Australia

Australia has equalled its hottest day on record after a remote coastal town reported temperatures of 50.7C (123.26F).

Australia’s New South Wales state reported 16 deaths on Sunday in its deadliest day of the pandemic, even as it relaxed rules to allow some essential workers in isolation to return to work if they are asymptomatic.

NSW has reported 45,098 new cases of COVID-19 and nine deaths as new restrictions come into force for the next three weeks.

The NSW government is set to announce a major reversal of multiple COVID-19 restrictions.

Australia and Japan are set to sign a treaty to strengthen defense and security cooperation at a virtual summit on Thursday, after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled trips to Australia and the United States due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Australians have expressed anger at facing COVID test shortages and price-gouging as the nation battles its most widespread infections yet.

Australia started 2022 with a record number of new COVID-19 cases.

Australia’s former parliament building in the capital Canberra was briefly set alight by protesters during a demonstration for Aboriginal sovereignty, police said.

A Sydney lab has told hundreds of people they did not have COVID when they in fact had tested positive, amid soaring infections in the area.

Australia’s Victoria and Queensland states reported record levels of new daily coronavirus infections on Tuesday as pressure on testing centers prompted calls for wider use of rapid antigen tests.

Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital has revealed its pathology service incorrectly messaged 400 people to tell them they had tested negative to COVID-19 – when they had in fact tested positive.

A Sydney man who police allege was preparing to commit a terrorist act will front court on Christmas Day.