While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, May 26, 2026
US President Donald Trump has proposed that several Middle Eastern nations join the Abraham Accords to normalize relations with Israel while negotiating an Iran deal. Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, despite a recent ceasefire. Additionally, Russia has threatened strikes on Kyiv, urging foreigners to evacuate as tensions escalate in the region.
- ▪Trump has requested Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan to join the Abraham Accords.
- ▪Pakistan has rejected Trump's proposal, and other nations have not publicly responded due to mistrust of Israel.
- ▪Israel's military has escalated its offensive in Lebanon to combat Hezbollah amid ongoing conflict.
- ▪Russia plans systematic strikes on Kyiv military targets and has urged foreigners to leave the city.
- ▪A heat dome is causing record high temperatures across Europe, with Spain expecting peaks of 38 deg C.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, May 26, 2026Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxBy trying to sell an Iran deal as an Abraham Accords sequel, US President Donald Trump may be trading one fantasy for another, an observer says.PHOTO: REUTERSPublished May 26, 2026, 06:07 AMUpdated May 26, 2026, 06:07 AMTrump links Abraham Accords to any Iran dealUS President Donald Trump said on May 25 that he asked Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to join the Abraham Accords en masse to normalise relations with Israel as he tries to negotiate an agreement to end the war with Iran.Pakistan rejected the proposal.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.