What's behind the surge in gold and silver prices?
Analysts point to rising geopolitical tensions and softer monetary policy as driving the year-end surge.
Gold Mining
Gold rush could bring open pit mines to Black Hills in South Dakota
Miners want to return to the treasured landscape, promising an economic boost while raising fears of how modern gold extraction could forever change the region.
What lies 2 miles below Earth's surface?
A South African gold mine that goes 2 miles beneath the Earth's surface holds far more than just precious metals. Bill Whitaker reports.
What lies two miles below Earth's surface?
A South African gold mine that goes two miles beneath the Earth's surface holds far more than just precious metals. Bill Whitaker reports.
What lies 2 miles below Earth's surface?
A South African gold mine that goes two miles beneath the Earth's surface holds far more than just precious metals.
New process for mining electronic waste could be a gold mine
Easier and cheaper extraction of gold from old tech could boost the financial incentive to safely recycle, and keep toxic metals out of landfills.
New method mines gold from electronic waste
A United Nations report found that in 2022, the world generated more than 60 million tons of electronic waste, like outdated cellphones and laptops. That's an 82% increase from just a decade before. Bradley Blackburn reports that the value hidden inside these gadgets could help solve the problem.
South Africa is trying to starve 4,000 miners out of an illegal mine
South Africa's government says it will let thousands of illegal miners starve until they accept their fate and emerge from an abandoned shaft to face arrest.
23 rescued from old Colorado gold mine
In Colorado, 23 people were rescued after an elevator malfunction at an old gold mine. Eleven visitors were first brought out of the mine while the remaining 12 trapped 1,000 feet underground were rescued six hours later. One person was killed and four others were injured while visiting the attraction.
2nd largest diamond ever pulled from a mine, Botswana officials say
Botswana's government says a 2,492-carat diamond pulled from the Karowe Mine is the biggest ever found in the country.
U.K. Royal Mint mining gold from e-waste
The U.K.'s official coinmaker is aiming to reduce its reliance on traditional mining and encourage more sustainable practices by extracting gold from electronic waste. Kamal Afzali reports.
Researchers unearth "pot of gold" of Persian coins in Turkey
The team of archaeologists found the stash of Persian coins, alongside other artifacts, in a small pot buried under a large house in the center of the ancient Greek city of Notion.
Afghan diplomat accused of smuggling gold into India resigns
Zakia Wardak, Afghanistan's top diplomat in India, announced her resignation after reportedly being stopped at an airport with the gold cache.
Apple threatened with legal action over use of alleged "blood minerals"
The Democratic Republic of Congo has given Apple weeks to answer questions about how it ensures key components in its tech are ethically and legally sourced.
Why are gold prices suddenly rising?
The buying price of gold futures has hit multiple record highs this year, rising more than 14% in value since Jan. 2. Campbell Harvey, professor of finance at Duke University, joins CBS News to explain what's motivating buyers.
13 workers in collapsed gold mine declared dead in Russia
About 200 rescuers used powerful pumps to try to take out water that flooded the mine, posing a challenge to the salvage operation.
Dozens of people reportedly buried by pit mine collapse in Venezuela
A local journalist in Venezuela says an apparent wall collapse in pit gold mine has left more than 100 people buried.
Why U.S. is reinstating Venezuela sanctions
Venezuela's top court is blocking opposition leader María Corina Machado from holding public office, which has led the U.S. to reinstate sanctions against its state-owned gold-mining company and the country's oil and gas sector. Eric Martin, a Bloomberg Business international economics reporter, joins CBS News with a look at the sanctions.
Live
Iran war's "core strategic objectives are nearing completion," Trump says
Trump says he expects the U.S. war with Iran to end within several weeks despite unrelenting attacks from both sides and Iran's iron grip on the Strait of Hormuz.
Artemis II crew begins "crazy first day" in space after exhilarating launch
NASA's Artemis II astronauts will spend about 24 hours orbiting the Earth and running checks on their spacecraft and life support systems before heading to the moon.
