PROTESTS ERUPT OVER FURTHER AUSTERITY MEASURES

Greece’s lawmakers have approved a new batch of creditor-demanded measures that will impose further income losses on austerity-weary Greeks over the next three years. The legislation was backed by all 153 deputies in Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ left- led coalition. All present opposition lawmakers in the 300-strong parliament rejected the measures. Tsipras defended the new austerity measures Thursday. “The counter-measures will provide relief to thousands,” he said. Earlier Thursday, about 15,000 people protested outside parliament. Dozens of masked youths broke out of the crowd to throw gasoline bombs at police guarding approaches to the building. They were repulsed with tear gas. The protests came a day after a general strike disrupted services across the country.