2009 DECEMBER
Dec. 31, 2009

Blackwater Guards Cleared of Charges; Prosecution Could Appeal
A federal judge dismissed charges against five Blackwater guards accused of killing seven Iraqis in 2007. Matt Apuzzo of the Associated Press speaks with Ray Suarez about the developments.

  

Dec. 31, 2009

Five Americans Face Possible Life Sentences on Charges in Pakistan
Five American men arrested in Sargodha, Pakistan, in early December face terrorism charges and possible life imprisonment for allegedly trying to train with a militant group linked to al-Qaida, Pakistani police said Thursday.

Dec. 31, 2009

Blackwater Guards Cleared of Iraq Shooting Charges by Federal Judge
A federal judge in Washington on Thursday dismissed all charges against five Blackwater Worldwide security guards accused of killing unarmed Iraqi civilians in 2007.

Dec. 30, 2009

Exploring Congressional Role in Air Travel Security
A new debate is growing in Congress over what role the legislative branch should take in preventing terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. Gwen Ifill speaks with members of the Homeland Security Committee to dissect the politics of national security.

  

Dec. 30, 2009

Dutch: Reports Appear to Confirm al-Qaida Role in Bomb Plot
The Dutch interior ministry said Wednesday that initial findings appear to confirm al-Qaida's claim of responsibility in the Christmas Day airliner bombing attempt. Ray Suarez reports on the day's updates.

  

Dec. 29, 2009

Obama Sharpens Criticism of Bomb Plot's 'Human and Systemic Failures'
President Obama criticized "human and systemic failures" that allowed an attempted bombing of a flight bound for Detroit. Margaret Warner reports and speaks with Jeffrey Brown about the latest developments.

  

Dec. 29, 2009

More Headlines: China Executes Briton Accused of Drug Smuggling
In other headlines Tuesday: despite multiple international appeals, China has executed a British drug smuggler who relatives say was mentally unstable and unwittingly lured into crime.

Dec. 29, 2009

Details Continue to Emerge on Terror Suspect, Botched Airline Plot
New details continue to emerge over the botched Christmas Day plot to blow up a trans-Atlantic flight bound for Detroit.

Dec. 28, 2009

A Search for Answers After Attempted Attack on U.S. Flight
In the wake of an attempted Christmas Day bombing of a Northwest Airlines flight bound for Detroit, Gwen Ifill speaks with a panel of terror experts about the state of U.S. counter-terror efforts and airline security.

  

Dec. 28, 2009

Christmas Day Bomb Scare Prompts Review of Airport Security
An attempted bombing aboard a transatlantic Northwest Airlines flight bound for Detroit on Christmas Day has raised new questions about U.S. air safety.

  

Dec. 28, 2009

After Unrest, Iranian Opposition Leaders Reportedly Arrested
At least seven Iranian opposition leaders were reported to have been arrested Monday including three top aides to former presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi just a day after his nephew was killed in the largest political protests in Iran in six months, according to media, witnesses and opposition Web sites.

Dec. 25, 2009

Taliban Releases Video of U.S. Soldier; Vatican Reviews Security for Pope
On Christmas morning, the Taliban released a video that appears to show a soldier captured almost six months ago in Afghanistan.

Dec. 23, 2009

Mexico's Drug War Further Shaken by Brazen Killings
Four family members of a Mexican Naval hero were gunned down this week in an apparent revenge attack by one of Mexico's top drug cartels, thrusting an already escalating drug war into a dangerous new territory.

  

Dec. 23, 2009

Gunmen in Mexico Kill Sailor's Family in Apparent Revenge Attack
Last week, a Mexican sailor, Melquisedet Angulo, died in a raid that killed a drug kingpin. This week, hit men shot dead the sailor's mother, siblings and aunt in an apparent revenge killing.

Dec. 22, 2009

How Dangerous is the Cyber Crime Threat?
The White House named a new chief for the nation's cyber security efforts Tuesday, part of a new emphasis on digital threats. A digital security expert weighs in on the realities of cyber crime in the U.S.

  

Dec. 22, 2009

White House Taps Howard Schmidt as Cyber Security Chief
Nearly seven months after announcing a new emphasis on digital security, the Obama administration has tapped a veteran of both eBay and Microsoft to lead the nation's military and civilian cybersecurity efforts.

Dec. 18, 2009

DNA Evidence Frees Florida Inmate After 35 Years
A Florida inmate has become the longest-serving prisoner to be exonerated using DNA evidence. Jeffrey Brown reports.

  

Dec. 18, 2009

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia
A Google search for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia turns up phrases like "the Court's most colorful Justice," "defies simple characterization," and "brainy and flamboyant."

Dec. 16, 2009

Ray Suarez: Protests, Police Presence Escalating in Copenhagen
Ray Suarez reports from the Copenhagen climate talks on negotiators' trouble reaching a draft emissions agreement, the impending arrival of world leaders at the summit and the police crackdown on protesters.

Dec. 16, 2009

Wednesday's Headlines: Hundreds Arrested, Issues Linger in Copenhagen
As international climate talks in Copenhagen enter their final phase, Danish police fired tear gas, wielded batons and arrested 250 people Wednesday during clashes with demonstrators.

Dec. 15, 2009

In Illinois, 'Gitmo North' Tapped to House Detainees
The Obama administration plans to send some Guantanamo Bay detainees to an underused prison in rural Illinois. Republican lawmakers denounced the plan, while local residents anticipate an economic boom.

  

Dec. 15, 2009

'Gitmo North' Has Illinois Region Seeing Dollar Signs
Tuesday's announcement that the Obama administration intends to move some Guantanamo Bay detainees to an underutilized prison in rural Illinois has met resistance from congressional Republicans and the largest state employee union.

Dec. 14, 2009

Iran to Put American Hikers on Trial, Official Says
Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Monday that three American hikers who "illegally" entered Iran in July would go on trial, though he did not specify when.

Dec. 9, 2009

U.S. Man Arraigned for Allegedly Plotting Mumbai Attack
A Chicago man with ties to Pakistani high society was arraigned in federal court Wednesday for his alleged role in plotting last year's terror strike in Mumbai. Jim Lehrer talks to a reporter for an update.

  

Dec. 8, 2009

News Wrap: 200 Arrested in Iran Protests Crackdown
In other news, more than 200 people in Iran have been arrested in a broad crackdown against opposition protesters, and a death row inmate in Ohio was executed using a method never before used on a human.

  

Dec. 7, 2009

Will High Court Tweak Well-Known Miranda Right?
Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal spoke with The Rundown about the Supreme Court's busy week ahead.

Dec. 7, 2009

Afghanistan Rebuilding: Challenges Ahead
The need to fix Afghanistan's roads, schools and other facilities is just one part of the massive rebuilding effort that lies ahead. Mark Schneider, senior vice president at the International Crisis Group, describes the governmental and rule of law challenges that loom just as large.

  

Dec. 3, 2009

Thursday's Headlines: Afghanistan Hearings, Bernanke on the Hill
On an unusually warm December day in Washington this Thursday, top administration officials are gearing up for another day of hearings on President Obama's decision to send an extra 30,000 troops to Afghanistan.

Dec. 2, 2009

High Court Hears Beachfront Property Case
The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle spoke with the NewsHour Wednesday about Supreme Court oral arguments in a case about government takeover of beach property in Florida.

Dec. 1, 2009

Other News: Seattle Police Kill Suspect in Officers' Deaths
In other news, police killed the man suspected of shooting four police officers over the weekend, and the chief executive of General Motors was forced out Tuesday by the board of directors.

  

NOVEMBER
Nov. 30, 2009

Manhunt Intensifies After State Police Slayings
Four police officers were killed in Washington state Sunday while waiting for their shifts to start. Jeffrey Brown speaks with a Seattle Post-Intelligencer reporter for more on the manhunt for the suspected shooter.

  

Nov. 30, 2009

U.S., Europe Respond Angrily to Iran's Threat to Build More Nuclear Plants
Iran has refused to comply with a United Nations demand to halt enrichment at one of its nuclear facilities, and escalated the specter of new sanctions by declaring it would build 10 more plants.

