narrator: financial services firm, raymond james.r: fuing was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by ctributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ ♪ ♪ narrator: funding for this presentation of this program is provided by... narrator: pediatric surgeon. volunteer. topiary artist. a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you.

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ ♪ ♪ narrator: funding for this presentation of this program is provided by... narrator: pediatric surgeon. volunteer. topiary artist. a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you livyour life. life well planned. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you.

a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned.an: the rules of business are being reinvented with a more flexible workforce. by embracing innovation, by looking not only at current opportunities, but ahead to future ones. man: people who know, know bdo. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". >> this is bbce headlines. cases of the omicron variant of coronavirus are surging in south africa as data emerges about how vaccines are effective against it. >> it is possible that the variant is able to overcome and cause infeion even in vaccinated people. however, they develop more mild illness. that means the vaccines are providing protection still. >> prosecutors in michigan charged the parents of a teenager accused of a deadly shooting with involuntary manslaughter. eight a day of shame for pakistan -- a day of

a raymond jame financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned.rator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". ♪ kasia: welcome. i'm kasia madera. this is "outside source." the u.k. has recorded its highest ever daily number of coronavirus cases in t pandemic, more than 100,000 people tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours. but as cases arise, there is more evidence the omicron variant is less likely to put people in hospital. many countries are bringing back restrictions. spain is making masks mandatory outside again. in china, 30 million people are in lockdown. israel is the first country to operate for the covid-19 vaccine as the country expands their booster program, prompting this morning. >> blanket booster programs are likely to prolong the pandemic rather than ending it. by diverting supply to countries that alr

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james.ding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ emergency planning for kids. we can't predict when an emergency will happen. so that's why it's important to make a plan with your parents. here are a few tips to stay safe. know how to get in touch with your family. write down phone numbers for your parents, siblings and neighbors. pick a place to meet your family if you are not together and can't go home. remind your parents to pack an emergency supply kit. making a plan might feel like homework, but it will help you and your family stay safe during an emergency. ♪ ♪ narrator: funding for this presentation of this program is provided by... woman: architect. bee keeper. mentor. a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you l

a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned.rator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundati. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs statn from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". hello. welcome to "outside source." kimberly potter, a former police officer who killed a black man in a routine traffic stop, has been found guilty of manslaughter and her trial -- in her trial in minneapolis. kimberly potter mistook a handgun for a taser when she shot daunte wright. more evidence that the omicron variant is less severe. people infected or at least 50% less to end up in hospitals. that's according to preliminary research in the u.k. >> it is very early days. only a small number of individuals. but nonetheless it is the first signs of cautious optimism we can have for omicron. >> as tensions rise in the ukraine, president putin demands western countries make a promise not extend their influence in russia's backy

a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned.an: the rules of business are being reinvented with a more flexible workforce. by embracing innovation, by looking not only at current opportunities, but ahead to future ones. man: people who know, know bdo. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". ros: i'm ros a. efficient we've the new covid-19 variant was in your earlier than the. test samples show omicron in the netherlands 11 days ago, before it was reported in south africa. there are now 220 omicron cases in 20 countries, and vaccine developers say they are ready to tweak the vaccines to tackle the new strain. we will also focus on yemen. houthi rebels are gaining ground in the conflict that has already caused shocking levels of suffering and has caused some to live in makeshift desert camps. >> the people

a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned.an: the rules of business are being reinvented with a more flexible workforce. by embracing innovation, by looking not only at current opportunities, but ahead to future ones. man: people who know, know bdo. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". ♪ ros: i'm ros atkins. geany is saying goodbye to angela merkel. the ceremony marks her stepping down as chancellor after 16 years. we have seen a marching band and angela merkel also chose the music, including the punk track from the 1980's. south african health officials say the omicron variant could be driving a sharp increase in coronavirus infections, which has tripled in the last few days. >> cases are going i'm really fast, faster than any of the previous waves. ros: the international olympic committee says it

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james.tor: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. anby contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening, i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight, fighting covid-- the president announces plans to ship free covid tests to millions of americans and orders military medical personnel to help hospitals expecting a surge in patients. then, high stakes-- democrats face an uncertain future as their legislative priorities languish in a gridlocked congress. and, the next stage-- one of the country's leading black theater companies gives voice to racial equity issues through art. >> these are not characters that are distant from us. they are parents, they are cousins. this-- we're a professional theater inside of a community. >> woodruff: all

