NPR News: 05-18-2026 2AM EDT - NPR News Now

Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – May 18, 2026, 2AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Episode Overview:
This five-minute news update covers major global and U.S. headlines, including a drone strike at a UAE nuclear plant, escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran, Ukrainian attacks on Russia, a Long Island Railroad strike, a Senate hurdle for Trump's ballroom security funding, a military jet crash at an airshow, and a record ruby find in Myanmar.

1. Drone Strike at UAE Nuclear Power Plant

[00:01] Dale Willman reports that a drone strike targeted the UAE’s sole nuclear plant.
- Damage was minor; the plant remained operational.
- No group has claimed responsibility.
- Event raises concerns about renewed U.S.-Iran tensions and regional security.
Lindsey Graham on Meet the Press ([00:32]):
- Republican Senator outlines U.S. priorities if conflict with Iran escalates.
- Quote:
  
  "There's still more targets to be had and there's things we can do to hurt their—the energy infrastructure is their soft underbelly. If you go back to the fight, I put energy on top of the list."
  — Sen. Lindsey Graham [00:32]
President Trump's Warning ([00:43]):
- Trump, after a call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, posts online:
- Quote:
  
  "Iran better get moving fast or there won't be anything left of them."
  — President Trump (via social media) [00:43]

2. Ukrainian Strikes on Russia ([01:12])

Joanna Kakissis, NPR Correspondent
- At least four killed, over a dozen wounded in overnight Ukrainian strikes near Moscow—one of the largest since the 2022 invasion.
- Majority of casualties were in villages near Moscow; wounded found close to a major oil refinery.
- President Zelensky shared video of the refinery attack, with black smoke and a drone visible.
- Zelensky defends the strikes as retaliation for a deadly Russian missile attack in Kyiv the previous week (24 dead, including children).
- Quote:
  
  "Ukraine is striking Russia to force it to stop the war."
  — Summary of President Zelensky's justification [01:47]

3. Long Island Railroad Strike ([01:59])

Desiree Di Iorio, WSHU
- The strike reaches day two with no resolution at North America’s largest commuter rail network.
- Officials and union leaders blame each other for failed negotiations.
- Gov. Kathy Hochul blames the Trump administration for releasing unions from mediation.
  - Quote:
    
    "This strike would not have been possible if the Trump administration had not taken the highly unusual step last fall of releasing labor unions from mediation. Unfortunately for our commuters, the direct consequence of this action is the strike we have today."
    — Gov. Kathy Hochul [02:25]
- Trump, via social media, denies any involvement.
- Unions argue that Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) offers are inadequate.

4. Senate Blocks Trump Ballroom Security Funding ([02:57])

Eric McDaniel, NPR Correspondent
- Trump's $1B request for Secret Service security funding for his ballroom project is blocked by a Senate referee citing the Byrd Rule, which restricts what can be included in certain budget bills.
- This parliamentary move may benefit Republicans who wish to avoid voting on the controversial allocation during a time of heightened costs from the Iran conflict and with crucial midterms approaching.
- Quote:
  
  "That's good news for some Republicans who don't want to spend taxpayer money on the project or take vote on ballroom money when Trump's war on Iran is driving the cost of living even higher."
  — Eric McDaniel [03:41]

5. Idaho Airshow Jets Collision ([04:03])

Two Navy EA-18G Growlers collided at a military airshow at an Idaho base.
All four crew members ejected safely; all stable. No injuries on the ground.

6. Discovery of Massive Ruby in Myanmar ([04:23])

Miners located the second largest ruby ever found in Myanmar—11,000 carats (approx. 4.8 pounds).
Myanmar is the source of 90% of the world’s rubies.
Human rights groups urge jewelers to avoid buying gems from Myanmar due to concerns about funding the military government.

