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.
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Storms and rising seas are washing away Barcelona’s man-made beaches, putting tourism and coastal life at risk. In Montgat, locals say their summers by the sea are vanishing.
Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping national AI strategy on Wednesday, signing three executive orders aimed at securing U.S. dominance in the global artificial intelligence race by accelerating innovation, cutting red tape, and easing regulations on critical data infrastructure.
Russia and Ukraine have completed a major prisoner exchange, marking one of the largest swaps since the start of the war. The deal was based on agreements made earlier in Istanbul.
Germany and France are aiming to end a long-standing rift over their joint fighter jet project by August, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Emmanuel Macron push for unity in European defense.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping national AI strategy on Wednesday, signing three executive orders aimed at securing U.S. dominance in the global artificial intelligence race by accelerating innovation, cutting red tape, and easing regulations on critical data infrastructure.
Russia and Ukraine have completed a major prisoner exchange, marking one of the largest swaps since the start of the war. The deal was based on agreements made earlier in Istanbul.
Germany and France are aiming to end a long-standing rift over their joint fighter jet project by August, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Emmanuel Macron push for unity in European defense.
Senior diplomats from Iran, Russia and China convened in Tehran to coordinate their positions on Iran’s nuclear programme and Western sanctions ahead of upcoming negotiations in Istanbul.
Australia has made a further payment to the United States under the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Wednesday that a second instalment of $525 million has been paid, following an initial $500 million payment in February.
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