PBS News Hour

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including President-elect Trump's Cabinet picks that are sparking controversy, how voters feel about the economy and the Biden administration's attempts to protect his accomplishments.

The Senate returns to Washington facing more tough decisions about controversial nominations by Donald Trump. It comes as the president-elect is also pushing to bypass the Senate entirely in confirming his key appointments. Congressional Correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports and takes a look at the Senate's check on presidential power.

After a desperate journey from war-torn Cameroon through the U.S. asylum system, one man is starting a new life with his family in Wisconsin. Jane McCauley of PBS Wisconsin reports.

In our news wrap Sunday, a senior U.S. official confirmed that Ukraine will be allowed for the first time to fire American-supplied missiles into Russia, an Israeli strike killed a senior Hezbollah official in Lebanon, Ohio’s governor denounced a march that displayed swastikas, Biden became the first sitting U.S. president to tour the Amazon, and USA Gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi died at age 82.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has long held a strong pro-Israel stance, one that’s deeply rooted in his evangelical Christian faith. Now, as Trump’s pick to serve as ambassador to Israel, he could be integral in shaping U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East. William Brangham speaks with historian Daniel Hummel about the connection between evangelicals and their support for Israel.

In a major victory for President-elect Trump, Republicans will now control both chambers of Congress after the House was called for the GOP this past week. But this trifecta doesn't guarantee smooth governing, as narrow margins could make passing major legislation difficult. Casey Burgat, legislative affairs program director at The George Washington University, joins William Brangham to discuss.

President Biden met on Saturday for the third and final time during his term with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Their sit-down was on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, Peru. William Brangham speaks with Nick Schifrin about Biden’s goals for the meeting and what to expect when President-elect Trump takes the reins in two months’ time.

Leaders at the United Nations’ COP29 climate change summit are being pressed this year to address the rising threats to environmentalists and defenders of human rights. Ali Rogin looks at the challenges facing these activists around the world and speaks with Laura Furones, a senior adviser at the environmental watchdog and advocacy group Global Witness, to learn more.

In our news wrap Saturday, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 16 people in Lebanon and Gaza, a patient in California is being treated for a new form of mpox first seen in eastern Congo, prosecutors allege Sean “Diddy” Combs is trying to obstruct justice while awaiting trial in jail, and a much-hyped boxing event between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul was marred by Netflix streaming glitches.

For years, wildfires across the American West have served as an urgent reminder of the threat posed by extreme weather, often made worse by climate change. But over the last few weeks, fires have engulfed parts of New York and New Jersey amid an unusually severe drought on the East Coast. Hilary Howard, a climate change reporter for The New York Times, joins William Brangham to discuss.

When Americans no longer want a car, laptop or clothes, where do some of those goods go? Most end up in the Global South, where millions of people depend on repairing, dismantling or selling them for a livelihood. Environmental groups say this is a toxic trifecta of waste that inflicts damage to land, coastlines and health. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports in partnership with the Pulitzer Center.

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics, including President-elect Trump's key Cabinet appointments that offer a glimpse of what’s to come in his administration and Republicans secure the House, giving them control over Congress and the White House as they prep their agenda for the new year.