Scientists say people hit with 41 extra days of dangerous heat this year
Researchers say human-caused climate change dealt people an average of nearly six weeks of extra extreme heat in 2024, while also fueling more destructive storms.
ClimateWatch: Climate Change News & Features
Honda and Nissan announce plans to merge
Honda and Nissan have announced plans to merge, forming world's third-largest automaker by sales as the industry transitions away from fossil fuels.
How Trump could undo portions of Biden's climate legacy
Biden's most recent climate initiatives are all but certain to be short-lived, mostly thanks to an obscure law that tends to come into play every four years.
Communities facing air pollution threats worry about EPA rollbacks under Trump
In the U.S., the biggest polluters are often concentrated in underserved, mostly minority communities.
Biden sets new climate goal for slashing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions
The new goal is part of the Paris Agreement, under which member nations must update their emission cut targets every five years.
EPA grants California waiver to ban sales of new gas-powered cars by 2035
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday granted California its request to enforce vehicle emissions standards stricter than federal rules, including the state's ban on sales of new gasoline-powered cars.
As climate change threatens Christmas trees, growers try to evolve
The effects of climate change have put stress on Christmas tree production in the United States. Some farmers are turning to genetics to adapt.
Coal use hitting record in 2024, which is likely hottest year yet, report says
World coal use is set to reach an all-time high in 2024, the International Energy Agency says, in a year all but certain to be the hottest in recorded history.
Thousands feared dead after Cyclone Chido hits French territory Mayotte
Rescue workers are rushing to the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean after it was devastated by the powerful Cyclone Chido.
U.N. talks fail to reach agreement regarding increased risks of global drought
The biennial talks, known as COP 16, attempted to create strong global mandates to legally bind and require nations to fund early warning systems and build resilient infrastructure in poorer countries.
The secrets of cork: So much more than a bottle stopper
The sound of a bottle popping may be a familiar harbinger of good, but the humble material behind the pop has more uses than you might imagine.
Arctic tundra becoming a source of carbon dioxide emissions, NOAA warns
The Arctic tundra has historically helped reduce global emissions. But rising temperatures and wildfires in the region are changing that, scientists say.
Floods and landslides in Indonesia kill at least 20 people
Torrential rain unleashed flooding and landslides on Indonesia's Sumatra island, killing 20 people and leaving at least two others missing.
Emperor penguin found on Australian beach released at sea after 20 days of care
The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia was released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach.
How collecting pine cones helps renew Oregon forests after wildfires
Conservationists are teaming up with the U.S. Forest Service and logging companies to clear scorched land and make room for new reforestation projects.
Bomb cyclone batters Northwest, causing widespread power outages
A major storm swept across the northwestern U.S., battering the region with strong winds and rain, causing widespread power outages and downing trees that killed at least two people.
Parts of Great Barrier Reef dying at record rate, alarmed researchers say
Parts of the Great Barrer Reef have suffered the highest coral mortality on record, Australian researchers say, and they fear the rest of it has suffered a similar fate.
Scientists say biggest coral in the world discovered in the Pacific
Scientists say they've discovered a "mega coral" three times bigger than the previous record holder - so huge they initially thought it was a shipwreck.
Trump officials likely to reverse drilling waste "methane fee" EPA is imposing
Oil and natural gas companies will have to pay a federal fee if they emit methane above certain levels under a rule being finalized by the Biden administration that incoming Trump officials are likely to reverse.
Hungry and far from home, an emperor penguin comes ashore in Australia
Rescuers are trying to rehabilitate an emperor penguin that came ashore some 2,000 miles from its natural habitat, and what comes next is "still being worked through."
COP29 climate summit begins. Will it be the last for the U.S.?
As delegates from nearly 200 countries gather for a major international summit on climate change, they're confronting a new era of uncertainty for the U.S. under a second Trump administration.
Severe droughts threaten sustainable catch of the Amazon's giant fish
In Brazil´s Amazonas state, almost 6,000 riverine dwellers authorized to fish have reported a significant drop in production and rising costs.
Research vessel to scan seafloor for flood victims in Spain
Spain is sending a marine research vessel to scan the seafloor off Valencia's coast in hopes of finding vehicles and people missing after devastating flash floods.
European agency says 2024 is "virtually certain" to be warmest year on record
Climate scientists working at the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service have announced that 2024 is "virtually certain" to be the warmest year on record.
Finalist for Prince William's Earthshot Prize already brightening lives
See how one of the 15 finalists for Prince William's 2024 Earthshot Prize Awards is already helping people live their dreams.
