PBS News Hour - Health

President Trump rejected calls for greater oversight of artificial intelligence despite the dire warnings of some in the industry. The president's pushback comes after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published an essay arguing for a slowdown across leading AI companies, warning rapid advances in the technology now pose an existential threat to society. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Stephen Witt. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The EPA announced it is repealing rules limiting greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas-fired power plants. The move eliminates requirements that would have forced some power plants to sharply reduce their emissions, including through technologies such as carbon capture and storage. Geoff Bennett discussed what this rollback means with Vickie Patton of the Environmental Defense Fund. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

On Sept. 11, 2001, when a hijacked plane struck the Pentagon, two WETA camera men and a NewsHour with Jim Lehrer intern rushed to the scene. As the 25th anniversary of the terror attacks approaches, they reflect on what they captured, and how it stays with them. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Tuesday on the News hour, New York City officials released documents that raise new concerns about air quality following the Sept. 11 attacks, authorities in Miami say all five people killed by a plane crash this weekend were in a van used for cleaning crews that service planes and more than 600 flights were cancelled in the UK due to a problem with the country's air traffic control system. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Southeast Asia is enduring a punishing year of extreme weather and experts warn the ongoing storm season could be one of the most intense in years. Special correspondent Patrick Fok reports from Singapore on how the El Niño climate pattern could fuel more extreme conditions in the coming months. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

On 9/11, the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 stormed the cockpit, forcing the hijacked jet to crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. But before the world knew of their bravery, members of Washington, D.C.'s Air National Guard were prepared to make their own sacrifice. Nick Schifrin brings us the story of pilot Heather "Lucky" Penney. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Federal officials are investigating why an Amazon cargo jet overran a runway at Miami International Airport, striking two vehicles and killing five people. Video posted to social media shows the Boeing 767 jet was still airborne far down the runway before it touched down. Geoff Bennett discussed the questions surrounding this accident with aviation correspondent Miles O'Brien. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Monday, Tropical Storm Marie is whipping up high surf along the California coast, the Kremlin is not ruling out future talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States following a weekend visit to Moscow by U.S. negotiators and Iran is warning that new U.S. strikes could trigger further retaliation, including against American energy interests in the Gulf. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Dale Sanders is a 91-year-old hiker who just became the oldest person ever to complete the Appalachian Trail. Amna Nawaz reports on the achievement of the man known as "Grey Beard." PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

It's been nearly five years since the Taliban banned education for girls older than 12 in Afghanistan. Every day seems to bring a new law limiting them, but Afghan women are pushing back. Special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen and videographer Eric O'Connor visited a secret underground school in Kabul and sat down with the women risking their lives to protest the oppressive rules. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A coalition of leading medical groups issued their own vaccine guidance in response in part to changing and confusing messaging from federal officials. It comes on the heels of rising measles cases in multiple states. William Brangham discussed more with Dr. Paul Offit, the director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Tuesday, the U.S. struck targets inside Iran in response to what it called attempted attacks against ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the jury in the Lindsay Clancy trial spent a fourth day deliberating, telling the judge at one point that they were struggling to reach a unanimous decision and John Ternus has taken over as Apple's new CEO. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Authorities in Nepal continued mass burials after catastrophic floods roared down high mountain valleys in a vast torrent of destruction. The death toll is now over 1,000 people, with thousands still missing. Across the border in China, which has been less transparent, officials report just 16 deaths, but nearly 550 missing. Neil Connery of ITV News reports from the disaster zone. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The potentially record-breaking El Niño has brought a relentless stretch of extreme weather across the country. Experts watching the climate and weather patterns are warning that the effects could persist well into 2027. William Brangham discussed the super El Niño with WFLA meteorologist Jeff Berardelli. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Search and rescue teams have recovered two bodies following this weekend's flash floods in the Grand Canyon. The National Park Service says more than a dozen other people remain missing. Lodges and hotels are closed inside the park and more rain and flooding are possible. Ali Rogin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Three days after a catastrophic wall of water, mud and rock tore through Nepal's Himalayan valleys, the scale of the disaster is still coming into focus. At least 579 people are now confirmed dead, nearly 2,000 remain missing, and the danger is not over. Authorities are closely watching lakes formed in the wake of the glacier collapse, amid fears of further flooding. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

