Louisiana lawmakers reassert ban on gender-affirming care, overriding veto

By Rachel Nostrant (Reuters) – A ban on gender-affirming healthcare for transgender children is due to take effect in Louisiana on Jan. 1, after the state legislature overrode Governor John Bel Edwards’ veto of the bill, according to state officials. The legislature, which acted late on Tuesday, becomes the latest Republican-led state to ban trans-focused…

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Several reported shot as Kenya protesters, police clash in tax hikes unrest

By Thomas Mukoya, Monicah Mwangi NAIROBI (Reuters) -Several people were shot in Kenya, some possibly fatally, as security forces clashed with demonstrators across the country protesting high costs of living and tax hikes, a hospital official and local media said on Wednesday. Demonstrators hurled rocks at police and burned tyres in the streets, while the…

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Russia to deem Ukraine-bound ships ‘potential carriers of military cargo’ from Wednesday eve

(Reuters) – Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Wednesday it would deem all ships travelling to Ukrainian ports to be potential carriers of military cargo and their flag countries to be parties to the conflict on the Ukrainian side. The move follows Russia’s decision this week to pull out of the U.N.-brokered Black Sea grain export…

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US single-family starts drop; building permits hit 12-month high

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. single-family homebuilding fell in June, but permits for future construction rose to a 12-month high as a severe shortage of previously owned houses for sale supports new construction. The decline in housing starts reported by the Commerce Department on Wednesday partially retraced an abnormally large 18.7% surge in…

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WHO urges govts to set up surveillance for people at risk from heatwaves

(Reuters) – The World Health Organization on Wednesday urged governments and local authorities to set up a strong surveillance system for people who are most at risk of severe symptoms from a heatwave that is baking the northern hemisphere. People with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and diabetes, as well as pregnant women, children and homeless…

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