NPR News: 05-16-2026 5AM EDT

This episode of NPR News Now reports on a series of developments spanning U.S. military actions overseas, labor disruptions at home, shifts in electoral maps, and emerging infectious disease concerns. The items reflect separate threads of security cooperation, contract disputes, political maneuvering after a Supreme Court ruling, and cautious updates from global health bodies.

U.S.-Nigeria Operation Targets ISIS Commander

President Trump announced that U.S. and Nigerian Special Forces killed Abul Bilal Almunuki, described as the second in command of ISIS, after intelligence located him in Africa. The operation followed earlier U.S. air strikes in northwest Nigeria five months prior and has included the deployment of more than 200 U.S. soldiers to train and support Nigerian forces. Officials have not released operational details, but the action builds on increased bilateral military coordination. The development matters because ISIS-affiliated groups have intensified attacks in the region in recent years, and sustained U.S. involvement could influence the pace and scope of future counter-insurgency efforts.

Long Island Rail Road Strike Begins