There have been several promising developments lately in cancer research and treatment, including a new drug approved by the FDA this week for advanced pancreatic cancer. William Brangham reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The scale of the disaster in the Himalayas is becoming clearer a day after catastrophic flooding tore through parts of Nepal and Tibet. Scientists believe the disaster was likely triggered by the collapse of a glacier, unleashing a torrent of water, mud and debris that swept away entire communities. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Dan Shugar of the waterSHED Lab at the University of Calgary. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The medical community is trying many approaches to help push back against the advance of Alzheimer's and dementia. One leading institution is taking a different and unconventional approach to supplement the traditional treatments. Special Correspondent Megan Thompson reports for our coverage of the intersection of health and arts, part of our CANVAS series. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Craig Fugate led the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the Obama administration through record-breaking disaster years. On our PBS News podcast, "Settle In," Amna Nawaz spoke with Fugate about how climate change has upended disaster response, and about criticism that the agency has been politicized in recent years. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A devastating flood in Nepal and Tibet has left a trail of death and destruction. Torrential rains sent a wall of mud and debris crashing through communities with little warning. Geoff Bennett reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This week, a Texas court heard arguments in a legal fight between a California couple and their surrogate over a newborn with a serious heart condition. The case has drawn the attention of anti-abortion activists pushing for new restrictions on surrogacy. Amna Nawaz discussed the case with Shefali Luthra, reproductive health reporter for The 19th News. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related threat in the U.S. In Phoenix, heat kills more people than homicides each year. So the city is turning to an unlikely lifesaver: bags of ice. And the fire department is creating a new model in the battle against heatstroke. For our series, Tipping Point, Ben Tracy of Climate Central shows how this low-tech approach is saving lives. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Just over three years ago, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century devastated the Hawaiian island of Maui. New research suggests the toll of the disaster may be far greater than the lives lost and property burned. Stephanie Sy reports on a landmark study aiming to track how wildfires continue to affect survivors' health long after the flames are gone. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

At least one in four NFL players has CTE when they die, according to a new study that examined the brains of former pro players. CTE is a brain disease thought to be caused by years of sustained head trauma and can only be diagnosed after an autopsy of the brain. Amna Nawaz spoke with Dr. Chris Nowinski of the Concussion and CTE Foundation, and a co-author of this study. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

It's been 18 months since the Trump administration made cuts to foreign aid. One of the countries hardest-hit is Afghanistan. The five years since the U.S. withdrawal have been grim for the people there, and Refugees International attributes over 160 deaths during the last 18 months to cuts in aid. Special correspondent Leila Molana-Allen and videographer Eric O'Connor report. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

An investigation by the Center for Investigative Reporting has revealed that glyphosate is being sprayed in California forests at record levels by timber companies and the U.S. Forest Service. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, kills vegetation that competes with young trees. The weedkiller has been the subject of lawsuits alleging exposure caused cancer. Nate Halverson reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump has tapped one of his top White House health policy aides, Dr. Heidi Overton, to lead the Food and Drug Administration. Overton has been a strong supporter of the president's health agenda, including efforts to overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule, changes that have drawn sharp criticism from medical experts. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Lauren Gardner of Politico. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

It doesn't have sharp teeth or claws, but the mosquito kills more people than any other animal on earth. As the climate warms, mosquito season is lasting longer, giving them more time to spread dangerous diseases. Ben Tracy with Climate Central reports on why the insects are thriving, and the surprising way scientists are fighting back. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to worsen, with the number of confirmed cases climbing to over 4,600. At least 2,100 people have died, a death toll that was reached almost three times faster than the outbreak over a decade ago. William Brangham discussed the crisis with epidemiologist Dr. Anne Rimoin, director of the Center for Global Health Security at UCLA. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus is the leading cause of death in young Asian elephants. One baby elephant is at the center of an effort that could transform how the disease is managed in these gentle giants worldwide. Deema Zein reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Correction: In this segment, we misstated the year Major General Qasem Soleimani was killed. We should have said 2020, as the on-screen graphic indicated. We regret the error. The News Hour has confirmed the Washington Post's reporting on extraordinary, secret security measures taken to protect President Trump. The president switched planes not once, but twice while leaving last month's NATO summit in Turkey. A transfer from the legacy Air Force One to a smaller aircraft, by way of a catering truck, had not been known until now. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Puerto Rico is facing yet another crisis as major cities are rationing water for residents due to severe drought conditions. This problem is also exposing the island's aging water infrastructure and lack of immediate government action, leaving many frustrated. For more on how families are coping and what officials are saying, Deema Zein spoke with investigative reporter Laura Perez Sanchez. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

