UN slams Israel's plan to build new settlements in West Bank

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• The UN secretary-general slams Israel's plan to build new settlements in the occupied West Bank. Ban Ki-moon described the decision as a provocative act. He said it’s natural for Palestinians to resist against Israel because they are frustrated after half a century of occupation.
• The Italian foreign minister has backed Iran’s role in resolving the crises in the Middle East, most particularly the Syria crisis. In a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Rome, Paolo Gentiloni said instability in the region could exacerbate tensions within the Muslim world.
• The Italian Coastguard has rescued 124 asylum seekers in the Mediterranean Sea. The refugees had set off from Libya to reach Europe. It’s not clear whether any of their fellow passengers had drowned. Italian officials say those rescued will be given refuge in asylum centers.
• The interior ministers of the European Union have asked the European Commission about the possibility of extending border checks at the passport-free Schengen zone to cope with the influx of refugees. In the last few months, Austria, Germany, Sweden, France and non-EU member Norway have all introduced temporary controls. 
• Anti-austerity protesters have once again poured on to the streets in the Greek capital Athens to demonstrate against planned social security reforms and pension cuts. Despite growing anger, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has defended his unpopular reform plans. The pension overhaul has actually been demanded by Greece's bailout creditors.
• Russia says it could sue the British leadership over its report claiming the Russian president was behind the killing of former spy Alexander Litvinenko. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warns that the report, which he says is baseless, could harm relations between Moscow and London.
• French police have clashed with taxi drivers who blocked a road in capital Paris to protest their working conditions. Police officers fired tear gas to disperse the protesters. The drivers were mostly angry over the unfair competition between them and non-licensed private-hire cabs. 
• Thousands of Australians have taken to the streets of Melbourne in solidarity with the Aboriginal community. The rally was held on the Australia Day which marks the arrival of British ships in 17-88. Opponents of the occasion say the Brits destroyed the life and identity of the native Australians.

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