- US wants China 'more active' on Iran -

Ahead of a high-stakes US-China summit Thursday in Beijing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is looking for China to take a more active role toward Iran in ending the war.

"We hope to convince them to play a more active role in getting Iran to walk away from what they are doing now, and trying to do now in the Persian Gulf," Rubio told Fox News in an interview aired Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to tackle thorny issues dividing the two superpowers when they meet in the Chinese capital, with Iran, trade and Taiwan on the cards.

- UAE 'denies reports' of Netanyahu visit -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a "secret" meeting with the president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during the war with Iran, Netanyahu's office said.

"The visit marked a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates."

The UAE, which has been targeted by Iran more than any other country during the war, did not directly deny any such visit, referring to "reports" of a visit.

"The United Arab Emirates denies reports circulating regarding an alleged visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the UAE, or receiving any Israeli military delegation in the country," its foreign ministry said.

- Lebanon says 22 killed in Israeli strikes -

Lebanon's health ministry said 22 people including eight children were killed on Wednesday as Israel intensified strikes on the country, with several deadly raids hitting south of Beirut.

The state-run National News Agency said Israeli airstrikes had pounded around 40 locations in Lebanon's south and east.

- Iran threatens Kuwait -

Iran's foreign minister said Tehran had the right to respond after he accused Kuwait of attacking an Iranian boat and arresting four of its citizens in the Gulf, and called for their release.

"In clear attempt to sow discord, Kuwait has unlawfully attacked an Iranian boat and detained 4 of our citizens in the Persian Gulf. This illegal act took place near island used by the U.S. to attack Iran. We demand immediate release of our nationals and reserve right to respond," Abbas Araghchi wrote on X.

- Senate backs Trump on war -

US senators narrowly rejected a resolution curbing President Donald Trump's power to wage war on Iran -- their first vote on the conflict since a 60-day deadline expired for the White House to seek formal authorisation.

The vote tally was 50-49.

- Lebanon says 10,000 homes hit -

More than 10,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed in Lebanon since a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah, the head of the country's National Council for Scientific Research said.

"Since the current ceasefire... we have witnessed 5,386 housing units that were completely destroyed, and 5,246 housing units damaged," chief Chadi Abdallah told a news conference.

- US wholesale prices jump -

Wholesale prices in the United States rose sharply in April lifted by a surge in energy costs related to the Iran war, registering their highest 12-month increase in more than three years.

The Producer Price Index (PPI) rose six percent for the 12 months ending in April, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said -- the highest level since December 2022.

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INDEX CORP.