna Nawaz to discuss.

Why climate change means new risks for U.S. financial markets

From fires to floods, the warming climate is reshaping the globe. In fact, the decade of the 2010s was the hottest ever recorded on Earth. And although activists and scientists have long been sounding the alarm, a new voice joined the chorus recently: investment firm BlackRock. William Brangham talks to BlackRock's Brian Deese about how climate change is altering American business and finance.

Threatened with violence, Venezuela's Juan Guaido on finding 'urgent solution' to crisis

Venezuela is enduring both economic meltdown and political crisis. A year ago, opposition head Juan Guaido said President Nicolas Maduro was illegitimate and that he himself was the country's rightful leader. But although Guaido won support from nearly 60 countries around the world, including the U.S., Maduro remains in power. Special correspondent Marcia Biggs sits down with Guaido in Caracas.

Shields and Brooks on Trump impeachment evidence, Democratic debate

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week's political news, including the opening of President Trump's Senate trial and the announcement of his legal team, public opinion on impeachment, 2020 Democrats' final debate before the Iowa caucuses and Michael Bloomberg's remarkable ad spend.

How a revitalized recording studio is bringing Georgia's Macon into the spotlight

Many a masterpiece has been recorded at Capricorn Sound Studios in Macon, Georgia. Otis Redding's manager, Phil Walden, co-founded the label, and Capricorn went on to produce a decade of southern rock hits. But as the music industry changed, Capricorn went bankrupt and fell into disrepair -- until a recent revival lifted the studio, and the city, back into the limelight. Jeffrey Brown reports.

What we learned from the opening day of Trump's impeachment trial

President Trump's impeachment trial, only the third such proceeding in U.S. history, opened in the Senate Thursday. Chief Justice John Roberts and 99 senators were sworn in to their official trial roles. Meanwhile, new evidence related to Trump's Ukraine policy was publicly released. Lisa Desjardins and Yamiche Alcindor join Judy Woodruff to discuss the trial and Lev Parnas.

News Wrap: Trump moves to give religious groups easier access to federal programs

In our news wrap Thursday, President Trump moved to give religious groups easier access to federal programs -- and to reaffirm the right to pray in public schools. Nine Cabinet departments proposed rules to ensure faith-based organizations are not discriminated against in the competition for grant funding. Also, the UN reports 350,000 people have fled a new government offensive in northwest Syria.

What are the differences between NAFTA and the USMCA?

The Senate has passed a new trade agreement among the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The USMCA, as it's now called, is meant to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, and it does change or replace some important provisions -- but critics say it is hardly the overhaul that was once advertised. Amna Nawaz reports and speaks to Lori Wallach of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch.

How John Roberts will approach his role in Trump's impeachment trial

Chief Justice John Roberts will preside over the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump -- only the third person ever to serve in that role. What exactly are his responsibilities, and how is Roberts' own character likely to shape his contributions? The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle and CNN's Joan Biskupic, both authors of books about the chief justice, join John Yang to discuss.

With Virginia ratification, where does the Equal Rights Amendment go from here?

U.S. women won the right to vote a century ago; the fight to instill in the Constitution equal rights regardless of sex is nearly as old. The Equal Rights Amendment was a major national topic in the 1970s -- but it wasn't until this past Tuesday that the crucial 38th state ratified it. Equality Now's Kate Kelly joins Judy Woodruff to discuss whether the ERA will become part of the Constitution.

Despite outbreak, Ebola treatment and vaccine represent 'resounding scientific success'

Recently, the FDA formally approved the first vaccine to prevent the Ebola virus. The advance comes at a crucial time, as Democratic Republic of Congo is suffering an outbreak that has lasted over a year and a half and sickened more than 3,000. But the death toll would be much higher without the unprecedented rate of medical progress in treatment. Special correspondent Monica Villamizar reports.

Kim Phuc's Brief But Spectacular take on pain and forgiveness

A photograph of Phan Thi Kim Phuc as a nine-year-old girl enduring a napalm attack became a defining image of the Vietnam War. Healing has been a decades-long process. Now living in Canada, Kim Phuc shares her Brief But Spectacular take on pain and forgiveness.

With the House walking over its impeachment work to the Senate, what happens next?

The House of Representatives has voted to send articles of impeachment against President Trump to the Senate. The newly selected House impeachment managers walked the documents across the Capitol Wednesday evening. Lisa Desjardins reports on a historic moment in American politics and joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the anticipated trial schedule, newly released evidence and other Senate business.

News Wrap: Virginia becomes 38th state to ratify Equal Rights Amendment

In our news wrap Wednesday, Virginia became the crucial 38th state to ratify the 1972 Equal Rights Amendment, which bars discrimination on the basis of sex. Three-quarters of the states now approve the amendment. Also, Russia's government abruptly resigned after President Vladimir Putin proposed sweeping constitutional changes that could keep him in power after his current term ends in 2024.

Barrasso: Senate GOP can 'absolutely' remain impartial while coordinating with White House

As the impeachment trial of President Trump opens, questions persist about how it will be run. In particular, Democrats and Republicans have argued over whether or not to include witness testimony. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss how he and his GOP colleagues can be impartial while coordinating with the White House and why he supports postponing the witness question.

Senate trial needs witnesses Trump wouldn't allow in the House, says Durbin

Many questions remain regarding how the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump will be conducted. Among the points of contention is whether or not witnesses should be called. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., joins Lisa Desjardins to discuss why he believes "you can't have a trial without witnesses and evidence" and how it's "no surprise" that most Americans are not following impeachment closely.