NPR News: 05-18-2026 11PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now: Evening Update — May 18, 2026, 11PM EDT

Episode Overview
This concise NPR News Now episode delivers the latest national and international headlines—including U.S.-Iran tensions, Kentucky’s heated congressional race, a tragic mosque shooting in San Diego, significant labor news for New York commuters, the verdict in Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI, developments in federal prosecution and immigration, and a Vatican statement on AI ethics. The 5-minute bulletin presents quick yet detailed updates on developing stories.

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Major Headlines & Key Details

1. U.S. Delays Planned Attack on Iran

(00:28–01:20)

• President Trump announces he has ordered a delay in a U.S. attack on Iran after requests from Middle Eastern allies, notably Qatar and the UAE, who say a diplomatic deal is close. The attack was reportedly planned for the following day.
• Quote:

  “I put it off for a little while, hopefully, maybe forever, but possibly for a little while…”
  —President Trump (00:56)

• The White House emphasizes that any agreement would require Iran agreeing not to develop nuclear weapons.
• Implication: Heightened tension but with a possibility for de-escalation if diplomatic negotiations succeed.

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2. Kentucky GOP Primary: Trump-endorsed Candidate vs. Incumbent

(01:20–02:24)

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visits Kentucky, campaigning for Ed Gallerine, a former Navy SEAL and Trump-backed challenger to Rep. Thomas Massie in the 4th congressional district.
• Hegseth criticizes Massie as an "obstructionist," arguing the President needs loyalists in Congress.
• Quote:

  “President Trump does not need more people in Washington who are trying to make a point… He needs people willing to help him win, to vote with him when it matters the most.”
  —Hegseth, speaking at a rally (01:58)

• Massie’s Record: Has aligned with GOP on most issues but has vocally opposed the Iran war and continues to call for the release of the Epstein files.

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3. San Diego Mosque Shooting Investigated as Hate Crime

(02:24–02:59)

• Police confirm a deadly attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, where two teenagers killed three men before dying by suicide.
• The incident is being formally investigated as a hate crime.
• The police chief reports the suspects' bodies were found in a vehicle near the scene.

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4. Long Island Rail Road Strike Ends

(02:59–03:09)

• Unions representing workers at the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and rail operators have reached an agreement, concluding a three-day strike that disrupted service for roughly 250,000 commuters.
• Quote:

  “We are looking forward to our members getting back to work and doing what they do best, which is serving the region. We appreciate everybody’s patience during this time.”
  —Kevin Sexton, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (02:59)

• The terms of the deal remain confidential, but unions describe it as favorable. Service to resume Tuesday at noon, according to Governor Kathy Hochul.

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5. Lawsuit: Jury Rules Against Elon Musk in OpenAI Case

(03:09–03:46)

• A federal judge in Oakland upholds the jury’s finding against Elon Musk in his lawsuit against OpenAI and its leadership.
• The jury ruled that Musk waited too long to file claims alleging OpenAI strayed from its nonprofit mission; thus, OpenAI is not liable.
• Musk intends to appeal the decision.

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6. Minnesota ICE Officer Charged with Assault

(03:46–04:09)

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Christian Castro faces assault and false reporting charges after the January shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant during the Trump administration’s crackdown.
• Charges include four felonies and one misdemeanor.

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7. Vatican to Address AI in Pope’s First Encyclical

(04:09–05:10)

• Pope Leo will issue his first encyclical, "Magnificent Humanity," focusing on the meaning of human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence.
• The document will be presented along with Christopher Ola, co-founder of Anthropic (currently suing the Trump administration over AI policy).
• The encyclical’s release coincides with the 135th anniversary of Rerum Novarum, a foundational Vatican text on human dignity in the industrial age.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump, on Iran attack delay:

  “I put it off for a little while, hopefully, maybe forever…” (00:56)

• Pete Hegseth, on loyalty in Congress:

  “President Trump does not need more people in Washington who are trying to make a point…” (01:58)

• Union leader Kevin Sexton, on strike resolution:

  “We are looking forward to our members getting back to work…” (02:59)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:28: Trump’s comments on Iran attack delay
• 01:20: Kentucky political campaign coverage
• 02:24: Coverage of San Diego mosque shooting
• 02:59: LIRR strike resolution statement
• 03:09: Jury ruling on Musk vs. OpenAI
• 03:46: ICE officer criminal charges
• 04:09: Vatican announces encyclical on AI and human dignity

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This news bulletin offers a rapid yet authoritative briefing on late-breaking events and upcoming stories affecting politics, public safety, civil rights, labor, technology, and religion, reflecting NPR’s signature clarity and neutrality.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

A.com, code NPR live from NPR News. I'm Giles Snyder. President Trump says that the US has delayed an attack on Iran because Middle Eastern allies asked him to. Trump says the attack was going to take place tomorrow, but now he's told military leaders to stand down. NPR's Deepa Shivaram has more.

