Politics

After Leaving Washington Empty-handed, Automakers Set to Craft Recovery Plan

By PBS News Hour

While the Big Three U.S. automakers' hopes of an immediate financial shot in the arm were dashed Thursday on Capitol Hill, they are expected to meet lawmakers' demands to craft a convincing plan for rebuilding their once-mighty industry by Dec.

In Weak Economy, Obama May Face Obstacles to Health Care Reform

During his campaign for the White House, President-elect Barack Obama proposed lowering health care costs and helping the uninsured. Now he faces the tough task of implementing such reforms. Analysts examine the road ahead for health care initatives.

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Waxman Ousts Dingell to Head House Energy Committee

In a shift of Democratic leadership, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., defeated fellow Democrat John Dingell of Michigan in a vote amongst lawmakers over who should chair the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Kwame Holman reports on the move.

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Markets Tumble, Citigroup Stocks Sink as Debate Over Auto Bailout Stalls

By PBS News Hour

U.S. stocks plunged again Thursday to a five-year low as hopes dimmed that lawmakers could quickly put together an aid package for U.S. automakers.

Judge Orders 5 Guantanamo Detainees Freed

By Admin, PBS News Hour

Five of six Algerians must be released after nearly seven years of captivity in the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, a federal judge ruled Thursday in the first case of its kind.

South Africa Withholds Aid to Zimbabwe; Health Crisis Grows

By PBS News Hour

South Africa said Thursday it will withhold aid for Zimbabwe until a representative government is in place amid reports of a growing public health crisis and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's objections to a visit by former world leaders.

Piracy Offers Lucrative Career in Lawless Somalia

By PBS News Hour

The recent hijacking of a Saudi Arabian oil supertanker demonstrated Somali pirates' increasing capabilities to seize ships, despite the efforts of a multi-national naval force meant to deter such attacks.

U.S., World Stocks Tumble Amid Bleak Jobs Report

By PBS News Hour

U.S. stocks opened lower Thursday as investors worried that a possible failure by automakers to get a bailout would add to the economy's woes and as new data showed the number of new claims for jobless benefits was at its…

Obama Cabinet Picks May Face Intense Vetting Process

President-elect Barack Obama's transition team is asking potential appointees for detailed background information, setting the stage for one of the toughest review processes to date. Analysts explain the reasoning behind the intense vetting strategy.

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Reporter’s Notebook: Gwen Ifill Discusses President-elect Obama’s Cabinet Picks

By PBS News Hour

In a Reporter's Notebook, NewsHour senior correspondent Gwen Ifill discussed how President-elect Barack Obama and his team may approach the vetting process for possible Cabinet picks.