UK sees rise in hate crimes following Brexit vote and more Zedlines

The number of hate crimes has risen from ten thousand, 10,793 during the July to September quarter in 2015, to 14,295 in the same quarter last year. The report from by the Press Association said 33 out of UK’s 44 police forces had witnessed record numbers of such crimes.   Vigil for Dead Asylum Seeker in Planning A vigil is being planned to mark the coronial inquest into Iranian asylum seeker Hamid Khazaei’s death. Khazaei was detained on Manus Island when failure to treat a cut on his foot resulted in him contracting sepsis, later dying from the infection. In November last year, the inquest heard how Khazaei’s immediate evacuation to a better hospital was delayed by the need for a visa. According to Refugee Action Collective, the vigil is to be held at 9am outside Brisbane’s Magistrates Court on Friday, Monday and Tuesday.   Brisbane City Council Goes Carbon Neutral The Brisbane City Council has become completely carbon neutral. The target was reportedly reached through a combination of efficiency and emission reduction projects, as well as carbon offset purchases. Council emissions were calculated from a wide range of sources, including landfills, public transport and electricity generation. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk touted the achievement as a first for a major government in Australia.   Gastro Bout Claims Its Second Cruise Ship A major cruise ship has been struck with gastro for the second time in two weeks. The Sun Princess docked in Brisbane after dozens of passengers contracted norovirus on a two week cruise to New Zealand. 90 people were struck down by the illness the previous week, but this time there were more than 140 sufferers. Carnival Australia, the owner of the cruise ship, have said most guests were unaffected by the illness, calling it a common stomach bug.   Melbourne Train Station Guards Claim Exploitation Melbourne’s train station security guards claim they are being underpaid for dangerous and risky work. The workers claimed they were being paid under the award rate, and are docked $500 every time a train is graffitied on their shift. Mr Kahn, one of the train guards, said when he started in 2010 he was paid $18 an hour, which has gone up to $22 an hour with no penalty rates or superannuation. Metro Trains said it has launched an investigation into these claims.   Greek Bailout Needs More Work Talks with Greece’s official lenders on concluding their critical bailout have made progress, however more steps are needed to finish up. European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Pierre Moscovici said the possibility of further debt relief and reforms have dragged on for months, rekindling fears of a new financial crisis in Europe. Mr Moscovici said some small steps are required to conclude the review and move forward.