Wednesday morning news: May 7, 2025

Trump says Houthis want to halt conflict » President Trump says Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are waving the white flag of surrender.

TRUMP: The Houthis have announced that they are not -- or they've announced to us at least -- that they don't want to fight anymore. They just don't want to fight. And we will honor that. We will stop the bombings.

Trump says the Houthis have agreed to end all attacks against shipping vessels in the Red Sea. The terror group has been launching attacks in key shipping channels since the start of war in Gaza in 2023.

The announcement came after the Israeli military launched a new round of airstrikes against Houthi targets. Israel says those attacks crippled the international airport in Yemen's capital.

Carney at White House » The president’s remarks on Tuesday came as he hosted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office.

The two leaders met on a range of issues, but trade and tariffs topped the agenda. Asked about the possibility of the US and Canada sealing a new trade deal, Trump responded:

TRUMP: I would love that. Look, I have a lot of respect for this man.

And despite recent tensions over trade, the meeting was respectful, even friendly.

But Carney held firm when Trump once again suggested that Canada should become a US state.

CARNEY: As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale.

The prime minister said he heard loud and clear from Canadian voters on that point in last week’s national election in which Carney’s party emerged victorious.

India-Pakistan » President Trump Tuesday also reacted to news that India’s military struck multiple sites inside Pakistani controlled territory. That came two weeks after a deadly attack on tourists in the disputed Kashmir region. India had accused Pakistan of supporting the attack.

TRUMP: I guess people knew something was gonna happen based on a little bit of the past. They've been fighting for a long time, many, many decades, I just hope it ends very quickly.

India's Air Force did not cross the border but its missiles did. And Pakistan’s prime minister called it an act of war.

Officials in Pakistan last night said the missile strikes killed eight people. India’s Defense Ministry says it targeted sites—quote “where terrorist attacks against India have been planned.”

SCOTUS military trans ban ruling » The Supreme Court is allowing the Pentagon to enforce a ban on so-called transgender service members while legal challenges proceed. WORLD’s Christina Grube has more.

CHRISTINA GRUBE: The high court ruled Tuesday in the dispute over a policy that effectively disqualifies from service those who identify as anything other than their biological sex.

In response to an executive order by President Trump, the Pentagon then gave the military services 30 days to identify so-called transgender troops and then another 30 days to secure their separation.

But pro-LGBT activist groups sued, and multiple judges halted the military rules.

The high court ruled 6 to 3 to allow enforcement for now.

The court’s three liberal justices said they would have kept the policy on hold.

For WORLD, I’m Christina Grube.

Top Trump officials to meet with Chinese counterparts » Top U.S. officials are set to meet with a high-level Chinese delegation this weekend in Switzerland. The administration on Tuesday announced the first major talks with China since the ongoing trade war began more than a month ago.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent:

BES SENT:  We've agreed to talk. Then on Saturday and Sunday we will agree what we're gonna talk about. My sense is that this will be about deescalation, not about the the big trade deal.

The discussions in Geneva will be the most-senior meeting between the two countries in months.

Bondi announces record fentanyl bust » The Justice Department just announced what officials are calling the biggest fentanyl bust in US history after a multi-state operation.

Attorney General Pam Bondi:

BONDI: 3 million pills going on our streets, 3 million pills, the streets of our country, laced with fentanyl, labeled as oxycodone.

Authorities also seized more than 40 firearms, 75 pounds of methamphetamine, as well as heroin and cocaine.

The operation spanned a half-dozen states from Nevada to Colorado to Oregon.

US Attorney Ryan Ellison told reporters:

ELLISON: 16 individuals have been arrested, including the alleged leader, Eddie Alberto Salazar Maya, an illegal alien from Mexico with two prior removals and direct ties to the Mexican cartel.

The individuals face charges including conspiracy and distribution.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: a crack-down on internet companies that host explicit deepfakes. Plus, a World Tour special report on international aid.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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