(LEAD) Presidential office welcomes Israel's release of 2 S. Koreans captured on Gaza-bound aid vessels
(ATTN: UPDATES with more remarks from 3rd para)
· Park Boram
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Who is undermining Israel’s integrity? It’s not the flotilla activists | Fiona Katauskas
Some of their own politicians aren’t aiding their cause
After Barakah, Iraq's neighbours need reassurance | The National
If anything were to underline the seriousness with which the international community has taken Sunday’s drone attack on the UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant, it is the sheer number of global voices that have condemned it.
· The National Editorial
Strait of Hormuz looms large as Nato ministers gather in Sweden | The National
Top diplomats from Nato's 32 member countries are gathering this week in Sweden, where the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz could take up as much attention as European countries' push for new support for Ukraine.
· Thomas Watkins
Iran war latest: US marines board Iranian-flagged oil tanker | The National
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· The National
Presidential office welcomes Israel's release of 2 S. Koreans captured on Gaza-bound aid vessels
SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- Israel has released two South Korean nationals captured while heading for the Gaza Strip aboard humanitarian aid vessels, the presidential office said Thursday, welcoming their release.
· Park Boram
(URGENT) Cheong Wa Dae says Israel released 2 S. Koreans captured on Gaza-bound aid ships, welcomes decision
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· Park Boram
Israel Kidnapped Gaza Flotilla Activists, A Father Demands Answers | The West Report
by Michael West | May 21, 2026 | The West Report
· Michael West
Seoul stocks sharply up late Thu. morning on tech rallies
SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded sharply higher late Thursday morning as Samsung Electronics averted a strike and other market heavyweights advanced on hopes for a possible agreement between the United States and Iran to end the war in the Middle East.
· Kim Eun-jung
Unemployment climbs to highest level in almost five years
There are signs the war against Iran, the surge in inflation and the Reserve Bank’s hikes to interest rates are starting to hit the jobs market.
· Shane Wright
US State Dept. watchdog investigates Gaza aid group over emergency aid spending
The US State Department’s oversight body is investigating the now-defunct Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and its use of millions of dollars in emergency aid funding, the Financial Times reported Wednesday, citing three people familiar with the inquiry.
· REUTERS
Seoul shares open sharply higher on US-Iran hope, Samsung wage deal
South Korean stocks opened markedly higher Thursday on rising hopes for a possible peace deal between the United States and Iran, and an end to labor unrest at Samsung Electronics, triggering a buy-side sidecar.
· Yonhap
Seven places to see Banksy's street art around the world, from London and Paris to Palestine | The National
It appeared in the early hours of April 29 in Waterloo Place. This area of central London, populated by military monuments and monitored by CCTV, was the spot Banksy chose to unveil his latest artwork.
· Gemma White
Vietnam solar startup raises $15m amid Iran-linked energy shock
Solar panels on rooftops are drawing attention as Vietnam faces power shortages and rising electricity demand. (Stride)
· LIEN HOANG
US lifts sanctions on UN expert on Palestinians
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States on Wednesday removed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, a UN expert on the Palestinian territories who has harshly criticized Israel, following a court order.
· Agence France-Presse
Netanyahu’s ‘hair was on fire’ after Trump call on Iran – Axios
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was furious after a tense call with US President Donald Trump over a new proposal to end the war with Iran, Axios reported on Wednesday, citing three sources familiar with the matter.
· RT
READ MORE: Netanyahu’s ‘hair was on fire’ after Trump call on Iran – Axios
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was furious after a tense call with US President Donald Trump over a new proposal to end the war with Iran, Axios reported on Wednesday, citing three sources familiar with the matter.
· RT
US lifts sanctions on Francesca Albanese, UN expert on Palestinian rights
The United States has removed sanctions against the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, a week after a federal judge said the measures restricted her freedom of speech.
· Lyndal Rowlands
As war engulfs the Middle East, China’s Xinjiang is thriving with future tech
A national energy and chemical hub being built on a 15,500 sq m site in the Gobi Desert is set to modernise coal mining
· Dannie Peng
As war engulfs the Middle East, China’s Xinjiang is thriving with future tech
A national energy and chemical hub being built on a 15,500 sq m site in the Gobi Desert is set to modernise coal mining
· Dannie Peng
Hezbollah claims attacks on Israeli forces invading southern Lebanon
Hezbollah said early on Thursday that its fighters targeted invading Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, firing rocket barrages and aerial drones.
· Middleeasteye
(LEAD) Seoul shares open sharply higher on U.S.-Iran hope, Samsung wage deal
(ATTN: UPDATES with more info throughout; RECASTS headline; CHANGES photo)
· Kim Eun-jung
Rabbi stabbed to death inside Bnei Brak study hall while learning with teenage son
Rabbi Yishai Por, 53, from Bnei Brak, was stabbed to death inside the Chazon Ish kollel (a religious studies center) on HaAri Street while studying with his 13-year-old son on Wednesday.
· HODAYA RAN
Flotilla detainees suffered violence, sexual abuse at Ashdod Port, Adalah says
A team from the Palestinian legal aid group Adalah, along with a team of volunteer lawyers, visited Ashdod Port and provided legal counsel to hundreds of flotilla participants on Wednesday night, collecting testimony that claimed high levels of violence as well as sexual abuse and psychological torment.
· YOAV ETIEL
Global Sumud activists endure electric shocks, abuse in Israeli detention: Report
The Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, Adalah, said that activists who were captured by Israel from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud aid flotilla were subjected to electric shocks as well as physical and psychological abuse.
