Trump Administration to Launch Voluntary AI Standards for Frontier Models 
Taiwan Simulates Chinese Blockade and Invasion in Major Civil Defense Drill 
France Battles Mediterranean Wildfires as Heatwave Fuels Fire Risk 
US-Iran Doha Talks Show Limited Progress as Hormuz Shipping Remains Key Focus 
US Envoy Urges Taiwan to Build ‘Hornet’s Nest’ Drone Defense Against China 
Venezuela Interim President Defends Earthquake Response as Death Toll Climbs 
NRC Proposes Radiation Rule Changes to Boost U.S. Nuclear Power Expansion Under Trump 
DHS Investigates Cyber Breach in Homeland Security Information-Sharing Network 
Trump Administration Declines USMCA Renewal, Opens Talks on New Trade Changes 
Trump Vows U.S. Will Prevent China From Taking Over the Panama Canal 
Russia Claims Capture of Kostiantynivka as Putin Pushes Donetsk Offensive 
US Appeals Court Limits ICE Detention Without Bond Hearings After 90 Days 
Moody’s Says Peru’s President-Elect Keiko Fujimori Could Boost Investor Confidence 
Russian Attacks Kill Three in Eastern Ukraine as Civilian Casualties Mount 
Trump Accounts Now Accept Stock Donations as Treasury Launches New Child Investment Program 
Air Force Investigates Officer After Capitol Protest Calling for Trump, Vance Impeachment 
Russian Attacks Kill Six Across Ukraine as Kyiv Mourns Deadly Strike 
The island nation of Taiwan has sought to step up its military capabilities this week. Taipei this week ordered its citizens to stay indoors in several parts of the island as its military carried out air raid exercises.
Reuters reports that Taiwan instructed its citizens to clear out the roads and stay indoors in certain areas as the military is conducting an air raid exercise. The air raid exercise is part of Taiwan’s efforts to ramp up its defenses in the event of an invasion by China.
Sirens were heard at 1:30 p.m. marking the start of mandatory street evacuation drills, which shut down towns and cities across northern Taiwan for around 30 minutes. Citizens received a “missile alert” text message asking them to evacuate safely.
“It is necessary to make preparations in the event of a war,” said Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je in remarks after overseeing the drills for the exercise called Wan An, meaning everlasting peace.
“Chinese military planes have frequently harassed Taiwan in recent years and there’s even an outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February, these incidents remind us that we need to be vigilant in peace time,” said Ko.
In the capital Taipei, the police instructed vehicles to move to the side of the roads, and citizens were asked to seek shelter. Shops and restaurants also pulled their shutters down and turned off their lights to avoid becoming a target in case of an attack at night. Firefighters also practiced putting out fires caused by missile attacks.
After 30 minutes, sirens were heard again, marking the end of the drills.
The island, which China claims as its territory, has been a source of tension with the United States. While the US does not recognize Taiwan, it is bound by a treaty to provide the island with arms to defend itself. However, Washington has also stepped up its support for Taiwan in recent years.
Beijing confirmed that it has privately warned Washington again against a possible trip by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island, according to a report by the Financial Times. Six people familiar with the matter said China issued heightened warnings against a visit by Pelosi to the island.
