News Wrap: American soldier who fled to North Korea returned to U.S.

In our news wrap Thursday, an American soldier who ran away to North Korea has been returned to the U.S., NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged the allies to provide Ukraine with more air defense systems and scientists in Switzerland sounded an alarm on rapidly melting glaciers caused by record-low snowfall and extreme summer heat.

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  • Amna Nawaz:

    In the day's other headlines: The Pentagon confirmed that an American soldier who ran away to North Korea in July has returned to the United States.

    Early-morning video showed Private Travis King exiting a plane at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was taken to an Army hospital. A day earlier North Korea sent King to China, where he was handed over to U.S. authorities.

    NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged the allies today to provide Ukraine with more air defense systems. Stoltenberg visited Kyiv to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He said, the stronger Ukraine gets, the sooner Russia's aggression will end. Meantime, Russian drones attacked the Mykolaiv and Odesa regions in Ukraine, as well as the Kirovohrad area. There were no reported casualties.

    For the second time in less than a month, a major storm is pounding Central Greece. Authorities say hundreds of people have been evacuated from the region and most of the city in Volos is without power. Debris clogged an overflowing river today, and water gushed into the city streets. Many of the flood victims blamed government mismanagement.

  • Giorgos, Volos, Greece, Resident (through interpreter):

    We couldn't believe our eyes, what we were seeing. In the last two weeks, they came only four or five days to clear the debris from the river from the previous catastrophe. And, at about 5:00, the river was blocked up again from debris under the bridge.

  • Amna Nawaz:

    That earlier storm killed 16 people in Greece and caused more than $2 billion in damage.

    In Switzerland, scientists sounded an alarm today on rapidly melting glaciers caused by record low snowfall and extreme summer heat. A new report said Swiss glaciers have lost 10 percent of their ice volume in the past two years alone. That equals the total melt of the 30 years between 1960 and 1990.

    Back in this country, the United States Senate now has an official dress code. A bipartisan resolution passed last night requires business attire for all members on the Senate floor. It was prompted by Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman, who routinely wears a hoodie in shorts, although not on the Senate floor. Last week, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had said members could wear what they want.

    Fast-food workers in California will make at least $20 an hour starting next April. That became law today, guaranteeing one of the highest minimum wages in the country. As part of the deal, fast-food corporations agreed to remove a referendum on wages from next year's ballot.

    And on Wall Street, stocks recouped some losses, as oil prices eased, along with interest rates on Treasury bonds. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 116 points to close at 33666. The Nasdaq rose 108 points. And the S&P 500 was up 25.

    And Michael Gambon, who gained global fame as Harry Potter's wise wizard headmaster, has died in Britain.

    Jeffrey Brown looks at his long career.

  • Michael Gambon, Actor:

    Help will always be given at Hogwarts, Harry, to those who ask for it.

  • Jeffrey Brown:

    He was known to millions as the bearded, long-robed, wise wizard Professor Dumbledore, appearing in six of the eight "Harry Potter" films, taking over the role in 2004 following the death of actor Richard Harris.

    But Michael Gambon had long established himself as one of the great actors of his time, first on the London stage, as a member of the prestigious National Theatre, eventually winning three Olivier Awards. In films and television, he played everything from gangsters…

  • Michael Gambon:

    For my personal approach.

  • Jeffrey Brown:

    … to greats like Winston Churchill in "Churchill's Secret." His comic turn role as the father in an adaptation of Jane Austen's "Emma" earned an Emmy nomination.

  • Michael Gambon:

    So, what's the story? What's the dame?

  • Jeffrey Brown:

    And he took home a BAFTA, the British Film and TV Award, for his 1986 performance as a mystery writer struck with a debilitating disease in "The Singing Detective."

    Whether as supporting actor or lead, Gambon commanded attention throughout a career spanning nearly 60 years. He died last night following a bout of pneumonia. Michael Gambon was 82 years old.

    For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Jeffrey Brown.

  • Amna Nawaz:

    And still to come on the "NewsHour": residents in Maui return to destroyed communities as investigations into wildfires continue; an international sports tribunal considers evidence in the Russian figure skater doping scandal; and musician Nat Myers uses the blues to amplify his message about modern-day America.

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