Notable Quotes & Segments

Lindsey Graham on Iran's "soft underbelly": [00:32]
Trump’s online threat to Iran: [00:43]
President Zelensky’s justification for Ukrainian counterstrikes: [01:47]
Gov. Hochul blaming Trump for the NYC rail strike: [02:25]
Eric McDaniel on Senate Republicans’ view of the ballroom funding verdict: [03:41]

Summary

This episode rapidly delivers top headlines, spotlighting the fragility of Middle East security, intensified Russia-Ukraine hostilities, labor strife impacting millions of commuters, political maneuvering in Washington over funding tied to Trump, as well as rare moments such as a safe outcome from a military air accident and a remarkable gem discovery. For those wanting a comprehensive, unsensationalized snapshot of critical events, this bulletin succinctly surfaces the most urgent global and national developments.

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Transcript11 lines

[00:01]
A
Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. A drone strike hit a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. Damage to the facility was minor and the country's only nuclear power plant continues to run. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it highlights the vulnerability in the region to the possibility of renewed fighting between the US And Iran. Speaking on Meet the Press on Sunday, reports Republican Senator Lindsey Graham says if the fighting does begin again, he knows just what the US Priorities should be.
[00:33]
B
There's still more targets to be had and there's things we can do to hurt their the energy infrastructure is their soft underbelly. If you go back to the fight, I put energy on top of the list.
[00:43]
A
President Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, and shortly after they talked, he said on social media that, quote, iran better get moving fast or there won't be anything left of them. Ukrainian strikes on Russia overnight left at least four people dead and a dozen others wounded. As NPR's Joanna Kakis reports, Moscow is calling it one of the largest attacks carried out by Ukraine since the Russian invasion more than four years ago.
[01:12]
C
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 Zelensky posted video footage that appear 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 force it to stop the war. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.
[01:59]
A
In New York, the strike against the Long Island Railroad has finished its second day with no settlement in sight. Desiree diiorio from Embers Station WSHU has more on the work stoppage at North America's largest commuter rail system.
[02:13]
D
Finger pointing over who's to blame for the strike continued Sunday with transportation officials accusing labor leaders of walking away from negotiations and New York Governor Kathy Hochul blaming President Trump.
[02:26]
E
This strike would not have been possible if the Trump administration had not taken the highly unusual step last fall of releasing labor unions from mediation. Unfortunately for our commuters, the direct consequence of this action is the strike we have today.
[02:42]
D
Trump said on social media he had, quote, nothing to do with it. Meanwhile, union leaders say the offers from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have been inadequate. For NPR News I'm Desiree Di Iorio on Long island.
[02:57]
A
And you're listening to NPR News. President Trump's request for money for ballroom security has been dealt a setback. A nonpartisan Senate referee has ruled that the billion dollars requested for the Secret Service and tied to the ballroom project breaks a budget bill rule and can't move forward for now. As NPR's Eric McDaniel reports, the setback may be a blessing in disguise for congressional Republicans.
[03:22]
F
It's a fun name for an arcane the Senate birdbath. That's Byrd. The Senate parliamentarian has combed through the $75 billion Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding bill to make sure all of its provisions are okay under the Byrd rule, named for a former senator that lets some budget bills slide through the Senate with a simple majority vote rather than the usual 60 vote threshold. As it's written now, Secret Service funding to secure President Trump's ballroom project didn't make the cut. But that's good news for some Republicans who don't want to spend taxpayer money on the project or take vote on ballroom money when Trump's war on Iran is driving the cost of living even higher and when prevailing winds are blowing against Republicans in the midterms. Eric McDaniel, NPR News, Washington.
[04:04]
A
Two Navy jets collided Sunday during an air show at a military base in Idaho. Officials say all four crew members ejected safely after the EA18G Growlers crashed. They're listed in stable condition. Nobody on the ground was injured. Miners in Myanmar have discovered a massive ruby. It's thought to be the second largest ever found in the country. The ruby weighs 11,000 carats, which is about 4.4.8 pounds. Myanmar produces some 90% of the world's rubies. Human rights groups urged jewelers to stop buying gems from the country because the industry has helped to fund military governments there. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.