Australia

A man has been charged by an antisemitism police taskforce for his alleged involvement in an attack on the former home of Jewish community leader Alex Ryvchin in Dover Heights, Sydney. The man, along with another individual, is accused of vandalizing vehicles and houses with anti-Jewish graffiti in Queens Park. Both men will appear in court on 3 April to face charges related to property damage and participating in a criminal group. Full Article

At least 30 people in Nicaragua have been infected with the New World screwworm parasite, which has resurged across Central America, causing devastating consequences for livestock and wildlife. The parasite, eradicated in the 1990s, has now reemerged, with two cases in Nicaragua requiring life-saving treatment. The US has temporarily halted live cattle imports from Mexico due to the rapid spread of the parasite, emphasizing the urgent need for containment and eradication efforts. Full Article

Kim Birrell, Australia's in-form player, will lead the country's Billie Jean King Cup qualifying campaign in April, following her rise to world No.75 and exceptional recent performances. The qualifying round, to be held in Brisbane, will see Australia face Kazakhstan and Colombia in a three-team competition, with Birrell excited to represent her home state and country. Team captain Sam Stosur is confident in Birrell's form and anticipates finalizing the team in mid-March, with Olivia Gadecki, Maya Joint, Ajla Tomljanovic, and Daria Saville as potential team members. Full Article

A young father named Connor is in critical condition after being struck by a hit-and-run motorcycle rider in Loganlea, south of Brisbane. His partner Anneliese described his extensive injuries, including collapsed lungs, broken bones, facial fractures, and a brain bleed, as well as the rider's callous actions of leaving the scene. Anneliese, who tracked Connor's movements to the hospital, expressed concern for their four-year-old daughter and disbelief at the rider's heartless behavior, with police continuing to search for the culprit. Full Article

In a significant development, the Fair Work Commission has ordered a suspension of industrial action on Sydney's train network until 1 July, bringing relief to commuters and the NSW government. The decision follows months of negotiations for a new enterprise agreement for rail workers, with the union seeking a 3.5 percent annual pay rise and the government offering 15 percent over the same period. While the Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW hopes to quickly reach a deal, concerns remain about the NSW government's approach setting a precedent for aggressive employers, as commuters seek assurance of ongoing reliability in rail...

Tayla Harris, a Premiership forward for Melbourne's AFLW team, had her season cut short by a dislocated shoulder and a failed trade attempt to Hawthorn before signing a one-year deal with Melbourne. Despite the uncertainty, Harris focused on rehab and house renovations during the off-season, maintaining a positive attitude towards her situation. Confident in her recovery from two shoulder reconstructions, Harris is determined to be strong and ready for Melbourne's upcoming campaign, emphasizing the importance of staying healthy to play at her best. Full Article

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has hinted at the return of state of origin matches amid growing support for representative football, following the success of the Indigenous All Stars exhibition. Dillon is considering making representative fixtures a regular part of the AFL calendar, with discussions on the frequency of events like state of origin or all stars matches. The recent Indigenous All Stars match drew almost 38,000 fans and saw strong player and club support, leading to discussions about the future of representative football in the AFL. Full Article

In 2009, during an international cricket tournament in Pakistan, bus driver Meher Mohammad Khalil saved the lives of the Sri Lankan team when armed militants attacked their bus, injuring six players. Now, the country is hosting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with heightened security measures in place to ensure a successful and safe event. Despite India's refusal to participate, Pakistan is determined to showcase its renowned hospitality and bury the reputation tarnished by the 2009 attack. Full Article

Hamas plans to release six Israeli hostages and the bodies of four others, including the Bibas family. Israel has not confirmed the Bibas deaths, though Hamas claims they died in an Israeli air strike. The ceasefire is holding, but major challenges remain for further hostage releases, with Hamas reasserting control in Gaza and Israel aiming to eliminate Hamas' capabilities. Full Article

Newly released video shows a plane with 80 people on board flipping during a landing in icy weather in Canada, leaving passengers hanging upside down "like bats" as fire crews extinguished flames. Twenty-one people were hospitalized with injuries, including a child in good condition, but most had been released. The Delta Air Lines flight crashed at Toronto Pearson Airport, with weather possibly playing a factor in the harrowing incident. Full Article