Science
Science
California's mandatory clothing recycling program
Americans throw away billions of pounds of used clothes every year. But now, California is the first state to hold textile companies responsible for their products from start to finish. CBS News' Danya Bacchus explains.
These space missions will take off in 2025
Space agencies worldwide are gearing up missions in 2025 to expand humanity's horizons, from the moon and Mars to asteroids and beyond.
Orca who carried her dead calf for 17 days has a new baby
Tahlequah has a newborn girl, years after she made headlines for carrying her dead calf for 17 days.
2,600-year-old shipwreck is raised from waters off Spain
An ancient shipwreck that dates back to the 7th century B.C.E. has been removed from waters off Spain, two decades after its discovery in 1994.
What to know about the winter solstice, 2024's shortest day
The 2024 winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, happens on Saturday, Dec. 21, and is marked with traditions and celebrations around the world.
Class-action lawsuit over plastic recycling
This week a group of plaintiffs in Missouri, Kansas, California and Florida filed a class-action lawsuit against dozens of companies and organizations, claiming they've falsely promoted how easy it is to recycle plastics. CBS News Los Angeles climatologist Marina Jurica has the details.
Why fish, birds and other animals yawn too, according to an expert
Humans aren't alone when it comes to yawning — all vertebrates do it. But why? An expert explains the likely reason behind this "evolutionarily ancient" act.
Americans coexisted with 4-ton sloths for millennia, research shows
Early Americans may have spent millennia sharing prehistoric savannas and wetlands with enormous beasts, research shows.
EPA tackling pollution in at-risk communities
The Environmental Protection Agency under President Biden created a new Office of Environmental Justice that seeks to address pollution levels in disadvantaged and marginalized communities. However, there is concern that the incoming Trump administration could do away with the new department. David Schechter reports.
"Murder hornets" eradicated in the U.S., agriculture officials say
Giant hornets, dubbed "murder hornets," have been eradicated in the U.S., five years after the invasive species was first detected in Washington state.
Coal use hitting record in 2024, which is likely hottest year yet, report says
World coal use is set to reach an all-time high in 2024, the International Energy Agency says, in a year all but certain to be the hottest in recorded history.
How climate change impacted 2024
From record-breaking temperatures to devastating disasters, 2024 brought the world closer to the reality of what climate change looks and feels like. CBS News national environmental correspondent David Schechter reports.
Bronze-Age Britons were cannibalized after massacre, research shows
Researchers determined that dozens of men, women and children were violently killed and cannibalized in Bronze Age-era England.
ClimateWatch: Looking back on 2024’s extreme weather
In this episode of “ClimateWatch,” CBS national environmental correspondent David Schechter looks back at the devastating hurricanes, landslides, flooding and more that impacted the U.S. this year.
Sustainable gift-giving: How to reduce waste
According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. creates nearly 6 billion tons more waste in December than in other months. The nonprofit says about 25% of returned products end up in landfills. Sandra Goldmark, a circular economy expert and associate dean at the Columbia University Climate School, joins CBS News to share examples of sustainable, environmentally friendly gifts for everyone on your list.
U.S.
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Greg Gumbel, CBS Sports broadcasting legend, dies at 78
Greg Gumbel, the renowned CBS Sports anchor and commentator, has died of cancer at the age of 78.
Toddler nearly falls from 400-foot cliff while family visits erupting Kīlauea
Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii started erupting on Dec. 23rd, after a three-month pause.
Trump opposes TikTok ban, asks Supreme Court for time to resolve via negotiations
The Supreme Court will hear arguments Jan. 10 in TikTok's challenge of a law that could lead to a ban of the widely popular platform.
Here's what the H-1B visa debate with Musk and Ramaswamy is about
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are calling for the U.S. to admit more foreign tech workers. Not all Republicans agree with them.
Winning numbers drawn for estimated $1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot
A winner of the Mega Millions jackpot could either take the cash payout of $549.7 million or the $1.22 billion annuity paid out over 30 years.
MoneyWatch
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Janet Yellen tells Congress that U.S. could hit debt limit in mid-January
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said her agency will need to start taking "extraordinary measures" or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling by mid-January.
Here's what the H-1B visa debate with Musk and Ramaswamy is about
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are calling for the U.S. to admit more foreign tech workers. Not all Republicans agree with them.
Homelessness jumped to a new record this year as housing costs soared
Federal officials say homelessness rose 18% in 2024, driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing.
FDA wants new testing to detect asbestos in products with talc
The proposed rule is required under a law passed by Congress last year, and is intended to ensure the safety of makeup and baby powder.
What to know about returning unwanted holiday gifts
The National Retail Federation expects about 17% of sales to be returned this year.
