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Tokyo: Two melons from the Japanese city of Yubari on Friday fetched a record price of 5 million yen ($45,600) in the first auction of this year's agricultural season in the country. The two cantaloupe variety-melons, characterised by their orange pulp and sweetness, were part of around 1,000 pieces of Yubari brand melons auctioned at the wholesale market in Sapporo, reports Efe news. IANS
Brazil top court votes to make homophobia a crime
Rio De Janeiro: A majority in Brazil's supreme court has voted to make homophobia and transphobia crimes like racism, a decision coming amid fears the country's far-right president will roll back LGBT social gains. Six of the Supreme Federal Tribunal's 11 judges have voted in favour. The five other judges will vote in a court session on June 5, but the result will not be modified. The measure will take effect after all the justices have voted. AP
Taiwan holds 1st gay marriages in historic day for Asia
Taipei: Taiwan's first official same-sex weddings kicked off Friday in a landmark moment for LGBT rights in Asia as gay couples took the historic step of registering as married, the culmination of a three-decade fight for equality. Shane Lin and Marc Yuan, a couple who fell in love at college, were the first to arrive at a government office in downtown Taipei. Dressed in matching suits, they embraced and kissed in front of a huge media scrum before signing their marriage certificates. AFP
Pope names women to key Vatican dept for first time
Vatican City: Pope Francis appointed women on Friday to a key Vatican department for the first time since it was founded more than 50 years ago, a move welcomed by Catholic women's groups as a significant advance. Three nuns and one lay woman were appointed councillors in the office of synods, which prepares major meetings of world bishops held every few years on a different topic. Reuters
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