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Nearly a quarter of global maritime trade goes through the South China Sea. In recent years, it’s become the site of clashes between Chinese coast guard ships and Philippine vessels as Beijing tries to exert its claim to virtually the entire sea despite international law. John Yang speaks with Andrew Chubb, Asia Society fellow and senior lecturer at Lancaster University, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Five years ago today, George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police. Video of the event sent shockwaves around the world and triggered an American reckoning with racial justice and police use of force. For our ongoing series “Race Matters,” John Yang speaks with Selwyn Jones, Floyd’s uncle and co-founder of Justice 929, about his family’s continued fight for civil rights and police reform. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Nearly a quarter of global maritime trade goes through the South China Sea. In recent years, it’s become the site of clashes between Chinese coast guard ships and Philippine vessels as Beijing tries to exert its claim to virtually the entire sea despite international law. John Yang speaks with Andrew Chubb, Asia Society fellow and senior lecturer at Lancaster University, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Experts say drinking a lot of sweetened beverages can lead to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. This week, the federal government reversed decades of policy and allowed states to ban the use of food stamps to buy soda and other sweetened drinks. In addition, a handful of cities have put taxes on them over strong objections from the beverage industry. John Yang reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
House Republicans narrowly passed the multitrillion-dollar bill advancing Trump’s domestic agenda, and Senate Republicans are preparing for the battles ahead when they consider the measure next month. One item that’s sure to be debated is the House bill’s massive cuts to Medicaid. Jason Resendez of the National Alliance for Caregiving joins John Yang to discuss what those cuts could mean. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
It was 45 years ago today when Mount St. Helens erupted, triggering the biggest landslide in Earth’s recorded history and creating an ash cloud that reached across the country. John Yang looks back at the deadliest and most destructive volcanic eruption in U.S. history with Steve Olson, author of “Eruption: The Untold Story of Mount St. Helens.” PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In late April, the Trump administration told hundreds of scientists and experts that they were no longer needed to compile the next national climate assessment, a flagship report mandated by Congress to catalog the ways climate change affects the country. John Yang speaks with Elizabeth Koebele, an associate professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, who was among the recipients of that message. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In late April, the Trump administration told hundreds of scientists and experts that they were no longer needed to compile the next national climate assessment, a flagship report mandated by Congress to catalog the ways climate change affects the country. John Yang speaks with Elizabeth Koebele, an associate professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, who was among the recipients of that message. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Israel is mobilizing forces for a new ground assault in Gaza, after Palestinian officials said about 300 people died in waves of airstrikes over the past 72 hours. Israeli officials say the objective is to pressure Hamas into freeing the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Meanwhile, ceasefire talks resumed Saturday in Qatar. John Yang speaks with The Washington Post’s Gerry Shih for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Israel is mobilizing forces for a new ground assault in Gaza, after Palestinian officials said about 300 people died in waves of airstrikes over the past 72 hours. Israeli officials say the objective is to pressure Hamas into freeing the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Meanwhile, ceasefire talks resumed Saturday in Qatar. John Yang speaks with The Washington Post’s Gerry Shih for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. plunged last year to their lowest level since 2019, according to the CDC. In 2024, nationwide overdose deaths fell by nearly 30,000 from the year before, a drop of about 27 percent. There were declines across all categories of drug use, including opioids, the source of most overdose deaths over the past decade. John Yang discussed more with Brian Mann of NPR. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. plunged last year to their lowest level since 2019, according to the CDC. In 2024, nationwide overdose deaths fell by nearly 30,000 from the year before, a drop of about 27 percent. There were declines across all categories of drug use, including opioids, the source of most overdose deaths over the past decade. John Yang discussed more with Brian Mann of NPR. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
The Environmental Protection Agency announced a rollback of Biden-era regulations on PFAS chemicals in drinking water systems. The EPA estimates more than 158 million Americans are exposed to these "forever chemicals" through water. John Yang discussed the move with Amudalat Ajasa of The Washington Post. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Cheetahs, the fastest mammals on Earth, are now in a race against extinction. It’s estimated that fewer than 7,000 exist in the wild. John Yang speaks with Laurie Marker, a woman who has already helped dramatically reduce one threat to cheetahs and is tackling new ones that have emerged, for our Weekend Spotlight. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Cheetahs, the fastest mammals on Earth, are now in a race against extinction. It’s estimated that fewer than 7,000 exist in the wild. John Yang speaks with Laurie Marker, a woman who has already helped dramatically reduce one threat to cheetahs and is tackling new ones that have emerged, for our Weekend Spotlight. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Wednesday, Catholic cardinals from across the globe will gather for the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor. John Yang takes a deeper look at the high-stakes undertaking to select the next pontiff. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Wednesday is the 80th anniversary of VE Day, marking Germany’s unconditional surrender and the end of WWII in Europe. A new book “Spitfires” tells the little-known contribution American women made to that outcome by flying combat aircraft — not for U.S. forces, which denied them the opportunity, but for Britain’s Air Transport Auxiliary. John Yang spoke with author Becky Aikman to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