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james.r: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ judy: good evening. i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight, deadly storms. several states begin the recovery process after devastating tornadoes kill dozens, destroy hundreds of homes, and leave thousands powerless. then, a major settlement. the abuse victims of former doctor larry nassar reach a multi-million dollar deal with usa gymnastics after a years-long legal battle. and, america addicted. new york becomes the first city in the u.s. to open safe consumption centers, where people can use illicit drugs under supervision in hopes of reducing overdose deaths. >> if we don't create spaces like this, if we don't acknowledgat

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening. i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight: democracy in crisis. as president biden kicks off a summit to combat declining freedoms around the world, others warn of the threat to democracy here in the u.s. then, one on one. the top united states general in the middle east discusses the potential flash-points in the region's uncertain future. and, a polluted legacy. the air force and others contend with the community impact of pfas-- chemicals linked to widespread health issues. >> we've seen, you know, somewhere between 98% and 99% of individuals have detectable levels of these chemicals in their blood. >> wood

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james.rator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> nawaz: good evening. i'm amna nawaz. judy woodruff is away. on the newshour tonight: new covid guidance. as rising omicron cases keep many at home, we explain the new c.d.c. recommendations around shorter isolation times. then, crackdown in russia. the government bans the most prominent human rights group, as the world marks 30 years since the dissolution of the soviet union. and, rising costs. how the roller coaster price of lumber might have predicted inflation and could signal where the economy goes from here. >> no one has ever seen $700. that was pretty astonishing. but then it went to $800, $900, and $1,000. >> nawaz: all

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james.rator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ ♪ judy: good evening. i'm judy woodruff. on the "newshour" tonight, tense talks. president biden holds a virtual meeting with vladimir putin, amid rising fears over a potential russian invasion of ukraine. then, investigating the insurrection. the inquiry into the january 6th attack on the capitol intensifies as more trump officials refuse to cooperate. and, a history of discrimination. many black farmers still struggle to receive compensation after being excluded from federal government agriculture programs. >> we weren't able to pass on wealth, we weren't able to pass on a farm. and so to look at it and say, now your field is level? no. judy: all that and more on

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ ♪ judy: on the newshour tonight, democracy in crisis as president biden kicks off -- declining freedoms, others talk about the threat to democracy in the u.s.. then general in the middle east discusses flashpoints in the uncertain future of the region. and a polluted legacy. the air force and others contend with the community impact of chemicals linked to widespread health as shoes -- issues. >> many individuals have these chemicals in their blood. judy:

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james.r: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; puuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> wdruff: good evening. i'm judy woodruff on the "newshour" tonight, the cost of covid: hospitals struggle to handle the influx of covid patients following the rapid spread of the omicron variant then, high stakes: we speak to a progressive democrat about whether his party can salvage the president's derailed legislative agenda and the vaccine gap: the racial divide on covid vaccinations remains stubbornly wide with many black americans still skeptical of the shots. >> one of the main problems is that people are scared. that's real. how do we get fear out of people? >> woodruff: all that and more on tonight's "pbs newshour."

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james.tor: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> nawaz: good evening, i'm amna nawaz. judy woodruff is away on the newshour tonight, covid surge-- what you need to know about rising infection rates, and a spike in hospitalizations among children. and, a jury finds ghislaine maxwell guilty on five of the six counts she faced helping lure teenage girls into having sex with jeffrey epstein. then, remembering harry reid. looking back at thlife and political legacy of the former senate majority leader from nevada. and, tightening welfare rules-- 25 years after major changes, we examine how eligibility restrictions have failed americans in need. >> all the paperwork you have to fill o

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james.r: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening. i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight: after the storms. families and businesses begin picking up the pieces in the wake of devastating tornadoes that left scores dead, including several children. then, investigating the insurrection. text messages from former president trump's chief of staff provide more insight into the january 6 attack on the capitol. and, casualties of war. new details emerge about the widespread deaths and injuries caused by u.s. air strikes against isis in syria. >> the fact that we've seen thousands of these strikes, and we see recurring problems, creates a questions about, okay,

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ newshour productions, llc >> woodruff: good evening, i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight, covid on the rise-- infections spike, and more schools and businesses close, as hospitals brace for a wave of patients from the omicron variant. then, high stakes-- democratic senator joe manchin deals a blow to the white house, saying no to president biden's main social priorities bill. what's next for the president's agenda. and, reflecting on a legacy-- dr. francis collins discusses his long career as he leaves the top job at the national institutes of health, especially combating covid and mapping the human genome. >> now it's written in a language. we're still trying to figure out how t

a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned.an: the rules of business are being reinvented with a more flexible workforce. by embracing innovation, by looking not only at current opportunities, but ahead to future ones. man: people who know, know bdo. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". laura: i am lan and this is "bbc world news america." the u.s. supreme court hears arguments in the most significant abortion case in a generation. the first case of omicron is found in the u.s. as the world scrambles to contain the spread of the variant. u.s. and allies carry out drills off the coast of japan in front of a very important audience, china. >> we are 500 km off the coast of japan on the island of iwo jima. laura: world aids day. we go to liverpool to remember those who were lost too soon. ♪ welcome to w

a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned.an: the rules of business are being reinvented with a more flexible workforce. by embracing innovation, by looking not only at current opportunities, but ahead to future ones. man: people who know, know bdo. narrator: funding was also proded by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". >> i'm nora travailing in washington, this is bbc world news america. new details about the world's latest covid threat. it turns out omicron was in europe earlier than previously thought. we will have the latest. after seven years of war in yemen, hundreds of thousands fled their homes. as houthi rebels gained ground, we report from the makeshift camps of people replaced by flighting -- fighting. >> war creates a crisis. the way this war ends is not in the hands of yemenis, because big regional powers have intervened.

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james.rator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy anpeter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc > woodruff: good evening. i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight: a verdict. the jury finds minnesota police officer kim potter guilty in her manslaughter trial, following the shooting death of daunte wright. then, omicron on the rise. lines for testing grow, as americans prepare to come together for the holidays plus, from russia with blame. vladimir putin accuses the west of escalating tensions, as russian troops mass along the ukrainian border. all that and more, on tonight's pbs newshour.

a raymond james financial advisor tailors advice to help you live your life. life well planned.an: the rules of business are being reinvented with a more flexible workforce. by embracing innovation, by looking not only at current opportunities, but ahead to future ones. man: people who know, know bdo. narrator: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". ♪ >> this is bbc world news america. south african officials say the omicron variant is driving a sharp increase in covid infections. the message: vaccinations are vital. >> the real problem is not lack of vaccines, it is the fact younger people seem very reluctant to get a jab. >> venezuela's health care system is collapsing. a special report from inside a hospital as doctors and nurses struggle with the impact of covid-19. the shadow of a shutdown looms over washington. lawmakers scramble to agree on how, or even if

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james.g was so provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> nawaz: good evening, i'm amna nawaz. judy woodruff is away. on the newshour tonight, the spread continues-- omicron appears in more states even as health officials battle a surge of delta covid cases. then, rising tensions-- the united states declares a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming winter olympics in china, inflaming a fraught relationship. and, veterans affairs-- secretary denis mcdonough on meetinthe needs of former servicemembers, including addressing toxic exposure and post-traumatic stress. all that and more on tonight's pbs newshour. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by:

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james.tor: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> nawaz: good evening, i'm amna nawaz. judy woodruff is away. on the newshour tonight, the pandemic persists-- amid holiday travel, hospitals battle a surge in omicron cases around the country. and, massacre in myanmar-- a christmas eve attack leaves dozens dead, with aid groups claiming government forces are to blame. then, the year in tv and movies. what to watch this holiday season with a look back at the best entertainment offers of 2021. >> the first series that comes to mind is "hacks." it's kind of a generational look at how women have been treated in the comedy world, in the entertainment world. >> nawaz: all that and more o

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james. funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ judy: good evening. i'm judy woodruff on the newshour tonight. challenging texas's near total ban on the procedure but leaves a lot in place, setting up another legal showdown. then, rising prices. inflation grows at its last -- fastest rate in nearly 40 years, complicate and the president's agenda. plus, democracy in crisis. personal freedoms and representative government decline worldwide as the shadow of authoritarianism roles -- grows ever larger. >> these trends are being promoted from within, parties inside democratic systems that are pushing their own

narrator: financial services firm, raymond james.tor: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs. ♪ da-da-da-duh-da-da-da♪ ♪ da-da-da-da-da-da ♪♪ captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc >> nawaz: good evening. i'm amna nawaz. judy woodruff is away. on the newshour tonight: covid surge. new cases soar, breaking pandemic records across the u.s., as countries around the globe celebrate new year's eve. then, colorado's wildfires. fueled by hurricane-force winds, the blaze leaves thousands homeless, and could be the most destructive in the state's history. also, legendary actress and beloved comedian betty white has died, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday. and, it's friday. david brooks and jonathan capehart reflect on the year in politics, and democracy in america. all that and more, on tonight's pbs newshour.