May 6, 2024 - PBS NewsHour full episode

It is a delicate and momentous day in the Middle East. The Israeli military says it has launched a new operation into parts of Rafah in southern Gaza. At the same time, the Israeli government says it's continuing negotiations to reach a cease-fire with Hamas in exchange for the release of hostages. William Brangham discusses the latest with Nick Schifrin and Aaron David Miller.

In our news wrap Monday, Russia publicly announced drills to simulate the use of battlefield nuclear weapons in its war with Ukraine, authorities in southern Brazil say at least 83 people have died in days of heavy rains and flooding with more than a hundred still missing and heavy rain across southeastern Texas began tapering off, but catastrophic flooding left widespread disruption.

Two former employees of the Trump Organization were on the stand in New York. Jeffrey McConney and Deborah Tasaroff were involved in the payments that are at the center of the charges filed against the former president in his hush money trial. Donald Trump also received another fine and a tough warning from the judge. William Brangham discussed the latest with Ximena Bustillo of NPR.

As protests over the war in Gaza continue on campuses, colleges are grappling with the balance of free speech, civil disobedience and concerns over student safety. We’ve heard some college officials argue arrests and crackdowns are necessary and overdue while protesters and some faculty say it’s been too harsh in some cases. Lisa Desjardins discussed more with Tyler Austin Harper of The Atlantic.

She went from being the center of attention on professional basketball courts to the center of a global power struggle. Two years after she was first detained in Russia, Brittney Griner is sharing new details about her time held captive and the fight to free her. Amna Nawaz met up with Griner to discuss that and her new book, “Coming Home.”

It’s time to reconsider hormone therapy as a treatment for menopause, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. This new review suggests that for women in early menopause, the benefits of hormone replacement therapy outweigh the risks. Stephanie Sy discussed more with Dr. Lauren Streicher.

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join William Brangham to discuss the latest political news, including Republicans navigate the fallout from controversial remarks made by Donald Trump at a fundraising dinner over the weekend and President Biden continues to deal with a jaded electorate as he wrestles with the political ramifications of the war in Gaza.