Reuters World News Summary

Following is a summary of current world news briefs. UK government focused on passing Brexit law, talks with Labour Party continue: spokesman

Prime Minister Theresa May's government is focused on passing the law it needs to ratify Britain's exit from the European Union, May's spokesman said on Tuesday. The spokesman told reporters talks with the opposition Labour Party on finding a way forward on Brexit would require compromise on both sides, and that the legislation could be introduced to make progress with the Brexit process. Battlelines drawn for second Spanish election debate, coalition deals unclear

The main contenders in Spain's national election prepared for a second televised debate on Tuesday after a encounter in which they accused each other of lying but left open questions about what coalition deals might eventually be struck. Sunday's election, one of the most polarised since Spain's return to democracy four decades ago, is being fought on emotive issues including gender equality and national unity following Catalonia's failed 2017 independence bid rather than matters such as the economy and climate change. Royal astrologer casts Thai king's horoscope ahead of coronation

Thailand's royal astrologer cast King Maha Vajiralongkorn's horoscope on Tuesday in an important ritual to prepare for his elaborate coronation ceremonies next week. Saffron-clad Buddhist monks chanted as the horoscope for the king's reign was cast on a golden plaque. U.S. to end all waivers on imports of Iranian oil, crude price jumps

The United States on Monday demanded that buyers of Iranian oil stop purchases by May 1 or face sanctions, a move to choke off Tehran's oil revenues which sent crude prices to six-month highs on fears of a potential supply crunch. The Trump administration on Monday said it will not renew exemptions granted last year to buyers of Iranian oil, a more stringent than expected decision that caught several key importers who have been pleading with Washington to continue buying Iranian oil sanctions-free. North Korea confirms leader Kim Jong Un to visit Russia for summit with Putin: KCNA

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit Russia for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean state media confirmed. State media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the visit will happen "soon," but did not elaborate the time or the venue. Myanmar's top court rejects final appeal by jailed Reuters journalists

Myanmar's top court on Tuesday rejected the appeal of two Reuters reporters sentenced to seven years in jail for breaking the Official Secrets Act, in a landmark case that has raised questions about the country's transition to democracy. "They were sentenced for seven years and this decision stands, and the appeal is rejected," Supreme Court Justice Soe Naing told a court in the capital, Naypyitaw, without elaborating. Protesters from city where Sudan uprising began head for Khartoum

Protesters from the birthplace of an uprising that toppled Sudan's former President Omar al-Bashir were converging on the capital on Tuesday, activists said, to pressure a transitional military council to relinquish power to civilians. The residents from Atbara, the city where the protests started on Dec. 19, were traveling to Khartoum by train in a highly symbolic show of support for demonstrators camped at a sit-in outside the defense ministry compound. Indian PM votes in general election, trumpets national security

Millions of Indians voted in the third and largest phase of a staggered general election on Tuesday, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi who cast his ballot in his home state of Gujarat and again underlined his focus on combating terrorism. In all, 188 million Indians are eligible to vote in 117 constituencies on Tuesday, across 15 states and federally controlled territories. India's parliament has 545 members. Zelenskiy faces battles with Ukraine's hostile parliament

Before Ukraine's new president Volodymyr Zelenskiy was even elected, an opposition leader was plotting to curb his powers and make it easier for him to be impeached. Andriy Sadovyi, head of the Samopomich party, the second largest opposition group in parliament, announced two days before the vote he was garnering support for a parliamentary bill to weaken the presidency. Sri Lanka wakes to emergency law after Easter bombing attacks

Sri Lankans woke to emergency law on Tuesday as authorities searched for those behind suicide bomb attacks on churches and luxury hotels that killed 290 people at the weekend, with the focus turning to militants with links to foreign groups. No group has yet to claim responsibility for Easter Sunday's attacks on three churches and four luxury hotels that also wounded about 500 people.