NPR News: 05-17-2026 8PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: 05-17-2026 8PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: May 18, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now presents concise updates on major national and international news stories, including President Trump’s remarks on Iran negotiations, a midair collision at an Idaho air show, a new Ebola outbreak in Africa, Ukrainian and Russian drone strikes, a plea for drought recovery funding in the Colorado River basin, and a quick look at market futures.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump on Iran Nuclear Negotiations

[00:01–00:58]

• President Trump faces criticism for stating he doesn’t consider Americans’ finances in decisions about talks with Iran.
• Trump stands by his comment, labeling it a “perfect statement” and reiterating he’s focused on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
  • Quote: "I don't think about America's financial situation. I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That's all." – Donald Trump [00:26]
  • Later defends himself on Fox News, claiming context was omitted:
    • Quote: "That question was a fake question and they didn't put my full answer. I totally care. Look, I inherited high prices." – Donald Trump [00:42]
• Trump asserts any financial strain for Americans would be short term and justified by the need to prevent nuclear weapons in Iran.

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2. Idaho Air Show: Midair Military Jet Collision

[01:02–01:51]

• Two military jets collided during a performance at the Mountain Home Air Force Base air show in Idaho.
  • Video footage shows a dramatic crash, but all four crew members parachuted to safety and are in stable condition.
  • Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, and the fire from the crash was quickly contained.
  • Historical context: The last fatal incident at this air show was in 2018 when a hang glider pilot died.

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3. Ebola Outbreak in Congo and Uganda

[01:51–02:35]

• The World Health Organization declares a public health emergency after an Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda.
  • Over 300 suspected cases, at least 80 deaths.
  • This strain of Ebola has no approved treatments or vaccines.
  • Dr. John Caseya (Africa CDC) emphasizes Africa’s urgent need for local production of vaccines and medicine.
    • Quote: "We must manufacture vaccines, medicines that we need because we cannot on a daily basis when we have an outbreak to be on panic mode. Currently, I'm on panic mode because people are dying. I don't have medicines. I don't have vaccines." – Dr. John Caseya [02:19]
  • Warns Western countries of their own risk due to global travel and describes how conflict and migration impede containment.

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4. Russia-Ukraine Drone Strikes

[02:35–03:48]

• Russian officials report Ukrainian drone attacks killed at least four people and wounded several others; debris landed at Russia’s largest airport.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky defends the strikes as justified, while Russian attacks continue to hit Ukrainian cities.
• Ukrainian sources report eight wounded in overnight Russian drone strikes on Ukraine.

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5. Colorado River Basin Calls for Drought Recovery Aid

[03:48–04:21]

• More than 70 organizations from across the Western US urge Congress to allocate $2 billion for drought recovery.
  • The coalition includes farm districts, nonprofits, cities, and Native American tribes (from Wyoming to San Diego).
  • Proposed federal funds would address wildfire recovery, ecosystem protection, and new water source development.
  • Context: The request follows a historically dry winter; previous aid focused on incentivizing conservation by cities, farms, and tribes.

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6. Stock Market Futures Snapshot

[04:21–04:40]

• U.S. futures are down:
  • Dow: -177 points
  • Nasdaq: -121 points
  • S&P 500: -22 points

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Notable Quotes

• "I don't think about America's financial situation. I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That's all."
  – Donald Trump, on Iran talks [00:26]

• "That question was a fake question and they didn't put my full answer. I totally care. Look, I inherited high prices."
  – Donald Trump, defending his statement [00:42]

• "We must manufacture vaccines, medicines that we need because we cannot on a daily basis when we have an outbreak to be on panic mode. Currently, I'm on panic mode because people are dying. I don't have medicines. I don't have vaccines."
  – Dr. John Caseya, Africa CDC [02:19]

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Memorable Moments

• The quick and fortunate rescue of the Idaho air show crew after a dramatic midair collision stood out as a relief amid what could have been a major tragedy.
• Dr. Caseya’s candid comments and sense of urgency highlighted the global interconnectedness of healthcare crises.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01–00:58 – Trump’s remarks and subsequent defense regarding Iran policy and Americans’ finances.
• 01:02–01:51 – Idaho military jet collision and outcome.
• 01:51–02:35 – Ebola outbreak update with expert commentary.
• 02:35–03:48 – Russia-Ukraine drone strikes update.
• 03:48–04:21 – Colorado River drought aid coalition plea.
• 04:21–04:40 – U.S. market futures update.