New satellites are being used in Greece to help fight another vicious wildfire season there. The technology is helping crews spot and contain fires. Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reports from the town of Mati, near Athens. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The murder trial of Massachusetts mother Lindsay Clancy has brought attention to a rare but severe mental health condition. Clancy killed her three children and attempted suicide in 2023. Her defense says she was experiencing postpartum psychosis, which can affect one's grip on reality, but prosecutors say she acted intentionally. Stephanie Sy discussed more with Dr. Julia Riddle. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

One of the deadliest forms of cancer for women may not start where we once believed. Researchers now know nearly all fatal ovarian cancers begin in the fallopian tubes, not the ovaries. Stephanie Sy discusses with Dr. Rebecca Stone, a professor in the Johns Hopkins Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, how this understanding is important for patient care. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Firefighters in eastern Washington are struggling to gain the upper hand on the wildfires devastating the Spokane area. The three blazes have forced tens of thousands to flee and destroyed more than 700 buildings. Authorities arrested a man suspected of starting the fire considered to be the most destructive. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Dave Upthegrove, Washington commissioner of public lands. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

This year is becoming one of the worst for U.S. wildfires in at least a decade. There have been more fires and more acreage burned at this point in the year compared to any in the last ten. With fire seasons growing longer, early detection is critical. Special correspondent Ben Tracy of Climate Central reports on how AI is being used to spot fires faster. It's part of our series, Tipping Point. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A new program in Charlotte, North Carolina, is using the arts to tackle loneliness and social isolation. Paul Solman reports on prescriptions for art instead of medicine for our series at the intersection of art and health, part of our CANVAS coverage. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Firefighters are battling a series of blazes that began this weekend in Washington state and are continuing to burn in and around Spokane, the state's second most populous city. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced and hundreds of buildings have been destroyed. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

According to the FBI, at least seven states have now been targeted in a growing wave of cyberattacks on critical water infrastructure across the country. Federal officials now reportedly believe Iran is the likely culprit. Liz Landers discussed more with Cynthia Kaiser, a former deputy assistant director of the FBI's cyber division currently at Halcyon. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

After years of battles over its use — and a long-running drought — states that rely on the Colorado River are facing the prospect of further cutbacks. Years of gridlock among the states prompted the federal government to step in. A new blueprint lays out new requirements for managing the shrinking river. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien explains what's at stake for our series, Tipping Point. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Changes are coming to the commonly used sell-by dates on groceries in at least one state. PBS News multiplatform reporter Tim McPhillips spoke to two experts to get their take on the food labels and how you can save both your food and your money. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the face of America's COVID response, repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right before a Senate committee on Wednesday. The hearing, chaired by Republican Sen. Rand Paul, was meant to probe the origins of COVID-19 and whether Fauci misled Congress and the public. Fauci called Paul's pursuit of him an "unhinged obsession." Ali Rogin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Dr. Anthony Fauci helped lead the White House pandemic response for Presidents Trump and Biden and is now retired from government service. He appeared under congressional subpoena and invoked his Fifth Amendment rights more than 100 times during questioning. Amna Nawaz discussed the hearing and Fauci's legacy with Katherine Wu, who wrote "The Unmaking of Anthony Fauci" for The Atlantic. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Crews are battling to control wildfires that have spread rapidly across parts of Europe, forcing the evacuation of more than 330,000 people in France, Spain and Portugal. Fifteen deaths have been reported and nearly half a million acres have burned. The scope and speed of the fires are pushing emergency response systems to their limits. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Ciaran Nugent. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

A new report is detailing the impact of cuts to USAID and the program known as PEPFAR, which has been credited with saving over 26 million lives since 2003. The study from the HIV/AIDS non-profit amfAR found that more than 1,700 treatment sites have closed in the wake of funding cuts. William Brangham discussed more with Dr. Atul Gawande, the assistant administrator of USAID under President Biden. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

It's been four years since the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision opened the door to state abortion bans. Now, a new study finds those bans are hurting women who aren't seeking abortions at all. Researchers found delays in miscarriage treatment increase the risk to a woman's health and fertility and prolong the grief of a lost pregnancy. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Hundreds of thousands of migrants are facing uncertainty after the Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Syrian and Haitian nationals. It's raising alarm among leaders in the senior care industry, who say workers with TPS make up a significant part of a strained workforce. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Katie Smith Sloan of LeadingAge. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

More than 115 million people may be exposed to dangerous smoke and unhealthy air quality levels. That's because wildfire smoke is spreading and triggering health advisories in at least 17 states from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic. It's led to flight delays, the closure of pools and beaches, and the cancellation of many other outdoor activities. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy