Summary4 min read

Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 12AM ET 05/18/2026 Newscast
Date: May 18, 2026
Host: Debra Valentine

Overview

This episode delivers the latest updates on U.S.-Iran tensions, developments in the Austin shootings, a new Ebola emergency in Africa, intensifying drone warfare between Ukraine and Russia, and faith-focused political events in Washington, D.C. Concise, breaking coverage is punctuated by expert correspondent reports and political commentary.

Key Discussion Points

1. Rising U.S. and Israel Tensions with Iran

Main story: The U.S. and Israel are actively considering further strikes in Iran, following a phone call between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
President Trump’s warning: He posts on social media, raising the stakes for Iran amid a fragile ceasefire.
- Quote (Anita Vogel, 00:17):
  
  "President Trump posting on social media that the clock is ticking. He's also warning there won't be anything left of Iran if a peace deal isn't reached soon."
Ceasefire fragility: More than a month into a delicate truce, new drone attacks—including one on a UAE nuclear plant—are heightening regional tension.
U.S. demands: Any deal must ensure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Iran's response:
- Iranian foreign minister criticizes the U.S. and Israel for "contradictory rhetoric" about Iran’s nuclear program.
- U.S. claims Iran’s economy nears collapse under pressure.
Netanyahu’s objective:
- Sought to "create the conditions for a civilian uprising" at the launch of Operation Epic Fury (Debra Valentine, 00:45).

2. Austin, Texas Shooting Spree

Incident description: At least 12 random shootings occurred over the weekend, some targeting fire stations.
Casualties: Four people injured.
Investigation update:
- Two teenagers arrested; a third suspect at large.
- Suspects allegedly switched stolen cars during the rampage.
- Quote (Marianne Rafferty, 01:16):
  
  "Police in Austin, Texas, are searching for a suspect after at least 12 random weekend shootings, two of them happening at fire stations."
Technology aid: License plate reader systems credited with swiftly identifying stolen vehicles.
Motive: Still unknown (Debra Valentine, 01:35).

3. Ebola Outbreak in Africa Declared Global Emergency

WHO announcement: An Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda is declared a “public health emergency of international concern” (Debra Valentine, 01:35).
Global implication: The alert triggers an international coordinated response.

4. Ukraine-Russia Drone Warfare Escalates

Ukrainian drone attacks: One of the largest strikes on Moscow kills four, with 81 drones shot down (per Russian officials).
Escalation statistics: Over 1,000 Ukrainian drones shot down in the last 24 hours.
Ukrainian perspective:
- Quote (Stephanie Bennett, 02:46):
  
  “Our responses to Russia's prolongation of the war and its attacks on our cities and communities are entirely justified... this is a clear signal that one should not pick a fight with Ukraine.”
- President Zelensky confirms hits over 300 miles inside Russia.
Recent Russian attacks:
- 3,100+ drones, 1,300 guided bombs, and 74 missiles launched at Ukrainian targets in a week.
- Recent toll: 52 killed, 340+ injured (Debra Valentine, 03:29).

5. National Prayer Event and Political Commentary

Event: “Rededicate 250” prayer session on the National Mall, hosted by Freedom 250.
Purpose: Honors the nation’s Christian traditions.
Political messaging:
- Quote (Speaker Mike Johnson, 03:51):
  
  “These voices insist to the young and impressionable that our story, the American story, is one of oppression and hypocrisy and failure... But Father, we reject that. We rebuke it.”
Controversy: Opposition from Annie Laurel Taylor, Freedom From Religion Foundation, who decries it as a “government sponsored prayer fest” and cites constitutional concerns (Debra Valentine, 04:11).

6. Navy Jet Collision in Idaho

Incident: Two Navy jets collided during an air show at a military base.
Outcome: All four crew ejected safely and are in stable condition. No ground casualties reported.

Notable Quotes and Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Description | |-----------|---------|-------------------| | 00:17 | Anita Vogel | “President Trump posting on social media that the clock is ticking. He's also warning there won't be anything left of Iran if a peace deal isn't reached soon.” | | 01:16 | Marianne Rafferty | “Police in Austin, Texas, are searching for a suspect after at least 12 random weekend shootings, two of them happening at fire stations.” | | 02:46 | Stephanie Bennett | “Our responses to Russia's prolongation of the war and its attacks on our cities and communities are entirely justified... this is a clear signal that one should not pick a fight with Ukraine.” | | 03:51 | Speaker Mike Johnson | “These voices insist to the young and impressionable that our story... is one of oppression and hypocrisy and failure... But Father, we reject that. We rebuke it.” |

Timestamps for Main Segments

U.S., Israel, and Iran Update: 00:03–00:45
Austin Shooting Spree: 01:16–01:35
Ebola Outbreak: 01:35–02:00
Ukraine-Russia Drone Warfare: 02:40–03:29
National Prayer Event & Commentary: 03:29–04:11
Navy Jet Collision: 04:11–04:37

This episode provides fast-paced coverage of global conflict, domestic tragedy, and cultural debate, reflecting heightened geopolitical tensions, public safety crises, and the interplay of faith and politics in contemporary America.

