This year’s military exercises, unprecedented in length and scale, are designed to prepare people for the prospect of Chinese troops storming Taiwan’s shores.

Miaoli County

Taiwan has initiated its largest annual defence drills, known as the Hanguang exercises, calling up 22,000 reservist soldiers for weapons retraining and realistic outdoor scenarios. The drills also feature tests of new U.S.-supplied Abrams tanks and HIMARS missile systems. In response to increasing pressure from Beijing, Taiwan's government is expanding its focus beyond the military, encouraging all citizens to adopt an 'all-out defence' mindset.

A new committee led by President Lai Ching-te is developing strategies to enhance whole-of-society resilience, including preparing civilians for potential conflict. For the first time, evacuation drills have been held in supermarkets, aiming to familiarise the public with emergency procedures. The government hopes these measures will better equip the population to respond to any escalation in cross-strait tensions.

Taiwan runs largest defence drills in preparation for Chinese attack

The corridors may be empty of students, but at this school in western Taiwan, a different kind of class is taking place. Our goal is to help these reservists rebuild their combat readiness. In addition to this weapons retraining, we will be incorporating a realistic outdoor scenario. They're part of the 22,000 reservist soldiers that have been called up for training as part of this year's Hanguang drills. They'll also involve tests of new Abrams tanks and HIMAR missile systems imported from the U.S. Beijing has referred to the drills as a bluff and in recent months has ratcheted up the pressure on Taiwan. It's left legislators like Lin Chiu-ying increasingly worried that just training soldiers won't be enough. It's not only national defence units that need to step up. The entire Taiwanese public must embrace the concept of what we call all-out defence. A new committee set up by the Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te is therefore now focusing on a new strategy, developing whole-of-society resilience. And that means preparing ordinary civilians for war. It's schools, public places and supermarkets like this one that have been transformed into the latest stage for Taiwan's military exercises. They're preparing not only soldiers but also society as a whole for the potential of conflict. It's something that Yang Shu-ting discovered when a simulated missile strike interrupted her morning. I often come here to buy things, I'm just doing a regular shop, I'm 70, so I always write a list of things I need in advance. The drill is part of an evacuation exercise taking place in three supermarkets across Taiwan for the first time ever. This year it's being run as a trial to see if similar exercises can be scaled up in the future. Through this drill, we hope the public can gain practical understanding of what they should do when a real-life situation occurs. For now, shoppers like Yang can continue to buy their groceries largely in peace. But with Beijing's threat to Taiwan rising, it's drills like this that the government hopes will begin to prepare the population for the potential of war.

Stacey Williams, a former Sports Illustrated model who briefly dated Jeffrey Epstein speaks with CNN’s Brianna Keilar and describes Epstein’s relationship with Donald Trump. She also alleges Trump once groped her in 1993, but he denies the claim.

New York

Epstein’s ex-girlfriend describes alleged incident with Trump

Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, seen in a viral “kiss cam” video embracing an employee at a Coldplay concert, has resigned, the company says in a LinkedIn post.

Boston

Astronomer CEO resigns after viral incident at Coldplay concert

A vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter an East Hollywood nightclub, injuring 30, seven of them critically, in Los Angeles on Saturday morning. Authorities say bystanders attacked the driver, who also sustained a gunshot wound.

West Hollywood

Driver crashes into line of people in Hollywood, police say he was shot

President Trump is suing the Wall Street Journal for $20 billion in damages. The paper reported that he sent a risqué birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday. Willie James Inman has the latest.

Washington

Trump sues over Wall Street Journal report linking him to Jeffrey Epstein

A boat full of tourists capsized during a storm in one of the country's most iconic tourist destinations, leaving at least 34 dead and eight missing. Rescue efforts continue as a new tropical storm approaches.

Hạ Long Bay

Dozens drown after tourist boat capsizes in Ha Long Bay

United States President Donald Trump has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and its owners, including Rupert Murdoch over the publication of a bombshell report on the president’s friendship with the infamous high-society sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump sues Wall Street Journal, Rupert Murdoch over Epstein story

The agreement comes after intense clashes displaced tens of thousands of people and contributed to a worsening humanitarian crisis in a region still recovering from over a decade of brutal civil war.

As Suwayda

Middle East Conflict

U.S. says Israel-Syria agree to ceasefire, clashes continue in Sweida

President Trump announced that he is suing the publisher and owner of the Wall Street Journal, media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, and others in a $10 billion libel lawsuit.

Trump sues WSJ publisher, Rupert Murdoch over Epstein letter story

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.

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

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.

Breakdown