ACTUAL NEWS Briefing: May 9th 2025
- Olga Nesterova
- May 9
- 13 min read
QUICK HITS
WWII Victory Day
In Russia:
Russia held a traditional parade in Moscow with Chinese President Xi and other supporters of the Russian regime in attendance.
Putin at the parade declared that Russia will “defend the values of humanism and justice” and promised to pass on “these traditions” to future generations. Cue the videos and photos of brutal Russian genocide in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump exchanged congratulations through their aides on the “80th anniversary of the Soviet and Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two”, according to the Kremlin.
This week, UN General Assembly hosted Russian national choir concert celebrating the “Russian Victory in WWII”. This was off schedule and press was not informed.
At the Moscow parade, Vladimir Putin was seen publicly shaking hands with North Korean generals. Prior to this, he reportedly thanked Kim Jong Un for sending North Korean soldiers to fight (die) alongside Russian forces, particularly in the heavily contested Kursk region.
In Russian-occupied Kherson region of Ukraine, Ukrainian children were put in uniforms and forced to parade under red flags with symbols of the Soviet Union.
In Europe
On Europe Day, the European Commission, represented by Commissioner Michael McGrath, High Representative Kaja Kallas, the Council of Europe, Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and representatives from 38 other states gathered in Lviv today to formally endorse the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
They also honored the memory of fallen Ukrainian defenders at the Lychakiv cemetery.
President Zelenskyy addressed Ukrainians from the streets of Kyiv, marking the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism: "This day reminds us of an important pattern: every evil inevitably comes to an end."
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to NATO Headquarters on 9 May 2025 for bilateral discussions, including preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague.
In Hungary, authorities have adopted propaganda campaigns that threaten an "apocalypse from the east, namely Ukraine", while "in the west, Brussels is pulling the strings".
Ukraine’s Security Service has uncovered a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in western Ukraine — a first in the country’s history. The agents were gathering information on Zakarpattia’s military defenses, looking for vulnerabilities, and assessing how locals might react to a potential Hungarian military presence. Two members of the network have been detained.
Lithuania has withdrawn from Ottawa Convention to allow itself to mine its borders.
Romania has held a debate ahead of the second round of voting, featuring two starkly different candidates: Simion, a former soccer hooligan who calls himself a “Trumpist” and promotes a pro-Russian agenda, and Dan, a Sorbonne-educated mathematician with a doctorate and current mayor of Bucharest. The choice for president was remarkably clear — Dan, who supports rearming and backing Ukraine, while Simion struggles to form coherent arguments and remains fixated on Putin.
German Chancellor Merz called for measures to curb migration: The aim is to activate Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU to enable increased border controls and the rejection of asylum seekers at all borders.
INFO: Article 72 gives EU member states the right to take national measures—such as increased border controls—when internal security is at stake.
NEW: As I guesstimated in my previous newsletter - Macron, Starmer, Tusk and Merz are on their way to Kyiv, Ukraine
In the US
Russian/Iranian "Shahed" was exhibited in the U.S. Capitol as American government officials were considering tightening sanctions against Iran.
After arresting the mayor of Newark for holding a protest in front of the ICE office, Stephen Miller said they are “actively looking at” suspending the writ of habeas corpus, which is only allowed when the US has been invaded or during an insurrection, which would not allow people to challenge their incarceration in court if they are arrested and detained.
As the Vatican mourned Pope Francis, U.S. conservative Catholics, led by groups like the Napa Institute, tried to influence the next papal election by hosting events in Rome and offering $1 billion in donations for electing a favorable pope. Their efforts, including past attempts like the 2018 “Red Hat Report” targeting progressive cardinals, may have backfired.
Robert Francis Prevost Elected as the First American Pope
Robert Francis Prevost, elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, is the first pope from the United States. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he was chosen by 133 voting cardinals in a decision that defied long-held beliefs about selecting a pope from a global superpower.
Pope Leo XIV shares Pope Francis’ commitment to helping the poor and migrants. A former leader of the Augustinian order, Prevost has always emphasized a life of simplicity and service to those in need. In his first address as pope, he called for a church that builds bridges, fosters dialogue, and remains open to all.
As an American, he stands in contrast to the rise of conservative Catholicism in his home country, notably challenging ideas put forth by figures like Vice President JD Vance. Despite his American roots, Prevost has a global perspective, having served in Peru for two decades before becoming a bishop and leading the Order of St. Augustine.
