Briefly

ISRAEL

PM ally resigns as parliament speaker

A right-wing ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stepped down as speaker of parliament on Wednesday in a blow to the embattled premier, the latest development in a monthslong political crisis. Yuli Edelstein's resignation paved the way for Netanyahu's rival Benny Gantz, who is trying to form a government, to place an ally in the powerful post. That could spell new risks for the premier as he faces trial for alleged corruption. Lawmakers who oppose Netanyahu have pushed for a law blocking him from remaining prime minister while facing the charges, all of which he denies.

UNITED KINGDOM

London court denies Assange's bail request

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is fighting extradition from Britain to the United States, was denied bail on Wednesday after his lawyers said he should be released because he was at high risk of contracting the coronavirus in prison. The 48-year-old is wanted by the US on 18 criminal counts of conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law, and says he could spend decades in prison if convicted."As matters stand today, this global pandemic does not as of itself provide grounds for Mr Assange's release," said Judge Vanessa Baraitser at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

LIBYA

Clashes escalating over capital Tripoli

Clashes between rival Libyan forces for control of the capital Tripoli escalated on Wednesday as militias allied with the United Nations-supported government launched an offensive against a military base held by their rivals, officials said. The renewed fighting came despite increased international pressure on both sides to halt the violence over concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. Libya reported its first case of the virus on Tuesday.

Agencies - Xinhua