A man accused of stalking a woman he barely knew has been granted bail. Suyash Sinha, 31, of Franklin, was suspended without pay from his ACT Government contracting job after his employer learned of the charge through media reporting. The court heard he contacted the woman after she refused a relationship, sent messages describing what she was wearing, and sent friend requests from multiple accounts. Police are still investigating his alleged use of government work systems. Magistrate Ian Temby imposed conditions including no contact with the woman or her family and no social media use.
Real Madrid will play their first El Clasico of the 2026/27 season against Barcelona without Vinicius Jr. The 26-year-old Brazilian forward is serving a four-match suspension after being sent off for violent conduct in a game against Villarreal. Vinicius Jr. pulled the hair of Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba, which led to a three-match ban, with an additional game added by La Liga. Real Madrid are currently third in the La Liga table, six points behind Barcelona, and will need to strategise without their key player for the crucial match.
Australian women's fast bowler Megan Schutt has been banned for two matches after breaching guidelines on prescription medication. Cricket Australia confirmed the suspension on Thursday. The governing body said the breach was a single incident outside competition and was not for performance-enhancing purposes. The ban covers all international and domestic cricket. Schutt has accepted the penalty and apologised for failing to meet the standards expected of her.
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Australian fast bowler Megan Schutt has been handed a two-match suspension for breaching rules on prescription medication. Cricket Australia said the breach was a single incident outside competition and was not for performance enhancement. Schutt, 33, said she accepted the penalty and apologised for failing to meet expected standards. She will miss the third and final T20 international against New Zealand on Thursday, and the Adelaide Strikers' opening Weber WBBL game against the Melbourne Stars on October 31.
New South Wales Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has suspended Clarence Valley Council for three months. He appointed John Rayner, an experienced local government executive, as interim administrator to run the council during the suspension. Hoenig said the appointment was needed to restore the proper functioning of the council. The council had asked the Office of Local Government for an external investigation into ongoing problems with its operations, administration and financial management. The suspension follows the sacking of general manager Laura Black after a mayoral ballot was mishandled last month.
The Portuguese football federation has suspended captain Cristiano Ronaldo for 30 days after he left national team camp before a Nations League match against Denmark. Ronaldo also received a fine of 255 euros. The suspension is backdated to October 9, the end of the last international break. Portugal does not play again until November 14, so Ronaldo is expected to be available for that match, according to a report by A Bola. Ronaldo had earlier apologised in a statement and said he would accept punishment as captain.
Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson has been suspended one game without pay by the NFL after he appeared to spit at Las Vegas Raiders player Brock Bowers in Week 6. He was ejected from the game. Gardner-Johnson said he was out of line and criticised himself for not acting like a better veteran, but said the incident had nothing to do with Bowers. The suspension adds to a long list of disciplinary issues across his career, including fines and on-field clashes with other players.
Nissan is considering offering its upcoming Navara Pro PHEV ute with a choice of leaf-spring or coil-spring rear suspension. Engineers are still evaluating both setups ahead of the vehicle's local launch in 2027, and the company has yet to confirm which will go into production. The previous D23 Navara offered both types, with leaf springs on single-cab and King Cab models and coil springs on dual-cab variants. The Australian-market version will use a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, with Nissan targeting a 1000kg payload and 3500kg braked towing capacity. Final specifications and pricing will be announced closer to launch.
Carlton has suspended defender Wade Derksen for all pre-season games and up to round three of next year's AFL season. Derksen, 25, was charged with drink-driving in Jabiru in the Northern Territory after failing a roadside breath test, returning a high-range reading. His case will be heard in a Northern Territory court next month. Carlton general manager of football Chris Davies said the club expects higher standards and will support Derksen while he takes full responsibility. Derksen joined Carlton this season after GWS delisted him and played 15 games for the Blues.
Police in French Polynesia are gathering evidence over an alleged incident in Tahiti that has led two world surfing bodies to suspend a male professional surfer. The International Surfing Association and World Surf League both acted after learning of serious allegations. The WSL says the alleged incident happened at a private gathering in August, not linked to the organisation. Surfing World reports it followed a party after the Outerknown Tahiti Pro, involving a teenage Australian female surfer and at least three men. Australian and French Polynesian police are reportedly unclear over jurisdiction, and neither has confirmed the allegations.
