Japan: Crippled nuke plant stable by year's end
Temperatures of melted reactor cores at tsunami-hit plant now below boiling point and radiation leaks subsided, PM says
Disaster In Japan
Ex-head of Fukushima nuke plant has cancer
The former chief of the tsunami-ravged Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan has been diagnosed with cancer. Betty Nguyen reports.
Sobering aerial view of Japan's tsunami zone
Devastated region shows striking progress in debris removal but few signs of rebuilding
Ripken visits Japanese youth in tsunami-hit area
Hall of Famer who earned nickname "Iron Man" takes message of hope, perseverance to kids affected by quake and tsunami
Mountains curbed spread of radiation in Japan
Researchers map radioactive contamination from disaster at Fukushima nuclear plant; Central mountains halted westward spread
Reporters get first tour of Fukushima plant
Eight months after the meltdown, a group of reporters got the first close-up tour of the devastated Fukushima nuclear plant. Lucy Craft reports on the tour and what lies ahead for the plant.
Media's 1st look inside Japan nuke plant
Reporters tour crippled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant for first time since devastating earthquake, tsunami
First look inside Fukushima nuclear plant
Reporters tour the crippled nuclear station seven months after devastating earthquake, tsunami
Japan's disaster led to powerful love reactions
Both marriages and divorces appear to be on the rise in Japan after this year's earthquake and tsunami ravaged the country
After Japan quake, divorce more popular: survey
A recent survey reveals that more Japanese men and women in Japan are considering divorce in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country.
Japan's new crisis: Radioactive waste disposal
Country lacks comprehensive plan for disposal of irradiated waste accumulating since devastating earthquake, tsunami
Japan grants stricken nuke co. $11B for cleanup
Cash-strapped TEPCO, whose Fukushima reactor hemorrhaged radiation after quake, will get preliminary installment of public cash
Okla. man helps Japanese islanders to fish again
Lucy Craft profiles Steven Whitney, an Oklahoma man who runs volunteer tours to a distressed Japanese island to help locals rebuild their lives and start fishing again.
Sister cities after the tsunami
The March tsunami destroyed the Japanese town of Otsuchi, but not its bond to the town of Fort Bragg, CA, which is determined to help save its sister. Bob Simon reports.
Lanterns fly in Japan to honor Tsunami victims
Hundreds of lanterns were released in Japan's Fukushima Prefecture to mark the half-year anniversary of the massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country. The ceremony was held only 24 miles from the radiation-leaking Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
VIDEOS: 8.9 magnitude earthquake in Japan
The latest amateur videos from YouTube and other sources in the continuing coverage from the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan
Japan's tsunami: Six months later
Almost six months after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Lucy Craft takes a look back at the sense of civic cooperation that helped Japanese victims survive.
Japan: Seniors offer themselves for nuke work
Retired senior citizens in Japan are signing up for work at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant - stepping up to replace younger people to shoulder some of the burden of the cleanup in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the nation. CBS News correspondent Lucy Craft reports.
Japan still wrestling with nuclear crisis
The Japanese government has loosened safety limits on radiation exposure in the Fukushima region, claiming its residents face no additional risk. But many experts believe that Fukushima is no longer safe - particularly for children. Lucy Craft reports.
Thousands work to clean up Fukushima plant
For the nearly two thousand workers trying to clean up Japan's crippled nuclear power plant in Fukushima, lending a helping hand is a highly personal mission. Lucy Craft reports.
Relief funds not reaching Japan's victims
In the 100 days since the disastrous earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, only a fraction of almost $3 billion in Red Cross relief funds has reached the many in need. Lucy Craft reports.
100 days since Japan quake
It was 100 days ago that the deadly earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. More than 100,000 citizens there are still without a permanent home. Lucy Craft reports on what life is like for those living in a homeless shelter in Kazo, Japan.
Tokyo begins radiation checks in public parks
Safety officials in Tokyo have begun radiation checks in public places, including playgrounds and parks. Jeff Glor reports.
