Nakba Day

Palestinians in Gaza, occupied West Bank and elsewhere are marking the "nakba," or catastrophe, to remember the mass expulsion of nearly 800,000 Palestinians from their lands during the creation of Israel. The 70th anniversary of the Nakba comes a day after Israeli troops killed 59 unarmed Palestinians and wounded over 2700 during protests over the opening of the US embassy in occupied Jerusalem. Israeli snipers and military have killed over 100 Palestinians and wounded thousands since the Great March of Return protests started in March.

Two Koreas meet

North Korea and South Korea have agreed to hold high-level talks on May 16 to discuss steps needed to uphold the pledge to de-nuclearise the peninsula.The meeting will discuss specific plans needed to officially end a seven-decade war, and pursue "complete de-nuclearisation".The talks come ahead of the scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on June 12 in Singapore.

Hungary crackdown on NGOs

George Soros foundations' office has decided to pull out of Hungary after intense pressure from Viktor Orban's government.Orban's has long accused the Hungarian-born US financier Soros of orchestrating immigration into Europe and is planning to tighten a crackdown on NGOs under legislation dubbed the "Stop Soros" bill.On Tuesday, George Soros' Open Society Foundations said it will close its office in Budapest and move to the German capital of Berlin, saying it’s leaving an increasingly repressive political and legal environment.

Afghanistan fighting

Taliban fighters targeted the provincial capital of Farah in western Afghanistan on Tuesday, with fighting underway on the outskirts of the city where US-backed government forces were defending two police districts.Government officials and several residents say the Taliban are moving fast, and if the government does not take action, the province will fall.While Afghan security forces say they have repelled the attack, locals and Taliban say the fighters have captured checkpoints and offices of senior police officials.

Superman actress dies

Actress Margot Kidder, best known for playing Lois Lane in the "Superman" films in the 1970s and 1980s, has died at the age of 69.Kidder's manager said the actress died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday at her home in Montana, without giving a cause of death.Kidder, who became an American citizen in 2005, was known for her political activism. She campaigned against the Gulf War and came out in support of Democrat Bernie Sanders in the 2016 US presidential election.

Nakba Day

Palestinians in Gaza, occupied West Bank and elsewhere are marking the "nakba," or catastrophe, to remember the mass expulsion of nearly 800,000 Palestinians from their lands during the creation of Israel. The 70th anniversary of the Nakba comes a day after Israeli troops killed 59 unarmed Palestinians and wounded over 2700 during protests over the opening of the US embassy in occupied Jerusalem. Israeli snipers and military have killed over 100 Palestinians and wounded thousands since the Great March of Return protests started in March.

Two Koreas meet

North Korea and South Korea have agreed to hold high-level talks on May 16 to discuss steps needed to uphold the pledge to de-nuclearise the peninsula.The meeting will discuss specific plans needed to officially end a seven-decade war, and pursue "complete de-nuclearisation".The talks come ahead of the scheduled meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on June 12 in Singapore.

Hungary crackdown on NGOs

George Soros foundations' office has decided to pull out of Hungary after intense pressure from Viktor Orban's government.Orban's has long accused the Hungarian-born US financier Soros of orchestrating immigration into Europe and is planning to tighten a crackdown on NGOs under legislation dubbed the "Stop Soros" bill.On Tuesday, George Soros' Open Society Foundations said it will close its office in Budapest and move to the German capital of Berlin, saying it’s leaving an increasingly repressive political and legal environment.

Afghanistan fighting

Taliban fighters targeted the provincial capital of Farah in western Afghanistan on Tuesday, with fighting underway on the outskirts of the city where US-backed government forces were defending two police districts.Government officials and several residents say the Taliban are moving fast, and if the government does not take action, the province will fall.While Afghan security forces say they have repelled the attack, locals and Taliban say the fighters have captured checkpoints and offices of senior police officials.

Superman actress dies

Actress Margot Kidder, best known for playing Lois Lane in the "Superman" films in the 1970s and 1980s, has died at the age of 69.Kidder's manager said the actress died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday at her home in Montana, without giving a cause of death.Kidder, who became an American citizen in 2005, was known for her political activism. She campaigned against the Gulf War and came out in support of Democrat Bernie Sanders in the 2016 US presidential election.

Palestinians protest

Israeli forces have killed at least 25 Palestinians and wounded dozens more as thousands of people continue to gather along the Gaza border on the day the US prepares to open its embassy in Jerusalem.

The youngest victim is a 12-year-old boy.

The demonstrations are part of a seven week-long protest calling for the right of return for Palestinian refugees to the areas they were forcibly expelled from in 1948 during the creation of Israel.

The Israeli government has dropped leaflets warning Palestinians not to gather at the border but protests are expected to intensify ahead of the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.

Erdogan in UK

The US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital has drawn condemnation from many of its allies.

And ahead of the embassy move, Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said the US had forfeited its role as a mediator in the Middle East.

Erdogan made the comment in a speech at the Chatham House think tank in London, where he also said that the eastern Mediterranean region will face a sustained security threat if Cyprus continued its unilateral operations there.

Erdogan is in the UK for a three-day official visit and is scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Theresa May, Queen Elizabeth and business leaders.

Muqtada al Sadr

The race to become Iraq's next prime minister appears wide open as two outsider alliances take the lead in the first elections since the defeat of Daesh.

After the announcement of partial results, Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr is the frontrunner, while an alliance of candidates linked to Iraq's powerful Shia paramilitary groups is in second.

Prime Minister Haider al Abadi performed poorly across majority Shia provinces that should have been his base of support.

Sadr has reinvented himself as an anti-graft crusader after rising to prominence as a powerful militia chief whose fighters battled US forces after the 2003 invasion.

Last year, he became one of the few Shia leaders to visit Saudi Arabia and meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - a major US regional ally that is staunchly opposed to Iranian influence in the region.

Indonesia bombing

Indonesia's national police chief says the suicide bombing Monday morning at police headquarters in Surabaya was carried out by members of one family.

Police say a girl around eight years old, who was with two of the attackers on a motorcycle, has survived.

The attack comes a day after members of another family launched coordinated suicide bombings on three churches in the same city that killed at least 13 people.

The spate of bombings has rocked Indonesia, with Daesh claiming the church attacks and raising fears about its influence in Southeast Asia.

Mt. Everest record

An Australian climber has reached the top of Mount Everest, becoming the fastest person to summit the highest mountain on each of the world's seven continents.

Steve Plain conquered Everest on Monday - 117 days after he began his mission in Antarctica - breaking the previous seven-summit speed record by nine days.

A Polish climber held the previous record of 126 days to complete the ‘Seven Summits’.

Palestinians protest

Israeli forces have killed at least 25 Palestinians and wounded dozens more as thousands of people continue to gather along the Gaza border on the day the US prepares to open its embassy in Jerusalem.

The youngest victim is a 12-year-old boy.

The demonstrations are part of a seven week-long protest calling for the right of return for Palestinian refugees to the areas they were forcibly expelled from in 1948 during the creation of Israel.

The Israeli government has dropped leaflets warning Palestinians not to gather at the border but protests are expected to intensify ahead of the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.

Erdogan in UK

The US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital has drawn condemnation from many of its allies.

And ahead of the embassy move, Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said the US had forfeited its role as a mediator in the Middle East.

Erdogan made the comment in a speech at the Chatham House think tank in London, where he also said that the eastern Mediterranean region will face a sustained security threat if Cyprus continued its unilateral operations there.

Erdogan is in the UK for a three-day official visit and is scheduled to meet British Prime Minister Theresa May, Queen Elizabeth and business leaders.

Muqtada al Sadr

The race to become Iraq's next prime minister appears wide open as two outsider alliances take the lead in the first elections since the defeat of Daesh.

After the announcement of partial results, Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr is the frontrunner, while an alliance of candidates linked to Iraq's powerful Shia paramilitary groups is in second.

Prime Minister Haider al Abadi performed poorly across majority Shia provinces that should have been his base of support.

Sadr has reinvented himself as an anti-graft crusader after rising to prominence as a powerful militia chief whose fighters battled US forces after the 2003 invasion.

Last year, he became one of the few Shia leaders to visit Saudi Arabia and meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - a major US regional ally that is staunchly opposed to Iranian influence in the region.

Indonesia bombing

Indonesia's national police chief says the suicide bombing Monday morning at police headquarters in Surabaya was carried out by members of one family.

Police say a girl around eight years old, who was with two of the attackers on a motorcycle, has survived.

The attack comes a day after members of another family launched coordinated suicide bombings on three churches in the same city that killed at least 13 people.

The spate of bombings has rocked Indonesia, with Daesh claiming the church attacks and raising fears about its influence in Southeast Asia.

Mt. Everest record

An Australian climber has reached the top of Mount Everest, becoming the fastest person to summit the highest mountain on each of the world's seven continents.

Steve Plain conquered Everest on Monday - 117 days after he began his mission in Antarctica - breaking the previous seven-summit speed record by nine days.

A Polish climber held the previous record of 126 days to complete the ‘Seven Summits’.

Gaza protests

Worldwide protests are expected today ahead of the US embassy move to Jerusalem next week.

The protests coincide with the 6th Friday of an ongoing Palestinian protest on the Gaza-Israel border.

Palestinians are demanding the right to return to their homes seized by Israel in 1948.

Philippines judge

The Philippines supreme court has ousted its own chief justice, Maria Lourdes Sereno, a prominent critic of the country's president.

