Syrian government troops are battling insurgents inside Aleppo, the country's second-largest city, for the first time since 2016, according to state media — the most significant challenge in years to President Bashar al-Assad's rule over the war-torn country.

The statue is in Atherton Gardens, Fitzroy, known to many in Victoria's Aboriginal community as a gathering place and where members of the Stolen Generations reunited with their families.

The first day of the pink-ball tour game between the Prime Minister's XI and India is washed out, robbing Aussies and Indian stars of a chance for some much-needed practice ahead of the second Test in Adelaide.

Jiyai Shin's stunning finish hands her a lead over Aussie hope Hannah Green, while Ryggs Johnston, named after Mel Gibson's character from the Lethal Weapon franchise, shares top spot in the men's event with Victorian Lucas Herbert.

North Melbourne is AFLW premier for the first time thanks to a dominant 30-point grand final win over Brisbane, completing the Kangaroos' undefeated season in style.