President Vladimir Putin of Russia informed former President Trump during a recent phone call that he intends to retaliate against Ukraine following a significant drone attack attributed to Ukraine over the weekend. Trump characterized the conversation as “a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace” but did not disclose whether he attempted to persuade Putin against the planned retaliation.
During a meeting in Russia, Putin did not address the drone strikes on Russian strategic bombers but focused on railway attacks that resulted in seven fatalities over the weekend. He accused Ukrainian leaders of deliberately disrupting the peace process, while Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of delaying negotiations to hinder the implementation of a new package of U.S. sanctions.
Despite recent Ukrainian actions, Russia remains largely on the offensive in Ukraine, continuing to advance on the battlefield and frequently bombarding cities with drones and missiles.
In related discussions, Trump mentioned that he had requested Putin's assistance in achieving a nuclear deal with Iran, noting that both leaders agreed on the necessity of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Elsewhere, European countries are becoming increasingly confident in their ability to support Ukraine regardless of potential changes in U.S. leadership regarding the conflict. Additionally, recent drone attacks in Ukraine and Russia have highlighted a new era of warfare and revealed how unprepared Western nations are for these developments.
In Gaza, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced the temporary closure of its four aid distribution sites after Palestinian individuals seeking food supplies were reportedly shot at by Israeli forces. The organization plans to reopen the centers after a brief pause to enhance its relief efforts. Local health workers reported numerous casualties near aid sites in Rafah, emphasizing the contentious nature of the incidents.
The UK has called for an independent investigation into the deadly situations surrounding the aid distribution efforts, while the U.S. vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that called for an immediate cease-fire and the resumption of humanitarian aid in Gaza.
On another note, the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, began recently amidst rising temperatures, which have made the event increasingly dangerous for millions of participants. Last year, severe heat led to over 1,300 pilgrim deaths, primarily among those without proper permits to access cooling resources. To combat this, Saudi officials plan to implement measures such as cooled roads.
In other news, significant incidents included a crowd crush in Bengaluru, India, resulting in at least 11 fatalities during a cricket championship celebration, and calls for dialogue and cooperation in North Korea from newly inaugurated South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
In the realm of trade, a substantial increase in U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum took effect, affecting imports from several countries. The U.S.-China trade conflict continues to evolve, impacting global supply chains as both nations navigate their economic relations.
Additionally, the new Nintendo Switch 2 gaming console is set to be released, promising enhanced features and capabilities compared to its predecessor, despite potential availability challenges.