Qantas tested its new Airbus A350-1000ULR plane with a nonstop 19-hour flight from France to Melbourne. The plane is designed for very long flights, like Sydney to London, expected to begin direct service in October 2027.
Key Facts
The test flight covered almost 17,000 kilometers from Toulouse, France to Melbourne, Australia.
The flight took 19 hours and landed in Melbourne on Friday morning local time.
The plane can fly up to 22 hours nonstop, suitable for ultra-long routes like Sydney to London.
Qantas plans to start the direct Sydney-London service in October 2027.
The test crew included four flight test pilots and five engineers; Qantas pilots will join on the return.
The plane carries extra fuel tanks to support flights up to nearly 18,500 kilometers.
Qantas ordered 12 of these planes with 238 seats each, fewer than standard models.
The first plane with full Qantas paint and name "Vega" will be delivered in April 2027.
Qantas is considering direct flights from Melbourne and Brisbane to major cities, adjusting plans based on demand.
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Alaska has sent over 3,000 letters to voters asking them to confirm their U.S. citizenship before the August primary election. The Alaska Division of Elections said the large number of letters was due to an error from old data linked to the Department of Motor Vehicles and that voters are not required to provide documents but must confirm their status to remain active on the voter list.
Key Facts
Alaska sent 3,048 letters asking voters to verify their citizenship before the August 18 primary.
The usual number of such letters is about 200, so this is unusually high.
The high number resulted from old or incorrect data during voter list updates using DMV information.
Voters who get the letter can confirm citizenship by letter, phone, or email without submitting documents.
Those who don’t respond are moved to an inactive voter list but can still vote using a special ballot requiring them to confirm their qualifications.
State election officials said the process does not stop anyone from voting.
Some Alaska lawmakers expressed concern because recipients of the letter include confirmed U.S. citizens.
Alaska is one of at least 16 states that shared detailed voter information with the U.S. Department of Justice, but the letter campaign is not related to this data sharing.
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The US government reports spending over $37.5 billion on the conflict involving Iran and is seeking an additional $67 billion. An expert told Al Jazeera that members of Congress might find it difficult to vote against this funding request.
Key Facts
The US has already spent more than $37.5 billion on the Iran conflict.
The Secretary of Defense is asking Congress for $67 billion more.
The funding is intended to support ongoing military activities related to Iran.
An analyst said voting against the funding may be politically challenging for Congress members.
The discussion about funding is happening during current US political debates.
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Israel bombed several areas in Gaza after telling people to leave those places, killing at least two Palestinians. This happened despite a ceasefire agreement made last year, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains very difficult.
Key Facts
Israel issued evacuation orders before bombing parts of Gaza.
At least two Palestinians were killed in the recent air strikes.
Bombings targeted refugee camps and neighborhoods in Gaza City, including Bureij, Jabalia, Zeitoun, and Tal al-Hawa.
Some people were injured in a strike on a building in the Zeitoun neighborhood.
The Israeli strikes occurred after warnings to civilians to leave the targeted areas.
Egypt urged the US to speed up deployment of an international security force to Gaza to help stabilize the region.
Moroccan officers visited Gaza to prepare for joining the international force, and Morocco plans to send security personnel and a field hospital.
About 1.4 million people in Gaza face severe food shortages, and humanitarian aid is urgently needed.
The UK called on Israel to stop restricting aid access to Gaza, warning that aid limits worsen health and water problems.
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A federal court has allowed Tennessee to use a new congressional map that breaks up a majority-Black district in Memphis. The court found no clear evidence of racial discrimination, allowing the new districts to be used in the upcoming primary elections.
Key Facts
Tennessee’s new congressional map divides a majority-Black district in Memphis into parts of three different districts.
The change follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limited protections against racial gerrymandering.
The new map aims to help Republicans win additional seats in the 2026 midterm elections.
Opponents say the new map weakens Black voters' influence and violates the Constitution.
Republican lawmakers say the new districts were drawn for political reasons, not racial ones.
The court panel included two judges appointed by President Trump and one by President Obama.
Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, who has represented the Memphis district for about 20 years, ended his reelection bid after the redraw.
Critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union, argue the map reduces the voting power of Black communities in Tennessee.
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Nearly six months after Nancy Guthrie was kidnapped from her home in Arizona, the full text of a ransom note believed to be from her kidnapper has been shared publicly. The case remains under investigation as authorities continue searching for her.
Key Facts
Nancy Guthrie was taken from her home in Arizona about six months ago.
A ransom note connected to her kidnapping has now been fully revealed.
Authorities believe the note may have come from the kidnapper.
Savannah Guthrie, a host on the "Today" show, is Nancy Guthrie’s daughter.
The search for Nancy Guthrie is ongoing with new information recently released.
