How Russia prisoner swap came together
Three American citizens and a permanent resident are on their way home Thursday after the U.S. secured their release from prison in Russia. CBS News' Olivia Gazis, Robert Costa and Ed O'Keefe have more.
Russia
WSJ bureau chief on prisoner swap
Thursday's prisoner swap with Russia is the largest of its kind since the Cold War. The deal ends more than a year-long nightmare for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Ann Simmons, Moscow bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, joins "America Decides" to reflect on her colleague's release.
U.S., Russia prisoner swap is the latest in a long history of exchanges
Despite frosty relations, the U.S. and the former Soviet Union have swapped prisoners for decades.
Breaking down the historic prisoner swap
The families of three American citizens and one legal permanent resident are awaiting the return of their family members who have been held captive in Russia. Their release is part of a monumental prisoner swap that involved Germany, Russia and other nations. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe and Olivia Gazis report.
How the prisoner swap negotiation worked
The decision to involve other nations that provided leverage in a prisoner swap with Russia appears to have helped the U.S. negotiate terms for the historic exchange underway Thursday. Erin Banco, a POLITICO national security reporter, joins CBS News with more details.
Biden's efforts to free prisoners
President Biden's work to negotiate the release of Americans held captive in Russia reaped results Thursday with a historic deal involving several U.S. allies. William Pomeranz, senior fellow and former director of the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute, joins CBS News with more.
Harris' role in historic prisoner swap
President Biden thanked the U.S. allies involved in the historic prisoner swap deal announced Thursday. Three American citizens and one permanent resident were released as part of the deal. CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes reports from the White House, and CBS News campaign reporter Nidia Cavazos has more on Vice President Kamala Harris' role in the negotiations.
Russian assassin among those walking free in U.S.-Russia prisoner swap
A Russian assassin jailed for life in Germany is among the Russians being released as part of the U.S.-Russia prisoner exchange.
Biden celebrates historic prisoner swap
President Biden addressed the nation Thursday alongside the family members of several prisoners who have been freed as part of a multi-nation negotiation that impacted 24 prisoners. John Dickerson anchored CBS News' special report.
Historic U.S.-Russia prisoner swap
Several countries involved in a historic prisoner swap successfully negotiated the release of 24 prisoners, including three American citizens and one legal permanent resident, and others from Russia, Germany and three other Western countries. CBS News' Olivia Gazis and Elizabeth Palmer break down the news, and William B. Taylor, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, joins CBS News with his analysis of the diplomatic feat.
U.S.-Russia prisoner swap's complexities
The prisoner swap taking place Thursday to free Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and others is a complex one that involves multiple countries. CBS News intelligence and national security reporter Olivia Gazis has more on the details of the exchange. Following Gazis' reporting, William E. Pomeranz, senior fellow and former director of the Wilson Center's Kennan Institute, and former U.S. ambassador to Russia John Sullivan joined CBS News to discuss how an exchange like this works.
Congress reacts to U.S.-Russia prisoner swap
Reaction is coming in from lawmakers on Capitol Hill about the major U.S.-Russia prisoner swap taking place Thursday that will free Americans Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and others. CBS News congressional correspondent Scott MacFarlane has more.
Former U.S. ambassador to Russia on prisoner swap
John Sullivan, the former U.S. ambassador to Russia, joined CBS News to discuss Thursday's prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia that includes Americans Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan. Following Sullivan's comments, CBS News senior foreign correspondent Elizabeth Palmer provided information on the Americans still held by Russia.
Inside the U.S.-Russia prison swap
A major prisoner swap is taking place Thursday between the U.S. and Russia that includes Americans Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan among others. Lindsey Reiser anchored CBS News' special coverage of the exchange.
Plane with Russian prisoners lands in Turkey
Americans Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva are expected to be part of a major prisoner swap Thursday that the U.S. and Russia have agreed to. The plane believed to be holding the prisoners from Russia has landed in Turkey. Michael George anchored CBS News' special coverage of the release.
What to know about Gershkovich and Whelan
A major prisoner swap is underway between the U.S. and Russia that includes Americans Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva. Michael George anchored CBS News' special coverage of the release.
Prisoner swap for Gershkovich, Whelan underway
The Biden administration has agreed to a prisoner swap with Russia to secure the release of U.S. citizens Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and Alsu Kurmasheva. Nate Burleson anchored CBS News' special report.
What we know about U.S.-Russia prisoner swap
Americans Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan along with Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva are expected to be part of a prisoner exchange the Biden administration has agreed to with Russia. The exchange is expected later Thursday. CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes has more.
U.S., Russia agree to prisoner swap
The Biden administration has agreed to a prisoner exchange with Russia and is expected to soon secure the release of three American citizens imprisoned in Russia including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan, and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, a senior administration official confirms. Others are believed to be part of the deal. CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes has more.
