How does the Strait of Hormuz stand-off look in the wake of the Trump-Xi summit?
The US and Iran are both considering their next moves as the deadlock over the key shipping route continues
· Carol Yang
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Singapore's small-cap stocks soar, defying Middle East worries
The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has been working on market reforms to boost liquidity, particularly in small- and mid-cap stocks. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
(URGENT) KRX issues sell-side sidecar on KOSPI's sharp fall
(2nd LD) Trump arrives in Beijing for summit talks with Xi on trade, Iran, Taiwan, other topics
· Kim Han-joo
S. Korea set to roll out 2nd batch of cash aid amid Mideast crisis
South Korea on Monday began to receive applications for a second round of cash assistance from the bottom 70 percent of income earners in a bid to help ease financial strain from rising fuel prices amid the Middle East conflict.
· Yonhap
Head of village council, deputy, shot in Arab village Jadeidi-Makr
The head of the village of Jadeidi-Makr council and another man reported to be his deputy were shot early on Monday morning, Israeli media reported.
· MAARIV ONLINE
Iran discusses Strait of Hormuz with French and South Korean ministers
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi held talks with French and South Korean officials on regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts linked to tensions in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
· Middleeasteye
Charity workers killed in Israeli strike on community kitchen in Gaza
Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip killed at least five Palestinians on Sunday, including three charity workers in Deir el-Balah, according to reports from Gaza. Additional deaths were reported in Khan Younis and Beit Lahiya.
· Middleeasteye
S. Korea set to roll out 2nd batch of cash aid amid Mideast crisis
SEOUL, May 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Monday began to receive applications for a second round of cash assistance from the bottom 70 percent of income earners in a bid to help ease financial strain from rising fuel prices amid the Middle East conflict.
· Chae Yun-hwan
KOSPI opens tad lower over inflation, U.S. losses
SEOUL, May 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened lower Monday as investors tracked declines on Wall Street last week amid rising woes over inflation caused by the deadlocked situation in the Middle East.
· Kim Han-joo
(URGENT) KOSPI opens 0.67 pct lower on woes over inflation, U.S. losses
(2nd LD) Trump arrives in Beijing for summit talks with Xi on trade, Iran, Taiwan, other topics
· Kim Han-joo
Araghchi and Fidan hold talks on regional tensions
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan about the latest developments in the stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran, as well as broader regional tensions.
· Middleeasteye
Palestinian ministry condemns Israeli property seizure plan near Al-Aqsa
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned an Israeli plan to seize up to 20 properties near the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, calling it “ethnic cleansing”.
· Middleeasteye
German intelligence service flags watermelon symbol in new pro-Palestinian extremism guide
Germany's intelligence service refers to the image of a watermelon slice as one of the identifying symbols of secular pro-Palestinian antisemitism and extremism. This appears as part of a new webpage on the website for Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (the BfV) called 'Secular pro-Pale…
· MATHILDA HELLER
Asia-Pacific markets set for mixed open as Trump’s Iran warning stokes fresh oil supply fears
Asia-Pacific markets were poised for a mixed open Monday as investors weighed renewed geopolitical tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran to "get moving, FAST," raising fears of further escalation in the Middle East and potential disruptions to global oil supplies.
· Lee Ying Shan
Gaza aid flotilla activist reports military vessel near convoy
A Spanish activist aboard one of dozens of vessels sailing toward the Gaza Strip said a ship believed to be military had approached the flotilla, attempting to break Israel’s blockade.
· Middleeasteye
Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill 7 as Hezbollah condemns talks
An Islamic Jihad commander and his teenage daughter are among the dead, authorities said, as Israel continues to strike in southern Lebanon
· Agence France-Presse
Lebanon says Israeli strikes kill 7 as Hezbollah condemns talks
An Islamic Jihad commander and his teenage daughter are among the dead, authorities said, as Israel continues to strike in southern Lebanon
· Agence France-Presse
The release of Global Sumud Flotilla activists must deepen pressure for Palestinian prisoners
On 30 April, Israeli naval forces illegally intercepted vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) in international waters near Greece, seizing nearly 180 peaceful activists participating in the mission.
· Middleeasteye
'This may be the last time you hear my voice': Political executions surge in Iran since start of war
The line is crackly. But the voice of Mehrab Abdollahzadeh is clear and, given the circumstances, surprisingly steady.
· Caroline Hawley
Iran warns UAE over Israel ties, says patience has limits
Iran has issued a sharp warning to the United Arab Emirates, signalling rising tensions over Abu Dhabi’s ties with Israel following the recent regional escalation.
· Middleeasteye
Kristof’s libelous Israel smears: Letters to the Editor — May 18, 2026
It’s shocking — though not surprising — that The New York Times would publish such an unconfirmed and inflammatory article (“ ‘Mounting’ shame of Nicholas Kristof,” Douglas Murray, May 15).
· Post readers
Israel expands death penalty regime in the occupied West Bank
Israel has enforced a new law mandating the death penalty for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, after the commander of its Central Command Major General Avi Bluth signed the military order required to activate the measure on Sunday.
· Middleeasteye
Cornell backs university prez held hostage in his car by student radicals after Israel-Palestine debate series
Cornell University’s board of trustees said it’s standing by the Ivy League school’s president Michael Kotlikoff after a group of students followed him to his car and surrounded him following an Israel-Palestine debate series last month.
· Ryan King, Carl Campanile, Chris Nesi
UAE reports drone strike at nuclear power plant as Trump says 'clock is ticking' for Iran
LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE
· Sbsaustralia
Iran Launches Crypto-Based "Hormuz Safe" Insurance Platform For Ships Crossing Strait
The Islamic Republic of Iran has launched a digital insurance platform, titled Hormuz Safe, in order to guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and provide coverage for commercial vessels.
· Tyler Durden
(URGENT) N. Korea's Kim chairs army commanders' meeting, orders southern border defense build-up
(2nd LD) Trump arrives in Beijing for summit talks with Xi on trade, Iran, Taiwan, other topics
· Kim Na-young
Drone strikes UAE nuke plant as Trump warns Iran that ‘clock is ticking’ to make deal
A drone hit the United Arab Emirates’ sole nuclear-power plant Sunday, risking a return to all-out war in the region — as President Trump warned Iran to agree to a peace deal soon or else.
· Ronny Reyes
Israel extends death penalty law to Palestinians in West Bank
Israel’s Central Command chief, Major General Avi Bluth, has signed an order extending the application of Israel’s death penalty law to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
· Middleeasteye
Iran weekly briefing: A new front emerges as the Emirates strike back
Topic:Unrest, Conflict and War
· Matthew Doran
Trump says 'clock is ticking' for Iran
Welcome to our live rolling coverage of the war in Iran and the politics around US President Donald Trump this Monday, May 18.
· Richard Wood
[Lee Kyong-hee]North Korea gazetteer invokes local partnerships
With the Iran crisis and Sino-American economic disputes dominating their agenda, US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly did not hold in-depth discussions on North Korea during their summit in Beijing last week. The Korean Peninsula was sidelined as the two leaders prioritized the more…
· Korea Herald
Saudi Arabia intercepts three drones entering from Iraq
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed three drones that entered its airspace from Iraq on Sunday morning.
· Middleeasteye
‘Won’t be anything left’: Trump issues threat to Iran amid stalled talks
United States President Donald Trump has reiterated his threats against Iran, as negotiations to end the conflict between the two countries continue to flounder.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Israel kills at least five in Lebanon after ‘ceasefire’ extended
A series of Israeli air attacks on southern and eastern Lebanon has killed at least five people and injured more than a dozen, according to the Health Ministry.
· Al Jazeera Staff
Cartoon for May 18, 2026 | The National
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· The National
Drone strike hits nuclear plant in Middle East
Products & ServicesOpen Products & Services section
Trump warns Iran as peace deal stalls
Products & ServicesOpen Products & Services section
Beitar, Beersheba in fierce fight to the finish
It was yet another thrilling weekend for Israeli soccer as both Hapoel Beersheba and Beitar Jerusalem won their respective away games at Bloomfield Stadium, taking the title race into the penultimate matchday neck-and-neck.
· JOSHUA HALICKMAN
Cuba weighing attacks on US soil, Caribbean assets with drones from Russia, Iran - report
Cuba has more than 300 military drones and has discussed using them to attack the southernmost point of the US's continental territory, the US base in Guantanamo Bay, and American ships in the Caribbean, Axios reported on Sunday, citing US intelligence.
· CORINNE BAUM, REUTERS
UAE blames Iran or its proxies for drone strike fire near nuclear plant
Abu Dhabi denounces ‘dangerous escalation’ as Iran war ceasefire grows more precarious
· Julianborger
Turkish flotilla to reach Israel in 48 hours, Netanyahu to meet with defense officials
A Turkish flotilla of 53 vessels, organized by the IHH, the same group behind the Mavi Marmara flotilla, is reportedly en route to Israel.
· AMICHAI STEIN
Push for Australia to extract helium as Iran war impacts global supply
Topic:Natural Resources
· Alison Branley
The controversy over mixed-gender IDF units still ruffles Israeli society - opinion
After two-and-a-half years of unceasing war, the IDF is short thousands of combat soldiers. It cannot afford to forgo the service of women, whether on the home front or the front line. It cannot afford to forgo the service of religious soldiers in any combat unit. And yet, extremist rabbis are calling for women to b…
· SHUKI FRIEDMAN
Saudi Arabia condemns UAE drone strike, backs security measures
Saudi Arabia has condemned the drone strike that sparked a fire near a nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates, describing the Gulf state as a “brother” country.
· Middleeasteye
Gaza families are still unable to bury dead trapped under rubble
Mon 18 May 2026 at 4:46am
· Bridget Rollason
There's a ceasefire in Iran but the war's ripples are still hitting millions
A fragile ceasefire means the Iran conflict is largely a war of words right now — but its impact is still being felt in every corner of the globe.
· Brianna Morris Grant
Embassies in Jerusalem: Gov't approves proposal allocating budget for relocations to capital
The government unanimously approved a proposal to encourage countries around the world to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to display the recognition by moving foreign embassies to Jerusalem, it confirmed on Sunday.
· DANYA SAPERSTEIN
Israeli strikes in south Lebanon kill five, wound several
Lebanon’s Health Emergency Operations Center at the Ministry of Public Health released a preliminary toll following Israeli raids on several towns in southern Lebanon, according to the National News Agency.
· Middleeasteye
Iran, Pakistan discuss stalled US talks as Ghalibaf criticises US role
Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf met Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to discuss the stalled negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
· Middleeasteye
Netanyahu praises IDF for strike killing Hamas ‘chief murderer’ and Oct. 7 mastermind
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israeli forces had targeted and killed the head of Hamas’s “military wing” Izz al-Din al-Haddad, calling him the “chief murderer” and a key figure behind the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.
· Jewish News Syndicate