Amazon Web Services plans to invest $20 billion in new datacentres in Melbourne and Sydney. The company has made over $500,000 in payments to Australia’s major political parties over six years, including payments near the time of major government deals. These payments, which are legal, raise questions about political access and influence from datacentre companies.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Amazon’s Seattle headquarters in June 2025 to learn about its datacentre plans.
Amazon announced a $20 billion plan to build datacentres in Melbourne and Sydney.
Amazon made 34 payments totaling $538,000 to both the Labor and Liberal parties from 2019 to 2025.
A $46,500 payment was made to the Labor Party shortly after Albanese’s Seattle visit.
Payments include membership fees to the Labor Business Forum, which offers access to ministers and MPs.
These payments are recorded as “other receipts” under Australian electoral law, not formal donations.
Amazon’s payments coincide with major datacentre deals, including a $2 billion government contract for intelligence data storage.
Former politicians and advisers have been hired to lobby on behalf of datacentre companies.
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Clint Hill was a Secret Service agent who was at the scene when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. He is known for climbing onto the presidential limousine to protect First Lady Jackie Kennedy and later gave an interview about the event in 1975.
Key Facts
Clint Hill worked as a Secret Service agent assigned to protect President John F. Kennedy.
He was present in Dallas during the assassination of President Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
Hill climbed onto the presidential limousine to shield First Lady Jackie Kennedy after the shooting.
Photographs of Hill’s actions were widely published in newspapers.
In 1975, Clint Hill spoke about his experiences with journalist Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes.
The interview was part of the 60 Minutes news program archive.
The article lists other 60 Minutes episodes and topics but focuses on Clint Hill’s story.
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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced a new rule for their officers as part of a recent program called Horizon 25. This program was started in August by the new TSA Administrator David P. Cummins to improve how the TSA works.
Key Facts
The TSA has a new rule for its officers.
The change is part of the TSA's Horizon 25 initiative.
Horizon 25 was launched in August.
David P. Cummins is the new TSA Administrator.
The goal of Horizon 25 is to improve TSA operations.
The TSA is the agency responsible for security at airports in the U.S.
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Japan and Italy have shown how other countries and private groups can join and take part in the Artemis space program. Their participation offers a way for more partners to get involved in future missions.
Key Facts
Japan and Italy are part of the Artemis program.
Their involvement serves as an example for other nations and private organizations.
The Artemis program is a space exploration effort.
The partnership encourages wider international and private sector cooperation.
This model aims to help expand participation in upcoming Artemis missions.
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Steve Bannon, a former White House strategist, remains a strong supporter of President Donald Trump and warns that losing the House of Representatives in the midterm elections could hurt Trump's agenda. Bannon also supports the idea of Trump running for a third presidential term, despite constitutional limits.
Key Facts
Steve Bannon was once the chief strategist for President Trump and appeared on the cover of Time Magazine.
Bannon calls himself a right-winger and hosts an influential political podcast called "War Room."
He spent four months in jail for refusing to testify about his role before and during the January 6 Capitol attack.
Bannon believes that if Democrats win the House, they will impeach key Trump allies and try to block Trump’s agenda.
He says midterm elections depend on getting the political base to vote, even if not the majority of Americans.
Bannon is encouraging President Trump to run for a third term, despite the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms.
Bannon claims President Trump works long hours and defends Trump’s off-script, sometimes controversial speeches.
He compares Trump’s significance to historical presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries, saying they are a response to Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy sites. President Donald Trump criticized these attacks, warning they worsen the global diesel fuel shortage, and urged Ukraine to stop targeting the refineries.
Key Facts
Ukraine is attacking Russian oil refineries in response to Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
President Zelenskyy says Ukraine wants peace and is ready for a ceasefire if Russia stops its attacks.
Zelenskyy requested President Trump to tell Russia to stop attacking Ukraine’s energy facilities.
President Trump says striking Russian refineries causes global diesel fuel shortages and should stop.
Trump accused Zelenskyy of refusing to end the ongoing war that began with Russia’s invasion in 2022.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine will hold elections if Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire.
The conflict has caused wider global energy problems due to damaged refineries and fuel supply disruption.
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A man entered the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park and was attacked by a tiger named Altai, resulting in the man’s death. The park confirmed the tiger will not be put down and is providing support to staff affected by the incident.
Key Facts
The incident happened at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster.
Police were called at 1.35 pm on Saturday after the man entered the tiger enclosure.
The man died at the scene despite emergency services’ efforts.
The tiger involved is named Altai and will not be euthanised.
The park closed for the day and offered specialist support to its staff.
The man’s family was informed and supported by police.
Visitors reported confusion and fear during the evacuation.
The tiger enclosure is part of a 2-acre reserve for endangered Amur tigers.
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Hurricane Isaias caused widespread power outages and damage as it moved from Florida into Alabama and further north. The storm led to at least four deaths, heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding risks across southeastern US states, with emergency aid activated by President Trump.
Key Facts
About 396,000 customers in the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama lost power early Sunday due to Isaias.
Isaias made landfall as a category 2 hurricane near Destin, Florida on Friday.
