NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-06-2025 5PM EDT

Episode Date: August 6, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump says he's open to meeting with both Russian president Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports the White House says progress is being made toward ending the three-year Russian invasion. President Trump announced on social media that his special envoy, Steve Whitkoff, just had what he called a highly productive meeting with Russian. President Vladimir Putin. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt later said Trump was opened a meeting with Putin and Ukrainian president, Vladimir Zelensky, citing the post. She was responding to a

question about a report from the New York Times that Trump told European leaders that he intends to meet with Putin as early as next week. Trump is threatening Russia with heavy sanctions if Moscow doesn't agree to a peace deal with Ukraine in the coming days. Trump has been increasingly frustrated with Putin for not ending the war sooner. Franco, Ordonez. NPR News. An investigation is underway after an army sergeant opened fire at Fort Stewart in Georgia today, wounding five soldiers. Brigadier General John Lubis says the shooter was quickly subdued by fellow servicemen.

I know that his soldiers in the area that witnessed the shooting immediately and without hesitation tackled the soldiers, subdued him, that allowed law enforcement to then take him into custody. Lubas says the alleged gunman used a personal handgun, not a military weapon. The wounded soldiers are reported to be in stable condition and recovering. The Army says it hasn't speculated on a motive. McDonald's is back in growth mode after months of declines. The fast food giant says its U.S. business has rebounded recently, helped by speculations. special deals and a boost in visits from higher income customers. NPR's Alina Selyuk reports.

McDonald's says its sales in the U.S. grew 2.5% in the latest quarter, with global sales rising as well for the first time and over a year. The company credits recent promotions, like the return of the crispy chicken strips and meal deals tied to a Minecraft movie. Still, McDonald's CEO says in the U.S., he remains cautious about the overall health of the consumer. That's because people are still not visiting McDonald's as often as they used to, especially lower-income shoppers whose visits are down by double digits from last year. Executives note that inflation is eroding wages, people are eating at home more, choosing cheaper items on the menu, and generally feeling down on the economy. Alina Selhu, NPR News. Stocks traded higher today on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial average was up 81 points at the close. The NASDAQ composite up 252 points, the S&P 5.5.000. This is NPR News in Washington. Tonight marks the 10th anniversary of the Broadway opening of Hamilton. The musical about the nation's founding fathers with a hip-hop score and a multiracial cast has been a smash hit since it opened. Jeff London has more from New York. Tonight's Broadway performance of Hamilton will be its 3,500,000. where it's been seen by more than 4.6 million people.

Look around, look around at how looking we are to be alive right now. Hamilton received a record 11 Tony Awards. It picked up the Pulitzer Prize for drama. It's been seen by around 29 million people in productions in North America and around the world. The Grammy-winning cast recording is the highest-selling. cast album of all time, and it peaked at number two on the Billboard top 200 albums chart. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York. Bidding is about to begin on one of the world's largest yachts.

The vessel, once owned by a sanctioned Russian billionaire, was seized by the U.S. Justice Department three years ago. To qualify for the auction, bidders must have at least $500 million in net worth and put down a $10 million deposit. The ship valued at more than $320 million comes with its own helipad, pool, heated floors, jet skis, and its own movie theater. I'm Windsor-Johnston NPR News in Washington.