It's Friday! Here are this week's big stories and some that you might have missed
The big headlines
- Queensland Police arrested former Bachelor star Sam Wood at a luxury holiday rental in Noosa on Saturday, following reports of an alleged domestic violence incident. The fitness influencer remained behind bars for a number of days, charged with domestic violence offences including bodily harm and strangulation.
- Convicted US murderer Christa Pike survived two lethal injections in Tennessee this week. She was transferred to a Nashville hospital last week where she has since woken from a coma and started speaking.
- More than 250,000 people have taken part in protests across France this week. The student protests about over the declining state of French high school classrooms turned violent, resulting in many injuries including a person losing a hand to a police grenade.
What else happened this week?
Australians attend October 7 vigils
Hundreds gathered to remember the lives lost on October 7 / Pexels
Vigils were held across the country on Wednesday to mark the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Pro-Palestinian groups also held vigils on the anniversary, saying that October 7 was the day Israel began its attacks on Gaza in response.
Coalition unveils immigration policy including migration cuts
Taylor says the cut will take pressure off of housing, schools and infrastructure / Wikimedia Commons
The Coalition has revealed its plan to cut migration down to 100,000 per year for two years, making it the biggest migration cut Australia has ever seen. Coalition leader Angus Taylor says the cuts will prioritise skilled migrants while cutting temporary student graduate visas.
Pneumonic plague case reported in Russian lab
Australia has not had a case of the pneumonic plague since the 1920’s / Unsplash
Uncertainty is rising in Russia after a 28-year-old laboratory worker reportedly died of the pneumonic plague this week. The plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria, and is almost always fatal if not treated within the first 24 hours of transmission. None of her close contacts have displayed symptoms.
Soldier dies in Northern Territory training exercise
Corporal Brendan Hammen is survived by his partner and two children / Wikimedia Commons
An Australian soldier has been killed in a vehicle rollover on Monday afternoon at the Mount Bundey training grounds just outside of Darwin. Corporal Brendan Hammen was among six men injured in the accident, two of whom still remain in the Royal Darwin Hospital.
White Fox sued by Adidas
Adidas demands White Fox admit it broke the law and stop selling the items / Shutterstock
Online Australian fashion giant White Fox is being sued by sportswear company Adidas for trademark infringement. Adidas claims that the four stripes found on items made by White Fox infringe on the company's trademark, that could incorrectly lead audiences to think the two brands have collaborated.
Albanese warns of 'dangerous summer' ahead
The pre-Cop meeting in Tuvalu highlighted the effects of climate change / Unsplash
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned Australians of a dangerous summer ahead due to the increased effects of climate change and a “super El Nino”. This week Albanese spoke alongside national leaders in Fiji as part of this year's Pre-cop meeting, which identified the Pacific regions as a top priority for global climate discussions.
Women feel more pain than men, report finds
Researchers hope the data will help close the 'gender pain gap' / Shutterstock
A recent report surveying six million people, published in Nature Medicine, has found that women feel more pain than men. The data from across 118 countries revealed that the number of self-reports of pain across 11 bodily sites ranging from head to wrist were higher for women than men.
Altman says public must accept AI's ‘bad things’
Altman’s comments come among global concerns of AI developing too quickly / Wikimedia Commons
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in an interview this week that we “should accept some bad things happening for the benefits of this technology [AI].” He explained how OpenAI is different to other AI companies that are slowing advancement of their technologies, saying his company has a less strict approach.
Messi plays last international match
Messi will continue to play for Inter-Miami in the Major Soccer League / Wikimedia Commons
Football legend Lionel Messi played his last professional match for Argentina this Wednesday after a 22-year-long career. His final appearance took place on Wednesday in a farewell friendly match against Benin, which he ended with a goal and two assists to win the match 3-0.
Trump condemned over 'take out LA' comments
The White House defended Trump’s statements, calling reactions 'not rooted in reality' / Wikimedia Commons
US President Donald Trump is under fire after he suggested Iran could "take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego." Californian governor Gavin Newsom criticised Trump’s remarks, calling his comments “deranged and dangerous".