Details about the contents of the ransom note have not been specified in the article.
The case is still active and being followed by law enforcement.
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Roger Rogoff, a U.S. attorney who worked for less than an hour, is suing President Donald Trump’s administration after being fired. He is asking a federal court to put him back in his job as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington.
Key Facts
Roger Rogoff was appointed as U.S. Attorney but served less than one hour before being fired.
He is suing the Trump administration over his sudden dismissal.
Rogoff wants a federal court to reinstate him to his former position.
The case raises legal questions about the firing of U.S. attorneys.
The position involved is for the Western District of Washington.
CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson provided analysis on the legal issues.
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U.S. health officials are looking into a new outbreak of the parasite cyclospora linked to an unknown product. Taco Bell has seen fewer customers because people are worried about eating fresh produce during this outbreak.
Key Facts
There is a new cyclospora parasite outbreak in the U.S.
The exact food product linked to the outbreak has not been identified yet.
Cyclospora is a parasite that can cause illness when eaten in contaminated food.
Taco Bell is experiencing a large drop in customers amid these concerns.
The drop in customer visits is related to public worries about fresh produce safety.
News reporters are providing updates and analysis on the situation.
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A driver dressed as Spider-Man helped a man in a wheelchair cross a busy street in Jonesboro, Arkansas. This act was caught on video and shared widely.
Key Facts
The incident took place in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
A driver was dressed as Spider-Man at the time.
The Spider-Man character assisted a man in a wheelchair.
The assistance was given at a busy intersection.
The event was recorded on video.
The video was shared on social media and news outlets.
This act is an example of someone helping a person with a disability in public.
The news was reported on July 23, 2026.
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A federal court allowed Tennessee to use a new congressional map that splits a majority-Black district in Memphis. This map change favors Republicans and will be used in the upcoming August primary elections, following a recent Supreme Court decision affecting voting rights protections.
Key Facts
A federal panel of three judges approved Tennessee’s new congressional map without blocking it before the August 6 primary.
The new map divides a majority-Black district in Memphis that has been represented by Democrat Steve Cohen.
Tennessee revised its districts after a Supreme Court ruling weakened protections for minority voters under the Voting Rights Act.
President Donald Trump encouraged Republican states to redraw districts to gain more seats in Congress during the 2024 midterms.
Republicans said the redistricting was based on politics, not race; opponents said it violated the Constitution by discriminating racially.
The judges found no direct proof that racial bias motivated the map, pointing instead to political reasons.
The Supreme Court decision reduced the power of districts created to help minorities elect preferred candidates.
Tennessee is one of eight Republican-led states redrawing districts mid-decade to try to keep control of the House of Representatives.
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The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has spent nearly $30 million supporting Haley Stevens in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary. This is AIPAC’s largest spending on one race as it seeks to help Stevens defeat progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed in the August 4 primary.
Key Facts
AIPAC and related groups have invested close to $30 million in Haley Stevens’ campaign.
The spending is the largest amount AIPAC has ever put into a single race.
Stevens focuses her campaign on manufacturing and opposing President Donald Trump.
She rarely talks about AIPAC despite its huge financial support.
Abdul El-Sayed is the progressive candidate backed by grassroots supporters including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Michigan has the largest Arab American population in the U.S., making Israel-related issues sensitive there.
AIPAC aims to elect lawmakers who support strong U.S.-Israel relations.
Stevens has spent about $1 million on advertising herself, far less than her backers’ outside spending.
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Taylor Farms is recalling iceberg lettuce products from central Mexico because they may contain a parasite called cyclospora. This parasite has caused illness in many people across 27 U.S. states. Taco Bell has also removed the lettuce linked to this outbreak from its restaurants.
Key Facts
Taylor Farms is voluntarily recalling iceberg lettuce from central Mexico.
The recall affects products shipped to 27 states, including Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes intestinal illness and comes from contaminated water or human feces.
The recalled products include 25 shredded lettuce and salad mix items under eight brand codes.
Products with "best by" dates as late as August 3 are included in the recall.
Sysco, a major food distributor, has stopped distributing all Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico.
In 2026, cyclospora has caused at least 1,645 illnesses and 141 hospitalizations in the U.S.
Taco Bell removed the impacted lettuce from restaurants in five Midwestern states and stopped using it nationwide.
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Indian activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike over an exam paper leak scandal that has sparked large youth protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The protests demand the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and have spread across several cities, causing disruptions like metro station closures and internet shutdowns.
Key Facts
Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike in Delhi after talks involving members of parliament and government ministers.
The protests, led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), call for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign over leaked exam papers affecting 2 million students.
The leaked exam papers have been linked to several student suicides in India.
Tens of thousands have protested, making this the biggest youth challenge to Modi’s government since 2014.