Politics
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Capitol Hill lawmakers experiencing surge of swatting calls, bomb threats
In a Dec. 11 Senate hearing, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger testified that there had been more than 50 so-called "swatting" attacks on members of Congress over the previous month.
Janet Yellen tells Congress that U.S. could hit debt limit in mid-January
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said her agency will need to start taking "extraordinary measures" or special accounting maneuvers intended to prevent the nation from hitting the debt ceiling by mid-January.
Trump opposes TikTok ban, asks Supreme Court for time to resolve via negotiations
The Supreme Court will hear arguments Jan. 10 in TikTok's challenge of a law that could lead to a ban of the widely popular platform.
Marc Fogel designated as "wrongfully detained" in Russia
Marc Fogel, a Pennsylvania man imprisoned in Russia, has been designated as "wrongfully detained," according to the U.S. Department of State.
Trump picks Miami-Dade commissioner as ambassador to Panama
Cabrera is county commissioner of District 6, which represents parts of Coral Gables, Hialeah and the City of Miami.
HealthWatch
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FDA wants new testing to detect asbestos in products with talc
The proposed rule is required under a law passed by Congress last year, and is intended to ensure the safety of makeup and baby powder.
Systane eye drops recalled due to potential fungal contamination
Fungal contamination of an eye product is known to potentially cause eye infections, which may be vision- or life-threatening, according to the FDA.
Is multitasking a myth? Here's what research shows.
Busy lives have many of us juggling multiple tasks at once, but is that really multitasking? Here's what expert Linda Stone has learned about the myth of multitasking.
Why some children are turning to GLP-1 drugs
A growing number of young people are receiving prescriptions for GLP-1 weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. Janet Shamlian examines why.
Pet food brand issues recall over bird flu contamination
A voluntary recall was issued for a line of raw and frozen pet food after a cat died of bird flu.
World
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What caused the Azerbaijan Airlines crash? Here's what we know so far.
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia all opened investigations into the cause of the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243.
Marc Fogel designated as "wrongfully detained" in Russia
Marc Fogel, a Pennsylvania man imprisoned in Russia, has been designated as "wrongfully detained," according to the U.S. Department of State.
Italian government says journalist detained in Iran
Italy's Foreign Ministry says it's trying to "clarify the legal situation of Cecilia Sala" more than a week after she was detained while reporting in Iran.
Former Suzuki Motors CEO Osamu Suzuki dies at 94
Osamu Suzuki, the charismatic former boss of Japanese mini-vehicle maker Suzuki Motor Corp., has died.
Scientists say people hit with 41 extra days of dangerous heat this year
Researchers say human-caused climate change dealt people an average of nearly six weeks of extra extreme heat in 2024, while also fueling more destructive storms.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Extended interview: Robert Eggers
Filmmaker Robert Eggers sits down with "CBS Saturday Morning" to discuss his adaption of the supernatural horror flick "Nosferatu," his passion for storytelling, what he'd like to tell superfans and more.
Cheyenne Grace topping the charts
Cheyenne Grace, a rising star from North Texas who is a high school student, is topping the iTunes charts with her debut holiday album, "Home for Christmas."
NFL doubleheader on Christmas Day sets streaming viewership records
Baltimore's victory over Houston averaged 24.3 million viewers, while Kansas City's win at Pittsburgh averaged 24.1 million, according to early viewer figures released by Nielsen.
Judge rules that accuser in rape suit against Jay-Z, Diddy can remain anonymous
A judge ruled that a woman who says she was raped by Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs when she was 13 can proceed anonymously, for now, in her lawsuit against the rap moguls.
"Baby Driver" actor Hudson Meek, 16, dies after falling from a moving vehicle
Hudson Meek, the 16-year-old actor known for his performance in the 2017 film "Baby Driver," died Dec. 21 in Alabama, authorities said.
Technology
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Technology
Trump seeks pause of possible TikTok ban
President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court Friday to pause a potential U.S. ban on TikTok from taking effect. In his brief, he said he said he wants to delay the ban in order to give time for his incoming administration to "pursue a negotiated resolution."
ChatGPT recovers after being hit by outages, OpenAI says
The OpenAI issue was caused by an "upstream provider," according to the artificial intelligence organization.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
AI features dominating tech heading into 2025
New artificial intelligence features appeared across the tech landscape this year, from the latest iPhone to chatbots like Google's Gemini. Adam Auriemma, the editor-in-chief at CNET, joins CBS News 24/7 with more.
Researchers develop robot to help people walk
A robotic exosuit may seem like science fiction, but a team of South Korean researchers is turning the concept into reality. CBS News' Leah Mishkin explains how the new tech is helping people with disabilities walk on their own.
