"Magical" waves with a "beautiful blue glow" seen in California
The "awe-inspiring, wondrous" sight could come at a cost to marine life.
Pacific Ocean
U.S., Japan and Australia to hold joint drills as tensions rise
The drills will be conducted as tensions continue to mount in the South China Sea following Russian and Chinese military activity in the region.
Tracking Hurricane Hilary's path
A rare hurricane in the Pacific could hit California in the coming days. Hurricane Hilary is currently churning a few hundred miles off Mexico's coast. CBS News senior weather and climate producer David Parkinson breaks down the storm's predicted path.
Rescued baby walrus getting "round-the-clock" cuddles dies in Alaska
The Pacific walrus calf, believed to be roughly a month old, was found alone in Alaska, miles from the ocean.
Lost baby walrus is getting "round-the-clock" cuddles in rescue attempt
A baby walrus was found alone in Alaska with little hope for survival. Now, in a rare and "exceptional" rescue attempt, he's being raised with 24/7 cuddles.
Man recovering after 2 months lost at sea with dog on damaged boat
Tim Shaddock told Australian TV he just needed "rest and good food, because I have been alone at sea a long time," after he was spotted by a helicopter.
"Ultra rare" pod of endangered sperm whales spotted in California
"This is something that might happen once a year if you are lucky," the marine tour company that saw the sperm whale trio said.
El Niño is officially here
El Niño's return could bring much more rain to Southern California later this year and drier conditions in the Pacific Northwest.
Scientists discover about 5,000 species in future Pacific mining zone
About 5,000 new species were discovered in a region of the Pacific Ocean set to be mined by companies looking for copper, nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese and other rare earth elements.
Has China's aggression convinced Japan to abandon its pacifist roots?
As Biden heads for a G7 meeting in Hiroshima, Japan looks poised to put its WWII history behind and become a modern military power, but are its people ready?
Largest-ever "narco sub" found off Colombia
The largest-ever Colombian "narco sub" was intercepted in the Pacific Ocean, with 3 tons of cocaine found on board, authorities say.
Australia marks Anzac Day with a wary eye on China
As Australia and New Zealand reflect on the cost of wars gone by, leaders urge a rapid embrace of new military tech in the face of China's own buildup.
Russia's entire Pacific Fleet put on high alert for practice missile launches
The drills will also involve nuclear-capable strategic bombers and other warplanes besides the naval aviation of the Pacific Fleet, Moscow said.
El Niño watch issued by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center
Climate scientists estimate the warm weather pattern could begin to develop as early as May.
"World's deepest fish" caught on camera — 27,000 feet below the surface
Scientists set world records for the deepest fish ever recorded on video, as well as the deepest catch, while exploring trenches off Japan.
Whale without a tail spotted near California
A gray whale with a missing tail was spotted off the coast of California, whale watchers say. The whale was swimming at a normal pace – about 3 miles per hour – near Newport Beach, meaning it has adapted to be able to swim without its tail.
Giant Pacific octopus rescued
A giant Pacific octopus was kept alive by park employees and returned to sea after it was found stranded on a shore in Washington by a 10-year-old girl.
Colombia finds 2 bodies, cocaine on submarine
A submarine with two dead bodies and more than $87 million worth of cocaine was seized in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Colombia. CBS News' Errol Barnett reports.
Submarine with 2 bodies, 3 tons of cocaine seized in the Pacific Ocean
Almost 5,800 pounds of cocaine, worth more than $87 million, was found on board the roughly 50-foot-long submarine, officials said.
Coast Guard seizes $165 million worth of cocaine
A "narco sub" carrying 12,000 pounds of cocaine worth more than $165 million has been seized by the U.S. Coast Guard. The 40-foot-long vessel was heading toward the U.S. earlier this month when it was captured in the Pacific Ocean.
Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband found guilty in mass rape trial in France
A judge sentenced him to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her for years and inviting dozens of other men to do the same.
Wisconsin shooter was in contact with California man plotting his own attack
A California judge issued a restraining order against a 20-year-old man who told FBI agents he'd been messaging with the Wisconsin shooter, authorities and court documents say.
