NPR News: 08-31-2025 8AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now — August 31, 2025, 8AM EDT (Duration: 5 Minutes)

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Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise roundup of major global and national headlines, covering topics such as the aftermath of a tragic church shooting in Minneapolis, renewed violence in Ukraine, civil unrest in Indonesia, diplomatic engagement between India and China, political and humanitarian updates in the U.S. and Gaza, and a notable milestone in Broadway history. The episode provides brief, factual accounts, interspersed with direct quotes from those affected and field reporters.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Minneapolis Church Shooting Aftermath

[00:19–00:53]

• Event Recap: Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis held its first mass since the deadly shooting on Wednesday. The church remains a crime scene; the service was held in the school auditorium.
• Impact: Two students killed, 18 wounded (mostly children). Seven remain hospitalized. The perpetrator, a 23-year-old former student, took his own life.
• Emotional Response: Father Dennis Aaron addressed congregants, expressing hope:
  • Quote [00:37]:
    “That's what we do now at Annunciation. We watch for that light of a new day. We watch for that light that will scatter every darkness. We watch for that light that will never fade, that will only grow stronger.” — Father Dennis Aaron

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2. Russia-Ukraine Conflict Escalation

[00:53–02:05]

• Recent Attacks: At least one dead, 24 wounded across Ukraine after Russian drone and missile strikes, marking the second major assault in recent days.
• Political Context: Attacks coincide with reported Russian offensive operations along the frontline, despite U.S.-led peace negotiations.
• Ukrainian Response: President Zelenskyy accuses the Kremlin of using U.S. diplomacy as a distraction for planning attacks; calls for increased Western sanctions on Russian energy.
• Retaliation: Ukrainian drones targeted two Russian oil refineries, worsening fuel shortages in Russia.
  • Quote [01:25]:
    “The air attacks coincided with claims by the head of Russia's armed forces, Valery Gerasimov, that his troops were conducting offensive operations across the entire frontline. That push despite White House efforts to organize a peace summit... Zelenskyy accused the Kremlin of exploiting the US Diplomatic effort...” — Charles Maines, NPR

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3. Ongoing Unrest in Indonesia

[02:05–02:58]

• Protests and Riots: Ongoing violence after lawmakers awarded themselves a generous housing allowance.
• Escalation: Protests intensified after police killed a motorcycle taxi driver. Looters ransacked officials’ homes and set the local assembly building ablaze in Makassar, causing fatalities.
• Government Response: President Prabowo Subianto canceled an overseas trip due to the unrest.
  • Quote [02:18]:
    “Protests broke out Monday following reports that lawmakers had given themselves a monthly housing allowance, more than 10 times what a worker making minimum wage in Jakarta can earn in a month.” — Anthony Kuhn, NPR

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4. India-China Diplomatic Engagement

[02:58–03:18]

• Summit Meeting: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits China, meets with President Xi Jinping. Modi affirms commitment to improving bilateral ties as a regional security summit begins, with the backdrop of U.S. tariffs from President Trump.

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5. U.S. and Global Policy Updates

[03:18–04:08]

• Gaza Humanitarian Effort: Senators Van Holland and Merkley urge Israel to permit more food aid into Gaza, following a visit to the Rafah border.
• Chicago and Federal Immigration Enforcement: Mayor Branson Johnson signs an executive order to block city police from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement; opposes potential deployment of the National Guard by President Trump.

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6. Broadway Milestone: Rafiki’s Final Curtain Call

[04:08–04:52]

• Celebrating CD Manier: The long-running Rafiki in Disney’s "The Lion King" musical, CD Manier, retires after more than 9,000 performances over two decades.
• Personal Farewell: She reflects on her journey and hints at a continued bond with the show.
  • Quote [04:39]:
    “But she says you never really leave The Lion King forever, saying if they needed her, she'd jump to be there no matter what.” — Eva Pukach, NPR

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• [00:37] — Father Dennis Aaron:
  “We watch for that light of a new day... that will scatter every darkness.”
• [01:25] — Charles Maines (on Ukraine):
  “The air attacks coincided with claims by the head of Russia's armed forces... conducting offensive operations across the entire frontline.”
• [02:18] — Anthony Kuhn (on Indonesia):
  “Protests broke out Monday following reports that lawmakers had given themselves a monthly housing allowance, more than 10 times what a worker making minimum wage in Jakarta can earn in a month.”
• [04:39] — Eva Pukach (on Rafiki's retirement):
  “But she says you never really leave The Lion King forever, saying if they needed her, she'd jump to be there no matter what.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Minneapolis shooting & Mass: [00:19–00:53]
• Ukraine conflict update: [00:53–02:05]
• Indonesia unrest: [02:05–02:58]
• India-China diplomacy: [02:58–03:18]
• Gaza/Chicago updates: [03:18–04:08]
• Lion King Rafiki farewell: [04:08–04:52]

