Wildfire smoke reversing air quality improvements, researchers say
Wildfires in the U.S. have caused a decline in air quality and an increase in deaths in parts of the U.S. – even though air quality had been improving, researchers say.
ClimateWatch: Climate Change News & Features
2023 is officially the hottest year ever recorded, scientists say
After record-breaking temperatures in November, the E.U.'s Copernicus Climate Change Service determined 2023 will officially be the hottest year humanity has experienced.
Artificial or real? Here's how to pick a sustainable Christmas tree
Is a real Christmas tree or a fake tree better for the planet? An expert weighs in on your greenest option.
Ancient methane escaping from melting glaciers could warm the planet more
Spiking temperatures in the Arctic are rapidly melting glaciers. Scientists are now worried about underground methane, a potent greenhouse gas, leaking up to the surface.
Cars swept away, Chennai airport flooded as cyclone churns toward India
Videos from Chennai, South India, show cars being carried off and airport workers checking planes in almost knee-deep water as Cyclone Michaung bears down.
COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber draws fire over fossil fuel remarks
Dr. Sultan al-Jaber, president of the COP28 climate conference and CEO of a major oil company, says he's "quite surprised" by what he calls "attempts to undermine" his work.
Inside the fight against methane gas amid milestone pledges at COP28
Methane is an invisible gas that is rapidly heating up the atmosphere.
COP28 climate summit: Who's going, who's not, and will it matter?
The global U.N. climate summit known as COP28 is now underway in Dubai. Here's what to know — and why it matters.
Alaska bald eagle preserve threatened by copper mine project, critics say
Up to 4,000 bald eagles migrate to the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve annually, but environmentalists worry a potential copper mine will destroy their food source.
Source of 1.1 million gallons of oil spilled into Gulf of Mexico remains mystery
Officials have yet to find the source of the oil spill, which has left chunky globules and long slicks near a 67-mile-long pipeline system off the coast of Louisiana.
Used tires could help expand market for electric vehicle batteries
As demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, one startup company in Chile is looking to recycle old tires to help make them more sustainable.
UAE sought to use role in climate summit to make oil deals, BBC reports
The host of the upcoming COP28 climate summit, the United Arab Emirates, planned to use its role as an opportunity to try to make oil and gas deals with other countries, BBC News reported.
Lightning strikes kill 24 in India amid unusually heavy rain storms
Unseasonably heavy rain storms slammed India's western state of Gujarat, packing lightning blamed for the deaths of 24 people and 3 buffalo.
World's richest 1% emit as much carbon as 5 billion people, report says
A new report found that a "polluter elite" is responsible for producing as much carbon emissions as 5 billion people.
These squirrels are latest species to become endangered in Washington state
There are just three western gray squirrel populations left in Washington state as more frequent and intense wildfires continue to decimate their habitats, officials said.
Key takeaways from Biden's Fifth National Climate Assessment
Every region in the U.S. is experiencing increasingly harmful effects of climate change, a new report says — but it also outlines a path forward.
"Out of control" fires ravage Brazil's wildlife-rich Pantanal wetlands
"The Pantanal is a region that's used to fires," explains one biologist, "but this many fires isn't normal."
Kentucky under state of emergency as dozens of wildfires rage
Firefighters are battling more than 30 active fires across Kentucky as officials warn the ongoing drought "has made controlling wildfires more difficult."
2023 "virtually certain" to be warmest year recorded, climate agency says
Average temperatures across Earth in 2023 have been dangerously close to the 1.5 degree Celsius warming threshold scientists have long warned would bring significant challenges to people worldwide.
Hotter days may increase cheetah conflicts with other big cats, study says
On the hottest days, cheetahs became more nocturnal — increasing their overlapping hunting hours with rival big cats by 16%, the study found.
North Greenland has lost 35% of its ice shelves, study says
The Greenland ice sheet is the second-largest contributor to sea level rise, and as temperatures rise, glaciers in the northern parts of the region are becoming "extremely vulnerable."
Climate tech startup designs new method to reduce clothing waste
Circ has found a solution to the clothing industry's substantial environmental waste and pollution, by separating and recycling cotton-polyester blend clothing.
Why did Hurricane Otis get so strong, so fast?
Hurricane Otis plowed into Mexico's Pacific coast as a deadly Category 5. Just 12 hours earlier, it was a tropical storm.
Scientists discover ancient landscape "frozen in time" under Antarctic ice
"No one's laid eyes on it," the lead author of the study said. "What is exciting is that it's been hiding there in plain sight."
Winter outlook: Wetter South, warmer North and "potential climate extremes"
The oncoming El Niño winter is forecast to bring warmer and drier weather to the northern U.S. and more precipitation than usual to southern states.
