NPR News: 05-08-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – May 8, 2025

Release Date: May 8, 2025

1. U.S.-China Trade Negotiations

The episode opens with current tensions between the United States and China regarding trade negotiations. President Trump has firmly stated his refusal to withdraw the 145% tariffs imposed on Chinese goods, which he views as a catalyst for initiating trade talks. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben provides an in-depth look into the impasse:

"China has said that it wants the US to be prepared to cancel its tariffs on Chinese goods as a precursor to trade negotiations. Asked by a reporter whether he would cancel those tariffs, Trump flatly said no." (00:40)

This disagreement highlights a mutual sensitivity over negotiation optics, with conflicting claims about who initially proposed the talks. President Trump asserts that China reached out to start discussions, whereas China maintains that the U.S. initiated the dialogue. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and Trade Representative Jamison Greer are scheduled to engage with Chinese officials in Switzerland this weekend to navigate these complexities (01:08).

Amidst these negotiations, President Trump has promised a "major trade deal announcement" slated for Thursday. Concurrently, the Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged, citing economic uncertainty. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell commented on the potential economic repercussions if tariffs remain:

"The risks of rising unemployment and inflation will increase if President Trump's tariffs are sustained depending on the way things play out." (01:39)

Powell emphasized the Fed's commitment to "foster maximum employment and price stability with no consideration for the political pressure to lower its key interest rate" (01:54).

2. Vatican's Papal Conclave Developments

Shifting to international affairs, NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports unsettling news from the Vatican. The release of black smoke from the Sistine Chapel signifies that the initial round of voting at the papal conclave did not result in the election of a successor to Pope Francis:

"The sky grew dark and then black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel." (02:18)

Sherlock describes the atmosphere in St. Peter's Square, where thousands gathered, including many priests and nuns, hoping for divine guidance in selecting the new pope. The unexpected black smoke, accompanied by light-hearted moments such as a seagull landing near the chimney, underscored the cardinals' ongoing deliberations.

3. Financial Markets Update

In financial news, Shea Stevens reports a positive close for Wall Street:

"Stocks closed higher with the Dow gaining 284 points. The Nasdaq rose 48." (03:00)

Despite this uptick, U.S. futures remained virtually unchanged in after-hours trading, while Asian markets showed a 1% increase in Hong Kong (03:00).

4. Legal Proceedings Against Sean "Diddy" Combs

The episode also covers the high-profile legal case against Sean "Diddy" Combs, who faces charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and conspiracy. A judge overseeing the case announced that jury selection is imminent:

"Many of the prospective jurors questioned so far said they believe that they could be impartial." (03:00)

Out of 45 selected jurors, 12 will ultimately serve as jurors or alternates. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and the proceedings are closely watched by the public and media alike.

5. Concerns Over Microplastics in Food

Environmental health concerns take center stage with growing anxiety about microplastics affecting human health. NPR's Joe Hernandez explores how this emerging research is influencing home cooks and professional chefs to reduce plastic use in food preparation:

"If you want to reduce plastics in the kitchen, there are a few things you can do." – Anne Marie Binot (04:01)

Chef Anne Marie Binot, author of The Zero Waste Chef, suggests practical steps such as using wooden cutting boards and storing food in glass or metal containers. Additionally, reducing the heating of food in plastic is recommended:

"Another common recommendation is not to heat your food in plastic." – Anne Marie Binot (04:16)

Chef Edward Lee exemplifies these practices at his restaurant, Chia, where he has eliminated plastic squeeze bottles and ensures that vinaigrettes are made fresh to enhance flavor (04:16-04:29).

6. Airport Security Efficiency

Lastly, the episode touches on improved airport security processes. Many airports reported minimal wait times at security checkpoints on Wednesday, benefiting both domestic travelers and individuals accessing federal buildings. This efficiency is attributed to the requirement of possessing a Real ID or another government-issued identification, streamlining the verification process (04:41).

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions from the NPR News Now episode, providing listeners with a detailed overview of pressing national and international issues, economic updates, legal developments, environmental concerns, and improvements in airport security.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Trump says he does not want to withdraw his 145% tariffs on Chinese goods as a way to kick start trade negotiations. US In China are set to hold trade talks this weekend. As NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports, the current disagreement centers on who wants to negotiate.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

China has said that it wants the US to be prepared to cancel its tariffs on Chinese goods as a precursor to trade negotiations. Asked by a reporter whether he would cancel those tariffs, Trump flatly said no. Both countries are sensitive about the optics of negotiations. Trump has said China has reached out about starting talks. China has denied this and said the US Initiated talks.

[Jerome Powell]

They said we initiated.

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Well, I think they ought to go back and study their files.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

This weekend, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and Trade Representative Jamison Greer are set to talk trade in Switzerland with a Chinese economic official. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, the White House.

[Shea Stevens]

Meanwhile, President Trump is now promising what he calls a major trade deal announcement on Thursday. The Federal Reserve Board has left its key interest rate unchanged, citing economic uncertainty. Chairman Jerome Powell says the risks of rising unemployment and inflation will increase if President Trump's tariffs are sustained depending on.

[Jerome Powell]

The way things play out. That could include rate hikes, sorry, rate cuts. You know, we can conclude us could include us holding where we are. We just are going to need to see, you know, how things play out before we make those decisions.

[Shea Stevens]

Powell says the central bank is using its tools to foster maximum employment and price stability with no consideration for the political pressure to lower its key interest rate. Black smoke emanated from the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Wednesday. NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports that it was a sign that the first round of voting at the papal conclave had not produced a successor to Pope Francis.

[Ruth Sherlock]

The first vote, just hours after the start of the conclave, was always unlikely to result in a papal election. But nonetheless, crowds of Thousands stood in St. Peter's Square keeping their eyes trained on that small chimney, the cardinal's only way of signaling to the outside world if they've chosen a new pope. Many priests and nuns were among the crowd, praying that the cardinals will hear the Holy Spirit to discern God's will about who should become pope. There was laughter, too, as a seagull landed near the chimney settling in for a front row seat. The sky grew dark and then black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, St. Peter's Square. The Vatican.

[Shea Stevens]

On Wall street, stocks closed higher with the Dow gaining 284 points. The Nasdaq rose 48. U.S. futures are virtually unchanged in after hours trading on Asia Pacific market. Shares are higher, up 1% in Hong Kong. This is NPR. The judge overseeing the sex trafficking, racketeering and conspiracy case against Sean Diddy Combs says a jury is likely to be seated this week. Many of the prospective jurors questioned so far said they believe that they could be impartial. 45 have been chosen as the pool from which 12 jurors and alternates will be chosen. Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. There is growing concern about the effect of microplastics on human health. Although the research is still evolving, it is promising some home cooks, prompting rather some home cooks to stop or limit their use of plastics around food. As NPR's Joe Hernandez reports, these chefs say it might not be easy at first, but that it is possible.

[Anne Marie Binot]

If you want to reduce plastics in the kitchen, there are a few things you can do. Anne Marie Binot wrote the book the Zero Waste Chef.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

You can use a wooden cutting board.

[Jerome Powell]

Store food in glass or metal. Save all your jars.

[Anne Marie Binot]

Another common recommendation is not to heat your food in plastic. Chef Edward Lee ditched plastics at his restaurant Chia, including squeeze bottles. Sauces are now stored elsewhere and vinaigrettes are made as needed.

[Jerome Powell]

All our vinaigrettes are fresher because we have to make them to order.

[Anne Marie Binot]

Bino says if you do ditch plastic, don't worry about every last item. These days, it's pretty hard to avoid. Joe Hernande, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

Many airports reported wait times of only a few minutes at security checkpoints Wednesday as domestic air travelers and people visiting federal buildings were required to have a real ID or some other government issued identification. This is NPR News.

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