Thursday morning news: May 8, 2025

Trump VE day » Today is the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. That's when Nazi Germany surrendered to Allied forces in World War II.

Cities from London to Moscow are holding parades and flyovers this week to celebrate.

And on Wednesday, President Trump signed a proclamation officially designating today as a day, for the United States to mark the occasion.

TRUMP: The United States has never joined in with the proper celebration of our own..

He says it was a victory that would not have happened without the United States.

Russia cease-fire? / Vance remarks » Russia is also celebrating. But authorities in Moscow say drone attacks by Ukraine disrupted preparations for the annual Victory Day military parade in Red Square.

Russia has said it planned a temporary unilateral ceasefire, and would halt attacks against Ukraine for 72 hours, to coincide with the celebrations.

The Kremlin has not accepted a US proposal for a 30-day truce. And Vice President JD Vance says Russia will have to be more flexible in negotiations to halt the war.

VANCE:  Right now the Russians are asking for a certain set of requirements, a certain set of concessions in order to end the conflict. We think they're asking for too much.

Speaking Wednesday at a security conference with European leaders, Vance added that he is not pessimistic about the prospects for a peace deal and that talks will continue.

By contrast, President Trump has expressed skepticism and frustration with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

U.S. Ambassador to China » Former Georgia Republican Senator David Perdue is the new U.S. Ambassador to China after taking the oath of office on Wednesday.

RUBIO: The duties of the office

PERDUE: The duties of the office

RUBIO: On which I am about to enter

PERDUE: On which I am about to enter

RUBIO: So help me God

PERDUE: So help me God

RUBIO: Congratulations. (applause)

Perdue is also a former executive with experience in global supply chains, including through Beijing.

The Senate confirmed Perdue with some bipartisan support on a vote of 67 to 29.

He assumes the role amid a major trade war with China. US and Chinese officials are set to meet this weekend to break the ice on trade talks.

Houthis latest » A new ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran-backed Houthi rebels does NOT include Israel.

That according to Reuters, citing a chief negotiator for the Houthi terror group.

President Donald Trump announced the agreement on Tuesday. He told reporters yesterday that time will tell whether the Houthis live up to their end of the bargain.

TRUMP: We honor their commitment—their word. They gave us their word that they wouldn't be shooting ships anymore and we honor that.

However, while the Houthis promise to end attacks against U.S. interests and commercial shipping will end, attacks on Israel remain fair game.

But GOP Congressman Brian Mast says U.S. security and Israel's security go hand-in-hand.

MAST: The president has been very clear: there needs to be an end to attacks on United States interests—our vessels. And Israel is one of our interests as well.

Mast said Israel is America’s—quote “largest vessel in the region.”

Fed chair remarks » Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell says the Fed will continue to keep interest rates right where they are for now.

He told reporters once again the central bank will maintain a wait-and-see approach with President Trump’s reset of trade policy and other factors.

POWELL:  Depending on the way things play out, that could include rate hikes, sorry, rate cuts. It could include us holding where we are. We just are gonna need to see how things play out before we make those decisions.

The Fed this week kept its rate at 4.3% for the third straight meeting.

Powell said despite more uncertainty, the economy remains solid.

Many economists and Wall Street investors still expect the Fed will reduce rates two or three times this year.

Conclave begins » More than 130 Catholic cardinals are gathered at the Vatican for day-two of the Conclave as they work to select a new pope to follow the late Pope Francis.

Ceremonies heard there inside the Sistine Chapel.

The conclave officially began Wednesday with Catholic leaders hailing from 70 countries sequestered from the outside world.

The cardinals each took a vow of secrecy and gave up their cell phones. They will not communicate with no one until they’ve elected a new leader for the Church.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: India and Pakistan’s conflict over Kashmir. Plus, how one Christian school in Ukraine is helping students during the war.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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