Wednesday, May 12

*) Israel carries out hundreds of air strikes in Gaza, killing at least 35 The death toll has risen to 35 in Gaza as air strikes by Israel leave a trail of destruction in the blockaded Palestinian territory. Those killed include 12 children and two women. Violence has flared once again at Al Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem where Israeli forces fired rubber bullets on Palestinians gathering after morning prayers. Tensions soared last week as Israeli police used rubber bullets and stun grenades against Palestinians congregating at the Mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. *) Several children killed in school shooting in Russia’s Kazan A gunman has attacked a school in Kazan, the capital of Russia’s republic of Tatarstan, killing nine people and leaving 21 others wounded. Of the dead, seven were schoolchildren. Officials said the attacker, identified as a 19-year-old, was arrested. While school shootings are relatively rare in Russia, there have been several violent attacks on schools in recent years, mostly carried out by students. *) Macron party head warns candidate in headscarf won't get party support French President Emmanuel Macron's party head has threatened to withdraw support for a candidate in upcoming regional elections after she was pictured with a headscarf. Stanislas Guerini said candidate Sara Zemmahi "wearing ostentatious religious symbols on a campaign document is not compatible with the values of LREM". A proposal by French senators might soon deny the freedom for women to wear hijab in public spaces. *) Death toll from Colombia protests climbs to 42 At least 42 Colombians have been killed in protests against the government of President Ivan Duque since April 28. The protesters, initially against proposed tax reforms, are now demanding the government take action to tackle poverty, police violence and inequalities. The tax reform bill has since been withdrawn,but the protests have continued despite a forceful response by police. And finally ... *) Manchester Cit