2AM ET 05/16/2026 Newscast

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – 2AM ET, 05/16/2026 Newscast
Host: Debra Valentine (FOX News Radio)
Air Date: May 16, 2026

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Episode Overview

This hourly update covers major international and domestic news stories, focusing on diplomatic tensions, military operations, terrorism charges, labor strikes, and high-profile court cases. Key topics include U.S.-China trade talks, the ongoing conflict involving Iran, a significant terrorism prosecution in the U.S., a high-stakes Hollywood retrial, and a major announcement regarding US military action against ISIS.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US-China Relations & Taiwan Tensions

[00:02–00:44]

• President Trump Returns from China: President Trump returns after bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
  • Kevin Cork (00:14): “President Trump seemingly positively stirred by the trip to China, which objectively was marked by pomp, politics and of course, a lot of economic and political pressure.”
• Taiwan Tensions Addressed: Trump urges calm between China and Taiwan, maintaining the US does not support full Taiwanese independence.
  • Kevin Cork (00:29): “He wants China and Taiwan to cool down. The president reiterating his previous position that he's not looking to have somebody go independent.”

2. US-China Cooperation on Iran

[00:44–01:03]

• Joint Diplomatic Effort: Xi offers to help mediate the end of the Iran war; both nations agree on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
  • Debra Valentine (00:44): “The president welcomed an offer from President Xi to assist in ending the war with Iran… both share the goal of preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.”

3. US Naval Blockade & Escalation in the Gulf

[01:03–01:38]

• Economic Pressure on Iran: The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues; Iran struggles with oil storage and production.
  • Ashley Webster (01:05): “Iran is running out of options other than cutting oil production because of their storage problems and oil is the lifeblood of their economy.”
• Security Incidents: Iran seizes a floating armory vessel; an Indian-flagged ship sunk off Oman’s coast after a suspected drone or missile attack.
  • Ashley Webster (01:18): “A vessel operating as a floating armory in the Gulf of Oman has been seized by Iran. …an Indian flag vessel was attacked off the coast of Oman and sunk after a suspected explosion caused by a drone or missile.”

4. Iranian Response

[01:38]

• Iran Defiant: Iranian foreign minister insists the Strait of Hormuz should remain under Iran’s control.

5. Domestic Disruption: Long Island Railroad Strike

[01:38–02:00]

• Significant Transit Strike: Long Island Railroad (LIRR) workers from five unions strike over pay and contractual issues, shutting down North America’s busiest commuter rail line.

6. Terrorism Charges: Iraqi National

[02:53–03:38]

• Major US Terror Case: The Justice Department charges Mohammed Al Saadi with coordinating at least 18 terror attacks tied to the US and Israeli conflict with Iran.
  • Brian Yenis (03:01): “Mohammed Al Saadi making his first court appearance… charged with coordinating terror attacks that aim to stop the US and Israeli war with Iran.”
  • Brian Yenis (03:19): “Al Saudi is charged with planning, coordinating, financing and promoting at least 18 attacks in Europe, plus two in Canada. …Al Saudi planned to kill Americans and Jews.”

7. Harvey Weinstein Retrial: Mistrial Declared

[03:38–04:27]

• #MeToo-Era Case Falters Again: Weinstein’s New York rape retrial ends in a mistrial after jury deadlock—third attempt to convict him for alleged 2013 assault on Jessica Mann.
  • Michelle Palino (03:46): “The judge in the New York rape retrial of Harvey Weinstein declared a mistrial after the jury deadlocked in the closely watched case, which kicked off the hashtag MeToo era.”
  • Michelle Palino (03:57): “Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg… called Mann's bravery inspiring and said that while they are disappointed with the result, they respect the jury system.”
  • Palino (04:13): “Weinstein’s defense team… said in part that this shows how deeply public perception and prejudice surrounding Weinstein have become embedded in society.”

8. US/Nigeria Counterterrorism Operation

[04:27–04:51]

• ISIS Leadership Targeted: President Trump announces US and Nigerian forces killed ISIS’s global second-in-command, Abu Bilal Al Manuki.
  • Debra Valentine (04:27): “Announced late Friday the US And Nigerian forces carried out an operation that killed a global ISIS leader… Abu Bilal Al Manuki, whom he described as ISIS's second in command globally.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On US-China Talks:
  • Kevin Cork (00:14): “President Trump seemingly positively stirred by the trip to China, which objectively was marked by pomp, politics and of course, a lot of economic and political pressure.”
• On Strait of Hormuz Blockade:
  • Ashley Webster (01:05): “Iran is running out of options other than cutting oil production… The US Naval blockade continues, preventing any ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports.”
• On Weinstein’s Trial:
  • Michelle Palino (03:46): “The judge in the New York rape retrial of Harvey Weinstein declared a mistrial after the jury deadlocked in the closely watched case, which kicked off the hashtag MeToo era.”