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This summary provides a brisk, topical overview useful for listeners who missed the broadcast or want quick access to current affairs as reported by NPR.

Transcript

[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump is defending his controversial comment on not thinking about Americans finances during Iran talks. As NPR's Franco Ordonez reports, he's calling it a perfect statement.

[Franco Ordonez]

Before leaving for China, the president drew some blowback for his answer to a question about the extent Americans finances were motivating him to make a deal on Iran.

[Donald Trump]

I don't think about America's financial situation. I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That's all.

[Franco Ordonez]

But never one to back down. Trump told Fox News that it was a perfect statement and that he'd say it again.

[Donald Trump]

And that question was a fake question and they didn't put my full answer. I totally care. Look, I inherited high prices.

[Franco Ordonez]

Trump insists this is short term pain, adding that Americans are fine paying a little more in order to keep Iran from having a nuclear weapon. Franco Ordonez, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The military says an Air Force crew is in stable condition after a mid air collision at an air show in Idaho. NPR's Tom Dreisbach has more.

[Tom Dreisbach]

The Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho was hosting a two day air show when two military jets appeared to collide during a performance on Sunday. Bystander video shows the jets twisting and careening in the air before smashing into the ground in a plume of dirt and fire. Four parachutes can be seen floating above the wreckage and the Air Force base says all crew members are in stable condition and the fire was contained. An investigation into the incident is now underway. The last time the base hosted an air show was 2018 when a hang glider pilot died after crashing during a performance. Tom Dreisbach, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The World Health Organization declared an Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda about public emergency of international concern. More than 300 suspected cases and at least 80 deaths have been reported. The outbreak is caused by a rare version of the virus which has no approved treatments or vaccines so far. Dr. John Caseya, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control, says Africa can't deal with the outbreak by itself.

[Dr. John Caseya]

We must manufacture vaccines, medicines that we need because we cannot on a daily basis when we have an outbreak to be on panic mode. Currently, I'm on panic mode because people are dying. I don't have medicines. I don't have vaccines.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And he says Western countries don't understand that when Africa is affected, they are also at risk because people are flying back and forth all the time. Conflict and migration in the region are also complicating containment efforts the outbreak started in April, but slow detection of the virus delayed the response. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Russia says Ukrainian drone strikes overnight killed at least four people and wounded a dozen others. Officials say debris fell on Russia's largest airport but didn't cause damage. Ukraine's President Zelensky says the strikes were entirely justified. Russia has repeatedly launched similar attacks on Ukraine's capital and other cities during the war. Ukrainian officials say Russian drone strike on Ukraine overnight wounded at least eight people. A broad coalition of water users in the Colorado river basin is calling on the federal government to designate $2 billion for drought recovery. From member station KJZZ, Alex Hager reports. That includes more than 70 groups from around the Western U.S. the letter was

[Alex Hager]

co signed by farm districts, environmental nonprofits, cities, Native American tribes and more. Stretch Wyoming to San Diego. They're asking Congress for new money to help the region deal with drought. The call comes on the heels of a historically dry winter. In the past, federal spending has gone to cities, farms and tribes who leave water in major reservoirs in exchange for payments. The new letter says federal money could also go toward recovering from wildfire, protecting ecosystems and developing new water sources. For NPR News, I'm Alex hager in Phoenix.

[Jeanine Herbst]

U.S. futures contracts are trading lower at this hour. Dow futures are down about 177 points. Nasdaq futures are down about 121s and P500 futures are down about 22 points. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[Erin Allen]

If you were locked away in a prison, what sounds would you miss hearing the most? I'm Erin Allen, host of Prison Cast I, a new podcast from WBEZ Chicago that brings you stories and voices from inside Illinois prisons and jails.

[Dr. John Caseya]

We have a slang in prison. We all we got like we know that's true.

[Erin Allen]

Listen to the Prison Cast podcast, part of the NPR Network.