NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-08-2025 1AM EDT

Episode Date: May 8, 2025

NPR News: 05-08-2025 1AM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Does the idea of listening to political news freak you out? Well, don't sweat it. The NPR Politics podcast makes politics a breeze. Every episode will break down the day's headlines into totally normal language and make sure that you walk away understanding what the day's news might mean for you. Take a deep breath and give politics another chance with the NPR Politics podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea

Stevens. President Trump says he does not want to withdraw his 145 percent tariffs on Chinese goods as a way to kickstart trade negotiations. The U.S. and China are set to hold trade talks this weekend. As NPR's Danielle Kurtz-Leipin reports, the current disagreement centers on who wants to negotiate. China has said that it wants the U.S. 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 U.S. initiated talks. They said we initiated? Well, I think they ought to go back and study their files. This weekend, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jameson Greer are set to talk trade in Switzerland with the Chinese economic official. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, The White House. Danielle Pletka 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 the way things play out, that could include rate hikes, sorry, rate cuts, you know, it 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. 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. 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 signalling 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. RUTH SHERLOCK, NPR NEWS ANCHOR, ST. PETERS' SQUARE, THE VATICAN.

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 percent in Hong Kong. This is NPR. 1% in Hong Kong. This is NPR. The judge overseeing the sex trafficking, racketeering, and conspiracy case against Sean Diddy Combs says the jury is likely to be seated this week. Many of the prospective jurors questioned so far said they believed 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 micro

plastics 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. If you want to reduce plastics in the kitchen, there are a few things you can do. Anne-Marie Bonneau wrote the book, The Zero Waste Chef. You can use a wooden cutting board,

store food in glass or metal, save all your jars. Another common recommendation is not to heat your food in plastic. Chef Edward Lee ditched plastics at his restaurant, Shia, including squeeze bottles. Sauces are now stored elsewhere and vinaigrettes are made as needed. All our vinaigrettes are fresher because we have to make them to order. Beno 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. 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. The scary new movie Sinners from the director of Black Panther finds Michael B. Jordan playing twin brothers. It's got vampires, it's got great music, and it's a fun one to see with a big crowd. This is the most exciting I've been about a movie in a very long time. We'll tell you why you should see Sinners on the biggest screen you can. Listen to the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast from NPR.