(LEAD) S. Korean currency drops slightly amid lingering Middle East uncertainties
(ATTN: UPDATES with latest figures in paras 3-4, 10; RECASTS headline, lead)
· Kim Boram
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Newest first · UTC+11:00AD Ports first-quarter profit rises 43% as war leads to new trade routes | The National
AD Ports Group, the operator of industrial cities and free zones in Abu Dhabi, reported 43 per cent annual jump in its first-quarter profit as the company focused on diversifying its trade routes amid Iran conflict.
· Fareed Rahman
Seoul shares sharply rebound to end at fresh peak on tech rally; won drops
South Korean stocks rebounded by more than 2 percent to settle above the 7,800-point mark Wednesday as investors scooped up semiconductor and auto shares amid lingering Middle East tensions ahead of the US-China summit. The local currency declined against the US dollar.
· Yonhap
Las acciones asiáticas cotizan mixtas entre un entusiasmo menor hacia la IA y reparos por la guerra
Una operadora habla por teléfono en la sala de operaciones de Hana Bank en Seúl, Corea del Sur, el miércoles 13 de mayo de 2026. (AP Foto/Lee Jin-man)
· Yuri Kageyama
Leaving Australia is about to get more expensive after budget change
Among all the big-ticket changes touted in the federal budget, the government has raised a little-understood fee imposed on travellers leaving the country, making international departures even more expensive as the war in the Middle East pushes up airfares.
· Chris Zappone
Israel orders evacuations in six south Lebanon towns
The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for residents of the southern Lebanese towns and villages of Meiss El Jabal, Yanouh, Borj El Chmali, Houla, Debl and Aabbasiyyeh, warning that it would soon act against the areas “forcefully”.
· Middleeasteye
NIS 200,000 allocated for laptops, school equipment for low-income children in northern Israel
The Tel Aviv District Court approved a one-time allocation of about NIS 200,000 from the Ida Abush public endowment to purchase laptops and essential equipment for children from low-income families in northern Israel and conflict-line communities, the Justice Ministry’s Corporations Authority announced this week.
· SHIR PERETS
Israeli defense-tech company secures $10.7 million contract with US to supply AI-powered system
Israeli defense tech developer Smart Shooter has secured a $10.7 million contract with the US Army to supply its AI-powered SMASH fire control systems, the company announced this week. The deal will provide American soldiers with advanced "one-shot, one-hit" technology designed as a counter-drone weapons system.
· ASHER SMITH
Video: Israel passes law to execute Palestinians linked to 7 October attacks
The Israeli parliament approved a bill on Tuesday to establish public trials and impose the death penalty on Palestinian detainees accused of taking part in the 7 October attacks.
· Middleeasteye
Seoul shares sharply rebound to end at fresh peak on tech rally; won drops
SEOUL, May 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks rebounded by more than 2 percent to settle above the 7,800-point mark Wednesday as investors scooped up semiconductor and auto shares amid lingering Middle East tensions ahead of the U.S.-China summit. The local currency declined against the U.S. dollar.
· Kim Boram
(URGENT) Seoul shares rebound over 2.5 pct to reclaim 7,800-level on tech rally; won drops
(URGENT) Seoul shares open 1.55 pct higher at fresh record high of 7,499.07 on hopes for U.S.-Iran peace deal
· Kim Boram
Iran war latest: Trump hints at lengthy blockade of Hormuz | The National
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· The National
Criminalising protest: Pro-Palestine students in France face increased repression
Kylian, 22, studies law at the Sorbonne University in Paris. After the start of the Israeli massacres in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack of 7 October 2023, he joined student demonstrations to demand an end to the bombings and to defend Palestinian rights.