Nov. 26, 2009

In Mumbai, Tensions Remain One Year After Deadly Attack
One year after terrorist attacks rocked the Indian capital of Mumbai, Simon Israel of Independent Television News updates the political situation there.

  

Nov. 23, 2009

U.S. Charges 8 With Aiding Somali War Recruiting
Federal prosecutors in Minnesota on Monday announced charges against eight more people in an ongoing investigation into young Somali-Americans leaving the United States to fight with a terror group in Somalia. Margaret Warner reports.

  

Nov. 19, 2009

Gates: Fort Hood Probe Raises 'Troubling Questions' on Warning Signs
As a Senate Committee began the first hearing into the shooting attack at Fort Hood, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced the launch of a Pentagon review of the circumstances around the shootings. Judy Woodruff speaks with two reporters for an update.

  

Nov. 18, 2009

Holder: 'We Need Not Cower' Facing 9/11 Suspect
U.S. Attorney General appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday to defend trying 9/11 suspects in New York. Kwame Holman has the story.

  

Nov. 18, 2009

Holder: 'I'm Not Scared' of What 9/11 Suspect Might Say
At a Wednesday appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Eric Holder defended his decision to try alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in a civilian court in New York City.

Nov. 17, 2009

Obama Unveils Financial Fraud Task Force
President Obama issued an executive order Tuesday establishing a multi-agency task force to crack down on financial fraud.

Nov. 13, 2009

Holder: 9/11 Trials Will Weigh 'Crime of the Century'
In an interview with Jim Lehrer, Attorney General Eric Holder discusses the decision to prosecute the alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other Guantanamo Bay detainees in civilian federal court in New York, calling the stakes "enormous."

  

Nov. 13, 2009

Alleged 9/11 Mastermind Among Detainees to Face Trial in N.Y.
The Justice Department on Friday announced plans to try suspected 9/11 mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and four other Guantanamo Bay detainees, in federal court. Ray Suarez reports.

  

Nov. 13, 2009

Madoff's 'Prisoner Watch' Among Items Set for Auction Block
A trove of Bernard Madoff's belongings seized by U.S. Marshals from the Ponzi schemer's Manhattan penthouse and New York beach home are to set to go on sale Saturday in a government-run auction for victims of his fraud.

Nov. 13, 2009

Holder: 9/11 Suspects 'Must Face Ultimate Justice'
The five men accused of plotting the Sept. 11 attacks, including the alleged mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will stand trial in a civilian federal court in New York City, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced Friday.

Nov. 12, 2009

Fort Hood Suspect Charged With 13 Counts of Murder
Army Maj. Nidal M. Hasan has been charged with premeditated murder in last week's shooting at Fort Hood. Jeffrey Brown talks to a reporter for an update.

  

Nov. 12, 2009

Hasan Charged With 13 Counts of Murder
The U.S. Army has charged an Army psychiatrist suspected of killing 13 people in last week's shooting spree at the Fort Hood with premeditated murder, an Army spokesman said Thursday.

Nov. 10, 2009

Suspect's 'Radical' Views Examined in Fort Hood Investigation
Gwen Ifill speaks with two reporters about the ongoing investigation into last week's attack at Fort Hood, including new revelations that the alleged shooter had ties to a radical cleric in Yemen known for his anti-American teachings.

  

Nov. 10, 2009

Obama: 'We are a Nation That Endures'
Prayers and tears filled the scene of Tuesday's memorial service at Fort Hood Army Base in Texas, where 13 soldiers were killed in Thursday's shooting rampage.

Nov. 9, 2009

High Court to Rule on Life Sentences for Minors
The Supreme Court heard arguments in two cases Monday over whether sentencing minors to life in prison without a chance for parole constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal discusses the cases with Jim Lehrer.

  

Nov. 9, 2009

Fort Hood Community Struggles to Make Sense of Tragedy
Tom Bearden reports from Killeen, Texas, on how the Fort Hood community is reacting to last week's shooting at the U.S. Army base that killed 13 people and injured dozens more.

  

Nov. 9, 2009

Investigators Seek Motive in Fort Hood Rampage
Gwen Ifill speaks with Spencer Hsu of the Washington Post about the investigation into last week's shooting rampage at Fort Hood.

  

Nov. 9, 2009

Fort Hood Suspect's Web History Investigated
As the investigation continues into last week's shootings at the Fort Hood military base, officials are beginning to look deeper into the suspected gunman's background, including possible ties to a radical cleric.

Nov. 9, 2009

Supreme Court Hears High-Profile Cases on Juvenile Sentencing
The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday about whether giving juveniles life sentences with no chance of parole for non-homicide crimes qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment.

Nov. 6, 2009

Conflicting Portrait Emerges of Accused Fort Hood Gunman
Ray Suarez digs into the life of suspected Fort Hood gunman Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan and possible motives for the attack on the Army base.

  

Nov. 6, 2009

Fort Hood Army Base Reeling From Attack
Kwame Holman reports from Fort Hood Army Base in Texas, which is reeling in the aftermath of a deadly shooting that killed 13 people.

  

Nov. 6, 2009

Authorities Unable to Speak With Fort Hood Suspect
The Army psychiatrist suspected of killing 13 people in a shooting spree Thursday at the Fort Hood Army post in Texas remains hospitalized in stable condition, Army officials said Friday.

Nov. 5, 2009

Shooter in Deadly Fort Hood Attack Remains Alive
The U.S. Army says one of its own soldiers, a military psychiatrist, carried out a shooting rampage Thursday afternoon in Fort Hood, Texas, that left at least 12 people dead and injured 31 others.

Nov. 5, 2009

Teen's Rape Leaves California Community Stunned
Spencer Michels reports from Richmond, Calif., where a teen girl was gang raped while dozens of people looked on without offering help.

  

Nov. 5, 2009

Hedge Fund World Rocked by Insider-trading Charges
Judy Woodruff speaks with a Financial Times reporter about 14 people facing insider-trading charges for allegedly netting $20 million in illegal profits.

  

Nov. 5, 2009

A Search for Answers Following Fort Hood Attack
At least 12 people were killed and 31 wounded when a gunman opened fire at Fort Hood Army Base in Texas. Jeffrey Brown reports.

  

Nov. 4, 2009

In Italy, Judge Convicts 23 Americans in CIA Kidnapping Case
An Italian judge on Wednesday convicted 23 Americans in the 2003 kidnapping of an Egyptian cleric in Milan. Ray Suarez speaks with a Los Angeles Times reporter for more on the landmark case.

  

Nov. 4, 2009

Other News: Iranian Protesters Clash With Police
In other news, thousands of Iranian protesters clashed with police in the streets of Tehran on the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy takeover, and the U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether prosecutors can be sued for damages.

  

Nov. 4, 2009

Maine Gay Marriage Repeal Draws Mixed Reaction
Voters in Maine on Tuesday dealt another defeat to gay-rights advocates after voting to repeal a new state law allowing same-sex marriage.

Nov. 3, 2009

Madoff Accountant Pleads Guilty in Federal Court
The consequences of Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme continue to trickle down as his accountant pleaded guilty to criminal charges. Judy Woodruff reports.

  

OCTOBER
Oct. 28, 2009

Crackdown Targets Banks Deemed 'Too Big to Fail'
The head of a key House committee unveiled legislation Wednesday that would grant the federal government sweeping new powers to police giant financial firms. Jim Lehrer talks to two financial analysts about the debate over "too big to fail" institutions.

  

Oct. 28, 2009

Other News: Obama Expands Hate Crimes Law
In other news, President Obama signed an expansion of the federal hate crimes law, and new home sales fell unexpectedly by 3.6 percent in September.

  

Oct. 28, 2009

Bill: Biggest Firms Would Fund Future Rescues
The U.S. government would be given broad new powers to shrink financial firms deemed "too big to fail" and shift the cost of rescuing troubled companies from taxpayers to other large firms, according to draft legislation released Tuesday.

