UN warns Gaza Strip on 'disastrous trajectory'

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• The UN special humanitarian coordinator for Palestine has warned that the Gaza Strip is on a disastrous trajectory. Robert Piper said the reconstruction of the territory is progressing slowly because of Israel’s blockade that remains firmly in place. He stressed that the siege has also affected Gaza’s health sector.
• Clashes have erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinians after soldiers laid a siege to a village near the West Bank city of Jenin. At least five Palestinians have been injured. Tel Aviv says the village is home to Palestinians who allegedly carried out deadly attacks against Israeli police officers on Wednesday.
• At least 12 people have been killed in two suspected US drone strikes in Yemen. One attack bombed the city of Rawda in Shabwah province while another bombed areas in the neighboring Abyan province. The victims are said to be al-Qaeda operatives including a field commander.
• Leaders and diplomats from 70 countries are meeting in London to pledge money to help millions of Syrians refugees. The UN and regional countries say at least nine billion dollars is needed for this purpose in 2016. Iranian Foreign Minister who is also attending the conference arrived in London on Wednesday.
• Protesters have taken to the streets in the Filipino capital Manila, calling for an end to a security cooperation agreement with the United States. Demonstrators said the accord violates their country’s sovereignty. The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement allows the stationing of US troops and weapons at bases in the Philippines.
• Wikileaks founder Julian Assange says he will leave the Ecuadorian embassy in London and accept arrest if a UN panel investigating his case rules against him. He has taken refuge in the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden for questioning over rape allegations. Assange has denied the charges.
• The UN humanitarian office says the weather phenomenon known as El Nino will make 22 millions of people across Eastern Africa dependent on food aid. The international body said water shortages, poor sanitation conditions, high malnutrition, and population displacement will increase the risk of spreading water-borne diseases.
• The children of slain Angolan rebel chief Jonas Savimbi have called on a French court to punish the makers of video game "Call of Duty" for representing their father as a barbarian". The court said it will rule on March on whether Activision Blizzard, which makes the game, had defamed Savimbi.

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