PBS NewsHour - Segments

Viewers may remember the unlikely but true story of the Jamaican bobsled team that made it to the Olympics. It was a feat popularized in the 1993 film, "Cool Runnings." Now, Jamaica's bobsled team is back at it again. Lucy Watson from Independent Television News explains. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

New reports Wednesday indicate Justice Stephen Breyer plans to retire, raising questions about his replacement. President Joe Biden said he will wait for Breyer's formal announcement. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer cited the president's past words, indicating a desire to appoint America's first Black woman to the court. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said it's too soon to comment. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Wednesday, the secretary general of the United Nations sounded a dire warning about Afghanistan. The Federal Reserve is ready to ratchet up interest rates in a bid to beat back inflation. The city of San Jose, California, has adopted the nation's first law to make gun owners carry liability insurance. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Federal Reserve is shifting its approach to the economy and monetary policy. It's a major change after holding interest rates at near zero levels. Given the pandemic, it's not without its own risks. But the Fed chairman said the state of the economy required changing course. Lisa Desjardins begins the report, with more from Greg Ip, chief economics commentator for The Wall Street Journal. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The United States and NATO on Wednesday rejected Russia's demands that Ukraine never be allowed to become a member of NATO, and that the expansion of NATO since 1997 be rolled back. Russian officials said they would study the written response they received, but blamed the West for taking aggressive actions and said it will take the necessary retaliatory measures. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A key part of the Biden administration's plan to distribute free COVID tests depends heavily on the United States Postal Service. White House officials say that effort is going well, with tens of millions of tests now being shipped. But the U.S. Postal Service remains under intense scrutiny for its service, delivery, its finances and how its workforce is dealing with COVID. Geoff Bennett reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

People across Europe, Israel and the world marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day Wednesday to commemorate the genocide of European Jews by Nazi Germany. The day was created in 2005 by the United Nations to sustain public awareness, which studies show has rapidly declined in recent years. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro shows one creative attempt to educate younger generations. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Ukraine's leaders on Monday tried to reassure the country, despite more than 100,000 Russian troops deployed near the nation's northern and eastern borders, and despite new announcements of Russian training exercises. The West considers an invasion as possibly imminent, and that fear is being felt on Ukraine's frontlines. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Tuesday, Pfizer began a clinical trial of an updated COVID-19 vaccine designed to ward off the highly contagious omicron variant. The International Monetary Fund slashed its growth forecast citing the omicron variant and other factors. London's Metropolitan Police Service will investigate gatherings held at Prime Minister Boris Johnson's offices during a COVID lockdown in 2020. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Ukraine's leaders on Monday tried to reassure the country, despite more than 100,000 Russian troops deployed near the nation's northern and eastern borders. Nick Schifrin speaks to Oksana Markarova, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, about the country's tensions with Russia and intelligence on possible invasion. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

All across the country, states are busy at work redrawing congressional lines that will help determine the balance of power in Washington for the next decade. To check in on the status of this reapportionment in some key states based on the new 2020 census data, Judy Woodruff is joined by David Wasserman of The Cook Political Report. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Since the Taliban took over control of Afghanistan last year, the future of the country's women has been in peril. Many girls are barred from receiving an education, and women are prevented from holding many jobs. Back in 2019, special correspondent Jane Ferguson met with a female doctor in Kabul, and she recently returned to find that same doctor now faced with a previously unimaginable choice. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The highly contagious omicron variant has brought new daily COVID-19 case numbers to record highs this month. The magnitude of infections have again left many hospitals under tremendous pressure and on the brink. In Texas, where just 58 percent of the state is fully vaccinated, hospitalizations have risen dramatically -- by 80 percent in some cities like San Antonio. Amna Nawaz reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As the impact of climate change grows, so does the risk of ever larger and more frequent wildfires. No state knows that better than California. But the Golden State is also grappling with the role of one of the country's largest utilities in the matter, and whether the company will do what's needed to prevent or stop fires. Stephanie Sy explores. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As students across the country continue to experience the many changes the pandemic has brought, some are struggling to adjust to their "new normal." As a part of NewsHour's Student Reporting Labs, student reporter Teri Bell followed up with school counselor Edith Porter at Caesar Rodney High School in Camden, Delaware, on her predictions for students' mental health in 2022 and how to help them. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders