South Korea’s Kospi jumped sharply after renewed talks between Samsung Electronics and its workers’ union helped avert a planned strike. — AFP pic (New users only) It's tax relief season! Get up to RM300 when you save with Versa! Plus, enjoy an additional FREE RM10 when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with a min. cash-in of RM100 today. T&Cs apply. Thursday, 21 May 2026 9:52 AM MYT TOKYO, May 21 — Japan’s Nikkei index jumped more than 3 per cent in early Asian trade today after Iran said it was examining a new US proposal to end the Middle East war.At around 0030 GMT the Nikkei 225 was up 3.20 per cent before easing slightly.South Korea’s benchmark Kospi index soared 5.42 per cent, also helped by renewed negotiations between Samsung Electronics’ management and workers’ union that averted a strike called for today.President Donald Trump described yesterday the talks as being on the “borderline” between a deal and renewed strikes.Cautious hopes rippled quickly through financial markets. Oil prices fell more than 5 per cent yesterday, while US stocks rose, though analysts warned investors remained wary after weeks of false starts.Trump, who said earlier that negotiations were in their “final stages,” later warned that the window for diplomacy could close quickly.Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran had “received the points of view of the American side” and was examining them.Overnight gains of US shares, hopes for the end of the war in Iran and drops of oil prices were among factors that cheered Tokyo investors, said brokerage house Monex.“Following the upward trend in the US market”, the Japanese market was expected to open with “buying activity dominating today”, it said. — AFP