Stories of the Week | PBS NewsHour Podcast | PBS

In other news Friday, new death totals from the car bombing in Beirut show at least 22 were killed and another 300 injured. It is the deadliest attack in Lebanon in three decades. Also, a sudden wave of Syrian refugees have been pouring into Iraq in masses of 8,000 a day.

Despite threats of force, thousands of supporters of ousted Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi launched 'Day of Rage' rallies in Cairo resulting in violent clashes and a mounting death toll. The fury spilled into the streets of other cities across Egypt, report Johnathan Rugman and Lindsey Hilsum of Independent Television News.

The Rohingya, a Muslim group in Myanmar, are one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. The recent target of ethnic cleansing, many have attempted to flee their country. John Sparks of Independent Television News reports on the dangerous journey the Rohingya face when they submit to traffickers to bring them to freedom.

Historian William Jones joins Gwen Ifill to offer an overview of how the March on Washington came to be, why President Kennedy wanted it to be called off and what roles women of color played on that historic day. Their discussion is one a series of conversations looking back at the legacy of August 28, 1963.

The new "Common Core" sets the standard for learning in America, but how do states test for these new, more complex and career-ready skills? Special correspondent for education John Merrow examines the challenge facing schools and teachers in measuring things like critical thinking and collaboration.

Need to entertain your baby? There's an app for that. But whether or not mobile device applications are actually educating your baby is under debate. An advocacy group has filed a federal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Jeffrey Brown talks to Dr. Michael Rich of Boston Children's Hospital.

According to Bruce Katz and Jennifer Bradley, local officials are searching for new ways to innovate and make urban centers more livable. Judy Woodruff talks with Katz and Bradley, authors of "The Metropolitan Revolution," about major moves at U.S. city halls to breath new life into the American economy and democracy.

Months after the re-election of President Barack Obama, Dan Balz of the Washington Post examines the 2012 election and aftermath in his new book "Collision 2012: Obama vs. Romney and the Future of Elections in America." Balz joins Gwen Ifill to discuss significant moments in each campaign and why it may shape elections to come.

A new community model lets seniors enjoy all of the security and social amenities of a retirement community without leaving their homes. The alternative is called "aging in place." Ray Suarez reports on how this village concept may help seniors retain their independence into their golden years.

Henrietta Lacks died 62 years ago, but her cells -- known as HeLa -- live on through scientific research, having led to world-changing medical advances for decades. Margaret Warner talks to Dr. Francis Collins of the National Institutes of Health about a new agreement made with the Lacks family over control of her DNA legacy.

"Fruitvale Station," a new film by Ryan Coogler, tells the story of Oscar Grant: a young, black Oakland man who was shot and killed on a train platform by a Bay Area Regional Transit police officer. Gwen Ifill speaks with writer and director Coogler on his motivation for making the film and coincidental timing of its release.

While not always considered high art, journalist Victor Navasky says the power of cartoons to provoke and amuse is so strong that their creators can end up famous, jailed or dead. Navasky joins political editor Christina Bellantoni to discuss "The Art of Controversy," a look at how cartoons have shaped politics worldwide.

George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law in 1990, but more than two decades later, problems still persist in implementing portions of the landmark civil rights measure. Judy Woodruff reports on the struggle states face to fully transition individuals with disabilities out of institutional living.

President Barack Obama vowed to push Congress to reform American housing policy. A current Senate plan would wind down the role played by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Margaret Warner sits down with Guy Cecala, publisher of Inside Mortgage Finance, to understand how the proposal would change the lending landscape.

The debate continues over the best and most effective ways to curb rampant sexual assault in the military. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., and Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H. , back a plan that includes reform but keeps the adjudication of assault cases within the military chain of command. They join Gwen Ifill to discuss their stance.