The world produces an average of 430 million metric tons of plastic each year. The United States alone produces tens of millions of tons of plastic waste annually. Yet on average, only about 5 to 6 percent of plastic in the U.S. is recycled. NPR correspondent Michael Copley joins Ali Rogin to discuss a new report on the plastic industry's tactics to push recycling and avoid regulation. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Environmental efforts to protect sharks in recent years have resulted in a huge increase in the great white shark population off the New England coast. It's a conservation success story, with potentially unnerving implications for beachgoers. Rhode Island PBS Weekly's David Wright reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The new season of PBS NewsHour's Student Reporting Labs podcast "On Our Minds" is underway. In this episode of the series that focuses on mental health challenges among young people, Bree Campbell and James Kim speak with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The northern white rhinoceros is one of the world's biggest animals, and one of the most endangered. Only two are known to be alive, both female. But scientific breakthroughs are raising hopes for saving the rhino and perhaps even bringing other animals back from extinction. John Yang reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Amid underwater mountains off the coast of Chile, scientists believe they've discovered 100 or so new species with the aid of a robot capable of diving more than 14,000 feet. Researchers say it demonstrates how the Chilean government's ocean protections are bolstering biodiversity and providing a model for other countries. John Yang reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

According to a paper published this past week in the journal Nature Astronomy, scientists found what could be the brightest known object in the universe: a quasar produced by a massive and voracious black hole. It's estimated to be emitting light that's 500 trillion times more intense than Earth's sun. John Yang has more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The realism of AI-generated video is one of the more remarkable, and potentially scary, developments we've seen so far with the technology. Oren Etzioni studies artificial intelligence and is the founder of truemedia.org, an organization that fights against AI-based disinformation. Etzioni joined William Brangham to discuss the future of AI. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

According to data from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, 2023 was a record year for launching satellites, probes, landers and more into space. But scientists worry those plumes of exhaust trailing behind rockets could be scattering harmful pollutants into the pristine upper layers of the atmosphere. John Yang speaks with freelance science journalist Shannon Hall to learn more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Coral reef ecosystems support a quarter of all marine life on Earth, but they are slowly dying under the relentless stresses of overfishing, pollution, disease and climate change. As part of our ongoing series "Saving Species," William Brangham dives into the steps that scientists are taking to try to preserve the corals that remain. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Heman Bekele spent the last year developing a bar of soap that could treat skin cancer. It was the winning entry at the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge, considered one of the top science and engineering competitions for fifth through eighth graders. For our Weekend Spotlight, John Yang speaks with Bekele about his work. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders