E! News Blog

Gunman killed by Secret Service after shooting near White House

2026-05-23T22:34:48.647-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- A gunman was shot and killed by the U.S. Secret Service after opening fire near a security checkpoint outside the White House on Saturday evening, triggering a major lockdown and emergency response across central Washington.

Authorities say the suspect approached a checkpoint near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, pulled a firearm from a bag, and began shooting toward officers guarding the complex. Secret Service agents immediately returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect while preventing the attacker from breaching the area.

Law enforcement sources identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best, a man reportedly known to both police and the Secret Service following earlier incidents near the White House involving mental health concerns and unauthorized access attempts.

Officials confirmed that President Donald Trump was inside the White House during the shooting but was not harmed. A bystander was also struck during the exchange of gunfire and transported to a nearby hospital, though investigators have not yet confirmed whose bullets caused the injury.

The shooting sent journalists and White House staff scrambling for cover as witnesses reported hearing between 15 and 30 gunshots in rapid succession. Federal investigators, including the FBI, are now examining the suspect’s background, online activity, and possible motive while security concerns intensify around the White House complex.

The incident marks yet another major security scare in Washington following several recent violent episodes involving federal officials and protected government sites.

Iran moves World Cup training base from U.S. to Mexico amid security and visa concerns

2026-05-23T22:32:10.056-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- Iran’s national football team has officially moved its 2026 FIFA World Cup training base from the United States to Mexico after receiving approval from FIFA, according to officials from the Iran Football Federation.

The team had originally planned to prepare for the tournament in Tucson, Arizona, but will now establish its headquarters in Tijuana, Mexico, just south of the U.S. border.

Iranian football officials said the decision was driven by growing concerns over visa complications, travel logistics, and security tensions linked to the ongoing regional conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Federation president Mehdi Taj stated that FIFA approved the relocation following direct talks with tournament organizers and senior FIFA officials. Tijuana was reportedly chosen because of its proximity to Los Angeles, where Iran will play two of its Group G matches against New Zealand and Belgium before facing Egypt in Seattle.

The move highlights how geopolitics are increasingly affecting preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Although FIFA has insisted Iran’s matches in the U.S. will proceed as scheduled, uncertainty surrounding visas, security guarantees, and diplomatic tensions has remained a major issue for months.

Iran’s relocation to Mexico is now being viewed as a compromise that allows the team to participate while reducing operational risks ahead of one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

China lowers death toll in Shanxi coal mine disaster to 82

2026-05-23T22:30:55.898-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- Chinese authorities have revised the death toll from the massive coal mine explosion in Shanxi province down to 82 after earlier reports incorrectly stated that 90 miners had died.

Officials say the confusion was caused by inaccurate underground worker records and chaotic rescue conditions following the deadly gas blast at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county. The explosion is still considered China’s deadliest mining disaster in more than 16 years.

At the time of the blast, 247 workers were underground, according to state media. Rescue crews continue searching for two missing miners while more than 120 injured workers remain hospitalized, several in critical condition.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered a full investigation into the disaster and demanded stronger enforcement of industrial safety regulations. Authorities have already detained several executives linked to the mining company as scrutiny intensifies over possible safety violations.

The tragedy has once again exposed ongoing safety concerns in China’s massive coal industry despite years of government promises to improve working conditions. Early reports suggest carbon monoxide levels inside the mine exceeded safety limits before the explosion occurred.

Beijing has now ordered a nationwide crackdown on illegal mining operations and safety failures as public anger grows over repeated industrial disasters across the country.

Two trapped people alive after Philippines building collapse, rescue continues

2026-05-23T22:25:32.282-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- Rescue teams in the Philippines say they have located two people still alive beneath the rubble of a collapsed residential building in Quezon City, offering a rare moment of hope as emergency crews continue a desperate search operation.

The six-story structure collapsed late Friday following days of heavy rainfall that weakened the ground beneath nearby construction works, according to local authorities. At least 14 people have already been confirmed dead, while dozens more remain injured or missing.

Officials say rescuers detected movement and faint voices from deep within the debris early Sunday morning, prompting crews to slow heavy machinery operations and switch to delicate hand-digging efforts.

Specialized rescue dogs, thermal imaging equipment, and military engineers have been deployed as emergency workers race against time to reach the trapped survivors safely. Witnesses described hearing loud cracking sounds moments before the building suddenly collapsed, sending residents running into the streets in panic.

The disaster has triggered growing anger over construction safety standards and urban planning failures in one of the Philippines’ most densely populated regions. Government inspectors are now investigating whether structural violations or unauthorized modifications contributed to the collapse.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered emergency assistance for affected families and promised accountability if negligence is confirmed. As rescue efforts continue around the clock, the nation remains focused on whether the two trapped survivors can be brought out alive.

TRUMP reportedly defended Japan’s TAKAICHI during tense meeting with XI JINPING

2026-05-23T22:24:17.581-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- President Donald Trump reportedly defended Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a private summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month, according to Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper.

The report claims Xi sharply criticized Takaichi over her increasingly hardline stance on Taiwan and regional security, describing both her and Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te as threats to stability in East Asia. Xi reportedly urged Trump not to support leaders pushing tougher policies against Beijing.

According to the report, Trump rejected Xi’s criticism and responded that Takaichi was not the kind of leader who deserved condemnation. The exchange highlights growing geopolitical tensions surrounding Taiwan and the broader power struggle between China, Japan, and the United States.

Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have deteriorated in recent months after Takaichi suggested Japan could respond militarily if China attacked Taiwan — remarks that triggered outrage from Chinese officials and intensified regional security concerns.

The reported conversation is significant because it signals Trump may be taking a firmer public stance in support of Japan despite ongoing efforts to stabilize U.S.-China relations. Shortly after concluding his visit to Beijing, Trump reportedly held a direct phone call with Takaichi, where both leaders reaffirmed what Japan described as an “ironclad” alliance between Washington and Tokyo.

Neither the White House nor Japan’s government has officially confirmed details of the Xi-Trump exchange, but the report is already fueling speculation about how aggressively the United States may respond to future tensions involving Taiwan and China’s growing military influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Suspected and confirmed measles deaths top 500 in Bangladesh

2026-05-23T22:20:32.706-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- Bangladesh is facing a rapidly worsening public health emergency as suspected and confirmed measles-related deaths have surpassed 500, according to health officials, marking one of the country’s deadliest outbreaks in years.

Authorities report that at least 86 deaths have been confirmed through laboratory testing, while hundreds more are classified as suspected cases linked to measles-like symptoms as the outbreak spreads across multiple regions. The surge has overwhelmed hospitals, particularly in densely populated and low-income districts where vaccination gaps are most severe.

The outbreak has already recorded tens of thousands of suspected infections and thousands of confirmed cases, with children under five making up the majority of fatalities. Health agencies say declining routine immunisation coverage, combined with delayed or missed vaccine doses, has left large numbers of young children highly vulnerable to infection.

Emergency vaccination drives and response teams have been deployed nationwide, but officials warn that transmission remains active and new deaths are still being reported daily in some districts.

Authorities and global health organizations are now racing to contain the crisis through mass immunisation campaigns, expanded surveillance, and emergency medical support.

UNICEF and the World Health Organization have warned that the outbreak reflects deeper weaknesses in routine healthcare delivery and vaccine access, especially in rural areas. With the death toll still rising and new cases emerging, officials are urging parents to seek immediate medical care for symptoms and prioritize vaccination as the only proven way to prevent further loss of life.

Kyiv hit by mass ballistic missile attack following Russian retaliation vows

2026-05-23T22:16:38.239-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- Kyiv came under a heavy wave of ballistic missile strikes overnight after Russia pledged retaliation for a recent Ukrainian attack it claims killed civilians in Russian-occupied Luhansk.

Air raid sirens sounded across the capital as multiple explosions rocked the city, forcing residents into shelters while emergency alerts warned of incoming missiles and potential follow-up drone waves. Early reports indicate residential districts were among the areas impacted, with fires breaking out in several parts of the city as air defense systems were activated.

The strikes come amid rapidly escalating tit-for-tat attacks between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides accusing each other of targeting civilians while insisting their operations are aimed at military assets.

Russian officials framed the latest assault as retaliation, while Ukrainian authorities maintained that recent strikes on Russian-held territory were directed at military infrastructure. Intelligence warnings had already suggested a large-scale attack on Kyiv was likely following public statements from Moscow promising “severe punishment.”

The renewed bombardment has intensified fears of further escalation in a conflict that has seen repeated mass missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks. Emergency crews continue to assess damage and search for casualties as residents remain on high alert for additional waves of attacks.

With diplomacy stalled and battlefield strikes increasing in frequency and scale, Kyiv remains braced for further retaliation cycles that could deepen the humanitarian toll.

CDC expands Ebola screening program for people returning to the U.S.

2026-05-23T22:12:10.596-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded its Ebola screening program for travelers arriving from affected regions, increasing monitoring at major airports and strengthening coordination with state health departments.

The move comes amid renewed concern over isolated Ebola cases reported in parts of Central and West Africa, prompting officials to tighten surveillance systems to prevent any potential spread into the United States. Health authorities say the updated protocol includes enhanced symptom checks, travel history verification, and mandatory follow-up for higher-risk arrivals.

Under the expanded system, passengers arriving from designated risk countries may undergo additional health assessments, including temperature checks and questionnaires about possible exposure.

The CDC has also instructed hospitals nationwide to remain alert for early symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and unexplained bleeding in patients with recent international travel history. Officials emphasize that the overall risk to the U.S. population remains low but say early detection is critical given Ebola’s high fatality rate and rapid progression if untreated.

Public health experts say the updated screening reflects lessons learned from previous outbreaks, when delays in identifying cases allowed limited international spread.

While there are currently no confirmed Ebola cases in the United States, authorities say preparedness is essential as global travel resumes at high volume. The CDC has urged healthcare providers and travelers alike to remain vigilant, especially as outbreaks continue to emerge intermittently in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.

White House shooter identified as 21-year-old NASIRE BEST, officials probe possible delusional beliefs

2026-05-23T22:08:45.016-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- Authorities have identified the gunman killed by Secret Service agents outside the White House as 21-year-old Nasire Best, after he opened fire near a security checkpoint in a late-night attack that triggered a full lockdown of the complex.

Officials say Best approached the perimeter armed with a handgun and began shooting toward officers before being fatally shot in the exchange. One bystander was injured during the incident and remains under medical care, according to law enforcement sources.

Investigators now believe Best may have been suffering from severe mental health delusions at the time of the attack, including claims that he was “Jesus” and had a divine mission.

Law enforcement officials say his online activity and prior encounters with police suggest a history of escalating instability and fixation on religious themes. Authorities are reviewing his background, digital footprint, and any recent interactions that may help explain what led to the violent confrontation outside one of the most heavily secured buildings in the world.

The incident has reignited concerns about security around the White House and the challenges posed by individuals experiencing acute mental health crises. Federal agencies, including the FBI, are continuing to investigate the motive while also reviewing whether earlier warning signs were missed.

Officials say the Secret Service response likely prevented a larger breach of the complex, but questions remain about how the suspect was able to get so close to the perimeter with a firearm.

Ukraine says it is under attack from major Russian air strikes

2026-05-23T22:07:26.878-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- Ukraine says multiple regions are under a major wave of Russian air strikes, with explosions reported overnight in Kyiv and other cities as air raid sirens sounded across the country.

Ukrainian officials described the attack as a coordinated assault involving ballistic missiles and drones, targeting both infrastructure and residential areas. Emergency services were deployed across affected districts as authorities urged civilians to remain in shelters while air defenses attempted to intercept incoming weapons.

In Kyiv, local officials reported damage to residential buildings, schools, and civilian infrastructure, with at least one person killed and several others injured during the strikes.

Fires broke out in multiple districts as debris fell in populated areas, while rescue teams worked through the night to evacuate residents trapped in damaged structures. Ukrainian authorities said the scale of the attack reflects a continued escalation following recent vows of retaliation from Moscow.

The renewed bombardment comes amid intensifying exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides increasing long-range strikes in recent weeks.

Ukrainian leaders have warned that Russia is preparing further large-scale attacks using missiles and drones, while calling for stronger international air defense support. With peace talks stalled and fighting escalating, officials say the situation remains highly volatile, and more strikes could follow in the coming days.

Turkey captures ten wanted ISIS terrorists in cross-border operation with Syria

2026-05-23T22:01:12.749-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- Turkey says its security forces have detained 10 individuals suspected of links to the Islamic State group during a coordinated cross-border operation targeting militant hideouts near the Syrian frontier.

The raids, carried out in multiple locations, were aimed at disrupting what officials described as active planning cells and logistical networks operating between Syria and southeastern Turkey. Authorities say the suspects were on national wanted lists and had been under surveillance for some time before the operation was launched.

Security officials stated that the operation involved intelligence tracking, special forces deployment, and synchronized arrests designed to prevent suspects from escaping across the border. Weapons, communication devices, and digital materials were reportedly seized during the raids, and investigators are now analyzing the evidence to map wider ISIS-linked networks in the region.