· Middleeasteye
Trump-Xi China summit: five key issues on the agenda
It is nearly 10 years since the US president made a state visit to China, and Iran, Taiwan, trade, AI and drugs look set to dominate
· Mark Saunokonoko
El pico de precios por la guerra con Irán impulsa las ventas de equipamiento solar en Asia
Un instalador solar fija un panel solar en la azotea de una casa en Manila, Filipinas, el 30 de abril de 2026. (AP Foto/Anton L. Delgado)
· Anton L Delgado
Bahrain-led UN resolution on Strait of Hormuz gains support of 112 nations
Trump says US will ‘win’ war on Iran either way
· Al Jazeera Staff
Kuwait summons Iran envoy over IRGC island incursion | The National
Kuwait has summoned Iran's ambassador after would-be attackers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attempted to infiltrate Bubiyan Island and exchanged fire with Kuwaiti forces.
· The National
Kuwait summons Iran envoy over IRGC island incursion | The National
Kuwait has summoned Iran's ambassador after would-be attackers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attempted to infiltrate Bubiyan Island and exchanged fire with Kuwaiti forces.
· The National
Video: Turkey’s Fidan says Israel’s policies becoming ‘global security problem’
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Tuesday that Israel’s actions are no longer confined to the region but are evolving into a “global security problem”, accusing Israel of escalating regional tensions through violence and expansionism.
· Middleeasteye
European markets to open higher as focus returns to earnings; Siemens unveils $7 billion buyback
LONDON — European stocks are expected to open higher on Wednesday, bouncing back from losses in the previous session.
· Holly Ellyatt
Iran war drives solar sales in energy-hungry Asia
Panicked consumers in hard-hit Asia are turning to rooftop solar power as costs climb due to the Iran war. In the Philippines, which is in a state of national energy emergency, a survey of 20 local solar companies found a 70% increase in weekly installations and a six-fold jump in customer inquirers since the confli…
· Anton L Delgado
Israeli drone strike hits town in southern Lebanon
The Israeli military said several rockets were fired by Hezbollah towards Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon during the past few hours, adding that the projectiles landed near troops without causing injuries.
· Middleeasteye
India More Than Doubles Gold, Silver Tariffs To Defend Crashing Rupee
One day after vehemently denying speculation that India plans to raise duties on gold and silver imports following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's urging people to avoid buying gold for a year due to the impact of the Iran war, India did in fact raise import tariffs on gold and silver in an attempt to defend its…
· Tyler Durden
Iraq denies reports of unknown military sites in Najaf desert
The Ministry of Defence of Iraq denied reports of unidentified military installations in the desert area of Najaf, saying the region remains fully under the control and monitoring of Iraqi security forces.
· Middleeasteye
Oil crunch drains colour from packaging of popular Japanese snack brand | South China Morning Post
Japanese snack giant Calbee is switching to monochrome packaging on some of its products, because of a naphtha shortage sparked by oil supply disruptions related to the Iran war.
Iranian Vice President Sheena Ansari says Kharg oil spill caused by foreign tanker
Iranian Vice President and head of the Environmental Protection Organisation of Iran Sheena Ansari said a suspected oil spill near Kharg Island in the Gulf was most likely caused by a non-Iranian tanker discharging contaminated sewage into the sea rather than a leak from Iranian oil infrastructure.
· Middleeasteye
Iran war's full impact on US grocery prices may take months to appear
A person looks at the fresh fish at a grocery store Monday, May 11, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
· Dee Ann Durbin
Iran: US must accept plan or fail
Iran's chief negotiator said Tuesday that Washington must accept Tehran's latest peace plan or face failure, after US President Donald Trump warned the truce in the Middle East war was on the brink of collapse.
· Yonhap
'Message of hope from Gaza': Teenage sisters win award for turning war debris into bricks | The National
Two sisters from Gaza are the Middle East winners of a major environmental award for their method of turning rubble into bricks – and are in the running for the global title.
· Daniel Bardsley
China urges Pakistan to intensify Iran-US mediation efforts
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi urged Pakistan to intensify mediation efforts between the United States and Iran to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to Xinhua News Agency.
· Middleeasteye
China urges Pakistan to intensify Iran-US mediation efforts
Fifteen people, including two paramedics and a Lebanese soldier, were killed and 13 others wounded on Tuesday in 59 Israeli attacks across Lebanon, according to Anadolu Agency.