Trump says Iran war will wrap up "very shortly," but warns of more strikes in coming weeks
President Trump predicted in a prime-time address that the U.S. will complete its military mission in Iran "very shortly," and said U.S. forces have achieved "overwhelming victories," but he did not offer a definitive timeline.
Supreme Court casts doubt on Trump's order to end birthright citizenship
The Supreme Court on Wednesday appeared open to invalidating President Trump's executive order that would end birthright citizenship.
Trump, GOP leaders unveil plan to end DHS shutdown
GOP leaders unveiled a plan to end DHS shutdown, mirroring a framework that the Senate pursued last week before it was quickly batted down by House Republicans.
Federal government appealing order releasing 5-year-old from immigration custody
The federal government may try to send 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos back to detention.
A COVID variant called "Cicada" is spreading. Here's what to know.
The COVID-19 variant BA.3.2, nicknamed "Cicada," has been detected in at least 23 countries and half the states in the U.S.
DNC and top Democratic leaders sue Trump over mail-in voting executive order
A coalition of major Democratic groups sued the Trump administration, seeking to strike down an executive order that would exert more federal influence over mail-in voting — including by creating lists of citizens who are eligible to vote.
Exclusive
DHS scraps Noem policy requiring secretary's review of all contracts above $100K
The Noem policy meant the secretary was required to personally sign off on thousands of DHS contracts.
U.S.
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Artemis II crew begins "crazy first day" in space after exhilarating launch
NASA's Artemis II astronauts will spend about 24 hours orbiting the Earth and running checks on their spacecraft and life support systems before heading to the moon.
Americans say this is their "magic number" to retire comfortably
Most people fall far short of the savings they say they will need to maintain their standard of living in retirement, data shows.
Ted Bundy's DNA linked to death of Utah teen in 1974, sheriff's office says
Bundy's full DNA profiled was entered into the FBI's national database, giving investigators a shot at solving potential cases linked to Bundy.
How high could oil and gas prices go if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed?
"The scary scenarios are, unfortunately, extremely plausible" if the critical Persian Gulf waterway stays effectively sealed, economist Paul Krugman said.
Trump says Iran war will wrap up "very shortly," but warns of more strikes in coming weeks
President Trump predicted in a prime-time address that the U.S. will complete its military mission in Iran "very shortly," and said U.S. forces have achieved "overwhelming victories," but he did not offer a definitive timeline.
MoneyWatch
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Americans say this is their "magic number" to retire comfortably
Most people fall far short of the savings they say they will need to maintain their standard of living in retirement, data shows.
How high could oil and gas prices go if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed?
"The scary scenarios are, unfortunately, extremely plausible" if the critical Persian Gulf waterway stays effectively sealed, economist Paul Krugman said.
Elon Musk's SpaceX files confidential initial public offering
The Texas-based company could go public with a valuation of more than $1.75 trillion, making it the largest IPO in history.
Will the Iran war slow U.S. hiring? Economists say risks are rising.
With oil prices rising and hiring already slowing, economists warn the Iran war could further weigh on U.S. job growth.
Hershey says it will shift back to classic Reese's recipe after backlash
Hershey said Wednesday it will use classic recipes for all Reese's products starting next year, after getting criticism for changing the popular treats.
Politics
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DNC and top Democratic leaders sue Trump over mail-in voting executive order
A coalition of major Democratic groups sued the Trump administration, seeking to strike down an executive order that would exert more federal influence over mail-in voting — including by creating lists of citizens who are eligible to vote.
Trump admin. lifts sanctions on Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela's acting president
The Trump administration has lifted sanctions on Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez, according to the Treasury Department, as the U.S. seeks to rebuild ties with the Venezuelan government.
Federal government appealing order releasing 5-year-old from immigration custody
The federal government may try to send 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos back to detention.
State Department overhauls Foreign Service Officer Test
The State Department announced Wednesday that it is modifying the Foreign Service Officer Test to reflect the foreign policy goals of the Trump administration.
Trump says Iran war will wrap up "very shortly," but warns of more strikes in coming weeks
President Trump predicted in a prime-time address that the U.S. will complete its military mission in Iran "very shortly," and said U.S. forces have achieved "overwhelming victories," but he did not offer a definitive timeline.