Sereno was the country's first woman chief justice. She and her supporters have called the ouster by her fellow magistrates unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.

Sereno has angered President Rodrigo Duterte by speaking up for respect for the law and human rights.

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia's newly-elected Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is saying the country's monarch will grant a full pardon to jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim.

Once bitter rivals, Mahathir and Anwar joined forces to eject scandal-plagued Najib Razak’s alliance from power.

A full pardon by the king would mean Anwar can return to active politics.

Mahathir has said he would make Anwar prime minister once he is released. Supporters of the jailed leader will now be looking to see whether that happens, and if so, on what timeline.

Trump-Kim

US President Donald Trump will be meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12th.

Trump revealed the date and location hours after Pyongyang released three American prisoners.

Just months ago, the two leaders were threatening each other's countries with mutual annihilation. Now they’re looking to make peace. And the whole world is watching.

Eurovision

And finally...

The finalists in this year's Eurovision Song Contest have been decided, with 26 acts set for Saturday's final in Lisbon.

Russia didn’t make the cut, but Australia made it through. How Australia even qualifies makes no sense to us. But the contest wouldn't be the wonderful celebration of new talent it is, if it wasn't courting controversy.

And on that topic, Eurovision has ripped up its contract with a Chinese channel after Mango TV censored two acts. Yes, the Eurovision Song Contest has a huge following in China.

Forty-three took part is this year's contest, now in its 63rd year.

Gaza protests

Worldwide protests are expected today ahead of the US embassy move to Jerusalem next week.

The protests coincide with the 6th Friday of an ongoing Palestinian protest on the Gaza-Israel border.

Palestinians are demanding the right to return to their homes seized by Israel in 1948.

Philippines judge

The Philippines supreme court has ousted its own chief justice, Maria Lourdes Sereno, a prominent critic of the country's president.

Sereno was the country's first woman chief justice. She and her supporters have called the ouster by her fellow magistrates unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.

Sereno has angered President Rodrigo Duterte by speaking up for respect for the law and human rights.

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia's newly-elected Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is saying the country's monarch will grant a full pardon to jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim.

Once bitter rivals, Mahathir and Anwar joined forces to eject scandal-plagued Najib Razak’s alliance from power.

A full pardon by the king would mean Anwar can return to active politics.

Mahathir has said he would make Anwar prime minister once he is released. Supporters of the jailed leader will now be looking to see whether that happens, and if so, on what timeline.

Trump-Kim

US President Donald Trump will be meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12th.

Trump revealed the date and location hours after Pyongyang released three American prisoners.

Just months ago, the two leaders were threatening each other's countries with mutual annihilation. Now they’re looking to make peace. And the whole world is watching.

Eurovision

And finally...

The finalists in this year's Eurovision Song Contest have been decided, with 26 acts set for Saturday's final in Lisbon.

Russia didn’t make the cut, but Australia made it through. How Australia even qualifies makes no sense to us. But the contest wouldn't be the wonderful celebration of new talent it is, if it wasn't courting controversy.

And on that topic, Eurovision has ripped up its contract with a Chinese channel after Mango TV censored two acts. Yes, the Eurovision Song Contest has a huge following in China.

Forty-three took part is this year's contest, now in its 63rd year.

Mahathir Mohamad

Mahathir Mohamad has been sworn in as the world's oldest elected leader.

The Alliance of Hope, led by the 92-year-old political veteran, stunned the governing coalition of Najib Razak in Wednesday's parliamentary elections.

As prime minister, Mahathir will have his work cut out for him to restore confidence in government, following the corruption scandal that in large part brought down his predecessor.

Israel-Iran

Israel says it struck dozens of Iranian targets in Syria overnight in response to a rocket barrage on Israeli positions in the occupied Golan Heights.

It was the biggest Israeli strike in Syria since the 1973 war.

Tensions in the war-weary and jittery region rose after Donald Trump pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal, a move welcomed by Israel.

Dam deaths

Weeks of torrential rains broke the walls of a major dam in Kenya, causing floods that killed at least 30 people, but the death toll could be much higher.

The cascading waters from the Patel Dam destroyed two villages, sweeping away powerlines, homes, buildings and a primary school.

Rescue workers are now searching for survivors among the mud and debris.

N Korean detainees

Three Americans held in North Korea have returned home to a welcome from President Donald Trump.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo brought them back after a visit to Pyongyang to prepare for a possible meeting between Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un.

The gesture is being seen as a positive omen for the meeting, which would bring together two leaders who until recently were threatening one another with increasingly combative rhetoric.

Manchester City

In football, Manchester City are hoping to write a new page in English Premier League history, ending the season in triple digits.

