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Category: News
May 8, 2025
Economy
News

EU Takes Trump to WTO, Plans 95 Billion Euro Retaliation Against U.S. Tariffs.

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❓What Happened: The European Union (EU) announced plans to challenge U.S. “reciprocal” tariffs at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and launched a public consultation on countermeasures.

👥 Who’s Involved: European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, John Plueger of Air Lease Corp.

📍 Where & When: Luxembourg, May 7, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The EU’s objective is thus to reaffirm that internationally agreed rules matter, and these cannot be unilaterally disregarded by any WTO member, including the US,” stated the European Commission.

⚠️ Impact: Further trade tensions with tariffs affecting industries such as automotive, aerospace, and spirits, with a possible shift in production strategies for EU manufacturers.

IN FULL:

The European Union (EU) has declared its intention to contest the United States’ reciprocal tariff policy at the World Trade Organization (WTO). This announcement was made during a press conference held by EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic at the EU Council building on May 7, 2025.

The European Commission has initiated a public consultation on possible countermeasures targeting U.S. imports valued at $107.4 billion, should negotiations with Washington falter. The proposed list includes a wide array of agricultural and industrial goods, notably bourbon and tequila, which have been contentious points between the transatlantic partners. President Donald J. Trump had previously threatened to impose a 200 percent tariff on EU alcohol imports, escalating tensions.

The EU’s dispute will formally begin with a consultation request, as the Commission asserts that the U.S. tariffs contravene fundamental WTO rules. “The EU’s objective is thus to reaffirm that internationally agreed rules matter and these cannot be unilaterally disregarded by any WTO member, including the US,” the Commission emphasized in its statement.

European Trade Commissioner Maroš Sefcovic highlighted the EU’s aim to negotiate a resolution to avoid Trump’s proposed 20 percent reciprocal tariffs on all U.S. imports from the EU. Despite ongoing talks, Sefcovic noted that the EU is preparing for all outcomes. The U.S. has already imposed a 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles, impacting European car manufacturers.

In a statement, EC President Ursula von der Leyen expressed commitment to finding negotiated solutions, stating, “We believe there are good deals to be made for the benefit of consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The EU has temporarily halted retaliatory measures against U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, which could affect $24.1 billion worth of U.S. goods with a 25 percent tariff rate if implemented. Its combative approach with the Trump administration at the WTO contrasts with the approach of the United Kingdom, a former EU member state now able to control its own trade policy, which struck an ambitious free trade agreement with the U.S. on Thursday.

Image: European Union 2023– Source: EP.

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May 8, 2025
William Upton
Politics
Religion

Pope Leo XIV Is a Registered Republican and Cast Ballots in Past GOP Primaries.

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❓What Happened: U.S. voting data shows that the newly-elected Pope Leo XIV—formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, Illinois—is a registered Republican and has voted in a number of Republican primary elections in the past. Additionally, voter modeling suggests he is a conservative Republican voter.

👥 Who’s Involved: Pope Leo XIV.

📍 Where & When: May 8, 2025, the Vatican in Rome, Italy.

💬 Key Quote: Our Turning Point Action team pulled the voting history for Pope Leo XIV. He’s a registered Republican who has voted in Republican primaries when not living abroad,” Turning Point Action’s Charlie Kirk wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He added: “Our data shows he’s a strong Republican, and he’s pro-life.”

⚠️ Impact: While not conclusive as to what the theological and ideological temperament of Pope Leo XIV might be, the data suggests that the new pontiff does represent a break from the more progressive excesses of his predecessor, the late Pope Francis.

IN FULL:

With the election of Chicago-born American Cardinal Robert Prevost to the papacy, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, we can, for the first time, actually know—to an extent—the political voting history of a pontiff in American elections. An American citizen, Pope Leo XIV is a registered member of the Republican Party and cast Republican primary ballots in 2012, 2014, and 2016.

“Our Turning Point Action team pulled the voting history for Pope Leo XIV. He’s a registered Republican who has voted in Republican primaries when not living abroad,” Turning Point Action’s Charlie Kirk wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Our data shows he’s a strong Republican, and he’s pro-life.”