· Middleeasteye
Two paramedics and soldier among 15 killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Fifteen people, including two paramedics and a Lebanese soldier, were killed and 13 others wounded on Tuesday in 59 Israeli attacks across Lebanon, according to Anadolu Agency.
· Middleeasteye
Soaring inflation and plummeting economy test Iran in wartime
A Revolutionary Guard soldier stands at the counter of a fast food restaurant in northern Tehran, Iran, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
· Mehdi Fattahi
US offers $15m reward over information on Iran-linked oil transfers
The United States Department of State announced a reward of up to $15 million for information related to oil shipments connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its facilitators.
· Middleeasteye
Trump due in China for high-stakes summit with Xi Jinping, as Iran war looms over talks
The US president will arrive with tech leaders including Elon Musk and Tim Cook, with trade, AI and Taiwan all set to be discussed
· Davidsmith
Chinese company that tracked US bombers over Iran wears sanctions with pride
MizarVision defiant after Washington imposes sweeping ban for publishing open-source images detailing Operation Fury activities
· Liu Zhen
Chinese company that tracked US bombers over Iran wears sanctions with pride
MizarVision defiant after Washington imposes sweeping ban for publishing open-source images detailing Operation Fury activities
· Liu Zhen
Oil prices fall as markets watch Iran ceasefire and China talks
Oil prices fell on Wednesday after three consecutive days of gains, as investors monitored the fragile ceasefire involving Iran, the United States and Israel, along with developments surrounding President Donald Trump’s visit to China for talks with President Xi Jinping.
· Middleeasteye
Israel strikes Lebanon as 380 reported killed since April 17 ceasefire
Hezbollah leader vows to turn battlefield into ‘hell’ as Lebanon and Israel get set for more talks in Washington
· Agence France-Presse
Israel strikes Lebanon as 380 reported killed since April 17 ceasefire
Hezbollah leader vows to turn battlefield into ‘hell’ as Lebanon and Israel get set for more talks in Washington
· Agence France-Presse
China-US trade talks kick off in Seoul ahead of high-profile leaders’ summit
Trade deals, export controls on critical minerals and the Iran war likely to be talking points as senior officials sit down for negotiations
· Xinyi Wu
China-US trade talks kick off in Seoul ahead of high-profile leaders’ summit
Trade deals, export controls on critical minerals and the Iran war likely to be talking points as senior officials sit down for negotiations
· Xinyi Wu
Packaging for Calbee snacks loses its color due to the Iran war
This image made from video provided by Japan’s NNN-NTV shows Calbee snack packages in color and black and white in Tokyo, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (NNN-NTV via AP)
· Yuri Kageyama
Trump says stopping Iran's nuclear program outweighs Americans' economic pain
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Americans’ financial struggles are not a factor in his decision-making as he seeks to negotiate an end to the Iran war, saying that preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon is his top priority.
· REUTERS
New report accuses Hamas of 'deliberately' using rape on October 7
Topic:Terrorist Attacks
· Matthew Doran
How Xi's meeting with Trump may spur Iran war progress | The National
The last time US President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping, the American leader described their encounter as “amazing”, adding that on a scale from one to 10, he would score it a 12.
· The National Editorial
Russia Think Tank Tells Chinese Media That U.S. Endgame In Iran Is To "Achieve Market Monopoly" In Logistics, Energy
Russian military blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk, the operator behind the Rybar Telegram channel, recently surfaced in an interview with the Chinese outlet Guancha, offering a non-Western assessment of the ten-week U.S.-Iran war.
· Tyler Durden
Abu Dhabi sanctions 21 people and groups over Hezbollah links, state media reports
The United Arab Emirates has designated 16 Lebanese nationals and five Lebanon-based entities as “terrorists” over alleged links to Hezbollah, according to the state-run Emirates News Agency.
· Middleeasteye
US consumer inflation hits three-year high fueled by Iran war
WASHINGTON (AFP) -- Consumer inflation in the United States hit a three-year high in April, with the economic fallout of US President Donald Trump's Iran war rippling through the world's largest economy.
· AFP