Oct. 28, 2009

Obama Signs Measure to Widen Hate Crimes Law
In the first expansion of a federal hate crimes law since 1968, President Barack Obama signed a bill Wednesday that extends hate crime protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

Oct. 26, 2009

Other News: Security in Iraq Questioned After Massive Bombings
In other news, Iraqi forces beefed up security one day after a blast killed 155 people and injured 500 others, and 11 Iranians were arrested in Pakistan for attempting to illegal enter the country.

  

Oct. 22, 2009

House Panel Approves Curbs for Insurers' Antitrust Exemptions
The House approved a bill on Wednesday that would limit the health insurance industry's exemption from federal antitrust laws. Betty Ann Bowser and Judy Woodruff report.

  

Oct. 21, 2009

Brazil Works to Clamp Down on Drug Violence Ahead of Olympics
A firefight between drug gangs and the downing of a police helicopter in Rio de Janeiro last weekend heightened concerns about the city hosting the Olympic Games in 2016. Seth Kugel of GlobalPost provides an update in this Reporter's Podcast.

Oct. 20, 2009

Yoo's Tenure Questioned Over Bush Torture Policy
Spencer Michels reports on the ongoing academic wrangling over former Bush attorney John Yoo's instruction at the University of California, Berkeley.

  

Oct. 19, 2009

Arrests, Scrutiny Put Hedge Fund Sector on Edge
The arrests of a prominent Wall Street hedge fund founder and five others on Friday have unsettled the hedge fund world and could spur calls for new rules governing the largely unregulated financial sector.

Oct. 14, 2009

Cash Strapped California Towns Eye Tax Hikes for Medical Marijuana
With budget woes causing cuts to essential services across California, several communities in the state are weighing whether to raise additional revenue through tax hikes on medical marijuana. Spencer Michels reports.

  

Oct. 13, 2009

Other News: Obama to Announce Afghan Strategy in 'the Coming Weeks'
In other news, President Obama said he will announce whether he intends to send more troops to Afghanistan in "the coming weeks," and military jets bombed a series of militant targets along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

  

Oct. 12, 2009

News Wrap: Afghan Official Leaves Election Commission
In other news, an Afghan official resigned from a commission charged with determining whether fraud occurred in the nation's presidential election, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the world will not be deterred by new missile testing in North Korea.

  

Oct. 12, 2009

Poll: Americans Support Civil Unions, but Oppose Same-sex Marriage
Americans broadly support giving gay and lesbian couples the same rights as people in heterosexual marriages, but using the term "marriage" still draws opposition, according to the latest Pew Research Center survey on same-sex marriage.

Oct. 12, 2009

6 Uighurs Sentenced to Death Over Xinjiang Riots
A Chinese court sentenced six Uighur men to death and a seventh to life in prison on Monday for murder and other violent crimes committed this summer during ethnic rioting in Xinjiang, China's western region.

Oct. 9, 2009

Leaders React to Obama's Nobel Peace Prize
Friday's surprise announcement that President Barack Obama would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize drew both praise from backers of the president and criticism from some of his harshest critics.

Oct. 8, 2009

News Wrap: House OKs Hate Crime Protections for Gays, Lesbians
In other news, the House voted to include homosexuals in federal hate crime laws, and first-time claims for unemployment fell more than expected last week.

  

Oct. 7, 2009

Student's Death Points to Upsurge in Gang Violence in Chicago
Jeffrey Brown speaks with a Chicago Sun-Times reporter about the recent murder of a high school student in Chicago's south side and the increase in gang violence throughout the Windy City.

  

Oct. 7, 2009

News Wrap: Supreme Court Considers Giant Cross in Mojave Desert
In other news, the Supreme Court took up the separation of church and state in a case involving public lands in California, and two Americans and an Israeli received the Nobel Prize in chemistry.

  

Oct. 7, 2009

Supreme Court to Hear Case Concerning Cross on Public Land
A long-running legal battle over a 75-year-old cross on public land in California culminates today in oral arguments before the Supreme Court, in what legal analysts say could be an important case on the separation of church and state.

Oct. 6, 2009

Dogfight Video Tests Limits of Free Speech
The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on whether videos of illegal dogfights are protected speech. Marcia Coyle offers insight.

  

Oct. 5, 2009

New Court Term Puts Spotlight on Gun Rights, Free Speech, Business
The Supreme Court opened a new term on Monday with a docket full of cases concerning corporations, compensation, and the financial markets. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal previews the term with Gwen Ifill.

  

Oct. 5, 2009

New Court Term to Tackle Free Speech, Business Regulation, Gun Rights
The Supreme Court, newly reconfigured with the addition of Justice Sonia Sotomayor, will hear several cases involving high-profile issues this term, including First Amendment rights, gun control, criminal law and business regulation.

Oct. 1, 2009

Enforcement of Texting-While-Driving Bans Proves a Tough Task
Distractions on the road are plentiful, but as cell technology continues to creep behind the wheel, drivers sending phone text messages are creating a new danger on the roads.

Oct. 1, 2009

Bernanke Calls for 'Council of Regulators'
Testifying before lawmakers Thursday, Ben Bernanke reiterated a call for the Fed to be given supervisory powers over institutions that pose a systemic risk to the financial system, and proposed that a council of regulators help monitor risk.

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 30, 2009

Summit Aims to Put the Brakes on Texting While Driving
Text messaging while driving has been found to increase the odds of a crash by 23 times. Now, lawmakers and transportation experts are trying to find a way to stop the dangerous practice. Ray Suarez reports.

  

Sept. 29, 2009

Terror Suspect Zazi Pleads Not Guilty in N.Y.
Najibullah Zazi, an Afghan immigrant arrested Sept. 20 in connection to a plot to bomb targets in New York City, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to terrorism conspiracy charges. Dina Temple-Raston of NPR details the case against Zazi.

  

Sept. 28, 2009

Despite Hurdles, White House Sticking to Gitmo Deadline
The White House is sticking to a plan to close the prison complex at Guantanamo Bay by Jan. 22, despite mounting opposition in Congress to relocating terror suspects inside the U.S. With less than four months until the administration's deadline arrives, experts examine the remaining options.

  

Sept. 28, 2009

Gates: Closing Guantanamo Proving 'Tough'
Defense Secretary Robert Gates hinted Sunday it may not be possible to close the prison facility at Guantanamo Bay by January, as President Obama has ordered. Margaret Warner reports.

  

Sept. 25, 2009

News Wrap: McChrystal Surprised by Taliban's Strength
In other news, five more Americans were killed in Afghanistan on Thursday, and a U.S. missile strike in Pakistan killed 12 militants.

  

Sept. 24, 2009

World Faces Tough Choices on Iran's Nuclear Program
Rahm Emanuel tells PBS' Charlie Rose that Iran knows the choices it faces in the global community due to its nuclear ambitions. Also, analysts tell Jim Lehrer that Iran's 'tactical' decisions continue to frustrate the world.

  

Sept. 24, 2009

News Wrap: Afghan Man Indicted for U.S. Terror Plot
In other news, an Afghan immigrant was indicted Thursday in New York for allegedly plotting to detonate bombs in the U.S., and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick named Paul Kirk to fill the senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy.

  

Sept. 23, 2009

Top Banks Rethink Policies on Overdraft Fees
Leading banks move to change overdraft fees deemed harmful to consumers. Jeffrey Brown speaks with a banking expert about the overhaul.

  

Sept. 23, 2009

How Much Should U.S. Intrude to Protect Citizens?
Gwen Ifill speaks with national security experts about how far the U.S. government should go in protecting citizens from threats here and abroad.

  

Sept. 22, 2009

News Wrap: Zelaya's Return to Honduras Leads to Embassy Standoff
In other news, deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya remained holed up at the Brazilian embassy, and the Los Angeles Police Department cracked down on gangs in a massive sweep.

  

Sept. 21, 2009

Three Terrorism Suspects Jailed in Weekend Raid
Judy Woodruff speaks with journalists about the arrests of three terrorism suspects over the weekend related to an alleged plot to bomb American targets.

  

Sept. 18, 2009

One Year On, Hurdles Remain for Reforming Wall Street
One year after the fall of Lehman Brothers' brought the global economy to the brink of collapse, questions remain as to whether the government has been tough enough on Wall Street. Experts explain why.