The Trump administration’s dismissals of hundreds of experts compiling a key report on climate change is only the latest in a series of science-related rollbacks and cuts. That includes job cuts at the National Weather Service, where an Associated Press analysis found a 20 percent vacancy rate in nearly half its forecast offices. John Yang speaks with AP science writer Seth Borenstein for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
The CDC reported 12 seasonal flu-related deaths of children this week, bringing the total number of pediatric flu deaths this season to 216 — the most in 15 years. Experts say one reason for this new record could be the plummeting flu vaccination rate among American children. John Yang speaks with Dr. Peter Hotez at Baylor College of Medicine to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
The CDC reported 12 seasonal flu-related deaths of children this week, bringing the total number of pediatric flu deaths this season to 216 — the most in 15 years. Experts say one reason for this new record could be the plummeting flu vaccination rate among American children. John Yang speaks with Dr. Peter Hotez at Baylor College of Medicine to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Oklahoma's charter school board approved the creation of a Catholic virtual school in 2023, establishing the nation’s first publicly-funded religious charter school. Oklahoma's Supreme Court blocked it, saying it violated the state constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case on Wednesday and John Yang discussed the arguments with News Hour Supreme Court analyst Marcia Coyle. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Oklahoma's charter school board approved the creation of a Catholic virtual school in 2023, establishing the nation’s first publicly-funded religious charter school. Oklahoma's Supreme Court blocked it, saying it violated the state constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case on Wednesday and John Yang discussed the arguments with News Hour Supreme Court analyst Marcia Coyle. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Russia continues its deadly assault on Ukraine, launching a sweeping drone attack a day after President Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at the Vatican before Pope Francis’ funeral. Trump criticized Russian President Putin on social media after that meeting, raising doubts about Putin’s desire for peace. John Yang speaks with William Taylor, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Monday is the end of voting in Canada to elect a new prime minister. The big issue in this campaign has been U.S.-Canadian relations, especially Trump’s tariffs. Since the beginning of the year, opinion polls have gone from showing a commanding Conservative Party lead to a narrower but consistent Liberal Party lead. John Yang speaks with David Frum, a writer for The Atlantic, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Tuesday marks the end of the first 100 days of the second Trump presidency. Since Franklin Roosevelt’s first term, it’s been a traditional time to take stock of a new administration. Matthew Dallek, a political historian and professor at George Washington University, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Russia continues its deadly assault on Ukraine, launching a sweeping drone attack a day after President Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at the Vatican before Pope Francis’ funeral. Trump criticized Russian President Putin on social media after that meeting, raising doubts about Putin’s desire for peace. John Yang speaks with William Taylor, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Monday is the end of voting in Canada to elect a new prime minister. The big issue in this campaign has been U.S.-Canadian relations, especially Trump’s tariffs. Since the beginning of the year, opinion polls have gone from showing a commanding Conservative Party lead to a narrower but consistent Liberal Party lead. John Yang speaks with David Frum, a writer for The Atlantic, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Tuesday marks the end of the first 100 days of the second Trump presidency. Since Franklin Roosevelt’s first term, it’s been a traditional time to take stock of a new administration. Matthew Dallek, a political historian and professor at George Washington University, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Saturday’s funeral and burial of Pope Francis mark the beginning of nine days of official mourning at the Vatican, with cardinals leading masses each day. The words of their homilies will be closely examined and analyzed for clues about what’s on their minds as they prepare to elect a new pope. John Yang speaks with John Allen, editor of Crux, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Saturday’s funeral and burial of Pope Francis mark the beginning of nine days of official mourning at the Vatican, with cardinals leading masses each day. The words of their homilies will be closely examined and analyzed for clues about what’s on their minds as they prepare to elect a new pope. John Yang speaks with John Allen, editor of Crux, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Elon Musk says he’ll scale back his time with DOGE and focus more of his time on Tesla. That announcement came as Tesla reported its net income plunged 71 percent and car sales revenue dropped 20 percent. Musk defended his federal cuts with President Trump and said he would still spend one or two days a week working for the administration. John Yang discussed more with Bobby Allyn of NPR. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
