Monday, May 17

*) Israel pounds Gaza as death toll soars to 200 Israel has bombarded Gaza with artillery and air strikes but stopped short of a ground offensive in the conflict. Israeli aggression has claimed almost 200 Palestinian lives, including at least 60 children, and has wounded over 1,200 people. Israel's attacks on Gaza follow weeks of violence against Palestinians amid spiking tensions in occupied East Jerusalem during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. *) Calls for renewed peace talks as ceasefire ends in Afghanistan A three-day ceasefire has ended in Afghanistan amid calls for renewed peace talks between the government and the Taliban. The Taliban says negotiating teams from both sides met briefly on Saturday in Doha and renewed their commitment to finding a peaceful end to the war. The US has been pressing for accelerated talks as it withdraws the last of its 2,500 to 3,500 soldiers. *) UNICEF urges richer countries to fill Covax vaccine supplies UNICEF says the world's seven richest countries and the EU could help close the world's vaccine gap by sharing just 20 percent of their June, July and August stocks with the Covax scheme for poorer nations. The UN agency estimates a global supply shortfall of 140 million doses by the end of May and about 190 million by the end of June. The disruption in supply was caused by India after it curbed exports of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which were pledged to Covax, to be used by the country as it battles the deadliest wave in the world. *) Poll: Over 80% of Japanese oppose Olympics this year A new poll shows that most of Japan's population is opposed to their country hosting the Olympics this year. The latest survey comes after Japan expanded a coronavirus state of emergency on Friday as the nation battles a fourth wave. The weekend survey found 43 percent of people want the Games cancelled, and 40 percent want a further postponement. The games are scheduled to start in under 10-weeks. And finally ... *) Barcelona win women's Champions League for first time