World news in brief
At least 10 killed and 30 missing in Nepal landslide
Landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rain have killed at least 10 people and left 30 others missing in Nepal. Seven people died when mudslides hit three different spots around the resort town of Pokhara, police official Subash Hamal said. Pokhara, 200km (125 miles) west of the capital, Kathmandu, is popular among tourists and serves as a base for trekkers heading up to mountain trails.
Just north of Pokhara, a landslide swept through two villages in Myagdi district, damaging 37 houses. Mahesh Subedi, a government administrator, said so far three bodies had been pulled out but 30 more are missing. Roads were also blocked by mudslides, making rescue efforts difficult while continuing rains prevented helicopter flights. Landslides are common in the Himalayan nation during the monsoon season that began in June and lasts up to September.
Thailand approves same-sex partnerships
Thailand’s cabinet has approved a civil partnership bill that would grant same-sex unions legal status similar
to that of heterosexual marriages. The draft Civil Partnership Act and amendments of the Civil and Commercial Code was passed on Wednesday and will be sent to parliament for approval, said deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek.
But activists have criticised the bill, describing it as “fake equality” as it does not go far enough to ensure marriage equality among all citizens. Two MPs from the Move Forward political party, which pushed for a marriage equality bill, said in a statement that the civil partnership bill still does not equate to marriage equality and warned citizens not to be misguided. According to Thai newspaper Prachatai, Tannawin Sukkhaphisit and Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat explained that the use of the terminology “civil partner” has not been used in Thai legislation before, and the bill therefore does not grant civil partners the same rights and protections as spouses. Under the bill, same-sex couples will be able to register their partnership as long as they are both at least 17 years old and at least one partner is a Thai citizen.
Blue jellyfish clog cooling system in Israeli power plant
Thousands of jellyfish clogged up a cooling system and threatened to suspend production at a power plant in Israel. The plant, based in the coastal city of Ashkelon, about 15 miles north of the Gaza strip, uses seawater to cool its systems. “Since last night, Ashkelon power plant workers struggled against a wave of thousands of jellyfish that came into the station via the seawater,” the company wrote in a statement on its Facebook page. “For the Electric Company, this is a real danger that can disrupt the production processes at the station.”
Summer marks the start of jellyfish season in Israel when thousands of the creatures swarm the coastline. The most common type of jellyfish found on beaches is the Rhopilema nomadica, otherwise known as the “nomad” jellyfish, according to a website monitoring sightings of jellyfish along the coast.
Tributes pour in for former Seoul mayor
The death of the mayor of Seoul has triggered public mourning that some fear could lead to criticism of the woman he is alleged to have sexually harassed. Park Won-soon, 64, was found dead in a wooded area in the north of South Korea’s capital on Friday morning local time, hours after leaving a “will-like” message with his daughter. Police have refused to disclose the cause of death, but said there was no sign of foul play. Mr Park’s body was taken to Seoul National University Hospital, where five days of funeral proceedings began.
Hundreds of mourners visited a specially set up altar, and supporters cried and shouted phrases including “we love you” and “we are sorry”. However, critics have raised concerns about the public outpouring of sorrow amid reports that one of Mr Park’s secretaries filed a police complaint against him on Wednesday night. The woman alleged that he had sexually harassed her since 2017.