
China says "door to talks is open" after Trump pauses higher tariffs on other countries
CBSN
A spokesperson for China's Commerce Ministry said Thursday that Beijing hoped the U.S. would work to de-escalate the trade war between the world's two largest economies after President Trump announced a pause on higher tariffs he had imposed on many other countries.
"China's position is clear and consistent: the door to talks is open, but dialogue must be conducted on an equal basis with mutual respect," Commerce Ministry spokeswoman He Yongqian said. "China will stand by its position until the end. Pressuring, threatening, and blackmailing are not the correct ways to deal with China. We hope that the U.S. will work with China. Based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and a win-win cooperation, we will properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation."
Mr. Trump announced a pause on the planned implementation of higher tariffs for almost all nations late Wednesday, leaving a 10% universal tariff in place, but said he was raising tariffs on China from 104% to 125%. The heightened levies took effect Thursday, at the same time as Beijing's retaliatory tariffs of 84% took effect on U.S. imports to China.

Terror attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir leaves multiple dead and wounded, reports say
New Delhi — Multiple tourists were killed and others injured Tuesday when suspected militants opened fire on civilians in Indian-controlled Kashmir, according to reports on Indian and international media. Many outlets, including the French news agency AFP, cited unnamed security officials who put the death toll as high as 24, but there was no immediate confirmation on casualties from authorities.

Hadera, Israel — Israeli police on Tuesday were scouring the waters off the country's Mediterranean coast for a swimmer who they fear may have been attacked by a shark, in an area that for decades has seen close encounters between marine predators and beachgoers who sometimes seek them out. A shiver of endangered dusky and sandbar sharks has been swimming close to the area for years, attracting onlookers who approach the sharks and drawing pleas from conservation groups for authorities to separate people from the wild animals.

Pope Francis' funeral has been scheduled for 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. EDT) on Saturday at St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican announced Tuesday, following a meeting of the College of Cardinals at the Catholic Church's city-state headquarters in the heart of Rome. The casket carrying the pope, who died Monday morning after suffering a stroke and heart failure at the age of 88, will be brought in a procession Wednesday morning, accompanied by cardinals, to St. Peter's from his residence at Casa Santa Marta, where he died.

Pope Francis used his last will and testament to detail his wishes for where he would like to be interred following his death. Feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching and with lively hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my testamentary will only with regard to the place of my burial. I have always entrusted my life and my priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest awaiting the day of resurrection in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

The Israeli military on Sunday released its findings of the probe into the killings of 15 Palestinian medics last month in Gaza, saying there were "several professional failures, breaches of orders, and a failure to fully report the incident." A deputy commander will be fired, the Israeli forces said.