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This brisk episode of NPR News Now offers authoritative updates on urgent global events, poignant moments from tragedy, signs of resilience, and a celebration of artistic achievement, staying faithful to NPR's signature concise and balanced news style.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder / Jael Snyder (NPR News Anchors)]

In Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis held its first mass last night since Wednesday's deadly shooting, with church pastor Father Dennis Aaron addressing the congregation from the church's school auditorium. Because the church is still a crime scene, he expressed hope for a better day.

[Father Dennis Aaron]

That's what we do now at Annunciation. We watch for that light of a new day. We watch for that light that will scatter every darkness. We watch for that light that will never fade, that will only grow stronger.

[Giles Snyder / Jael Snyder (NPR News Anchors)]

Two students were killed in the shooting, 18 wounded, nearly all of them children. At least seven victims were still hospitalized as of Saturday. Authorities have identified the government as a 23 year old former student who took his own life. Ukrainian authorities say at least one person was killed, another 24 wounded after Russia launched drone and missile attacks across the country this weekend. The attacks mark the second heavy bombardment of Ukraine in recent days and come despite U.S. efforts to negotiate a peace deal. From Moscow, NPR's Charles Maines reports.

[Charles Maines (NPR Moscow Correspondent)]

The air attacks coincided with claims by the head of Russia's armed forces, Valery Gerasimov, that his troops were conducting offensive operations across the entire frontline. That push despite despite White House efforts to organize a peace summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy accused the Kremlin of exploiting the US Diplomatic effort to plan the attacks and renewed calls for the west to force Moscow to peace through additional sanctions on Russian energy exports. Those pleas came as Ukrainian drones struck two Russian oil refineries, the latest in a series of attacks on Russian energy infrastructure that have contributed to fuel shortages in some Russian regions. Charles Maine's NPR News, Moscow.

[Giles Snyder / Jael Snyder (NPR News Anchors)]

Indonesia remains on edge after a week of protests and riots that have left at least Five people dead. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports that looters today entered lawmaker homes amid discontent over inflation and unemployment.

[Anthony Kuhn (NPR Seoul Correspondent)]

In the early hours of Sunday, crowds ransacked the home of lawmakers and Indonesia's finance minister. Protests broke out Monday following reports that lawmakers had given themselves a monthly housing allowance, more than 10 times what a worker making minimum wage in Jakarta can earn in a month. More protests erupted after a police armored vehicle ran over and killed a motorcycle taxi driver. Rioters in the city of Makassar set fire to the local assembly building and three people were killed in the blaze or jumping from the building to escape it. President Prabowo Subianto has canceled a trip to attend a military parade in China to deal with the unrest. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.

[Giles Snyder / Jael Snyder (NPR News Anchors)]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in China. He said today that India is committed to improving ties with Beijing. Modi met today with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the opening of a regional security summit overshadowed by President Trump's tariffs. And you're listening to NPR News. Democratic Senators Chris Van Holland of Maryland and Jeff Merkley of Oregon are calling on Israel to allow more food aid into Gaza. The two visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing this weekend as Israel steps up military operations around Gaza City and announce the recovery of the bodies of two hostages. Chicago made Mayor Branson Johnson is pushing back against President Trump. He signed an executive order this weekend that prevents city police from cooperating with any federal immigration enforcement activity. And Johnson is demanding that President Trump stand down from any plan to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago. The world's longest running rafiki in Disney's the Lion King musical is hanging up her costume tonight after more than 9,000 performances. NPR's Eva Pukach reports.

[Eva Pukach (NPR Arts Reporter)]

For more than two decades, theatergoers have heard CD Manier belt out one of the Lion King's most iconic songs. Maniere first took on the role in the show's Toronto company in 2000, later playing Rafiki in the Broadway company and wearing the distinctive red, yellow and blue baboon cheek makeup every night. As for what's next, tells the New York Times she plans to head home to South Africa to spend time with family. But she says you never really leave the Lion King forever, saying if they needed her, she'd jump to be there no matter what. Ava Kukich, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder / Jael Snyder (NPR News Anchors)]

And I'm Jael Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.

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