Science
Science
Wildfire smoke continues to shroud U.S.
Millions of people are enduring dangerous air quality as Canadian wildfire smoke shrouds the skies. Jonathan Overpeck, dean of the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan, explains how climate change is worsening wildfires.
How AI data centers impact the environment
New York has become the first state to impose a temporary moratorium on data center development while state lawmakers lay the groundwork to assess environmental and social impacts. Dr. Mike Weinstein, the director of sustainability at Southern New Hampshire University, explains what we know about the wider environmental impact data centers.
Russian Soyuz rocket launches fresh crew to space station
The new crew will replace three other Soyuz fliers wrapping up a 240-day stay aboard the International Space Station.
Astronomer's name deciphered from ancient Mayan ruins for first time
The name "White-chested Fox" was found in drawings dating from 400 BC to 900 AD at the San Bartolo-Xultun archaeological site.
Disclosure Foundation head on new UFO files
The Pentagon on Friday released a new batch of UFO files, spanning 19 videos and more. Jordan Flowers, executive director of the Disclosure Foundation, joins CBS News to discuss.
Watch: Pentagon releases 19 new UFO videos
The Defense Department released a fourth batch of UFO files on Friday, nearly one month after its third drop. These are all of the videos in the latest tranche, plus analysis from astrophysicist Avi Loeb.
2,000-year-old gold rings and human bones found by archaeologists
Archaeologists have discovered eight human skeletons, bronze and gold jewelry and other artifacts indicating a ceremonial burial of wealthy people.
Telescope spots most distant quasars ever discovered
Quasars — the brightest objects in the universe — are powered by supermassive black holes at the heart of early galaxies.
The American innovation that made millions of others possible
From the lightbulb to the airplane, to medical breakthroughs and the internet age, the past 250 years have been defined by America's intrepid intellect.
New White House UFO panel chair speaks out
The White House appointed former Harvard University astronomer Avi Loeb to lead its new panel on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, also known as UAPs and UFOs. Loeb shares his enthusiasm for his new role.
3 futurists predict what America will be like in the centuries ahead
From space to healthcare and artificial intelligence, what could the next 250 years of the United States look like?
NASA strives to save doomed telescope
NASA is in a race against time as the Swift Observatory telescope in orbit sinks closer to Earth. CBS News consultant William Harwood explains the $30 million salvage operation.
Fossil found in drawer turns out to be first dinosaur bone from Antarctica
Dinosaur fossils are rare to find in Antarctica because of the unforgiving ice caps. But millions of years ago, the region was populated by lush forests.
NASA prepares to launch rescue to save telescope from falling to Earth
The $30 million salvage operation gets underway as soon as this week with the planned launch of a robotic lifesaver.
Astronomers find 2 gigantic planets lighter than cotton candy
The featherweight pair — orbiting a star 1,110 light-years away — are the biggest exoplanets found to have less density than cotton candy.
U.S.
More U.S.
Murders continue historic decline despite spikes in a few cities, study finds
Violent and property crime categories were also down, new analysis shows. But reported drug crimes were up when compared to the same period last year.
Man shot and killed by police in Madison, Wisconsin, sparking protests
Madison's chief of police says an officer in Wisconsin's capital city shot and killed a man who had injured him with a knife while resisting arrest.
House committee urges DOJ to charge former Trump prosecutor Jack Smith
The GOP chair of the House Judiciary Committee encouraged the DOJ to look into criminally charging Jack Smith, alleging the former special counsel who brought charges against President Trump lied to Congress.
Amish Shah projected to win Arizona's 1st District Democratic primary
Democrat Amish Shah will be up against Republican Jay Feely in Arizona's 1st Congressional District in November.
National Guard deployed as flash floods hit West Virginia after 7 inches of rain
Torrential rains in West Virginia have caused flash flooding that inundated homes and businesses this week.
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
Google fined $1 billion by EU over its Play app store and search engine
The EU fined Google 890 million euros ($1 billion) after it said the tech giant broke digital antitrust regulations by setting up Google Play and its search engine to steer consumers toward its own services and apps over others'.
House passes bill to limit stock purchases by members of Congress
The Stop Insider Trading Act would prohibit members of Congress, their spouses and dependent children from purchasing publicly traded stocks.
Pastor sues OpenAI alleging ChatGPT's medical advice nearly killed him
The case accuses OpenAI of practicing medicine without a license and failing to safeguard users seeking health advice.
What Trump's generic drug tariffs could mean, according to experts
Health policy experts say higher import duties could increase costs and strain supplies while offering no guarantee manufacturers will shift production to the U.S.
"Nothing is going through" the Strait of Hormuz, shipping insider says
Despite U.S. assertions, the CEO of a maritime risk firm says "there is no guarantee of safe passage" through the Strait of Hormuz.
