Trump to announce ‘major’ trade deal
President Donald Trump promises a major trade deal with representatives of a big and highly respected country, which will be announced this morning. Who might it be, and what’s on the agenda regarding trade rival China? Also, black smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel chimney at the Vatican as the College of Cardinals begins day two of selecting a new pope. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Trump to announce ‘major’ trade deal
President Donald Trump will announce on Thursday, May 8, the first of what he claims will be numerous “major” trade deals following the imposition of steep tariffs on various countries worldwide, while also providing a 90-day reprieve. In a late-night post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, May 7, the president said the deal is with a “big and highly respected country.” However, he did not say which country.
ABC News reported that sources familiar with the matter claimed it was with the United Kingdom.
No matter who the trade agreement is with, it will mark the first signed deal as time ticks down on the 90-day delay he put in place on the tariffs, just days after what the president called “Liberation Day” on April 2.
Since that pause began, the Trump administration has repeatedly claimed that it has engaged with more than a dozen nations to reach mutually beneficial agreements.
While appearing with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier this week, Trump said:
“So I wish they’d keep, you know, stop asking, ‘how many deals are you signing this week?’ because one day we’ll come and we’ll give you 100 deals. And they don’t have to sign. All they have to do is say, ‘Oh, we’ll start sending out ships right now to pick up whatever we want or to bring whatever we want.’ It’s very, very simple. And I think my people haven’t made it clear: we will sign some deals, but much bigger than that is we’re gonna put down the price that people have to pay to shop in the United States.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. has not begun discussions with its largest trading partner, China. It’s currently the only nation not receiving the 90-day grace period, with 145% tariffs now imposed on all Chinese goods entering the U.S. China has countered with 125% duties on American goods arriving there.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a planned meeting with Chinese officials in Switzerland this weekend will serve as an early phase of negotiations. Still, he states those discussions will likely focus more on “de-escalation.”
Pakistan claims it downed 12 Indian drones in ‘serious provocation’ overnight
Pakistan claimed it had downed 12 Indian drones across the country overnight, characterizing the incident as a “serious provocation” that wounded four soldiers and killed at least one civilian.
A spokesperson for the Pakistani military stated that one of the 12 drones was able to “partially” engage a target near Lahore — a city of approximately 13 million people located near the border with India.
Meanwhile, residents in Indian-administered Kashmir faced a night of cross-border shelling from Pakistani forces, leading to evacuations in some areas.
Pakistan’s prime minister has vowed to respond to India’s strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir with “decisive action.” He also stated that India must pay a price.
Judge blocks plan to deport certain migrants to Libya, other countries
A federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s proposal to deport migrants to Libya, Saudi Arabia or any other third country. The order comes as the U.S. is expected to transport noncitizens from the Philippines, Vietnam, and Laos to Libya this week.
Libya’s Government of National Unity on Wednesday, May 7, rejected the use of Libyan territory as a destination for deported migrants without its knowledge or consent, stating that the U.S. did not coordinate with them to transfer migrants.
The Libyan National Army, which controls eastern Libya, also rejected the idea. It said in a statement that taking in migrants deported from the U.S. “violates the sovereignty of the homeland.”
Lawyers for the deportees claimed in federal court in Boston that anyone sent to Libya faces a strong likelihood of imprisonment, torture, disappearance or death, given Libya’s human rights record.
Trump alters choice for surgeon general
Trump has changed gears when it comes to picking his surgeon general. He has nominated Casey Means, a doctor who is now a so-called “wellness influencer” with close ties to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The move comes after the president pulled the nomination of Fox medical contributor Janette Nesheiwat. She was slated to appear before a Senate committee on Thursday, May 8, for her confirmation hearing.
Means trained as a surgeon at Stanford University but withdrew from the surgical residency program, explaining that she became disillusioned with traditional medicine. She later founded a health tech company, Levels, that helps people track their blood sugar and other medical metrics. Means also pushes dietary supplements, creams and other products on her social media accounts.
The surgeon general nominee has been a critic of processed food and believes many Americans are on unhealthy diets that leave them reliant on prescription drugs for conditions such as obesity and diabetes. Before he endorsed Trump, she and her brother served as advisers to Kennedy’s presidential campaign in 2024.
On his Truth social platform, Trump praised Means, saying she has “impeccable ‘MAHA’ credentials.” The president said Means will work with Kennedy to ensure “a successful implementation of our agenda in order to reverse the chronic disease epidemic and ensure great health in the future for all Americans.”
Trump also said the first nominee for surgeon general, Nesheiwat, will serve in a different capacity at Health and Human Services.
Conclave to elect new pope continues
In Rome, cardinals have returned to the Sistine Chapel for day two of the conclave to select a new pope to lead the Catholic Church. Everyone is closely watching the chimney, where smoke billows, signaling what is happening inside.
On Wednesday, May 7, the burned ballots sent up black smoke, indicating no decision had been made. When there is white smoke, it signifies that the College of Cardinals has elected a new pontiff. There are 133 voting cardinals, and a two-thirds majority is required to elect a new pope.
The cardinals are picking a replacement for Pope Francis, who died hours after celebrating Easter Sunday at the age of 88.
Disney announces new ‘technologically advanced’ theme park for Abu Dhabi
Disney announced plans for its seventh — and most luxurious — park.
CEO Bob Iger said the new Abu Dhabi location will be “the most technologically advanced theme park that we’ve ever built.” While complete plans for Disneyland Abu Dhabi have not been nailed down, it will, like most Disney parks, be “anchored by a castle.” However, this one will be Disney’s “first real modern castle.”
Disney will partner with Miral, widely known for its immersive experiences and attractions in Abu Dhabi, to create a “whole new world” with this park.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
