More than a third of Earth’s tropical rainforests are “completely gone,” and half of what remains is in the Amazon. But now, parts of that jungle are in jeopardy as deforestation and climate change reduce its ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Scientists say it’s a “really big warning,” and if steps aren’t taken soon, “we’re going to be in more trouble.” Source

Federal officials are looking to crack down on ransomware attacks that are attacking critical U.S. infrastructure by implementing a new multi-agency task force. The announcement comes just days after the notorious Russian-linked ransomware group, REvil, suddenly vanished from the internet. CBS News’ Jeff Pegues reports on the task force, then Maurice Turner, a cybersecurity fellow at the Alliance for Securing Democracy, joins CBSN anchor Lana Zak with his analysis. Source

On Thursday, President Biden hosted German Chancellor Angela Merkel for what’s likely to be her last visit to the White House as the leader of Germany. CBS News correspondent Skyler Henry reports on what the two leaders discussed, then CBSN anchor Lana Zak and CBSN political contributor Sean Sullivan discuss how the two leaders reaffirmed the relationship between their nations, and America’s newly enhanced child tax credit. Source

Facebook says Iranian hackers targeted nearly 200 U.S. military personnel on its platform. The hackers, known as “Tortiseshell,” used fake online personas and phishing to drive people off of the site, infect their devices with malware and steal log-in information. CBS News reporter Musadiq Bidar joins CBSN’s Lana Zak to discuss. Source

President Biden said the relationship between the U.S. and Germany is “strong and getting stronger.” Source

President Biden met at the White House with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday as he seeks to reaffirm the U.S. relationship with European allies. CBSN Washington reporter Caitlin Huey-Burns, NPR’s White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and Axios’ political reporter Sarah Mucha join “Red and Blue” anchor Elaine Quijano to discuss the day’s political headlines, including a meeting between House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and former President Donald Trump. Source

“Whatever glowing feeling is inside me, it just transferred from that TV screen and went inside them,” he said. Source

Eliot Middleton, a South Carolina man who fixes clunkers and donates them to people in need, received an outpouring of support from “CBS Evening News” viewers. Mark Strassmann has an update. Source

Here’s a look at the top stories making headlines on the “CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell.” Source

New coronavirus infections have doubled in the U.S. as the pace of vaccinations gets cut in half. As Jericka Duncan reports, the Surgeon General warns misinformation may be playing a part. Then, Dr. Shad Marvasti, a family medicine physician and the director of public health, prevention and health promotion at The University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix, joins CBSN’s Lana Zak to discuss the day’s coronavirus headlines. Source