Senior managers at St Basil’s aged care home in Melbourne testified at a court inquest about the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, where 50 residents died. The managers discussed issues with the facility’s Covid-19 policy, communication, and record keeping during the outbreak.
Key Facts
In July and August 2020, 50 out of 188 residents at St Basil’s aged care died from Covid-19 or neglect.
Konstantin Kontis and Vicky Kos were the most senior managers of the facility during the outbreak and were required to give evidence after initially trying to avoid it.
Kontis said the facility’s board never officially approved the Covid-19 management policy, and he believed he could approve it himself but later admitted there was no clear authority to do so.
The Covid-19 policy did not give strong guidance on how to handle close contacts or symptoms and was not updated with new government directions; instead, updates were put in a yellow folder for staff to read.
No clear plan was found for separating Covid-positive residents from others, and some important documents went missing from the yellow folder.
Kontis said he moved communication directly to the archbishop but did not hold new board meetings as the outbreak worsened.
There was supposed to be a board meeting in April 2020 to discuss Covid plans, but no minutes from that meeting have been found.
The inquest is ongoing, and Kontis’ testimony was set to resume in November 2023.
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The U.S. Army removed Lieutenant General Charles Costanza from his leadership role in Europe about two months before his scheduled departure. This change in command was reported by two U.S. officials who shared the information anonymously.
Key Facts
Lieutenant General Charles Costanza was in charge of U.S. Army forces in Europe.
He was removed from his position earlier than planned.
His removal happened recently, shortly before his term was due to end.
The information comes from two unnamed U.S. officials.
This change affects the top leadership of the U.S. Army in Europe.
Details about the reasons for his removal were not given in the report.
The news was reported by The Hill, a U.S. news outlet.
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Three mothers in Texas have filed a lawsuit to stop schools from requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. They want to prevent what they see as a religious message being shown at public schools.
Key Facts
Three Texas mothers are suing school officials.
The lawsuit challenges a rule that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms.
The Ten Commandments are a set of religious rules from the Bible.
The case involves public schools in Texas.
The parents argue that the display mixes religion with public education.
The lawsuit was filed before the new school year started.
The news was reported by CBS News correspondent Jason Allen.
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Two London police officers are being investigated for their handling of Simon Levy, a serial sex offender who was on bail and later committed rape and murder. The Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) is examining whether police actions could have prevented these crimes.
Key Facts
Simon Levy, 40, was found guilty of two murders, rape, and other assault-related charges.
Levy had a history of attacking women, with convictions dating back to 2018.
He was on bail and monitored by police when he committed additional violent crimes in 2025.
Two Metropolitan Police officers face investigations for possible misconduct in handling Levy.
Levy had been released on licence from prison in 2023 and briefly returned to prison in 2024 without being charged.
The IOPC investigation covers police management of Levy from 2021 until his 2025 arrest.
Police and prosecutors have admitted to significant shortcomings in managing Levy’s case.
Authorities are urging any other possible victims of Levy to come forward.
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Mark Cruz has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new director of the Indian Health Service (IHS), which provides healthcare to about 2.8 million Native American and Alaska Native people. Cruz, a member of the Klamath Tribes, will lead the agency facing staffing shortages and outdated facilities while continuing his role as a senior adviser on tribal health.
Key Facts
Mark Cruz was confirmed by the Senate with a 51-47 vote to lead the Indian Health Service for a four-year term.
He is a citizen of the Klamath Tribes and previously worked with the Bureau of Indian Affairs on energy and economic development.
The IHS serves 2.8 million Native American and Alaska Native patients through 21 hospitals and 78 clinics.
Many IHS facilities (about one-third) are in poor condition and average 40 years old.
The agency struggles with high vacancies among healthcare providers and a backlog of facility replacements.
Cruz will keep his position as a senior adviser to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. while leading IHS.
It would take an estimated $73 billion to fully meet tribal healthcare needs, but Congress allocated just over $8 billion for IHS in 2026.
Native American organizations praised Cruz's confirmation as timely for improving healthcare and fulfilling federal obligations.
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The U.S. government has returned over $100 billion to companies for tariffs they paid, after the Supreme Court ruled those tariffs were illegal. The refunds come from cases handled under the Trump administration.
Key Facts
The U.S. government refunded more than $100 billion to various businesses.
These refunds are for tariffs that companies paid but were later ruled illegal by the Supreme Court.
The court filing confirming this refund was made public this week.
The refund process relates to tariffs put in place during President Donald Trump’s administration.
