Stories of the Week | PBS NewsHour Podcast | PBS

In our news wrap Thursday, the White House lobbied to keep benefits going for the long-term unemployed, but Republicans have argued that extending their aid makes people less willing to search for work. Also, fast food workers around the nation walked off the job to protest low wages.

Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff reflect on Nelson Mandela's life with Donald Gips, former U.S. ambassador to South Africa, John Stremlau of the Carter Center, Gay McDougall, Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa, and Douglas Foster, author of "After Mandela: The Struggle for Freedom in Post-Apartheid South Africa."

Nelson Mandela will be remembered by the world for his peaceful pursuit of equal rights for all South Africans and as the post-apartheid nation's first president. Former NewsHour senior correspondent Charlayne Hunter-Gault looks back at the activist and peacemaker's 27 years in prison and his victory over decades of oppression.

A new poll of Americans aged 18-29 revealed a "solid majority" of young people disapprove of the Affordable Care Act. Of those without health care coverage, only 29 percent said they were likely to enroll in the insurance exchanges. Judy Woodruff talks to John Della Volpe of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University.

More fuel efficient cars means less gas is pumped, which means less gas tax is collected and even less cash on hand for states to repair roads and bridges. As a solution, Oregon is moving forward on a new idea -- a tax based on the number of miles driven as a supplement to the fuel tax.

The National Geographic Society's "Women of Vision" exhibition showcases the work of 11 female photographers and shares the stories behind the captivating images of war, poverty and culture they captured. Jeffrey Brown interviews some of the featured photojournalists about their work.

Illinois joined other cities and states in cutting pensions as way to curb costs. Should public employees who have already earned their retirement be subject to cuts? Judy Woodruff talks to Andrew Biggs of the American Enterprise Institute and Steven Kreisberg of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

In our news wrap Wednesday, U.S. officials say Vice President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping traded arguments over China's new air defense zone during a diplomatic trip to Beijing. Also, the European Commission has imposed fines of $2.3 billion on major U.S. and European banks for rigging interest rates.

Refugees from African countries know the danger they face when they step on board a rickety, over-capacity vessel bound for Europe: they could drown in a capsized boat or end up detention camps off the coast of Libya. Lindsey Hilsum of Independent Television News reports on what motivates these migrants to take the journey.

The PISA test is given to students in more than 60 countries as a way to compare scores in reading, math and science across the globe. As in past years, 2012 results show the U.S. near the middle. For insight on the results, Jeffrey Brown talks to Andreas Schleicher of the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development.

A wide-ranging exhibit titled "WAR/PHOTOGRAPHY: Images of Armed Conflict and Its Aftermath" pulls moments from 165 years to reveal what happens before, during and after battle. Jeffrey Brown talks to a curator from the Houston Museum of Fine Arts about the challenge of reframing images of world-shattering drama as art.

Associated Press reporter, Sarah Burnett, talks to Hari Sreenivasan about new legislation concerning the state’s pension system and about how it may affect retirees, labor unions, and taxpayers in that state and in others.

More than 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Alaska’s North Slope is ground zero for global climate change. NewsHour producer April Brown reports the melting ice has opened up opportunity for shipping and other development – industry that could be catastrophic for the way of life of residents.

The Wall Street Journal’s John Bussey gives us the context behind the ongoing dispute between China and Japan over a group of islands administered by Japan in the East China Sea. Under a treaty the U.S. is obligated to defend Japan against any attack on a territory the country administers.

Bloomberg’s Shannon Pettypiece reports on the state of healthcare.gov before a second intense review beginning tomorrow, including a look at how some heavy users like insurers give the site low ratings. State-administered sites, said Pettypiece, are generally performing better.