Israel blasted over al-Aqsa raids
Israel has announced the closure of the only crossing with the Gaza Strip, citing rocket launches from the besieged Palestinian territory. The Israeli ministry of military affairs says Gazan merchants and workers would not be allowed through the Erez Crossing on Sunday. It says the reopening of the crossing will be decided after the security situation is assessed. Israel says rockets were fired from Gaza on Friday and early Saturday. No casualties or damage were reported. Palestinian officials in Gaza have not commented either. The development comes amid an Israeli crackdown on Palestinian worshippers at the al-Aqsa Mosque in al-Quds. Dozens were wounded on Friday.
Zelensky on Russia plans
The Ukrainian president says Russia plans to capture other countries following its military operation in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky said it’s unclear which nation is next in line, and urged other countries to fight alongside Ukraine to counter Russia. He was reacting to comments by a top Russian general. Rustam Minnekayev said Russia wants to take full control over eastern and southern Ukraine as part of the second phase of its special operation there. He said taking those areas would provide a land corridor to the Crimean peninsula. Russia on Thursday announced the capturing of Mariupol, a strategic port city in southern Ukraine. Moscow says its operation in Ukraine aims to demilitarize and denazify the country.
Assange extradition
China has joined the global outcry against a recent UK court order to extradite WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange to the US to face trial. A foreign ministry spokesperson says the extradition can lay bare the hypocritical nature of the American government. Wang Wenbin said the order also reveals the true face of the US with regard to freedom of speech and the press. Plus, he added, Assange’s case shows that the US regards as a criminal anyone who exposes its scandals. Back in 2010, Assange published about half a million military files detailing alleged US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Australian-born journalist has been held in a British prison since 2019 after Ecuador revoked his asylum at its embassy there. If he’s extradited to the US, he could face up to 175 years in prison. Reporters Without Borders and other media watchdogs have called on the UK government not to approve the extradition.
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