Floodwaters rising in northeast Japan
Heavy rain and high tides caused floodwaters to rise in northeast Japan, an area that was hit hard by the large earthquake and tsunami. Jeff Glor reports.
Japan's earthquake, tsunami cleanup continues
Months after the devastating earthquake and tsunami, Japan is still struggling to clear the debris. Lucy Craft reports on the latest details in the country's cleanup effort.
World
German authorities had received tipoffs about Christmas market attack suspect
Police in Magdeburg, Germany, said Sunday that those who died were four women aged 45, 52, 67 and 75, as well as a 9-year-old boy.
2 U.S. Navy pilots eject safely when jet shot down by likely "friendly fire"
An F/A-18 fighter jet was "mistakenly fired on" by the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, authorities said.
Pope Francis tells Vatican staff to stop gossiping in Christmas speech
Pope Francis has told Vatican bureaucrats to stop speaking ill of one another, calling gossip "an evil that destroys social life."
At least 38 dead after crash between a passenger bus and a truck in Brazil
In 2024, more than 10,000 people died in traffic accidents in Brazil, according to the Ministry of Transportation.
Rocket from Yemen strikes Tel Aviv, injuring 16 people
Inside Gaza, mourners held funerals for 19 people, 12 of them children, killed in Israeli strikes.
What we know about suspect in Christmas market attack in Germany
The suspect, identified by local media as 50-year-old Taleb A., was arrested after plowing a black BMW into a Christmas market.
10 dead after stampede at a Christmas charity event in Nigeria
The stampede occurred in the early morning at a church in Nigeria, prompting evacuations at the church.
8 convicted of terrorism charges in teacher's 2020 beheading in France
Samuel Paty was killed by an Islamic extremist outside his school, days after showing his class cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad during a debate on free expression.
Death toll in attack at German Christmas market rises to 5; 200 injured
Police say the driver is under arrest after plowing into the crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, killing at least five people - including a 9-year-old - and injuring 200 others.
U.S.
More U.S.
Why drone hysteria has taken off
Alleged drone sightings have been multiplying exponentially, with more than 5,000 reported in the past few weeks. But experts say the majority of reports about unusual lights in the sky are probably anything but drones.
Poll: Most Americans think government is hiding information about drones
Over half of Americans see the drones that have been spotted over the East Coast as a threat to the U.S.
Americans more hopeful about 2025 than they were for 2024 — CBS News poll
Trump's election is a big part of the positive outlook, especially for Republicans.
Kari Lake says she has no intention of turning Voice of America into "Trump TV"
Kari Lake, a former broadcast journalist who unsuccessfully ran for governor and for a U.S. Senate seat in Arizona, is President-elect Donald Trump's selection to lead Voice of America.
Who killed JonBenét Ramsey? Her dad believes DNA could reveal killer
A look back at how "48 Hours" covered the 1996 Christmastime murder of JonBenét Ramsey in 2002, and what her father John Ramsey says about the unsolved Colorado case nearly 28 years later.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
Party City files for bankruptcy, a day after announcing mass layoffs
Party City informed employees in an email on Friday that it was conducting an immediate "mass layoff" at its headquarters.
Senate approves bill to expand Social Security to millions of Americans
Senators approve a bill to expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans, with President Biden expected to sign it into law.
How much more will it cost to heat your home this winter?
Here's what's driving up home heating costs, and how much families are expected to spend this winter.
IRS sending up to $1,400 to 1 million people. Here's who qualifies.
The IRS said it's sending out checks worth up to $1,400 to 1 million people. Here's what to know about the "special payments."
Feds sue Zelle, alleging nation's biggest banks failed to stop fraud
Government watchdog claims Americans lost hundreds of millions to fraud related to the bank-operated mobile payments network.
Politics
More Politics
Transcript: Alejandro Mayorkas on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Dec. 22, 2024
The following is the full transcript of an interview with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that aired on Dec. 22, 2024.
