Online NewsHour Podcast | PBS

Conversation: Frederick Wiseman, Director of 'La Danse'

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:45:02 EST

Director Frederick Wiseman has documented a wide range of people's everyday routines and the goings-on inside institutions. A "big ballet fan," and a sometimes-resident of Paris, Wiseman recently turned his camera to one of France's most important cultural institutions: the Paris Opera Ballet.

Oprah's New Venture: Can She Still Mobilize Fan Base?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:46:00 EST

After decades as a popular talk show host, Oprah Winfrey will end her daytime program to concentrate on a new cable channel. Jeffrey Brown examines Winfrey's mark on the media landscape.

Oprah Looks Ahead to a Future in Cable

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:39:00 EST

After 23 years as a daytime talk show legend, Oprah Winfrey has announced she will be ending her program to concentrate on a new cable channel that will bear her name. Jeffrey Brown reports.

Shields and Gerson Review Road Ahead for Health Reform

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:28:00 EST

Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson, who is also a senior research fellow at the Institute for Global Engagement, break down the biggest stories of the week, including health care reform moves in Congress and President Obama's pondering of a new Afghan strategy.

Cancer Screening Debate Reveals Risks, Benefits of Testing

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:14:00 EST

Newly-released guidelines on when, and how often, women should be screened for breast and cervical cancer stirred questions -- and confusion -- this week. Margaret Warner talks to health experts for insight.

Women May Wait on Pap Smears Until 21, Group Says

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:03:00 EST

Women can delay their first screening for cervical cancer until age 21, and be screened less often than recommended in the past, according to new guidelines issued Friday by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Betty Ann Bowser reports.

Conversation: Robert Kimball, Author of 'Complete Lyrics of Johnny Mercer'

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

On Wednesday, prolific songwriter and singer Johnny Mercer would have turned 100. In his lifetime, he worked with more than 200 collaborators and churned out lyrics for more than 1,500 songs for both Broadway and the silver screen, which were made famous by stars like Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Louis Armstrong.

Wu Man's Music Aims to Bridge East and West

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:45:00 EST

Whether playing folk music with villagers in China, or performing scores written just for her by top classical composers, musician Wu Man has emerged as one of the world's foremost musical ambassadors. Jeffrey Brown reports.

Gates: Fort Hood Probe Raises 'Troubling Questions' on Warning Signs

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:35:00 EST

As a Senate Committee began the first hearing into the shooting attack at Fort Hood, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced the launch of a Pentagon review of the circumstances around the shootings. Judy Woodruff speaks with two reporters for an update.

Complex U.S.-China Ties Took Center Stage on Obama's Asia Trip

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:21:00 EST

President Obama concluded a four-nation Asian tour Thursday that marked a potential turning point in relations between the U.S. and an increasingly influential China. A panel of Asia experts discusses the trip's high points and low points with Jeffrey Brown.

News Wrap: House Rejects Cuts to Medicare Payments

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:14:00 EST

In other news, the House voted to spare doctors from a 20 percent cut in their Medicare payments, and Hamid Karzai was sworn in for a second term as president of Afghanistan.

Senate Gears Up for Showdown Over Health Reform Bill

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:03:00 EST

The Senate on Thursday inched closer to debating Majority Leader Harry Reid's $848 billion health care reform bill, despite stiff GOP resistance. After a report from Betty Ann Bowser, Susan Dentzer explains the details.

In Bosnia, Tension Reigns Years After War's End

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:42:00 EST

Although Bosnia and Herzegovina has repaired physically from its bloody civil war, its citizens are experiencing political and social challenges. The report is part of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting's Fragile States project, a partnership with the Bureau of International Reporting.

Author Auletta Dissects Global Impact of Google

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:33:00 EST

Jeffrey Brown speaks with author Ken Auletta about his new book on Internet powerhouse Google called 'Googled: The End of the World as We Know It.'

Holder: 'We Need Not Cower' Facing 9/11 Suspect

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:27:00 EST

U.S. Attorney General appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday to defend trying 9/11 suspects in New York. Kwame Holman has the story.

Palin Takes 'Going Rogue' on U.S. Book Tour

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:19:00 EST

Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is taking her new book, "Going Rogue," across the country. Judy Woodruff gets reactions.

Afghan Corruption Complicates U.S. War Review

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:10:00 EST

Gwen Ifill speaks with Afghanistan experts about the government's corruption and what that could mean for U.S. war strategy there.

Other News: Senate Health Bill Estimated at $849B

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:07:00 EST

In other news, Senate Democrats learned that the Congressional Budget Office estimated that their health reform bill would cost $849 billion over a decade and insure another 31 million Americans.

Karzai Vows to Stamp out Corruption in Afghanistan

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:03:00 EST

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the eve of his inauguration to discuss corruption. Gwen Ifill reports.

U.S. Presidents in China

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST

From the first U.S. presidential visit to China by Richard Nixon to President Barack Obama's current trip, each president has weighed foreign policy priorities when dealing with the communist nation. Historian Richard Norton Smith describes the balancing act U.S. presidents have played over the years.

More Americans Facing Hunger, Report Finds

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:43:00 EST

A new report found that almost 15 percent of U.S. households had trouble finding enough food in 2008. Jeffrey Brown speaks with experts for more.

Financial Woes, Layoffs Plaguing D.C. Schools

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:35:00 EST

John Merrow of Learning Matters revisits the Washington, D.C., public school system, which is struggling with budgetary constraints and teacher layoffs amid reform efforts.

Co-author: Mammogram Study's Advice 'Misinterpreted'

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:22:00 EST

The vice chair of a government health panel that released controversial new recommendations for mammograms says the study's findings have been "misinterpreted" and apologized for a "lack of clarity."

In China, a Struggle for Rights, but Hope for Future

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:13:00 EST

Jim Lehrer speaks with a human rights activist and a China expert about the state of the struggle for human rights in China.

Other News: Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions Up 2%

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:08:00 EST

In other news, the U.S. Department of Energy reported that global carbon dioxide emissions rose 2 percent in 2008, and Iran sentenced five people to death for inciting June's mass protests.

Chinese President Vows Cooperation on Climate Change

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:03:00 EST

Talks between President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao yielded a promise of slowing down climate change and nuclear proliferation, but fell short of making progress on human rights. Kwame Holman reports.

Weekly Poem: 'Storm'

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:51:57 EST

Kwame Dawes is director of the South Carolina Poetry Initiative and the University of South Carolina Arts Institute, where he also teaches as distinguished poet in residence.

'Monuments Men' Explores Hunt for Art Stolen by Nazis

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:44:00 EST

Jeffrey Brown talks to author Robert M. Edsel about his new book "The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History."

Canadian Oil Sands Produce Economic Benefits, Environmental Costs

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:37:00 EST

Elizabeth Brackett of WTTW-Chicago looks at the economic benefits and the environmental costs of oil production in Canada's Alberta province.

GM to Repay Government Loans Early, Cites Profit Progress

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:29:00 EST

Despite reporting more than a billion-dollar loss since July, General Motors says it expects to pay the federal government's bailout money back five years early. Gwen Ifill speaks with David Shepardson of the Detroit News for more.