Magic Round brings approximately 150,000 rugby league fans to Brisbane, with 40% travelling from interstate or New Zealand. The event generates a $40 million economic boost for Brisbane over just a few days, including a 22% increase in hotel room nights and $14 million in additional hotel revenue. The event benefits flights, hotels, restaurants, and bars throughout the city, particularly in the Caxton Street precinct.

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US President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where the two leaders engaged in a 14-second handshake. The lengthy handshake drew comparisons to Trump's previous handshake encounter with King Charles, which occurred weeks earlier and featured similar power dynamics including Trump's characteristic power pat technique.

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Australian singer Delta Goodrem has qualified for the Eurovision grand final after delivering a standout performance in the semi-final. The announcement confirms her progression to the competition's final stage. Her semi-final performance is being described as one of the best Australian performances in the contest's history.

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A National Road Safety Week study reveals that 50% of Gen Z drivers and 40% of millennials admit to taking photos or videos while driving, with even more reading texts at traffic lights. The behaviour is attributed to shortened attention spans from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, as well as increased phone addiction across all age groups. Despite high fines and demerit points, the dangerous practice remains prevalent, with truck drivers reporting they can easily spot distracted drivers looking down at their devices.

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A worker went viral on social media after calling in sick just 20 minutes before their shift was due to start, sparking debate about workplace etiquette and employee responsibility. The incident prompted discussion about work ethic standards, with business owners highlighting the difficulties of managing last-minute staff absences. While sick leave is an entitlement for Australian workers, the extremely short notice period was criticised as unprofessional and disruptive to business operations.

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Maria, a student from Catch Arena Senior College in the Tiwi Islands, designed a football jersey featuring cultural elements including Frangipani flowers, Tokopini birds, and turtles. The design was showcased during Sir Doug Nicholls Round, with each element representing personal connections to her home in Melville Island and Tiwi culture. Maria also competed in the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup, where her team faced challenging conditions and Year 12 opposition, while pursuing her dream of playing in the AFLW.

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Brisbane climber Oliver Foran survived a dramatic avalanche that crashed into his camp at 6.5 kilometres above sea level on Mount Everest, capturing the terrifying moment on his phone as the snow tsunami destroyed tents around him. Despite this close call and earlier setbacks from altitude sickness, Foran remains on track to break the world record for the fastest climb from sea to summit within 66 days, having already cycled through India during a brutal heatwave. He is undertaking the challenge to raise funds for youth mental health charity U-Turn and in memory of his mother.

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Hollywood actor Kevin Costner has been spotted around Brisbane, shopping in New Farm, visiting James Street, and attending a Brisbane Lions match at the Gabba. The Oscar-winning Yellowstone star is currently in the city filming the new production Honeymoon with Harry alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Sarah Pidgeon.

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Princess Catherine of Wales completed a two-day visit to northern Italy, focusing on childhood education and development. During her time in the Reggio Emilia and Parma regions, she participated in a traditional tortelli pasta-making session at a local farmhouse. This marks her first solo overseas trip since completing cancer treatment and entering remission.

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A 72-year-old grandmother named Wendy has decorated the front of her Paradise Point home on the Gold Coast with an extensive collection of rubber ducks in various themes and outfits. The display, which began as a joke during COVID when her daughter mailed her some ducks, has attracted a complaint to the body corporate from someone claiming it doesn't fit the luxury aesthetic of the area. Hundreds of local residents have rallied behind Wendy in defiance, donating even more ducks to support her cheerful display.

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