Today's Headlines: Trump Threatens Iran and Then Pulls Back, All in the Same Day
A Fearful Phone Call and a Frantic Search Preceded Mosque Shooting
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The New York Times
Today's Headlines
May 19, 2026, 4:30 a.m. Eastern time

Top News

Trump Threatens Iran and Then Pulls Back, All in the Same Day

President Trump has repeatedly said he’ll restart military action against Iran, only to stop short of plunging the United States directly back into an unpopular war.

A Fearful Phone Call and a Frantic Search Preceded Mosque Shooting

San Diego police arrived to find three people dead. Nearby, they found two teenagers, the attackers, dead in a car. The violence shattered an idyllic Southern California city.

L.I.R.R. Strike Ends After Tens of Thousands Endure Painful Commutes

Commuters took lengthy detours on the third day of a strike by Long Island Rail Road workers, who had gone without raises for years. Workers and transit officials reached a deal late Monday.

World

In Closed-Door Talks, U.S. Demands a Major Role in Greenland

Greenlandic officials worry about the direction of the negotiations aimed at defusing President Trump’s threats to seize their island. But they have little leverage.

Ebola Raged for Weeks in Congo Before Anyone Raised the Alarm

Early surveillance and testing failed to identify the rare species of Ebola responsible for the current outbreak. An American doctor is among the confirmed cases.

​Leaders With Very Different Political Leanings Became Fast Friends

Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, and South Korea’s president, Lee Jae Myung, have surprised many observers by moving past their nations’ historical grievances.

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U.S.

Justices Hint at Strains as Supreme Court Comes Under Scrutiny

Traveling across the country, justices defend the role of the court even as strained relations among its members emerge in writing and remarks.

Southern California Fire Threatens Thousands of Homes

Officials ordered more than 29,000 to evacuate after a brush fire broke out in Simi Valley, Calif.

Colorado Supreme Court Orders Hospital to Restart Care for Transgender Minors

Children’s Hospital Colorado had halted hormone therapy and puberty blockers for transgender youths amid threats from the Trump administration to withhold funding from institutions that provide it.

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Politics

Trump’s Approval Sinks Amid Unpopular War, Darkening G.O.P. Prospects

With the midterms nearing, President Trump’s approval rating has hit a second-term low as voters question his handling of the economy, according to the latest New York Times/Siena poll.

Justice Dept. Sets Up $1.8 Billion Fund That Could Funnel Money to Trump Allies

The arrangement was denounced by critics as a slush fund for supporters of President Trump, possibly including Jan. 6 rioters.

Abortion Pill Lawsuit Leaves Trump Silent, and in a Political Bind

Louisiana wants the Food and Drug Administration to curtail access to the medication. Doing so could cost Republicans at the polls.

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Business

NextEra Energy to Acquire Dominion, Creating a Utility Giant

The deal combining the companies in Florida and Virginia comes as demand for power is soaring, largely because of the rapid growth of A.I. data centers.

TrumpRx Adds Generic Drugs, With Mark Cuban, GoodRx and Amazon

President Trump announced the addition of 600 medicines to his online drugstore as he appeals to Americans concerned about high drug prices and affordability.

New York Times Sues Pentagon for a Second Time

The Times is challenging a new requirement that reporters covering the military complex have an official escort, part of a broader legal challenge to the Pentagon’s press restrictions.

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Technology

Five Takeaways From the Blockbuster Trial Pitting Elon Musk Against OpenAI

It took a jury less than two hours to decide that Mr. Musk had waited too long to sue. But the testimony over three weeks was still illuminating.

After Elon Musk’s Court Loss Comes the Long Hot A.I. Summer

Even as protests increase, the collapse of Mr. Musk’s suit against OpenAI and Sam Altman will speed up the artificial intelligence juggernaut.

Before Mass Layoffs, Meta Reassigns 7,000 Workers to Focus on A.I.

The company announced the changes two days before it plans to lay off 10 percent of its work force, or about 8,000 employees.

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New York

Mamdani, the ‘Tax-the-Rich’ Mayor, Reaches Out to Titans of Finance

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has angered some corporate executives with his tax policies, has had a recent series of meetings with top business leaders.

Judge Bars ICE From Making Immigration Arrests at Courts in New York

The Trump administration’s practice of detaining migrants at federal courthouses had stirred outrage.

N.Y.C. Hotel Housekeepers Will Earn Over $100,000 Under New Contract

A deal between a powerful union and an industry group substantially boosts annual pay for workers coping with New York City’s high cost of living.

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Arts

Pollock and Brancusi Join the $100 Million Club at Auction

A “drip” painting by the Abstract Expressionist sold for $181.2 million with fees, while a bronze head by the Romanian sculptor brought in $107.6 million at Christie’s, both from the S.I. Newhouse collection.

At Cannes, the Movies Are Divisive and the Arguments Heated

Without strong front-runners for the Palme d’Or, every movie is getting mixed reactions, especially the sci-fi action film “Hope.”