At Sydney Water's biggest testing and monitoring facility, a team of around 220 experts conduct more than 70 different tests on water samples from all over the Sydney region every day. During periods of heavy rainfall like those forecast this Winter, samples are exposed to even greater testing to ensure drinking water is fit for consumption.

Warragamba

Sydney Water's largest testing and monitoring laboratory is increasing its workload in response to forecasts of heavy rainfall, which can raise the risk of contaminants entering the water supply. The facility's team of 220 experts conducts over 70 types of tests daily, including checks for bacteria, pesticides, and other harmful substances. New rapid testing technologies have been introduced, reducing the time needed for certain tests from six hours to just ten minutes, allowing for quicker and more precise treatment of the water supply.

In addition to laboratory testing, Sydney's desalination plant is also playing a key role in ensuring clean water during periods of extreme weather. An education campaign is underway to inform Sydney's migrant community about the safety of local tap water, as only a small portion of the global population has access to safe drinking water directly from the tap. The lab's staff are committed to maintaining high standards, even if it means working overtime during the wetter months.

Sydney's water monitoring lab on alert after wet weather

As Sydney shivers through the middle of winter, the Bureau is predicting more wet weather is just around the corner. And while that could be good news for our dams, Sydney Water says when it rains, it doesn't always pour drinking water. Heavy rainfalls can increase the risk of contamination in the reservoir water. Here at Australia's biggest water monitoring lab in Sydney's northern suburbs, the promise of more wet weather means more work to do. Manal Hamoud is one of a 220-strong team who carry out more than 70 different types of tests on water samples from all over the Sydney region every single day. With the higher rainfall, it washes off contaminants of animal waste and also soil-carrying bacteria that end up in the dam. Also, higher rainfall can cause disturbance to the sediments that stirs up bacteria that were previously settled. From checking for E. coli and Cryptosporidium to testing for pesticides, PFAS and parasites, Sydney Water says new methods like this one, used to detect potentially harmful natural and organic matter levels in our water, are constantly being developed. It replaces a traditional test, which actually takes about six hours to do each sample. And with this new technology that we've got, we'll be able to do that same test in about 10 minutes. And when it comes to keeping Sydney's water supply fit for consumption, quicker testing means more precise treating. We'll be able to react very quickly if there is any change, so that we can actually optimise the whole treatment process. In addition to the work Sydney Water does to treat the rainwater that falls into catchment areas, extreme weather also means a heavier workload at Sydney's desalination plant. It's imperative, even when we've got lots of rain, that desalination is still part of the water story, because that can sometimes be the cleanest water supply that we have access to at that time. And with just 20% of the world's population having access to safe drinking water straight from the tap, an education campaign targeting Sydney's growing migrant community is now underway. Many people who now live here may have not had tap water that was safe for drinking in their home country, and now living here they may not realise that our drinking water is perfectly safe to drink from the tap, and it's important that we communicate that message to our community. Back at Sydney's Water Monitoring Lab, high-tech science is key, but the team's work also needs that human touch, and critically, taste and smell too. We ourselves do the testing to make sure that the water that is coming out is of the best quality. And with the forecast of a wet few months ahead, that work has never been more important. We may have to work on the weekends, we may have to work overtime, but we make sure we give good quality results and the community is looked after.

Ukraine has appointed a new prime minister, 39-year-old Yulia Svyrydenko, as part of a sweeping government reshuffle announced by President Volodymyr Zelenkskyy. This marks the most significant political shift since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Yulia Svyrydenko takes charge as Ukraine's new prime minister

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, currently on trial at the Supreme Court, has been ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor. Bolsonaro is accused of leading an alleged attempt to stage a coup to overturn the 2022 election.

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil's Bolsonaro ordered to wear ankle monitor

At least three deputies were killed after an explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility, officials said. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents were at the scene.

Los Angeles

Three killed in explosion at L.A. County Sheriff's Department facility

The UK's Labour Party has passed a landmark electoral reform, aligning with Scotland and Wales in lowering the voting age from 18 to 16. The change fulfills a key promise by the ruling party but garnered criticism from the Conservative Party.

London

UK lowers voting age from 18 to 16 in historic electoral reform

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a rescissions package to slash $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funding, sending the bill to President Donald Trump's desk.

Washington

U.S. House passes $9 billion cut to foreign aid, public broadcasting

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday night ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to help facilitate the release of grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein as the administration faces pressure to share more materials on the case.

Trump orders release of Epstein-related grand jury transcripts

The European Union has agreed to impose a new round of sanctions against Russia, targeting the country's energy and financial sectors in a bid to tighten the screws on the Kremlin's war machine and force a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine.