Turkish authorities emphasized that the operation was part of an ongoing campaign to eliminate remaining extremist cells that continue to operate in border zones despite years of counterterrorism efforts.

The arrests come as Turkey maintains heightened security pressure along its southern border due to continued instability in parts of Syria and concerns about militant regrouping.

Officials say cross-border intelligence sharing with allied forces remains critical in preventing attacks and dismantling sleeper cells. While ISIS has lost territorial control in Syria and Iraq, security agencies warn that decentralized cells still pose an active threat, particularly in regions with limited governance and ongoing conflict.

Flash floods kill 28 and destroy thousands of homes in Afghanistan

2026-05-23T21:58:07.387-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- Severe flash floods have killed at least 28 people across Afghanistan, with thousands of homes destroyed or heavily damaged after days of intense rainfall triggered sudden flooding in multiple provinces.

Authorities say the worst-hit areas include rural communities where fragile housing structures were unable to withstand rapidly rising water levels, leaving families stranded and entire villages cut off from rescue access. Emergency officials warn that the death toll could still rise as search and recovery efforts continue in remote regions.

Rescue teams, supported by local volunteers, are working to evacuate survivors and deliver urgent supplies including food, clean water, and medical aid. Many roads have been washed away, complicating relief operations and delaying access to isolated districts.

Humanitarian agencies say landslides and collapsed infrastructure are further worsening the crisis, with displaced families forced to shelter in open fields or temporary camps as aftershocks of flooding continue in some areas.

Aid organizations are now calling for immediate international assistance, warning that Afghanistan’s already fragile humanitarian situation is making recovery significantly more difficult.

Officials say damaged farmland and livestock losses could deepen food insecurity in the coming months, particularly in rural provinces dependent on agriculture. With more heavy rainfall forecast, authorities are urging residents in high-risk zones to move to safer ground as quickly as possible.

ZELENSKYY says intelligence indicates Russia might be preparing to use Oreshnik hypersonic missile

2026-05-23T21:55:52.950-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that intelligence reports suggest Russia could be preparing to deploy the “Oreshnik” hypersonic missile in its ongoing war against Ukraine, raising concerns about a potential escalation in long-range strike capabilities.

Zelenskyy said Ukrainian defense agencies are closely monitoring movements and preparations that could indicate an imminent launch or expanded use of advanced missile systems against key Ukrainian targets.

The warning comes amid intensified Russian missile and drone attacks across multiple Ukrainian cities, with air defenses already stretched by repeated large-scale barrages.

Ukrainian officials say the possible use of Oreshnik-class hypersonic weapons would represent a significant shift in battlefield pressure, as such systems are designed to travel at extreme speeds and are difficult to intercept with conventional air defense systems. Military analysts say any deployment would likely be aimed at critical infrastructure or command-and-control facilities to increase psychological and operational pressure.

The development has heightened fears of further escalation in a conflict already marked by frequent long-range strikes and retaliatory attacks on both sides. Ukraine is urging continued Western support for air defense systems, while NATO allies are monitoring the situation closely for signs of broader regional risk.

For now, officials stress that the intelligence is not confirmed operational use, but they warn that the situation remains highly volatile and could change rapidly depending on Russia’s next moves.

Venezuelan opposition leader MACHADO says she will run again for presidency and return from exile by late 2026

2026-05-23T21:51:15.242-07:00

Sunday, May 24, 2026- Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has announced plans to run again for president and return to Venezuela from exile by late 2026, signaling a renewed challenge to the country’s ruling political establishment.

The declaration marks a significant escalation in the opposition’s strategy as it attempts to reassert itself ahead of a possible future election cycle, despite ongoing political restrictions and legal pressure targeting leading dissidents.

Machado said her return would depend on political conditions and security guarantees, but insisted she intends to re-enter the country to personally lead a renewed opposition campaign.

Her announcement comes amid continued economic instability, sanctions pressure, and diplomatic tensions that have shaped Venezuela’s political landscape in recent years. Supporters say her return could unify fragmented opposition factions, while government-aligned figures maintain that her political activities remain subject to legal constraints.

The move is already drawing strong reactions across Latin America, with analysts warning it could heighten tensions between the Venezuelan government and international actors monitoring the country’s democratic process.

If Machado follows through, her return could become one of the most consequential political developments in Venezuela in recent years, potentially reshaping opposition momentum heading into the next presidential contest.