U.S. lawmakers want South Africa punished over "support for Russia"
A group of bipartisan lawmakers say South Africa appears to be engaging in "activities that undermine United States national security or foreign policy."
South Africa
Scientists claim evidence that our distant relatives buried their dead
The lead scientist tells CBS News that the discoveries his team is making in the Rising Star cave system may force us to rethink "what it means to be human."
Debate over possible Putin visit heats up in South Africa
South Africa's government is trying to clear hurdles for Vladimir Putin to attend a BRICS leaders' summit, despite an international warrant for his arrest.
South Africa moves to let Putin attend summit despite arrest warrant
As a signatory to the International Criminal Court, South Africa may be obliged to arrest Putin if he sets foot in the country. Unless it can find a loophole.
Rwandan genocide fugitive arrested after 29 years on the run
Fulgence Kayishema is accused of orchestrating the brutal killing of 2,000 women, men and children at a church during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Conservationist seeks billionaire to buy world's biggest rhino farm
John Hume is hoping to find "a billionaire that would rather save the population of rhinos from extinction than own a superyacht."
Gunmen kill 10 family members in South Africa mass shooting
Police arrested two suspects following a shootout less than 2 kilometers from the massacre, police said.
Details emerge on how "Facebook rapist" faked death, escaped prison
Heavily-armed police put his girlfriend, celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudumana, into a separate white van at the airport.
South African "Facebook Rapist" caught in Tanzania after police manhunt
Thabo Bester faked his own death in a prison break and was on the lam before police discovered the ruse.
Pilot finds cobra under seat, makes emergency landing: "I kept looking down"
Rudolf Erasmus had four passengers on board when he felt "something cold" slide across his lower back
Olympian Oscar Pistorius denied parole decade after killing girlfriend
Arriving for the parole hearing, Reeva Steenkamp's mother said she was against any early release for their daughter's killer, whom she said had "never" shown real remorse.
South African police launch manhunt for accused "Facebook rapist" who escaped prison
South African police have launched a manhunt for convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester who escaped from a privately-run maximum security prison under bizarre circumstances.
"Facebook rapist" fakes death and escapes prison: "Like a movie"
Thabo Bester allegedly lured victims on the social media platform before raping and robbing them. At least one victim was killed.
Rapper Costa Titch dies after collapsing on stage
Police said they opened an investigation into the circumstances of the 28-year-old's sudden death.
Soccer player dies after collapsing during practice in South Africa
The midfielder collapsed at a training Tuesday morning, his soccer club announced in a statement.
20 sharks found dead after killer whales' "surgical" feeding frenzy
All evidence points to "Port" and "Starboard," an infamous pair of killer whales spotted nearby only three days earlier.
Russia says it won't test hypersonic missile as new war games begin
A U.S. official told CBS News there were questions about whether South Africa would want to be associated with Russian "symbols of hatred and death."
First lady Jill Biden visiting Africa
Jill Biden is making her first trip to Africa as first lady and will visit Namibia and Kenya. Cameron Hudson. senior associate of the Africa program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, joined CBS News' Vladimir Duthiers and Anne-Marie Green to discuss what the trip means for the Biden administration and what the U.S. can do to strengthen relations in the region.
20 killed, dozens injured as bus crashes with armored van in South Africa
Police divers were searching a river that runs along the highway "for people who might have been swept away," officials said.
Former rugby player killed by Hawaii police had CTE, autopsy shows
The finding could help explain Lindani Myeni's bizarre behavior before the deadly 2021 confrontation with Honolulu officers.
Pope Francis visits South Sudan
Pope Francis arrived in South Sudan on Friday after his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo. South Sudan has faced a decade of civil war and years of poverty. CBS News foreign correspondent Chris Livesay reports from Juba, South Sudan, with the latest on the pope's mission.
Russia reportedly to test hypersonic missile during upcoming war games
The test launch is expected during joint military drills that already had the U.S. "concerned" about their timing around the anniversary of Russia's Ukraine invasion.
