ACTUAL NEWS Briefing: May 7, 2025
- Olga Nesterova
- 5 minutes ago
- 10 min read
QUICK HITS
The first papal conclave in 12 years is underway at the Vatican, as 133 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel to begin the process of selecting a successor to Pope Francis. Cardinals are not allowed to leave until a new pope is chosen.
Biden Speaks Out on Ukraine
In a BBC interview, former U.S. President Joe Biden criticized Donald Trump’s push for Ukraine to cede territory to Russia, calling it "modern-day appeasement" that would not satisfy Putin. Biden warned Europe is beginning to question whether it can count on the U.S. for leadership.
🎥 Watch the full 30-minute interview
Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, at the White House
📹 The arrival and meeting moment
Prime Minister Mark Carney met with President Trump, and while the meeting began on a cordial note, it quickly turned tense as Trump once again claimed that the United States "subsidizes Canada." This statement appears to stem from the alleged trade deficit the U.S. has with Canada. If accurate, it would only apply to goods—not services—where the U.S. actually runs a surplus.
Trump also claimed that the U.S. does "no business" with Canada, a statement clearly contradicted by the data shown in the graphic below.
Trump went on to describe the Canada–U.S. border as “an artificial line,” which he, as a real estate developer, “sees being removed,” once again floating the idea of Canada becoming the “51st state.”
Carney swiftly pushed back, stating firmly, “Canada is not for sale.”
Trump responded, “Never say never.”
Carney replied: “Never, never, never, never, never.”
In his post-meeting press conference, Carney was asked about a viral video capturing his facial expressions during the discussion.
📹 The face
Altogether, Trump’s behavior and remarks were, unfortunately, predictable—disrespectful, dismissive, and self-serving. Carney, by contrast, demonstrated strength, wisdom, and remarkable restraint.
According to Carney, the meeting marks the beginning of a series of negotiations, including a review of the USMCA (CUSMA), with the goal of securing a deal that protects Canada's economic growth and sovereignty.
Both sides also discussed cooperation on Arctic security and the fentanyl crisis—a matter that has been significantly addressed by the Trudeau cabinet. It is a weak justification for U.S. tariffs on Canada, but one that Trump appears to need in order to bypass congressional approval for implementing such tariffs.
FIFA & Immigration?
During a FIFA meeting, Vice President JD Vance made an offhand "joke" about deporting World Cup visitors.
Trump appointed Andrew Giuliani to lead the administration’s FIFA task force.
Tariffs & China
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted that no negotiations have yet taken place with China.
However, discussions are set to begin this weekend in Switzerland.
📹 Bessent
China has tweeted about the meeting, citing “consumer and business” interests.
Meanwhile, U.S. imports from China are at their lowest in two decades.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell left interest rates unchanged..
...warning that prolonged tariffs could increase inflation and unemployment.
Xi Visits Moscow
President of China, Xi Jinping, arrived in Russia for a state visit—his 11th since assuming office. He will be attending the WWII Victory Day Parade in Moscow on May 9th.
Ukraine Drone Strikes
On the night of May 6–7, Ukrainian drones hit deep into Russian territory, targeting:
A missile factory in Tula
Russia’s only optical fiber plant in Saransk
Strategic airbases in Kaluga and the Moscow region
Germany's New Chancellor
Friedrich Merz was approved as Germany’s chancellor on a second vote after initially failing to secure parliamentary support. His coalition government faces a fragile political landscape. Merz’s first trips: Paris and Warsaw (today), followed by Brussels (NATO Hq on Friday). Perhaps also Kyiv on Thursday?
📸 Paris
📸 Warsaw
UK-India Trade Deal
A newly signed UK–India free trade agreement is projected to boost trade by £25.5 billion and add £4.8 billion annually to the UK economy.
India-Pakistan Conflict
India struck nine targets in Pakistan, escalating regional tensions. Pakistan promised retaliation. Trump called the developments "a shame," while Secretary Rubio opened direct lines with both governments.
📹 Military movements
Yemen & Red Sea Policy Shift
President Trump announced a halt to U.S. bombings of Houthi targets after the group agreed to stop targeting U.S. ships. The Pentagon was reportedly caught off guard. Meanwhile, CNN confirmed a second F/A-18 crash from the USS Truman in the Red Sea.
Army Birthday Parade Costs Mount
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin reported that the Army’s 250th anniversary parade—coinciding with Trump’s birthday—could cost up to $45 million.
📹 Fox News report on parade cost
Israel–Yemen Retaliation
Israel bombed Yemen’s main airport following a Houthi missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport.
Big Tech in Court
The U.S. DOJ is pushing for Google to break up its ad-tech empire following a court ruling that deemed it monopolistic. The government also wants Chrome sold to address separate antitrust concerns.
