August 12, 2021 - PBS NewsHour full episode

PANDEMIC Home to the first coronavirus-driven lockdowns more than a year ago, China is imposing new lockdowns and widespread testing in regions where the delta variant is spreading rapidly. Despite the fact only a few hundred cases have been identified so far, Chinese officials are imposing strict measures to combat the virus. Special correspondent Patrick Fok reports from Beijing. CHINA

In our news wrap: Regions in Italy saw temperatures soar to 120 this week, fueling destructive wildfires across the south. Meanwhile in the US, nearly 175 million Americans are under severe heat advisories. A new analysis of the sweltering June northwest heatwave revealed it may have killed up to 600 people.

People in Afghanistan are in disbelief and angry at their local leaders as the Taliban advances across the nation, reports special correspondent Jane Ferguson. Fergson spoke with William Brangham about how quickly security forces in the region collapsed after the U.S. backed out.

People who are immunocompromised didn’t gain enough immunity from their first COVID-19 vaccine shots and need a booster for full protection, explains Dr. Fauci. Fauci spoke with William Brangham about breakthrough infections, the delta variant’s threat to children and how the virus is changing.

Vaccines are a ‘silver bullet,’ and only relying on employee COVID-19 testing would compromise safety says United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. That’s why the airline is the first major carrier to mandate vaccines among their employees, he says. Kirby spoke with William Brangham about his company’s policy.

Despite a “hot mess” of a rollout and months of delays, new 2020 Census data reveals how America is changing. More respondents reported multiracial identities and for the first time on record, the white population declined. Lisa Desjardins explored the new data with Hansi Lo Wang of NPR and Mark Hugo Lopez from the Pew Research Center.

The US may have done more harm than good in Afghanistan, argues Carter Malkasian in his new book, “The American War in Afghanistan.” Despite efforts to build education, healthcare and infrastructure, the US presence fomented conflict, Malkasian says. Nick Schiffrin spoke with Malkasian about the mistakes US officials made over the twenty year war.