· Middleeasteye
Seoul shares open sharply higher on U.S.-Iran hope, Samsung wage deal
SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened markedly higher Thursday, led by tech gains, on rising hopes for a possible agreement between the United States and Iran to end the war in the Middle East and on Samsung Electronics' tentative wage deal with its labor union.
· Kim Eun-jung
(URGENT) Seoul shares open nearly 4 pct higher on Iran hope, Samsung wage deal
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· Kim Eun-jung
Seoul to seek financial support for Mideast partners amid geopolitical crisis
SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's finance minister said Thursday the country will seek to provide financial support to partners in the Middle East facing temporary liquidity shortages due to the prolonged conflict in the region.
· Kang Yoon-seung
Deported Australians on Gaza-bound flotilla allege abuse while detained by Israel
LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE
· Sbsaustralia
What is the Gaza flotilla ‘monstrously’ abused by Israel?
Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters as it approached Gaza on May 18, preventing the vessels from reaching the enclave and detaining more than 400 activists from around 40 countries.
· RT
READ MORE: What is the Gaza flotilla ‘monstrously’ abused by Israel?
Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters as it approached Gaza on May 18, preventing the vessels from reaching the enclave and detaining more than 400 activists from around 40 countries.
· RT
Australia condemns Israel for 'degrading' treatment of detained Gaza-bound flotilla activists
Australia is the latest country to slam Israel for what it has described as "shocking and unacceptable" treatment of flotilla activists.
· Middleeasteye
Asia markets set to rise as Trump says negotiations between Iran and the U.S. in 'final stage'
Asia-Pacific markets were set to to open higher Thursday, tracking Wall Street gains, as growing hopes that the Middle East conflict could end soon cooled oil prices.
· Justina Lee
Penny Wong condemns Israeli minister over ‘shocking and unacceptable’ treatment of flotilla activists
Foreign affairs minister joins condemnation of Itamar Ben-Gvir after the Israeli national security minister shared video mocking detainees
· Josh Butler
Former Israeli national soccer captain Bibars Natcho retires from the sport
The 38-year-old Partizan Belgrade midfielder and former captain of the Israeli national team announced his retirement on Wednesday via a video posted to social media, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious career spanning two decades across Israel and Europe.
· WALLA! SPORTS, SPORTS SYSTEM 1
UK charity regulator allowing Islamist, Iran-backed hate to spread, victims say - report
Survivors of several Islamist terror attacks in the UK have warned that British charities are being allowed to promote extreme Islamist beliefs and rhetoric, The Telegraph reported on Sunday.
· JAMES GENN, ASHER SMITH
Trump willing to wait for a few days to get ‘right answer’ on Iran peace deal
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· Herbie G
Tehran reviewing latest US response as Trump suggests he can wait
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
· Herbie G
US doesn’t owe Israel anything – Tucker Carlson to Israeli TV (VIDEO)
The US has no obligation to give Israel anything and should cut off all aid to the Jewish state, conservative American journalist Tucker Carlson has said. Washington’s association with what he described as Israel’s “many crimes” has damaged America’s global reputation, he argued.
· RT
READ MORE: US doesn’t owe Israel anything – Tucker Carlson to Israeli TV (VIDEO)
The US has no obligation to give Israel anything and should cut off all aid, conservative American journalist Tucker Carlson has said. America’s association with Israel’s “many crimes” has damaged its global reputation, he argued.
· RT
Israeli basketball player Raz Adam pronounced dead after car crash in Galilee Panhandle
Israeli basketball player Raz Adam, 26, was pronounced dead following a car crash in the Hula Valley within the Galilee Panhandle on Wednesday.
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF
At least two dead, several injured after fatal truck, minibus crash in Judean Foothills
At least two people were killed, and approximately 10 were injured in a fatal car accident involving several vehicles on Highway 7, near the Sorek Interchange, east of Ashdod, late Wednesday night.
· HODAYA RAN, JAMES GENN
Gov't to extend fuel tax cut through July amid consumer price pressure
SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to extend the fuel tax cut scheme by two months through the end of July amid growing inflationary pressure in the wake of the Middle East crisis, the finance ministry said Thursday.
· Kang Yoon-seung
The leaders steering Israel Bonds through a historic moment
At a special Israel Bonds Council meeting in New York City on May 20, senior leaders gathered to mark the organization's 75th anniversary and to celebrate the appointment of Laura Stein, a Los Angeles-based attorney, as chair of the National Campaign Advisory Council.
· JERUSALEM POST STAFF, IN COLLABORATION WITH ISRAEL BONDS
US lifts sanctions on UN expert Francesca Albanese
The US Treasury Department has lifted sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territory, according to information published on the department’s website.
· Middleeasteye
US condemns Israel’s Ben-Gvir while sanctioning Gaza flotilla organisers
Washington, DC – US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has become the first official from the administration of President Donald Trump to join global criticism of Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir.
· Joseph Stepansky
Israel envoy says Ben-Gvir not reflective of country, as activist treatment condemned
LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE
· Sbsaustralia
US, Israel Planned To Install Hardliner Ahmadinejad As Iran's Leader: Cartoonish NYT Report Says
In a revelation that blurs the line between calculated covert strategy and sheer desperation, the deep state's latest regime change playbook for Iran has officially leaked via the NY Times; however, there are many aspects to the story which defy belief, and so like many Iran-related things being reported lately, sho…
· Tyler Durden
Trump says Iran talks are nearing an end but warns of more strikes
As a fragile ceasefire enters its seventh week, Tehran and Washington remain in indirect talks while tensions roil oil markets
· Lucy Quaggin
Trump says Iran talks are nearing an end but warns of more strikes
As a fragile ceasefire enters its seventh week, Tehran and Washington remain in indirect talks while tensions roil oil markets
· Lucy Quaggin