Stories from Australia

Essendon player Nick Cox will play his first AFL game in 630 days this Saturday against Brisbane. The 24-year-old had previously faced concerns regarding his ability to play following a concussion.

Police are attempting to subdue approximately 200 people gathered outside the Alice Springs hospital. Before his arrest, Lewis was located at a residence and required medical assistance due to being beaten. During the incident, a police vehicle was set alight and rocks were thrown at officers, who used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd. Police have taken a 47-year-old man into custody in Alice Springs, Australia. The man is accused of abducting and killing a five-year-old girl named Kuman Jai Little Baby. The child was reported missing from her home last weekend, which triggered a manhunt. The suspect was the subject of a manhunt following the disappearance. Journalist Gira Kazakov reported being subjected to tear gas while on the scene after 10 p.m. No specific cause for the crowd's anger was stated in the report.

New South Wales defeated Queensland 11-6 in the first game of the women's rugby league State of Origin in Newcastle. Queensland took an early 6-0 lead following a try by Tessa Bulle and a conversion by Lauren Brown. New South Wales responded in the second half with a try by Ellie Johnston in the 46th minute. A field goal in the 64th minute by Jesse Southwell secured the victory for the Blues. The Blues secured the win following a late field goal by Jesse Southwell and a final try by Jessica Sergis. Queensland's Lauren Brown stated the team missed their opportunity after a strong start. The Blues secured a victory with 26 points against the South, according to ABC Sport reporter Andrew Moore. The match was attended by a crowd of 20,179 people. The series will move to Brisbane following this result. The match took place in Newcastle before 20,000 spectators.

Hawthorne and Collingwood played to a draw at the MCG with a final score of 13-15, 93 to 15-3, 93. Hawthorne forward Dylan Moore scored a goal from 30 metres out directly in front after a free kick was awarded following a high tackle by Darcy Moore. The goal occurred after the siren to tie the game. Connor McDonald was noted during the broadcast of the game. Collingwood and Hawthorn played to a 93-point draw at the MCG in an AFL match. Dillon Moore scored a goal after the siren to secure the draw for Hawthorn. The result earns the Hawks two points, elevating them to the top of the ladder. The series moves to Brisbane in three weeks. A crowd of 20,179 attended the match.

A permanent police presence has been established outside Jewish schools and synagogues to address security concerns. Community members expressed concern that police resources are limited and that visibility may decrease once news cycles move on.

Queensland Police Service conducted searches at the Norfolk building apartment in Burleigh Heads. Police officers were seen removing items from the property during the investigation. The home of the former Queensland Premier has been declared a crime scene, according to the Courier Mail. The investigation is described as a bombshell development. Reza Adib in Burleigh Heads on Thursday afternoon. Officers entered the unit block, but authorities have not yet confirmed the purpose of the search.

Amateur player Jordan Smith defeated Janik Sinner and Amanda Anisimova during his first year at the tournament. Tournament director Lawrence Robertson stated the event outperformed all set metrics for community and domestic audience reach.

Tournament director Lawrence Robertson stated the One Point Slam event has outperformed all established community and domestic audience reach metrics. The event features a single point winner receiving one million Australian dollars.

Retired judge Virginia Bell has called for upgraded security measures for public Hanukkah celebrations in Australia. Bell stated that police should focus on public-facing Jewish holiday festivities to fill existing security gaps.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has filed claims in Federal Court against Woolworths. The retailer is accused of misleading consumers by advertising prices that were not actually lower than original prices. A federal court judge is expected to rule on a lawsuit filed by Consumer Watch Dogs against supermarket giant Woolworths. The lawsuit alleges the company misled shoppers with fake discounts on hundreds of items between September 2021 and May 2023. The judge is due in court later today to consider the case.