Four people died because of the storm, including victims of falling trees and carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator.
Heavy rain and strong winds continue to threaten the southeastern US, with risks of flash flooding and downed power lines.
Damage included roofs blown off buildings and boathouses destroyed, especially in Pensacola, Destin, and Panama City Beach.
President Donald Trump approved emergency declarations for Florida, Alabama, and Georgia to allow federal aid.
The US Energy Department authorized the use of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to keep fuel supplies steady.
Meanwhile, tropical storms Simon and Rachel were forming near Mexico, bringing additional rain and wind risks.
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The CBS News program "Sunday Morning" remembered several notable people who recently passed away, including actress Eva Marie Saint. The segment highlighted their contributions and legacies.
Key Facts
"Sunday Morning" featured an "In memoriam" segment.
Academy Award-winning actress Eva Marie Saint was among those remembered.
The program honors notable figures who have died in the past week.
The segment focuses on their careers and impact.
Eva Marie Saint won an Oscar during her acting career.
The tribute aims to recognize important cultural and historical figures.
CBS News regularly includes such remembrance segments in their programming.
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Smaller towns in the western United States are more at risk of water shortages during droughts because they rely mainly on one water source, mainly Lake Powell or Lake Mead. Large cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas have backup systems, but places like Page and LeChee in Arizona and Boulder City in Nevada are more vulnerable if water levels drop too low.
Key Facts
Smaller towns often have one main water source and fewer backup options.
Page, Arizona, gets all its water from Lake Powell and could lose water if the lake’s level drops too much.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation built a lower-elevation water intake at Glen Canyon Dam in 2023 to help Page and nearby LeChee keep water during low lake levels.
LeChee, on the Navajo Nation, also depends heavily on Lake Powell for water.
Boulder City, Nevada, relies on Lake Mead and doesn’t recycle water back into the lake like other nearby communities.
Henderson and other parts of the Las Vegas Valley rely heavily on water from Lake Mead through regional water authorities.
Federal efforts are ongoing to assess and reduce water risks for these communities.
Developing new water supplies is expensive, especially for smaller communities with fewer customers to share costs.
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Israeli authorities have placed iron gates and checkpoints in Hebron’s Old City, severely limiting Palestinian residents’ movement in areas controlled by the Israeli military. These restrictions have made daily life difficult, slowed economic activity, and increased hardships for about 7,000 Palestinians living in a zone known as H2.
Key Facts
Hebron’s Old City has new iron gates installed on key roads used by Palestinians.
The H2 area of Hebron is under full Israeli military control, with many movement restrictions.
Approximately 7,000 Palestinians live in the H2 area alongside hundreds of Israeli settlers.
Checkpoints in H2 restrict Palestinian movement, often open only from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Palestinians can face long waits at checkpoints, sometimes influenced by soldiers’ decisions.
The restrictions began increasing notably after an incident in 1994, when a settler killed 29 Palestinians at the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Movement limits and closures have hurt Hebron’s economy and made daily tasks challenging.
The United Nations reports Hebron has 40% of West Bank checkpoints and 11% of all movement obstacles.
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A CBS News correspondent traveled to Valencia, Spain, to explore how paella, a traditional rice dish, is made in its original way. The report shows the different traditional methods used to prepare and serve paella in the region where it started.
Key Facts
Paella is a well-known rice dish from Spain.
The traditional recipe and preparation of paella come from Valencia.
Many variations of paella exist today, but the video focuses on the original methods.
Seth Doane is the CBS News correspondent who reported from Valencia.
The piece aims to show how paella is traditionally cooked and served.
This report was shared as part of a CBS News video segment.
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Noah Kahan is a singer-songwriter from Vermont who became famous after posting a song on TikTok in 2020. His albums "Stick Season" and "The Great Divide" have been very popular, and he is known for writing music about personal struggles and everyday life.
Key Facts
Noah Kahan grew up in Vermont and often writes songs about his home and life experiences.
In 2020, he posted a part of a song on TikTok, which gained a lot of attention and helped launch his career.
His 2022 album "Stick Season" brought him major success, including multi-platinum sales and two Grammy nominations.
Kahan’s music deals with themes like friendships ending, mental health, and personal challenges.
Fans appreciate the intimate and personal feel of his concerts.
His follow-up album, "The Great Divide," released in April, has been even more successful, with every song debuting on the Billboard Hot 100.
Despite his success, Kahan continues to talk openly about his struggles with mental health and self-image.
He emphasizes the importance of stepping back to find artistic creativity in a healthy way.
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Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party in India say the Modi government is acting against its own people to protect the election commissioner. They accuse Gyanesh Kumar of taking away voters’ rights to help Prime Minister Modi’s party.
Key Facts
The Cockroach Janta Party leaders were detained for 24 hours before making these statements.
They claim the Modi government is “waging war” on Indian citizens.
Their main concern is protecting the election commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar.
They accuse Kumar of disenfranchising voters, meaning taking away their right to vote.
The alleged voter suppression is said to favor Prime Minister Modi’s BJP party.
