Fire Raptor helicopters are making their debut in Newfoundland fighting wildfires this season. The choppers hold 5,000 litres of water in a collapsible bladder and douse from a precision hose.

Ottawa

Canada has added the Fire Raptor helicopter to its wildfire response resources. The aircraft, originally a Sikorsky helicopter used for transporting oil workers, has been reconfigured to carry and drop up to 5,000 litres of water with high precision. Two Fire Raptors are currently in service, with a third being prepared. The helicopter made its Newfoundland debut, conducting 55 trips in a single day as part of efforts to combat the Kingston Fire, which has forced hundreds of residents to evacuate and destroyed over 200 structures. The aerial response, alongside ground crews, has played a crucial role in protecting communities and supporting evacuation efforts.

Fire Raptor chopper among new weapons in Canada’s wildfire arsenal

A low swoop and a targeted plume of water. The Fire Raptor is one of the newest weapons in Canada's wildfire arsenal. That's the tank, the snorkel. Equipped with a hose and a high-powered pump it can suck 5,000 litres of water into the collapsible bladder on its underbelly in a minute. And it's designed for precision. We have the bubble window here so I can look down straight down this hole. I can look down at the snorkel and get an accurate read on where we want the water. The Fire Raptor is reconfigured from a Sikorsky helicopter that used to ferry oil workers to offshore platforms. There are currently two in service and another being reconfigured which means stripping it down to the frame. Every pound we could remove would be another say pound of water we would be able to carry. They were used for the first time last summer out west. This is its Newfoundland debut and it's been busy. These are all the tracks they were doing yesterday. 55 trips in one day. Just one aircraft among many in what the province is calling an aerial attack on the Kingston Fire which has driven hundreds from their homes. Are these people bombing? They're heroes. Look at the jobs they're doing. Evacuee Gilbert Dale's home made it. Others in his community, among the more than 200 structures, destroyed. Our first responders did the best they could and everybody who was working did what they could. It hits you all of a sudden, right? Because you look at what you have and what you could have lost and I'm just thankful I have my life. A life and a community he may be able to return to thanks in part to firefighters on the ground and in the air. Katie Nicholson, CBC News, St. John's.

Russia carried out one of its largest aerial attacks of the year on Ukraine. The strikes killed at least one person and injured 15, marking Russia’s third-largest drone attack and eighth-largest missile assault this year.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia launches largest strike in weeks on Ukraine

A California parole board has decided that convicted killer Eric Menendez will remain in prison. On Friday, the board will hear the case of his brother Lyle Menendez, who was also convicted in the 1989 murder of their parents.

California

Erik Menendez loses parole bid, brother Lyle faces parole board Friday

The U.S. is sending three warships to the waters of Venezuela as part of a major counter-narcotics operation, a White House official confirms. CBS News senior national security correspondent Charlie D'Agata reports.

Washington

U.S. warships head to Venezuela to combat drug cartel threats

An eyewitness says American subcontractors at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites shot at Palestinians, a claim GHF denies.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

Eyewitness claims U.S. subcontractors fired at Palestinians in Gaza

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that will allow voters to decide on new congressional maps in November.

Newsom signs bill putting new California congressional maps on ballot

A New York appellate court threw out a $527 million penalty in the civil fraud case against President Trump and several others. CBS News' Aaron Navarro reports.

New York

Trump civil fraud case $527 million penalty thrown out

The U.S. and the European Union have locked in a framework trade deal that includes a 15% U.S. tariff on most EU imports, including autos, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber.

Global Tariffs

U.S. and EU lock in trade deal

Israel says it began its military operation to take control of Gaza City. This comes after an apparent Hamas attack in Khan Younis targeting Israeli soldiers.

Jerusalem

Israel says it began Gaza City expansion

After weeks of pushback from Democrats, House Republicans in Texas have passed controversial legislation to redraw the state's congressional map, giving the GOP an advantage in multiple seats.

Austin

Texas House passes controversial GOP redistricting map

U.S. President Donald Trump’s top-down diplomacy has experts in Ukraine skeptical about whether there has been enough preparation for proposed talks to actually end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Moscow

Russia signals more talks needed before Zelenskyy-Putin meeting

The Texas House on Wednesday night passed a controversial, Republican-backed proposal to redraw the state's congressional maps. The bill now moves onto the Texas Senate. CBS News reporter Erica Brown has more.