Carlton defender Lachie Cowan has been suspended for the first two home and away matches of 2027 and fined $5,000 after an AFL investigation. The AFL found him guilty of conduct unbecoming over his use of an illicit substance during the off-season. Cowan must also complete further education on illicit substances and their effects. In a statement, he apologised to his family and the club, calling the incident a wake-up call. The AFL's new illicit drugs policy takes effect in January 2027, with all players to be hair tested on their return to training.
The AFL has suspended Carlton player Lachie Cowan for the first two home-and-away matches of the 2027 season. The league found him guilty of conduct unbecoming after an investigation into his use of an illicit substance last weekend. Cowan has also been fined $5,000 and must complete further education on illicit substances. In a statement, Cowan apologised to his family and the club and called the incident a wake-up call. The AFL has also confirmed a new illicit drugs policy will take effect in January, with all players hair tested on their return to training.
Mazda is revising the rear suspension of its CX-60 and CX-80 SUVs for 2027, starting with European showrooms from December 2026. The changes aim to improve ride comfort through revised rear suspension crossmember bushings. The updated models also gain more sound-absorbing materials and an Active Parking Control system, which handles parallel and perpendicular parking. Mazda has not confirmed whether the updates will reach Australia. Mazda president Masahiro Moro said the company will upgrade the models on a scale never seen before, though he did not confirm the extent of the changes.
Auckland FC striker Sam Cosgrove faced media scrutiny after serving a two-game suspension in New Zealand's National League rather than the A-League. The 29-year-old Englishman, who secured the golden boot in his debut season, defended the club's use of a regulatory loophole allowing A-League players to feature in reserve matches. During a heated exchange, Cosgrove dismissed questions about embarrassment, asserting the club's right to utilise all available resources. Auckland FC, the reigning A-League Men champions, begin their season against Melbourne City this Saturday. FIFA, Football Australia and Football New Zealand have reportedly approved the suspension arrangement.
Cristiano Ronaldo walked out on the Portugal squad the day before a UEFA Nations League match against Denmark, despite efforts by coach Jorge Jesus and federation president Pedro Proenca to keep him. Ronaldo has accepted any punishment from the national programme, and a suspension is reportedly expected. Before leaving, he reportedly demanded that Jesus read out a statement affirming his relationship with the player and apologising for not bringing him on after a warm-up. Former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney said he was shocked by the demands, saying a player should not tell a manager what to say.
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Vinicius Jr. has been suspended for four La Liga matches after being sent off against Villarreal for pulling the hair of Nathan Saliba. The ban means he will miss El Clasico against Barcelona on October 25 at the Camp Nou. He will be available for Champions League games against RB Leipzig and AEK Athens. In the 4-3 Champions League win at Roma, Vinicius was substituted after 59 minutes, having made little impact. His place in the starting line-up now looks uncertain, with Yan Diomande and Endrick potential replacements.
A Glenorchy City Council alderman, Peter Ridler, has been suspended for one month after a code of conduct panel found he breached the council's code. The panel found he touched female staff, made inappropriate remarks and requested a staff member's personal phone number. Ridler allegedly rubbed a staff member's back and seized an employee's name badge. The panel also found he continued the behaviour after saying he would stop. The sanctions include a reprimand and mandatory training.
The Northern Territory Police Force has charged a 23-year-old probationary constable with weapon offences in Darwin. Other officers saw the non-operational constable carrying an imitation Glock handgun at Darwin Police Station on Wednesday morning. Police believe the weapon was 3D printed. Officers searched the officer's home and seized a second 3D printed imitation Glock handgun and a 3D printer. The officer has been charged with two counts of manufacturing and possessing a prohibited weapon, granted bail to appear in Darwin Local Court on 27 October 2026, and suspended with pay while investigations continue.
A Hobart councillor running for deputy mayor could be removed from council if re-elected and her appeal against a third suspension is unsuccessful. A code of conduct panel found Louise Elliot had committed four breaches by harassing fellow councillor Ryan Posselt. The panel recommended a one-month suspension and an apology. Elliot has appealed the decision, which has not yet taken effect. Local government elections in Tasmania are currently underway, with voting closing on October 27.