Israel gave U.S. heads up about Beirut strike
Vice President Kamala Harris said "Israel has a right to defend itself" after it conducted a strike Tuesday in a suburb of Beirut. The Israeli military says it was targeting the man allegedly behind an attack in the Golan Heights that killed multiple children and teens. CBS News intelligence and national security reporter Olivia Gazis has more.
Russia's Wagner group admits losses in Mali as gruesome videos surface
Taureg rebels in northern Mali, battling the country's ruling junta and its Russian mercenary partners, say they've killed dozens of enemy fighters.
Iran trying to hurt Trump campaign and Russia seeking to aid it, U.S. says
Iran is trying to hinder the Trump campaign and Russia is doing the opposite, U.S. officials indicated in a briefing 99 days before Election Day.
Pentagon invests in Asian partners as China flexes with Russia
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is making his 11th trip to the Indo-Pacific as secretary just days after Chinese and Russian bombers were intercepted for the first time ever off the coast of Alaska.
Ukraine's Olympic athletes
CBS News' Leah Mishkin reports on a display in central London honoring the hundreds of Ukrainian athletes who've died in the war with Russia, as their country sends its smallest team ever to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Which countries are in the 2024 Olympics, and which countries aren't?
The 2024 Olympic Games bring many of the world's top athletes to Paris from countries and territories across the globe.
Trump revisits disputed claims about elections but offers no new proof of fraud
In a primetime address, President Trump alleged the U.S. election system falls "catastrophically short," revisiting a topic that has drawn his attention for years — and making claims that election experts have heavily disputed.
Live
"Worst case scenario" for shippers as U.S. and Iran step up attacks
As the U.S. and Iran escalate attacks 140 days into the war, an industry analyst says "nobody is willing to move" through the Strait of Hormuz.
Maps show wildfire smoke forecast, air quality alerts in U.S.
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Fact-checking Trump's speech on election security
President Trump delivered a speech on election security Thursday night at the White House. Here are the facts behind some of his claims.
Universities get funding from foreign entities on U.S. watch lists, records show
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Andy Burnham declared Labour Party leader, will become U.K. prime minister
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Thousands of election-focused workers cut during Trump's 2nd term
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Cyclosporiasis outbreak possibly traced to lettuce from Mexico used by Taco Bell
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Trump falsely alleges voting machines are "vulnerable" and "easily compromised"
President Trump alleged voting machines and ballot-counting systems are "extremely exposed to attack" — but experts say voting machines are subject to intense controls.
U.S.
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Trump revisits disputed claims about elections but offers no new proof of fraud
In a primetime address, President Trump alleged the U.S. election system falls "catastrophically short," revisiting a topic that has drawn his attention for years — and making claims that election experts have heavily disputed.
Trump falsely alleges voting machines are "vulnerable" and "easily compromised"
President Trump alleged voting machines and ballot-counting systems are "extremely exposed to attack" — but experts say voting machines are subject to intense controls.
Fact-checking Trump's speech on election security
President Trump delivered a speech on election security Thursday night at the White House. Here are the facts behind some of his claims.
Blanche holds meeting with Epstein accusers after Tillis' request
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche met with accusers of Jeffrey Epstein following a demand to do so by a Republican senator whose support is crucial to advancing his nomination to lead the Justice Department.
Dozens of Marineland's whales coming to U.S. through rescue plan
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MoneyWatch
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Trump Media to sell faster access to president's Truth Social posts
"Markets already move on Truth Social posts," the company's chief executive said in the Truth API announcement.
Airlines say permanent daylight saving time won't be simple
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Teleprompter operator made over $100K betting on Trump speeches
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Nearly 736,000 Pillsbury rolls recalled over possible glass contamination
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Foreclosures surged 21% in the first half of 2026, new data shows
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Politics
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Trump revisits disputed claims about elections but offers no new proof of fraud
In a primetime address, President Trump alleged the U.S. election system falls "catastrophically short," revisiting a topic that has drawn his attention for years — and making claims that election experts have heavily disputed.
Trump falsely alleges voting machines are "vulnerable" and "easily compromised"
President Trump alleged voting machines and ballot-counting systems are "extremely exposed to attack" — but experts say voting machines are subject to intense controls.
Fact-checking Trump's speech on election security
President Trump delivered a speech on election security Thursday night at the White House. Here are the facts behind some of his claims.
Blanche holds meeting with Epstein accusers after Tillis' request
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Thousands of election-focused workers cut during Trump's 2nd term
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HealthWatch
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HealthWatch
FDA approves new cholesterol pill
The FDA has approved a new daily cholesterol pill that works differently from popular statins and may deliver better results for some people. Dr. Corey Bradley, a cardiologist at Columbia University's Irving Medical Center, joins "CBS Evening News" to discuss.
