PBS NewsHour Podcast | PBS

Opposition Candidate Appears to Eke Out Win in Ukraine

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:30:00 EST

With almost all of the votes tallied, opposition candidate Viktor Yanukovych claimed a victory over Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko by a slim margin in Sunday's presidential runoff in Ukraine, although Tymoshenko refused to concede defeat by Monday evening local time.

Blueprint America: Motor City Faces Transportation Crossroads

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:49:00 EST

Once a hub of innovation, Detroit's now stands as the symbol of an industry's struggle for progress. As much of the world looks to faster, cleaner and more modern transportation, the Blueprint America series on infrastructure examines the future of the Motor City and transportation in America.

Hope, Healing for New Orleans After Super Bowl

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:40:00 EST

New Orleans is riding high on the momentum of Sunday's Super Bowl upset by the hometown Saints over the Indianapolis Colts. And for a city still rebuilding from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the championship signifies the spirit of survival in the Big Easy.

Saints Stun Colts for First Super Bowl Win

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:38:00 EST

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl, offering hope for a city still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

'Checklist Manifesto' Author Pairs Simplicity With Lifesaving

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST

Could the straightforward checklists used by airline pilots also help save lives in the operating room? Dr. Atul Gawande's book, "The Checklist Manifesto," examines how lists can reduce risk in the medical field and beyond.

In Haiti, Recovery Hinges on Fixing Government

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:22:00 EST

Nearly a month after the earthquake in Haiti, the government in Port-au-Prince remains tattered. Ray Suarez takes a closer look at the state of Haiti's government and what it means for rebuilding efforts.

Aid Groups in Haiti Launch Massive Vaccination Effort

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:19:00 EST

With conditions on the ground ripe for a disease outbreak, aid groups in Haiti have launched a campaign to vaccinate more than 100,000 people against measles, diphtheria and tetanus. Emma Murphy of ITN reports.

News Wrap: Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania Dies at 77

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:13:00 EST

In other news Monday, Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., died at the age of 77, and the nation's capital and much of the Mid-Atlantic remained snowbound in the wake of a weekend blizzard.

Obama Looks to Bipartisan Summit to Revive Health Reform

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:03:00 EST

From left to right, the national political scene was buzzing on Monday. Developments included President Obama's latest appeal for bipartisanship and Sarah Palin's latest turn on the national stage. Gwen Ifill talks to the Hotline's Amy Walter for insight.

Understanding Haiti's Catastrophe through a Poet's Eyes

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:47:00 EST

Michele Voltaire Marcelin, an artist, poet, spoken word performer and teacher, was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Since the earthquake struck that country last month, she has been struggling to make sense of the destruction.

Shields and Brooks Assess Power Shift in Congress

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:33:00 EST

Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks sort through the top stories of the past week, including a new power dynamic in the Senate, and efforts to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Reagan Budget Chief Offers a 'Gunslinger' Defense of Obama's Bank Reforms

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:25:00 EST

With President Obama pushing a bipartisan deal on reforming banking regulations, Paul Solman talks with David Stockman, former Reagan budget chief and Wall Street "gunslinger," about the proposal to tax banks on their size and amount of risk.

Health Care Spending Continued Climb in 2009

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:18:00 EST

Health care spending grew to 17 percent of the U.S. economy last year. Betty Ann Bowser examines the impact of the figures amid questions on the future of a legislative reform push.

News Wrap: Toyota President Apologizes for Recall

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:13:00 EST

In other news Friday, Toyota's president Akio Toyoda apologized for the brake problems that triggered a worldwide recall, and at least 40 people are dead in Iraq from two bomb blasts targeting Shi-ite pilgrims.

Jobless Rate Drops, but Fuller Recovery Still Appears Distant

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:03:00 EST

The economy shed 20,000 jobs in January, but there were new hopes of economic growth as the nation's unemployment rate ticked down to 9.7 percent. Jim Lehrer speaks with a pair of experts about the latest numbers, as well as prospects in the labor market.