Notably, the new pontiff has also cast ballots in a number of general elections in the United States in both presidential and midterm cycles. Pope Leo XIV voted in all U.S. general elections between 2000 and 2008, casting a ballot again in 2012 and 2014, and in 2018 and 2024. Additionally, according to voter modeling by Turning Point Action, Pope Leo XIV is categorized as having a generally conservative political ideology and a strong Republican partisanship rating.

The election and modeling data may provide hope for some of the more traditionalist factions in the Catholic Church, who want the new pontiff to provide a reprieve from the late Pope Francis‘s more “progressive” papacy. However, it is important to note that outside the modeling, it is unknown which candidates for public office were actually supported by Pope Leo XIV, with more moderate Republicans being just as likely as more conservative candidates.

Throwing some cold water on the idea that Pope Leo XIV may in some ways embody a more American conservative style of Catholicism is his history of criticism of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance over their immigration policy on social media. The National Pulse reported earlier on Thursday that then-Cardinal Robert Prevost had shared several articles on X attacking both Trump and Vance over their deportation and immigration restriction policies.

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May 8, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Immigration
Religion

New Pope Criticized Trump, Vance, on Immigration.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, elected as the first American pope, previously criticized President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance’s stance on immigration.

👥 Who’s Involved: Pope Leo XIV, President Trump, Vice President Vance, and the late Pope Francis.

📍 Where & When: Vatican City, with the election confirmed on May 8, 2025.

⚠️ Impact: Pope Leo XIV’s election is a point of national pride for the U.S., but, despite President Trump’s gracious response to his election, the pontiff’s past critiques of America First policies suggest he may attempt to undermine the Trump administration.

IN FULL:

Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV previously criticized President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on immigration, sharing articles on X (formerly Twitter) calling the America First leader’s “rhetoric” on immigration “problematic” and criticizing his vice president’s stance on a Christian’s ties of obligation to his country and family.

The newly elected pontiff, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has a repost of an X user criticizing President Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele for the deportation of alleged gang member, domestic abuser, and human trafficker Kilmar Abrego Garcia at the top of his timeline.

In 2015, he shared an article by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, titled ‘Why Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric is so problematic.’

More recently, he used the @drprevost account to amplify criticism of Vice President J.D. Vance. He shared two articles attacking Vance, who was responding to the late Pope Francis’s thinly veiled criticism of Trump’s mass deportation policy, for saying that it is in line with Church teaching that “you love your family and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens, and then after that, prioritize the rest of the world.”

Vance, a Catholic convert, cited the doctrine of ordo amoris, Latin for “order of love,” first outlined by the great 4th–5th-century theologian St. Augustine, angering liberal clergy—apparently including the future Pope Leo XIV—who were pushing the line that illegal immigrants should be given the same consideration as relatives and fellow citizens.

Nevertheless, President Trump has welcomed the new pontiff’s election, writing on his Truth Social platform, writing, “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

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May 8, 2025
News
SCOTUS

Chief Justice Roberts, 70, Dismisses Retirement Speculation.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Chief Justice John Roberts announced he is not planning to retire as he feels healthy.

👥 Who’s Involved: Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

📍 Where & When: Comments made in Buffalo, N.Y., during the 125th anniversary of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

💬 Key Quote: “I’m going out feet first,” Roberts joked when asked about retirement.

⚠️ Impact: Roberts emphasized the importance of judicial independence amidst calls for impeachment of a federal judge by President Donald J. Trump.

IN FULL:

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts says he has no immediate plans to step down from the bench, citing good health as the primary reason. The 70-year-old Justice shared this during a public event in Buffalo, New York, marking the 125th anniversary of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

“I’ve sat down with them and said, ‘I want at the appropriate time’—because you don’t always notice that you’re slipping—‘I want the two of you to tell me if it’s time to go,” Roberts recounted, describing a conversation with two friends regarding retirement. He continued: “It was a long pause, and at once, the two of them said, ‘It’s time to go.’ So I said, ‘Alright, never mind.”

When asked whether his retirement could be imminent, the Chief Justice joked, “I’m going out feet first.”