FDA names likely cyclosporiasis source
The FDA has identified Taylor Farms as the likely source of lettuce contaminated with the parasite behind cyclosporiasis, as the outbreak grows. Mark Strassmann reports.
Cyclosporiasis outbreak possibly traced to lettuce from Mexico used by Taco Bell
A lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell is being investigated as a possible source for a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people.
Doctors question plan to screen military members for low testosterone
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Introducing Norah O'Donnell's new health podcast
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World
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Tree-killing Asian beetle detected in EU for first time
The emerald ash borer, which has devastated ash forests in North America, has been detected in the European Union for the first time.
Andy Burnham declared Labour Party leader, will become U.K. prime minister
Andy Burnham was officially declared leader of Britain's governing Labour Party, clearing his final hurdle to taking office as prime minister next week.
Journalist known as "The Jaguar" shot dead in Mexico
The state government condemned the murder of Josue Martinez, and called on prosecutors to launch a probe in order to find those responsible.
Live
"Worst case scenario" for shippers as U.S. and Iran step up attacks
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Dozens of Marineland's whales coming to U.S. through rescue plan
Dozens of beluga whales are set to be relocated from the shuttered Canadian theme park to aquariums across the United States through an international emergency rescue effort, officials said.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
From the archives: Pat Oliphant and the art of political cartoons
Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Pat Oliphant, whose acidic drawings skewering political figures were syndicated in as many as 500 publications around the world, died on July 13, 2026 at age 90. In this April 16, 2000 "Sunday Morning" story, Oliphant talked with Morley Safer about caricature, censorship, and the influence of the first great political cartoonist, 19th century French master Honoré Daumier, whose grotesque drawings of King Louis Philippe led to a curtailment of press freedom in France in 1835.
George Santos to try hand as contestant in grueling TV reality show
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"Jurassic Park" star Sam Neill's cause of death revealed
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Behind the "Better in Person" talk show
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Insider at "The Wolf of Wall Street" firm opens up: "My lifestyle was insane"
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Erin Brockovich on data center regulation
New York is now the first state to temporarily ban data center construction, paving the way for others to follow suit. Environmental advocate Erin Brockovich joins "The Takeout" to discuss.
Mayor to homeowner losing sleep over data center plant: "Consider selling"
Noise from a Mississippi plant powering Elon Musk's xAI data centers in the area is causing migraines, ringing ears and sleepless nights, residents say.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
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Mississippi residents decry data center plant
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Meta announces new safety features
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Science
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.
Crime
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Journalist known as "The Jaguar" shot dead in Mexico
The state government condemned the murder of Josue Martinez, and called on prosecutors to launch a probe in order to find those responsible.
U.S. designates cartel on Texas border as foreign terrorist organization
The Juárez Cartel and Los Viagras joined six other Mexican criminal organizations that the U.S. considers terrorist groups.
Woman speaks in support of Blanche at hearing
Antioch, Illinois, mother Jennifer Bos voiced her support for Todd Blanche at his confirmation hearing to become attorney general. Bos advocates for stricter immigration policy after her daughter was allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant.
Sons of man killed by ICE agent speak out
Ronaldo Salgado and Lorenzo Salgado Jr., the sons of the Mexican man who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Houston, spoke to CBS News' Camilo Montoya-Galvez about their father's death.
New details emerge in Nolan Wells case
Newly obtained GPS data from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources tracks the movements of the boat that Mississippi teen Nolan Wells was on before he went missing. Wells was found dead after a Fourth of July boat trip to Horn Island with friends. CBS News' Anna Schecter has the latest on the investigation.
Space
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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.
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Notable Deaths in 2026
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Evidence in the Barbara Kendhammer case
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Canadian wildfires impact U.S. air quality
Smoke from wildfires in Canada is creating dangerous air quality conditions for approximately 100 million Americans in more than a dozen states. Rob Marciano has the latest.
Details on source of cyclosporiasis outbreak
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Trump makes speech on election security
During his primetime speech on Thursday, President Trump outlined alleged Chinese efforts to collect voter data and repeated disproven claims about voting by noncitizens. Weijia Jiang and CBS News election law contributor David Becker have more on the president's claims.
ICE agents try to detain man at Vegas airport
ICE agents in plain clothes at Harry Reid Airport in Las Vegas tried to detain a man they claim overstayed his visa. Other travelers intervened and the ICE agents ended up walking away, leaving the man handcuffed on one wrist. He was taken into custody the next day when his flight landed in L.A. Nicole Sganga reports.
Eye Opener: Dangerous wildfire smoke
Smoke from wildfires raging in parts of Canada is creating hazardous conditions for millions of Americans. Plus, President Trump questions election integrity during his primetime address, and includes several disproven claims. All that and all that matters in today's Eye Opener.