[Deepa Shivaram]

Trump said the upcoming attack on Iran would be delayed for a few days, but also said it might never happen if Iran agrees to a deal.

[President Trump]

I put it off for a little while, hopefully, maybe forever, but possibly for a little while because we've had very big discussions with Iran.

[Deepa Shivaram]

Qatar and the UAE both say a deal is close to happening, which is why they asked Trump to pause the planned attack. Trump says a deal will ultimately have to include Iran agreeing to not have a nuclear weapon. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, the White House.

[Giles Snyder]

President Trump had warned that the clock was ticking for Iran to strike a deal or fighting would renew. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Kentucky. Kentucky today, campaigning alongside the Trump backed challenger to incumbent Thomas massie in Kentucky's 4th congressional district. Hegseth already traveling to the state and made what he stressed was a personal visit and a last minute push for Ed Galrein. Danny Villarreal Martinez member station WVXU reports.

[Diane Villarreal Martinez]

Hegseth says President Trump requires a Congress full of warriors. And former U.S. navy SEAL Ed Gallerine is the best person for the job. At a rally in Hebron, Hegseth called Thomas Massie an obstructionist.

[President Trump]

President Trump does not need more people in Washington who are trying to make a point, especially from his own party. He needs people willing to help him win, to vote with him when it matters the most.

[Diane Villarreal Martinez]

Massie has voted with the Republican Party on issues like voter registration and immigration enforcement, but has been outspoken against the war in Iran. He also continues to call for the release of the Epstein files. For NPR News, I'm Diane Villarreal Martinez.

[Giles Snyder]

Police in San Diego say they are investigating Monday's shooting at a mosque as a hate crime. The shooting happened at the Islamic center of San Diego. Police say two teenage suspects opened fire, killing three men before killing themselves. The police chief says the suspects were found dead in a nearby vehicle. The Long Island Railroad is getting back on track. The operators of North America's largest commuter rail system and the unions representing workers have reached an agreement to end their three day strike. Kevin Sexton is a national volunteer, vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

[President Trump]

We are looking forward to our members getting back to work and doing what they do best, which is serving the region. We appreciate everybody's patience during this time.

[Giles Snyder]

Sexton did not reveal details of the deal, but he did say the union would not have agreed to it if it was not favorable. The union went on strike Saturday, forcing some 250,000 commuters to find alternatives. New York Governor Kathy Hochul says service will start back up Tuesday at noon. This is npr. A federal judge in Oakland, California, Monday accepted a jury's ruling against Elon Musk. The jury deliberated less than two hours in Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and its top executives. The jury found OpenAI not liable for having allegedly strayed from its original nonprofit mission to benefit humanity, saying Musk waited too long to file his lawsuit and miss a deadline for the statute of limitations. Musk says he will appeal. Prosecutors in Minnesota have charged the U.S. immigration, Immigration and Custom Enforcement officer with assault in connection with the shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant in Minneapolis in January during the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Monday that 53 year old Christian Castro has been charged with four felony counts and a misdemeanor of falsely reporting a crime. Pope LEO first encyclical will be about what it means to be human in the era of artificial intelligence. The Vatican says it will be released next week. As NPR's Jason Deroz reports, the encyclical's

[Jason Deroz]

title is Magnificent Humanity. The Vatican says when it's presented next week, Pope Leo will be joined by the co founder of the tech company Anthropic, Christopher Ola. Anthropic is currently suing the Trump administration for legal retaliation. Earlier this year, the administration ordered federal departments and agencies to stop using Anthropic's artificial intelligence program because the company refused to allow the US military restricted use of its AI technology. The new encyclical comes on the 135th anniversary of another important Vatican document, Rarum Novarum, about human dignity in the industrial age.

[Giles Snyder]

This is mp.

[Kachava Advertiser]

This message comes from Kachava. It can be tough to stick to your wellness routine, especially when you're on the go. Cachava's new travel packs make it easier. Just one packet provides nutrition ready for wherever life takes you with protein, fiber, greens, probiotics, electrolytes and more. Take your daily ritual with you. Go to kachava.com and use code NPR. New customers get 15% off their first order. That's K A C H A V A.com code NPR.