NPR News: 05-17-2026 12PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now: May 17, 2026, 12PM EDT

Host: Nora Ram
Episode Theme: Rapid summary of the latest global and national news developments

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Key Stories Covered

1. Ukrainian Strikes on Russia

• Summary:
  Overnight Ukrainian attacks struck various areas in Russia, resulting in at least four deaths and over a dozen injuries. This marks one of the largest Ukrainian offensives since the 2022 Russian invasion.
• Details:
  • Most deaths occurred in villages near Moscow; injuries were reported at the entrance to a major oil refinery.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted videos showing drone activity and black smoke at the refinery, justifying the strikes in light of recent Russian missile attacks on Kyiv.
  • Zelensky asserts Ukraine’s actions are “entirely justified” in response to continued Russian aggression and the stalled peace talks.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Ukraine is striking Russia to... force it to stop the war.” – Joanna Kakissis (01:00)
• Timestamps: [00:00–01:06]

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2. "Rededicate 250" Prayer Rally on National Mall

• Summary:
  Thousands gather in Washington, D.C. for a prayer rally marking the 250th birthday of the U.S., with President Trump set to address the crowd via video.
• Details:
  • Event co-organized by the federal government and conservative religious leaders.
  • Speakers include white evangelical Christians and members of Trump’s cabinet.
  • Event aims at “rededicating” the country as “one nation under God,” but draws criticism over church-state separation concerns.
• Criticism Highlight:
  • Rachel Lazer, Americans United for Separation of Church and State:
    • “It’s meant to establish this administration’s narrow view of Christianity as the American religion.” (01:46)
• Timestamps: [01:06–02:01]

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3. Long Island Railroad Strike Impacts Commuters

• Summary:
  The second day of an LIRR strike disrupts major commuter routes, especially as city events and baseball games increase weekend travel demand.
• Details:
  • 3,500 workers are on strike over disputes about pay and health benefits.
  • The strike affects 300,000 daily commuters. The MTA plans shuttle buses, but Governor Hochul recommends remote work for city employees where possible.
  • Emotional impact noted by workers, and concern for wider disruption across New York.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Duane O’Connor, striking worker:
    • “I feel terrible, terrible. This is going to hurt… the island… the city.” (02:37)
• Timestamps: [02:01–02:57]

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4. Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa

• Summary:
  The WHO declares the recent Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda a “public health emergency of international concern.”
• Details:
  • Hundreds of suspected cases and at least 80 deaths reported.
  • The outbreak is not classified as a pandemic, but it is considered “extraordinary” due to the lack of vaccines or specific treatments for this strain.
• Timestamps: [02:57–03:17]

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5. Leadership Shakeup in the Palestinian Authority

• Summary:
  For the first time in a decade, Mahmoud Abbas holds Fatah leadership elections in the West Bank amid pressure for reform.
• Details:
  • Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority, names new top leaders.
  • Shift of influence, with Abbas’s son, Yasser Abbas, elected to the leadership committee, signaling increased familial power.
  • PA’s authority is noted as “greatly sidelined” due to recent years’ conflicts with Hamas and Israel.
• Notable Quote:
  • “President Abbas has strengthened his family’s influence in the party.” – Nuha Muslim (03:38)
• Timestamps: [03:17–04:20]

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6. Eurovision Win for Bulgaria

• Summary:
  Bulgaria clinches its first-ever Eurovision victory with singer Dara’s “Bunga Runga,” while five nations boycott due to Israel’s inclusion.
• Details:
  • Event took place in Vienna.
  • Israel finishes second; boycotts reflect continued protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
• Timestamps: [04:20–end]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Ukraine is striking Russia to... force it to stop the war.” – Joanna Kakissis (01:00)
• “It’s meant to establish this administration’s narrow view of Christianity as the American religion.” – Rachel Lazer (01:46)
• “I feel terrible, terrible. This is going to hurt… the island… the city.” – Duane O’Connor (02:37)
• “President Abbas has strengthened his family’s influence in the party.” – Noha Muslim (03:38)

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Episode Highlights

• Major escalation in Ukraine-Russia conflict with significant casualties
• Church-state tensions resurface around U.S. 250th anniversary events
• Large-scale labor action threatens NYC area transit and public events
• International health alert over Ebola outbreak without vaccine
• Political shifts in Palestinian leadership amid external and internal pressures
• Controversy and celebration at Eurovision, underlining ongoing geopolitical rifts

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For complete context and nuanced reporting, listen to the full episode via NPR News Now.

