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.
Omicron Variant
U.S. COVID hospitalizations steadily rising
COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased significantly over the past month and are expected to continue rising, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, demand for in-person and at-home COVID tests is also surging. Elaine Quijano has details.
Highly mutated strain of new COVID variant reported in Michigan
Cases of the new COVID variant BA.2.86 have been spotted in Michigan, Denmark and Israel.
2/2: CBS News Mornings
Central and Northeastern U.S. bracing for snow, ice, frigid temperatures; Teen's initiative sends thousands of books to hospitals and schools
3/14: CBS News Mornings
Dozens reported killed as Russia expands assault in western Ukraine; Guest worker visa applications soar amid labor shortage
CDC tracking new COVID variant EU.1.1
Nearly 100 cases of the COVID variant EU.1.1 have been reported in Utah — more than any other state.
New variant XBB.1.5 now more than a quarter of U.S. cases
XBB.1.5's prevalence remains highest in the Northeast, according to the CDC's latest estimates.
Examining the new COVID travel policy from China
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday that, beginning Jan. 5, all travelers coming to the U.S. from China will have to test negative for COVID-19 before boarding flights. Associated Press reporter Dake Kang spoke with CBS News about China's struggles with COVID-19.
BF.7: What to know about the Omicron COVID variant
Although reports from China about this variant's characteristics are concerning, it doesn't appear to be growing too much elsewhere in the world.
CDC says it's now tracking a new COVID variant known as XBB
The XBB variant has climbed to 3.1% of new COVID cases nationwide, the CDC now estimates.
In his final COVID briefing, Fauci hopes for less deadly COVID wave this winter
The president's outgoing chief medical adviser pointed to new CDC data suggesting the updated boosters will increase protection against infection.
CDC now tracking BN.1, the latest new COVID variant on the rise
The strain has climbed to make up 4.3% of new COVID-19 cases nationwide.
Special Report: Biden speaks on fight against COVID
President Biden updated the nation on his administration's efforts to contain COVID-19, announcing that he was doubling and accelerating the U.S. order for a Pfizer antiviral pill, and also that insurance companies would reimburse Americans for home tests. He urged Americans to get vaccinations and boosters. CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes and CBS News medical contributor Dr. David Agus join the CBS News Special Report to discuss the president's remarks.
NIH investigates Boston University COVID experiments amid controversy
Boston University says its research with "chimeric recombinant" viruses did not lead to a "gain of function."
11/29: CBSN AM
Omicron variant threatens U.S. recovery efforts; Hanukkah ceremonies and celebrations underway worldwide
"Pretty troublesome": New COVID variant BQ.1 growing rapidly
The CDC said BQ.1 and one of its descendants, BQ.1.1, represent "a small but fast-growing subset of the Omicron variant."
New COVID boosters for kids 5 and up
Children ages 5 and up are now eligible to get the new COVID-19 booster shots, which target both the original coronavirus and its Omicron variants. CBS News medical contributor Dr. David Agus joins us to discuss the vaccine, and he also answers questions about a new study on colonoscopies.
Back-to-school COVID-19 safety concerns
As we head into another school year, some parents are concerned over the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions in the classroom. Only about 30% of elementary school-aged kids are fully vaccinated, and experts warn the U.S. could see another fall or winter surge of cases. Dr. Mark Kline, physician-in-chief at Children's Hospital New Orleans, joins CBS News to discuss.
12/19: Face The Nation
This week on "Face the Nation," there is frustration and fear as we head into the holiday season, amid what top U.S. health officials are calling an incoming tidal wave of COVID cases.
FDA authorizes Omicron booster shots
New COVID booster shots that target the latest Omicron variants could be available within days, after the FDA authorized the updated boosters made by Pfizer and Moderna.
Dr. Agus answers questions on COVID rebound
CBS News medical contributor Dr. David Agus explains why COVID-19 cases sometimes "rebound" in patients who were treated with Paxlovid. He also answers viewers' questions about Omicron subvariants and whether there's a risk of catching monkeypox at the gym.
China fights COVID outbreak
What's behind the spike in COVID cases in China, and what the government is trying to do to combat it? Ben Cowling, the head of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Hong Kong University, joins CBS News to discuss.
