9am Zedlines
This is your 9am Zedlines with Alex and Kelseigh
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Venezuelans flee to Colombia amid food shortage
Thousands of Venezuelans continue to flee the country every day seeking asylum in Colombia as the country’s economic collapse continues to worsen with stifling hyperinflation.
President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government continues to oppress his people following a decision to allocate $2 billion to bondholders rather than food imports.
Venezuelans face dire life and death decisions; Migrant Yeraldine Murillo said It’s migrate and give it a try or die of hunger there. Those are the only two options.
Civil Rights Group Slams ‘Islamophobic’ Bill
Civil-rights group the Council on American-Islamic Relations has labelled as “contrary to our nation's values” an Idaho bill banning the implementation of “foreign law” in the State.
The group says the bill, known as HB - 419, fits into a wider pattern of “unconstitutional” bills demonising Muslims by barring Sharia Law as similar legislation is considered in Montano, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
Students urged to avoid orphanage work
On Thursday the Federal Government launched a smart volunteering campaign, working alongside universities and state authorities to ensure students are not unintentionally visiting or volunteering in programs that exploit young children.
A UNICEF report released last year found that most orphans living in Cambodia were neither orphans nor abandoned and were at risk of being exploited to attract funding and donations from tourists, including being forced to beg, interact and play with visitors.
Astronomers peek at Cosmic Dawn in Western Australia
A group of American Astronomers have glimpsed the first stars of the Big Bang through a small radio telescope in Western Australia.
The Astronomers received a faint radio signal from 13.6 Billion years ago, which showed frigid temperatures and an unusually pronounced wave that could be elusive dark matter, which scientists have been hunting for decades.
Finding a signal from these early stars has been likened to “hearing the flap of a hummingbird's wing from inside a hurricane” said Peter Kurczynski from the National Science Foundation.
Speed limits decrease on M1 for Commonwealth Games
Brisbane and Gold Coast drivers will need to lower their speed by 10 kilometres per hour on the M1 from today or prepare to face hefty fines.
In an attempt to improve road safety ahead of the Commonwealth Games in April, the 110km/h speed limit on the busy motorway will be dropped to 100km/h and 100km/h dropped to 90km/h.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey says considering its extensive advertising there will be no grace period, the new speed limits will be enforced immediately and the Queensland Government are unapologetic for it.
War of Words Over Western Suburbs Bridge
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey has accused Brisbane City Council of neglecting Western suburbs residents in their go-slow approach to upgrades for Jindalee’s Centenary Bridge and Indooroopilly’s Walter Taylor Bridge.
The RACQ told Fairfax Media on Monday both bridges must be duplicated within 10 years to stop adding “billions of dollars to the city’s congestion costs.”
8am Zedlines
This is your 8am Zedlines with Maria and Justin.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Chinese President plan's to scrap Presidential term limit
Chinese President Xi Jinping's plan to scrap the Presidential term limit in the authoritarian ruled nation has angered the Chinese public.
President Xi’s move away from a consensus rule to presidential power and indefinite terms put into jeopardy the stable rule in China in the changing modern era.
Some citizens believe this move represents a return to the imperial style rule of Mao, President Xi will hope for continued stability in the country as China continues to establish itself a world powerhouse.
French MP Shares Racist Letter
French MP Laetitia Avia is trending on Twitter in France after sharing details of a racist letter which has highlighted enduring racial tensions in the country.
Ms Avia, whose parents are from Togo in western Africa, condemned the letter while using a hashtag translating to ‘Don’t let anything pass.’
Interior Minister Gerard Collomb and Gender Equality Minister Marlene Schiappa both denounced the`letter which was labelled a “heinous racist attack.”