Here is a round-up of global news developments:
- Security forces in Bahrain have clashed with demonstrators protesting against the increased sentence of the al-Wefaq society Chief Sheikh Ali Salman. Protests were held in several areas across the Persian Gulf kingdom. The protesters called for the immediate release of Sheikh Ali Salman and all other political prisoners.
- Yemen’s Ansarullah fighters have carried out a retaliatory attack on Saudi forces in response to Riyadh’s continued airstrikes against the impoverished Arab country. Yemeni media say Ansarullah fighters and allied army units launched a ballistic missile into Najran district in Saudi Arabia. There are no reports of casualties.
- Hawkish Israeli politician Avigdor Lieberman has been sworn in as Israel’s new minister of military affairs after being approved by the Israeli parliament. Fifty-five members of the 120-seat Knesset voted in favor of Liberman while 43 voted against him. Israel’s cabinet has already endorsed the 57-year-old hardliner.
- The European Council president has once again warned against a possible EU break-up. Addressing a meeting of the European People’s Party in Luxembourg, he said the bloc’s leaders are trying to create a utopia of Europe without nation states. He said EU politicians are losing touch with ordinary people.
- In France, air and train strikes against the so-called labor reforms threaten to bring chaos just weeks before the start of Euro 2016. Paris says it’s worried that the looming unrest will put off visitors. The French labor union has also threatened to hit the transportation system on June 14.
- Iranian president Hassan Rouhani has slammed Saudi Arabia, saying it is serving Israel’s interests by blocking Iranian Hajj pilgrims and fueling instability in the region. Rouhani said Hajj and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, in Saudi Arabia, belong to all Muslims.
- The Saudi regime has stopped granting visas to Afghan Hajj pilgrims under the age of 45. The move has further fueled anti-Saudi sentiment among Afghans. Some experts believe Riyadh has politicized the great Muslim gathering by making such a decision.
- Iraqi forces are steadily pushing to liberate the city of Fallujah from ISIL terrorists. According to military sources, the terrorists have put up stiff resistance and deployed snipers. Iraqi forces are marching from three directions on the city. Fallujah fell to Daesh in 2014.
