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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.”

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]

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.