The Latest Breaking News from Australia

Today's COVID case statistics from around the states and territories

Here's a wrap of the latest COVID case numbers and vaccine stats from around Australia.

ABC News · Mar 24, 2022

Australia sanctions Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, more Russians

The federal government has sanctioned the Belarusian President and members of his family, as well as 22 more Russian propagandists, in response to their role in the war in Ukraine.

ABC News · Mar 24, 2022

Families turn to au pairs, but waitlists grow as Ukraine war affects Europeans' travel plans

There is a huge demand for au pairs as parents struggle to find child care, but waitlists are growing, with some nannies from Europe nervous about travelling to Australia because of the Ukraine war.

ABC News · Mar 24, 2022

Socceroos wait to learn play-off opponents

Australia still don't know who their opponents will be in the World Cup Asian play-off tie after Iraq's win over UAE only raised more question marks.

AAP · Mar 24, 2022

Anti-vaxxers say three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine results in higher infection rates. Here's why that's incorrect

Anti-vaxxers are using statistics from the UK's Health Security Agency to claim those who are triple-vaccinated are more likely to be infected with COVID-19 than the unvaccinated. But they're using inaccurate population estimates.

ABC News · Mar 24, 2022

Queensland, NSW floods, disease destroy bees needed to pollinate almond, macadamia and blueberry crops

Australia's crucial crop pollination industry is experiencing a worker shortage of its own due to the widespread flood damage to thousands of beehives.

ABC News · Mar 24, 2022

Clinical trials to begin on two new COVID-19 vaccines developed by Melbourne researchers

The two vaccine candidates differ from existing jabs because they target the very tip of the virus spike protein. They would be the first COVID-19 vaccines to be entirely developed in Australia.

ABC News · Mar 24, 2022

Morning mail: Nato agrees on weapons supply to Ukraine, North Korea launches missile, Australia’s coal donation under scrutiny

Friday: Nato leaders discuss how to increase support without provoking Russia into wider European war. Plus: North Korea has launched what is thought to be its largest intercontinental ballistic missile to date

The Guardian - AU · Mar 24, 2022

Sydney news: Questions remain over role of suspended politician Gareth Ward

MORNING BRIEFING: The government will face pressure today to explain what the suspension of former Liberal minister Gareth Ward will mean in practice, as he plans to continue lobbying for his constituents.

ABC News · Mar 24, 2022

Tasmania’s forests are burning more as climate change dries them out. Our old tools can’t fight these new fires

The summer of 2021-22 will be remembered for the extraordinarily destructive flooding across eastern Australia. At the same time, however, western Tasmania was experiencing extreme drought, with some areas receiving their lowest rainfall on record.

The Conversation · Mar 24, 2022