PBS NewsHour - Segments

This year marks the 25th anniversary of democratic rule in South Africa. A new generation of black South Africans, who grew up free of the restrictions of apartheid, are now transforming the country's cultural landscape -- beginning with its food. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on how chef Zola Nene aims to bridge South Africa's racial divide, one meal and one cookbook at a time.

After Europe experienced record-breaking temperatures this month, climate scientists are now concerned that a heat wave will settle farther north. This week, a so-called "heat dome" is expected to strike over the Arctic, causing worries about potential ice melt and rising sea levels. Washington Post reporter Andrew Freedman joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the causes and consequences.

Iraq is nearing record wheat production this year, even as widespread fires have destroyed thousands of acres of farmland in minority Sunni Arab and Yazidi communities. The Islamic State once terrorized the region in northern Iraq, where disputes over land are common. Yet the government contends the fires were started by natural causes or by accident. Special correspondent Simona Foltyn reports.

Automated technology already consumes much of society, from robotic arms working in factories to artificial intelligence used in homes. The next step could be programming ethics and morality into systems, creating a robot-human future. David Ewing Duncan, a science journalist and author, spoke with Hari Sreenivasan about his newest book, "Talking to Robots: Tales from Our Human-Robot Futures."

"Congo Tales" is a new multimedia project that explores the environment, culture and stories of the people of the Congo Basin. The series highlights the mythical histories of the Congolese through photography and film as a counter-narrative to the one-note story often associated with the Republic of the Congo. NewsHour Weekend's Ivette Feliciano reports.

As protests continued on the streets of Hong Kong on Saturday, authorities were using facial recognition and biometric data to identify protesters -- who were in turn using technology to track police officers. New York Times reporter Paul Mozur joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss how faces and identities have become weaponized in the clashes.

British civil rights groups are calling on the government to suspend the use of facial recognition technology now being tested by police on the general public, claiming the technology is in a legal vacuum and could impact privacy. But some British law enforcement agencies contend the technology helps them find criminals wanted for serious offenses. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports.

Graffiti is still often affiliated with blight on city streets. But a new exhibit in New York City called "Beyond the Streets" may help change some of those negative connotations, with work from more than 150 artists from across the globe showcasing their unique styles and interpretations of street art. Hari Sreenivasan has more.

In our news wrap Friday, the U.S. economy is showing signs of losing some steam, with growth rate down sharply in the second quarter from its level in the first. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow blamed Fed interest rate hikes. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, pro-democracy protesters flooded the airport, trying to focus international attention on their cause. They plan another march Saturday.

The House of Representatives began a six-week recess Friday, as questions swirl about whether Democrats will try to impeach President Trump. The issue arose again as former special counsel Robert Mueller testified before Congress on the Russia investigation. Lisa Desjardins joins Judy Woodruff to discuss why the official launch of an impeachment investigation is both "different and significant."

Robert Mueller testified Wednesday before the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees. While many Republicans cast doubt upon the integrity of Mueller and his investigation, Democrats questioned the former special counsel about his decision not to subpoena President Trump and the influence of Justice Department policy against indicting a sitting president. William Brangham reports.

President Trump was at the White House for most of Robert Mueller's testimony, tweeting reactions including a reference to the Russia investigation as a "ridiculous hoax." House Democrats seemed somewhat muted after the hearings, while congressional Republicans believe Mueller's appearance won't affect public opinion significantly. Judy Woodruff talks to Yamiche Alcindor and Lisa Desjardins.

Robert Mueller's appearance on Capitol Hill marked a historic day in American politics. Former Justice Department officials John Carlin and Mary McCord, both of whom worked under Democratic and Republican administrations, talk to Judy Woodruff about the multiple agendas on display, how Mueller avoided being used by either party and his "memorable" characterization of the president's credibility.

Now that Robert Mueller's appearance before Congress has concluded, we turn to lawmakers of both parties for their reactions. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., was a constitutional attorney for 20 years before being elected to Congress in 2016. A member of the House Judiciary Committee, Johnson joins Judy Woodruff to discuss his "main takeaway" from the hearings and what he thinks Congress should do next.

After Robert Mueller's congressional testimony, how are lawmakers reacting? Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., sits on both the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees and is one of only three members of Congress to question Robert Mueller twice. Demings joins Judy Woodruff to discuss why she believes House Democrats should continue investigating and how the hearing advanced the case for impeachment.