April 20, 2024 - PBS News Weekend full episode

In our news wrap Saturday, the House passed a long-delayed $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, the Senate approved an extension of a controversial surveillance law, hospital officials say an Israeli airstrike on a house in southern Gaza killed at least nine people including six children, and former Arkansas governor and U.S. Sen. David Pryor died at the age of 89.

Employees at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, have overwhelmingly voted to join the United Auto Workers union. It’s the first time workers at a foreign car maker’s plant in the American South have unionized, giving UAW a foothold in the least-unionized region of the country. John Yang speaks with New York Times reporter Noam Scheiber to learn more.

In India, voting in the world’s largest election is underway for the next six weeks. Prime Minister Modi is heavily favored to win a third term, but his consolidation of power and crackdown on dissent have raised questions about his commitment to democratic values. Irfan Nooruddin, professor of Indian politics at Georgetown University, joins John Yang to discuss what issues are on voters’ minds.

The Israel-Hamas war is inflicting a devastating toll on civilians. The Committee to Protect Journalists says it’s also the deadliest conflict for reporters, photographers and camera operators since the group began tracking casualties in 1992. Ali Rogin speaks with CPJ head Jodie Ginsberg about what’s driving the mounting death toll and what can be done to better protect these journalists.