It is unclear if or how consumers will benefit from these refunds.
CBS News MoneyWatch covered the story and provided further analysis.
The refunds represent a significant government payout tied to trade policy decisions.
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A government report showed that the U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July. Many people stopped looking for work and left the labor force during that time.
Key Facts
In July, the U.S. economy had 23,000 fewer jobs than the month before.
The report was released by the Labor Department on a Friday.
The decrease in jobs was linked to some people giving up on finding work.
The labor force includes all people working or actively looking for jobs.
The job losses reflect changes in the U.S. job market during that month.
The information was covered by CBS News and reported by Kelly O'Grady.
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Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine and teacher, has been held in Russia since 2022 and is now very ill and in a hospital under guard. His family, lawyers, and U.S. officials are worried about his health and are asking for his release so he can get medical care in the United States.
Key Facts
Robert Gilman is 32 years old and was detained in Russia starting in 2022.
He is currently in a civilian hospital in Russia, connected to a feeding tube, and handcuffed to a bed.
Gilman has been in a state called "dissociative stupor" for 47 days and has a high fever and high blood pressure.
His family and lawyers say they have not been able to visit him regularly.
He was originally sentenced to 3.5 years in prison in 2022 for allegedly beating a police officer.
His sentence was extended to over 10 years after additional convictions for assaulting prison guards and staff.
U.S. Senator Edward Markey and the State Department have expressed concern and urged Russia to release Gilman on humanitarian grounds.
Gilman is one of at least eight Americans currently held in Russia after previous prisoner exchanges between the U.S. and Russia.
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is expected to be approved by the Senate after receiving a new endorsement. Some people have concerns about how he might lead the Justice Department.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is currently the Acting Attorney General.
He recently received a new endorsement, which strengthens his chances of Senate approval.
The Senate is holding a confirmation hearing to decide on his permanent appointment.
Some senators or groups have expressed worries about his leadership style or decisions.
The Justice Department is the U.S. government's main legal agency, responsible for enforcing laws and overseeing federal prosecutions.
The confirmation vote is expected to be close or narrowly decided.
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President Donald Trump has resumed efforts to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, accusing her of mortgage fraud without conclusive proof. The Federal Reserve is an independent central bank, and firing a governor is rare and legally limited to cases with strong cause.
Key Facts
Lisa Cook is the first Black woman to serve as a Federal Reserve governor.
President Trump sent Cook a letter threatening removal, citing alleged mortgage fraud.
The allegations claim Cook listed two homes as primary residences to get better mortgage rates.
No solid evidence has been found to prove Cook committed fraud.
Federal Reserve governors serve 14-year terms and can only be removed “for cause.”
Trump has pushed to lower interest rates, which remain high to control inflation.
The US Supreme Court blocked Trump’s earlier attempt to fire Cook in June 2026.
Cook’s legal team says there is no valid reason to remove her and will fight the effort.
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will provide body cameras to officers by the end of September but controls when footage is released to the public. The agency’s policy states videos will be shared only if it benefits ICE, giving the agency broad authority to withhold or delay recordings, especially after serious incidents like shootings.
Key Facts
ICE plans to equip all field officers with body cameras within two months.
The policy requires cameras be turned on during arrests, searches, and emergencies.
Video of shootings or serious injuries can be released within 72 hours if it is deemed in ICE’s "best interests."
ICE’s director has the power to delay or block video release for unspecified reasons.
Officers’ faces, names, and badge numbers will be blurred in released videos to protect privacy.
The policy contrasts with some local police who release footage more openly, such as in Chicago.
Experts say ICE’s policy allows the agency to control its public image by selectively releasing videos.
Similar agencies, like Customs and Border Protection, have also withheld footage from public view after shootings.
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Police shared new video from cameras and body cameras about a shooting at an In-N-Out restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho. The shooting killed three people and injured seven others.
Key Facts
The shooting happened at an In-N-Out restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho.
Three people died in the shooting.
Seven people were injured.
Police released new video footage from surveillance cameras.
Body camera footage from officers was also shared.
The videos give more information about what happened during the shooting.
Authorities are investigating the incident further.
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Two psychiatrists who treated Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts mother charged with killing her three children, testified in court on Friday. Reporters covered the trial and discussed what the doctors said during the hearing.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is charged with murdering her three kids.
Two psychiatrists who treated Clancy spoke in court.
The testimony happened on Friday.
The trial is taking place in Massachusetts.
Boston.com reporter Abby Patkin reported on the trial.