House conservatives revolt over GOP-backed spending bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a revolt from fellow Republicans over a last-minute measure to keep the government funded and avoid a shutdown.
CEO murder suspect Luigi Mangione expected to waive extradition
An attorney for Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, says he will waive extradition at his hearing on Thursday.
Teamsters going on strike against Amazon at several locations nationwide
The union says workers at seven facilities will walk off the job this morning. It's an attempt to pressure the e-commerce giant for a labor agreement during the key holiday shopping period.
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.
Stock market plummets after Fed forecasts fewer rate cuts in 2025
The stock market is down sharply today after the Federal Reserve forecast fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than expected.
Senate set to vote on bill that would expand Social Security to millions
Senators advance bill that would expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans, including teachers, firefighters and others with public pensions.
Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Erin West, 42, and Rubi Vergara, 14, were fatally shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
U.S.
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O'Malley in bid for DNC chair says Democrats need to learn from "very bad loss"
Democrats elect a new party chair on Feb. 1, following the loss of the presidency and the Senate and the narrow failure to win the House in 2024.
Wisconsin shooter was in contact with California man plotting his own attack
A California judge issued a restraining order Tuesday against a 20-year-old man who told FBI agents that he had been messaging with the Wisconsin shooter.
Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Erin West, 42, and Rubi Vergara, 14, were fatally shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
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.
Stock market plummets after Fed forecasts fewer rate cuts in 2025
The stock market is down sharply today after the Federal Reserve forecast fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than expected.
MoneyWatch
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Teamsters going on strike against Amazon at several locations nationwide
The Teamsters union says workers at seven facilities will walk off the job Thursday morning. It's an attempt to pressure the e-commerce giant for a labor agreement during the key holiday shopping period.
Stock market plummets after Fed forecasts fewer rate cuts in 2025
The stock market is down sharply today after the Federal Reserve forecast fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than expected.
U.S. Mint announces 5 historical women on new quarters for 2025. Here's who.
It's the last year the American Women Quarters Program will put historical female figures on reverse side of coins.
U.S. mulls ban on Chinese-made TP-Link routers over national security concerns
TP-Link routers could be banned in the U.S. over national security concerns, according to a report.
Senate set to vote on bill that would expand Social Security to millions
Senators advance bill that would expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans, including teachers, firefighters and others with public pensions.
Politics
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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.
O'Malley in bid for DNC chair says Democrats need to learn from "very bad loss"
Democrats elect a new party chair on Feb. 1, following the loss of the presidency and the Senate and the narrow failure to win the House in 2024.
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.
Senate set to vote on bill that would expand Social Security to millions
Senators advance bill that would expand Social Security benefits to millions of Americans, including teachers, firefighters and others with public pensions.
House conservatives revolt over GOP-backed spending bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing a revolt from fellow Republicans over a last-minute measure to keep the government funded and avoid a shutdown.
HealthWatch
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Health insurers limit coverage of prosthetic limbs
Advocates say it is discrimination and are arguing for "insurance fairness" on the grounds that people who have joints surgically replaced typically don't face the same kinds of coverage challenges.
What are seed oils and do they pose health risks? Here's what to know
Seed oils are making headlines, prompting fears around whether they can have negative effects on your health. Here's what to know.
CDC confirms first severe bird flu case in the U.S.
A person in Louisiana has the first severe illness caused by bird flu in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday.
Congo says mysterious disease killing dozens of kids finally identified
"The mystery has finally been solved," Congo's health ministry says, after an unidentified disease outbreak started killing mainly women and children in a remote region.
2 sisters, 7 years apart in age, also receive heart transplants 7 years apart
The sisters share a special bond of getting a second chance at life, which they both received at the age of 38 years old.
World
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Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband found guilty in mass rape trial in France
A French judge has sentenced Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her for years and inviting dozens of other men to do the same.
New details of Captagon drug trade exposed with Assad regime's collapse
A CBS News team gained access to a site outside Damascus which holds the precursor chemicals for Captagon, one of the most popular street drugs in the Middle East and beyond.