Transcript

[A]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ram. Ukrainian strikes on Russia overnight have left at least four people dead and a dozen others wounded. NPR's Joanna Kakisis reports. Moscow is calling it one of the largest attacks carried out by Ukraine since the Russian invasion more than four years ago.

[B]

At least three of those killed were in villages near Moscow, according to social media posts by local government officials. The wounded were near the entrance of Moscow's oil refinery. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensk. Zelensky posted video footage that appeared to come from the oil refinery attack. It showed black smoke billowing from the site. What looked like a drone flew overhead. Zelensky said Ukraine's actions were, quote, entirely justified. Last week, a Russian missile smashed into an apartment building in Kyiv, killing 24 people, including three children. As peace talks have stalled, Zelensky said Ukraine is striking Russia to to force it to stop the war. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[A]

Thousands of people are gathering on Washington, D.C. s National Mall for a prayer rally called Rededicate 250. President Trump is to deliver a video message within the hour. NPR's Jason DeRose reports. The event was organized by the federal government and conservative religious leaders.

[C]

Speakers include evangelical Christians and members of the Trump Cabinet. It's part of the federal government celebration of the U.S. s 250th birthday, and it's billed as a rededication of the country as one nation under God. Critics of the event say it undermines the American value of religious liberty. Rachel Lazer is president of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

[A]

It's meant to establish this administration's narrow view of Christianity as the American religion.

[C]

Most of the speakers at Rededicate250 are white evangelicals, an important political base for Donald Trump. Jason DeRose, NPR News.

[A]

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a financial supporter of npr. A strike by workers for the Long Island Railroad is now in its second day. Both sides are divided over pay and health insurance contributions. Bruce Konweiser has more.

[D]

On weekdays, Long island railroad carries about 300,000 commuters into and out of New York City, and weekend ridership is growing. Demand this weekend would be even higher than usual, with baseball's crosstown rivals the Yankees and Mets facing off at the Mets home in Queens. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority typically adds rail service for such games. Duane O', Connor, one of the 3,500 striking workers, isn't happy about the strike. I feel terrible, terrible. This is going to hurt.

[A]

This is going to hurt the island.

[D]

This is going to hurt the city. Shuttle buses will be deployed, but the MTA and Governor Kathy Hochul are urging weekday commuters to work from home if they can. For NPR News, I'm Bruce Konfeiser in New York.

[A]

This is NPR News in Washington. The World Health Organization has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda to be a public health emergency of international concern. There are hundreds of suspected cases and at least 80 deaths. The UN health agency says the outbreak does not meet the criteria for a pandemic, but called it extraordinary because there is no known vaccines or treatment for this Ebola strain. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is holding leadership elections for his political party for the first time in a decade. Nuha Muslim reports from the Israeli occupied West Bank.

[E]

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held elections for the top leaders of his political party, Fatah. That's the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the west bank where Palestinians have limited autonomy. The Palestinian Authority is under international pressure to reform, and its influence has been greatly sidelined by Israel and Hamas in the past few years of war. But President Abbas has strengthened his family's influence in the party. His son, Yasser Abbas, was elected into the leadership committee for the first time. For NPR News, I'm Noha Musli in Ramallah.

[A]

In Vienna, Austria, last night, Bulgaria won the Eurovision song contest for the first time. Singer Dara won with her party anthem Bunga Runga. Israel came in second. Five countries had boycotted the event to protest Israel's inclusion after the war in Gaza. I'm Nora Ram, NPR News.