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Important Segment Timestamps

• US-China Update & Taiwan Tensions: 00:02–00:44
• US-China on Iran & Blockade: 00:44–01:38
• LIRR Strike: 01:38–02:00
• Terrorism Charges (Mohammed Al Saadi): 02:53–03:38
• Harvey Weinstein Retrial Mistrial: 03:38–04:27
• ISIS Leader Killed (US/Nigeria): 04:27–04:51

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For listeners looking for a snapshot of the latest overnight world and U.S. events—from diplomatic breakthroughs to major security incidents—this FOX News Hourly Update provides succinct, direct coverage rich with notable headlines and select in-depth details.

Transcript

[Debra Valentine]

The US And China agree. I'm Debra Valentine, FOX News. President Trump returning to the US After a visit to China for bilateral trade talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Fox's Kevin Cork has details.

[Kevin Cork]

President Trump seemingly positively stirred by the trip to China, which objectively was marked by pomp, politics and of course, a lot of economic and political pressure. Now, the commander in chief told just about anybody who would listen that things went very, and I mean very well for all parties involved. Meantime, the president told our Brett Baer that he wants China and Taiwan to cool down. The president reiterating his previous position that he's not looking to have somebody go independent.

[Debra Valentine]

The president welcomed an offer from President Xi to assist in ending the war with Iran. He also stated that the US And China both share the goal of preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. The US Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues as President Trump returns from China. Fox's Ashley Webster has more from Tel Aviv.

[Ashley Webster]

Iran is running out of options other than cutting oil production because of their storage problems and oil is the lifeblood of their economy. At the same time, the US Naval blockade continues, preventing any ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports. Now reports say a vessel operating as a floating armory in the Gulf of Oman has been seized by Iran. The ship is used to store weapons for security firms who protect ships at sea. It also comes after an Indian flag vessel was attacked off the coast of Oman and sunk after a suspected explosion caused by a drone or missile.

[Debra Valentine]

Iran's foreign minister insists the strait should remain under Iranian control. The largest commuter rail line in North America, the Long Island Railroad's on strike while five unions representing the LIRR struck at 12:01am over unresolved contractual issues involving pay. America is listening to FOX News.

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[Debra Valentine]

the Justice Department is charging an Iraqi national with carrying out at least 18 terror attacks against US and Israeli group overseas.

[Brian Yenis]

Mohammed Al Saadi making his first court appearance in federal court in Manhattan. He has been charged with coordinating terror attacks that aim to stop the US And Israeli war with Iran. He faces six federal counts, including providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Now, according to this federal complaint, Al Saudi is charged with planning, coordinating, financing and promoting at least 18 attacks in Europe, plus two in Canada. Now, these were all attacks that were being planned since the start of the war in Iran in February. Now Al Saudi planned to kill Americans and Jews, prosecutors say.

[Debra Valentine]

Fox's Brian Yenis reporting. Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein's trial has been delayed yet again. Fox's Michelle Palino reports.

[Michelle Palino]

The judge in the New York rape retrial of Harvey Weinstein declared a mistrial after the jury deadlocked in the closely watched case, which kicked off the hashtag MeToo era. This was the third attempt from Jessica Mann to put Weinstein behind bars. Mann claims Weinstein raped her at a Manhattan hotel March 18, 2013. Weinstein has maintained the encounter was consensual. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, in response, called Mann's bravery inspiring and said that while they are disappointed with the result, they respect the jury system. Weinstein's defense team, in a statement said in part that this shows how deeply public perception and prejudice surrounding Weinstein have become embedded in society. Michelle Paulino, FOX News President Donald Trump

[Debra Valentine]

announced late Friday the US And Nigerian forces carried out an operation that killed a global ISIS leader. President Trump identified the terrorists as Abu Bilal Al Manuki, whom he described as ISIS's second in command globally. I'm Debra Valentine. This is FOX News.

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