# AI News 180m Report｜2026-05-18 03:00–06:00 JST

One place for news and notices from 2 countries/regions: Japan, 6 items from 1 source; Taiwan, 6 items from 1 source.One edition every 180 minutes: every item from every source received in the period, with the original link.

## Netanyahu: Nearly all masterminds behind 10/7 attack eliminated

- Published: 2026-05-18T05:22:05+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202605180007.aspx
- anchor: #n415474
- Companies mentioned: 哈瑪斯 (Hamas)、真主黨 (Hezbollah)、中央通訊社

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the effort to eliminate all Hamas masterminds behind last year's Oct. 7 attack is nearly complete.

## ESPN: Thunder star Alexander repeats as NBA MVP

- Published: 2026-05-18T04:45:03+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aspt/202605180006.aspx
- anchor: #n415470
- Companies mentioned: ESPN、奧克拉荷馬雷霆、聖安東尼奧馬刺、丹佛金塊、密爾瓦基公鹿、休士頓火箭、中央通訊社

ESPN reported that star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of 奧克拉荷馬雷霆 has repeated as the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP).

## Trump: Iran will be wiped out if it does not agree to a deal; reportedly to hold Situation Room meeting

- Published: 2026-05-18T04:07:00+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202605180005.aspx
- anchor: #n415469
- Companies mentioned: 中央通訊社、Axios、路透社、法新社、真實社群 (Truth Social)、法斯通訊社 (Fars News Agency)、真主黨 (Hezbollah)

U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran would face destruction if it did not quickly reach a peace deal, and plans to convene a national security meeting to discuss military options.

## Drone attack sparks fire outside UAE nuclear plant; units operating normally and safe

- Published: 2026-05-18T03:34:57+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202605180004.aspx
- anchor: #n415466
- Companies mentioned: Emirates Nuclear Energy Company、Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation

A drone attack on the perimeter of a nuclear power plant in the UAE sparked a fire, but officials said the units were operating normally and there were no safety concerns.

## Yu Da-lei in CBS interview: We are not the ones causing trouble; we hope for peace and stability

- Published: 2026-05-18T02:54:54+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202605180003.aspx
- anchor: #n415464
- Companies mentioned: 哥倫比亞廣播公司 (CBS)、福斯新聞頻道 (Fox News)

Taiwan's representative to the U.S., Yu Da-lei, reiterated Taiwan's sovereignty and independence in a CBS interview, and thanked the United States for reaffirming after the Trump-Xi meeting that its longstanding position on Taiwan had not changed.

## U.S. trade representative: Trump weighs arms sales to Taiwan as U.S.-China factors interact

- Published: 2026-05-18T02:47:52+09:00
- Source: Taiwan | 中央社 CNA
- Original: https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202605180002.aspx
- anchor: #n415465
- Companies mentioned: 美國廣播公司 (ABC)

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said President Trump is weighing arms sales to Taiwan, a matter affected by interacting factors including U.S.-China trade relations, tariffs and agricultural markets.

## Official launch of “MirAI-POST (Mirai Post),” an AI × social media operations optimization platform

- Published: 2026-05-18T05:06:11+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000004.000175055.html
- anchor: #n415471
- Companies mentioned: 一般社団法人 健全AI教育協会 (HAiiA)、株式会社ウォーカー、株式会社ACシステムコンサルティング、次世代AI教育株式会社、株式会社エーシーシステムコンサルティング

The AI-powered social media operations optimization platform “MirAI-POST” officially launches, aiming to integrate AI content generation, scheduled publishing and performance analysis to improve multi-platform management efficiency.

## Kida Motokuni’s 1st photobook, “Love Yourself,” set for release! The handsome doctor, with approximately 300,000 social media followers, takes off his white coat and attempts daring shots! His sculpted physique, life story and even every area where he has had cosmetic surgery are laid bare?!

- Published: 2026-05-18T05:00:01+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000003.000178760.html
- anchor: #n415473
- Companies mentioned: THE BEAUTE CLINIC、蔦屋書店、主婦と生活社、JR、DMM

Renowned cosmetic surgeon Kida Motokuni releases a photobook, “Love Yourself,” combining his cosmetic surgery expertise and influencer reach to pioneer a new business model.

## Hokkaido is packed with fascinating workplaces! The 2nd installment of Takashi Yoshimura’s “What’s That!? A Peek Inside Companies” airs Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.!

- Published: 2026-05-18T05:00:01+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000590.000073351.html
- anchor: #n415472
- Companies mentioned: 北海道テレビ放送株式会社、北海道コカ・コーラボトリング、北洋銀行、ＳＯＣ、メディカルシステムネットワーク、クレタ、タイトル未定、NORD、札幌よしもと

Hokkaido Television announced that the second installment of the special program “What Is This!? A Peek Inside Companies,” hosted by Takashi Yoshimura and featuring fascinating businesses in Hokkaido, will air on May 24, 2026.

## Available in 5 colors! Choose your favorite mug color and enter to win! The “Afternoon Tea Tea Mug Giveaway Campaign” starts Monday, May 18.

- Published: 2026-05-18T04:00:01+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000049.000117612.html
- anchor: #n415468
- Companies mentioned: キリンビバレッジ株式会社、インテージ

To mark the 40th anniversary of “Afternoon Tea,” Kirin Beverage will hold a prize draw, giving away original-design mugs to 3,000 consumers.

## A new Happy Turn commercial marking its 50th anniversary will debut on May 18. The brand’s first official song, “Happy Turn de to you,” has been created and is sung by Happy Turn superfan Kohmi Hirose.

- Published: 2026-05-18T04:00:01+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000067.000012968.html
- anchor: #n415467
- Companies mentioned: 亀田製菓株式会社、一般社団法人 日本記念日協会

Kameda Seika announced a new TV commercial featuring singer Kohmi Hirose performing the official song to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its long-selling product “Happy Turn.”

## “Enhanced purchasing of Buddhist altars and Buddhist implements” begins in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. “出張買取はなまる” expands its purchasing operations by establishing a joint sales channel.

- Published: 2026-05-18T02:34:41+09:00
- Source: Japan | PR TIMES
- Original: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000067.000171804.html
- anchor: #n415463
- Companies mentioned: APEXIA合同会社、出張買取はなまる仙台店、SELUNO

To meet demand for end-of-life planning in an aging society, Japanese secondhand goods buyer “出張買取はなまる” is expanding its Buddhist altar and fittings purchasing services in the Sendai area and partnering with furniture retailer SELUNO to establish sales channels, promoting a circular economy for traditional crafts.