Morning briefing: May 24, 2026

Esra Tekin

Here’s a look at all the news you need to start your Sunday, including US President Donald Trump’s announcement that a deal with Iran “has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization”; a suspect was killed after opening fire near the White House; and 25 hospital staff were injured in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon.

• Trump says Iran deal ‘was largely negotiated, subject to finalization’

US President Donald Trump said a deal with Iran to end the war between the two nations “has been largely negotiated, subject to being finalized.”

“An agreement has been extensively negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the various other countries,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Trump said he discussed the potential deal with several regional leaders in a “very good conversation.” He also said he had a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

• Suspect killed after opening fire near White House

A suspect was killed after allegedly opening fire near the White House complex, according to the U.S. Secret Service.

The agency said the incident occurred near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, just outside the White House grounds.

Authorities said an individual “pulled a gun out of his bag and began shooting” in the area.

“Secret Service police responded by striking the suspect who was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. During the shootout, a bystander was also struck by gunfire,” the statement said, adding that no officers were injured. The condition of the bystander was not immediately known.

• 25 hospital staff injured in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon (Health Ministry)

At least 25 medical, nursing and administrative staff at Hiram Hospital in southern Lebanon were injured in Israeli airstrikes targeting the immediate surroundings of the facility, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

The ministry said the strikes caused “various injuries” to staff members at the Tire District Hospital and resulted in “severe damage” to the facility.

“This is the second time in less than two months that the hospital has been exposed to such dangers due to repeated Israeli attacks,” the statement said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• France has banned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering French territory over what Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called “unacceptable actions” against militants aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a teleconference with US President Donald Trump and regional leaders on developments in Iran and the Middle East, according to Türkiye Communications Directorate.
• Pakistan has praised President Donald Trump’s “extraordinary efforts” to seek peace, following a call with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Pakistan.
• The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) said it had received reports of “suspicious activities” in the Gulf of Aden.
• At least eight people were killed in a coal mine collapse in Qinyuan County, north China’s Shanxi Province, authorities said.
• Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani called for support for efforts to defuse regional tensions in a call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed strengthening ties in New Delhi. ​​​
• Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) said 10 IS (Daesh) suspects, including one linked to the 2015 Ankara train station attack, were captured in Syria during an operation with Syrian intelligence, security sources said.
• Iran has agreed to a draft plan to end the fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the New York Times reported, citing three senior Iranian officials.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

• Asia-Pacific trade ministers pledge to maintain ‘resilient’ supply chains and advance economic integration

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining “resilient” supply chains, particularly for essential goods, such as energy products and critical downstream derivatives, in the face of supply chain challenges affecting the region.

“We recognize that it is in our mutual interest that our region remains interconnected and trade corridors remain open, to facilitate trade flows, including the supply of energy and other essential goods,” the ministers said in a statement after their two-day meeting in Suzhou, eastern China.

They reiterated their shared commitment to advancing economic integration in the region “in a market-driven manner,” pledging continued cooperation to facilitate the flow of data across borders through work on the Free Trade Area Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) program.

• Ukraine imposes new sanctions against Russian military and civilian merchant ships

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has imposed new sanctions against Russian military personnel and civilian merchant ships.

According to the presidential press service, the first set of sanctions concerns 127 Russian individuals “involved in missile strikes against Ukraine, including against critical infrastructure and civilian facilities.”

The restrictions target commanders of long-range air units, as well as missile and artillery units of ground forces.