  

Sept. 18, 2009

News Wrap: Putin Applauds U.S. Reversal on Missile Shield
In other news, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin applauded President Obama's "brave decision" to cancel plans for a U.S. missile shield in Europe, and seven former CIA directors asked the White House to end a criminal probe of interrogation tactics during the Bush years.

  

Sept. 18, 2009

Election Tempers Reignite at Rallies Across Iran
Demonstrators clashed in the streets of Tehran Friday in renewed protest of the results of June's election. The protests came amid a day of anti-Israel rallies, which President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad used to once again deny the Holocaust. ITN reports.

  

Sept. 15, 2009

U.N. Finds Evidence of War Crimes in Gaza Fighting
A U.N. report has concluded that both the Israeli military and armed Palestinian groups committed actions amounting to war crimes during December's three-week war in Gaza. Gwen Ifill speaks with an author of the report and the Israeli ambassador to the U.S.

  

Sept. 14, 2009

Other News: U.S.-China Trade Dispute Escalates
In other news, China filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over a U.S. tariff on Chinese tires, and election officials in Afghanistan put off announcing when they would release official results from last month's presidential contest.

  

Sept. 14, 2009

Obama Urges Wall Street to Embrace Stricter Oversight
On the one-year anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, President Obama visited Wall Street to urge financial firms to remember the lessons of the economic crisis and to press for regulatory reforms.

  

Sept. 11, 2009

News Wrap: Training Exercise Prompts Security Concerns
In other news, a Coast Guard training exercise in Washington caused security concerns during the nearby 9/11 anniversary services, and the world's oldest person died at the age of 115.

  

Sept. 10, 2009

Afghan Ballots Tossed Amid Fraud Concerns
Afghanistan's U.N.-backed elections commission threw out ballots Thursday from last month's unresolved and controversial election, saying there was evidence of fraud in a number of polling stations in certain provinces.

Sept. 9, 2009

Justice David H. Souter
Justice David Souter, the 105th justice to be appointed to the Supreme Court, retired from the high court in June 2009, after more than 18 years on the bench.

Sept. 9, 2009

Supreme Court Hears Campaign Finance Arguments
The Supreme Court convened Wednesday for a special hearing on campaign finance rules. Marcia Coyle reports.

  

Sept. 9, 2009

Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Sonia Sotomayor is the first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

Sept. 9, 2009

Role of Corporate Money in Politics at Stake in Special Supreme Court Argument
A Supreme Court case that originally focused on a movie that was critical of Hillary Clinton during the 2008 presidential election is being reconsidered and could potentially change how corporate donations to political campaigns are regulated.

Sept. 8, 2009

ICC Prosecutor Makes Case Against Sudan's President
Luis Moreno-Ocampo, prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, discusses his view on war crimes charges levied against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

  

Sept. 4, 2009

Shields and Brooks on Health Reform, Afghan Strategy
Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the top news of the week, including the escalating violence in Afghanistan, and President Barack Obama's upcoming speech on health care to a joint session of Congress.

  

Sept. 3, 2009

Madoff Report Highlights SEC Lapses in Detecting Fraud
A scathing report by an inspector general for the Securities and Exchange Commission has found the agency missed numerous chances to uncover Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme. A financial reporter and a law professor speak with Jeffrey Brown about the SEC's framework for detecting fraud.

  

Sept. 2, 2009

Pfizer Settles Unlawful Marketing Case for $2.3 Billion
Pfizer Inc., the world's largest drugmaker, agreed to plead guilty under a $2.3 billion federal settlement over unlawful marketing of the anti-inflammatory drug Bextra. Ray Suarez reports on the record fine.

  

Sept. 2, 2009

Pfizer Settles $2.3 Billion Suit for Illegal Marketing
The Department of Justice announced Wednesday that drugmaker Pfizer will pay the government $2.3 billion for illegally marketing the anti-inflammatory drug Bextra, the largest health care lawsuit settlement in the department's history.

Sept. 1, 2009

Contractors Under Scrutiny at U.S. Embassy in Kabul
A nonpartisan watchdog on Tuesday charged that language barriers, overwork, and lewd behavior by U.S. government contractors are undermining security at the American embassy in Kabul. Margaret Warner reports.

  

AUGUST
Aug. 24, 2009

Amid New Interrogation Details, Detainee Unit Created
With the release of CIA documents about harsh interrogation methods, the Obama administration announced a new panel that will oversee the questioning of terrorism suspects.

  

Aug. 21, 2009

Controversial Afghan Law Leaves Shiite Women's Rights in Question
Afghan President Hamid Karzai faces continued international and domestic pressure to further overhaul a controversial law affecting Shiite women that critics say he passed to secure votes from conservatives in this week's election.

Aug. 20, 2009

Ailing Lockerbie Bomber Sent Home to Libya
Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, who was serving a life sentence for the 1988 bombing of Pan-Am flight 103, was released by the Scottish government Thursday due to his ailing health and allowed to return to his native Libya.

  

Aug. 20, 2009

Other News: Death Toll Climbs from Baghdad Attacks
In other news, the death toll from Wednesday's bombings across Baghdad climbed to at least 101 people, and ten alleged leaders of Mexican frug cartels have been indicted in the U.S.

  

Aug. 20, 2009

An Unflinching Look at Violence in Juarez
Artist Alice Leora Briggs takes an unflinching look at the violence in the border town of Juarez, Mexico.

Aug. 20, 2009

Lockerbie Bomber Released from Scottish Prison
Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, who was convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie airliner bombing, has been released from prison in Scotland and sent home to Libya on compassionate grounds.

Aug. 19, 2009

IRS Deal Pierces Veil of Swiss Banking Secrecy
A New York Times reporter assesses the impact of Swiss banking giant UBS agreeing to give the U.S. Internal Revenue Service names of some account holders.

  

Aug. 19, 2009

California Budget Woes Squeeze Overcrowded Prisons
As California continues to struggle over budget gaps, Spencer Michels measures the likely effects of funding cuts on the state's overcrowded prisons.

  

Aug. 18, 2009

Record-setting Cyber Theft Stirs Questions on Security
The Justice Department indicted three men on Monday for stealing more than 130 million credit and debit card numbers by hacking into the computer systems of five major companies. Cyber-securiity experts discuss the case with Ray Suarez.

  

Aug. 17, 2009

Truck Bomb Kills at Least 20 in Russian Province
An explosives-laden truck driven by a suicide bomber detonated at a police station Monday morning in Russia's North Caucasus, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 100 others, officials said.

Aug. 14, 2009

Courtroom Artist William Hennessy's Sketches
Courtroom sketch artist William Hennessy has been documenting legal proceedings for 27 years. Here is a look at some of his most memorable work.

Aug. 14, 2009

Courtroom Artist Is Witness to It All
On Thursday's NewsHour, we profiled courtroom sketch artist William Hennessy, whose work has offered people a glimpse where cameras are oftentimes banned. Here is a slide show of some of his most memorable sketches from the past 27 years.

Aug. 13, 2009

Courtroom Sketch Artist Develops Journalistic Eye
After 27 years of witnessing significant legal proceedings, courtroom sketch artist William Hennessy said he now considers himself a journalist as well.

  

Aug. 13, 2009

Head of Save Darfur Coalition Rebuts al-Bashir
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir spoke with Time magazine's Sam Dealey in early August about the International Criminal Court's warrant for his arrest, the fighting in his country and relations with the United States.

Aug. 6, 2009

Forensic Clues Aid Fight Against Ivory Trade
ITN correspondent Julian Rush reports on how the science of carbon dating is being used to combat the illegal global ivory trade.

Aug. 6, 2009

Sotomayor Confirmed as First Hispanic on Supreme Court
The U.S. Senate voted 68-31 Thursday to confirm Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, making her the first Hispanic and third woman to serve as a justice.

  

Aug. 6, 2009

Does Sotomayor Vote Have Political Ramifications?
Nine of 40 Senate Republicans voted with the Democratic majority Thursday to confirm Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Amy Walter of The Hotline dissects the vote and discusses whether it is likely to have any impact on next year's elections.