Prominent pro-Putin ballet star Sergei Polunin says he's leaving Russia
Ukrainian-born ballet phenom Sergei Polunin was rewarded for backing Putin's attacks on his native country, but he appears to have fallen from Moscow's graces.
China continuing nuclear buildup, strengthening ties to Russia, Pentagon says
A new Pentagon report says China is continuing to expand its nuclear force and has strengthened its ties with Russia over the past year.
Ancient inscription may rewrite Christianity's history, researchers say
The "Frankfurt Silver Inscription" shows the earliest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps.
Entertainment
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The Grateful Dead, Kennedy Center honorees, reflect on the band's legacy
Surviving members of the Grateful Dead, Bobby Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart, revisit the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco.
Ben Schwartz, James Marsden on new "Sonic"
Ben Schwartz and James Marsden join "CBS Mornings" to discuss their roles in the highly anticipated sequel "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," distributed by Paramount Pictures.
Kennedy Center honors Grateful Dead
Dave Matthews, Leon Bridges and Derek Trucks led a star-studded tribute to the Grateful Dead at this year's Kennedy Center Honors. Anthony Mason spoke with the band's three surviving core members about their journey to becoming one of the most influential bands in American history.
Megan Thee Stallion asks for restraining order against Tory Lanez
Tory Lanaz, who is serving a 10-year prison sentence for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the feet, is harassing her from prison through surrogates, the petition alleges.
How Nikki Glaser is preparing for Golden Globes hosting gig
Comedian Nikki Glaser, known for her honest style, is gearing up to host the 82nd Annual Golden Globes.
Technology
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Technology
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.
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 to decide on future of TikTok
The Supreme Court plans to hear arguments in January on a challenge to a new law that could lead to the popular social media app TikTok being banned in the U.S. The Biden administration and lawmakers say the Chinese government's ability to collect data from TikTok poses a significant national security risk, while the app and its Chinese parent company ByteDance argue that the law is unconstitutional. CBS News Supreme Court producer Catherine Cole has more.
FAA: Lithium battery fires on flights now occur nearly twice a week
FAA data shows that lithium battery fires on U.S. flights have risen 388% since 2015, now occurring nearly twice a week.
Science
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"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.
Crime
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Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband found guilty in mass rape trial in France
A French judge has sentenced Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her for years and inviting dozens of other men to do the same.
Teacher, student killed in Wisconsin school shooting identified
Erin West, 42, and Rubi Vergara, 14, were fatally shot Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Mangione expected to waive extradition, lawyer says
Luigi Mangione, the man indicted on murder charges in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to waive extradition back to New York, his lawyer said Wednesday. Mangione is currently in custody in Pennsylvania.
New details emerge about teen shooting suspect
We are learning more about the background of a 15-year-old girl who authorities said opened fire Monday at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, killing two people and wounding six others. Ian Lee reports from Madison.
Mangione's lawyer on extradition
An attorney for accused UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter Luigi Mangione said he plans to waive extradition to New York City this week. CBS News New York reporter Ali Baumen has the latest.
Space
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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.
Starliner astronauts' return delayed again
Two astronauts who have been stuck aboard the International Space Station for months will have to wait even longer to come home. Their planned returned was delayed once again on Tuesday, pushing their earliest return trip back to late March. Manuel Bojorquez has more.
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.
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
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Latest CBS News Videos
Stopgap funding bill in limbo after GOP opposition
A bipartisan House deal on a short-term funding measure that would avoid a potential shutdown and keep the government operational through March appeared to have been scrapped Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance and some hardline Republican lawmakers came out against it. Nikole Killion has details from Capitol Hill.
"CBS Evening News" headlines for Dec. 18, 2024
Here's a look at the top stories making headlines on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell."
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.
Mangione expected to waive extradition, lawyer says
Luigi Mangione, the man indicted on murder charges in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to waive extradition back to New York, his lawyer said Wednesday. Mangione is currently in custody in Pennsylvania.
New details emerge about teen shooting suspect
We are learning more about the background of a 15-year-old girl who authorities said opened fire Monday at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, killing two people and wounding six others. Ian Lee reports from Madison.