Poll: Most Americans think government is hiding information about drones
Over half of Americans see the drones that have been spotted over the East Coast as a threat to the U.S.
Americans more hopeful about 2025 than they were for 2024 — CBS News poll
Trump's election is a big part of the positive outlook, especially for Republicans.
Kari Lake says she has no intention of turning Voice of America into "Trump TV"
Kari Lake, a former broadcast journalist who unsuccessfully ran for governor and for a U.S. Senate seat in Arizona, is President-elect Donald Trump's selection to lead Voice of America.
Lara Trump won't pursue Rubio's Florida Senate seat, she says
Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, says she's removing herself from consideration for Marco Rubio's Senate seat.
HealthWatch
More HealthWatch
HealthWatch
CDC releases concerning new flu numbers
Thirteen states reported "high" or "very high" levels of flu-like illness last week, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's double the number of states from the week before. Ali Bauman reports.
A teen's misdiagnosis led to medication, but surgery led to a cure
Isaac Klapper was 10 years old when he started having episodes of what doctors initially thought was a movement disorder.
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.
Stuffing stockings with skincare? Here's what kids should and shouldn't be using
Skin care is all the rage for teens and tweens these days, but be careful not to give products that could cause more harm than good.
He went in for a colonoscopy. The hospital charged $19,000 for two.
A Chicago man was stuck with a big medical bill after undergoing a colonoscopy that found no evidence of cancer. Here's why.
World
More World
German authorities had received tipoffs about Christmas market attack suspect
Police in Magdeburg, Germany, said Sunday that those who died were four women aged 45, 52, 67 and 75, as well as a 9-year-old boy.
2 U.S. Navy pilots eject safely when jet shot down by likely "friendly fire"
An F/A-18 fighter jet was "mistakenly fired on" by the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, authorities said.
Pope Francis tells Vatican staff to stop gossiping in Christmas speech
Pope Francis has told Vatican bureaucrats to stop speaking ill of one another, calling gossip "an evil that destroys social life."
At least 38 dead after crash between a passenger bus and a truck in Brazil
In 2024, more than 10,000 people died in traffic accidents in Brazil, according to the Ministry of Transportation.
Rocket from Yemen strikes Tel Aviv, injuring 16 people
Inside Gaza, mourners held funerals for 19 people, 12 of them children, killed in Israeli strikes.
Entertainment
More Entertainment
Werner Herzog keeps working, predicts: "You'll have to carry me out from a set feet first"
The visionary director talks about his recent memoir, "Every Man for Himself and God Against All"; the epic making of his 1982 classic, "Fitzcarraldo"; and why he likes playing villains.
Director Werner Herzog on filming the extreme
Visionary filmmaker Werner Herzog has made more than 20 features and more than 30 documentaries. But it wasn't movies that prompted the German-born director to move to Los Angeles; it was love. He talks with Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz about his recent memoir, "Every Man for Himself and God Against All"; about the epic making of his 1982 classic, "Fitzcarraldo"; and why he enjoys acting – when he gets to play the villain.
The story of Handel's "Messiah"
Since its premiere in 1742, George Frideric Handel's 3.5-hour oratorio for chorus, soloists and orchestra has become a timeless message of hope, and a Christmas tradition.
The story of Handel's "Messiah"
Since its premiere in 1742, George Frideric Handel's "Messiah," a 3.5-hour work for chorus, soloists and orchestra that includes the "Hallelujah Chorus," has become one of the most-heard pieces of classical music on Earth. Correspondent David Pogue looks back on the creation of this masterwork with author Charles King and conductor-musicologist Jane Glover, and examines how Biblical passages assembled by a wealthy English landowner suffering from doom and despair would, in the hands of the German-British opera composer, become a timeless message of hope, and a Christmas tradition.
Blake Lively accuses co-star of sexual harassment
Hollywood star Blake Lively is accusing her "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment in a new lawsuit. His attorney has denied the allegations.
