Japan court upholds ban on same-sex marriage but voices rights concern
A Tokyo court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage on Wednesday but said a lack of legal protection for same-sex families violated their human rights,...
Oceania
Australia to withdraw or refund tens of thousands of Covid fines
Australia’s largest state will withdraw or refund tens of thousands of fines issued during the COVID pandemic after government lawyers conceded on Tuesday that some...
Progressives returned for third term in Australia’s Victoria state
The progressive government of Australia’s Victoria state won re-election on Saturday, clearing the way for spending on infrastructure, education and healthcare. After eight years in...
New Zealand court rules voting age of 18 is discriminatory
New Zealand’s highest court ruled on Monday that the country’s current voting age of 18 was discriminatory, forcing parliament to discuss whether it should be...
North Korea fires suspected intercontinental ballistic missile, lands near Japan
North Korea fired a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday that landed just 200 kilometres (130 miles) off Japan and had sufficient range to reach...
In Australia, a hacking frenzy spurred by an undersized cybersecurity workforce
A swathe of hacks on some of Australia’s biggest companies has made the country a target for copycat attacks just as a skills shortage leaves...
Crypto industry disappointed as Australia looks to enshrine tax rules
The cryptocurrency industry said on Wednesday it was disappointed with Australia’s decision to continue treating digital currencies as assets for tax purposes, and not as...
New Zealand PM Ardern delayed in Antarctica after plane breaks down
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spent an extra night Friday at the country’s research station in Antarctica after the military aircraft she was meant...
Russians can compete at Australian Open, Djokovic would be welcome
Russian and Belarusian players will be able to compete at the Australian Open as neutrals while Novak Djokovic would also be welcome to play if...
Australia to set aside 30% of land mass to protect endangered species
Australia will set aside at least 30% of its land mass for conservation in a bid to protect plants and animals in the island continent...