And now for some good news
Australia’s oldest man turns 113
Ken Weekes is the second-oldest living man in the world / Shutterstock
Australia’s oldest living man, Ken Weekes, celebrated his 113th birthday on Monday with a drive around his childhood town in a vintage car. Despite his age, Weekes continues to do things independently, like making his own bed, choosing his outfits and doing laps of his nursing room floor.
It's Friday! Here are this week's big stories and some that you might have missed
The big headlines
What else happened this week?
Australians attend October 7 vigils
Hundreds gathered to remember the lives lost on October 7 / Pexels
Vigils were held across the country on Wednesday to mark the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Pro-Palestinian groups also held vigils on the anniversary, saying that October 7 was the day Israel began its attacks on Gaza in response.
Coalition unveils immigration policy including migration cuts
Taylor says the cut will take pressure off of housing, schools and infrastructure / Wikimedia Commons
The Coalition has revealed its plan to cut migration down to 100,000 per year for two years, making it the biggest migration cut Australia has ever seen. Coalition leader Angus Taylor says the cuts will prioritise skilled migrants while cutting temporary student graduate visas.
Pneumonic plague case reported in Russian lab
Australia has not had a case of the pneumonic plague since the 1920’s / Unsplash
Uncertainty is rising in Russia after a 28-year-old laboratory worker reportedly died of the pneumonic plague this week. The plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria, and is almost always fatal if not treated within the first 24 hours of transmission. None of her close contacts have displayed symptoms.
Soldier dies in Northern Territory training exercise
Corporal Brendan Hammen is survived by his partner and two children / Wikimedia Commons
An Australian soldier has been killed in a vehicle rollover on Monday afternoon at the Mount Bundey training grounds just outside of Darwin. Corporal Brendan Hammen was among six men injured in the accident, two of whom still remain in the Royal Darwin Hospital.
White Fox sued by Adidas
Adidas demands White Fox admit it broke the law and stop selling the items / Shutterstock
Online Australian fashion giant White Fox is being sued by sportswear company Adidas for trademark infringement. Adidas claims that the four stripes found on items made by White Fox infringe on the company's trademark, that could incorrectly lead audiences to think the two brands have collaborated.
Albanese warns of 'dangerous summer' ahead
The pre-Cop meeting in Tuvalu highlighted the effects of climate change / Unsplash
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned Australians of a dangerous summer ahead due to the increased effects of climate change and a “super El Nino”. This week Albanese spoke alongside national leaders in Fiji as part of this year's Pre-cop meeting, which identified the Pacific regions as a top priority for global climate discussions.
Women feel more pain than men, report finds
Researchers hope the data will help close the 'gender pain gap' / Shutterstock
A recent report surveying six million people, published in Nature Medicine, has found that women feel more pain than men. The data from across 118 countries revealed that the number of self-reports of pain across 11 bodily sites ranging from head to wrist were higher for women than men.
Altman says public must accept AI's ‘bad things’
Altman’s comments come among global concerns of AI developing too quickly / Wikimedia Commons
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in an interview this week that we “should accept some bad things happening for the benefits of this technology [AI].” He explained how OpenAI is different to other AI companies that are slowing advancement of their technologies, saying his company has a less strict approach.
Messi plays last international match
Messi will continue to play for Inter-Miami in the Major Soccer League / Wikimedia Commons
Football legend Lionel Messi played his last professional match for Argentina this Wednesday after a 22-year-long career. His final appearance took place on Wednesday in a farewell friendly match against Benin, which he ended with a goal and two assists to win the match 3-0.
Trump condemned over 'take out LA' comments
The White House defended Trump’s statements, calling reactions 'not rooted in reality' / Wikimedia Commons
US President Donald Trump is under fire after he suggested Iran could "take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles, let them take out San Diego." Californian governor Gavin Newsom criticised Trump’s remarks, calling his comments “deranged and dangerous".
And now for some good news
Australia’s oldest man turns 113
Ken Weekes is the second-oldest living man in the world / Shutterstock
Australia’s oldest living man, Ken Weekes, celebrated his 113th birthday on Monday with a drive around his childhood town in a vintage car. Despite his age, Weekes continues to do things independently, like making his own bed, choosing his outfits and doing laps of his nursing room floor.