Aug. 6, 2009

Senate Confirms Sotomayor for Supreme Court
The Senate voted largely along party lines, 68-31, Thursday afternoon to confirm Sonia Sotomayor to become the first Hispanic on the high court despite strong opposition by most Republican senators.

Aug. 5, 2009

Senate Democrats Seek GOP Support for Sotomayor
As the Senate opens debate on confirming Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, Democrats are focusing on winning GOP support, and Republicans are concentrating on not upsetting Hispanic voters. Kwame Holman reports.

  

Aug. 5, 2009

Q&A: Director of Committee to Protect Journalists Discusses Reporter Detentions
Joel Simon, executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists spoke with the Online NewsHour about journalist arrests around the world and the release of reporters Euna Lee and Laura Ling from North Korea.

Aug. 5, 2009

Freed Journalists Return to U.S. Soil After N. Korea Ordeal
Freed American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling returned to U.S. soil Wednesday morning with former President Bill Clinton, after spending more than four months in detention in North Korea.

Aug. 4, 2009

Diplomatic Efforts of Former Presidents
Former President Clinton's visit to North Korea illustrated how ex-presidents can continue their diplomacy. Since Herbert Hoover, such efforts have been largely humanitarian, though Jimmy Carter has commented on foreign agendas and advocated for global causes. Historian Richard Norton Smith discusses their unique roles.

  

Aug. 4, 2009

Lacking Clear Solution, Obama Struggles to Close Gitmo
With less than six months until President Obama's deadline for closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, the White House is struggling to decide on a bevy of options. Ari Shapiro of National Public Radio speaks with Judy Woodruff about the various options under review.

  

Aug. 4, 2009

Kim Jong Il Pardons Captured Journalists After Meeting With Bill Clinton
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il issued a "special pardon" to two jailed American journalists after meeting with former President Bill Clinton, North Korea's official news agency reported.

Aug. 3, 2009

Other News: New Prison for Gitmo Detainees Considered; Pilot's Remains Found
In other news, White House officials confirmed that the administration is weighing creating a prison inside the U.S. to both house and prosecute suspected terrorists, and a bombing carried out by the Taliban killed 11 people in western Afghanistan.

  

JULY
July 30, 2009

N.C. Arrests Raise Concerns about Homegrown Terrorism
After seven North Carolina men were arrested on accusations of planning a terrorist attack, law enforcement officials said they were concerned about other possible homegrown terrorists. Ray Suarez speaks with a terrorism expert and a civil rights advocate.

  

July 29, 2009

Ireland to Take in Two Guantanamo Detainees
Ireland has agreed to take in two detainees from the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba, Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said Wednesday, making it one of the first European countries to accept detainees for resettlement.

July 24, 2009

Arrests Expose Widespread Corruption in Garden State
A ten-year long investigation into sprawling corruption in New Jersey culminated Thursday after an informant's tips led to the arrests of 44 people, including three mayors and multiple rabbis. Dina Temple-Raston of National Public Radio examines the case with Margaret Warner.

  

July 24, 2009

Watchdog Role at Center of Regulator Showdown
Three federal government officials charged with reforming the U.S. financial system testify Friday in front of the House Financial Services committee who should become the nation's top consumer watchdog.

July 23, 2009

Professor's Arrest Puts Racial Profiling in the Spotlight
The arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates at his own home in Cambridge, Mass., made headlines again Thursday, after President Obama commented on the controversy during Wednesday's news conference. Ray Suarez talks to analysts about the larger issues at play.

  

July 21, 2009

Other News: Bailout Funds Come Under New Scrutiny
In other news, lawmakers asked new questions on the spending of federal bailout dollars, and the Senate Judiciary Committee has delayed a vote on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor by one week.

  

July 20, 2009

Lone Surviving Gunman in Mumbai Attacks Pleads Guilty
The lone surviving gunman in the coordinated attacks in the Indian financial capital Mumbai in November made a dramatic court confession Monday, reversing months of denials.

July 17, 2009

Health Reform, Sotomayor Hearings Top Week's News
Mark Shields and David Brooks consider the news of the week, including the confirmation hearings of Sonia Sotomayor, efforts at health care reform and the shape of the economy.

  

July 16, 2009

Cyber Attacks on Governments
On the Fourth of July, cyber attacks started targeting computers at the White House, the Pentagon and other major U.S. government agencies. The New York Stock Exchange and the South Korean government were also targets. Who and what are behind the attacks? Two experts answered your questions.

July 16, 2009

Sotomayor Confirmation May Be Headed to Swift Vote
With Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's testimony complete, analysts Marcia Coyle and Tom Goldstein join Judy Woodruff to examine how the judge fared in the spotlight.

  

July 16, 2009

Broad Praise as Sotomayor Questioning Ends
As Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor wrapped up her final day of testimony, even some critics voiced praise for her judicial record.

  

July 15, 2009

Experts Ask: How Do We Define Hispanic Identity?
As Sonia Sotomayor faces the Supreme Court confirmation process, the Online NewsHour asked experts to weigh in on how we define Hispanic identity.

July 15, 2009

Lawmakers Push Sotomayor for Views on Critical Issues
Sonia Sotomayor faced new questioning from lawmakers Wednesday. Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Patrick Leahy and Sen. Charles Grassley give their take on the hearings.

  

July 15, 2009

Sotomayor Deflects Abortion Questions
Senators repeatedly pushed Judge Sonia Sotomayor to define her views on abortion Wednesday, but she resisted. Kwame Holman recaps the third day of confirmation hearings.

  

July 14, 2009

Analysts Examine Second Day of Sotomayor Hearings
Judge Sonia Sotomayor faced questions on past rulings and statements during her second day of Supreme Court confirmation hearings Tuesday. Legal analysts examine her responses.

  

July 14, 2009

Senators Press Sotomayor on Past Statements
In a second, tense day of Senate testimony, Judge Sonia Sotomayor defended her past remarks about race while seeking to elaborate on her judicial philosophy. Kwame Holman recaps the day's events.

  

July 14, 2009

The Confirmation of Sotomayor
The Senate judiciary panel will begin considering President Barack Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court on Monday, July 13. If confirmed, Sotomayor, a federal appeals court judge, would be the first Hispanic female justice to sit on the Supreme Court.

July 14, 2009

Former Liberian Leader Taylor Denies War Crimes
Former Liberian President Charles Taylor, the first African leader to stand trial for war crimes, denied all charges during his first day of testimony Tuesday before the three-judge Special Court for Sierra Leone.

July 13, 2009

Union Leaders Press President Obama for More Support
Nearly a dozen union leaders met with President Obama Monday in an effort to gain support for key legislation now before Congress. Ray Suarez talks with experts about the bills and their potential impact on workers and employers.

  

July 13, 2009

Sotomayor Pledges 'Fidelity to the Law' as Hearings Begin
The Senate Judiciary Committee launched hearings Monday on Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court. The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle offers insight.

  

July 13, 2009

Text and Video: Sotomayor's Opening Statement
Sonia Sotomayor delivered her opening statement to lawmakers on the Senate Judiciary Committee Monday as they evaulate her nomination to the Supreme Court. The text of her remarks is as prepared for delivery and released by the White House.

July 10, 2009

Sotomayor Confirmation Hearings Gear Up
Senate confirmation hearings begin Monday for Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court. Kwame Holman reports.

  

July 6, 2009

Judge OKs Plan to Sell GM Assets; Appeal Looms
A New York judge has approved General Motors Corp.'s bankruptcy sale in a move that will allow the company's most-profitable assets to quickly emerge from bankruptcy protection under government ownership.

July 3, 2009

Supreme Court Term Brought Some Surprises
Legal analysts Linda Greenhouse and Thomas Goldstein examine the impact of the most significant Supreme Court decisions of the 2008 term, including a narrow ruling on the landmark Voting Rights Act.

  

JUNE
June 30, 2009

After Long Court Battle, Franken Wins Minn. Senate Seat
The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Democrat Al Franken narrowly defeated Republican Norm Coleman in last year's U.S. Senate race. Analysts discuss the case and the significance of Franken's win.

