PBS NewsHour - Segments

One of President-elect Trump's most embattled nominees, Defense Secretary-designate Pete Hegseth, met with Republican senators Wednesday on Capitol Hill. It comes as Trump revealed more of his picks key positions to assist him in his next term. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Supreme Court heard arguments in a landmark case on transgender rights. The justices are weighing whether a Tennessee law barring gender-affirming care for minors violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution. The decision will have major implications for young people who identify as transgender, their families and medical providers. Laura Barrón-López reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Wednesday, New York City police called the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson a brazen and targeted attack, opposition parties moved to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol a day after he ordered a brief, but chaotic, period of martial law and Palestinian officials say at least 21 people were killed in a nighttime Israeli strike on a tent camp in Gaza. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The White House said that a broad Chinese hacking operation had infiltrated at least eight American telecommunications companies and that none of them have managed to remove the Chinese hackers from their systems. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Biden is returning from the first presidential trip to Africa in more than a decade. Biden visited Angola to further U.S. investments on the continent. The Americans are playing a game of catchup with the Chinese who have spent decades, and billions, investing, extracting and, some say, exploiting developing countries. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Mvemba Phezo Dizolele. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Despite centuries on the national seal and widespread assumption, the bald eagle has never officially been designated as the national bird. John Yang reports on the effort to change that and why it matters. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

For the first time since South Korea became a democracy some 40 years ago, a president declared martial law. But hours later, the opposition and members of his own party in parliament rejected the order. Nick Schifrin discussed what led to this undemocratic move by President Yoon Suk Yeol and what's next for South Korea with Frank Jannuzi. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Tuesday, U.S. cyber defense officials say they still don't know the true scope of China's cyberattack on American telecommunication firms, the shaky cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah are being tested with new violence and President Biden says he's "all in" on Africa during a trip to Angola that's meant to counter China's influence on the continent. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The U.S. economy continues to perform well by many measures. Retail spending was up notably around Black Friday, markets are at or near record levels and unemployment remains low. And yet, most Americans have long felt the economy is not doing well for them. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

There is a disconnect between seemingly solid economic numbers and the way people feel about this economy. Voters clearly were upset about the cost of living and that helped elect Donald Trump to a second term. Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports from Ohio on how Americans see this in the wake of the election. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Since Syria's "Arab Spring," protests devolved into a decade-plus bloodletting. Fleeing civilians have been caught in the crossfire between the Assad regime, its Russian and Iranian allies and the various opposition groups that have fought against them. As the conflict reignites, special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen reports on the victims of this war and its survivors. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A federal judge formally dismissed the case against Hunter Biden following his father's sweeping pardon. Some legal analysts have expressed concerns that President Biden's pardon of his son gives President-elect Trump a road map to protect his political allies. Trump hinted on social media yesterday he'd do so. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Kyle Cheney of Politico. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Former Fox News host and defense secretary-delegate Pete Hegseth visited lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss his future in the next Trump administration. It comes as new reporting raises fresh concerns about his past. Amna Nawaz discussed the latest with Jane Mayer, a reporter with The New Yorker who investigated allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety and personal misconduct. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Biden issued a full and unconditional pardon of his son, Hunter, who was just days away from a possible prison sentence in two federal felony cases against him. It raises new questions about Biden's legacy as he closes out his final chapters in the White House. Geoff Bennett discussed the precedent this pardon could set with Margaret Love. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Monday, nearly seven million people are under winter weather alerts as lake effect snow impacts the Great Lakes region, Hezbollah fired projectiles into a disputed border zone in southern Lebanon for the first time since a cease-fire took effect and the Biden administration is preparing another $725 million in weapons assistance for Ukraine. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Russian and Syrian warplanes targeted civilian areas held by opposition fighters in Syria. It comes days after rebels swept into parts of northwestern Syria that the regime had controlled for years. Nick Schifrin discussed the reignition of the civil war and its implications with Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