CDC warns of more contagious sub-variant
Health officials are warning Americans to continue to take caution against COVID-19. Lenny Bernstein, a health reporter for The Washington Post, discusses the concerns over a sub-variant called BA.2.
Vaccine-resistant COVID could develop
So far, COVID-19 vaccines have continued to offer some protection against variants. But a vaccine-resistant strain could develop in the future. Dr. Mark Dybul, the CEO of Enochian Biosciences, joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" anchor Elaine Quijano to discuss the risk, as well as the latest data on Pfizer's antiviral pill.
Omicron subvariant BA.5 driving U.S. COVID cases
Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 now account for more than nine out of 10 new COVID-19 infections in the U.S. CBS News reporter Alexander Tin joined "Red and Blue" to discuss the latest numbers from the CDC.
Live
Trump warns Iran is set to "get a beating" as 5-month war expands
The war in the Middle East is expanding, with President Trump threatening Iran with "a beating" and the U.S. and Saudi Arabia jointly striking Iranian proxies in Iraq.
Fauci invokes 5th in hearing, citing Rand Paul's "unhinged obsession"
Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before the Senate to testify on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic but invoked his Fifth Amendment rights in answering all questions.
Airport immigration arrests stem from TSA-ICE collaboration, sources say
Recent reports of immigration arrests at U.S. airports, some of them captured in videos that have gone viral, stem from increased collaboration, ICE sources tell CBS News.
Trump asks Supreme Court to overturn $83.3 million E. Jean Carroll case
President Trump is asking the Supreme Court to throw out an $83.3 million defamation judgment the writer E. Jean Carroll won against him.
Fed holds interest rates steady, but 3 officials vote for hike
Fed officials are leaving their benchmark rate unchanged for a fifth straight meeting, a sign they expect inflation to ease.
Comey claims DOJ ordered illegal surveillance, seeks dismissal of "86 47" case
Former FBI Director James Comey filed new motions late Tuesday in his effort to toss out federal charges accusing him of threatening President Trump's by posting a photo of seashells arranged to form the numbers "86 47."
Actor Jared Leto accused of criminal sexual conduct by 4 women
Four women say Hollywood star Jared Leto committed sexual crimes against them when they were teenagers, in interviews with the BBC.
Singer-songwriter Glen Hansard killed in motorcycle crash
Academy Award-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard has died in a motorcycle crash.
The gut's link to Parkinson's — and more takeaways from this week's "Healthful"
"Ask a Doctor" columnist Dr. Trisha Pasricha joined "Healthful" to discuss the brain-gut connection.
U.S.
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Why are airlines banning humanoid robots from flights?
Three major U.S. airlines have quietly changed their policies to ban humanoid and animal-like robots from their flights.
Trump asks Supreme Court to overturn $83.3 million E. Jean Carroll case
President Trump is asking the Supreme Court to throw out an $83.3 million defamation judgment the writer E. Jean Carroll won against him.
Fed holds interest rates steady, but 3 officials vote for hike
Fed officials are leaving their benchmark rate unchanged for a fifth straight meeting, a sign they expect inflation to ease.
Murder victim found in Oregon woods in 1972 identified as WWII veteran
A murder victim has been identified decades after his remains were discovered in a wooded area in Oregon in 1972, authorities said.
Airport immigration arrests stem from TSA-ICE collaboration, sources say
Recent reports of immigration arrests at U.S. airports, some of them captured in videos that have gone viral, stem from increased collaboration, ICE sources tell CBS News.
MoneyWatch
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Why are airlines banning humanoid robots from flights?
Three major U.S. airlines have quietly changed their policies to ban humanoid and animal-like robots from their flights.
Fed holds interest rates steady, but 3 officials vote for hike
Fed officials are leaving their benchmark rate unchanged for a fifth straight meeting, a sign they expect inflation to ease.
Schools are testing pepper-spraying drones to stop shooters
Schools in three states will be equipped with drones this coming academic year that aim to find and deter active shooters within seconds.
U.S. bans humanoid robot imports, eyeing China and national security concerns
The Federal Communications Commission is banning imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security risks, in a move that targets China.
