Israeli troops kill 55 in Gaza

Israeli troops shot dead dozens of Palestinian protesters on the Gaza border on May 14 as the United States opened its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem, a move that has fuelled Palestinian anger and drawn foreign criticism that it undermines peace efforts. It was the bloodiest single day for Palestinians since the Gaza conflict in 2014. Palestinian Health Ministry officials said 55 protesters were killed and 2,700 injured either by live gunfire, teargas or other means. The bloodshed drew calls for restraint from some countries, including France and Britain, and stronger criticism from others, with Turkey calling it "a massacre".

Mahathir elected eldest PM of the world

Malaysia's veteran ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad, 92, won a shock election victory on May 9 in a political earthquake that toppled the country's scandal-plagued premier and ousted a regime that has ruled for over six decades. It was a stunning triumph that almost no one had predicted and ended the long hold on power of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which has ruled Malaysia since its birth as an independent country. The victory capped a dramatic political comeback for Mahathir, who previously ruled the country with an iron fist for 22 years, and came out of retirement to taken on Prime Minister Najib Razak after the leader became embroiled in a massive corruption scandal. When he takes power, Mahathir will be the oldest prime minister in the world.

Karnataka elections: BJP stakes claim

The BJP, which won only 40 seats in 2013, has emerged as the single largest party by establishing a lead in 104 seats. The ruling Congress, which had won 122 seats in 2013, is set to win 78 seats. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was defeated by JD(S)' G.T. Deve Gowda by a whopping margin of 36,042 votes. He will, however, represent Badami in the Vidhana Soudha. In a sudden twist of events, the Congress announced its unconditional support to the JD(S). Mr. Siddaramaiah, who was vocal against JD(S) and its chief H.D. Deve Gowda during election campaigns, announced the party's decision to the media. When asked who will be the chief ministerial candidate, Mr. Siddaramaiah left it to the choice of JD(S).

Families behind Indonesia bombings belonged to same religious study group

The families behind a wave of suicide bombings in the Indonesian city of Surabaya were all members of the same religious study group and radicalised their children through homeschooling, investigators in East Java have said. Ch Insp Machfud Arifin said the three families were all connected through a Sunday evening group, adding that they met each week to study Islam and watch jihadist films. The content of the films included footage from Syria and Iraq, as well as Isis attacks in France, and was intended to encourage those in the group to commit terrorist attacks, he said. At least 26 people were killed and dozens more injured in the multiple suicide bombings, the deadliest terrorist strike in Indonesia in more than a decade. Of those killed, 13 were the perpetrators.