"They've left me behind," Paul Whelan says from inside Russian prison
American Paul Whelan, imprisoned in Russia for 5 years, says it's "unfathomable to me that they've left me behind."
Viktor Bout
Freed Russian arms dealer known as "Merchant of Death" running for office
Viktor Bout, the Russian arms dealer freed by the U.S. in a prisoner swap for Brittney Griner, is running as a candidate for a far-right party in local elections.
Griner on Russian detainment, WNBA season
Brittney Griner spoke at a press conference Thursday ahead of the WNBA season. The Phoenix Mercury star spoke about what gave her hope during the months she was wrongfully detained in Russian prisons and how she has prepared for her return to basketball. Griner, who had also played for a Russian basketball team, said she wouldn't play overseas again "unless I'm representing my country at the Olympics."
12/8: Red and Blue
U.S.-Russia prisoner swap frees Brittney Griner, Viktor Bout; House passes Respect for Marriage Act.
White House defends Griner-for-Bout swap
WNBA star Brittney Griner is still under medical supervision in Texas, but played basketball for the first time since being released from a Russian prison. The Biden administration is defending the deal that brought her home in exchange for a notorious Russian arms dealer. CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes joined CBS News' John Dickerson to discuss.
Brittney Griner's wife shares first social media post since WNBA star's release
"As BG and I start our journey to heal our minds, bodies, and spirits— I wanted to personally say thank you," Brittney Griner's wife, Cherelle Griner, said on Instagram.
Hill and Krebs on the Griner-Bout prisoner swap
Fiona Hill, the former National Security Council senior director for European and Russian affairs, and Chris Krebs, the former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, discuss the prisoner exchange of Brittney Griner and Viktor Bout.
Brittney Griner and concerns over "hostage diplomacy"
The White House celebrated, and defended, the return of WNBA star Brittney Griner to American soil, after the basketball star detained in Russia on drug charges was released as part of a prisoner swap for notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. Correspondent Christina Ruffini reports on new concerns raised over what has been described as "hostage diplomacy."
Brittney Griner undergoing evaluation in U.S.
Brittney Griner arrived in the U.S. early Friday following her release from Russia in a prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout. CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang joined Catherine Herridge to discuss the latest.
McCaul says Biden administration "got played" by Russia
In his first interview since the controversial prisoner swap of WNBA star Brittney Griner for arms dealer Viktor Bout, Rep. Mike McCaul of Texas told CBS News senior investigative correspondent Catherine Herridge that he thinks the Biden administration "got played" by Russia, and that the original deal would have been a trade of Bout for both Griner and Marine veteran Paul Whelan.
Brittney Griner arrives in U.S. following prisoner swap
Her plane landed in San Antonio, Texas. Griner was freed from Russia in exchange for notorious international arms dealer Viktor Bout.
White House on Griner's return, Sinema's move
Brittney Griner is back in the U.S. after Russia released her in a prisoner swap. CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes joins Lana Zak and Tanya Rivero with more on Griner's return, President Biden's conversation with Paul Whelan's family, and how the administration is reacting to Senator Kyrsten Sinema leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent.
This week on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Dec. 11, 2022
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. CEO Jamie Dimon, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff, and more, will appear on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" this Sunday.
How Russia's propaganda machine has played the Griner prisoner swap
While securing the swap may have scored points for President Joe Biden at home, the same goes for Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Some officials express concern over prisoner swap
The Biden administration is receiving some criticism for the release of convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout as part of a prisoner swap for WNBA star Brittney Griner. Some U.S. officials are worried about the national security implications of Bout's return to Russia. CBS News chief national affairs and justice correspondent Jeff Pegues discusses the situation.
Paul Whelan still detained after prisoner swap
Marine veteran Paul Whelan remains in Russian prison after WNBA star Brittney Griner was freed in a prisoner swap with Viktor Bout, nicknamed the ""Merchant of Death."" Ryan Fayhee, attorney for the Whelan family, spoke to CBS News on Whelan's condition.
