Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, May 2

Tens of thousands of workers and students took to the streets across France on Sunday to protest a controversial labor reform bill that critics say would create more low-paid jobs and further weaken workers' rights.

From Marseille and Lyon to Rennes and Strasbourg, and also in Paris, trade unions joined students' organizations and supporters of "Up All Night" action to stage a markedly larger May Day rally. (France-May Day Protest)

- - - -

GENEVA -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday urged all parties to the Syrian conflict to end violence and restore the cessation of hostilities during his second day trip here for talks focusing on the Syrian situation.

"We're getting closer to a place of understanding. But we have some work to do, and that's why we're here," he told reporters after meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir Monday morning in a Geneva hotel. (UN-Syria-Talks)

- - - -

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. cruise ship started its historic journey to Cuba on Sunday for the first time in 38 years.

Carnival Corp.'s Adonia left a Miami port on Sunday afternoon and sailed to Havana, with 704 passengers aboard, including several Cuba-born passengers. (U.S.-Cuba-Cruise)

- - - -

BAGHDAD -- Sixteen Shiite pilgrims were killed and 43 others wounded on Monday in a suicide car bomb explosion in the southern Iraqi capital of Baghdad, a police source told Xinhua.

"The latest report said that 16 Shiite pilgrims were killed and 43 wounded in what appeared to be a suicide car bomb attack in southern Baghdad," the source said on condition of anonymity. (Iraq-Bomb)

- - - -

YANGON -- A flash flood, triggered by week-long torrential rain in Myanmar's northernmost Kachin state, has left 545 people homeless, official report said on Monday.

The flooding in Chibwe township washed away 95 homes with shortage of food, the report said, adding that there were no casualties. (Myanmar-Floods) Endi