Syria donors hold meeting in London

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• 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.
   
• The UN secretary general has called on the parties involved in the Syria peace talks to resume dialog after negotiations in Geneva were suspended for three weeks. Ban Ki-moon described the peace talks as the only way to resolve the crisis that has plagued Syria and is spreading in the region.
   
• The Syrian army has entered Nubl and Zahra a day after breaking a three-year militant siege of the two Shia towns in Aleppo province. The army says it's in complete control of the towns and has cut militant supply lines into the nearby Aleppo city.
   
• 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.
   
• A UN panel has ruled in favor of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, saying he has been arbitrarily detained. Assange who has taken refuge in Ecuador’s embassy since 2012 said he would accept arrest if the panel ruled against him. Assange faces extradition to Sweden where he is wanted for alleged sex assault.
   
• 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.

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