World News Roundup: Germany seeks more EU sanctions against Russia over Navalny's death; Israel to set security limits on Ramadan prayers at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa, Netanyahu says and more

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Analysis-Parole for Thailand's Thaksin reflects rise of new threat to old guard

The early release of Thailand's once-fugitive ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra represents to many a deal the influential billionaire made with his enemies to counter an even greater threat to the royalist-military establishment. To some observers of Thailand's convoluted politics, Thaksin's parole after returning from self-imposed exile in August was the latest act in an elaborate effort to crush the hugely popular anti-establishment Move Forward party that finished first in last year's election.

EU's von der Leyen wins backing for second term from Germany

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday won the backing of her German centre-right party for a second term, putting her in a strong position to clinch another five years running the European Union's executive body. At a meeting of the party leadership, Germany's opposition Christian Democrats gave their support to von der Leyen to be their candidate for Commission president. It confirms a widespread assumption that von der Leyen would seek another term.

Israel to set security limits on Ramadan prayers at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa, Netanyahu says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that he had made a "balanced decision" to allow freedom of worship at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa mosque during Ramadan, but that access would be limited according to security needs. Asked about the possibility of blocking access for Israeli Muslims to Al Aqsa, a flashpoint prayer site in Jerusalem's Old City, Netanyahu's office said: "The prime minister made a balanced decision to allow freedom of worship within the security needs determined by professionals." It gave no details.

Germany seeks more EU sanctions against Russia over Navalny's death

Germany will propose new sanctions against Moscow over the death of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Monday ahead of an EU foreign ministers' meeting to be attended by his widow. The ministers were already due to discuss the bloc's 13th package of sanctions against Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

Fourteen patients evacuated from besieged Gaza hospital, ministry says

Fourteen patients were evacuated from a Gaza hospital that has been raided by Israeli troops, the Gaza health ministry said on Monday, as Israel denied its military operations had stopped the hospital from functioning. The two sides gave conflicting accounts of the situation at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza's second-largest, with Israel denying an assertion by the Gaza ministry's spokesperson that its forces had detained the hospital director.

Strike closes Eiffel Tower in blow to tourists ahead of Paris Olympics

The Eiffel Tower, one of the most visited tourist sites in the world, closed on Monday as staff went on strike in protest against the way the Paris monument is managed financially, disappointing the crowds below. The strike comes as Paris prepares to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, which begin on July 26 and will feature metal from the tower in the winners' medals.

Navalny's widow Yulia calls on Russians to fight Putin for freedom

Yulia Navalnaya said on Monday she would continue the fight of her dead husband Alexei Navalny for a "free Russia" and called on opposition supporters to battle President Vladimir Putin with greater fury than ever. Navalnaya's call from abroad for resistance to Putin comes less than a month before a presidential election that is almost certain to hand the Kremlin chief another six-year term.

Israel's six-week drive to hit Hamas in Rafah and scale back war

Israel expects to continue full-scale military operations in Gaza for another six to eight weeks as it prepares to mount a ground invasion of the enclave's southernmost city of Rafah, four officials familiar with the strategy said. Military chiefs believe they can significantly damage Hamas' remaining capabilities in that time, paving the way for a shift to a lower-intensity phase of targeted airstrikes and special forces operations, according to the two Israeli and two regional officials who asked to remain anonymous to speak freely.

UN to explore appointment of envoy to engage Taliban with international community

The United Nations secretary general will begin consultations on the appointment of a U.N. envoy to coordinate engagement between Afghanistan's Taliban government and the international community, he said on Monday. Antonio Guterres told a press conference that Taliban representatives did not accept an invitation to a meeting of international envoys to Afghanistan that he convened in Doha on Sunday and Monday.

At World Court, Palestinians demand end to Israeli occupation

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki demanded an immediate end to Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories at the start of hearings on Monday into the legal status of the occupation at the United Nations' top court. More than 50 states will present arguments before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague until Feb. 26, following a 2022 request from the U.N. General Assembly for an advisory, or non-binding, opinion.

(With inputs from agencies.)