Fisson failure | Australia’s industry group for electricity retailers and generators told a nuclear inquiry the country should focus on policies that will drive a faster rollout of renewable energy and storage, saying nuclear is unlikely to be a viable coal-fired power replacement.

News news | The Albanese government’s move to force digital media giants back to the bargaining table with news media should be commended, writes Rod Sims.

The ultimate price | Queensland’s premier, David Crisafulli, has conceded there will be “real pressure” on the state’s youth justice system as a result of his flagship youth justice laws, which dramatically increase maximum sentences for child offenders.

Overprotected? | Survivors of clergy abuse have expressed deep concern at proposals to ban protests outside places of worship, with lawyer John Ellis saying a blanket ban would have seen him arrested outside a Sydney cathedral last year.

Blown away | Victoria will consider changing windfarm guidelines after government research found lifting the wind speed at which turbines start spinning could significantly reduce bat deaths without notably affecting the energy generated.

Out of the woods | Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (pictured), is expected to leave intensive care on Friday after doctors successfully carried out a follow-up operation to reduce the risk of bleeding following his unplanned brain surgery earlier this week.

What next? | More than 100,000 people are estimated to have fled into Kurdish-administered areas in northern Syria amid escalating factional fighting and fears of retaliatory attacks after the collapse of forces loyal to the former president, Bashar al-Assad.

Not budging | South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has vowed to “fight until the end” attempts to remove him from office after his short-lived imposition of martial law, as police reportedly attempted to raid his office again.

Battle lines | The leader of Canada’s largest province says he’s prepared to halt energy exports to the United States, warning that other premiers “need to be ready to fight” as tariff threats escalate. Meanwhile, Donald Trump had received a useful present: $1m from social media company Meta for his inauguration fund. And he is Time magazine’s famed “Person of the Year” for the second time in less than a decade

Crackdown continues | A Hong Kong judge has convicted seven people, including a pro-democracy former lawmaker, of rioting during mob violence at a subway station at the height of the city’s anti-government protests in July 2019.

Tennis | After Nick Kyrgios’ run of horrific injuries, his doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis insists he can hit the ground running on his Australian Open return.

Chess | An Indian teenager is the new chess world champion – and the youngest ever – after his Chinese opponent made a terrible blunder in their final match.

NRL | The Australian government has pledged $600m to fund an NRL franchise based in Papua New Guinea – a way to link Australia and PNG more closely as China invests heavily in the Pacific.

Rugby | Specialist officers searching for the missing former England rugby player Tom Voyce have found a body close to where he was swept away while trying to drive across a flood-swollen river, police have said.

Drugs | NSW legislators will hold a public hearing on the impact of the regulatory framework for cannabis.

In court | A hearing is scheduled as Janine Balding’s killer and rapist sues to overturn his conviction.

Space | Pre-dawn on Saturday will be peak viewing time for the second Geminid meteor shower of 2024.

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