PBS News Hour

News and Public Affairs Series / 9 Seasons

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Watch: S2025 E51

57m 46s

Syrian rulers try to calm tensions involving Assad loyalists

9m 15s

Unrest is brewing in Syria’s coastal plains, home to the Assad family’s Alawite sect. Earlier this week, a group of regime loyalists staged an ambush on the now-governing rebel forces, killing 14. With the Shia Alawite sect making up only 10 percent of the population in the majority Sunni country, Syria’s de-facto ruler is trying to keep tensions from boiling over. Simona Foltyn reports.

U.S. sees dramatic rise in homelessness among families

6m 28s

Homelessness in America reached record-high numbers in 2024. A government report shows that in January, people experiencing homelessness shot up by 18 percent to roughly 770,000. The annual survey pointed to economic problems like rising housing costs and a migrant influx in some cities. Lisa Desjardins discussed more with Shaun Donovan, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

News Wrap: South Korea parliament impeaches acting president

6m 18s

In our news wrap Friday, South Korea's parliament impeached acting president Han Duck-soo after he decided against appointing three judges to the court reviewing the impeachment of his predecessor, the White House sees signs Russian defense systems may be to blame for a plane crash and Palestinian health officials say Israeli soldiers raided one of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza.

Brooks and Capehart on Trump allies clashing

9m 31s

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Lisa Desjardins to discuss the week in politics, including tensions in Trump's circle over immigration policy, President Biden’s pardons and commutations and polling shows that Americans are feeling deeply fatigued after the turbulent year in politics.

Expert details best ways to prevent house fires

6m 49s

Winter is a time that brings a heightened risk of fires inside the home. The vast majority of those fires can be prevented with some simple steps. Jason Patton is a firefighter and paramedic at Riviera Beach Fire Rescue in Florida and runs the wildly popular YouTube channel “Fire Department Chronicles.” He joined William Brangham to discuss fire safety tips.

A look at the biggest stories of 2024 through images

6m 21s

As 2024 comes to a close, we take a look back at some of the year’s biggest stories through the images of photojournalists. We spoke with four photographers who documented the presidential campaign, the protests over the war in Gaza, the Paris Olympics and much more.

Claressa Shields on new film 'The Fire Inside'

7m 27s

One of the biggest names in women’s boxing, Claressa Shields, is getting the Hollywood treatment in a new biopic. Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown discussed "The Fire Inside" with Shields, director Rachel Morrison and actress Ryan Destiny for our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

Russian system may have downed airliner, U.S. official says

9m 57s

There are early indications a Russian air defense system may have hit the Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan, a U.S. official says. Some of the speculation focuses on damage to the plane's tail section that could have been caused by shrapnel from an exploding missile. Stephanie Sy reports and William Brangham discusses the crash with retired Army Col. Robert Hamilton.

Assad regime made billions producing, exporting party drugs

8m 31s

Now that the Assad regime in Syria has fallen, the full scale of that government’s production and distribution of illicit drugs is coming to light. Leila Molana-Allen reports from the drug factories in Syria.

Colleges advise students to return before Trump takes office

8m 10s

Most college students are on their winter break gathering with family and friends. But some from outside the United States may return to campus early this holiday season after several universities and colleges are advising them that the incoming Trump administration may make it more difficult for them to return later. Lisa Desjardins explains.

Investigation finds more deaths at Native boarding schools

6m 53s

More than 3,000 Native American children died in the custody of the U.S. government after being forced to attend so-called Indian boarding schools, according to an investigation by The Washington Post. That is three times the number of lives lost that the government documented in its own investigation released earlier this year. William Brangham discussed more with Dana Hedgpeth.

As Arctic warms, communities face dramatic changes

3m 57s

Since the 1980s, temperatures in the Arctic have risen at nearly triple the global rate. This past summer was the wettest on record, while a heatwave in August set records in northern Alaska and Canada. Digital producer Casey Kuhn explains how the warming affects those who call the Arctic home.

What makes Bethlehem's Moravian settlements so unique

4m 52s

The U.S. gained its 26th UNESCO World Heritage Site this summer. The Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Moravian settlement joined three other Moravian settlements in Germany, Denmark and Northern Ireland in becoming a World Heritage Site this year, tracing ideals and consistency found in Moravian city planning. Digital video producer Tim McPhillips went to Bethlehem to see what made Moravians so unique.

Boston Ballet offers a new look for 'The Nutcracker'

6m 4s

An annual tradition takes on a new look to transform how audiences see "The Nutcracker." Senior arts correspondent Jeffrey Brown tells us how one ballet company is helping to make this long-awaited leap. It’s part of our Race Matters coverage and our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

PolitiFact's 'Lie of the Year' and impact on Ohio town

7m 2s

The 2024 campaign was unlike any in modern American history. But one thing united candidates across the political spectrum, they were all searching for messages that would resonate with voters. The team at the fact-checking organization PolitiFact investigated hundreds of claims to separate fact from fiction. As Ali Rogin reports, one comment stood out as PolitiFact’s 2024 Lie of the Year.

Newly discovered galaxy could offer clues on Milky Way

6m 43s

Scientists have found the beginnings of a young universe that may offer insights into the beginnings of our own Milky Way Galaxy. Geoff Bennett and Miles O'Brien discussed why scientists are excited by the discovery, one that has a little holiday sparkle of its own, so to speak.

Northern Israel residents hesitant about returning home

5m 7s

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has brought relative calm in northern Israel, but the road to recovery is long. Tens of thousands have been displaced due to Hezbollah’s rocket attacks. Producer Karl Bostic traveled to Metula and Kiryat Shmona along the border with Lebanon to meet families who finally got to visit their homes after 14 months of war. Jeffery Brown has the story.

New Zealand's shift right brings protests from Māori people

7m 5s

New Zealand has long been known for its progressive policies, including efforts to correct and address historical wrongs against its indigenous Māori population. But as Ali Rogin reports, a new right-wing government has reversed many of those policies and triggered mass protests in the Pacific nation.

U.S. military services musicians perform 'Jingle Bells'

2m 54s

This Christmas Eve, we continue a tradition we started a few years ago with members of the U.S. military presenting a holiday song. This year, musicians from the military services perform the Christmas classic "Jingle Bells." This video was produced by the Pentagon's Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

Must-see Hollywood hits in 2024 and a few lesser-known gems

9m 9s

The holidays are a great time to catch up on the year’s best films, whether streaming at home or heading to the theater. To highlight some of the best movies of the year, Jeffrey Brown sat down with two film critics who shared their top picks. It’s part of our arts and culture series, CANVAS.

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