Prevost’s deep experience in church leadership, including his role under Pope Francis as head of the Vatican office responsible for selecting bishops, made him an appealing choice to the Roman Curia. He is seen as a churchman who transcends national boundaries and is committed to humility and closeness with the people he serves.
MAGA is "done" with Pope Leo — openly confirming their stance as anti-poor, anti-immigrant, and anti-humanity. They acknowledge that 'these things come with the job' for a pope, but add that 'he’d need to be careful about all that.'
Pope Leo’s Brother: “I think [Pope Leo XIV] sees the United States heading in the wrong direction in terms of immigration — that this is a total injustice.”
On trade
President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will keep a baseline 10% tariff on imports, even after reaching trade deals. However, he noted that exemptions could be made for countries that offer favorable trade terms.
The White House stated that President Donald Trump remains firm on not unilaterally reducing tariffs on Chinese goods without concessions from China. This comes after Trump suggested the possibility of lowering the tariff rate from 145% to 80% ahead of upcoming trade talks in Switzerland.
U.S. and UK Announce Draft Tariff Deal
The United States and the United Kingdom unveiled a draft tariff agreement aimed at easing trade barriers between the two countries. While final details are still being negotiated, both governments outlined key elements of the deal:
The U.S. will reduce tariffs on up to 100,000 UK cars annually—from 27.5% to 10%—covering nearly all UK car exports to the U.S.
Tariffs on UK aluminum and steel will be fully removed, according to the UK government.
In return, the UK will lift duties on U.S. beef and over 300 million gallons of U.S. ethanol per year.
The timeline for finalizing the agreement has not been announced.
“This is a very small deal. Most of the new U.S. tariffs remain. Most of the restrictions on U.S. exports to the UK (which are modest) remain … Lots of salesmanship, but the reality of this deal is that the UK more or less accepted the 10 percent reciprocal tariff—and bargained for a few adjustments to [other duties]. Let’s see if others are willing to do that kind of deal.” — CFR expert Brad Setser |
Also, this..
EU Threatens Tariffs as U.S. Trade Talks Expand Globally
The European Union has announced plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on over $100 billion in U.S. goods if ongoing trade negotiations with Washington fall short. However, some European officials are urging caution, warning against escalating tensions ahead of June’s critical NATO summit.
Meanwhile, U.S. envoys are set to begin trade talks with China tomorrow, potentially discussing cuts to steep U.S. tariffs—some exceeding 145 percent—despite strained relations.
The Trump administration has also recently engaged in trade talks with India and Japan, signaling a broad push on multiple trade fronts.
TODAY IN HISTORY
1386: The Treaty of Windsor between Portugal and England was ratified, solidifying the oldest diplomatic alliance still in force today.
1502: Christopher Columbus embarked on his fourth and final voyage from Cádiz, Spain, aiming to find a passage to Asia.
1671: Thomas Blood attempted to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London; he was captured while fleeing with the jewels.
1754: The first newspaper cartoon in America, depicting a divided snake with the caption "Join or Die," was published in The Pennsylvania Gazette.
1865: President Andrew Johnson issued a proclamation declaring that armed resistance in the South had virtually ended, marking the commonly accepted end of the American Civil War.
1901: The first Australian Parliament opened in Melbourne, though the first working session would not commence until May 21.
1914: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signed a joint congressional resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
1926: Americans Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett became the first men to fly an airplane over the North Pole.
1936: Fascist Italy annexed Ethiopia, completing its conquest of the country.
1940: Vivien Leigh debuted in America on stage in "Romeo and Juliet" with Laurence Olivier.
1941: The German submarine U-110 was captured at sea by Britain's Royal Navy.
1945: The Soviet Union celebrated Victory Day in World War II.
1951: The U.S. conducted its first thermonuclear experiment under Operation Greenhouse, detonating a 225-kiloton device named "George" on Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
1955: West Germany joined NATO, strengthening the Western bloc's defense against Soviet influence in Europe.
1960: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first oral contraceptive pill, marking a significant milestone in reproductive rights and women's health.
1961: Jim Gentile of the Baltimore Orioles set a major league baseball record by hitting a grand slam home run in two consecutive innings during a game against the Minnesota Twins.
1962: Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology successfully bounced a laser beam off the Moon for the first time.
1974: The U.S. House Judiciary Committee began formal hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon.
1978: The bullet-riddled body of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro was found in an automobile in the center of Rome.
2001: The Accra Sports Stadium Disaster occurred in Ghana, resulting in 129 football fans' deaths due to a stampede caused by the firing of teargas by police during a match between arch-rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
2012: Mark Rothko's painting "Orange, Red, Yellow" became the most expensive contemporary art piece sold at auction, fetching $86.9 million.
2020: Little Richard, the American singer and pianist whose hit songs of the mid-1950s were defining moments in the development of rock and roll, died at age 87.
QUICK NEWS
NATIONAL
The first wave of Chinese goods facing Trump’s new 145%+ tariffs has arrived at U.S. ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach. Over 12,000 containers carry products for major retailers including Amazon, Home Depot, Ikea, Ralph Lauren, Tractor Supply, Procter & Gamble, LG, and Samsung.
Major container shipping companies are suspending at least six weekly routes between China and the U.S., as President Donald Trump's tariffs on China significantly reduce trade, according to maritime consultants.
The U.S. Commerce Department has launched a national security investigation into the import of commercial aircraft, jet engines, and parts. Opened on May 1 but only recently revealed, the probe could lead to increased tariffs on these imports.
Fifteen state attorneys general have sued President Donald Trump to block his national energy emergency declaration, arguing it unlawfully bypasses regulations and accelerates oil and gas development permitting.
A U.S. appeals court on Friday upheld a federal law preventing felons from possessing firearms, rejecting a challenge by a California man who said the ban should not apply to non-violent felons like himself.
The Trump administration is considering issuing executive orders to speed up the construction of nuclear power plants, according to draft documents reviewed by the New York Times.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has canceled a sole-source contract it awarded to Workday for a new cloud-based HR system. The contract, signed on May 2 without competitive bidding, had raised concerns due to the presence of major competitors like ADP and SAP, and because it would replace OPM's effective in-house system. The cancellation was posted on a federal contracting site without explanation. OPM previously justified the contract by citing urgent operational needs.
President Donald Trump is set to sign a proclamation allowing commercial fishing in a marine national monument off New England. This decision aligns with his administration's broader goal of reducing regulations seen as restrictive to businesses and economic growth.
Donald Trump withdrew Ed Martin’s nomination to lead the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington after a Republican senator opposed him over his support for Jan. 6 rioters. Trump instead appointed Fox News host and former district attorney Jeanine Pirro as interim U.S. attorney.
Trump administration removed the acting FEMA chief just a day after he emphasized the agency's importance to lawmakers, and fired Carla Hayden, the first Black woman to lead the Library of Congress, via a brief email with no explanation.
President Trump also urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to include a tax increase on the wealthiest Americans in the upcoming GOP fiscal package.
Trump directed federal agencies to stop using a legal method for evaluating racial discrimination in policies.
Migrants in Texas, who were informed they would be deported to Libya, spent hours sitting on a military airfield tarmac on Wednesday, uncertain of their fate, according to an attorney for one of the individuals.
U.S. has granted refugees visas to 50,000 middle class to wealthy white South Africans, with Trump asserting they face “racial persecution” at home. This is the first group of “refugees” that will arrive soon in the United States.
The U.S. Postal Service Board announced that David Steiner, a FedEx board member and former Waste Management CEO, has been appointed as the new postmaster general following White House pressure that led to the previous leader's resignation in March.
The U.S. Postal Service reported a net loss of $3.3 billion for the three months ending March 31, as the financially struggling agency raises stamp prices and explores cost-cutting measures.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first at-home test for cervical cancer screening, developed by Teal Health. This offers an alternative to traditional Pap smears, which typically require a visit to a doctor's office.
DEFENSE
The Department of Defense is moving forward with a plan to automate and streamline its system for securing military network software, with implementation set to begin next month, according to Acting Chief Information Officer Katie Arrington on May 7.
So far, none of America's transgender troops who want to continue serving in uniform have applied for a waiver to the Pentagon's ban on their service, Reuters was told by each of the military services.
The Pentagon warned lawmakers that it cannot afford to lose access to key parts of the electromagnetic spectrum for its "Golden Dome" missile defense initiative. In response to industry and legislative pressure to open military radio waves for commercial use, the Defense Department is pushing for secure, strategic spectrum sharing with the private sector.
U.S. Space Command remains focused on satellite maneuvering without fuel constraints, though a solution is still in the works, as noted by the deputy commander at a recent Pentagon meeting.
Special operators are upgrading their helicopter fleet, including the MH-6 "Little Bird," MH-60 "Blackhawk," and MH-47 "Chinook," in anticipation of the Army’s new rotary wing aircraft. These upgrades were highlighted during the Global SOF Foundation Special Operations Forces Week.