However, the top jurist in the United States did not rule out a departure from the high court entirely. “I say that now. I mean, I’m sure if your health declines, and if you recognize that you’re a burden to the court rather than part of an asset to everybody, then, it’ll be time to go,” Roberts said, although he emphasized that he himself feels “pretty healthy.”

Despite the bravado expressed against retirement, Roberts conceded that there have been a few instances where age hampered the court’s function, but he insisted the justices were able to handle the problems internally without issue. “There have been times when somebody has stayed a little longer than they should, then the other colleagues come, and it’s always really worked out, so I don’t think that’s going to be a problem,” the Chief Justice said.

Notably, the Supreme Court—and Chief Justice Roberts specifically—has been criticized in recent weeks for its hesitancy to stop the ongoing Democratic lawfare efforts against the Trump White House. This has led to allegations that the high court and Roberts have allowed the federal court system to dramatically overreach and assume executive branch powers in contravention of the U.S. Constitution.

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May 8, 2025
William Upton
Breaking
Religion

BREAKING: White Smoke Over the Vatican, New Pope Selected.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: White smoke has issued from the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, signaling that the College of Cardinals has chosen a new pontiff to succeed the late Pope Francis.

👥 Who’s Involved: The electing cardinals, the senior cardinal, and the yet-to-be-named new pontiff.

📍Where & When: Vatican City, St. Peter’s Square and the Sistine Chapel, May 8.

⚠️ Impact: The election of a new pope marks a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church, with global attention on the incoming pontiff’s identity and vision, to be revealed shortly.

IN FULL:

The chimney above the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican has emitted “white smoke,” meaning the conclave of cardinals has selected a new pope following the death of Pope Francis. Notably, the pontiff and leader of the Catholic Church was selected on what is believed to be just the fourth ballot cast by the over 130 cardinals gathered in Rome. The speed at which the new pope was chosen likely signals that the successor of Saint Peter is among the more prominent names believed to be in contention at the start of the conclave earlier this week.

While the Catholic faithful celebrate the selection of a new leader for the Church, the pope’s identity is not yet known. The new pontiff will appear and address the crowd gathered at the Vatican in the next hour.

The National Pulse previously reported that a number of cardinals were in contention for the papacy, including Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Cardinal Mario Grech from Malta, the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Jerusalem, Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi from Italy, Sweden’s Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm, and Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea.

This story is developing…

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May 8, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Economy
News

Trump Economy Gains Strength as Unemployment Claims Fall Even More Than Expected.

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❓What Happened: New applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. fell by 13,000 to 228,000 last week—2,000 more than projected.

👥 Who’s Involved: The U.S. Labor Department, President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: United States, week ending May 3.

⚠️ Impact: President Trump’s detractors have been attempting to stoke a frenzy over his America First tariff agenda, but, so far, the American economy remains fundamentally strong.

IN FULL:

The U.S. labor market showed resilience as initial claims for unemployment benefits fell more than anticipated last week, according to data released by the Labor Department. For the week ending May 3, claims dropped by 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 228,000, surpassing economists’ expectations of 230,000. This decline reverses the previous rise attributed to school spring breaks in New York, temporarily pushing claims to a two-month high.

The economic good news comes despite globalist criticism of President Donald J. Trump’s America First tariffs, particularly the significant increase on Chinese imports to 145 percent. Anti-tariff economists have been persistently warning that negative sentiments observed in surveys—likely driven by the media clamoring over a hypothetical tariff-driven downturn—could be set to translate into negative employment data. Still, the above-expectations fall in new unemployment claims suggest market jitters are yet to translate into meaningful job losses.

The Trump White House, which imposed tariffs to level the playing field for American producers and workers competing against sweatshop economies where governments use currency manipulation and state subsidies to gain an unfair advantage, says they are already reaping dividends. They cite significant investments in American manufacturing by tech giant Nvidia and retail giant Walmart, among others, as evidence that the import levies are encouraging businesses to reshore production.

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May 8, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
Immigration
UK

Counter-Terror Police Raid Migrant Hotels Amid Terror Plot.