CBS News covered the court proceedings.
The psychiatrists’ testimony is part of the trial evidence.
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The Department of Defense removed former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s ability to access classified information and hold sensitive jobs. This decision follows an allegation that Kendall shared secret details about Air Force One with the media.
Key Facts
Frank Kendall served as the 26th Secretary of the Air Force from 2021 to 2025.
The Department of Defense revoked his clearance due to an alleged unauthorized leak about Air Force One’s capabilities.
The Pentagon spokesperson said protecting classified information is essential and violations lead to losing clearance.
Kendall has not publicly admitted to any wrongdoing.
The leak accusation happens during ongoing debates about press freedom and the government’s handling of classified leaks.
New York Times reporters have been subpoenaed related to Air Force One stories, which has raised concerns about source protection.
Kendall previously held other senior defense roles, including Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics.
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Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to suggest changes to food rules. He wants to stop companies from declaring new food ingredients safe on their own without outside review.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the U.S. Health Secretary.
He aims to change how new food ingredients are approved.
Currently, food and supplement companies can say new ingredients are safe by themselves.
Kennedy wants to close this loophole for better food safety.
The changes would involve more government review of new food ingredients.
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The Trump administration announced plans to change the Head Start program, which provides early education to poor children. The proposal aims to give local programs more flexibility and reduce federal rules.
Key Facts
The plan was announced by the Department of Health and Human Services.
It is called the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).
The proposal’s name is “Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs.”
The goal is to simplify regulations that programs must follow.
The changes would allow programs to better meet local community needs.
Head Start is an early education program for children from low-income families.
The plan was made public on a Thursday.
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Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said he will decide cases based on his interpretation of the law, not on whether rulings align with President Donald Trump or public opinion. He stated that it would be wrong to change decisions just to appear fair and that he plans to remain on the Court for another term.
Key Facts
Justice Alito says he votes on cases according to how he thinks they should be decided, regardless of any connection to President Trump’s preferences.
He rejected suggestions to change his rulings just to avoid looking politically biased.
Alito confirmed he will stay on the Supreme Court for another term.
NPR incorrectly reported Alito’s possible retirement, which caused speculation about Trump nominating a new justice.
President Donald Trump called Alito a “great justice” and said he is prepared to nominate someone if needed.
Recent polls show the Supreme Court has mixed approval, with 47% approval and 53% disapproval overall.
Party views vary widely, with 74% of Republicans approving of the Court, but only 22% of Democrats.
Alito described his judicial approach as “practical originalism,” meaning he follows the Constitution’s original meaning without making it too broad.
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A pharmacy group says that in England, people throw away 3,400 tonnes of partly used medicines each year, enough to fill 75 swimming pools. This waste costs the National Health Service (NHS) at least £480 million annually and causes environmental and health problems.
Key Facts
England wastes 3,400 tonnes of partly used medicines annually (2024-25).
The wasted medicines could fill 75 swimming pools.
The waste costs the NHS at least £480 million every year.
Medicines must be thrown away once they leave the pharmacy, even if unopened.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) urges patients to only order medicines they need.
Patients with many repeat prescriptions should have regular reviews to avoid unnecessary medicines.
Leftover antibiotics taken without advice can cause drug resistance, a serious health risk.
NHS England is working to improve prescription management through its app and local campaigns.
There are current shortages of some common NHS medicines like painkillers and hormone therapies.
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The Senate confirmed 74 people nominated by President Donald Trump on the last day before the August break. The vote was 51-47 and mostly followed party lines, with Republicans supporting the nominations and Democrats opposing.
Key Facts
The vote took place on a Friday before the Senate's August recess.
A total of 74 nominees chosen by President Trump were confirmed.
The Senate vote count was 51 in favor and 47 against.
Most Republican senators voted to confirm the nominees.
Most Democratic senators voted against the nominees.
The vote largely followed party lines.
Key Republican senators involved included Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming and Mitch McConnell.
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In July, the U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs, which was less than what experts expected. The job numbers for May and June were also adjusted down by 103,000 fewer jobs than first reported. The unemployment rate dropped slightly from 4.2% to 4.1%, mainly because fewer people were looking for work.
Key Facts
The U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July.
Economists had predicted small job growth for July.
May and June job numbers were revised down by a total of 103,000 fewer jobs.
The unemployment rate changed from 4.2% to 4.1%.
The lower unemployment rate was due to fewer people looking for jobs, not an increase in hiring.
Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, discussed these job figures with Amna Nawaz.
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