Brittney Griner released in prisoner exchange
Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who was held for months in Russian prisons on drug charges, was released Thursday in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to a U.S. official.
U.S. diplomat on Griner swap
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan said the prisoner swap agreed with Russia, to exchange WNBA star Brittney Griner for notorious arms dealer Viktor Bout, was a "take-it-or-leave-it" offer tabled by a government "that isn't bound by law or morals."
Congress reacts to Griner prisoner swap
Lawmakers are weighing in on the White House's prisoner swap that got WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner released from a Russia prison. CBS News congressional correspondent Scott MacFarlane joins us from Capitol Hill with more on that, plus the latest on more classified documents were found in former President Donald Trump's storage unit in Florida.
Blinken addresses concerns over prisoner swap
Basketball star Brittney Griner is heading back to the U.S. in a prisoner swap with Russia. In exchange for Griner, the U.S. released Viktor Bout, a convicted arms dealer known as the "Merchant of Death." Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with CBS News senior foreign affairs correspondent and "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan about the decision. Brennan and CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe join "Red and Blue" to discuss the reaction to the deal.
Blinken on Brittney Griner's release
WNBA star Brittney Griner is heading home after 10 months in Russian custody. In his first interview since her release, Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent and "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan about the deal and what this means for other Americans being held abroad.
U.S. swaps Viktor Bout for Brittney Griner
The U.S. agreed to release Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, nicknamed the "Merchant of Death," in exchange for Moscow freeing WNBA star Brittney Griner. Thomas Firestone, former resident legal adviser for the U.S. Embassy In Moscow, joins CBS News' Elaine Quijano and Tanya Rivero with more.
Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian "Merchant of Death"?
The Russian arms dealer has been released from U.S. prison in a one-for-one swap to free WNBA star Brittney Griner, a U.S. official confirmed.
Do prisoner swaps encourage hostage-taking?
Brittney Griner's release from a Russian prison reignited the debate over the effectiveness of prisoner swaps.
White House on release of Brittney Griner
CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe joins the show to discuss what was said about the release of Brittney Griner during Thursday's White House press briefing. He also weighs in on the deal itself and how it's being received.
Exclusive
DOJ investigating Walz, Frey over alleged conspiracy to impede immigration agents
Federal prosecutors are investigating Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for allegedly impeding immigration agents, sources told CBS News, an extraordinary escalation in the Trump administration's clash with Democratic leaders.
Trump pardons Puerto Rico's former governor Wanda Vázquez
Puerto Rico's former governor Wanda Vázquez was previously indicted in a federal corruption case.
Venezuelan oil is coming to the U.S. What will it mean for gas prices?
The Trump administration says it has completed the first sale of Venezuelan oil to the U.S. Will it mean lower prices at the pump?
New study: Tylenol in pregnancy is not linked to autism or ADHD
"It's as definitive as we're going to get," CBS News medical contributor Dr. Céline Gounder said of the new research, which found no connection between Tylenol and autism or ADHD.
Live
Gov. Walz having "ongoing conversation with the White House" amid ICE crackdown
WCCO has obtained Minneapolis police and Fire Department reports from the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross.
U.S. shouldn't invade Greenland, Pennsylvania Sens. Fetterman and McCormick say
Pennsylvania's two sitting senators, Republican Dave McCormick and Democrat John Fetterman, told CBS News they do not support a U.S. military takeover of Greenland.
NASA moon rocket ready for trip to launch pad
Depending on the timing, NASA could launch a fresh crew to the space station while four other astronauts are flying around the moon.
21-year-old says he's blind in eye after being shot by federal agent at protest
A 21-year-old who demonstrated in Santa Ana, California, against the shooting death of Renee Good says exercising his right to free speech nearly cost him his life.
Renee Good sustained at least 3 gunshot wounds in ICE shooting, report reveals
The new details on Renee Good's death come after a week of protests in Minnesota that prompted President Trump to threaten to use the Insurrection Act.
