NPR News: 05-08-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on May 8, 2025

Host: Korva Coleman
Source: NPR News Now
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Duration: Five-minute news briefing

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1. Vatican Papal Election Continues Amid Uncertainty

Timestamp: [00:16 - 04:37]

Black smoke has recently emanated from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, signaling that the College of Cardinals has voted but has yet to elect a new pope. Host Korva Coleman introduces the segment, highlighting the global attention on the conclave's progress.

Reporter: Jason DeRose explains the significance of the smoke signals:

"Black smoke means nobody received the two-thirds supermajority needed to be elected. White smoke means cardinals have made their decision."
[00:30]

The prolonged deliberation indicates a challenging consensus among the 133 cardinal electors. DeRose adds that once a pope is chosen, white smoke will appear, accompanied by hymns of praise before the new pontiff addresses the world from St. Peter's Square.

Despite the ongoing vote, as of the episode’s release, no pope has been selected. The situation remains fluid, with the global Catholic community awaiting clarity on the eventual successor to Pope Francis.

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2. President Trump to Announce a New Trade Deal

Timestamp: [00:59 - 01:56]

President Donald Trump declared his intention to unveil a significant trade agreement with a major U.S. trading partner. Korva Coleman reports on this development, marking it as the first substantial trade deal announcement since the imposition of various tariffs globally.

Reporter: Danielle Kurtzleben provides context:

"In a social media post, Trump wrote that he will announce, quote, a major trade deal with representatives of a big and highly respected country."
[01:16]

The White House has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of the deal. Earlier in the year, Trump had introduced tariffs on numerous countries, later adjusting his approach to impose tariffs on a country-by-country basis rather than a blanket 10% rate. Notably, tariffs on Chinese goods have reached as high as 145%.

Kurtzleben notes upcoming discussions:

"U.S. and Chinese officials will meet this weekend to discuss their trade war."
[01:56]

This potential agreement could signify a pivotal shift in U.S. trade policy and its relations with key global economies.

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3. Security Alert at U.S. Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan

Timestamp: [01:56 - 02:29]

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the U.S. State Department has issued a shelter-in-place directive for all staff at the U.S. Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan. Korva Coleman details reports of drone explosions and potential airspace incursions affecting the consulate's safety.

While specific details remain scarce, the heightened conflict in the region underscores the precarious security situation for American personnel abroad.

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4. Acquittal of Memphis Police Officers in Tyre Nichols Case

Timestamp: [02:29 - 03:13]

In a controversial verdict, three former Memphis police officers—Tadarius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith—were acquitted of charges related to the death of Tyre Nichols, a Black motorist killed during a 2023 traffic stop captured on camera. Korva Coleman introduces the segment, emphasizing the public outcry over the decision.

Reporter: Debbie Elliott elaborates on the case:

"A jury pulled from Chattanooga found fired Memphis police detectives... not guilty. District Attorney Steve Mulroy was at a loss after the verdict given the video evidence showing officers repeatedly beating and kicking Nichols and leaving him gasping for his life with no medical attention."
[02:52]

An unnamed source comments on the broader implications:

"Think any fair-minded person who watches the video would come to the conclusion that everybody there had some responsibility for Tyrone Nichols death."
[03:02]

Despite the acquittal on certain charges, the ex-officers face sentencing on federal civil rights convictions. The Nichols family is actively pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Memphis, seeking justice and reparations for the tragic incident.

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5. 80th Anniversary of World War II's End Celebrated in Europe and Russia

Timestamp: [03:13 - 03:52]

NPR reports that European nations are commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with various celebrations. Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to Moscow to participate in memorial events, signaling diplomatic gestures amidst historical reflections.

Reporter: Nell Greenfield Boyce highlights the international aspect:

"President Xi is being joined by more than two dozen other world leaders in Russia for the day."
[03:13]

These events not only honor the sacrifices made during the war but also foster contemporary international relationships among participating nations.

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6. Study Reveals Over 99% of Earth's Deep Sea Floor Remains Unexplored

Timestamp: [03:52 - 04:37]

A groundbreaking study has uncovered that more than 99% of the Earth's deep sea floor has never been observed by humans. Korva Coleman introduces the segment, underscoring the vastness and mystery of the deep ocean.