  

June 30, 2009

Franken Wins Minnesota Senate Case in Court; Coleman Concedes
More than seven months after Election Day, the U.S. Senate race in Minnesota drew to a final conclusion on June 30, when the state Supreme Court backed Al Franken's victory and Norm Coleman conceded the race. Here is a recap of key developments:

June 29, 2009

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Military Policy Faces New Scrutiny
Following protests from gay rights activists, efforts to lobby Congress and the administration to repeal the military's policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" have picked up speed. Ray Suarez reports on the movement and its critics.

  

June 29, 2009

Madoff Sentenced to 150 Years in Prison for Ponzi Scheme
Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff was sentenced Monday to 150 years in prison after pleading guilty in March to defrauding investors out of as much as $60 billion. Ray Suarez talks to New York Times reporter Diana Henriques about the day in court.

  

June 29, 2009

High Court's Bias Ruling May Reshape Employer Policies
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that a group of white firefighters was unfairly denied promotions because of their race. Analysts examine the impact on future labor policy.

  

June 29, 2009

Justices Reverse Sotomayor Ruling in Discrimination Case
The Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision Monday that white firefighters in Connecticut were unfairly denied promotions because of their race, reversing a decision supported by high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor when she was an appellate judge. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal discusses the case with Gwen Ifill.

  

June 29, 2009

Firefighters Case Prompts Reaction on Sotomayor's Role in Lower Court Decision
The Supreme Court's Ricci v. DeStefano decision was highly anticipated not only because of its potential impact on civil rights and affirmative action, but also due to high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's role in the case as an appeals court judge.

June 29, 2009

Supreme Court Rules 5-4 for White Firefighters in Job Promotions Bias Case
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that white firefighters in New Haven, Conn., were unfairly denied promotions due to their race, reversing a decision that high court nominee Sonia Sotomayor supported as an appeals court judge.

June 29, 2009

Madoff Sentenced to 150 Years in Prison
Financier Bernard Madoff was sentenced Monday to 150 years in prison after pleading guilty in March to bilking investors out of as much as $65 billion over two decades.

June 25, 2009

Justices Rule School's Strip Search of Student Was Illegal
The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 Thursday that officials at an Arizona school went too far when they strip searched an eighth-grader accused of distributing drugs. Marcia Coyle of The National Law Journal discusses the ruling with Jim Lehrer.

  

June 22, 2009

Justices Deliver Narrow Ruling on Voting Rights Act
The Supreme Court delivered a tightly focused ruling Monday in a challenge to the landmark Voting Rights Act, exempting a small Texas governing authority from a key provision of the law but avoiding a larger constitutional issue. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal examines the decision.

  

June 19, 2009

Iran's Supreme Leader Sides With Ahmadinejad in Disputed Election
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday defended President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as the rightful winner in the country's June 12 elections and disputed any possibility that the vote was rigged, as other candidates have contended.

June 19, 2009

Billionaire Stanford, Bank Officials Indicted in Massive Fraud Case
Texas billionaire R. Allen Stanford and several associates have been indicted on fraud and obstruction charges in what U.S. Justice Department officials say was a $7 billion pyramid scheme to defraud more than 5,000 investors over more than a decade.

June 18, 2009

Justices Find Convicts Have No Right to DNA Testing
The Supreme Court said Thursday that convicts have no constitutional right to test DNA evidence in hopes of proving their innocence long after they were found guilty. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal discusses the impact of the decision.

  

June 18, 2009

Iranian Protesters Mourn Deaths as Guardian Council Calls in Candidates
Supporters of Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi rallied in Tehran again Thursday, many dressed in black and carrying candles to mourn demonstrators killed in post-election clashes, according to witnesses.

June 17, 2009

Iranian Election Tensions Continue With Call for New Rally
Supporters of Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi gathered in downtown Tehran for a fifth straight day Wednesday as their candidate continued his challenge to the country's supreme leader and cleric-led system.

June 16, 2009

American Cross-border Gun Traffic Fuels Mexican Drug-related Violence
NewsHour special correspondent Jeffrey Kaye reports on the American gun trade that is fueling drug-related violence in Mexico and new efforts to stop it.

  

June 16, 2009

In Iran, Recount to Begin as 7 Die in Protests
Iran's 12-person Guardian Council said Tuesday it would begin a partial recount of votes in Friday's disputed presidential election, as seven people were reportedly killed during a massive march through the streets of Tehran.

June 15, 2009

Disputing Election, Pro-reform Marchers Fill Tehran Streets
Tens of thousands of supporters of Iranian pro-reform leader Mir Hossein Mousavi streamed into the center of Tehran Monday in a boisterous protest against Friday's election results that declared President Mamoud Ahmadinejad the winner.

June 12, 2009

Holocaust Museum Reopens Following Fatal Shooting
Kwame Holman reports on the National Holocaust Museum's reopening following Wednesday's fatal shooting of a security guard by white supremacist James W. von Brunn and provides an update on what authorities have learned about the shooter.

  

June 10, 2009

Suspected White Supremacist Opens Fire in Holocaust Museum, Kills Guard
An 88-year-old known for expressing violently anti-Semitic views opened fire inside the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, killing a guard before being wounded by other guards.

June 10, 2009

American Couple Faces Charges of Spying for Cuba
A former U.S. State Department official and his wife are accused of spying for Cuba for nearly 30 years. A Washington Post reporter updates the story.

  

June 10, 2009

Other News: Guard Killed at U.S. Holocaust Museum
In other news, an attacker shot and killed a security guard inside the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and at least 28 people were killed in a car bombing in Iraq.

  

June 9, 2009

Guantanamo Detainee Transferred to New York Court
A Guantanamo detainee arrived in New York Tuesday and was arraigned in federal court on charges stemming from the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa. A New York Times reporter provides an update.

  

June 9, 2009

Shell Pays Millions to Settle Activists' Deaths in Nigeria
Royal Dutch Shell, in order to settle several lawsuits brought in a U.S. court, agreed Monday to pay $15.5 million to the families of Nigerian protesters executed by the military regime in the 1990s.

June 8, 2009

Supreme Court Delays Pending Sale of Chrysler to Fiat
In a one-sentence order late Monday, the Supreme Court granted a request to delay the sale of bankrupt automaker Chrysler to a group led by Italian carmaker Fiat SpA. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal recaps the court's move on Chrysler and other key decisions.

  

June 8, 2009

North Korea Sentences 2 U.S. Journalists to 12 Years Hard Labor
A North Korean court on Monday sentenced two U.S. journalists to 12 years in a labor camp, a move widely seen as a sign the Communist country is looking to escalate its confrontation with the United States.

June 5, 2009

Fraud Charges Filed Against Countrywide Mortgage Chief
The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed civil fraud charges against Angelo Mozilo, head of the Countrywide Financial mortgage firm, for misleading investors about the company's lending practices. Analysts assess the case's impact.

  

June 3, 2009

North Korea Signals Succession Plan as American Reporters Face Trial
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has signaled he plans to have his third son succeed him, while Pyongyang plans a trial for two U.S. reporters: Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who work for Current TV. Analysts examine the developments.

  

June 3, 2009

Senators Weigh In on Sotomayor's Confirmation Prospects
Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor met with more lawmakers Wednesday as controversy continued to simmer over some of her past remarks. Sens. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., and Ben Cardin, D-Md., weigh in on Sotomayor's nomination.

  

June 2, 2009

Sotomayor Begins Meeting With Key Lawmakers
Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor met with key lawmakers Tuesday to explain her record and make her case for confirmation. The Hotline's Amy Walter offers insight.

  

June 2, 2009

Earlier Sotomayor Senate Appearances Hold Clues for Supreme Court Confirmation
As Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor finishes her first round of closed-door visits with lawmakers Tuesday, it won't be the first time she's faced questions from some of the senators who will decide if she ascends to the nation's highest court.

MAY
May 29, 2009

Sotomayor's Supreme Court Bid
President Barack Obama has named Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace retiring Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court, a choice that could make her the first Hispanic on the nation's highest court.

