France appoints new politician to examine tricky pensions reforms
France appointed Laurent Pietraszewski on Wednesday as the new politician tasked with examining reforms to the country’s pension system, following the resignation of previous pensions tsar Jean-Paul Delevoye.
New Zealand PM Ardern staffer’s abuse claims dismissed in report
Sexual assault allegations made against a member of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s staff could not be established, an independent report into the incident found on Wednesday.
Muslim leaders gather in Malaysia for summit shunned by Saudi
Leaders and senior representatives from some 20 Muslim nations flocked to the Malaysian capital on Wednesday to discuss issues agitating Muslims globally at a summit Saudi Arabia decided to snub, and Pakistan ducked out of attending.
Nepal’s proposed changes to climbing permits for Mount Everest
The Nepal government has proposed changes to its permit process for climbers on Mount Everest following the deaths of eleven climbers this year. The proposals, and associated criticisms, include:
Veteran climbers skeptical proposed rules for Mount Everest will stop deaths
Reuters) – Veteran climbers of Mount Everest are skeptical that proposed new regulations by the Nepalese government to tighten the permit process for adventurers will address the root causes of this year’s heavy death toll on the world’s tallest peak.
Japanese journalist wins damages in high-profile lawsuit over alleged rape
Japanese journalist Shiori Ito on Wednesday won her civil lawsuit seeking damages from a prominent reporter who she said had raped her, a verdict welcomed by women’s rights advocates in a country where sexual assault victims often stay silent.
In Australia’s outback town of Oodnadatta, it’s just another very hot day
An outback town near Australia’s red-hot center barely paused on Wednesday for a heat wave that is gripping the country, fuelling fires and prompting widespread health warnings as heat records tumble.
New Zealand scales down search for two missing after deadly eruption
New Zealand police said on Wednesday they would be scaling down search operations for the two people who are missing after a volcanic eruption last week, admitting the bodies may never be found.
Japan demands swift release of fishermen detained by Russia
Japan on Wednesday demanded the prompt release of the crews of five fishing boats detained by Russia, saying they were doing nothing wrong and calling for them to be set free on humanitarian grounds.
Tokyo court orders journalist pay damages to reporter Shiori Ito over alleged rape suit
A Japanese court on Wednesday ordered prominent reporter Noriyuki Yamaguchi to pay 3.3 million yen ($30,375.55) in damages to journalist Shiori Ito in a civil lawsuit related to her allegations he had raped her.
