8AM ET 05/16/2026 Newscast

Summary

---

Fox News Hourly Update

Episode: 8AM ET 05/16/2026 Newscast

Date: May 16, 2026
Host: Roger Stern with FOX News Correspondents

---

Episode Overview

This newscast delivers a concise roundup of major national and international developments as of May 16, 2026. Key stories include the elimination of a top ISIS leader in a US-Nigeria operation, President Trump's statements following his summit with China's Xi Jinping, a major transit strike on the Long Island Railroad, a Supreme Court ruling affecting Virginia redistricting, and a preview of the high-stakes Senate primary in Louisiana.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. ISIS Leader Killed in Joint US-Nigeria Operation

[00:03–00:54]

• President Trump announced via Truth Social the successful killing of Abubil Al Munuki, ISIS’s global second-in-command, in a joint US-Nigerian military operation.
• The raid targeted Al Munuki’s compound in the Lake Chad Basin, resulting in his death and that of several lieutenants.
• Nigerian and US intelligence reportedly tracked Al Munuki's activities for some time.
• President Trump emphasized the significance:

  “Al Munuki...will, quote, no longer terrorize the people of Africa or help plan operations to target Americans.” (Madeleine Rivera, 00:45)

---

2. President Trump Returns from China Summit

[00:54–01:54]

Gas Prices and Conflict in the Middle East

• Trump insisted the recent rise in energy prices due to ongoing conflict in Iraq and Iran is only temporary.
• He downplayed the impact on Americans:

  “When you tell somebody, you’re going to have to pay a little more, not that much more, a little more for gas... for a very short period of time because we want to stop the threat of being blown to pieces by a lunatic... using nuclear weapons. Everybody says that’s fine.” (President Trump, 01:05)

Taiwan and Military Sales

• China summit discussions also addressed Taiwan, which Trump called “the most important issue with the US.”
• Regarding potential military escalation:

  “I’m not looking to have somebody go independent and you know, we’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I’m not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down.” (President Trump, 01:32)

• Bret Baier asked if Trump approved new arms sales to Taiwan. Trump clarified:

  “Well, I haven’t approved it yet.” (President Trump, 01:52)

---

3. Long Island Railroad Workers Strike

[02:39–03:22]

• Workers for New York's Long Island Railroad began a strike after negotiations with the MTA broke down.
• No immediate plans for new negotiations.
• Service restoration uncertain:

  “If it were to become resolved, we would need time... so it would be difficult... to say if it was settled at this time, we'd have service back at that time. But rest assured, we would look to get service back as soon as possible.” (Robert Freeh, 02:56)

• The union is seeking a 16% pay raise over four years; the MTA claims this could force fare hikes.
• Impact: The railroad serves 250,000 commuters on weekdays.

---

4. Supreme Court Blocks Virginia Redistricting Plan

[03:22–04:11]

• The US Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from Virginia Democrats after the state court rejected a proposed congressional map.
• The state Supreme Court found procedural issues with how the referendum to redraw districts was placed on the ballot.
• Kim Yuretsky summarizes implications:

  “That measure would have redrawn the state's congressional districts to potentially give Democrats an extra four seats... Redistricting has become a major midterm issue...” (Kim Yuretsky, 03:46)

• This follows broader efforts by GOP-led states, encouraged by Trump, to revisit their own maps.

---

5. Louisiana GOP Senate Primary: Bill Cassidy Faces Trump-Aligned Rivals

[04:11–04:37]

• Louisiana Republicans nominate US Senate candidates today.
• Incumbent Bill Cassidy faces two challengers, both framing themselves as loyal Trump supporters.
• Cassidy’s vulnerability is tied to his 2021 Senate vote to convict Trump.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | | :-----------: | :-------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 00:45 | Madeleine Rivera | “Al Munuki...will, quote, no longer terrorize the people of Africa or help plan operations to target Americans.” | | 01:05 | President Trump | “When you tell somebody, you’re going to have to pay a little more... for gas... for a very short period of time because we want to stop the threat...” | | 01:32 | President Trump | “I’m not looking to have somebody go independent... I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down.” | | 01:52 | President Trump | “Well, I haven’t approved it yet.” (On military sales to Taiwan) | | 02:56 | Robert Freeh | “...It would be difficult for me at this point to say if it was settled at this time, we'd have service back at that time... we would look to get service back.”| | 03:46 | Kim Yuretsky | “That measure would have redrawn the state's congressional districts to potentially give Democrats an extra four seats...” |

---

Important Segments & Timestamps

• ISIS Leader Killed: 00:03–00:54
• Trump on Energy, China, and Taiwan: 00:54–01:54
• Long Island Railroad Strike: 02:39–03:22
• Supreme Court and VA Redistricting: 03:22–04:11
• Louisiana Senate GOP Primary: 04:11–04:37

---

This newscast succinctly covers fast-moving news with direct quotes and updates from national leaders and official sources, giving listeners a rapid but informative overview of major current events as of May 16, 2026.