Stand-up Economist Finds the Light Side of a 'Dismal Science'

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:48:00 EST

Economics isn't exactly a side-splitting discipline, but at a recent economics convention in Atlanta, self-proclaimed "stand-up economist" Yoram Bauman showed it's possible to infuse the sober science with monetary mirth.

Haiti Looks to Rebuild Shattered Government

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:36:00 EST

Haiti's leaders are turning toward rebuilding its shattered government as earthquake recovery continues. Ray Suarez reports.

Toyota Faces Federal Probe Over Prius Brakes

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:25:00 EST

The bad news continues for Toyota, as brake problems surface in the company's popular Prius model this week. The Transportation Department is considering an investigation, after receiving 124 complaints about the possible brake-power issues.

News Wrap: Stocks Plunge Ahead of January Jobs Report

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:19:00 EST

In other news Thursday, stocks fell across the board on fears over the January unemployment report out Friday, and Senate Democrats announced plans to pass a jobs bill as early as next week.

As Senate Dynamic Shifts, a Test for Both Parties

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:03:00 EST

Senate Democrats are looking to newly-seated Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., to reach across the aisle now that their 60-vote majority is gone. Brown's upset election has cast a new light on legislative tactics like the filibuster, and what they mean for the agenda on Capitol Hill.

Away from Battle, Soldiers Find Relief in 'Theater of War'

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:45:00 EST

At military bases around the nation, performances of Greek drama are linking ancient and modern warriors in an understanding of war's pain and mental agony. Jeffrey Brown reports.

Obama Jobs Push Focusing on Small Business

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:37:00 EST

President Obama is looking to cut the nation's unemployment rate by offering more aid for small business, but a plan to borrow from TARP has some lawmakers balking.

Haiti Scrambles to Find Shelter for Quake Survivors

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:28:00 EST

Haiti's heavy spring rains are getting closer, but as Ray Suarez reports, millions of earthquake survivors are still living in Port-au-Prince under rigged up tarps and bedsheets.

Deaths in Pakistan Unmask Once Quiet U.S. Role

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:21:00 EST

Three U.S. soldiers were killed in Pakistan on Wednesday when a bomb hit the convoy they were riding in. The deaths raised new questions about U.S. involvement in the country.

News Wrap: Another Bombing Kills 23 in Iraq

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:15:00 EST

In other news Wednesday, a motorcycle bomb tore through a crowd of pilgrims in Iraq, killing at least 23 people. In Afghanistan, U.S., NATO and Afghan forces are gearing up for their largest joint offensive yet.

Debate Reignites on Legal Rights of Terror Suspects

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:03:00 EST

The suspect in the attempted Christmas Day bombing incident is speaking to authorities again, but some lawmakers are worried the administration's handling of the case poses a risk to national security. Jim Lehrer speaks with experts about how the U.S. should prosecute terror suspects.

Portraits of the Face of War

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:57:17 EST

In her surprisingly tender portraits of former soldiers and marines, photographer Nina Berman documents the lives of veterans who have made an extraordinary sacrifice for their country, and who now are battling through recovery after serious injury.

Jacmel Rises From Rubble in Haiti

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST

The seaside town of Jacmel was badly damaged by the earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12. Soon after, however, micro-enterprises popped up and rebuilding began in the shattered town, reports American Red Cross volunteer Winnie Romeril.

Digital Nation: Exploring Technology's Impact on Society

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:49:00 EST

In an excerpt from the PBS program "Frontline," Rachel Dreztin examines how our brains are being shaped by technology, how companies are spicing up conference calls with avatars and how advances in weaponry have reshaped war.

Are Big Banks Good for the Economy?

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:38:00 EST

The Obama administration is trying to rein in big banks, but Robert Kelly, chief executive officer of Bank of New York, says that's a big mistake.