Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 9th , covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Robert Prevost becomes first American pope in Catholic Church history.
In a historic moment, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of the U.S. has been elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. His election was signaled by white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel and formally announced with "Habemus papam!" to crowds in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Leo XIV greeted the world with, "Peace be with all of you!" amid celebrations in Rome and beyond. The emotional moment was marked by church bells, cheers, and prayer. Before appearing, he spent time in the traditional "Room of Tears" to prepare.
This marks the first time an American has been elected pope, beginning a new chapter in Church history.
2. US and UK announce "breakthrough" trade deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have announced a limited trade agreement aimed at boosting bilateral trade.
The deal keeps 10% tariffs on British exports but lowers U.S. tariffs on UK cars and cuts average UK tariffs on U.S. goods from 5.1% to 1.8%. Trump called it a “tremendous” opportunity, while Starmer praised it as a “historic day” for job creation and market access.
This is the first in a series of targeted trade deals following Trump’s recent tariff hikes on multiple countries.
3. Kallas confirms EU Foreign ministers’ visit to Ukraine on May 9
EU foreign ministers will visit Lviv, Ukraine, on May 9 to discuss defense support and endorse plans for a tribunal on war crimes and aggression.
EU foreign ministers will travel to Lviv, Ukraine on May 9 to pledge €1 billion in support for Ukraine’s defense industry and endorse the creation of an International Tribunal for war crimes and aggression, said EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas during a press conference in Warsaw.
"Tomorrow we are going to Ukraine, and we are going to make available €1 billion for Ukraine's defense industry", said Kallas. "We will also give the final political endorsement for the establishment of the Tribunal… There will be no impunity".
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski also confirmed that European leaders would arrive in Lviv on May 9 to address these topics.
The announcement followed an informal Gymnich-format meeting of EU foreign ministers in Warsaw, where the ministers focused primarily on Ukraine’s situation and the pursuit of a peaceful, just resolution to the conflict.
4. World leaders react to election of Pope Leo XIV, first American pontiff.
World leaders have warmly welcomed the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff. U.S. President Trump called it a "Great Honor for our Country", while leaders from Europe, Latin America, and Russia praised the historic moment.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy thanked the Pope for supporting international law. Global reactions highlight hopes for peace and unity under Pope Leo XIV's leadership amid global challenges.
5. Trump urges 30-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, Zelenskyy responds
U.S. President Donald Trump has called for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, warning of new sanctions if violated.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said Kyiv is ready to comply immediately and urged Russia to do the same.
The proposal, first introduced by Washington in March, is seen as a key test of peace efforts.
6. King Charles urges global peace on 80th Anniversary of VE Day
Britain's King Charles marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day with a call for global peace and diplomacy. Speaking at a concert near Buckingham Palace, he honored World War II veterans and echoed Winston Churchill’s belief that "jaw to jaw is better than war".
The event followed a thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey and included a nationwide two-minute silence. Charles and Prince William also laid wreaths at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
The anniversary comes amid ongoing war in Ukraine. Ceremonies were also held in France and Germany, while Russia prepares a military parade, with President Putin repeating claims linking the Ukraine conflict to "neo-Nazism".
King Charles reflected on Queen Elizabeth II’s VE Day memories, ending his speech with a light-hearted remark about not leading a late-night conga line like his mother once did.
7. UAE and Azerbaijan presidents discuss strengthening ties in phone call
On May 8, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a phone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
During the call, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of President Aliyev’s recent visit to Abu Dhabi. They highlighted the strong and growing partnership between the two countries, built on mutual trust and friendship.
The presidents noted positive progress in economic and trade relations, supported by active political dialogue and regular exchanges of delegations across various fields.
They also discussed key issues on the bilateral and regional agenda.
The U.S. military began a blockade of Iran's ports on Monday, President Donald Trump said, and Tehran threaten...
Kazakhstan has reported a sharp fall in oil production, with both output and exports declining in the first quarter of the year, according to gover...
Iran’s mission at the United Nations headquarters in New York has, in a letter to the Secretary-General and the Security Council President, d...
Since Monday, Monday (13 April), America has blocked traffic entering and leaving Iran's ports, in an escalation of the conflict in the Mi...
The European Union has reached a preliminary agreement to restrict foreign metal imports, nearly halving tariff-free steel volumes and imposing 50 ...
Kazakhstan has reported a sharp fall in oil production, with both output and exports declining in the first quarter of the year, according to government officials. The drop is now affecting the structure of economic growth, even as the country records 3% GDP growth.
Iran’s mission at the United Nations headquarters in New York has, in a letter to the Secretary-General and the Security Council President, demanded war compensation from five regional states over damages caused during Israeli-U.S. aggression against Iran.
Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has secured a parliamentary majority for the Liberal Party of Canada, strengthening his ability to govern amid mounting economic pressures, including a trade dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump.
North Korea conducted a complex test-firing of strategic cruise missiles and advanced anti-warship munitions on Sunday. The drills, reported by state media on Tuesday, were framed as critical operational efficiency trials for Pyongyang's newest major surface combatant, the destroyer Choe Hyon.
At a time of deepening global polarisation, rising conflict and shrinking space for dialogue, Pakistan is stepping into a historic role. Diplomatic engagements in Islamabad, bringing together regional powers amid the Iran crisis, signal both urgency and opportunity.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned that any Iranian ships approaching ports in the Strait of Hormuz would be "immediately eliminated" on Monday, as the U.S. started its blockade.
Millions of Orthodox Christians across the globe celebrated Easter, known as Holy Pascha, on Sunday (12 April) with midnight liturgies, candlelight processions and deeply rooted local traditions reflecting centuries of faith.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that talks with Pakistan had been positive, while Türkiye stressed the importance of stronger ties between Kabul and Islamabad.
Centre-right Peter Magyar's Tisza Party has won a landslide in Hungary after a night of counting in the Hungarian election. Viktor Orbán has conceded defeat after 16 years in power. "We have done it. Tisza and Hungary have won this election", Magyar said to cheering supporters in Budapest.
The European Union has reached a preliminary agreement to restrict foreign metal imports, nearly halving tariff-free steel volumes and imposing 50 per cent tariffs on excess shipments to protect domestic industry.
Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has secured a parliamentary majority for the Liberal Party of Canada, strengthening his ability to govern amid mounting economic pressures, including a trade dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump.
North Korea conducted a complex test-firing of strategic cruise missiles and advanced anti-warship munitions on Sunday. The drills, reported by state media on Tuesday, were framed as critical operational efficiency trials for Pyongyang's newest major surface combatant, the destroyer Choe Hyon.
A now-deleted artificial intelligence (AI) generated image by the U.S. President has sparked immense backlash across the political divide. It comes as Trump and the Pope continue their fued over the U.S.-led war in the Middle East.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 14th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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