U.S. "concerned" over South Africa's looming war games with Russia
The U.S. Embassy notes the joint military exercises off South Africa's coast will come "even as Moscow continues its brutal and unlawful war of aggression."
Can the U.S. catch up to China and Russia's African outreach?
After decades of investment and blossoming ties with Beijing and Moscow, experts say "short-term courtship" of African nations simply won't suffice.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visits Africa
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited Zambia on Monday as part of efforts by the Biden administration to grow ties between Washington and the African continent after years of investment by China. Eurasia Group's lead Africa analyst Amaka Anku joined Vladimir Duthiers and Anne-Marie Green to discuss.
South Korea's acting president impeached by opposition lawmakers
The move deeps the political crisis set off by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning imposition of martial law and ensuing impeachment.
Experts doubt Russian claims of bird strike in Kazakhstan plane crash
Experts say evidence in the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan points to a possible midair explosion, not an encounter with a flock of birds.
Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen airport where WHO chief was about to board plane
Israel says it's targeting Houthi military sites in Yemen's rebel-held capital city, Sanaa.
Judge rules accuser in rape suit against Jay-Z, Combs can stay 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.
Passenger without ticket gets onto Delta flight from Seattle to Honolulu
A plane passenger taken into custody after boarding a Delta flight from Seattle to Hawaii without a boarding pass.
NFL doubleheader on Christmas Day set 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.
ChatGPT recovers after being hit by outages, OpenAI says
The OpenAI issue was caused by an "upstream provider," according to the artificial intelligence organization.
Israel's attorney general orders investigation into Netanyahu's wife
The probe will focus on the findings of a recent investigative news program on alleged actions of Sara Netanyahu, the prime minister's wife, officials said.
Japan's "Black Widow" death row inmate dies at 78
Japanese death-row inmate Chisako Kakehi, dubbed the "Black Widow" after she used cyanide to kill her elderly lovers, has died in a detention center at age 78, officials say,
U.S.
More U.S.
Richard Parsons, executive who led Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at age 76
Richard Parsons was known as a skilled negotiator, a diplomat and a crisis manager.
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.
Passenger without ticket gets onto Delta flight from Seattle to Honolulu
A plane passenger taken into custody after boarding a Delta flight from Seattle to Hawaii without a boarding pass.
Judge rules that accuser in rape suit against Jay-Z, Combs 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.
A hippopotamus for Christmas: Baby pygmy hippo born at Virginia zoo
Christmas came early for pygmy hippo parents at the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
Richard Parsons, executive who led Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at age 76
Richard Parsons was known as a skilled negotiator, a diplomat and a crisis manager.
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.
ChatGPT recovers after being hit by outages, OpenAI says
The OpenAI issue was caused by an "upstream provider," according to the artificial intelligence organization.
What to know about after-Christmas sales from Amazon, Walmart and more
Bargain hunters are busy amid seasonal discounts and "going out of business" sales by at least two retailing chains.
The toy industry is bracing for the impact of Trump's promised tariffs
Toy stores and the toy industry are warning that Trump's pledge to add tariffs to Chinese imports could harm their businesses.
Politics
More Politics
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.
Biden heads to St. Croix for final holiday as president
President Biden's final holiday in office will take place largely out of the public eye.
What to know about the Panama Canal's history amid Trump comments
Here's what to know about the United States' involvement with building and operating the Panama Canal.
Marianne Williamson launches bid for DNC chair
Marianne Williamson sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 and 2024.
Trial of man accused in Trump assassination attempt in Florida pushed back
Ryan Wesley Routh is being held in Miami awaiting trial in Fort Pierce.
HealthWatch
More HealthWatch
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.
FDA raises urgency of Costco egg recall
The FDA has raised the level of a Costco egg recall, warning of the risk of severe illness or death due to potential salmonella contamination. Over 10,000 cartons of Kirkland brand organic eggs sold at stores across the South are affected. Customers are urged to discard or return eggs marked with Julian code 327 and a use-by date of Jan. 5, 2025.
Expert tips to support your immune system
With flu levels rising, Dr. Rabia De Latour shares ways to support your immune system and stay healthy during the holidays.