NPR's Tamara Keith and Leigh Ann Caldwell of The Washington Post join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including President Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter, and President-elect Trump names more of his Cabinet picks. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Over 125 people are killed by guns every day in the United States. To address that epidemic through art, the Gun Violence Memorial Project shares intimate details of some of those lost. Special correspondent Jared Bowen of GBH Boston reports for our Arts and Culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Sunday, the family of an Israeli-American hostage met with Israel's president after Hamas released a video showing him, a former Israel defense minister accused Netanyahu's government of war crimes, Syrian military forces set up a defensive line against insurgents in the country's northwest, and global talks to curb plastic pollution broke down without reaching an agreement. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As he continues stocking his new administration with staunch loyalists, President-elect Trump on Saturday nominated Kash Patel to be FBI director. Patel claims that the FBI is part of what he calls the "deep state" conspiracy against Trump and his allies. NBC News reporter Ryan Reilly, who authored the book "Sedition Hunters: How January 6th Broke the Justice System," joins John Yang to discuss. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Stubbornly high food prices are compounding the problems of hunger and food scarcity across America, as people face tough choices in order to stretch their budgets to cover basic necessities like housing and child care. In one Texas community, residents are stepping up to help neighbors in need. Austin PBS' Blair Waltman-Alexin and Austin Vida's Isadora Day report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The presidential election laid bare political fault lines across the country, stark divisions that can be even more intense when they involve loved ones. William Brangham speaks with Jamil Zaki, a professor of psychology at Stanford University and author of "Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness," for ways to handle post-election stress and find a little holiday season hope. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Saturday, rebels in Syria encountered little resistance from government forces as they spread further into Aleppo, an Israeli airstrike killed charity workers in Gaza, Israel and Hezbollah's cease-fire appears to be holding despite sporadic incidents, and protests in Tbilisi continued over the Georgian government's suspension of talks to join the EU. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The weekend after Thanksgiving is the traditional start of the holiday shopping season, beginning with Black Friday. Some retailers have been offering discounts throughout November in hopes of encouraging shoppers squeezed by inflation to open their wallets. We hear from people about their shopping plans this year, and John Yang speaks with retail analyst Dana Telsey for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As armed conflicts and climate change fuel a global hunger crisis, tens of millions of children under the age of 5 are malnourished. One woman is on a mission to change that. Pamela Watts of Rhode Island PBS Weekly reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Cesarean sections to deliver babies are among the most common surgical procedures in U.S. hospitals. A new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that Black women are almost 25 percent more likely than white women to have unnecessary C-sections, putting them at risk of surgical complications. John Yang speaks with New York Times investigative reporter Sarah Kliff to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Friday, more than decade-old civil war in Syria appears to be re-igniting, as rebel fighters breached Aleppo -- Syria's second largest city -- following a surprise large-scale offensive this week. Fragile ceasefire between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah militants appears to be holding. And, Iran plans to expand its uranium enrichment program at its two top nuclear sites. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The ruling party of the country of Georgia has suspended talks to join the European Union, a decision that the opposition calls the culmination of a pro-Russian effort to rig recent parliamentary elections and turn the former Soviet Republic back toward Moscow. Nick Schifrin reports on the future of a country that plays a pivotal role in U.S. influence across the region. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

With the dismissal of the two federal cases against him, President-elect Donald Trump has bypassed some of the most serious legal jeopardy he faced. He's now assembling a Cabinet to carry out his agenda. New York Times columnist David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart, associate editor for The Washington Post, discuss that and other matters shaping the transition to a second Trump term. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

When Rafael Nadal retired from the game last week, he left a remarkable two-decades legacy in his wake. He was beloved on the court, and off, by players and fans alike. The holiday season is a time of reflection, so the News Hour's Stephanie Sy reflects on a memorable era in men's tennis. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

There are many ways we define American culture: the music, art and literature we produce, how our politics plays out, but also: the food we eat, and where we choose to eat it. In New York City in particular, each bite has chronicled that slice of America. But now, after countless restaurants and hundreds of reviews, Pete Wells is moving on from his job as the New York Times restaurant critic. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Five years after a devastating fire gutted a world icon, Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral is just days away from reopening. French president Emmanuel Macron toured the monument and his visit provided some first glimpses of this extraordinary restoration. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant met some of the expert artists and artisans whose skills have preserved "Our Lady" for centuries to come. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Western pop music has always been influenced by artists and styles from around the world. A new book aims to give those varied influences -- all of them -- their due. Special correspondent Tom Casciato has the story as part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Thursday, the cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah held for a second day, more than a million homes in Ukraine lost power after a massive Russian attack, Australia's Senate passed a first-of-its-kind social media ban for children under 16, travelers returning home this weekend may have some issues with weather, and Biden and Harris celebrated Thanksgiving with acts of service. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

It's been two months since Hurricane Helene cut a path of deadly destruction across the Southeast. Ahead of the holiday season, PBS News returned to the hard-hit region of western North Carolina, where despite the challenges they face rebuilding their lives, residents described being overwhelmed with gratitude for a renewed sense of community. Laura Barrón-López reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

With winter setting in around much of the country, many people are also gearing up for cough and cold season. But the Food and Drug Administration now says that phenylephrine, a long-used ingredient in many over-the-counter medicines, is ineffective and should be removed. Stephanie Sy speaks with Randy Hatton, a professor at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy, to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

While this season's politics and headlines may lead to heated exchanges over the Thanksgiving table, economics correspondent Paul Solman looks at the history of a different controversy that is ubiquitous during the holidays: pumpkin spice. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Thanksgiving Day is about coming together with family and friends, enjoying delicious food and, of course, giving thanks. This holiday, we wanted to take a moment to hear from viewers like you, so we asked people across the country what they were grateful for this year. Here's what some of you told us. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Residents of southern Lebanon began returning to their homes as the U.S. brokered cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. The agreement calls for Israel's withdrawal, for Hezbollah to move its fighters, and the Lebanese armed forces deployment to conclude within 60 days. Nick Schifrin discussed more with Amos Hochstein, President Biden's special envoy who led the negotiations. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Wednesday, this year's Thanksgiving travel rush is expected to be the busiest ever, the FBI is investigating incidents of alleged bomb threats and swatting attacks against several of President-elect Trump's Cabinet picks and appointees and three Americans who've been imprisoned in China were released in a rare diplomatic breakthrough with Beijing. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President-elect Trump selected a critic of COVID-19 lockdowns and mandates to lead the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is known for co-authoring the Great Barrington Declaration, a 2020 manifesto that advocated allowing COVID to spread in order to achieve herd immunity. It was widely criticized by top health officials. William Brangham discussed more with Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A U.S. official said Ukraine should consider dropping the age of military conscription from 25 to 18. It's a stark acknowledgment that Ukraine doesn't have enough troops to fight the seemingly endless volume of Russian soldiers, especially now that they're being bolstered by North Korean troops. Special correspondent Jack Hewson looks at Ukraine's dilemma and the country's harsh solutions. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders