PBS News Weekend full episode, Nov. 30, 2025

Key Concepts

• Pope's Visit to Lebanon: Message of hope and peace, addressing political divisions, impact on Christian communities.
• USAID Program Continuation: Website "Project Resource Optimization" connecting donors to vital programs, focus on life-saving initiatives.
• Mount Everest Ski Descent: First-ever ski descent of the North Face's Super Couloir route, challenges of the climb and descent, personal significance.

Pope's Message of Hope and Peace to Lebanon

Pope Francis's international trip as pontiff included a visit to Lebanon, carrying a message of unity and peace. He urged political leaders to act as true peacemakers and set aside their differences. Lebanon is described as being in a precarious state due to deep domestic political divisions and ongoing Israeli strikes in the south, which strain a fragile truce with Lebanese militias.

The Holiest Pilgrimage Site and the Elusive Goal of Peace

The report highlights a holy pilgrimage site in the mountains of northern Lebanon, attracting millions annually to visit the tomb of a monk and priest, and pray for miracles. While thousands of healings are attributed to the saints, peace remains an elusive goal for the country. The Pope's visit is hoped to bring calm and set the country on the "right course."

Disarming Hezbollah and International Pressure

One perspective presented is the belief that disarming Hezbollah is a necessary first step towards peace. This requires state-level action and international pressure. The economic situation in Lebanon is dire, with no economy or money, and no Arab or Western country willing to provide support as long as these weapons exist. There is a ticking clock as American and Israeli pressure mounts to dismantle the paramilitary group by the end of the year, which has deepened rifts between constituents and Christians.

Historical Divisions and Reconciliation Efforts

During the Lebanese Civil War, some Christian factions allied with Israel, a sensitive topic. The Pope's visit is seen as an opportunity to ease tensions. Despite differing opinions and external attempts to divide them, the report notes that these divisions have not caused a major crisis, and people continue to reconcile.

Lebanon's Religious Diversity and Declining Christian Population

Lebanon has 18 officially recognized religious groups, 12 of which are Christian. While the Christian population in the Middle East has steadily declined, Christians still constitute approximately one-third of Lebanon's 5 million people, the largest percentage in the region. The Pope's visit has drawn visitors from both Lebanon and abroad, including Lebanese expatriates like one who came with her grandchildren from St. Louis, Missouri.

Economic Hardship and Emigration

Decades of war and economic hardship have forced many Lebanese to leave the country. The report laments the loss of educated and skilled individuals who excel abroad but are deprived of living in their own country.

Impact of Conflict on Christian Communities in the South

The report details the impact of the conflict on Christian communities in the south, near the Israeli border. A village, once beautiful and dating back hundreds of years, has been heavily affected by war. Of the 65 Christian families who lived there, only 16 remain. Fifty-six houses were destroyed, many before the IDF withdrew from the village.

Renovation Challenges and Fear of Recurrence

One resident, belonging to one of the remaining 16 families, had his home damaged but has a job with the municipality that allows him to renovate. However, neighbors are less fortunate. Some fear being hit again as they renovate, while others lack the financial means.

UN Reports on Cease-fire Violations

According to the United Nations peacekeeping mission, Israel has violated the cease-fire around 10,000 times, while only a couple of dozen violations have been reported on the Lebanese side. These ongoing strikes are cited as a likely reason for the Pope's decision not to visit this area. A community member expressed disappointment, stating the Pope should have come to see their situation, as the people of the south, especially Christians, truly needed him. The community sent a piece of the demolished church to be blessed by the Pope, hoping for a symbolic gesture to change their lives.

Other Headlines

Israeli Prime Minister's Preemptive Pardon Request

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a preemptive pardon amidst his ongoing corruption trial. He claims a pardon would heal divisions in Israeli society, but initial public reactions suggest otherwise. The request was made to the Israeli president, whose office called it "extraordinary" and stated it would be considered responsibly and sincerely.

Suspect in National Guard Shooting Radicalized in the U.S.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen stated that the Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members, killing one, appears to have adopted radical ideas while in the U.S. She indicated that connections in his home community are being investigated. The Associated Press reported that the suspect's community ties had been unraveling for years, with him being unable to hold a job and isolating himself.

Severe Weather Disrupts Travel

Severe weather has interrupted travel plans for millions of Americans. FlightAware reported nearly 7,800 flight delays and 660 cancellations due to a winter storm dumping heavy snow from the Midwest to the Great Lakes. The Chicago area experienced about half a foot of snow, while utility crews worked to restore power to thousands in Milwaukee. Another storm is forecast to bring winter weather to New England and the Mid-Atlantic on Tuesday.

