PBS NewsHour - Segments

In Ethiopia, over a quarter of the population survives on less than two dollars a day. International organizations and foreign governments provide funds to address the rampant poverty in this country and others, but little data is available to assess the effectiveness of such programs. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on one nonprofit's rigorous, research-driven approach to aid.

Small-town Alabama lawyer Atticus Finch from Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" is one of the most recognizable characters in American literature. In the recent Broadway update of the classic American story, actor Jeff Daniels plays Finch. Jeffrey Brown talks to Daniels, who received a Tony nomination for the role, about how he got into character for it.

In our Thursday news wrap, it is being widely reported that the White House has backed off a plan to slash more than $4 billion in foreign aid. The cuts would have included humanitarian relief, peacekeeping and global health initiatives. Also, government airstrikes in northern Syria targeted Turkish forces for the second time this week, raising the risk of open conflict between the two countries.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has become the third 2020 Democrat to drop out of the race, announcing he will pursue a third term as governor instead. Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, who also recently ended his presidential campaign, says he will run for the Senate. And there are rumors of a potential new primary challenger to President Trump on the Republican side. John Yang reports.

Japan and South Korea, the two most important U.S. allies in northeast Asia, are engaged in an increasingly grave feud. Relations between the two countries took a confrontational turn earlier this summer when Japan announced it would limit exports to South Korea; now, South Korea says it's ending a critical intelligence-sharing deal. Judy Woodruff reports on the historically rocky relationship.

The Congressional Budget Office says the U.S. deficit is reaching its highest levels since the end of World War II, when considered as a share of the total economy. In the next decade, it's projected to grow by $800 billion more than originally expected, due to spending, tax cuts and slower economic growth. Lisa Desjardins talks to Maya MacGuineas of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

The U.S. has repeatedly observed a grim cycle around gun violence: A mass shooting occurs, prompting calls for the government to step in, but momentum dissipates before any legislative action is taken. But what specific gun regulations might change the outcomes, if not the frequency, of mass shootings? William Brangham talks to David Chipman of Giffords about the danger of high-capacity magazines.

Cruise liners offer scenic views you can't replicate from land, but they also cause downstream consequences. In Europe, some beautiful waterfront cities are joining forces to limit the impact of thousands of passengers being disgorged onto their picturesque streets. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports on new restrictions being imposed in Belgium, Croatia, Greece, Italy and elsewhere.

It has been 400 years since the first African slaves arrived in what is now the U.S. In observance, The New York Times' 1619 Project spotlights lesser-known parts of American history related to slavery. Harvard University's Khalil Gibran Muhammad has analyzed how American sugar production cemented slavery within the U.S. economy -- and how its legacy endures. He joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

Going back to school can spark both excitement and stress, as students navigate social circles and workload. For 21-year-old college student Ben Rolnick, who suffers from severe social anxiety, meeting new people and facilitating conversation present a challenge -- but that doesn't mean he doesn't think they're worth it. Rolnick offers his brief but spectacular take on seeking acceptance.

President Trump spoke extensively with reporters outside the White House Wednesday, answering questions on gun policy, Russia, the economy and even birthright citizenship. Yamiche Alcindor, who was there in person, joins William Brangham to discuss key takeaways, including Trump's alignment with the NRA on gun background checks and his criticism of American Jews who support Democrats.

In our news wrap Wednesday, China said its trade war with the U.S. is hurting both countries. A spokesman in Beijing also said that when it comes to international treaties, the U.S. "breaks promises" and "violates rules." Meanwhile, Hong Kong protesters staged a sit-in at the subway station where pro-democracy supporters were attacked last month, spraying fire extinguishers at approaching police.

The Trump administration is proposing major changes to rules about how long migrant families can be held in government custody, arguing that the move will yield more humane conditions in detention facilities. But critics fear the regulations will have the opposite effect. William Brangham talks to Warren Binford of Willamette University College of Law, about why she is "horrified" at the proposal.

President Trump has canceled a planned trip to Denmark because Danish leadership refused to discuss selling Greenland. In Denmark, Trump's decision was seen as "doubly offensive" considering he had reportedly pushed for a grand welcome from the longtime U.S. ally. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports on Copenhagen's reaction and why climate change is putting Greenland in the spotlight.

Native Americans received more attention from presidential candidates this week than in previous years. Nine 2020 Democratic hopefuls attended a forum in Sioux City, Iowa, to discuss U.S. treaty obligations to Native people, the epidemic of violence against Native women, health care and more. Lisa Desjardins reports and talks to Mark Trahant, editor of Indian Country Today and the event moderator.