Germany’s defense minister has said German troops in Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base will continue fighting in the international coalition against the Daesh terrorist group till the end of June. In an interview with German daily Bild am Sonntag, Ursula von der Leyen said German refueling aircraft were expected to be moved to Azraq air base of Jordan by mid-July. Source Anadolu Agency
Saudi security forces foiled an attack on the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca on Friday, state television Al-Ekhbariya and Al Arabiya TV reported. Source Reuters
Turkey rejected a call from four Arab states on Friday to shut down its military base in Qatar, saying the base was a guarantor of security in the Gulf and demands for its closure represented interference in its ties with Doha. Source Reuters
The ECB has approved the yuan as a reserve currency. This is a symbolic but historic step for China, which can now establish its currency in Europe as a counterweight to the US dollar, says DW’s Frank Sieren. Source Deutsche Welle