U.S.
More U.S.
Trump admin. calls on tech companies to pay energy bill for new AI power plants
The White House held an event with a bipartisan group of governors to push for reforms in the largest electric grid in the country.
Therapy dogs provide comfort to survivors of Nashville school shooting
Sgt. Bo, a therapy dog who has provided constant comfort to survivors of a 2023 Nashville school shooting, was the American Humane Society's 2025 Hero Dog Award winner.
Pittsburgh researchers developing lifesaving robot "dogs"
At Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, researchers are hard at work developing robot "dogs" designed to assist in situations too dangerous for humans to help.
New study: Tylenol in pregnancy is not linked to autism or ADHD
"It's as definitive as we're going to get," CBS News medical contributor Dr. Céline Gounder said of the new research, which found no connection between Tylenol and autism or ADHD.
Venezuelan oil is coming to the U.S. What will it mean for gas prices?
The Trump administration says it has completed the first sale of Venezuelan oil to the U.S. Will it mean lower prices at the pump?
MoneyWatch
More MoneyWatch
Venezuelan oil is coming to the U.S. What will it mean for gas prices?
The Trump administration says it has completed the first sale of Venezuelan oil to the U.S. Will it mean lower prices at the pump?
OpenAI to start testing ads on ChatGPT in the coming weeks
The ads will appear at the bottom of the chat window on the free and low-subscription versions of ChatGPT, OpenAI said Friday in a blog post.
Weight loss drugs could save airlines money on fuel as Americans shed pounds
As obesity rates among Americans drop and weight loss drugs lead to a slimmer society, airlines could save on fuel costs, according to a recent analysis.
Canada agrees to cut tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in break with the U.S.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said China has become a more predictable partner to deal with than the U.S., the country's neighbor and longtime ally.
Recall of Frigidaire minifridges sold at major retailers nears 1 million
Curtis International is recalling an additional 330,000 Frigidaire-brand minifridges to an existing recall after reports of the product catching fire.
Politics
More Politics
Trump admin. calls on tech companies to pay energy bill for new AI power plants
The White House held an event with a bipartisan group of governors to push for reforms in the largest electric grid in the country.
U.S. shouldn't invade Greenland, Pennsylvania Sens. Fetterman and McCormick say
Pennsylvania's two sitting senators, Republican Dave McCormick and Democrat John Fetterman, told CBS News they do not support a U.S. military takeover of Greenland.
Trump pardons Puerto Rico's former governor Wanda Vázquez
Puerto Rico's former governor Wanda Vázquez was previously indicted in a federal corruption case.
Exclusive
Senate Democrats push for Noem, Homan testimony after Renee Good killing
Senate Democrats asked Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul to hold hearings on the federal law enforcement deployment in states.
California federal judge rejects effort by DOJ to gather sensitive voter roll data
U.S. District Judge David Carter ruled the Justice Dept.'s demand for voter roll data would trample on Californians' privacy rights
HealthWatch
More HealthWatch
New study: Tylenol in pregnancy is not linked to autism or ADHD
"It's as definitive as we're going to get," CBS News medical contributor Dr. Céline Gounder said of the new research, which found no connection between Tylenol and autism or ADHD.
ACA enrollment ends today in most states, as tax credit fix stalls
Some Americans are dropping their Affordable Care Act health plans after tax subsidies lapsed and their premiums spiked.
Trump admin. reverses sudden cuts in mental health, addiction programs
The Trump administration reversed cuts to grants for mental health and addiction treatment programs that a CBS News source said were valued at around $1.9 billion.
Chicago mayor explains how he's tackling the city's life expectancy gap
In 2023, life expectancy in the Loop was 87.3 years, while in West Garfield Park, life expectancy was just 66.6 years, according to the city's Health Department.
Recalled "super greens" supplement linked to dozens of salmonella cases, CDC says
Illnesses linked to the New York-based Live it Up Super Greens brand powder were reported in 21 states from Aug. 22 to Dec. 30, 2025.