May 29, 2009

After Historic Nomination, Questions on Sotomayor's Record Emerge
Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor will bring some 17 years of judicial experience to her confirmation hearings. Legal scholars assess what her record says about her judicial philosophy and outlook.

  

May 27, 2009

New Details Emerge on Burris-Blagojevich Conversations
Elizabeth Brackett of WTTW-Chicago updates the story around allegations that Illinois Sen. Roland Burris was involved in a pay-to-play scheme with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to obtain his post.

  

May 26, 2009

Other News: California Supreme Court Upholds Gay Marriage Ban
In other news, the California Supreme Court upheld the state's ban on gay marriage in a 6-1 decision, and U.S. consumer confidence soared to its highest level in May since last September.

  

May 26, 2009

Sotomayor Nomination Sparks Debate on Role of Justices
Following President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor, a federal appeals court judge, to the Supreme Court, analysts debate her record and her confirmation road ahead.

  

May 26, 2009

Axelrod Sheds Light on Obama's Supreme Court Nominating Process
White House Senior Advisor David Axelrod describes the interview process that led President Obama to chose federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, and why the president is confident that she is the best person for the job.

  

May 26, 2009

Obama Nominates Sotomayor to Be Court's First Hispanic Female Justice
Judy Woodruff recaps President Obama's announcement of his nomination of Federal Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

  

May 26, 2009

Viewer Forum: Sotomayor's Supreme Court Bid
President Obama named judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court Tuesday, a choice that could make her the first Hispanic in history on the nation's highest court. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal takes your questions.

May 26, 2009

Reactions to Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court Nomination
President Barack Obama nominated federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court Tuesday. Here are reactions from lawmakers, party leaders and organizations.

May 26, 2009

Key Player: Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.
When Sen. Arlen Specter switched parties in April 2008, Sen. Jeff Sessions became the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, bringing a more conservative voice to the hearings vetting President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominees.

May 26, 2009

Q&A: Supreme Court Confirmation Process
President Barack Obama has nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace Justice David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court - the first step in the often contentious Senate confirmation process.

May 26, 2009

Sotomayor Followed Unlikely Path to the Door of the Supreme Court
In nominating Sonia Sotomayer, a federal appeals judge in New York, to replace retiring Justice David Souter, President Barack Obama called her an inspiring woman with an extraordinary life journey.

May 26, 2009

Highlights of Past Supreme Court Nominees
The process of nominating and confirming Supreme Court justices is one of the cornerstones of the Constitution's separation of powers. The nomination process involves a unique interplay of legal, political and personal considerations.

May 26, 2009

Key Player: Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.
Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, 69, is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Leahy and the now-ranking GOP member of the committee, Jeff Sessions of Alabama, will be responsible for overseeing the upcoming Supreme Court nomination hearings.

May 25, 2009

World Leaders Condemn N. Korean Nuclear Test
World leaders on Monday denounced North Korea's reported back-to-back nuclear and missile tests, which President Barack Obama said were a reckless challenge that will only invite more international pressure on the secretive regime.

May 22, 2009

Debate Over Guantanamo, Detainees Continues
A day after dueling high-profile speeches over the handling of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, legislators and administration officials continue to voice both support and opposition to President Obama's plan to close the prison camp.

May 21, 2009

Obama, Cheney Speeches Reframe Debate on Security Policy
After dueling speeches from President Obama and former Vice President Cheney on security policy, columnists and analysts weigh the shape of the debate on detainees and other issues.

  

May 21, 2009

Obama, Cheney Defend National Security Priorities
President Barack Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney's outlined their views on national defense policy Thursday in competing speeches. Here are some excerpts from both.

  

May 21, 2009

Obama, Cheney Each Defend National Defense Philosophies
President Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney each defended their views on national defense policy Thursday, with Obama emphasizing the need to close Guantanamo and Cheney insisting that enhanced interrogation yielded valuable information. Kwame Holman reports.

  

May 21, 2009

Four N.Y. Men Charged in Terror Plot Against Synagogue, Military Aircraft
Four men were arrested Wednesday night in connection with an alleged plot to bomb two synagogues in the Bronx and shoot down U.S. military planes at an Air National Guard base approximately 60 miles north of New York City.

May 20, 2009

Gitmo's Closing, Financial Regulation Top Hill's Agenda
Lawmakers have been pushing through a busy agenda in recent days, debating issues from the closing of the Guantanamo prison facility to the legalities of carrying loaded guns into national parks. Political analysts Stuart Rothenberg and Amy Walter offer insight.

  

May 20, 2009

Cheney Defends Bush-era Defense Policies
Former Vice President Dick Cheney spoke Thursday at the conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute immediately after President Obama's domestic policy address. Here is the text of his speech, as prepared for delivery:

May 20, 2009

President Obama Defends National Security Policy
President Barack Obama on Thursday morning defended his decision to close the Guantanamo prison camp and his administration's other national security policies. Here is the complete text of his speech as delivered:

May 19, 2009

Obama Unveils Tougher Emissions Standards Plan
President Barack Obama outlined plans Tuesday for the nation's first wide-ranging effort to curb vehicle emissions while cutting U.S. dependence on foreign oil, calling the plan an historic turning point toward a "clean-energy economy."

May 18, 2009

Supreme Court Turns Back Detainee Lawsuit Against Mueller, Ashcroft
In a 5-4 ruling, Supreme Court said Monday that FBI Director Robert Mueller and former Attorney General John Ashcroft can't face a lawsuit launched by a former terrorism detainee. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal recaps the ruling and other court moves.

  

May 15, 2009

Obama to Revive Military Trials for Gitmo Detainees
President Obama plans to restart Bush administration-era tribunals for Guantanamo detainees, but offer the men new legal protections. NewsHour senior correspondent Ray Suarez reports.

  

May 15, 2009

Obama to Renew Military Tribunal System
As questions loom over the future for detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, President Barack Obama says he will restart Bush administration-era tribunals for the prisoners, but offer the men new legal protections, officials have told media organizations.

May 14, 2009

With House Arrest Set to Expire, Suu Kyi Faces New Charges
Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the pro-democracy Myanmar opposition, faces new criminal charges just weeks before her house arrest was supposed to end after an American man swam across a lake to reach her compound, her lawyer said.

May 13, 2009

Senators Expect Obama's Supreme Court Nominee 'Soon'
President Barack Obama met Wednesday with key senators to discuss the selection of a Supreme Court nominee to succeed retiring Justice David Souter. Ray Suarez speaks with representatives from three groups trying to influence his nomination.

  

May 13, 2009

Amid New Questions on Interrogation Tactics, Holder Mulls Road Ahead
After a report on Wednesday's Senate hearings on CIA interrogation tactics, Gwen Ifill talks to Attorney General Eric Holder about his perspective on the debate over the use of torture on detainees and other political matters as part of a panel discussion.

  

May 13, 2009

Senators Examine Use of Torture on Detainees
Kwame Holman reports on a Senate hearing examining harsh interrogation methods used on some detainees.

  

May 13, 2009

Obama Moves to Block Release of Detainee Abuse Photos
President Obama has decided to bar the release of photos showing U.S. personnel mistreating detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan amid concerns the backlash could jeopardize troops abroad. New York Times White House correspondent Jeff Zeleny explains the move.

  

May 12, 2009

Frontline Examines Role of Key Players in Madoff Affair
An accountant and his partner helped Wall Street financier Bernard Madoff recruit clients beginning in the 1960s. The NewsHour airs an excerpt of Tuesday's Frontline, which explores the role of some of the key players in the fraud scheme.

  

May 7, 2009

Holder, GOP Spar Over Fate of Guantanamo Detainees
Attorney General Eric Holder sparred with congressional Republicans Thursday over the future of inmates currently being held at Guantanamo Bay. Special correspondent Simon Marks reports on the arguments and focuses on the fate of a group of Muslims from China, known as Uighurs.

  

May 6, 2009

Mumbai Attack Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
The only surviving suspected gunman in last year's siege on Mumbai pleaded not guilty to 86 charges against him, including waging war against India and murder.