These are the Cockroach Janta Party’s first comments after being released from detention.
The situation is connected to upcoming or recent election-related events in India.
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Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan talked about how his home state, Vermont, inspires his music. He also discussed handling fame, writing his latest album "The Great Divide," and starting a mental health charity called The Busybody Project.
Key Facts
Noah Kahan is a singer and songwriter from Vermont.
Vermont has been a major inspiration for his music.
His latest album is titled "The Great Divide."
He shared how he deals with becoming famous.
Kahan founded a mental health non-profit named The Busybody Project.
The interview was conducted by Luke Burbank.
The conversation was part of an extended CBS News segment.
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Flu cases in England are rising earlier than usual, with more people visiting emergency departments for flu-like symptoms. Health experts say getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against the flu this season.
Key Facts
Flu activity in September 2024 is higher than in the same period during the past four winters.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports rising flu trends since August, with increased GP visits and emergency department attendances.
Flu vaccination is free for children and higher-risk groups; others can get it through work or pay privately.
Two flu A virus subtypes (H1N1 and H3N2) and influenza B are currently circulating in England.
An early flu season may lead to a longer period of transmission and more cases but does not always mean a worse season.
Last winter’s vaccination program in England is estimated to have prevented about 100,000 hospital admissions and 7,000 deaths.
Experts advise people with flu symptoms to stay home, wash hands well, and avoid close contact with others.
Rising Covid cases mean eligible people are also encouraged to get Covid and RSV vaccinations.
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Julia Donaldson is a popular children's author known for creating "The Gruffalo," a story about a clever mouse and a monster. Her books have sold millions worldwide, and her latest book "Gruffalo Granny" is the best-selling book in the UK this year.
Key Facts
Julia Donaldson has sold over 75 million books worldwide.
She started writing children's books in her late 40s after working as a songwriter.
"The Gruffalo," published in 1999, became a modern classic and was made into a film.
Illustrator Axel Scheffler created the image of the Gruffalo and did not expect it to become so popular.
Donaldson's latest book is "Gruffalo Granny," dedicated to her late husband.
"Gruffalo Granny" is currently the UK’s best-selling book across all genres.
In the US, her most popular book is "Room on the Broom."
Donaldson believes reading children's books helps develop empathy and imagination in kids.
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Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said Ukraine will keep attacking Russian oil refineries unless Russia stops hitting Ukrainian energy sites. This response followed President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine needs a new leader and his announcement of a U.S. deal to buy diesel from Russia. Meanwhile, Ukraine carried out drone strikes on Russian infrastructure, causing disruptions.
Key Facts
President Zelenskyy said Ukraine will stop strikes on Russian oil refineries only if Russia stops attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
President Trump suggested Ukraine should get a new leader because Zelenskyy has not made peace deals and blamed him for high diesel prices in the U.S.
Trump announced a U.S. deal to buy large amounts of diesel fuel from Russia, aiming to lower fuel costs before U.S. midterm elections.
Ukrainian officials criticized the diesel deal, saying it supports Russia’s war effort.
Ukraine recently launched drone attacks on Russian targets, including a data center run by Yandex, disrupting services in Russia and nearby countries.
Ukraine and Russia have been in a long conflict since Russia’s invasion more than 4 1/2 years ago, with ongoing fighting and aerial strikes.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha defended Zelenskyy’s leadership and said Ukrainians support him.
The Yandex data center attack caused outages for taxi services, banking, and online shopping in Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Armenia.
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President Donald Trump encouraged Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, to switch to the Republican Party before the upcoming midterm elections. Fetterman has shown mixed signals about his party loyalty but has mostly rejected the idea of becoming a Republican.
Key Facts
President Trump publicly invited Senator John Fetterman to join the Republican Party.
Trump said Fetterman does better as a Republican than as a Democrat.
Fetterman was elected as a Democrat in 2022 and has a strong appeal with everyday voters.
Fetterman has disagreed with Democrats on issues like immigration and Israel.
Fetterman previously said he would be a “terrible Republican” and mostly votes with Democrats.
He appeared in a video supporting a Republican senator, causing speculation about his party loyalty.
Switching parties could hurt Fetterman’s chances of winning the Democratic nomination again.
Democrats are trying to gain four Senate seats to retake control in the midterm elections.
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A missile attack by the Houthi group hit Riyadh's King Khalid airport, killing 12 people including an American. This attack raises questions about President Donald Trump’s plan to limit U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts ahead of the midterm elections.
Key Facts
The Houthi group fired missiles from about 900 kilometers away, striking Riyadh airport.
The attack caused 12 deaths and many injuries; among the dead was at least one American.
President Trump had planned to reduce U.S. attention on conflicts in Iran and Yemen until after the midterms.
Trump blamed rising global diesel prices on Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries.
The U.S. has maintained a ceasefire with the Houthis since 2025 and renewed it quietly after fighting resumed.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan were expected to handle the Houthi threat with little U.S. help.
The missile strike shows Saudi Arabia may need more U.S. support for its defense.
Europe criticized Trump’s approach, warning it could strengthen Russia and worsen inflation.
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