Three Beijing-approved judges in Hong Kong are hearing closing arguments in Jimmy Lai's national security trial. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

Hong Kong Island

Jimmy Lai, a well-known critic of Beijing and founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has been imprisoned in Hong Kong for nearly 1,700 days. He is charged under the national security law with colluding with foreign forces and sedition, with prosecutors citing his appeals for international sanctions against China and his role in the now-shuttered newspaper.

Lai's trial, which has lasted much longer than initially expected, has raised concerns among his family and legal team about the state of the rule of law and freedom of expression in Hong Kong. His defense argues that Lai was exercising free speech, while supporters and international observers warn of the risks for critics of Beijing. Lai, a British citizen, faces a possible life sentence if convicted, and his health has caused delays in the proceedings. A verdict is expected later this year.

Jimmy Lai's lawyer speaks out as national security trial nears end

Every time I get a call at 2 a.m. from an unknown number I immediately think is this the call which tells me that Jimmy Lai has collapsed in a prison cell? One of Hong Kong's most famous China critics 77 year old Jimmy Lai has been imprisoned for nearly 1,700 days. In 2019 at the peak of the city's mass pro democracy protests against fear of stronger Beijing rule we met Lai just before his arrest with more to come. He told us his detention would be distinction. We have to keep our freedom, we have to keep our values, we have to keep what we have used to in our life. This week police vans shuttled Lai from solitary confinement to somber courtroom. Popular protests long snuffed out his wife, one of his sons and just a handful of stalwart supporters lent their moral backing. His trial expected to last 80 days has nearly doubled in time. So I think the foot dragging it's hard to tell whether it's cock up or conspiracy but either way the end result is the same which is this man languishing in prison. Lai stands accused of breaching Hong Kong's vaguely worded national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020. He's charged with colluding with foreign forces, prosecutors citing his in-person request that the White House sanction China in Hong Kong and for sedition as founder of Hong Kong's popular pro democracy paper Apple Daily. This emotional headline saying in the middle of the rain Hong Kongers bid a painful goodbye. Hong Kong authorities killed the newspaper in 2021. Lai's defense argued he was exercising free speech and the city once a freewheeling economic asian powerhouse open to the world has changed and chilled in the past five years. I probably shouldn't go back. Sebastian Lai in London hasn't seen his father in that entire time. I think the premise that my father will get a fair trial um is is is a complete joke. The rule of law in Hong Kong has unfortunately been dismantled in Hong Kong. We've seen civil society freedom of expression and the rule of law all very badly damaged. If someone, anyone travels to Hong Kong, what is the biggest concern that you might flag? My warning to anyone traveling into Hong Kong is if you've expressed views which are critical of Hong Kong or Beijing, you may have inadvertently breached the national security law and you could well see yourself caught in the crossfire. This week, trump said he would raise lies case with China's President Xi Jinping. Gallagher reminds that lie is a british citizen and the U. S. And U. K. Should pressure China together before it's too late. I want to see Jimmy lie home out of Hong Kong back to his family in London and Jimmy Lai faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. If convicted, the fear is that he will die there. This week's portion of his trial was delayed twice because he had heart palpitations. Comments from his three judge panel we heard this week have been far more critical and caring and Michael verdict is expected sometime later this year.

The FBI raided former Trump national security adviser John Bolton's house in Bethesda, Maryland, CBS News has confirmed. Jake Rosen has more.

Bethesda

FBI raids John Bolton's home, office

Attorneys general in 14 states and Washington, D.C., accuse TikTok of designing its app to keep users hooked. Court-released edited video shows some company staff discussing the toll it can take on children and teens.

Washington

TikTok faces lawsuits over mental health risks

The United Nations-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has declared famine is occurring in Gaza City. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports as Israel denies the claims.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

U.N.-backed group declares famine in Gaza City

A parole board rejected Erik Menendez's request for release, saying he has not shown proper remorse for killing his parents 36 years ago. His brother, Lyle Menendez, faces his own hearing today (August 22).

Los Angeles

Erik Menendez denied parole after California hearing

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

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.

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

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.

California

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.

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.

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.

"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.

Breakdown