NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | PBShttp://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/newshourThe latest news, analysis and reporting from the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and its Web site, the feed is updated at least once a day and includes interviews, background reports and updates to put today's news in context.en-usCopyright ©2009 MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. All Rights Reserved.Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:38:04 EDTFri, 03 Jul 2009 20:38:04 EDTNewsHour with Jim Lehrer144144http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/newshour/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/images/rss/promo_rss.jpg Russia Strives to Maintain Economic Momentum http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/insider/europe/july-dec09/russia_07-03.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:49:00 EDT Margaret Warner is filing a series of reports about Russia's political and economic climate in conjunction with President Barack Obama's visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 6. Here, she answers some viewers' questions about her reporting trip. Palin Rattles Political Establishment With Surprise Resignation http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/politics/july-dec09/palin_07-03.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:08:00 EDT Alaska Governor Sarah Palin surprised reporters awaiting an announcement that she would not run for reelection next year by adding that she was resigning this month and would pass all responsibilities off to her lieutenant governor. Supreme Court Term Brought Some Surprises http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/law/supreme_court/ Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:49:00 EDT Legal Analysts Linda Greenhouse and Thomas Goldstein examine the impact of the most significant Supreme Court decisions of the term, including a narrow ruling on the landmark Voting Rights Act. Russian Foreign Minister Sees 'Improvement' in Relations With U.S. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/europe/july-dec09/lavrov_07-03.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:40:00 EDT In the third of her series of reports from Russia, Margaret Warner talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about the future of U.S.-Russian relations, last year's Georgian War, and negotiating a new nuclear arms treaty. Palin Resignation, Franken Win Top Week's News http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec09/politicalwrap_07-03.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:38:00 EDT Columnists Mark Shields and Michael Gerson mull Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's surprise resignation and the Minnesota Supreme Court's ruling that granted Democrat Al Franken a U.S. Senate seat over Republican Norm Coleman. Economic Troubles Mean Quieter Independence Day in Many Towns http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://patchworknation.csmonitor.com/csmstaff/2009/0703/for-some-in-patchwork-nation-a-quieter-independence-day/ Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:31:00 EDT A party, even to celebrate America's independence, just didn't make it into the spending plan in parts of Patchwork Nation. Nixa, Mo., a socially conservative "Evangelical Epicenter," ended a 22-year tradition when it canceled its Sky High Fourth of July. Wedding Dresses, Vending Machines And Other Economic Quandaries http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/businessdesk/ Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:59:00 EDT Why do drive-up ATM machines have Braille dots? Why to brides buy expensive dresses while grooms rent tuxes? Robert Frank, author of "The Economic Naturalist's Field Guide: Common Sense Principles for Troubled Times," guest blogs about everyday economic mysteries. U.S. Forces Enter Taliban Strongholds in Afghanistan http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/military/july-dec09/afghan_07-03.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:11:00 EDT U.S. Marines encountered little opposition as they moved into Taliban territory in southern Afghanistan on Friday to win over local leaders and populations. In Russia, Funerals Outpace Births as Unhealthy Habits Prevail http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/europe/july-dec09/russiahealth_07-02.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:47:00 EDT As Russia struggles to regain its economic momentum, health officials are facing a daunting problem: many young people are dying in their prime due to cheap cigarettes and dangerous cultural mores. Margaret Warner reports from Russia. Photos Tell Story of Marine Corps Casualty Officer's Work http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/military/beck/index.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:18:00 EDT As fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq continues, so too does the work of the casualty assistance officers who help military families deal with the death of a loved one. In this slideshow, Lt. Col. Steven Beck talks about his duties captured in the photos. Many Left Uncounted in Nation's Official Jobless Rate http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/business/july-dec09/undercounted_07-02.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:31:00 EDT Paul Solman examines how the number of jobless people who fall outside of official unemployment counts offer a different picture of the nation's economic recovery. Report: Obesity Rates on the Rise in Nearly Half of States http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/health/july-dec09/obesity_07-02.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:41:00 EDT The U.S. is getting heavier every year, according to a report released Thursday by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The study found that obesity rates rose in 23 out of 50 states in the past year and remained steady in all of the others. Composer Aaron Jay Kernis Finds Poetry Is His Muse http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/blog/2009/07/kernis-takes-on-ibn-gabirol-in-meditations.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:40:00 EDT What do you get when you pair an 11th century Spanish poet with a modern American composer? Last week, the audience at the Seattle Symphony found out at the world premiere of Aaron Jay Kernis' "Symphony of Meditations," based on the poems of Solomon Ibn Gabirol. Job Losses Accelerate in June; U.S. Unemployment Reaches 9.5% http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/business/july-dec09/unemployment_07-02.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:31:00 EDT Employers cut more jobs than expected last month, further quashing hopes for a quick economic recovery. The Labor Department reported Thursday that the country shed 467,000 jobs in June and the unemployment rate hit a 26-year high of 9.5 percent. U.S. Troops Begin New Offensive to Secure Helmand Province http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/asia/afghanistan/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:56:00 EDT Thousands of U.S. Marines marked the start of a new offensive in Afghanistan Thursday, pouring into Taliban-controlled villages in southern Afghanistan to clear insurgents from the area ahead of the nation's Aug. 20 presidential election. U.S. Expands Offensive in Southern Afghanistan http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/asia/afghanistan/ Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:28:00 EDT As the major U.S. offensive in southern Afghanistan continues, journalist Nancy Youssef discusses how the Marine-led mission is proceeding. Q&A on the Debate Over a Public Insurance Plan http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/insider/health/jan-june09/ppforum_06-29.html Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:19:00 EDT One of the most controversial points emerging in the debate over health care reform is the public plan option, a government-run healthcare plan that would compete with private insurers. Two experts answered your questions.