'Critical' spacewalk to repair space station

MIAMI • Two United States astronauts embarked yesterday on what Nasa described as a "critical" spacewalk to repair a failed piece of equipment that helps power the International Space Station.

A computer relay box failed suddenly last Saturday, but the crew was never in danger since there are two of the boxes, and one of them continued to work, said the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

US-led air strikes: Worst month for Syria civilians

BEIRUT • Air strikes on Syria led by the United States killed 225 civilians over the past month, a monitor said yesterday.

It is the highest 30-day toll since the strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria militant group began in September 2014 in Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said civilians who died between April 23 and May 23 included 44 children and 36 women.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

German police smash massive burglary ring

BERLIN • Munich police have dismantled a big criminal family that was carrying out systematic and strategic burglaries across Europe, according to German media on Monday.

The investigation started after two police officers arrested three young women - whose family is connected to the "Cucina" gang - as they were caught trying to break into houses in Munich.

XINHUA

Macron moves to overhaul labour code

PARIS • French President Emmanuel Macron got to work yesterday on his first major agenda item of overhauling the labour code, meeting union leaders and bosses on an issue that sparked strikes and protests last year.

The centrist former Socialist economy minister has signalled his intention to move quickly to free up businesses by cutting red tape, in an attempt to generate much-needed jobs and growth.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE