Israeli settlers take over Palestinian buildings in West Bank

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• Israeli settlers have taken over a number of Palestinian buildings in the heart of the West Bank city of al-Khalil, also known as Hebron. Backed by Israeli soldiers, the settlers clashed with Palestinians protesting the move in the area. Israeli troops fired tear gas to disperse the Palestinians.
   
• More civilians, many of them children, are losing their lives in Saudi airstrikes in Yemen every day. At least 47 people were killed in air raids across the country on Thursday. That includes 18 medical staff in Sa’ada province. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders says at least ten children were among the dead.
   
• The third day of anti-government protests in Tunisia saw rallies spread from the central city of Kasserine to nearby towns and cities. Tunisian security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse angry crowds who tried to storm the governor’s office in Kasserine.
   
• A bomb attack near the Egyptian capital Cairo has left at least seven people, including three policemen, dead. The incident occurred in the suburb of Giza, where ancient pyramids are located. The bomb exploded as a team of officers raided an apartment suspected to be a militant hideout.
   
• The United Nations says Syria peace talks, scheduled for January 25, may be postponed a few days. UN Syria Envoy Staffan de Mistura said the opposition groups are divided over choosing their representative. He said the negotiations cannot kick off until the issue is resolved.
   
• The Organization of the Islamic Cooperation has called on Iran and Saudi Arabia to bridge their differences through dialog. OIC Secretary General Iyad Madani warned that strained ties between member states are diverting attention from the real challenges facing the Muslim world, including terrorism.
   
• The Colombian government has freed 16 FARC rebels as a goodwill gesture to reciprocate for a unilateral ceasefire declared by the group in July. The rebels were pardoned during peace negotiations aimed at ending half a century of armed conflict. The government is set to pardon a total 30 rebels.
   
• Thousands of Greek lawyers, doctors, and other professional groups marched through the streets of Athens to protest planned pension reforms. The demonstrators slammed the measures that if approved, can hand up to 80 percent of their annual income to the government. Athens is considering the decision under its international lenders’ pressure.

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