World
More World
Mexico touts successful crackdown on cartels amid Trump threats
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum has sought to placate President Trump and build a strong relationship between the U.S. and Mexico.
Canada agrees to cut tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in break with the U.S.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said China has become a more predictable partner to deal with than the U.S., the country's neighbor and longtime ally.
CIA director meets with Venezuela's interim president in Caracas
CIA director John Ratcliffe delivered a message that the U.S. "looks forward to an improved working relationship" with Venezuela, a U.S. official told CBS News.
U.S. lawmakers seek to reassure Denmark amid Trump's push for Greenland
A bipartisan congressional delegation met with Danish and Greenlandic officials Friday to show support for Greenland's territorial integrity despite President Trump's push to acquire the island.
Mummified cheetahs found in caves in Saudi Arabia
Researchers excavated seven mummies along with the bones of 54 other cheetahs from a site near the city of Arar.
Entertainment
More Entertainment
Entertainment
Alicia Keys on "Hell's Kitchen" success
In an exclusive interview with "CBS Mornings," Alicia Keys reflects on "Hell's Kitchen's" Broadway run ending after nearly two years of sold-out performances. The musical is inspired by Keys' own experiences and will continue its national tour. She speaks about the decision for it to leave Broadway and how she has found a healthy relationship with success.
Behind Ron King's mission to protect donkeys
Oscar's Place, a donkey sanctuary in California, now has 210 donkeys and it has successfully resettled 189 others. Ron King, the co-founder and CEO of the sanctuary, helped to create the new docuseries "Donkey King," which follows the work he and volunteers do to rescue, rehabilitate and resettle the animals to protect them. He speaks to "CBS Mornings" about his mission and why he says donkeys are misunderstood.
Actor Timothy Busfield held without bond in New Mexico child sex abuse case
Another allegation against Busfield was reported to law enforcement the same day he turned himself in, according to a court filing.
Stars of "Sinners" talk about movie
"Sinners" stars Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton and Wunmi Mosaku talk to "CBS Mornings" about the movie's recent success at the Golden Globes, the atmosphere on set and what they learned through the process.
Ali Larter talks what's ahead in "Landman"
Actor Ali Larter plays Angela Harris, the ex-wife of an oilman played by Billy Bob Thornton in the Paramount+ series "Landman." She talks to "CBS Mornings" about the series, working with Thornton and how she landed her role.
Technology
More Technology
Technology
Palantir develops app to help ICE: 404 Media
A new investigative report by 404 Media says ICE agents have a new high-tech way to zero in on neighborhoods to raid. The report says it's an app called Elite, powered by Palantir. Joseph Cox, an investigative journalist at 404 Media, discusses his reporting on CBS News.
OpenAI to start testing ads on ChatGPT in the coming weeks
The ads will appear at the bottom of the chat window on the free and low-subscription versions of ChatGPT, OpenAI said Friday in a blog post.
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.
Mother of Musk child sues over deepfake images
Elon Musk is facing a lawsuit from Ashley St. Clair, with whom he shares a child, over deepfakes of her undressed made by his AI chatbot Grok. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson joins with analysis.
Verizon offers customers $20 credit for widespread outage
Verizon says it's giving a $20 credit to customers affected an outage that disrupted service across the U.S.
Science
More Science
Fossils found at Dinosaur National Monument, first excavation in 100 years
The Dinosaur National Monument, which is located on the border between Colorado and Utah, was last excavated in 1924.
Fossils found in cave shed light on where our species emerged
Fossilized bones and teeth dating to 773,000 years ago are providing a deeper understanding of the emergence of Homo sapiens.
The history and mystery of kissing
If you rang in the new year with a kiss, you took part in a tradition millions of years in the making. Scientists now say the origins of kissing go back much farther than most think. CBS News' Tina Kraus has more.
2025 was so hot it pushed Earth past critical climate change mark
2025 was the third hottest year on record and pushed Earth past a critical climate change mark, scientists say.