Moscow

EU imposes new sanctions on Russia's oil and banks

U.S. President Donald Trump denies writing a letter signed 'Donald' beneath a nude sketch in Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday album, details of which were published by the Wall Street Journal. The letter is now under review by the U.S. Justice Department.

Trump denies writing crude letter to Jeffrey Epstein

Following a call with President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare apology, saying the only Catholic church in Gaza was hit by stray ammunition. The blast killed three civilians. Ramy Inocencio reports.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Netanyahu apologizes for deadly strike on Catholic church in Gaza

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has suggested that TSA may soon end its restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags.

TSA may eliminate liquid restrictions on planes

A Tennessee judge on Thursday set Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 27, 2026. Abrego Garcia is facing human smuggling charges. CBS News justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane reports.

Tennessee

Judge sets Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 2026

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

Trump diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency

Black-box recording indicates that the flight's captain switched off fuel flow to both engines of the recently crashed Air India airplane, according to media reports on Wednesday, citing preliminary U.S. assessment of evidence.

Ahmedabad

Flight captain switched off fuel flow to engines in Air India crash

The Department of Justice has fired Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor and the daughter of ex-FBI director James Comey. This comes as the White House tries to mitigate demands for the Jeffrey Epstein files to be released.

DOJ fires Maurene Comey, who helped prosecute Jeffrey Epstein

The Senate approved a $9.4 billion rescissions request, sending it back to the House of Representatives for approval.

Senate approves spending cuts to foreign aid, public broadcasting

Israel has faced international condemnation over its three days of airstrikes in Syria. The European Union and the United Nations have called for a return to calm, while Iran has urged countries in the region to respond against Israel.

Damascus

World reacts to Israeli attacks on Syria’s Damascus

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes his first state visit to the United Kingdom to sign a historic defence cooperation treaty—the first of its kind between Germany and Britain since the Second World War. The agreement includes plans for joint defence efforts, boosting economic collaboration, and tackling illegal migration.

Germany and UK seal historic defence pact

Donald Trump says American-made weapons bought by NATO are being shipped to Ukraine. Trump's also threatening sanctions, saying his aim is to force Putin to negotiate an end to the war. But with Ukraine under nightly attack, there’s scepticism over whether he'll achieve anything.

U.S. ships NATO purchased Patriot missiles to Ukraine

Syria condemns Israel for fatal strikes on several government buildings in Damascus. The escalation threatens to disrupt new U.S.-brokered security talks between Israel and Syria, with both sides expressing concerns over stability in the region.

Israeli airstrikes on Syria threaten security talks

U.S. President Donald Trump is still dealing with fallout from his own supporters over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. CBS News Department of Justice reporter Jake Rosen has more.

Trump says Epstein conspiracy theory is hoax started by Democrats

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that she spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and that the two had agreed to strengthen trade collaboration, particularly in light of the tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump set to go in effect on August 1.

Mexico City

Global Tariffs

Mexico plans to strengthen trade with Canada

Former President Barack Obama joined his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, on her latest podcast episode with her brother Craig Robinson to address divorce rumors.

Obamas address divorce rumors on Michelle’s podcast

Israel struck Syrian military targets as well as central Damascus on Wednesday (July 16) as it continued its campaign to protect Druze minority communities in southern Syria.

Israel strikes Damascus as fighting rages in southern Syria

U.S. ambassador Mike Huckabee's appearance at Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial follows President Trump's call for Israel to throw out the case or pardon the Israeli prime minister.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

U.S. ambassador attends Netanyahu trial to show support from Trump

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. would impose a 19% tariff on goods from Indonesia under a new agreement with the Southeast Asian country and more deals were in the works as he continued to press for what he views as better terms with trading partners.

Trump eyes more trade deals soon as EU readies retaliation

At least 20 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday (July 16) at an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in what the U.S.-backed group said was a crowd surge instigated by armed agitators. This video contains graphic images.

Crush at Gaza aid site kills at least 20, GHF blames agitators

Police in Los Angeles have arrested a 22-year-old suspect in the double homicide of American Idol executive Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca. The couple, both 70 years old, was found shot to death in their home earlier this week.

Encino

Police make arrest in murders of American Idol executive, husband

Streaming shows dominated nominations for the 2025 Emmy Awards. "Severance" earned the most series nominations with 27. Meanwhile, "The Studio" earned the most-ever nominations for a debut comedy series with 23.

Hollywood

'Severance' and 'The Studio' earn top Emmy nominations

The United Torah Judaism party has decided to quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition over its failure to secure military service exemptions. Members of the ultra-orthodox community have been exempted from enlisting in the army since 1948.

Major cracks in Netanyahu coalition as ultra-Orthodox party quits

New information about the Jeffrey Epstein case may soon be made public after a reversal from U.S. President Donald Trump and weeks of criticism — the loudest of which has come from within the MAGA movement.

Breakdown