Pakistan Seeking Financial Aid
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 Election Outcome
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.
8am Zedlines
Good Morning, this is Sam and Shirley with your 8am Zedlines.
Billion-dollar Brisbane infrastructure rollout
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”.
QLD sushi businesses accused of wage theft
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.
Aussie scientists discover heart attack ‘game changer’
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 federal population policy pushes migrants into smaller states
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.
Indian public schools called to act against sexual harassment
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.
Former Egyptian military officer sentenced to death
A former Egyptian military officer has been arrested in Libya after allegedly planning deadly attacks in Egypt.
Hesham Ashmawi and nine other suspects were sentenced to death in absentia by an Egyptian military court in December.
Libyan security officials are currently undergoing an investigation following his capture.
Re:membering UMWELT Collective
I remember the crunch of the pine needles beneath my shoes. I remember the light in the middle of the floor, with two performers wrapped around it, like yin and yang, lying on opposite ends of each other. The audience settled, the room got quite and it all began.