TODAY IN HISTORY
1663: The Theatre Royal—now known as Drury Lane Theatre—opened in London. Built by dramatist Thomas Killigrew, it remains the oldest English theatre still in use.
1896: American serial killer H.H. Holmes was hanged; he confessed to 130 murders, though some estimates place the total at over 200.
1911: Japanese director Honda Ishirō, best known for his Godzilla film series, was born in Yamagata Prefecture.
1915: Japan issued an ultimatum to China demanding special privileges, which the major European powers—preoccupied with World War I—were unable to oppose.
1915: A German submarine sank the Lusitania, a British ocean liner; the incident contributed to the eventual entry of the United States into World War I.
1918: The Treaty of Bucharest forced Romania to make territorial and financial concessions following its defeat by the Central Powers in World War I.
1945: German General Alfred Jodl and others signed surrender documents at General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s headquarters in Reims, France, officially ending the European phase of World War II.
1946: Sony Corporation was founded in Japan by Ibuka Masaru and Morita Akio, eventually becoming a global leader in consumer electronics.
1954: Viet Minh General Vo Nguyen Giap launched a surprise assault on the French at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, surrounding their base with 40,000 troops and heavy artillery, leading to a decisive victory in the First Indochina War.
1992: The Twenty-seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution—first proposed over 200 years earlier—was finally ratified when Michigan cast the deciding vote; it limits Congressional pay increases.
2002: Seattle Slew, the first undefeated racehorse to win the U.S. Triple Crown, died on the 25th anniversary of his Kentucky Derby victory.
QUICK ACTUAL NEWS
UNITED STATES
President Donald Trump has officially proclaimed May 8, 2025, as a day to commemorate Victory Day for World War II.
During remarks at the White House on Tuesday, Trump confirmed he would not be visiting Israel at the conclusion of his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
On Thursday, the CEOs of the five largest U.S. airlines—Delta, United, American, Southwest, and JetBlue—are expected to support the Trump administration’s multibillion-dollar proposal to reform the aging air traffic control system and increase staffing. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will outline the plan to Congress.
Vice President JD Vance, speaking Wednesday, reaffirmed that the United States and Europe remain “on the same team,” calling suggestions of a divide between the allies “ridiculous.”
The far-right One America News Network (OANN) will begin providing “newsfeed services” to Voice of America and other U.S. government-funded media outlets, according to Kari Lake, senior advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
In a controversial move, the U.S. plans to transport some migrants to Libya on military aircraft. Rights groups warn that conditions in Libyan migrant detention centers are “horrific.”
A federal appeals court has ordered the Trump administration to transfer a Tufts University student from Turkey—currently held in Louisiana over pro-Palestinian advocacy—to Vermont, where a judge will consider granting bail.
Mattel, the maker of Barbie dolls, announced it would raise prices due to tariffs. Trump previously commented that children “might have to make do with fewer dolls.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. may finalize trade deals with major partners as early as this week.
A federal judge sided with a U.S. regulator’s 2023 decision to remove Eli Lilly’s weight-loss drugs Zepbound and Mounjaro from a shortage list, possibly ending patient access to cheaper alternatives.
The Supreme Court has allowed Trump to enforce a ban on transgender troops while related cases proceed in lower courts.
The Senate voted to confirm Frank Bisignano, a former Wall Street executive, as the new commissioner of Social Security.
Republican lawmakers have proposed allocating $257 million to the Kennedy Center—six times its typical government funding—after Trump assumed control of the organization in February.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told lawmakers on Wednesday that new federal dietary guidelines—developed alongside Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—are expected by early fall.
The National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the launch of a joint project to research autism, including the creation of a new database of Medicare and Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will convene a panel of experts to review COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for the 2025–2026 season.
The U.S. Space Force has awarded a $259 million contract to New Jersey-based SciTec to advance development of a missile-warning satellite ground system, part of the FORGE program aimed at modernizing satellite command and control.
Efforts are underway to recover the superyacht of British tech billionaire Mike Lynch from waters off northern Sicily. The vessel mysteriously sank last August, despite being considered “unsinkable.”
About 3,000 union workers at Pratt & Whitney’s Connecticut facilities—including machinists making engines for the F-35—have gone on strike. The company says it has contingency plans in place.
The Trump administration’s nominee to lead defense personnel said on Tuesday that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will not receive unfettered access to service members’ personal data. Much of the confirmation hearing focused on the nominee’s controversial past statements.
Democratic senators are questioning why Elon Musk’s DOGE must approve some Department of Agriculture loans and guarantees before they are issued. A letter demanding clarification was obtained by Reuters.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers will introduce legislation Wednesday to help physically disqualified Americans find civilian roles within the military and defense sector.