HealthWatch
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HealthWatch
FDA approves Eli Lilly weight loss pill
The FDA approved a new GLP-1 drug from Eli Lilly. Dr. Jon LaPook breaks it down.
A COVID variant called "Cicada" is spreading. Here's what to know.
The COVID-19 variant BA.3.2, nicknamed "Cicada," has been detected in at least 23 countries and half the states in the U.S.
State health plan for foster kids threatened 8-year-old's cancer care
North Carolina and other states have insurance plans for kids in foster care, but many doctors did not accept patients on the plans, leaving kids' guardians scrambling to find health care providers.
States pay contractors millions to comply with Trump law to cut Medicaid rolls
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will add red tape and restrictions for those seeking Medicaid and SNAP benefits. And the costs to update computer systems that determine eligibility for those programs will be steep.
Hockey player diagnosed with Stage IV cancer at 26: "It was surreal"
David Lyon is one of the rising number of young adults to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
World
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Magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Indonesia's Molucca Sea sets off small tsunami
Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 280 million people, sits on major seismic faults and is frequently hit by earthquakes.
Trump admin. lifts sanctions on Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela's acting president
The Trump administration has lifted sanctions on Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez, according to the Treasury Department, as the U.S. seeks to rebuild ties with the Venezuelan government.
Trump says Iran war will wrap up "very shortly," but warns of more strikes in coming weeks
President Trump predicted in a prime-time address that the U.S. will complete its military mission in Iran "very shortly," and said U.S. forces have achieved "overwhelming victories," but he did not offer a definitive timeline.
Activist ship's collision with krill trawler called "deliberate attack"
A video shows the moment when the M/V Bandero, operated by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, steams toward the stern of the fishing vessel.
Exclusive
U.S. commandos in Ecuador for mission targeting alleged narco-terrorists
American commandos joined Ecuadorian troops in a joint mission aimed at dismantling a suspected criminal hub along the country's coast.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Kenan Thompson on new children's book
Actor and comedian Kenan Thompson joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss his new children's book, "Unfunny Bunny."
Crew that flew Apache helicopters near Kid Rock's house suspended
Kid Rock posted videos of the helicopters hovering by his Nashville home on social media over the weekend. The Army later confirmed the helicopters were on a training mission.
Taylor Swift sued for trademark infringement
Taylor Swift is being sued by Las Vegas performer Maren Wade who has accused the superstar of trademark infringement over her latest album, "The Life of a Showgirl." Wade is the creator of the "Confessions of a Showgirl" podcast, which started as a column in 2014.
Sharon Stone talks new season of "Euphoria"
Sharon Stone reflected on her legendary career as she discussed joining the cast of "Euphoria," working with the show's creator, Sam Levinson, and how she has advocated for women in the entertainment industry.
Taylor Swift sued for trademark infringement over "The Life of a Showgirl"
A Las Vegas performer has sued Taylor Swift over the title of her hit album "The Life of a Showgirl," alleging it violates the performer's trademark.
Technology
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Technology
New film on risks and rewards of AI
"CBS Mornings" sits down with Tristan Harris, co-founder and president of the Center for Humane Technology, who is featured in the 2026 documentary, "The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist."
Inside Apple's relationship with China
CBS News contributor Patrick McGee joins "The Daily Report" to discuss the codependent relationship between Apple and China, a country that manufactures hundreds of millions of iPhones every year.
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.
Jamie Dimon: JPMorgan could offer prediction market services to investors
The JPMorgan Chase CEO said the bank may one day introduce prediction market features, but said "there's a bunch of stuff we won't do" in that space.
Company tries to make flying car of the future
Many have dreamed of a future with flying cars, eliminating traffic on the morning commute. One company is trying to make that dream a reality. Itay Hod reports.
Science
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Artemis II crew begins "crazy first day" in space after exhilarating launch
NASA's Artemis II astronauts will spend about 24 hours orbiting the Earth and running checks on their spacecraft and life support systems before heading to the moon.