Science
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Science
California's mandatory clothing recycling program
Americans throw away billions of pounds of used clothes every year. But now, California is the first state to hold textile companies responsible for their products from start to finish. CBS News' Danya Bacchus explains.
These space missions will take off in 2025
Space agencies worldwide are gearing up missions in 2025 to expand humanity's horizons, from the moon and Mars to asteroids and beyond.
Orca who carried her dead calf for 17 days has a new baby
Tahlequah has a newborn girl, years after she made headlines for carrying her dead calf for 17 days.
2,600-year-old shipwreck is raised from waters off Spain
An ancient shipwreck that dates back to the 7th century B.C.E. has been removed from waters off Spain, two decades after its discovery in 1994.
What to know about the winter solstice, 2024's shortest day
The 2024 winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, happens on Saturday, Dec. 21, and is marked with traditions and celebrations around the world.
Crime
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Crime
Man indicted in NYC subway burned woman case
A man accused of setting a woman on fire in a New York City subway train has now been indicted on state murder charges. CBS News New York reporter Hannah Kliger has more.
Activists on woman burned alive in NYC
Medical examiners are using DNA evidence in hopes of identifying the woman who was burned alive on a New York City subway. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson has more. Plus, more details on allegations against music mogul Jay-Z.
Tennessee to introduce a new lethal injection method
More than 2 years after Tennessee abruptly halted the execution of Oscar Smith, the state announced a new lethal injection method.
Dozen skeletons found in hidden graves in Mexico near U.S. border
Authorities have found 12 skeletons buried in clandestine graves in Mexico's northern Chihuahua state near the U.S. border, officials say.
Man accused of burning woman on subway indicted for murder, arson
A grand jury has indicted the man accused of setting a woman on fire aboard a Brooklyn subway train, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez announced Friday.
Space
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NASA spacecraft safe after historic closest-ever approach to sun
NASA's Parker Solar Probe hurtled through the sizzling solar atmosphere and passed within a record-breaking 3.8 million miles of the sun's surface.
These space missions will take off in 2025
Space agencies worldwide are gearing up missions in 2025 to expand humanity's horizons, from the moon and Mars to asteroids and beyond.
Discovery of "tipped over" black hole surprises NASA scientists
New analysis techniques and decades-old research helped NASA scientists identify an unusual black hole in a distant galaxy.
Why are the Boeing Starliner astronauts stuck in space?
Here's why NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are stuck, but not stranded, at the International Space Station after launching into space in June.
NASA delayes return date for astronauts
NASA has delayed the return date for Boeing's Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. CBS News' Manuel Bojorquez reports on the decision to keep the two in space.
Latest Galleries
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Notable Deaths in 2024
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
The Scott Peterson case: New evidence?
Peterson's death sentence for the murder of his pregnant wife Laci has been overturned. Now his supporters are pushing for a complete retrial.
The troubled marriage of Ashley and Doug Benefield
The seesaw marriage between the former ballerina and her much older husband only lasted four years, until she shot him on Sept. 27, 2020.
Texas couple investigates teen daughter's unusual death
Cayley Mandadi's mother and stepfather go to extreme lengths to prove her death was no accident.
Serial killer Rodney Alcala's secret photos
See some of convicted serial killer Rodney Alcala's photographs that were discovered by detectives in a Seattle storage locker.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
Trump seeks pause of possible TikTok ban
President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court Friday to pause a potential U.S. ban on TikTok from taking effect. In his brief, he said he said he wants to delay the ban in order to give time for his incoming administration to "pursue a negotiated resolution."
Babies dying of hypothermia in Gaza hospitals
Houthi rebels in Yemen say an airstrike hit the capital Sana'a after the Iran-backed group claimed to have attacked Israel. Both sides have increased fighting in recent days. Meanwhile, a new front has opened up in the war in Gaza — a battle of the elements. Holly Williams reports.
Congress on edge over rampant "swatting" incidents
A new Congress is set to be sworn into office next week, ending a tumultuous campaign year. For those who hoped the end of the election would break the fever of politically violent threats and rhetoric, there are new signs the opposite has happened. Scott MacFarlane reports on a surge in bomb threats and so-called "swatting" attacks on elected officials.
Homelessness surged a record 18% in 2024
Homelessness in the U.S. jumped 18.1% this year, hitting a record level, with the dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing and devastating natural disasters, officials say. Lilia Luciano has the story.
Speculation over Russia's role in plane crash
Speculation is mounting that Russia's military could have had a role in the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash that killed 38 people and left 29 survivors injured in Kazakhstan on Christmas Day. Moscow initially suggested a bird strike was to blame.