Opposition parties support the protests and have disrupted the parliament’s monsoon session.
Authorities shut down 16 metro stations and blocked mobile internet services in protest areas to control unrest.
Prime Minister Modi announced plans for special courts to prosecute those responsible for paper leaks but protesters rejected this as insufficient.
Protests have spread beyond Delhi to cities like Ranchi, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kolkata.
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President Donald Trump said he is close to deciding whether to carry out a large military attack on Iran. The United States has increased its military actions and is using stronger weapons against targets related to Iran.
Key Facts
President Trump told Axios he is considering a “massive attack” on Iran.
The U.S. is expanding the number of targets related to Iran.
Heavier weapons and firepower are being used by U.S. forces in operations connected to Iran.
These developments indicate a buildup of military pressure on Iran.
The situation suggests possible escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions.
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The U.S. military is increasing its equipment and presence in the Middle East. Some officials in President Trump's administration are worried about how quickly missiles and defensive interceptors are being used in Iran.
Key Facts
The U.S. military is sending more equipment to the Middle East.
There is concern inside President Trump's administration about the fast use of missiles.
Officials note high use of defensive interceptors, which are missiles designed to block incoming attacks.
The concern also includes the use of Iran’s long-range missiles.
The situation reflects growing tensions involving Iran.
These developments are being closely monitored by U.S. officials.
The report comes from CBS News with correspondent Charlie D'Agata.
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Author Salman Rushdie testified in a federal terrorism trial about the 2022 attack where he was stabbed fifteen times on stage. The attacker, Hadi Matar, is accused of carrying out the stabbing as an act of terrorism linked to an old death threat from Iran's former leader.
Key Facts
Salman Rushdie was stabbed on stage in Buffalo, New York, in 2022 while preparing to speak.
The attacker, Hadi Matar, was convicted on a state attempted murder charge and faces federal terrorism charges.
Rushdie testified he was stabbed fifteen times, blinding his right eye and seriously injuring other parts of his body.
Prosecutors say Matar acted on a 1989 death order (fatwa) from Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini calling for Rushdie’s death over his book "The Satanic Verses."
Rushdie described the knife coming very close to his brain and detailed his long recovery.
Matar’s defense questions if prosecutors can prove his intent or connections to terrorism groups.
Rushdie said he had no proof of Matar’s terrorist ties but had suspicions based on the fatwa history.
The fatwa has never been officially repealed but Iranian government distanced itself from it in 1998.
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An FDA advisory panel suggested loosening rules on the use of two peptides that are currently not approved. Peptides are small chains of amino acids that affect different body functions.
Key Facts
The FDA panel recommended easing restrictions on two specific peptides.
These peptides are not yet approved by the FDA.
Peptides are made of short chains of amino acids.
They help control various processes in the body.
The recommendation came during a panel meeting on Thursday.
The panel’s suggestion could influence future FDA decisions.
The news was reported by CBS News correspondent Adam Yamaguchi.
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The prices of laptops are rising because of shortages caused by increased demand for artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Experts share tips on how shoppers can still find affordable laptops despite these price increases.
Key Facts
Laptop prices are going up this back-to-school season.
The rise in prices is linked to shortages caused by AI-related demand.
AI technology is increasing the need for more powerful laptops.
Experts from PCMag provide advice on saving money when buying laptops.
Some ways to save include shopping carefully and looking for deals.
The shortage affects certain laptop models more than others.
Buyers should consider their needs before spending more on laptops.
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Mark Sanford, a former governor and congressman from South Carolina, has announced he will run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Lindsey Graham. Several Republicans are competing to replace Senator Graham.
Key Facts
Mark Sanford is a former governor of South Carolina.
He also served as a congressman from South Carolina.
Sanford is running as a Republican candidate.
The Senate seat is currently held by Lindsey Graham.
Multiple candidates are competing for this Senate seat.
The election is to replace Senator Graham in the U.S. Senate.
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Charli XCX has released a new album called Music, Fashion, Film, which features guitar-based songs but is not a rock album. The album explores new sounds while continuing her long history with electronic music.
Key Facts
Charli XCX quickly created 11 guitar-driven songs inspired by her recent experiences.
The album is not a follow-up to her previous album Brat but explores different themes and styles.
Despite prominent guitar sounds, the album still includes electronic elements and is not purely rock.
The song Rock Music reflects her artistic shift, not a full move to rock.
The album cover features photos of John Cale, fashion designer Marc Jacobs, and film director Martin Scorsese.
These three figures represent excellence in music, fashion, and film, matching the album’s themes.
Charli worked with filmmaker Aidan Zamiri on the album cover and recent videos.
The album aims to stimulate listeners and invites close attention to its music and lyrics.
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