PBS Newshour Season 2019 Episode 231 November 18, 2019
- November 18, 2019
On season 2019, episode 231 of PBS Newshour, which originally aired on November 18, 2019, viewers were given a comprehensive look at the news stories that impacted the world that day. The show begins with an in-depth report on the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, where demonstrators had been taking to the streets for months to fight against China's attempts to impose its authority over the semiautonomous region. Viewers were treated to interviews with protest leaders, as well as a look at the tactics used by police to try and quell the unrest.
Next up, the program shifts its focus to the impeachment inquiry into US President Donald Trump. Correspondents discussed the latest developments in the investigation, including the revelation that multiple US officials had testified that Trump had personally directed the withholding of military aid to Ukraine unless the country's leader agreed to investigate Trump's political rivals. PBS Newshour's reporters also talked about the wider implications of the impeachment inquiry, including how it might affect US foreign policy.
The show then turns to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where tens of thousands of people had been killed in the years-long conflict that had displaced millions. Viewers were shown footage of the devastating impact that the war had had on Yemen's children, who were suffering from malnutrition and other health problems. The correspondents also discussed efforts by the United Nations to broker a peace agreement between the warring parties.
PBS Newshour also covered a story about a high-stakes election in Sri Lanka, where voters were choosing between two very different candidates: the incumbent president, who was seen as an ally of China, and the opposition leader, who had promised to distance the country from Beijing and improve relations with the West. Viewers were given a glimpse into the complex political dynamics of Sri Lanka, where ethnic and religious tensions often spilled over into violence.
Another major story covered in the episode was a new report by the United Nations that warned of the urgent need to address climate change. Correspondents discussed the findings of the report, which showed that the world was far off track to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. Viewers were also shown footage of climate protests that had taken place around the world in recent months.
Other stories covered on the program included a major cyclone that had hit parts of India and Bangladesh, leaving millions of people without power; a new study that showed the number of Americans who had died while waiting for Social Security Disability benefits had risen significantly in recent years; and a report on the rising cost of healthcare in the United States.
Overall, season 2019, episode 231 of PBS Newshour provided viewers with a comprehensive look at some of the most important news stories of the day, from protests in Hong Kong to the impeachment inquiry into US President Donald Trump. Whether you were interested in politics, international news, or social justice issues, this episode had something for everyone.