Artemis II launches into orbit as NASA begins historic moon mission
NASA's Artemis II astronauts launched on a nine-and-a-half-day mission around the moon and back.
Snowy owl, cheetah among 40 species granted international protection
According to a recent report, nearly one in four species catalogued by the CMS are threatened with extinction on a worldwide scale.
Everything to know about NASA's Artemis II moon mission
NASA is poised to launch four astronauts on a historic nine-day trip around the moon and back. Here's everything to know about the Artemis II mission.
Arctic sea ice hits lowest winter level as heat records are shattered worldwide
Arctic sea ice levels are crucial to Earth's climate because, without the ice reflecting sunlight, more heat energy goes into the oceans.
Crime
More Crime
Ted Bundy's DNA linked to death of Utah teen in 1974, sheriff's office says
Bundy's full DNA profiled was entered into the FBI's national database, giving investigators a shot at solving potential cases linked to Bundy.
Baby in stroller killed in apparent stray-bullet shooting in Brooklyn
A child was being pushed in a stroller at Moore and Humboldt streets in East Williamsburg on Wednesday when she suffered a gunshot wound to the head, police said.
Kentucky Powerball winner arrested again
James Farthing, who won the $167.3 million Powerball jackpot last April, was arrested for a third time since collecting his grand prize. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.
Son of Hawaii doctor testifies at trial
The son of a Maui doctor testified that his father confessed to him over FaceTime to trying to kill his stepmother, Arielle Konig, on a hike last year. Prosecutors allege Gerhardt Konig tried to push his wife off a cliff, attempted to inject her with a syringe and hit her in the head with a rock.
Luigi Mangione lawyers seek to postpone trial
Lawyers for Luigi Mangione, the man charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, are seeking to postpone his federal murder trial. CBS News' Lilia Luciano reports.
Space
More Space
Artemis II crew begins "crazy first day" in space after exhilarating launch
NASA's Artemis II astronauts will spend about 24 hours orbiting the Earth and running checks on their spacecraft and life support systems before heading to the moon.
Artemis II launches into orbit as NASA begins historic moon mission
NASA's Artemis II astronauts launched on a nine-and-a-half-day mission around the moon and back.
How to watch the Artemis II launch
As launch time approaches for NASA's first moonshot in more than half a century, anticipation is building for the Artemis II mission. Here's how to watch today's liftoff.
Smooth countdown continues for Artemis II moon mission
Forecasters continue to predict an 80% chance of favorable weather on Wednesday for the launch of four astronauts on a flight to the moon.
Countdown begins for long-awaited Artemis II moon mission
Countdown clocks began ticking Monday, setting the stage for launch of the Artemis II moon mission early Wednesday evening.
Latest Galleries
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Notable Deaths in 2026
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Evidence in the Barbara Kendhammer case
Does the evidence show a cover-up, or was Todd Kendhammer wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife?
The life & near death of prizefighter Christy Salters-Martin
Christy Salters-Martin dominated in the boxing ring but faced her toughest challenger at home.
Timeline: The disappearance of George Smith
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Who is Alix Tichelman?
Meet the tattooed beauty charged in the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Latest CBS News Videos
CBS News studio shakes as Artemis II launches
Four astronauts are traveling around the moon on Artemis II, going further from Earth than anyone before. CBS News' Mark Strassmann and Peter King have more.
Takeaways from Trump's Iran war address
President Trump addressed the nation about the Iran war Wednesday night, saying that the U.S. would complete its mission there "very shortly." CBS News' Ed O'Keefe remarks on the president's remarks and J.D. Simkins, editor-in-chief of the Military Times and Defense News, joins with analysis.
FDA approves Eli Lilly weight loss pill
The FDA approved a new GLP-1 drug from Eli Lilly. Dr. Jon LaPook breaks it down.
Trump addresses nation on Iran
President Trump addressed the nation Wednesday night about the Iran war. Tony Dokoupil anchored CBS News' special report.
Trump addresses U.S. on Iran war
President Trump sought to assure Americans that the conflict with Iran would be brief compared to other wars in U.S. history and insisted that gas prices would go down quickly. Nancy Cordes reports.