May 4, 2009

Alleged Ponzi Scheme Swindled Immigrants in Los Angeles
Amid growing complaints about Ponzi-type schemes in the wake of the Bernard Madoff scandal, a company in Los Angeles is alleged to have swindled investors out of millions. Special correspondent Jeffrey Kaye reports.

  

May 4, 2009

In Replacing Souter, Obama May Turn to Court Outsider
With Justice David Souter set to retire in June after more than 18 years on the bench, President Barack Obama is being given his first chance to shape the nation's highest court. Analysts discuss what traits and experience President Obama will be looking for as he looks to nominate a successor.

  

May 4, 2009

President Obama Outlines Plan to Close Tax Loopholes, Raise U.S. Revenue
President Barack Obama outlined a series of steps Monday aimed at overhauling U.S. tax policies that he says reward companies for shifting American jobs overseas and allow wealthy people to avoid paying taxes by using offshore accounts.

May 1, 2009

Brewing Court Battle, Specter's Switch Top Week's News
Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks mull the implications of Supreme Court Justice David Souter's retirement and Sen. Arlen Specter's decision to join the Democratic Party.

  

May 1, 2009

Souter to Exit Supreme Court, Launching Debate on Successor
Amid the news that Supreme Court Justice David Souter plans to retire this summer, the National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle discusses Souter's career and possible replacement.

  

May 1, 2009

'Judge's Judge' Souter Bids Adieu to High Court
The composition of judges on the U.S. Supreme Court has been cast once again into the spotlight with Justice David Souter's decision to retire when the court's term ends this summer.

May 1, 2009

Souter to Retire From Supreme Court in June
Justice David Souter, the 105th justice to be appointed to the Supreme Court, said Friday he plans to retire in June after more than 18 years on the bench.

APRIL
April 29, 2009

Supreme Court Hears Challenge to Landmark Voting Law
The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on a challenge by a Texas community to strike down an extension to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal recaps the day in court.

  

April 28, 2009

Court Rules FCC May Pursue Fines for On-air Profanity
The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the government could threaten broadcasters with fines over the use of even a single profanity on live television, yet stopped short of ruling whether the policy violates the Constitution. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal recaps the day in court.

  

April 24, 2009

Corruption Case Exposes Scope of Bribery in Nigeria
Last year, Albert Jack Stanley, the former CEO of KBR, pleaded guilty to bribery for masterminding the payment of more than $180 million to Nigerian officials. PBS Frontline correspondent Lowell Bergmen reports on the damage done by large-scale bribery in that country.

  

April 22, 2009

Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Case Alleging Reverse Discrimination
The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case brought by a group of white firefighters in Connecticut who argue they were the victims of reverse discrimination. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal gives an update on the day in court.

  

April 22, 2009

Release of Interrogation Memos May Spur Wider Inquiry
After the release of new details on the approval of harsh U.S. interrogation tactics, two lawmakers weigh in on whether any of the officials involved should be investigated.

  

April 22, 2009

Senate Report Reveals More Details on Interrogation Tactics
A newly-declassified Senate panel report shed new light on the approval of harsh interrogation tactics used on terrorism suspects at Iraq's Abu Ghraib and the Guantanamo military prison camp. Kwame Holman reports.

  

April 22, 2009

Report Outlines Approval of Harsh Military Interrogation Methods
A newly declassified Senate report outlines a new round of details on the approval and origins of harsh interrogation tactics used on terrorism suspects and prisoners at Iraq's Abu Ghraib and the Guantanamo military prison camp.

April 21, 2009

Supreme Court Hears School Strip Search Case
The Supreme Court heard arguments in a case about whether Arizona school officials were justified in strip-searching a 13 year-old girl for prescription drugs on another student's tip. The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle explains the case and its implications for power limits on school officials.

  

April 20, 2009

Next Steps Unclear for Jailed U.S. Journalist in Iran
Iran's judiciary ordered an investigation Monday into the case of U.S. journalist Roxana Saberi, who faces a prison sentence in Iran on espionage charges. Analysts and journalists, including NPR CEO Vivian Schiller, assess what may be next for Saberi.

  

April 20, 2009

Iran to Investigate Case of Jailed U.S. Journalist
Iran's judiciary ordered an investigation Monday into the case of U.S. journalist Roxana Saberi, who faces a prison sentence in Iran on espionage charges.

  

April 20, 2009

Obama Defends Decision to Release Interrogation Memos
President Obama spoke at CIA headquarters Monday, defending his decision to release Bush-era memos on controversial interrogation tactics. Former CIA official Jeffrey Smith and Michael Ratner of the Center for Constitutional Rights examine how the memos were handled.

  

April 17, 2009

Release of Interrogation Memos Draws Angry Reactions
The Obama administration decided Thursday to make public a series of long-secret Bush-era memos detailing the legal justification for harsh interrogation tactics used on terrorism suspects. NPR's Ari Shapiro updates the story.

  

April 17, 2009

Memos Shed New Light on CIA Interrogation Tactics
A series of Bush-era Justice Department memos chronicling the legal justifications for harsh CIA interrogation tactics used on top terrorism suspects was released by the Obama administration Thursday.

April 16, 2009

Gun Control Debate Revisited on Anniversary of Virginia Tech Shooting
On the second anniversary of the nation's deadliest mass shooting at Virginia Tech University and approaching the tenth anniversary of the Columbine massacre, analysts examine the ongoing public debate over gun control laws.

  

April 16, 2009

Obama Pledges to Help Mexico Fight Flow of Drugs, Guns
During a visit to Mexico, President Barack Obama pledged renewed U.S. support to help curb the country's drug-related violence. Analysts mull the possible policy changes.

  

April 16, 2009

U.S.-Mexico Relations Take Center Stage as Presidents Obama, Calderon Meet
Margaret Warner reports on President Obama's meeting with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and their discussions of cooperation on curbing drug violence.

  

April 16, 2009

Ten Years After Columbine, Notable Moments in Recent U.S. Gun-control Debate
On the second anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings and the 10th anniversary of the Columbine High School attack, a look back at notable events in the gun-control debate over the past decade:

April 16, 2009

Backlash Continues Over Afghan Women's Law
Some 300 women gathered on the streets of Afghanistan's capital this week to protest a controversial new law that critics say legalizes marital rape and restricts a woman's right to work outside the home.

April 15, 2009

New 'Border Czar' to Tackle Drug Violence, Beef Up Security
The administration's new 'border czar' Alan Bersin is charged with improving security and quelling drug violence along the Mexican border. Analysts assess his biggest challenges.

  

April 15, 2009

Napolitano Names New U.S. 'Border Czar'
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano named former federal prosecutor Alan Bersin as the next "border czar" to lead U.S. Customs and Border Protection during a Wednesday news conference in El Paso, Texas.

April 14, 2009

Despite Court Ruling, Minn. Senate Seat Looks to Stay Empty for a While
Despite a Minnesota three-judge panel ruling this week that Democrat Al Franken won the most votes in last year's Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman, it could still be weeks or months before Minnesota's vacant Senate seat is filled.

April 9, 2009

Pirates Hold American Captain Hostage; Negotiations Continue for Release
Pirates that captured a U.S.-flagged ship Wednesday are still holding Capt. Richard Phillips hostage on a lifeboat after the American crew regained control of the ship.

April 8, 2009

Iowa, Vermont Push Gay Marriage Rights Forward
Vermont's legislature and the top court of Iowa delivered legal victories in recent weeks to those seeking the right of same-sex couples to marry. And as battles in other state capitals continue, Americans are weighing the issue with other pressing concerns.

  

April 8, 2009

Other News: Death Toll Rises in Italian Earthquake
In other news, the death toll from Monday's earthquake in central Italy continued to rise and a bomb near a sacred Baghdad shrine killed at least seven people and wounded 20.

  

April 8, 2009

Ship Hijacked off Somali Coast; U.S. Crew Believed to be Safe
The U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama, a Danish-owned ship carrying relief aid to Kenya, was seized in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia with 20 American crew members aboard.

April 7, 2009

Other News: Judge Dismisses Charges Against Stevens
In other news, a federal judge dismissed former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens' corruption conviction and Vermont's state legislature voted to override the governor's veto of a bill allowing same-sex marriages.