NPR News Now – August 31, 2025, 5AM EDT

Host: Giles Snyder
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: The latest global and U.S. news headlines and updates.

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode covers key global and U.S. news stories, including a major international summit in China, political unrest in Indonesia, renewed offshore wind power disputes in the U.S., immigration enforcement tensions in major cities, legal repercussions of a major environmental incident, a deadly church shooting in Minneapolis, and new data highlighting the surge in audio publishing.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in China

[00:19–01:18]

• Event: Over 20 world leaders, including Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attend the largest-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China.

• Notable meetings: President Xi Jinping meets Narendra Modi on the summit sidelines; more high-level bilateral discussions expected.

• Symbolism: The summit signals China’s growing ambition, with hosts including Iran and NATO-member Turkey, underlining shifting global alliances.

• Political undertones: The gathering is described as a symbolic challenge to U.S. influence, particularly referencing recent U.S. leadership.

  "This gathering is technically about shared security and economic cooperation, but it also has great symbolism. With China hosting not only Vladimir Putin but the presidents of Iran and NATO member Turkey. Comparisons with the global standing of the Trump administration will be hard to avoid."
  — Stephen McDonnell (BBC) [00:55]

2. Unrest in Indonesia and Canceled State Visit

[01:18–01:53]

• Canceled trip: Indonesia’s president cancels a scheduled visit to China for the Victory Day parade, due to intensifying domestic unrest.
• Protests: Nationwide demonstrations sparked by laws on lawmaker compensation escalate following the death of a delivery worker during protests—run over by a police vehicle.

3. U.S. Offshore Wind Grants Revoked

[01:53–02:30]

• Policy change: The Trump administration cancels $679 million in federal grants for 12 port projects meant to support offshore wind power development.

• Official stance: U.S. Department of Transportation labels the projects "wasteful."

• Background: President Trump remains a vocal critic of wind energy, recently halting the construction of a Rhode Island wind farm.

• Potential consequences: Energy analysts warn that undermining wind energy infrastructure may increase electricity prices.

  "Trump has been a longtime critic of wind power and ordered a Rhode Island offshore wind farm to stop construction just a week ago. Energy analysts say hampering the wind industry could drive up electricity prices given the country's growing need for power."
  — Lauren Sommer (NPR) [02:18]

4. Urban Immigration Enforcement Tensions

[02:30–03:13]

• Preparation in Boston: Mayor Michelle Wu notes that Boston is preparing for a potential federal immigration crackdown linked to new Trump administration policies.

• Sanctuary status: Boston’s law restricts local police cooperation with federal immigration agents unless presented with a criminal warrant.

  "I imagine every mayor of every major city is having to make some sorts of preparations."
  — Michelle Wu (Mayor of Boston) [02:43]

• Chicago action: Mayor Brandon Johnson signs an executive order barring city police from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement and opposes the potential deployment of the National Guard.

5. Minneapolis Church Shooting Aftermath

[03:13–03:48]

• Incident: Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis holds its first mass (in the gym) after a deadly shooting on Wednesday.
• Victims: Two students killed, 18 wounded (nearly all children), seven remain hospitalized.

6. Pearl Harbor Fuel Spill Indictments

[03:48–04:14]

• Legal action: Two civilian workers indicted for allegedly providing false information to the Navy after a 2021 fuel spill at Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor that sickened thousands.
• Navy’s response: Three retired Navy officers previously received written reprimands; indictments are the first formal criminal charges.

7. Digital Audio Publishing Boom

[04:14–04:53]

• Industry growth: Audio publishing revenue reached $2.4 billion in 2020—a 22% rise year-over-year.

• Long-term trend: Over five years, digital audio has grown 78%, far outpacing the modest 3% growth in print formats (paperback and hardback).

• Print still dominates: Despite digital growth, print generates nearly 75% of overall publishing revenue.

  "That said, print is still the bread and butter of publishing, making up nearly three quarters of the revenue of the entire industry."
  — Andrew Limbong (NPR) [04:45]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On the symbolism of the China summit:

  "Comparisons with the global standing of the Trump administration will be hard to avoid."
  — Stephen McDonnell [00:58]

• On the threat to wind power expansion:

  "Hampering the wind industry could drive up electricity prices given the country's growing need for power."
  — Lauren Sommer [02:22]

• On cities preparing for immigration actions:

  "I imagine every mayor of every major city is having to make some sorts of preparations."
  — Michelle Wu [02:43]

• On the persistence of print in publishing:

  "Print is still the bread and butter of publishing, making up nearly three quarters of the revenue of the entire industry."
  — Andrew Limbong [04:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit: [00:19–01:18]
• Indonesia Unrest/Canceled State Visit: [01:18–01:53]
• Offshore Wind Grant Cancellations: [01:53–02:30]
• Boston & Chicago Immigration Policies: [02:30–03:13]
• Minneapolis Church Shooting: [03:13–03:48]
• Pearl Harbor Fuel Spill Indictments: [03:48–04:14]
• Publishing Industry Audio Boom: [04:14–04:53]

Conclusion

Despite its brevity, this newscast provides a snapshot of major international developments, domestic policy shifts, and industry trends, blending urgent headlines with broader context and implications. The reporting maintains NPR’s signature precise and fact-driven tone, with occasional moments of reflection from analysts and local officials.