Kenya government urges critics not to protest over electoral body
NAIROBI (Reuters) – Kenya’s government called on its opponents on Thursday not to stage street protests against an electoral oversight commission that they accuse of bias, after three demonstrations in less than a month led to clashes with police.
Argentine lawmakers pass bill to stop layoffs; Macri veto awaits
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina’s opposition-controlled lower chamber of Congress on Thursday passed a bill to prevent layoffs in the public and private sectors, challenging the center-right government’s efforts to cut a gaping fiscal deficit and sp…
EU seen on track to extend economic sanctions on Russia: sources
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union is on track to renew economic sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Ukraine when they expire in July, though an extension could be contested and only short-term, diplomats and officials said.
Gazans feel borders closing in as exit options diminish
GAZA (Reuters) – Abu Abdallah, the owner of a women’s fashion store in Gaza, traveled to Jordan seven times last year so he could fly on to Turkey and Egypt looking for new stock. This year, he has not been allowed out of the fenced-in strip once.
Turkey to miss end-June deadline for EU visa-free travel: sources
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union is set to miss an end-June deadline to grant visa-free travel to Turkey because of a dispute over Turkish anti-terrorism law, barring an improbable sudden concession by President Tayyip Erdogan, EU officials and …
In the Philippines, faith becomes a driving force against coal
BATANGAS, Philippines (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The Muslim cleric from the city of Batangas walked up to Archbishop Ramon Arguelles and held out his hand. “I am Imam Abdul Karim,” he said, introducing himself. “I want to join you in your fight aga…
French PM calls for end to labor protests marred by violence
PARIS (Reuters) – France’s prime minister urged union leaders on Thursday to call off protests against reforms to labor laws, saying turnout was waning but violence mounting as “people who want to kill a cop” were hijacking legitimate protests to attac…
Syrian government forces, allies capture extensive area near Damascus
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian government forces and allies including Lebanese Hezbollah fighters seized an extensive area southeast of Damascus from rebels on Thursday and fought other insurgents near a highway leading southwest, a monitoring group said.
Pope condemns ‘bloodsuckers’ who exploit poor workers
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis condemned “bloodsuckers” who grow rich by exploiting others on Thursday, saying making “slaves” out of workers and setting unfair contracts was a mortal sin.
Iraq says it retakes western town of Rutba from Islamic State
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraq’s military said on Thursday it had retaken the remote western town of Rutba from Islamic State in an operation launched this week to cut off the militants’ supply route to neighboring Syria.
