Officials in both nuclear-armed nations have hinted at the possibility of imminent military responses. The United Nations Secretary-General has voiced deep concern regarding the heightened friction between the two countries. The situation follows a recent attack that killed 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.

The announcement follows recent high-level discussions involving U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian officials aimed at finding a path to end the conflict. President Trump had recently expressed disappointment with Moscow for continuing attacks despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The sentencing follows his guilty plea to charges including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The judge rejected a defense request for a shorter 24-month sentence and gave Santos until July 25th to surrender. Santos, who was expelled from Congress last year, admitted to misusing campaign donor funds and lying to election officials.

Meanwhile, China has contradicted President Trump’s assertions that active negotiations over tariffs are currently underway between the two nations. Beijing officials stated that while China remains open to dialogue, any negotiations must be conducted based on principles of equality and respect. The ongoing trade disputes continue to generate business uncertainty.

Reports indicate the U.S. government is considering significant reductions to the high tariffs recently imposed on Chinese imports, potentially lowering them to a range between 50 and 65 percent. President Trump mentioned anticipating a deal to lower tariffs substantially, though not eliminating them completely.

Health officials in Gaza report a significant rise in attacks over the past 48 hours, with dozens killed. The actions violate the terms of the recent ceasefire agreement. These events follow reports that Israel also destroyed heavy equipment needed for rescue and recovery efforts in the region.

The Vatican has initiated the centuries-old process for selecting a successor, which involves specific rituals culminating in a papal conclave. Cardinals from around the world will gather to elect the next leader of the 1.4 billion Catholics globally. Details regarding the funeral arrangements are expected soon.