After more than a decade of mapping billions of stars across the Milky Way and beyond, a groundbreaking spacecraft is retiring. The European Space Agency’s space-based observatory known as Gaia is leaving behind a legacy of stunning discoveries that changed what we know about the universe. John Yang reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Russia and Ukraine are blaming each other for breaking the one-day Easter ceasefire that Putin had declared. The State Department said Sunday that the United States is committed to achieving a “full and comprehensive” ceasefire. John Yang speaks with William Taylor, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Since the collapse of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in March, Gaza has received no deliveries of food, water, fuel or medical supplies as Israel has blocked all humanitarian aid, leaving Gazans in dire straits. John Yang speaks with Gavin Kelleher of the Norwegian Refugee Council about conditions on the ground there. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Since the collapse of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in March, Gaza has received no deliveries of food, water, fuel or medical supplies as Israel has blocked all humanitarian aid, leaving Gazans in dire straits. John Yang speaks with Gavin Kelleher of the Norwegian Refugee Council about conditions on the ground there. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Russia and Ukraine are blaming each other for breaking the one-day Easter ceasefire that Putin had declared. The State Department said Sunday that the United States is committed to achieving a “full and comprehensive” ceasefire. John Yang speaks with William Taylor, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
After more than a decade of mapping billions of stars across the Milky Way and beyond, a groundbreaking spacecraft is retiring. The European Space Agency’s space-based observatory known as Gaia is leaving behind a legacy of stunning discoveries that changed what we know about the universe. John Yang reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Oklahoma City held a solemn ceremony Saturday morning, honoring the 168 people who died 30 years ago today when an anti-government extremist set off a powerful bomb outside the federal building there. A single photograph captured the horror of that day: a firefighter cradling the lifeless body of a small child. That firefighter, Chris Fields, joins John Yang to reflect on his experience. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In an unusual late-night order, the Supreme Court temporarily barred the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan migrants being held in Texas using an 18th century law called the Alien Enemies Act. The order came in response to an emergency petition filed by the ACLU, with Justices Thomas and Alito dissenting. John Yang speaks with Amy Howe of SCOTUSblog for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In an unusual late-night order, the Supreme Court temporarily barred the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan migrants being held in Texas using an 18th century law called the Alien Enemies Act. The order came in response to an emergency petition filed by the ACLU, with Justices Thomas and Alito dissenting. John Yang speaks with Amy Howe of SCOTUSblog for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In an unusual late-night order, the Supreme Court temporarily barred the Trump administration from deporting Venezuelan migrants being held in Texas using an 18th century law called the Alien Enemies Act. The order came in response to an emergency petition filed by the ACLU, with Justices Thomas and Alito dissenting. John Yang speaks with Amy Howe of SCOTUSblog for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
This week marks 113 years since the sinking of the Titanic. Now, there’s a new tool to explore it: a full-scale digital twin of the wreckage created with cutting edge 3D scanning technology. That’s the subject of a new National Geographic documentary, “Titanic: The Digital Resurrection.” John Yang speaks with Titanic analyst Parks Stephenson for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
A joint investigation by ProPublica and PBS Frontline into the shadowy world of online hate networks and the platform Telegram is detailed in a new documentary, “The Rise and Fall of Terrorgram.” The investigation identified 35 crimes linked to the platform, including bomb plots, stabbings and shootings. John Yang speaks with A.C. Thompson, a reporter who worked on the project, to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
The developing U.S.-China trade war keeps ratcheting up, with reports Sunday that China has suspended exports of rare earth minerals. Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Lutnick said that the electronics the Trump administration exempted from reciprocal tariffs could be subject to different levies in the future. Katrina Northrop, China correspondent for The Washington Post, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
In Oman on Saturday, the United States and Iran appeared to take the first steps that could lead to a new agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear activities and lift U.S. economic sanctions. The White House described the talks as “very positive and constructive.” Iran’s foreign minister said the two sides will meet again in a week. John Yang speaks with policy analyst Karim Sadjadpour for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Markets dropped again Thursday as investors and businesses focused on the escalating U.S.-China trade war and what it could mean for the economy. For his part, President Trump showed no immediate signs of easing the Chinese tariffs. John Yang reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
While ocelots are widespread in South and Central America, in the United States they are on the brink of extinction. They were once overhunted for their coats, and now they face shrinking habitats. Researchers hope that the key to restoring this species can be found in fertility treatments. John Yang reports for our series, “Saving Species.” PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
According to an American Gaming Association estimate, more than $3 billion will have been bet on this year’s March Madness tournaments — more than February’s Super Bowl. The NCAA says that’s led to a distressing consequence: online abuse of players, coaches and officials by losing bettors. John Yang speaks with sports psychologist Brett Woods to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
People across the country and around the world turned out on Sunday for what organizers say has been the single biggest day of protests against President Trump and his second-term actions. In the U.S., more than a thousand rallies were planned in small towns and major cities from coast to coast. Ali Rogin reports on the protests and John Yang speaks with historian Beverly Gage for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
One of the most contentious immigration policies in recent decades has been the detention of undocumented immigrant families. The Trump administration plans to detain thousands more in an effort to crack down on border crossings and legal pathways to asylum. John Yang discussed more with Caitlin Dickerson of The Atlantic. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders