August 15, 2024 - PBS News Hour full episode

The Gaza war reached a staggering milestone with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting 40,000 Gazans have been killed since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7. It comes as negotiators met again in Qatar to try and find a path toward a cease-fire, which the U.S. believes is the best way to prevent the war in Gaza from expanding to an even larger regional conflict. Nick Schifrin reports.

The legendary writer and activist James Baldwin would have turned 100 this month. He is best known for his novels and essays and as a moral voice addressing race, sexuality and the very fabric of American democracy. Jeffrey Brown looks at Baldwin's enduring legacy for our series, Art in Action, exploring the intersection of art and democracy and for our arts and culture coverage, CANVAS.

The World Health Organization has declared a global emergency due to the rapid spread of mpox in several African nations. Experts warn that if it is not contained, the virus could spread even further internationally. Sweden reported the first case outside Africa after an individual was staying there. Ali Rogin discussed more with Anne Rimoin.

Summer vacation time is fast vanishing, but this season was expected to break records worldwide, with billions of people breaking out their suitcases, sandals and swimsuits. But while tourism is a huge money maker, more destinations are annoyed by visitors and asking many to stay away. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports on European hotspots that are trying to deter the holiday hordes.

Medicare reached agreements with major pharmaceutical companies to cut the cost the government pays for ten prescription drugs used by millions of Americans. It marks the first time the government has been able to negotiate directly with drugmakers, a result of provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act. Amna Nawaz discussed the impact with Neera Tanden, domestic policy adviser to President Biden.

The presidential candidates closed out a busy day on the campaign trail with less than three months to go in the race for the White House. As events and advertising ramp up, so does the volume of misleading claims and outright lies. Former President Trump repeated familiar grievances and several lies during a Thursday news conference. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Katie Sanders of PolitiFact.

In our news wrap Thursday, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said his country's troops seized the Russian town of Sudzha, a court in Russia sentenced Russian American citizen Ksenia Khavana to 12 years in prison, federal law enforcement officials charged five people in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry and Bermuda is bracing for Hurricane Ernesto.

Israel blames Hamas for hiding within civilian areas and said it has killed about 17,000 Hamas fighters in Gaza. If that’s true, that still means more than 20,000 civilians have died. Nick Schifrin discussed the staggering death toll in Gaza with Dr. Ahmad Yousaf, an American pediatrician who recently returned from volunteering with the humanitarian group MedGlobal at Gaza’s al-Aqsa Hospital.