Reporter: Nell Greenfield Boyce discusses the findings:

"More than half of the planet's surface is covered by the deep ocean. Sonar can map the shape of the seafloor, but seeing what's happening there means sending lights and a camera down into the dark."
[03:52]

Katie Croft Bell from the Ocean Discovery League explains the scope of exploration:

"It ends up being an area of less than the size of Rhode Island."
[04:17]

Published in the journal Science Advances, the study highlights that most of the explored seafloor areas are located within 200 nautical miles of countries like the United States, Japan, and New Zealand, representing only a narrow slice of the global underwater landscape. This revelation emphasizes the immense potential for future marine research and discovery.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the newsworthy developments covered in the episode.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Black smoke began billowing out of the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican just a few minutes ago. And NPR's Jason DeRose reports from Rome on the decision by the Roman Catholic College of Cardinals.

[Jason DeRose]

Black smoke indicates the cardinals have voted but not elected a new pope. People waiting in St. Peter's Square and around the world know the signs. Black smoke means nobody received the two thirds supermajority needed to be elected. White smoke means cardinals have made their decision. When that happens, they sing a hymn of praise and pay homage to the new pope. Then a short while later, he appears on the balcony above St. Peter's Square and addresses the city and the world. And Jason DeRose, NPR News, Rome.

[Korva Coleman]

Again, no pope has yet been selected. President Trump says this morning he'll announce a new trade deal with a major U.S. trading partner. He did not offer details. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports. This would be the first trade deal announced since Trump imposed an array of tariffs worldwide.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

In a social media post, Trump wrote that he will announce, quote, a major trade deal with representatives of a big and highly respected country. The White House did not give further information. In response to NPR's questions. Earlier this year, Trump announced tariffs on goods from most countries, including high tariffs on some major trading partners. He soon paused those imposing a blanket 10% tariff on most goods, saying he would negotiate tariffs country by country. This would be the first such deal. Trump's Highest tariffs of 145% are on Chinese goods. U.S. and Chinese officials will meet this weekend to discuss their trade war. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The State Department is telling all its staff in the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan, to shelter in place. The US Consulate says there are reports of drone explosions and possible airspace incursions. This comes as India and Pakistan step up their conflict. Three former Memphis, Tennessee, police officers have been acquitted in the killing of black motorist Tyre Nichols. The violent traffic stop in 2023 was caught on camera. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports. Lawyers for Nichol say this is a devastating miscarriage and denial of justice.

[Debbie Elliott]

A jury pulled from Chattanooga found fired Memphis police detectives Tadarius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith not guilty. District Attorney Steve Mulroy was at a loss after the verdict given the video evidence showing officers repeatedly beating and kicking Nichols and leaving him gasping for his life with no medical attention, I personally.

[Unnamed Source]

Think any fair minded person who watches the video would come to the conclusion that everybody there had some responsibility for Tyrone Nichols death.

[Debbie Elliott]

The ex officers still face sentencing on federal civil rights convictions. Nichols family is pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Memphis. Debbie Elliott, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

This is NPR. Countries in Europe are holding celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Russia is also marking the day. Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to Moscow for memorial events. President Xi is being joined by more than two dozen other world leaders in Russia for the day. A new study has found that well over 99% of the Earth's deep sea floor remains unseen by human eyes. NPR's Nell Greenfield Boyce reports. This is a region of the globe that is cold, dark and difficult to reach.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

More than half of the planet's surface is covered by the deep ocean. Sonar can map the shape of the seafloor, but seeing what's happening there means sending lights and a camera down into the dark. Katie Croft Bell is with a nonprofit called the Ocean Discovery League. She recently made a database of all the expeditions that send any kind of probe down to see how much of the deep sea floor has actually been seen since the 1950s.

[Katie Croft Bell]

It ends up being an area of less than the size of Rhode Island.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

In the journal Science Advances, she and her colleagues report that most of the explored areas are with 200 nautical miles of the United States, Japan and New Zealand. So it's a fairly narrow sample of the global seafloor. Nell Greenfield Boyce, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Again, our top story. Black smoke streamed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican just a few minutes ago. It signaled that the 133 cardinal electors have not come to a two thirds agreement about who the next pontiff should be. It's npr.

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