A win on Wednesday over Brighton took them to 97 points, already a record. But 100 points is possible if they win in their final game of the season at Southampton on Sunday.

And that would be a fitting end to a magnificent season.

Mahathir Mohamad

Mahathir Mohamad has been sworn in as the world's oldest elected leader.

The Alliance of Hope, led by the 92-year-old political veteran, stunned the governing coalition of Najib Razak in Wednesday's parliamentary elections.

As prime minister, Mahathir will have his work cut out for him to restore confidence in government, following the corruption scandal that in large part brought down his predecessor.

Israel-Iran

Israel says it struck dozens of Iranian targets in Syria overnight in response to a rocket barrage on Israeli positions in the occupied Golan Heights.

It was the biggest Israeli strike in Syria since the 1973 war.

Tensions in the war-weary and jittery region rose after Donald Trump pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal, a move welcomed by Israel.

Dam deaths

Weeks of torrential rains broke the walls of a major dam in Kenya, causing floods that killed at least 30 people, but the death toll could be much higher.

The cascading waters from the Patel Dam destroyed two villages, sweeping away powerlines, homes, buildings and a primary school.

Rescue workers are now searching for survivors among the mud and debris.

N Korean detainees

Three Americans held in North Korea have returned home to a welcome from President Donald Trump.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo brought them back after a visit to Pyongyang to prepare for a possible meeting between Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un.

The gesture is being seen as a positive omen for the meeting, which would bring together two leaders who until recently were threatening one another with increasingly combative rhetoric.

Manchester City

In football, Manchester City are hoping to write a new page in English Premier League history, ending the season in triple digits.

A win on Wednesday over Brighton took them to 97 points, already a record. But 100 points is possible if they win in their final game of the season at Southampton on Sunday.

And that would be a fitting end to a magnificent season.

Iran deal

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has dismissed President Trump's move to pull the US out of the seven-party nuclear accord as "silly and superficial."

The other six signatories of the 2015 deal are now looking to move forward without the US.

The foreign ministers of France, Germany and Britain will meet Iranian officials next week. And China and Russia also say they remain committed to the accord.

North Korea

Trump's move against the nuclear deal agreed by his predecessor has cast a shadow over moves on the Korean Peninsula to free it of nuclear weapons.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is currently in Pyongyang to help lay the groundwork for a meeting between Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un.

Pyongyang is probably asking whether it can trust a country where the signature of the president - in this case Barack Obama - means so little.

Syria strikes

Within hours of the US pullout, suspected Israeli missile strikes killed nine people in Syria.

Regional leaders have lined up either behind Trump, and in many cases, against him, fearing further destabilisation in a region already sick of war.

Israel has carried out numerous strikes in Syria against regime leader Bashar al Assad and a key ally, the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.

Afghanistan blasts

A series of suicide bombings have wounded at least six people in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

Officials say the first attack targeted a police station in the western part of the city, while the other two bombings hit a police station in the city centre.

In recent months, the Taliban and Daesh have stepped up attacks in the Afghan capital.

Malaysia polls

And finally…

Polls have closed in Malaysia where the country is voting in a parliamentary election.

The contest pits Prime Minister Najib Razak against his one-time mentor, 92-year-old former leader Mahathir Mohamad.

The count is expected to be very close, but analysts are predicting a win for the governing coalition.

Iran deal

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has dismissed President Trump's move to pull the US out of the seven-party nuclear accord as "silly and superficial."

The other six signatories of the 2015 deal are now looking to move forward without the US.

The foreign ministers of France, Germany and Britain will meet Iranian officials next week. And China and Russia also say they remain committed to the accord.

North Korea

Trump's move against the nuclear deal agreed by his predecessor has cast a shadow over moves on the Korean Peninsula to free it of nuclear weapons.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is currently in Pyongyang to help lay the groundwork for a meeting between Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un.

Pyongyang is probably asking whether it can trust a country where the signature of the president - in this case Barack Obama - means so little.

Syria strikes

Within hours of the US pullout, suspected Israeli missile strikes killed nine people in Syria.

Regional leaders have lined up either behind Trump, and in many cases, against him, fearing further destabilisation in a region already sick of war.

Israel has carried out numerous strikes in Syria against regime leader Bashar al Assad and a key ally, the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.

Afghanistan blasts

A series of suicide bombings have wounded at least six people in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

Officials say the first attack targeted a police station in the western part of the city, while the other two bombings hit a police station in the city centre.

In recent months, the Taliban and Daesh have stepped up attacks in the Afghan capital.

Malaysia polls

And finally…

Polls have closed in Malaysia where the country is voting in a parliamentary election.

The contest pits Prime Minister Najib Razak against his one-time mentor, 92-year-old former leader Mahathir Mohamad.

The count is expected to be very close, but analysts are predicting a win for the governing coalition.