Major climate research center on Trump administration chopping block
The Trump administration intends to dismantle one of the world's leading climate research institutions, in Boulder, Colorado, over what it said were concerns about "climate alarmism."
Crime
More Crime
Crime
Couple probed for child abuse had more surrogate babies
This past July, police in California raided the home of Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang over allegations of possible child abuse. The couple's 21 children, mostly surrogate-born, were taken into state custody as an investigation began. In the months since their arrest and release, the couple has had at least five more surrogate-born babies. The couple is now fighting for custody of all of their children and is suing some of their surrogates in the process. CBS News legal reporter Katrina Kaufman has more.
Robinson attorneys trying to disqualify prosecutor
Lawyers for the man accused of killing Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk are trying to disqualify one of the prosecutors on the case. CBS News reporter Andres Gutierrez has more.
ICE holding about 73,000 people, data shows
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is holding about 73,000 people facing deportation, a new record high, according to data. CBS News' Camilo Montoya-Galvez reports.
What we know about Renee Good shooting report
A Minneapolis Fire Department report obtained by CBS News details Renee Good's apparent injuries and other details about the shooting. CBS News' Ian Lee reports.
Massive college basketball rigging accusation
A federal indictment alleges some college basketball players were bribed to play poorly in a point-shaving scheme. Citadel professor Sean Patrick Griffin joins CBS News with more details.
Space
More Space
NASA moon rocket ready for trip to launch pad
Depending on the timing, NASA could launch a fresh crew to the space station while four other astronauts are flying around the moon.
Countdown to new lunar mission
NASA says it could be just weeks away from launching astronauts on a flight around the moon for the first time in more than half a century. Final preparations are underway at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where the Artemis II moon rocket is expected to roll out to the launch pad on Saturday.
Astronauts return after mission cut short
A NASA crew splashed down off the coast of California on Thursday weeks earlier than scheduled due to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station dealing with a medical issue. Mark Strassmann reports on the unprecedented mission home.
Astronauts back on Earth after medical issue cut mission short
Four space station Crew 11 fliers splashed down off the Southern California coast at 3:41 a.m. ET, closing out a 167-day stay in space cut short by a medical issue.
Former NASA astronaut on ISS undocking
The members of SpaceX Crew-11 undocked from the International Space Station on Wednesday, beginning their journey back to Earth. The crew is leaving a month early after NASA announced that an unnamed team member experienced an undisclosed "medical concern." Clayton Anderson, a former NASA astronaut who spent time on the ISS, joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
Latest Galleries
More Latest Galleries
Notable Deaths in 2025
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
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?
The life & near death of prizefighter Christy Salters-Martin
Christy Salters-Martin dominated in the boxing ring but faced her toughest challenger at home.
Timeline: The disappearance of George Smith
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Who is Alix Tichelman?
Meet the tattooed beauty charged in the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes.
Latest CBS News Videos
More Latest CBS News Videos
Latest CBS News Videos
Kids praise dogs that helped them after shooting
After a shooting at a school in Nashville, therapy dogs started visiting students to offer support. Steve Hartman has the story in "On the Road."
Robot "dogs" go places too dangerous for humans
At Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, researchers are hard at work developing robot "dogs" designed to assist in situations too dangerous for humans to help. Tony Dokoupil has the story.
Sens. Fetterman and McCormick on working together
In an interview with "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil, Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania discuss working together despite their political differences, how they view President Trump's push to acquire Greenland, health care, and more.
Study: Tylenol use during pregnancy not linked to autism
Despite fears raised by public health officials in the Trump administration, a new study finds that taking Tylenol as recommended during pregnancy does not increase the risk of autism, ADHD or any other intellectual disabilities in babies. CBS News medical contributor Dr. Céline Gounder has more.
Study finds no link between Tylenol and autism
A new analysis of dozens of peer-reviewed medical studies found no link between the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and diagnoses of autism, ADHD or intellectual disabilities in children.