Technology
More Technology
Why drone hysteria has taken off
Alleged drone sightings have been multiplying exponentially, with more than 5,000 reported in the past few weeks. But experts say the majority of reports about unusual lights in the sky are probably anything but drones.
Why drone hysteria has taken off
By most accounts, alleged drone sightings have been multiplying exponentially, with more than 5,000 reported in just the past few weeks. But experts say the majority of reports about unusual lights in the sky are probably anything but drones. Correspondent Tom Hanson reports.
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.
Supreme Court agrees to hear case about TikTok ban
The Supreme Court said Wednesday it will hear an appeal from TikTok over a federal law that would ban the social media giant if it is not sold by its Chinese parent company. Jan Crawford has more.
Teen victim of deepfake porn urges Congress to pass "Take It Down Act"
Elliston Berry's life was turned upside down after a photo she posted on Instagram was digitally altered online to be pornographic.
Science
More Science
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.
Crime
More Crime
Who killed JonBenét Ramsey? Her dad believes DNA could reveal killer
A look back at how "48 Hours" covered the 1996 Christmastime murder of JonBenét Ramsey in 2002, and what her father John Ramsey says about the unsolved Colorado case nearly 28 years later.
Will convicted wife killer Scott Peterson get a new trial?
After California man's death sentence is overturned, there's a renewed push to clear him.
Several hurt after driver plows through Texas mall; suspect killed by police
The suspect drove through the doors of a JCPenny in Killeen, Texas, and continued inside for "several hundred yards," an official said.
CEO killing sparks concerns about extremism
Luigi Mangione, now held in a New York City lock-up, could face the death penalty if convicted of the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The killing is sparking new concerns about violent extremism bubbling across the country.
Dozens injured in Germany Christmas market attack
At least two people are dead and dozens more injured after a vehicle plowed into a crowd at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. Authorities say the driver of the car was arrested and that it appears to be a deliberate attack. Elaine Cobbe has details.
Space
More Space
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.
NASA leader weighs in on Elon Musk, SpaceX and plans for moon rocket
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says he's optimistic the Trump administration will support the space agency's agenda.
Boeing Starliner crew's return delayed again
Two astronauts who have been stuck in space since June will have to wait until at least the end of March to come home after NASA on Wednesday again pushed back their return date. Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer for the Franklin Institute, joined CBS News to discuss what's causing the delays.
Latest Galleries
More Latest Galleries
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.
Summer music heats up 2024
Live performances are in full swing this summer. Scroll through our concert gallery, featuring pictures by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
Passage: In memoriam
"Sunday Morning" remembers some of the notable figures who left us this week, including Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, nicknamed "Man of Steal," who became the all-time record holder for stolen bases.
Why drone hysteria has taken off
By most accounts, alleged drone sightings have been multiplying exponentially, with more than 5,000 reported in just the past few weeks. But experts say the majority of reports about unusual lights in the sky are probably anything but drones. Correspondent Tom Hanson reports.
Director Werner Herzog on filming the extreme
Visionary filmmaker Werner Herzog has made more than 20 features and more than 30 documentaries. But it wasn't movies that prompted the German-born director to move to Los Angeles; it was love. He talks with Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz about his recent memoir, "Every Man for Himself and God Against All"; about the epic making of his 1982 classic, "Fitzcarraldo"; and why he enjoys acting – when he gets to play the villain.
In Asheville, N.C., gingerbread houses reflect community spirit
For more than three decades, Asheville, North Carolina, has hosted the National Gingerbread Contest, a celebration of Christmas, creativity and carbohydrates. The flooding brought by Hurricane Helene this past fall cancelled the contest, but what had been a destination event for bakers and spectators has become an ad hoc celebration of Asheville. Forty-one gingerbread creations have been placed around town to help bring holiday cheer (as well as attract donations and tourist dollars) to the struggling city. Correspondent Conor Knight reports.
Almanac: December 22
"Sunday Morning" looks back at historical events on this date.