The U.S. health secretary faced accusations, mostly from democrats, that he broke his promise not to block access to vaccines. Robert F. Kennedy Jr pushed back on claims that he is dismantling public health policy, although he dodged some questions about his actions.

Washington

US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has faced criticism from lawmakers, including both Democrats and Republicans, regarding recent changes to vaccine policy and public health leadership. Kennedy defended his 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda, stating that most Americans will continue to have free access to vaccines at pharmacies, despite concerns over funding cuts for mRNA vaccine research and revised COVID-19 vaccine guidance for children and pregnant women.

Kennedy also replaced the CDC director and members of a key vaccine advisory panel, actions that have prompted calls for his resignation from over 1,000 current and former HHS employees and several Democratic lawmakers. While Kennedy's supporters argue that these changes are necessary for public health reform, critics remain concerned about potential impacts on vaccine accessibility and public trust.

Health Secretary RFK Jr on blocking access to vaccines

The U.S. Health Secretary faced accusations, mostly from Democrats, that he broke his promise not to block access to vaccines. Good evening, I'm Steve Eager. I'm Heather Hayes. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushed back on claims that he is dismantling public health policy. Although he dodged some questions about his actions, Fox's Rebecca Kastor followed today's Senate hearing. It's a pivotal day for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as he defends his Make America Healthy Again agenda. We at HHS are enacting a once-in-a-generation shift from a sick care system to a true health care system that tackles the root causes of chronic disease. But not everyone thinks Kennedy is the right man for the job. But RFK Jr.'s supposed solutions are not only wrong, they are downright dangerous. Lawmakers, including Republican Senator and Dr. Bill Cassidy, are alarmed by some of Kennedy's recent moves. He's cut funding for mRNA vaccine research and changed COVID vaccine guidance for children and pregnant women. You promised that you would not take away vaccines from anyone who wanted them. You just changed the classification of the COVID vaccine. I'm not taking them away from people, Senator. It takes it away if you can't get it from your pharmacist. Most Americans are going to be able to get it from their pharmacy for free. Most Americans will be able to get it from their pharmacy for free. The question is everyone who wants it. That was your promise. I never promised that I was going to recommend products with which there is no indication. He's also shaking things up at the CDC. The director was fired by the White House just last week, and Kennedy replaced every member of a key vaccine advisory panel. We are the sickest country in the world. That's why we have to fire people at the CDC. They did not do their job. Scientists and doctors are saying otherwise. They're all wrong, too. They're all lying, according to you. The scientists and doctors are supporting me all over the country. More than 1,000 current and former HHS employees and plenty of Democratic lawmakers are calling for Kennedy to resign. You're the Secretary of Health and Human Services. You don't have any idea how many Americans died from COVID? I don't think anybody knows that because there was so much data chaos coming out of the CDC, and there were so many perverse incentives, and these are models that you can't use. You don't know the answer of how many Americans died from COVID. This is the Secretary of Health and Human Services. But his MAGA allies are cheering on his leadership. President Trump and Secretary Kennedy have made a steadfast commitment to make America healthy again. Kennedy's new vaccine advisory panel meets later this month, where they'll consider updated recommendations for COVID-19, RSV, and measles vaccines. In Washington, Rebecca Kastner, Fox News.

Xi and Kim, along with top officials from their countries, met on Thursday at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People a day after Kim attended a Chinese military parade alongside other foreign leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Beijing

China’s Xi and North Korea’s Kim meet in Beijing, pledge deeper ties

Two Venezuelan fighter jets flew over the USS Jason Dunham, multiple Defense Department officials confirm, calling the action a "show of force." CBS News' Willie James Inman and Charlie D'Agata report.

Caracas

Two Venezuelan fighter jets fly over U.S. Navy ship, officials confirm

A massive Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid at a Hyundai manufacturing site in Georgia led to hundreds of immigrants being detained for apparently living and working in the U.S. illegally.

Savannah

Massive ICE raid at Hyundai site leaves 475 detained in Georgia

Israel targeted a high-rise building in Gaza City, the military said in a statement. As the world braces for Israel's major military operation to seize Gaza's largest city, Hamas released a video purportedly showing two hostages, including one calling on Israel not to carry out its planned Gaza City offensive.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel strikes Gaza City high-rise building, Hamas releases another hostage video

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is wrapping up a two-day trip to Latin America. It comes as the countries in the region watch the Trump administration step up military activity in the area, to combat drug trafficking and illegal migration.