Texas

Texas House approves GOP congressional redistricting map

Israel's military has called up tens of thousands of reservists in preparation for an expected assault on Gaza City, as the Israeli government considered a new proposal for a ceasefire after nearly two years of war.

Israel calls up 60,000 reservists ahead of Gaza City operation

The Trump administration says it is adding 407 items to the list of "derivative" steel and aluminum products subject to higher tariffs. The list includes products like car parts, household appliances, baby strollers, fire extinguishers and spray deodorants.

Trump expanding steel and aluminum tariffs

NATO military chiefs met virtually Wednesday for what was described as a candid discussion about security guarantees the alliance would be willing to provide to Ukraine in an effort to end Russia's war in the region.

Brussels

NATO chiefs meet virtually about potential Ukraine security guarantees

Israel's military leaders approved the next phase of their ongoing offensive in the territory. The operation will shift focus to Gaza City, targeting areas where Hamas is believed to still be active and where Israeli forces have not yet operated.

Israel approves next phase of Gaza offensive, focus on Gaza City

Despite not making landfall, Hurricane Erin is forcing mandatory evacuation orders in parts of North Carolina and is expected to cause rip currents for days along the U.S. East Coast.

North Carolina

Hurricane Erin forces evacuations on U.S. East Coast

The White House says it is working to secure a meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, which both have agreed to, while plans continue to create security guarantees for Ukraine.

Trump says no U.S. ground troops will be sent to Ukraine

Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire proposal for Gaza, but mediators are still waiting for an official response from Israel. CBS News contributor Robert Berger has the latest from Jerusalem.

Mediators await Israeli response to Gaza ceasefire proposal

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met China’s top diplomat on Tuesday and hailed the “steady progress” made in improving the bilateral relationship after a yearslong standoff between the nuclear-armed Asian powers.

New Delhi

India's Modi meets China's foreign minister to rebuild ties

Texas Democrats who ended a walkout found themselves shadowed by law enforcement officers to keep them from repeating the protest that stalled Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts and fulfill President Donald Trump's desire to reshape U.S. House maps.

Police escort Texas Democrats to prevent new redistricting walkout

Air Canada has reached a tentative agreement with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), ending the strike that began over the weekend involving 10,000 members and disrupted travel for more than 100,000 travelers per day.

Toronto

Air Canada reaches tentative agreement with flight attendant union

Exiled former Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui hailed Australia's grant of asylum status as a key acknowledgement of the territory's human rights infringements since its authorities quelled massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Hong Kong Island

Ex-Hong Kong lawmaker granted asylum by Australia

Forecasters are giving urgent warnings to millions of people who live along the East Coast as Hurricane Erin churns in the Atlantic. The storm will not make direct landfall but is expected to bring dangerous rip currents.

East Coast of the United States

Hurricane Erin to bring dangerous rip currents to U.S. East Coast

Jasveen Sangha, a Los Angeles woman known as the "Ketamine Queen," has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry. Sangha could face up to 45 years in prison.

Los Angeles

"Ketamine Queen" to plead guilty in Matthew Perry's death

European leaders who converged on the White House for talks on the Russia-Ukraine war demonstrated a united front regarding Ukraine's security on Monday, underscoring the issue as pivotal for the entire continent, not just Ukraine.

EU leaders show cautious optimism following Zelenskyy, Trump talks

As Hamas reportedly agreed to some ceasefire terms that would include the return of more hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered troops to take more of Gaza.

Israel digs in on Gaza takeover as Hamas softens on ceasefire

President Donald Trump said that the United States would help Europe in providing security for Ukraine as part of any deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

Trump tells Zelenskyy U.S. would help with security in a peace deal

Bolivia's presidential vote headed to an unprecedented runoff after elections Sunday that ended more than two decades of left-wing dominance in the Andean nation but signaled voters' trepidation about a major lurch to the right.

La Paz

Bolivia heads to runoff after historic defeat for the left

All Air Canada planes were grounded on Monday (August 18) after its 10,000 flight attendants refused a return-to-work mandate from the Canadian government.

Air Canada delays plans to resume operations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House Monday (August 18) for his meeting with President Donald Trump and other European leaders about Russia's war in Ukraine. CBS News White House reporter Taurean Small has more.

Breakdown