NPR News: 05-08-2025 7AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of May 8, 2025, 7AM EDT Episode

Published on May 8, 2025

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Vatican Conclave Stalemate Continues

Host: Korva Coleman

The search for a new pope remains unresolved as Roman Catholic cardinals continue their deliberations in Vatican City. For the second consecutive day, black smoke has emitted from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling no consensus on electing a new Pontiff. Onlookers gathered in St. Peter's Square anxiously await a third round of voting, hoping for the eventual release of white smoke, which would indicate the selection of a new pope.

Reporter: Ruth Sherlock

Ruth Sherlock, reporting from St. Peter's Square, captures the palpable excitement among the crowd. "You can feel the excitement in the crowd. Some have come to pray, some to sing, and some to watch the spectacle with curiosity. This is a spiritual time, but also global politics are on everybody's minds" (00:45). Father Philip Inch, a priest present, humorously remarked, "If it's orange smoke, does that mean they've elected President Trump?" (01:04), referencing President Trump's recent attempt to insert himself into the conclave process by circulating an AI-manipulated image of himself as the pope.

President Trump Announces Comprehensive Trade Deal with Britain

Host: Korva Coleman

President Trump officially confirmed the establishment of a "full and comprehensive" trade deal with Britain, following anticipatory remarks made the previous day about a significant trade agreement. British officials had been actively seeking the reduction or elimination of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on British steel, automobiles, and the film industry.

Reporter: Emily Fang

Emily Fang reports that the new tariffs have disproportionately affected American consumers and businesses. "A lot of the burden of these tariffs is being shouldered by Americans," she explains. NPR's investigation revealed personal stories highlighting the impact, such as Sandy Alonso's experience with a wheelchair replacement. Facing a 145% tariff, Alonso shared, "I'm just sitting here going, wow, I can't believe I've just paid this much for this chair" (02:18). Additionally, small businesses report significant price hikes, indicating the broader economic repercussions of the tariffs.

Controversial Migrant Deportation Plan to Libya Faces Hurdles

Host: Korva Coleman

In a contentious move, the Trump administration is reportedly planning to deport migrants from the United States to Libya. However, this plan has encountered significant obstacles, including legal challenges from federal courts and diplomatic pushback from Libya.

Reporter: Tom Bowman

Tom Bowman details the complications surrounding the deportation initiative. Libya's government of national unity has publicly rejected the proposal, stating, "There has been no coordination with the United States regarding these migrants being sent to Libya" (02:53). As the plan remains unfinalized, the administration faces uncertainty in implementing this controversial policy.

Escalating Tensions Between Pakistan and India

Host: Korva Coleman

Fresh reports of violence have emerged between Pakistan and India, following a series of military engagements earlier in the week. Pakistani officials claim to have shot down more than two dozen Indian drones that infiltrated major Pakistani cities, retaliating against India's missile strikes aimed at addressing the recent tragic killing of 26 civilians.

Growing Concerns Over Microplastics and Human Health

Host: Korva Coleman

Research into the impact of microplastics on human health continues to evolve, prompting a shift in consumer behavior, especially among home cooks and professional chefs.

Reporter: Joe Hernandez

Chef Joe Hernandez explores how culinary practices are adapting to mitigate plastic use. Ann Marie Bonneau, author of "The Zero Waste Chef," suggests practical changes: "You can use a wooden cutting board, store food in glass or metal. Save all your jars" (04:02). Similarly, Chef Edward Lee has eliminated plastics from his restaurant, Chia, opting to make vinaigrettes fresh to order: "All our vinaigrettes are fresher because we have to make them to order" (04:22). Despite the challenges, Hernandez emphasizes, "Bono says if you do ditch plastic, don't worry about every last item. These days it's pretty hard to avoid" (04:26), encouraging gradual progress over perfection.

Disney Expands to Abu Dhabi with New Theme Park

Host: Korva Coleman

In a significant expansion, The Walt Disney Company announced plans to build its seventh theme park in Abu Dhabi, a city renowned as a global theme park destination. The proposed design features a spiraling crystal castle situated on the waterfront, blending Disney's magical aesthetics with Abu Dhabi's unique architectural landscape.

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Note: Advertisements and promotional content from Hometap and Saatva were omitted to focus solely on the newsworthy content of the episode.

