May 17, 2021 - PBS NewsHour full episode

There has been continuous carnage in Afghanistan. Last week, more than 200 people were killed, many at a girls school in Kabul. The violence comes as the U.S. and NATO are withdrawing troops, scheduled to be gone completely by September. Amna Nawaz speaks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani about the situation and whether he expects the ongoing violence to get worse as U.S. troops exit the country.

In our news wrap Monday, President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. will send 20 million COVID-19 vaccines overseas by the end of June. A powerful cyclone roared up the coast of southern India, with winds up to 103 miles an hour, killing about a dozen people. Evacuation orders are in place for about a thousand southern California residents as a wildfire burns out of control in Los Angeles County.

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest political news, including race relations in America, investigating the Capitol riot, and U.S. response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East.

Ever since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased mask recommendations substantially for fully vaccinated adults, there's been a wide range of reaction — including some outright confusion, anxiety and criticism — over how this will play out. William Brangham reports on those concerns and brings some perspective from emergency room physician Dr. Megan Ranney.

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear arguments in a major abortion case that could roll back limits on abortion laws cemented by the landmark reproductive rights case Roe v. Wade. In its term beginning October, the court will consider a Mississippi state law banning abortions after 15 weeks. John Yang discusses the matter with Mary Zieglar from Florida State University College of Law.

Trekking to and through a national park is one of the joys of an American summer. As COVID restrictions lift, millions are expected to explore the great outdoors. Now, a provocative article examines the deeper history of how these parks came to be — and their complicated legacy. Stephanie Sy reports.

It's been an incredibly difficult school year for millions of educators and students in America. Some had to put their education on hold and their health at risk. “Disrupted: How COVID-19 Changed Education” is a special from Student Reporting Labs — our youth journalism program for teens. Student reporter Yeonseo Seok from Westview High School in San Diego, California, previews the special.