PBS Newshour Season 2019 Episode 15 January 21, 2019

In this episode of PBS Newshour, which aired on January 21, 2019, the anchor team of Judy Woodruff and Nick Schifrin presented a wide range of news stories from around the world.

The show began with a look at the ongoing government shutdown in the United States, now in its 31st day, and how it is affecting federal workers and the nation as a whole. They talked to a government employee who had been furloughed for weeks and was struggling to make ends meet. They also discussed the political standoff between President Trump and Congressional Democrats, and what it might take to end the impasse.

The next segment featured a report on the crisis in Venezuela, where the socialist government of Nicolas Maduro is facing growing protests and calls for his resignation. Correspondent Marcia Biggs gave a firsthand account of the unrest, speaking to opposition leaders and ordinary citizens who are struggling to find food and medicine as the country grapples with hyperinflation and other economic woes.

In other international news, the show covered the ongoing conflict in Syria and the U.S. role in the region, as well as the latest developments in the Brexit process in the United Kingdom.

Another story focused on the growing trade tensions between the United States and China, with correspondent Paul Solman exploring how the dispute is affecting American consumers and businesses. He talked to farmers, manufacturers, and retailers who are dealing with higher prices and uncertainty about the future.

The show also featured a segment on the rise of far-right extremism in Europe, with correspondent Malcolm Brabant reporting from Greece, where the far-right party Golden Dawn has gained support in recent years. He talked to members of the party and their opponents, as well as ordinary Greeks who are concerned about the rise of extremism in their country.

Other topics covered in this episode included climate change and the new Congress in the United States, as well as a tribute to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday was being celebrated on the day the show aired.

Overall, this episode of PBS Newshour offered a comprehensive look at the major news stories of the day, with in-depth reporting and analysis from correspondents around the world.