Keeping USAID Programs Alive: Project Resource Optimization

When the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) shut down, over 80% of its programs were canceled. To sustain cost-effective and life-saving projects, two laid-off federal employees created a website called "Project Resource Optimization." This platform connects donors with threatened programs. So far, they have managed to keep nearly 80 projects running in almost 30 countries.

The Tumultuous Time of USAID's Shutdown

The founders described the shutdown as a "tumultuous time," initially trying to understand the impact of executive orders on future programming. The realization that the agency as a whole would be shutting down was "scary," given the importance of USAID's programs for global health and survival in crises.

Impact on the Ground: Instability, Hunger, and Death

Advocates for USAID warned of instability, hunger, and death resulting from the shutdown. The founders confirmed that these outcomes are beginning to manifest, though the full effects may take time to become apparent, as many USAID-supported outcomes are long-term. The most immediate impact is seen in humanitarian settings, where health and nutrition services are not reaching children in desperate need.

Criteria for Program Funding: Life-Saving and Impactful Initiatives

The founders had to make difficult "triage" decisions, prioritizing "life-saving" programs, primarily from humanitarian portfolios. This includes immunizations for children under five, efforts to keep global infectious diseases low, and treatment for children facing acute malnutrition and starvation. They witnessed supply chains for essential items like ready-to-use food being shut down and locked in warehouses.

Connecting Donors and Restoring Programs

The platform's approach involves rapid triage to identify programs delivering the most impact per dollar spent in saving lives, leveraging existing research and evidence. They actively sought out programs understood to be delivering high impact and used this information to attract private capital and philanthropy. While initial donor momentum was slow, more individuals and organizations have stepped forward to support these critical initiatives.

The Future of Project Resource Optimization

The founders acknowledge that the long-term consequences of the funding cuts are not fully understood and that much of the cut funding is unlikely to return in the near future. They are working to identify and secure funding for the most critical projects through the beginning of next year. The next phase will focus on designing programs for maximum impact per dollar spent and continuing to work with existing partners to streamline and sustain these efforts.

First-Ever Ski Descent of Mount Everest's North Face Super Couloir

In October, Jim Morrison achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first person to ski down Mount Everest's most dangerous route, the Super Couloir on the North Face. This accomplishment was chronicled by a mountaineer and filmmaker for an upcoming National Geographic documentary.

A Lifetime of Passion and a Shared Dream

Morrison's endeavor stemmed from a "lifetime of skiing on the mountains all over the world." He and his partner had been working towards this for a long time. Tragically, his partner died in an avalanche on another Himalayan mountain in 2022. They had planned to achieve this goal together, having previously skied a neighboring mountain. Morrison's passion for climbing interesting mountains and skiing down them has been a lifelong pursuit, starting from a young age.

The Climb: A Challenging Route

The mountaineering aspect of climbing mountains has always fascinated Morrison, but his focus has consistently been on how to climb a mountain and then ski back down. The Super Couloir route on the North Face of Everest is exceptionally challenging, with only five individuals having successfully ascended it in history through various expeditions. Morrison's team, however, managed to get 12 people to the summit together before he skied down.

Navigating Extreme Danger and Calculated Turns

The descent involved skiing in areas with a "very narrow margin for error," where a slip or loss of balance could result in a "precipitous fall." Morrison described being "very nervous" leading up to the expedition and visualized the entire process, alongside rigorous training. Once on the summit, he maintained intense focus on what was immediately in front of him, making "very calculated, careful turns" within his abilities to avoid mistakes. He descended from 29,000 feet to 20,000 feet.

Challenging Snow Conditions and Avalanche Safety

The snow conditions were "very challenging." A significant windstorm prior to their ascent had stripped away most of the soft, fresh snow, leaving behind what was "virtually ice." Navigating the varied snowpack and ice was difficult. However, the low avalanche risk contributed to their safety during both the climb and descent.

The Moment of Relief

The point where Morrison felt he could "exhale" was at the very bottom, upon crossing the Khumbu Glacier. Until then, the descent was intensely focused, with every turn critical. The flat expanse of the glacier at the base of the mountain provided a true physical and emotional release.

A Dream Come True and Honoring a Legacy

Achieving this descent was a "dream come true" after years of work and three previous expeditions to the mountain. Morrison felt deeply connected to the accomplishment, honoring his partner's legacy and their life together. He described himself as "exuberant and ecstatic," struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the achievement and anticipating a "physical breakdown of emotion and thrill."

Overcoming Knee Surgery

Remarkably, Morrison underwent major knee surgery in April, just months before the Everest expedition. He was committed to going that summer and worked with a team of doctors and physical therapists to prepare. He successfully met all the necessary benchmarks, and the descent felt "really good coming into the latter part of the summer," calling it "quite a first run on a new knee."

What's Next?

Looking ahead, Morrison plans to celebrate this achievement, share his story, and explore other mountains and destinations for skiing and exploration.