Canadian tourism slumped in the U.S. last year amid heightened tensions
Millions of Canadians shunned travel to the U.S. in 2025, opting to vacation at home or travel to other countries.
Politics
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Trump asks Supreme Court to overturn $83.3 million E. Jean Carroll case
President Trump is asking the Supreme Court to throw out an $83.3 million defamation judgment the writer E. Jean Carroll won against him.
Airport immigration arrests stem from TSA-ICE collaboration, sources say
Recent reports of immigration arrests at U.S. airports, some of them captured in videos that have gone viral, stem from increased collaboration, ICE sources tell CBS News.
Fauci invokes 5th in hearing, citing Rand Paul's "unhinged obsession"
Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before the Senate to testify on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic but invoked his Fifth Amendment rights in answering all questions.
Grants halted at agency devoted to safety of U.S. healthcare
Congress appropriated $345 million for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for the 2026 fiscal year, but the agency has spent less than $15 million on grants.
Comey claims DOJ ordered illegal surveillance, seeks dismissal of "86 47" case
Former FBI Director James Comey filed new motions late Tuesday in his effort to toss out federal charges accusing him of threatening President Trump's by posting a photo of seashells arranged to form the numbers "86 47."
HealthWatch
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The gut's link to Parkinson's — and more takeaways from this week's "Healthful"
"Ask a Doctor" columnist Dr. Trisha Pasricha joined "Healthful" to discuss the brain-gut connection.
Grants halted at agency devoted to safety of U.S. healthcare
Congress appropriated $345 million for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for the 2026 fiscal year, but the agency has spent less than $15 million on grants.
What is postpartum psychosis, the disorder at the center of Lindsay Clancy's trial?
A key question in the Massachusetts murder trial of Lindsay Clancy is whether postpartum psychosis drove her to kill her three children.
William Shatner and daughter Melanie recall fighting Stage 4 cancer together
Actor William Shatner and his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, recall how they helped each other as they fought Stage 4 cancer side by side.
Carly Simon reveals Parkinson's diagnosis: "Learning how to live with it"
Carly Simon, the singer known for 1970s hits like "You're So Vain," announced she has Parkinson's disease and also was treated for basal cell carcinoma.
World
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FIFA hits Argentina with World Cup charges for scuffle, political banner
A list of disciplinary cases opened by FIFA against Argentina also includes "discriminatory chants and gestures" by fans.
Teen hitman guilty of U.K. murder plot for Swedish crime group with Iran links
A 19-year-old Norwegian hitman was found guilty of an assassination plot after sending selfies with weapons to his girlfriend and friends.
2 firefighters die in Greece as others fight massive blaze in France
Two firefighters died in a blaze on the Greek island of Crete Wednesday while crews in France confronted a wildfire four times the size of Paris, officials said.
2025 was deadliest year for antisemitic attacks in 30 years, study says
Last year, 20 people were killed in antisemitic attacks outside of Israel, making it the deadliest year for such incidents since 1994.
Singer-songwriter Glen Hansard killed in motorcycle crash
Academy Award-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard has died in a motorcycle crash.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Zoe Saldaña on new season of "Lioness"
Zoe Saldaña tells "CBS Mornings" why this season of "Lioness" is demanding, how the series challenges the actors and what it's like working with Taylor Sheridan.
Singer-songwriter Glen Hansard killed in motorcycle crash
Academy Award-winning Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard has died in a motorcycle crash.
Actor Jared Leto accused of criminal sexual conduct by 4 women
Four women say Hollywood star Jared Leto committed sexual crimes against them when they were teenagers, in interviews with the BBC.
William Shatner and daughter Melanie recall fighting Stage 4 cancer together
Actor William Shatner and his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, recall how they helped each other as they fought Stage 4 cancer side by side.
William Shatner, daughter on cancer journeys
Legendary actor William Shatner and his daughter Melanie Shatner Gretsch are opening up about their battles with Stage 4 cancer nearly at the same time as each other. Both are now cancer-free and share how they helped each other through the challenging time.
Technology
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Why are airlines banning humanoid robots from flights?