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❓What Happened: British counter-terrorism police arrested five Iranian nationals living in migrant hotels connected to an alleged terrorist plot.

👥 Who’s Involved: British Counter-Terrorism Police, five Iranian suspects.

📍 Where & When: Arrests took place on May 3 across England, reported on May 7.

💬 Key Quote: “The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation.” — Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command.

⚠️ Impact: The report comes as many are also concerned about the staggering costs of housing asylum seekers in hotels across the country.

IN FULL:

Counter-terrorism police in Britain raided hotels housing asylum seekers last weekend, arresting five Iranian nationals over alleged terror plot fears. The arrests took place in London, Manchester, Swindon, Rochdale, and Stockport in the early hours of May 3.

The five men are reported to be aged 24 to 46, with one being released on bail, while the remaining four suspects are still in police custody as of May 7. Some of those arrested are believed to have entered the United Kingdom illegally, but reports did not specify if they came via boat across the English Channel, like many illegal immigrants in recent years.

“The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter,” Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, said.

While not all asylum seekers in Britain are housed in hotels up and down the country, the sums the government pays for migrant hotels are enormous. A report from March of last year suggested that taxpayers foot the bill to the tune of £15 million (~$20 million) per day to cover the costs.

The residents of the hotels have seen their share of criminal behaviour in recent months, including the murder of a woman working at an asylum hotel in Walsall, England, last October. A migrant from South Sudan was accused of killing 27-year-old Rhiannon Skye White at a railway station, stabbing her to death.

Image by Tony Hisgett.

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May 8, 2025
Immigration
UK

Farage Slams Labour for ‘Betraying British Workers’ in India Trade Deal.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Nigel Farage has slammed the new trade deal between Britain and India, accusing the ruling Labour Party of betraying British workers.

👥 Who’s Involved: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Reform Party leader Nigel Farage, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, and John O’Connell of the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA).

📍 Where & When: The trade deal was agreed upon in London and Delhi on May 6.

💬 Key Quote: Nigel Farage stated, “This Government doesn’t give a damn about working people.”

⚠️ Impact: The deal may make it cheaper for companies to hire Indian migrants over British natives, sparking criticism and concerns over increased migration.

IN FULL:

A new trade agreement between the United Kingdom and India has sparked controversy, with Reform Party leader Nigel Farage accusing the Labour government under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of betraying the British working class. The agreement, described as the largest post-Brexit trade deal yet, aims to boost bilateral trade by $33.3 billion and potentially add $6.3 billion to British GDP annually. It includes significant tariff reductions on British exports like cars and whisky, while also lowering import taxes on Indian goods such as textiles and seafood.

However, Farage has criticized immigration elements in the deal, as it will make it roughly 20 percent cheaper for companies to employ Indian migrants rather than British workers, citing recent increases in National Insurance payments for British companies. “This Government doesn’t give a damn about working people,” Farage said.

Prime Minister Starmer has hailed the deal, claiming it will improve living standards and strengthen Anglo-Indian ties. However, critics have raised concerns over migration concessions included in the agreement. The deal allows Indian chefs, musicians, and yogis access to the United Kingdom’s contractual services visa route, which was previously restricted. More controversially, a “double contribution convention” exempts some Indian migrant workers from paying National Insurance contributions for three years. This also applies to British workers in India—but migration in this direction is negligible.

“The Labour Party have this time in a big, big way betrayed working Britain, and that’s why many people voted for us last Thursday, but for some reason the Government just doesn’t seem to understand,” Farage said, referencing Reform’s significant gains in last week’s municipal elections.

Indian-heritage former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, of the Conservative Party, echoed these concerns, noting her previous opposition to similar visa concessions. John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, added that taxpayers would be outraged by the exemptions granted to Indian workers while British workers face higher taxes.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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May 8, 2025
News

Dealers Cut Electric Vehicle Prices as Demand Falls.

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❓What Happened: Discounts on electric vehicles in Germany increased in April, with average markdowns reaching 16.7 percent. The consumer incentives come as the European auto industry is under increasing pressure to boost sales in order to help meet European Union (EU) carbon emissions targets.

