Thursday, May 20

*) Hamas official predicts ceasefire soon but Israel-Gaza fight goes on A senior Hamas official predicted a ceasefire within days even as Israeli warplanes carried out new air strikes and Palestinians fired more rockets. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuffed US President Joe Biden's call for a "de-escalation" on the path to a ceasefire. At least 228 Palestinians have been killed since Israel started its relentless bombardment of Gaza on May 10, Palestinian health officials say. *) House backs commission on January 6 Capitol riot The US House of Representatives has voted to create an independent commission on the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. Democrats say an independent investigation is crucial to uncover what happened on the day Trump supporters smashed into the Capitol to try and overturn President Joe Biden's victory. The commission would make recommendations by the end of the year for securing the Capitol and preventing another insurrection. *) US: Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine can be stored in refrigerator for a month The US Food and Drug Administration has authorised storage of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at standard freezer temperatures for up to one month. The change is especially important for global and remote US facilities that have poor transport and storage infrastructure. In February, the US health agency approved the storage and transportation of the vaccine at standard freezer temperatures for up to two weeks instead of ultra-cold conditions. *) Gaza's health system buckling under repeated wars, blockade Gaza’s already feeble health system is being brought to its knees by the fourth war in just over a decade. Hospitals have been overwhelmed with waves of dead and wounded from Israel’s bombardment as vital medicines are rapidly running out in the tiny enclave. Two of Gaza’s most prominent doctors were killed while its only virus testing lab was damaged by an air strike and forced to relocate with fewer supplies. And finally ... *) Bitcoin struggles f