Politics
More Politics
Navy withholding sailors' service history, in another curb on press access
The U.S. Navy is taking a major step to restrict press access to information about service members by no longer releasing information about any sailor's service history.
House committee urges DOJ to charge former Trump prosecutor Jack Smith
The GOP chair of the House Judiciary Committee encouraged the DOJ to look into criminally charging Jack Smith, alleging the former special counsel who brought charges against President Trump lied to Congress.
Amish Shah projected to win Arizona's 1st District Democratic primary
Democrat Amish Shah will be up against Republican Jay Feely in Arizona's 1st Congressional District in November.
Mayor who survived assassination attempt shot dead in town hall
Mayor Valentin Lavin, who was allied to President Claudia Sheinbaum's leftist party, had already survived an armed attack in January, according to local media reports.
Secret Service warns of high threat levels before White House Correspondents' Dinner
Secret Service officials warned nationwide threats have reached an unprecedented level since January, nearly 40% higher than during the same period last year.
HealthWatch
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HealthWatch
Pastor sues over ChatGPT medical advice
A pastor in Florida is suing OpenAI after he used ChatGPT for medical advice and received suggestions that he claims caused him to delay necessary treatment. Jo Ling Kent reports.
Pastor sues OpenAI alleging ChatGPT's medical advice nearly killed him
The case accuses OpenAI of practicing medicine without a license and failing to safeguard users seeking health advice.
What Trump's generic drug tariffs could mean, according to experts
Health policy experts say higher import duties could increase costs and strain supplies while offering no guarantee manufacturers will shift production to the U.S.
FDA recalls antihistamine tablets. Here are the affected products.
A generic version of the allergy medication Zyrtec is under recall across the U.S. over cross-contamination concerns.
Lung cancer in nonsmokers: "A women's health crisis"
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in American women — and a growing share of new cases are in women who've never smoked.
World
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Mayor who survived assassination attempt shot dead in town hall
Mayor Valentin Lavin, who was allied to President Claudia Sheinbaum's leftist party, had already survived an armed attack in January, according to local media reports.
First beluga whales from Marineland arrive in Texas as rescue underway
Two beluga whales settled into their new home at SeaWorld San Antonio this week following an international relocation mission from shuttered Canadian theme park Marineland.
5,700 more deaths than usual recorded in France during heat wave
France experienced at least 5,700 more deaths than usual during a historic heat wave last month, according to the public health agency.
"Nothing is going through" the Strait of Hormuz, shipping insider says
Despite U.S. assertions, the CEO of a maritime risk firm says "there is no guarantee of safe passage" through the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. and Saudi Arabia sign nuclear cooperation deal
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia signed a deal for U.S. companies to run nuclear power on Saudi soil, the U.S. Department of Energy announced Wednesday.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Luke Bracey on "Little House on the Prairie"
Luke Bracey tells "CBS Mornings" the new "Little House on the Prairie" series was adapted from the books rather than a reboot of the TV show. He explains why he thinks it resonates with people today and how a playlist helped him and a co-star bond over their characters.
Anson Mount previews new "Star Trek" season
Anson Mount previews the fourth season of "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds." He talks about his introduction to "Star Trek" and why he thinks it's the best season yet.
Tenisha Warner, widow of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, opens up about being a single mom
Tenisha Warner sat down for an exclusive interview with "CBS Mornings" before a lawsuit over her late husband's estate became public, and discussed her grief and raising her daughter alone.
Inside the cameras used for "The Odyssey"
Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" has made history as the first feature-length film shot entirely on 70mm IMAX cameras. Jay Holben, technical editor for the American Cinematographer, joins CBS News to discuss.
Kaylee Hottle, actress in "Godzilla vs. Kong," dies at 18 in car crash
Kaylee Hottle, an Atlanta-born actress known for her role in the "Godzilla" film franchise, has died following a crash in Maryland.
Technology
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Technology
Details on OpenAI system's unprompted hack
ChatGPT developer OpenAI says its artificial intelligence systems hacked into another AI company without prompting. Connor Leahy, U.S. director for ControlAI, joins CBS News to discuss.
Machine learning professor on OpenAI attack
OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, says one of its artificial intelligence models went rogue and hacked another AI company. Neil Lawrence, professor of machine learning at the University of Cambridge, joins to assess the claim.
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.
New tech could help millions of paralyzed people
New findings identified a technology that could restore movement and sensation for millions of paralyzed people living with spinal cord injuries. Bradley Blackburn has the story.
OpenAI says new model hacked on its own
OpenAI says its new artificial intelligence model hacked another company on its own in what the company called "an unprecedented cyber incident." Mashable tech editor Tim Werth joins CBS News to discuss.