World
More World
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.
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.
Experts doubt Russian claims of bird strike in Kazakhstan plane crash
Experts say evidence in the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan points to a possible midair explosion, not an encounter with a flock of birds.
South Korea's acting president impeached by opposition lawmakers
South Korea's opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo despite vehement protests by governing party lawmakers, further deepening the country's political crisis.
Japan's "Black Widow" death row inmate dies at 78
Japanese death-row inmate Chisako Kakehi, dubbed the "Black Widow" after she used cyanide to kill her elderly lovers, has died in a detention center at age 78, officials say,
Entertainment
More Entertainment
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, Combs 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.
Beyoncé's halftime show the highlight of a lackluster NFL Christmas slate
Beyoncé surprised fans by bringing out Shaboozey to perform "Sweet Honey Buckiin," and Post Malone joined her for "Levii's Jeans."
Angel Blue on Met role debut in "Aida" and Opera journey
Angel Blue, who was recently named Classical Music's "Vocalist of the Year," is set to perform the title role in "Aida" at the Metropolitan Opera. Known for her Grammy-winning performances, Blue will take the stage in New York beginning on Dec. 31. She joins "CBS Mornings Plus."
Technology
More Technology
ChatGPT recovers after being hit by outages, OpenAI says
The OpenAI issue was caused by an "upstream provider," according to the artificial intelligence organization.
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.
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.
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.
Holiday shoppers on the lookout for big TVs
TVs are some of the most popular items to fly off store shelves during the holidays. But this year, experts say shoppers are going bigger than ever. CBS News' Jeff Wagner explains.
Science
More Science
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.
Crime
More Crime
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.
Japan's "Black Widow" death row inmate dies at 78
Japanese death-row inmate Chisako Kakehi, dubbed the "Black Widow" after she used cyanide to kill her elderly lovers, has died in a detention center at age 78, officials say,
Florida pizza delivery worker allegedly stabs pregnant customer after $2 tip
A pizza delivery worker, upset over a tip, allegedly repeatedly stabbed a pregnant woman at a Florida motel, a sheriff's office says.
Trump assassination attempt news
Ryan Routh, the man accused of trying to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump near his Florida golf course, could have his trial delayed as his lawyer mounts a legal defense. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson has more on the latest developments.
3 shot, 1 stabbed in Christmas night dispute at Phoenix airport, police say
Gunfire at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Christmas night left three people wounded, police say. Another was stabbed. One was in critical condition.
Space
More Space
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.
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.
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
Virginia toy library takes on the toy waste issue
The Toy Nest in Falls Church, Virginia, is a toy library that works on a membership program. The moms who buy-in say it allows them to cut down on toy waste, while saving money and adding variety. Natalie Brand explains how the novel idea works.
The negative repercussions of multitasking
Research suggests the human brain is not wired to multitask on complicated tasks, and experts say it can cause more damage to our wellbeing than we realize. Dr. Jon LaPook explains.
Trump's "border czar" on migrant detention plans
Tom Homan, President-elect Donald Trump's incoming "border czar," told the Washington Post in an interview this week that Trump's new administration plans to revive the controversial practice of detaining migrant families and giving undocumented parents the choice of leaving their U.S.-born children behind or having the children deported with them. Lilia Luciano reports.
How shippers handle the holiday gift return rush
At a FedEx shipping hub in Anchorage, Alaska, employees can sort up to 80,000 packages a day during the holidays. And as they're dealing with a last wave of Christmas gifts getting ready to ship out this week, they're also dealing with a new wave of gifts that are being returned. Kris Van Cleave takes an inside look at the process.
New questions about cause of Kazakhstan jet crash
There are new details about what may have caused a passenger jet that was headed from Azerbaijan to Russia to crash in Kazakhstan. A U.S. official told CBS News that there are preliminary indications that a Russian anti-aircraft system may have hit the plane, which was carrying 67 people. Several dozen people died in the crash, but dozens also survived. Chris Livesay has the latest.