👥 Who’s Involved: European auto dealers, consumers, and the European Union.

📍 Where & When: Germany, April 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “In April, the threshold for offering higher discounts on electric vehicles has fallen,” said auto industry expert Ferdinand Dudenhöffer.

⚠️ Impact: The price gap between electric vehicles and conventional cars has narrowed, hinting at a potential artificial upswing in the EV market.

IN FULL:

In Germany, discounts on electric vehicles (EVs) saw a notable increase in April, with the average markdown rising to 16.7 percent, according to automotive expert Ferdinand Dudenhöffer. This marks an increase of 1.8 percentage points from March. Since the beginning of the year, EV discounts have risen by three percentage points, translating to savings of over €1,000 (~$1,135) on typical models.

Dudenhöffer’s analysis focused on online prices for the 20 most popular fully electric cars in Germany. He noted, “In April, the threshold for offering higher discounts on electric vehicles has fallen,” suggesting that further price reductions could be expected in the near future.

The push for increased EV sales is driven by the need for carmakers to meet European Union CO2 targets. Some brands have adjusted their distribution strategies, reviving dealer incentives and promotional campaigns to counter weak demand. In contrast, discounts for traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and plug-in hybrids saw a slight decline in April and have not increased as much as EV incentives since January.

As a result, the price gap between electric vehicles and conventional cars has narrowed to its lowest level since Germany discontinued state-funded EV subsidies. Dudenhöffer believes this could signal a “new upswing driven by more attractive pricing” in the German electric vehicle sector. Following a decline in 2024 due to the expiration of government subsidies, new EV registrations in Germany rebounded in the first quarter of 2025.

Image by Avda / www.avda-foto.de.

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May 8, 2025
News

Disney Expands Empire with First Middle East Theme Park.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Walt Disney announced its first theme park in the Middle East, located in Abu Dhabi. This will be Disney’s latest park since the company opened its Shanghai Disney Resort in 2016.

👥 Who’s Involved: Walt Disney Company and United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Miral.

📍 Where & When: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; with the announcement made on May 7, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Disney CEO Robert Iger called the project a “thrilling” moment, emphasizing it would be “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.”

⚠️ Impact: The park may boost tourism and economic growth in Abu Dhabi.

IN FULL:

Walt Disney Company has unveiled plans to establish its first theme park in the Middle East, marking a significant expansion in the region. The new resort will be situated on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), in collaboration with local leisure and entertainment company Miral. This development will be Disney‘s seventh theme park, adding to its existing locations across North America, Europe, and Asia, with the last park having opened in Shanghai in 2016.

“This is a thrilling moment for our company as we announce plans to build an exciting Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, whose culture is rich with an appreciation of the arts and creativity,” Disney’s CEO Robert Iger said in a statement announcing the new park and partnership with Miral. He added: “Disneyland Abu Dhabi will be authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati—an oasis of extraordinary Disney entertainment at this crossroads of the world that will bring to life our timeless characters and stories in many new ways and will become a source of joy and inspiration for the people of this vast region to enjoy for generations to come.”

Miral, known for its role in developing Yas Island into a major tourist destination, already manages attractions such as SeaWorld and Warner Bros World. The company is also working on a Harry Potter-themed park. Disney’s statement highlighted the strategic location of the UAE, within a four-hour flight of one-third of the global population, positioning the new park as a “significant gateway for tourism.” Additionally, the Emirates is recognized as one of the largest global airline hubs, with 120 million passengers passing through Abu Dhabi and Dubai annually.

Yas Island, encompassing 25 square kilometers, is conveniently located 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 50 minutes from Dubai. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Miral’s CEO, hailed the introduction of a Disney theme park as a “milestone” in their mission to elevate the island’s status as a premier global destination for entertainment and leisure. He emphasized that the project would contribute to sustained economic growth in the region.

In March, the UAE agreed to a $1.4 trillion investment framework with the United States after top leaders from the Gulf state met with President Donald J. Trump. According to the White House, the agreement will significantly increase existing UAE investments in the American economy—with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and energy technologies.

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