Quito

U.S. mulls military base in Ecuador

A powerful aftershock struck eastern Afghanistan late on Thursday night. More than 2,200 people have already died the quake. Rescue crews are still searching remote villages, but rescue efforts are hampered by rough terrain and aftershocks. The World Food Programme says food stocks are running low and could be exhausted within weeks.

Kabul

Afghanistan quake death toll passes 2200 as food supplies run low

What happens in Ukraine once the war with Russia is over? France tells President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that 26 nations are now ready to offer security guarantees, including the possible deployment of foreign troops as part of a post-war peace arrangement.

Paris

Ukraine Invasion

Ukraine's European allies agree security guarantees

CEOs from some of the nation's biggest tech companies sat down for a dinner with President Trump on Thursday. Among those present were Tim Cook, Sam Altman, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg.

Trump hosts Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and other tech CEOs

U.S. President Donald Trump had a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders Thursday about Russia's war in Ukraine. CBS News White House reporter Olivia Rinaldi has more.

Trump speaks with Zelenskyy, pushes Europe to stop buying Russian oil

"With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani," the fashion house said in a statement on Thursday.

Milan

'King' of Italian fashion Giorgio Armani dies at 91

A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration unlawfully terminated about $2.2 billion in grants awarded to Harvard University and can no longer cut off research funding to the prestigious Ivy League school.

Cambridge

Trump admin unlawfully cut Harvard's funding, U.S. judge rules

Russian President Vladimir Putin has delivered a statement after meeting leaders on the sidelines of the military event in Beijing. He spoke about Russian security interests, and the Ukraine war.

Moscow

Putin wraps China visit with gas deal, calls for Ukraine peace talks

Hope is fading of finding survivors in the rubble of homes devastated by a powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan over the weekend that killed more than 1,400 people, as emergency services struggle to reach remote villages.

Kunar

Hope fades for finding survivors after Afghan quake kills over 1400

Portuguese authorities say at least 15 people died after a streetcar derailed and crashed in the capital of Lisbon. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Imtiaz Tyab has the latest.

Lisbon

Iconic streetcar in Portugal's Lisbon derails, 15 killed

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, along with Republican Reps. Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene, held a news conference on Wednesday with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's sexual abuse. CBS News' Caitlin Huey-Burns has more details.

Epstein survivors add voices to calls for transparency

Israel's central intelligence agency, Shin Bet, said that it thwarted an assassination plot by Hamas against the country's right-wing minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Reuters reports.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel reportedly thwarted plot to assassinate right-wing minister

In California on Tuesday, a jury took less than an hour to clear Cardi B of assault allegations made in a $24 million civil lawsuit. A security guard claimed the rap star attacked her in 2018.

Los Angeles

Cardi B wins civil case against security guard

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that the U.S. military struck a boat apparently carrying drugs from Venezuela. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has the latest details.

Trump says U.S. struck drug-carrying boat from Venezuela

China's Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un, along with other world leaders, for a huge military parade showing off new technology.

Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un attend China's massive military parade

A Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives committee said it released more than 33,000 pages of files on the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as party leadership looked to end a push by a bipartisan pair of lawmakers to force a vote on the matter.

U.S. House committee releases thousands of Epstein files

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou last week called for parliament to hold an earlier-than-expected vote of confidence in him. Next week’s ballot could lead to the collapse of his centrist government and prompt a period of further instability in the European Union’s second biggest economy.

France’s PM faces crucial confidence vote amid political turmoil

Tens of thousands of reservists began to report for duty on Tuesday for a new Israeli offensive to seize Gaza City, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to accelerate despite warnings from senior ranks.

Israel calls up reservists as military chief clashes with ministers

The House Oversight Committee on Tuesday released over 33,000 pages of documents related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

33,000 pages of Jeffrey Epstein documents released by House panel

Belgium joins the ranks of Australia, France, Canada and the UK, all who have pledged to recognize a Palestinian state at the UNGA next week in a bid to ramp up pressure on the Israeli government to end the war in Gaza.

Brussels

Belgium to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly

A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan killed at least 1,400 people, according to the Afghan Red Crescent Society. Thousands more were  injured.

At least 1,400 killed in powerful Afghanistan earthquake

The death toll from Afghanistan's worst earthquake in years jumped to over 1,100 with thousands more injured, as difficult terrain hindered rescue efforts in isolated villages of the country's mountainous eastern region.

Taliban appeals for aid after quake kills over 1100 in Afghanistan

The leaders of Russia, China and India showcased a renewed commitment to co-operation on the second day of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Analysts says the friendliness is designed to project an unified alternative to the West.

Breakdown