Science
More Science
Science
Wildfire smoke continues to shroud U.S.
Millions of people are enduring dangerous air quality as Canadian wildfire smoke shrouds the skies. Jonathan Overpeck, dean of the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan, explains how climate change is worsening wildfires.
How AI data centers impact the environment
New York has become the first state to impose a temporary moratorium on data center development while state lawmakers lay the groundwork to assess environmental and social impacts. Dr. Mike Weinstein, the director of sustainability at Southern New Hampshire University, explains what we know about the wider environmental impact data centers.
Russian Soyuz rocket launches fresh crew to space station
The new crew will replace three other Soyuz fliers wrapping up a 240-day stay aboard the International Space Station.
Astronomer's name deciphered from ancient Mayan ruins for first time
The name "White-chested Fox" was found in drawings dating from 400 BC to 900 AD at the San Bartolo-Xultun archaeological site.
Disclosure Foundation head on new UFO files
The Pentagon on Friday released a new batch of UFO files, spanning 19 videos and more. Jordan Flowers, executive director of the Disclosure Foundation, joins CBS News to discuss.
Crime
More Crime
Murders continue historic decline despite spikes in a few cities, study finds
Violent and property crime categories were also down, new analysis shows. But reported drug crimes were up when compared to the same period last year.
Man shot and killed by police in Madison, Wisconsin, sparking protests
Madison's chief of police says an officer in Wisconsin's capital city shot and killed a man who had injured him with a knife while resisting arrest.
Pastor sues over ChatGPT medical advice
A pastor in Florida is suing OpenAI after he used ChatGPT for medical advice and received suggestions that he claims caused him to delay necessary treatment. Jo Ling Kent reports.
Rocket launcher hoax shakes LaGuardia
A Delta Airlines pilot coming in to land a flight with more than 100 people on board faced terrifying moments over LaGuardia Airport on Tuesday night after an anonymous caller falsely reported a rocket launcher on the ground. Tom Hanson has the story.
Florida police fire at homicide suspect's car
Florida police fired a barrage of bullets at a vehicle belonging to a man wanted in the killing of a mother of four after he led them on a wild car chase. The suspect was taken into custody. Cristian Benavides has more.
Space
More Space
Meteorite that hit home contains "alien world chemistry," experts say
When scientists examined the preserved fragments of a meteorite that crashed in 2024, they found brine-like fluids and key molecules.
Russian Soyuz rocket launches fresh crew to space station
The new crew will replace three other Soyuz fliers wrapping up a 240-day stay aboard the International Space Station.
Astronomers discover sugar in space that's also found in raspberries
The sugar, called erythrulose, lurks in what's called the interstellar medium: thin clouds of gas and dust littered between stars.
Telescope spots most distant quasars ever discovered
Quasars — the brightest objects in the universe — are powered by supermassive black holes at the heart of early galaxies.
Mission launched to rescue a falling space telescope
Katalyst Space's LINK spacecraft is designed to capture and boost NASA's Swift observatory back to a safe altitude.
Latest Galleries
More Latest Galleries
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.
Photos show celebrations at Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center, museum and library opens in Chicago with a star-studded grand opening ceremony and public watch party on Midway Plaisance.
Summer music highlights of 2026
Summer is the time to enjoy live music, indoors and out. Scroll through our gallery of some of 2026's leading musical acts, featuring images by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
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?
Timeline: The disappearance of George Smith
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
Why Smart People Fall for Scams
Jill and Mark discuss a $50 million Ponzi scheme that ensnared dozens of investors with promises of big, risk-free returns. Then, they break down the emotional manipulation tactics scammers use to gain your trust and how to protect yourself as AI makes fraud more sophisticated and harder to spot than ever. Plus, a burned-out caller is desperate for a career reset and wonders how long she can afford to coast on her savings before figuring out her next move.
Man embraces remote work
A California man is taking advantage of remote work with viral office settings that are attracting fans, critics, and thousands of views. Gwen Baumgarder joined him for a workday at the ballpark.
New research on coffee and heart health
When it comes to heart health.. how many cups of caffeinated coffee are safe to drink each day? A new statement from the American Heart Association may be reassuring to coffee drinkers. Gwen Baumgardner has more.
Expert on cyclospora and the supply chain
Julie Swann, head of the department of industrial and systems engineering at North Carolina State University, joins "The Daily Report" to discuss the tracking and tracing underway as the U.S.' cyclosporiasis outbreak surpasses 4,000 cases.
Flooding in Louisiana after Bertha landfall
Forecasters say Tropical Storm Bertha will move over New Orleans on Wednesday night and then continue toward Houston. CBS News' Lana Zak and Zoe Mintz have the latest on the storm's impact.