U.S.

This Morning from CBS News: Dec. 15, 2014

By Dan Woo

December 15, 2014 / 7:41 AM EST / CBS News

Sydney hostages

Five people have fled from a Sydney, Australia cafe where a gunman took an unknown number of hostages at the height of Monday morning rush hour. Two people inside were earlier seen holding up a flag containing an Islamic declaration of faith. The suspect was already known to the Australian government and has been arrested previously for extremist activity, a U.S. intelligence source confirmed to CBS News. Watch CBS News new streaming network, CBSN, for the latest coverage of the developing hostage situation.

Torture poll

In the wake of last week's release of the Senate Intelligence Committee's report on the CIA's post-9/11 detention and interrogation program, a new CBS News poll shows 69 percent of Americans consider waterboarding to be torture, but 49 percent think aggressive interrogation tactics like waterboarding are sometimes justified. 36 percent think they are not justified.

Against torture

Nearly a week after the Senate Intelligence Committee released its massive report on the CIA's use of enhanced interrogation techniques, Washington remains divided mostly along party lines on even the most basic questions of whether the report was an accurate reflection of what happened and if it should have been released at all. But at least one key member of the GOP says the report is important for the nation to see.

Schieffer on CIA report

I've known most of the people on this committee for years; they are good people. I wouldn't question any of their characters. But what I don't understand is how good people on this committee can look at the same set of facts and come to such different conclusions. So what are we to make of that?

Construction red tape

Across the country, one in nine bridges is considered structurally deficient, but federal and state regulations are delaying much-needed repairs, in some cases up to 10 years. CBS News correspondent Jeff Pegues reports on some public of the projects tied up in red tape.

Marchers and accountability

The thousands of protesters who continue to march around the country to call attention to the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police are looking for "accountability," National Urban League President Marc Morial said on CBS News' "Face the Nation."

Gunmaker sued

Two years ago yesterday, 20-year-old Adam Lanza opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Twenty children and six adults were killed. CBS News correspondent Don Dahler reports that today, some families are expected to announce their part in a class-action lawsuit against Bushmaster, the maker of the assault rifle Lanza used.

Mental healthcare challenges

Because of recurring tragedies and an epidemic of suicides, CBS News' Scott Pelley investigated for "60 Minutes" the battles that parents fight for psychiatric care. Pelley found that the vast majority of claims are routine, but the insurance industry aggressively reviews the cost of chronic cases. Long-term care is often denied by insurance company doctors who never see the patient. As a result, some seriously ill patients are discharged from hospitals over the objections of psychiatrists who warn that someone may die.

Unexpected - unintended help

On Friday evening, the Senate's leaders, Mitch McConnell and and Harry Reid, thought they had an agreement from their members to let the clock run over the weekend without actually being in session, and vote today on the $1.1 trillion spending bill. But Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah objected to the spending measure. That forced the Senate to hold a rare Saturday session. It also had the unintended benefit of helping the Democrats move forward with the nominations of 24 of the Obama administration's nominees for executive and judicial branch positions. Now, the Senate will begin voting to confirm the 24 individuals this morning. Here are four of the more controversial nominees who will now get a vote.

Shopping apps

Black Friday and Cyber Monday may have come and gone, but that doesn't mean the bargains have to end too. Last-minute shoppers can still save money. Just load up your smartphone or tablet with one of many free shopping apps that enable you to compare prices, research products, receive price drop alerts and make purchases. There are so many different types of shopping apps that finding which ones to use can be exhausting. We asked Dan Ackerman, senior editor for CNET, for some of his favorite holiday apps.

eSports

In Anaheim, Calif., 5,500 excited fans cheered and gasped, watching on a giant screen as two players battled for the world championship of a video game. The company that makes one of the most popular video game championships says 27 million people watched this year's championship event. To put that in perspective, the World Series, which started later that same week, averaged just under 14 million viewers. CBS News correspondent John Blackstone reports for CBS News' "Sunday Morning" that video games now bring in $71 billion in annual revenue -- more than the music business, and fast catching up to Hollywood.

Holiday smoothies

The holidays usher in a season of sugary treats that can sabotage a healthy diet, pack on pounds and zap our energy. While it's easy to get swept up in the madness of holiday overeating, starting your day off with an energizing, healthy and sugar-free smoothie can help you set yourself up for diet success, while still letting you enjoy your favorite flavors of the season. Dana James, the founder of Food Coach NYC, shared some of her favorite holiday smoothie recipes with CBS News.

Four-year-old designer

Sydney Keiser may be the youngest fashion designer in the world. The 4-year-old from Ohio recently signed a deal with J.Crew to help create a line of clothing for kids. She became well-known through Instagram and the blog "Fashion by Mayhem," where she and her mom recreated red carpet looks with paper. CBS News correspondent Jericka Duncan reports on Sydney's imagination and her parents, who never stop encouraging her to bring her unique concepts to life.