January 3, 2019 - PBS NewsHour full episode

With all the attention on the showdown between Congress and the president, it’s easy to be distracted from the everyday impact of the government shutdown. Judy Woodruff explains some of these repercussions, from delayed immigration hearings to unresolved FCC complaints to unavailable D.C. marriage licenses.

On the first day of the new Congress and 13th of the partial government shutdown, political posturing distracted from progress on policy. Newly elected Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., promised bipartisanship, while President Trump reiterated his belief that a border wall would keep Americans safer. For more on Washington's big day, Judy Woodruff is joined by Lisa Desjardins.

In our news wrap Thursday, Apple's announcement of slowing iPhone sales in China caused a meltdown on Wall Street. The Dow Jones dropped more than 600 points and the NASDAQ lost 200 amid concerns over trade tensions and a potential economic slowdown. Also, the State Department is urging caution for Americans traveling in China, as authorities there have barred some people from leaving the country.

Global markets dropped after Apple CEO Tim Cook announced unforeseen sales declines for iPhones in China. Why is the Chinese economy so important to American business, and what's at the root of global market volatility? Diane Swonk, chief economist with Grant Thornton, talks to Judy Woodruff about trade tensions, data delayed due to the government shutdown and investors' "veil of uncertainty."

Russia has detained Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine, on charges of espionage. Whelan's family says he was traveling for a wedding. The arrest comes weeks after accused Russian agent Maria Butina agreed to cooperate with U.S. prosecutors. John Sipher, a former CIA officer based in Moscow, joins Nick Schifrin to discuss whether Whelan fits the profile of someone working in U.S. intelligence.

Socialism is becoming increasingly appealing among young Americans who value universal health care, free public college and living wages. In her new book, “Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism,” Kristen Ghodsee argues that implementing socialist concepts would make women’s lives more autonomous, manageable and fulfilling. Paul Solman reports for our weekly economics series, Making Sense.

Writing shaped Ashley Ford's life since childhood, when she confided secrets to her journal and clung to the emotional letters her father sent from prison, where he was serving a 30-year sentence for rape. Now a professional writer, Ford offers her brief but spectacular take on striving to become “a person who forgives.”

What’s long been referred to as the “modest” fashion of Muslim women has grown into a major industry generating hundreds of billions of dollars annually. The first U.S. museum exhibit highlighting Islamic culture within the context of fashion opened in San Francisco’s de Young museum in 2018. Jeffrey Brown reports on why fashion that has previously been ignored is now gaining new attention.