Thursday on the News Hour, reports surrounding the Azerbaijan Airlines crash suggest Russia's anti-aircraft system might have downed the plane. How the Assad regime in Syria benefitted from producing, selling and exporting a widely used party drug. Plus, a new investigation finds thousands more Native American children died at government-funded boarding schools than previously acknowledged. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

After 14 months of conflict, residents in northern Israel remain apprehensive about returning home, fearing a fragile ceasefire. Meanwhile, NASA's discovery of a young galaxy sheds light on the cosmos. The Boston Ballet reimagines 'The Nutcracker' with a focus on inclusivity, inspiring diverse young performers. On the tech front, experts discuss the complex role of AI companions in human relationships, highlighting both the potential for connection and the risks of emotional distance. Lastly, the impact of misinformation continues to shape political discourse in America.

Simona Foltin, a special correspondent focusing on human rights issues, discusses the heartbreaking discovery of mass graves in Syria, shedding light on the brutality of the Assad regime. Nutrition epidemiologist Lindsay Smith-Taley dives into the FDA's new food labeling rules, emphasizing their potential to improve consumer understanding of nutrition. The conversation touches on global humanitarian crises, the challenges of balancing renewable energy with fishing industries, and the resurgence of Māori rights protests in New Zealand, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equality.

Monday on the News Hour, the House Ethics Committee report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Trump's first pick for attorney general, reveals alleged rampant sexual misconduct and drug use. Then, President Biden commutes the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row to life without parole. Plus, China's foreign adoption ban leaves hundreds of children and families in limbo. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Sunday on PBS News Weekend, how keeping an eye on your front door this gift-giving season may pay off, as package thieves strike around the country. Then, why the holidays can be hard for those who are estranged from their families. Plus, Christmas tree vendors make their seasonal migration to New York City, where they create communities of their own. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Saturday on PBS News Weekend, after a chaotic week in Congress, President Biden signs a spending bill that prevents a government shutdown. Then, a year ravaged by war has left millions of children in urgent need of help. Plus, how climate change is pushing a rare species of deer to the brink of extinction. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Friday on the News Hour, after much wrangling, Congress moves to avoid a government shutdown with a new funding bill. Top U.S. diplomats meet the new leaders of Syria who overthrew the Assad regime and are now attempting to rebuild the war-torn country. Plus, Palestinians in the occupied West Bank share how their lives have been upended by Israeli crackdowns following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Thursday on the News Hour, chances of a government shutdown fester as partisan politics, and influence from President-elect Trump, hamper budget negotiations in Congress. Veteran Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry weighs in on the state of play on Capitol Hill as he departs Washington. Plus, the spread of the bird flu raises safety concerns among dairy farmers and their workforce. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Wednesday on the News Hour, the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates again but concerns over inflation and the incoming Trump administration raise questions about future cuts. We report from the site of an infamous chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime as the Syrian people search for their dead. Plus, why one of the most promising treatments for alcohol abuse is barely being used. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Tuesday on the News Hour, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO is charged with murder as an act of terrorism. Displaced Syrians return to their homes after the fall of the Assad regime while the search for unaccounted Americans continues. Plus, the ongoing opioid crisis prompts a renewed focus on expanding access to the medication methadone as a treatment. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders