Iraqi forces and Shia fighters from the Popular Mobilisation units fire rockets from the village of al-Azraqiyah towards Daesh terrorist group positions in the city of Fallujah, on June 4, 2016. (AFP)
Here is a round-up of global news developments:
- Iraqi government forces close in on Daesh in the city of Fallujah as they liberate the nearby town of Saq-lawiyah. Officials say the recapture of the town is key to cutting off the terrorists’ supply lines. Iraqi forces have been battling for Fallujah over the past two weeks.
- The Syrian army, backed by the Russian air power, has crossed the boundary of Raqqa province which is the bastion of Daesh terrorist group in the Arab country. Dozens of terrorists were reportedly killed in the battle. Damascus has not said how many troops are involved in the offensive.
- The head of Egypt’s press syndicate and two board members stand trial on charges of harboring wanted journalists and publishing false news. Union chief Yahya Kallash condemned the trial and slammed President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for escalating the war against journalists.
- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the US of seeking to isolate his government. At a summit of Caribbean countries in Cuba, Maduro urged the Latin American countries not to give in to US pressure to reach its goals in this regard.
- Pope Francis has approved measures to fire bishops who are negligent in dealing with priests committing child sexual abuse. The decree comes in response to long-running demands by abuse victims and their supporters. The Vatican is under fire for failing to stop the sexual abuse of priests in many countries.
- Supporters and opponents of refugees have staged rival rallies in the German city of Dortmund. Police forces have been deployed to the protest site to quell the possible violence. Germany has witnessed an upsurge in such rallies since 2015 when over a million asylum seekers entered the country.
- A family spokesman of US legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali, has announced that septic shock was the reason behind his death. The 3-time world heavyweight champion had been suffering from a respiratory illness. He died on Friday night at the age of 74.
- China says it will not participate in or accept the arbitration court's decision at the Hague regarding the South China Sea dispute with the Philippines. The Philippines has questioned Beijing’s territorial claims. The dispute has become a source of tension between China, the US, and some regional countries.
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