In his first public address as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine urged special operations forces to become “more effective and efficient than ever.”
Boeing told the Air Force it can deliver new Air Force One jets by 2027 if certain requirements are relaxed. Originally slated for delivery in 2024, the aircraft are now expected around 2028 or 2029, a delay that has drawn criticism from President Trump.
Congress' investigation into the safety of the V-22 Osprey has been stalled for nearly a year, frustrating Gold Star families who lost loved ones in crashes involving the aircraft.
The Pentagon’s chief information officer has published a new roadmap to support the growth of the department’s software factory ecosystem and cloud program, with a modernization plan for fiscal 2025-2026.
The U.S. Space Force has advanced CACI, General Atomics, and Viasat to the next phase of a $100 million program to develop laser-based space communication terminals, while Blue Origin was excluded.
Stephen Winchell has been appointed to head the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which is responsible for driving technological breakthroughs for U.S. national security, including advancements in precision weapons, stealth, the internet, and GPS.
Also, this...
GLOBAL
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping held talks in Moscow and issued a joint statement rejecting what they called “Washington’s efforts to contain their countries”.
The Trump administration is exploring a plan to bring Greenland closer to the U.S. through a Compact of Free Association (COFA), a type of agreement currently used with some Pacific Island nations. Under COFA, the U.S. would provide essential services and military protection in exchange for strategic access. While President Trump has previously expressed interest in acquiring Greenland—even suggesting force—the COFA approach would fall short of full annexation. However, the plan faces significant political and legal challenges, including Greenland’s current status under Denmark and local skepticism about joining the U.S. Talks are reportedly underway among multiple U.S. agencies, but no formal proposal has been made public.
India and Pakistan are currently involved in their largest military conflict in decades, with attacks reported deep inside both countries beyond the Kashmir border. The escalation began Wednesday after India launched airstrikes, accusing Pakistan of backing a terrorist attack in Kashmir — an allegation Pakistan denies. Both nations have issued warnings for schoolchildren to stay home, and airlines are rerouting flights to avoid Pakistani and northern Indian airspace.
A top Chinese-made Pakistani fighter plane shot down at least two Indian military aircraft on May 7, two U.S. officials told Reuters, marking a major milestone for Beijing's advanced fighter jet.
Nigeria has fully repaid a $3.4 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under President Bola Tinubu, the country has implemented pro-market reforms, including lifting currency controls, which led to a sharp devaluation of the naira.
Despite protests, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said he will not renegotiate a new security agreement with the U.S. that grants troop access to local bases. Both governments insist the deal does not allow the establishment of permanent U.S. bases.
The U.S. State Department says an announcement is imminent on a new system to deliver food aid to Gaza. Israel may guard distribution points but will not directly distribute aid, and delivery won’t depend on a ceasefire, according to U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee.
France and Poland have signed a defense cooperation treaty that could extend France’s nuclear protection to Poland. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the agreement “groundbreaking” as the country boosts its defense spending to a record 4.7% of GDP.
Iran is set to deliver launchers for approximately 400 Fath-360 short-range ballistic missiles it previously supplied to Russia. The delay in delivering the launchers may have been due to integrating them onto military-grade vehicles.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of escalating violence in Port Sudan after a series of drone attacks. The city, a refuge for displaced people and a key aid hub, saw humanitarian flights suspended on May 4 due to deteriorating security.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
On Saturday, Iran’s foreign minister visits Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
On Sunday, Albania holds a parliamentary election.
ICYMI
Bill Gates has announced that his philanthropic foundation will shut down in 20 years, by which time he expects it to have donated over $200 billion.
Don’t forget — this coming Sunday is Mother’s Day in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Finland, Belgium, Australia, Mexico, Italy, France, Germany, and many more! It’s the perfect time to show love and appreciation to all the amazing mothers and mother figures out there.
A BIT OF HOUSEKEEPING
This Sunday’s Edition will focus on Mother’s Day and feature special reports from the NYT Well Festival, Earth Celebrations, the Japan Parade in NYC, the Frieze 2025 Exhibition, and more! If you’re subscribed to this newsletter, your Sunday Edition will arrive in your inbox at 8 a.m. ET.
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In this Sunday’s Weekly Recap, we’ll dive into everything that’s happened on the global stage over the past week. What we won’t be doing anymore is covering Trump’s media dumps — I’m tired, aren’t you?
Join me for the news that actually matters on Sunday at 8:00 pm ET for the Weekly Recap LIVE on YouTube
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