Three major U.S. airlines have quietly changed their policies to ban humanoid and animal-like robots from their flights.
Why researchers are calling for AI slowdown
Researchers at some of the world's largest artificial intelligence companies are calling for a slowdown of its development. Rebecca Bellan, a senior reporter for TechCrunch, joins to discuss.
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.
Schools are testing pepper-spraying drones to stop shooters
Schools in three states will be equipped with drones this coming academic year that aim to find and deter active shooters within seconds.
Tech workers warn AI development must slow
The artificial intelligence industry faces internal pressure as developers at top technology companies caution that accelerating AI development is risky, emphasizing that the industry must pace itself and develop oversight. CBS News' Jo Ling Kent reports.
Science
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Science
How plants feel
Science shows us that, even though plants don't have brains, they seem to have a nervous system that responds to touch in remarkable ways. Robert Krulwich and puppeteer Barnaby Dixon explore the science of thigmomorphogenesis (the phenomenon of plants reacting to outside stimulae), a discussion that plants the seeds for a song.
Nearly 30 beluga whales sent to the U.S.
Nearly 30 beluga whales were sent to aquariums across the U.S. in a multinational emergency operation after their home aquarium in Canada shuttered. Jared Ochacher reports.
SpaceX launches first rocket since IPO
Elon Musk's aerospace company, SpaceX, launched its massive Starship rocket in its first test flight since the company went public. Since achieving the largest IPO in history, SpaceX's stock has dropped drastically. Mark Strassmann takes a look.
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.
Crime
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Teen hitman guilty of U.K. murder plot for Swedish crime group with Iran links
A 19-year-old Norwegian hitman was found guilty of an assassination plot after sending selfies with weapons to his girlfriend and friends.
Actor Jared Leto accused of criminal sexual conduct by 4 women
Four women say Hollywood star Jared Leto committed sexual crimes against them when they were teenagers, in interviews with the BBC.
7 charred bodies found in house with narco gang-related messages
Ecuador has become a cocaine trafficking hub, plagued by gangs with ties to Mexican and Colombian cartels.
Georgia teen sentenced for school shooting
Sixteen-year-old Colt Gray was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday for the 2024 shooting at Georgia's Apalachee High School which killed four people.
Colt Gray sentenced to life without parole
A judge on Tuesday sentenced Colt Gray to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Gray pleaded guilty to killing four people in the deadly 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School. CBS News correspondent Skyler Henry has the latest.
Space
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Russian Soyuz brings three home after 8 months at space station
The Soyuz MS-28 landing in Kazakhstan brought a 241-day stay in space to a successful conclusion.
SpaceX's Super Heavy-Starship blasts off on 13th test flight
An upgraded version of the world's most powerful rocket is key to landing NASA astronauts on the moon in the agency's Artemis program.
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.
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.
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
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Latest CBS News Videos
Altman previews new AI model with lawmakers
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with government officials in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday to discuss an upcoming AI model, one day after the release of an open letter from over 1,000 employees of AI companies asking for development to be paced. White House reporter for Politico Alex Gangitano joins CBS News to discuss.
Inside Paul's accusations against Dr. Fauci
Dr. Anthony Fauci, formerly the federal government's top infectious disease expert, invoked his Fifth Amendment rights Wednesday in a hearing before the Senate Homeland Security Committee. Fauci was appearing under subpoena days after Sen. Rand Paul released a trove of diary entries Fauci wrote during his time as a leader in the Trump and Biden administrations' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. New York Times correspondent Sheryl Gay Stolberg joins CBS News to discuss.
Fed votes to hold interest rates steady
The Federal Reserve has voted to keep interest rates steady at the 3.5% to 3.75% target range despite concerns about inflation and oil prices. The decision was not unanimous. CBS News MoneyWatch correspondent Kelly O'Grady breaks it down.
Why researchers are calling for AI slowdown
Researchers at some of the world's largest artificial intelligence companies are calling for a slowdown of its development. Rebecca Bellan, a senior reporter for TechCrunch, joins to discuss.
What's next for Fauci after COVID hearing
Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing about COVID-19. Arthur Allen, a senior correspondent for KFF Health News, joins with more.