Senators Rick Scott and Elizabeth Warren announced a bill Tuesday to reform how the Federal Reserve’s inspector general is selected. Their proposal would require the IG to be nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, replacing the current system in which the Federal Reserve Chair makes the appointment.
Finally, Senator Josh Hawley has opened an investigation into Tyson Foods after a former employee alleged the company employed child labor at one of its processing plants.
GLOBAL
The United States has been pressuring several countries facing tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump to approve Elon Musk’s Starlink, according to the Washington Post. Citing State Department cables, the report reveals that U.S. embassies and the department have actively urged these nations to clear regulatory hurdles for satellite providers, frequently naming Starlink directly.
India’s film industry, which derives roughly 40% of its international revenue from the U.S., raised concerns this week about increased costs following President Trump’s threat to impose a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced films.
Australia’s film sector is hoping action star Mel Gibson can step in to persuade Trump to drop the proposed tariffs, warning that such measures could devastate the country’s A$1 billion ($650 million) film industry, which heavily relies on Hollywood partnerships.
In Germany, members of Putin-aligned Alternative for Germany (AfD) party remained seated during the playing of the European National Anthem on Wednesday, a ceremony commemorating the end of World War II. Critics say AfD’s growing influence, supported by Russia, is the most serious far-right threat in Europe since 1945.
European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič announced that the European Commission will unveil details of new countermeasures against U.S. tariffs on Thursday, should ongoing negotiations with Washington break down. The announcement came during a news conference in Singapore following the signing of a digital trade agreement with Southeast Asian partners.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance struck a more conciliatory tone on Wednesday, reaffirming that the United States and Europe are “on the same team,” though he emphasized the need for a more coordinated joint security posture. The remarks contrast with sharper rhetoric delivered during his February visit to Germany.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, was scheduled to brief the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday. All 15 member states have been invited to the closed-door meeting, which was held at the U.S. mission to the UN, according to diplomatic sources.
The Republican chairman of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee called on Wednesday for a pause in intelligence sharing with Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, out of concern that such information could be misused to target the far-right AfD party.
The U.S. is reportedly ramping up intelligence operations in Greenland to support President Trump’s ambitions to assert control over the territory, according to the Wall Street Journal. In response, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced plans to summon the acting U.S. ambassador to Denmark for urgent discussions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro signed a strategic partnership agreement in Moscow on Wednesday. While the Kremlin described the pact as a “weighty and important framework document,” no specifics were provided. Discussions also reportedly included energy and oil cooperation.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday praised the successful rescue of five Venezuelan opposition figures who had sought protection inside the Argentine embassy in Caracas.
In China, speculation is rising over President Xi Jinping’s military intentions toward Taiwan. Analysts at the U.S. National Defense University warned that Xi has directed his armed forces to prepare for a potential invasion by 2027, but a sweeping purge of top military commanders may undermine trust and readiness within the ranks.
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, was forced to detour through Azerbaijan after his flight was denied entry into Baltic airspace en route to Moscow. A direct route from Serbia to Russia is approximately 2,200–2,500 kilometers, but rerouting added considerable distance, stretching the flight time from three to over six hours.
A nearly two-month-long U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen has caused significant damage to Houthi forces aligned with Iran. However, despite a ceasefire announced Tuesday, U.S. officials caution that the group is likely to remain a persistent threat in the region.
Finally, a Pentagon Inspector General report released Tuesday revealed that more than 60 U.S. service members were injured as part of former President Joe Biden’s floating aid pier initiative in Gaza — a figure notably higher than previously reported.
CARTOON OF THE DAY
ICYMI
Aerospace companies are bracing for the next phase of the ongoing trade war, as the European Union prepares to impose expected countermeasures against Boeing aircraft. The move is in response to U.S. tariffs of 10% on European goods, including Airbus planes, according to industry sources.
On Wednesday, a federal appeals court rejected the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s legal challenge to Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the maker of “Call of Duty.” The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld a lower court’s decision that the FTC was not entitled to a preliminary injunction. The deal officially closed in 2023.
DoorDash has agreed to acquire British food delivery service Deliveroo, expanding its footprint in Europe and entering the Middle East market.
A half-ton Soviet spacecraft that has been drifting in space for 53 years is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere this week. Experts have not yet determined where it will land.
Real ID is now officially in effect: Starting today, airports across the United States will require passengers to present this more secure form of identification at security checkpoints. Not sure if your ID qualifies? Look for a star—or in some cases, an American flag—on the card.
RECOMMENDED READ
Hillary Clinton: Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty
Genuine recommendation: https://a.co/d/bIKpDeG
That's all from me for now. Thank you for reading.
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