Transcript

[Roger Stern]

An ISIS leader is eliminated. I'm Roger Stern, Fox News. A joint operation between the US And Nigeria leading to the death of a top ISIS terrorist announcement made by President Trump on Truth Social. Here's more from Fox's Madeleine Rivera.

[Madeleine Rivera]

President Trump saying on Truth Social this was a complicated joint mission carried out by the US Military and the armed forces of Nigeria. The president indicates sources have been tracking Abubil Al Munuki's key keeping the US And Nigeria informed of what the ISIS leader has been doing. The president of Nigeria saying Al Munuki along with several of his lieutenants were killed during a strike on his compound in Lake Chad Basin. President Trump says Al Munuki, the second in command of ISIS globally, will, quote, no longer terrorize the people of Africa or help plan operations to target Americans.

[Roger Stern]

And that's as we said. Fox's Madeleine Rivera. President Trump back from his summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping insisting the energy hikes due to the war in Iraq, Iran are temporary.

[President Trump]

When you tell somebody, you're going to have to pay a little more, not that much more, a little more for gas. Celine for a very short period of time because we want to stop the threat of being blown to pieces by a lunatic, by a crazy person. And they are crazy, using nuclear weapons. Everybody says that's fine.

[Roger Stern]

Taiwan also discussed at the summit.

[Bret Baier]

President Trump addressing Beijing calling Taiwan the most important issue with the US I will say this.

[President Trump]

I'm not looking to have somebody go independent and you know, we're supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I'm not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down.

[Bret Baier]

When asked about the US Approving billions of dollars of weapons sales to the island, the president telling Fox's Bret Baier,

[President Trump]

well, I haven't approved it yet.

[Roger Stern]

America is listening to FOX News.

[NetSuite by Oracle Announcer]

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 [e-mail] Fox

[Roger Stern]

One of the nation's major transit systems coming to a screeching halt. Workers for New York's Long Island Railroad are on strike.

[Chris DiMaio]

Labor unions announcing a walkout late Friday after negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority broke down. No new negotiations have been scheduled.

[Robert Freeh]

If it were to become resolved, we would need time. It's contingent upon what time it would be settled. So it would be difficult for me at this point to say if it was settled at this time, we'd have service back at that time. But rest assured, we would look to get service back as soon as possible.

[Chris DiMaio]

LIR President Robert Freeh. The union wants a 16% pay raise over four years. The MTA argues the union's demands would lead to fare hikes. Chris DiMaio, Fox News.

[Roger Stern]

The railroad carries 250,000 weekday commuters. The Supreme Court dealing a blow to Democrats in Virginia the Supreme Court rejected

[Kim Yuretsky]

Virginia's request for the high court to hear its appeal in the redistricting case. That request was filed after the Virginia State Supreme Court voted 4 to 3 that a new recent voter approved map was unconstitutional because the state legislature improperly began the process of placing that referendum on the ballot. And after early voting had started in Virginia's statewide election last fall, that measure would have redrawn the state's congressional districts to potentially give Democrats an extra four seats in the state. Redistricting has become a major midterm issue, with several states redrawing maps after President Trump asked GOP led states to do so. Kim Yuretsky, Fox News.

[Roger Stern]

Louisiana voters head to the polls today to nominate U.S. senate candidates. Republican incumbent Bill Cassidy is in political trouble. That's because five years ago he voted to convict President Trump in his impeachment trial. He now faces two Republicans who pitch themselves as loyal Trump supporters. I'm Roger Stern and you are listening to FOX news.

[American Home Shield Announcer]

Ah, I'm sensing plumbing problems. Worry not. With American Home Shield, you can now video chat with live repair experts for help with home fixes over the phone. Talk to a real human, an expert over video chat who can help get that home system or appliance back on track. Sounds like peace of mind. American Home Shield don't worry, be warranty. Visit ahs.com listen for 20% off any

plan video chat feature available as benefit to AHS members with select plans. See ahs.com for hours and details.