Ukraine’s president-elect says being blocked from calling snap poll
Ukraine’s president-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy, keen to build parliamentary support, said on Thursday the election commission was preventing him from calling a snap parliamentary election by delaying the announcement of his election victory.
France’s Macron offers tax cuts to quell ‘yellow vest’ protests
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Thursday to cut tax further and said the French would have to work more as he outlined his response to months of anti-government protests that have challenged his authority.
France’s Macron proposes easier rules for referendums, pensions shake-up
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday he wanted people to feel more involved in the democratic process by simplifying rules for referendums and decentralizing more government functions.
Huge numbers of protesters rally outside Sudan defense ministry to demand civilian rule: Reuters witness
Huge numbers of protesters rallied outside Sudan’s Defense Ministry on Thursday to demand civilian rule, challenging the ruling Transitional Military Council to cede power.
Portugal marks 45 years of democracy but fight carries on
Thousands marched in Portugal on Thursday to celebrate the almost bloodless revolution 45 years ago that ended its four-decade-long dictatorship, while politicians said that economic and social developments had not matched its democratic advance.
Britain warns against traveling to Sri Lanka, sees further attacks
Britain said terrorists were likely to try to carry out further attacks in Sri Lanka and warned its nationals to avoid the country unless it was absolutely necessary following the Easter Sunday bombings that killed 359 people.
Ukraine passes language law, irritating president-elect and Russia
Ukraine’s parliament approved a law on Thursday that grants special status to the Ukrainian language and makes it mandatory for public sector workers, a move Russia described as divisive and said discriminated against Russian-speakers.
Sudan judges march in Khartoum, join opposition protests
About 100 Sudanese judges demanding civilian rule marched on Thursday from the Supreme Court in Khartoum towards an opposition sit-in outside the Defense Ministry, joining anti-government protests for the first time, a Reuters witness said.
South Lanka authorities were trying to head off bombers when they struck: official
Sri Lanka’s top defense official said on Thursday that security agencies had been working to stop militant attacks in the days before Easter Sunday bombings that killed 359 people, and he was resigning to take responsibility for the failure.
Britain advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka
Britain said on Thursday it was advising against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday bombings that killed 359 people, adding that terrorists were very likely to try to carry out further attacks.
