The Melbourne National Centre of Excellence has been accused of inflicting “brutal” punishments on young gymnasts.

The organisation has been called out by parents who reported that their children were subjected to belittlement and harassment, including being made to swing from bars until their hands bled.

Gymnastics Australia board member George Tatai says the organisation is sweeping the issue under the carpet.

The NSW government is facing backlash after it announced plans to use the Sydney Opera House to market a $13 million horse race.

National Trust NSW conservation director, Graham Quint, says projecting commercial material onto the Opera House may be in breach of the Heritage Act.

In a public protest, more than 206,000 signatures have been amassed in a petition to stop the promotion.
 

Pakistan’s new government will be seeking financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund in light of their economic crisis.

The country is currently struggling to overcome a balance-of-payment crisis with an 18 billion dollar deficit.

Finance minister, Asad Umar, stated at least $8 billion would be required to meet external debt payments until the end of the year.

Cameroon’s opposition candidate has claimed victory in Sunday’s presidential polls, despite a government warning to not announce results.

Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon candidate Maurice Kamto said he won the election and will organise a ‘peaceful way to transfer power’.

However, deputy secretary general Gregoire Owona accused Kamto of breaking the law, and said it was too early to know if anyone had won yet.

With $17 billion dollars worth of infrastructure expected to be delivered to Brisbane by 2026, residents are being advised to expect years of interruptions.

Ten city changing projects are now either under construction or working towards approval, which include the Waterfront Precinct, Queen’s Wharf Brisbane and Herston Quarter.

Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner believes the years of disruption would be short term compared to the “pain the city would feel without…the Cross River Rail and Brisbane Metro”.

Over 39 sushi businesses in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have breached workplace laws, according to a Fair Work Ombudsman audit.

Inspectors have found 37 businesses are underpaying their staff, with 29 businesses breaching record keeping and pay slip laws.

Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker stated sushi eateries were often employing young migrant workers, who may not be aware of their workplace rights and entitlements.

In a world first study, Australian scientists have discovered which DNA can raise your risk of heart attacks.

Aussie scientists were able to create a ‘genomic risk score’ which heart disease experts are calling ‘game changing’.

Currently, people with high-risk DNA are four times more likely to have a heart attack than those without.

New visa conditions could require migrants to settle outside Sydney and Melbourne for five years, according to a soon-to-be released government population policy.

Population and Urban ­Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge will confirm today that the conditions would apply to skilled migrants not tied to geographic areas by company sponsorship or family visa.

Mr Tudge believes too little infrastructure has been built in state capitals to cater for population growth, and that regional development will be key to settling migrants in smaller states.

Indian Activists have called for the government to protect girls at state-run institutions after 34 girls were violently attacked for standing up to sexual harassers.

The girls, aged between 12 and 14, were attacked by a mob after they fought off sexual advances from a group of boys.

The Supaul district education officer said the girls were ‘shocked’ and ‘in trauma’ after the event.

If you’re in need of sexual assault support, 1800 respect is the national number for 24/7 assistance.