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Notable Quotes

• Father Philip Inch: "If it's orange smoke, does that mean they've elected President Trump?" (01:04)
• Sandy Alonso: "I'm just sitting here going, wow, I can't believe I've just paid this much for this chair." (02:18)
• Edward Lee: "All our vinaigrettes are fresher because we have to make them to order." (04:22)
• Joe Hernandez: "Bono says if you do ditch plastic, don't worry about every last item. These days it's pretty hard to avoid." (04:26)

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode aired on May 8, 2025. From the ongoing Vatican conclave and international trade agreements to environmental concerns and global political tensions, the episode provides a multifaceted overview of current events shaping our world.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Roman Catholic cardinals have not yet selected a new pope. This morning, they again sent black smoke out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. And they did the same thing yesterday when they did not agree on a new Pontiff. Onlookers in St. Peter's Square are now waiting for a third round of voting. They're hoping to eventually see white smoke signaling a pontiff has been chosen. NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports from St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, Pope Francis was.

[Ruth Sherlock]

Elected on the second day of the conclave. There could be a new pope today. You can feel the excitement in the crowd. Some have come to pray, some to sing, and some to watch the spectacle with curiosity. This is a spiritual time, but also global politics are on everybody's minds. Here's Father Philip Inch, a priest in the crowd.

[Father Philip Inch]

If it's orange smoke, does that mean they've elected President Trump?

[Ruth Sherlock]

That comes, of course, after Trump inserted himself into the process with the White House, posting an AI manipulated image of President Trump dressed as the pope. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Vatican City.

[Korva Coleman]

President Trump has confirmed he has struck a trade deal with Britain. Yesterday, he had teased an important announcement this morning about a major trade agreement, but he did not give details. This morning, Trump said a deal with Britain is full and comprehensive. British officials have been lobbying the US to lower or drop Trump's tariffs on British steel, cars and the British film industry. Many new tariffs by President Trump have been imposed or are about to take effect. NPR's Emily Fang reports. A lot of the burden of these tariffs is being shouldered by Americans.

[Sandy Alonso]

NPR asked people in the US to share their shopping bills to see how the tariffs were hitting them, and they sent in dozens of receipts. One of the people who responded is Sandy Alonso. She ordered a replacement for her old wheelchair. Only China makes it. By the time it arrived in Tampa, she was facing a 145% tariff. She ended up paying nearly $6,000, $3,500 in tariffs alone.

[Korva Coleman]

I'm just sitting here going, wow, I can't believe I've just paid this much for this chair.

[Sandy Alonso]

Small businesses also sent in screenshots of new price hikes they've had to pass on to customers. They say sharing tariff data is a choice and sometimes a political one. Emily Fang, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR has learned that the Trump administration is planning to fly migrants illegally in the US To Libya, but this has not yet happened, and some federal courts have blocked the effort. NPR's Tom Bowman says the plan to involve the northern African nation is not yet finalized.

[Tom Bowman]

One of the hiccups here is Libya's government of national unity said it rejected the use of Libyan territory as a destination for deporting migrants without its knowledge or consent. It says there's been no coordination with the United States regarding these migrants being sent to Libya.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Tom Bowman reporting. This is NPR. Fresh violence is being reported between Pakistan and India. Pakistani officials claim they shot down more than two dozen Indian drones today that flew over major Pakistani cities. This comes after India fired missiles into Pakistan this week. India says it is retaliating for the killings of 26 civilians last month. There is growing concern about the effect of microplastics on human health. The research is still evolving, but it is prompting some home cooks to stop or limit their use of plastics around food and Piers. Joe Hernandez reports. These chefs say that at first it might not be easy, but it's possible.

[Joe Hernandez]

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

[Ann Marie Bonneau]

You can use a wooden cutting board, store food in glass or metal. Save all your jar.

[Joe Hernandez]

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.

[Edward Lee]

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

[Joe Hernandez]

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

[Korva Coleman]

The Walt Disney Company says it will build a seventh them park, this time in the Persian Gulf city of Abu Dhabi. Proposed illustrations show it as a spiraling castle made of crystal on the waterfront. Abu Dhabi is known as a global theme park destination. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[Saatva Representative]

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