Loading summary

Transcript12 lines

[00:04]
A
More strikes possible. I'm Debra Valentine, Fox News. The U.S. and Israel are weighing new strikes in Iran after President Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone. Fox's Anita Vogel reports President Trump posting
[00:17]
B
on social media that the clock is ticking. He's also warning there won't be anything left of Iran if a peace deal isn't reached soon. The new pressure comes as Washington and Tehran remain at odds more than a month into a fragile ceasefire. Tensions are rising across the region after new Gulf drone attacks, including one on a UAE nuclear plant. President Trump insists any deal must fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
[00:46]
A
President Trump met with his national security team Saturday. Iran's foreign minister accused the US And Israel of having contradictory rhetoric about Iran's nuclear capability. The US has claimed for weeks that Iranian economy is on the brink of collapse pressure. Prime Minister Netanyahu said at the beginning of Operation Epic Fury his goal was to create the conditions for a civilian uprising. Two suspects are in custody as police search for a third suspect in a series of shootings across Austin, Texas. Fox's Marianne Rafferty has the latest.
[01:16]
C
Police in Austin, Texas, are searching for a suspect after at least 12 random weekend shootings, two of them happening at fire stations. Police say at least four people were hurt. So far, two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the shootings. Investigators believe they may have been switching stolen cars during the incident.
[01:35]
A
Police believe the shooting may have been random, the motive still unknown. City officials credit the use of license plate reader technology, saying it helped them track stolen vehicles quickly. The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. America's listening to Fox News.
[02:00]
D
Every business is asking the same question, how do we make AI work for us? No more waiting with NetSuite by Oracle. You can put AI to work today, NetSuite is the number one AI Cloud ERP, trusted by over 43,000 businesses across almost every industry. It's the unified suite that brings your financials, inventory, commerce, HR and CRM into a single source of truth. That connected data is what makes your AI smarter, helping you make decisions that count. Get our free business guide demystifying AI@netsuite.com Fox
[02:40]
A
Ukraine carried out one of its largest drone attacks on Russia's capital, killing four foxes. Stephanie Bennett reports from London.
[02:47]
E
Russian defenses shot down 81 drones heading towards Moscow. That's according to the city's mayor. Russia's Defense Ministry said by midday more than a thousand Ukrainian drones had been downed the past 24 hours. President Zelensky confirmed the overnight attacks and he wrote on X that, quote, our responses to Russia's prolongation of the war and its attacks on our cities and communities are entirely justified, adding that Ukraine was able to strike targets more than 300 miles from the border tonight. He also said, quote, this is a clear signal that one should not pick a fight with Ukraine. Of course, it comes after a heavy week of attacks by Russia who launched more than 3100 drones and 1300 guided aerial bombs and 74 missiles against Ukraine.
[03:30]
A
Russian attacks killed 52 people and injured more than 340 faith leaders and lawmakers. Attending Rededicate 250 a prayer session hosted by Freedom 250 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. the event honor America's Christian traditions. House Speaker Mike Johnson reminds those gathered that identity is under attack by what he calls sinister ideologies.
[03:52]
F
These voices insist to the young and impressionable that our story, the American story, is one of oppression and hypocrisy and failure and that this story can only be understood through the lens of our sins. But Father, we reject that. We rebuke it.
[04:11]
A
Annie Laurel Taylor, co president of the Freedom From Religion foundation, in a statement called the event a government sponsored prayer fest and claimed the Constitution forbids it. Two Navy jets collided during an air show at a military base in Idaho. All four crew members ejected safely and are reported in stable condition. No one on the ground was reported injured. I'm Deborah Galentine. This is FOX News.
[04:38]
G
Some follow the noise. Bloomberg follows the money. Whether it's the funds fueling AI or crypto's trillion dollar swings, there's a money side to every story. Get the money side of the story. Subscribe now@bloomberg.com.