National News

Hobart and southern Tasmania has been forced into a snap three-day lockdown after a coronavirus-infected NSW man entered the state illegally and escaped hotel quarantine.

Al fresco dining will be encouraged and NSW residents will be armed with more vouchers to spend at restaurants and museums, as the government tries to jump start the economy amid "devastating" jobs losses.

Legislation has passed in Queensland parliament to provide more rights to tenants ending leases, stopping evictions without grounds, and to have pets within rental properties.

Britain's Prince William has taken a thinly veiled swipe at the billionaires embroiled in a space tourism race, saying the world's greatest brains should instead be focused on solving the environmental problems facing the Earth.

Thunderstorms lashing NSW have seen hailstones larger than five centimetres fall and even a tornado warning issued.

More than a quarter of million jobs have been lost in Australia in the past two months as a result of coronavirus lockdowns in NSW, Victoria and the ACT.

Australia's medicines regulator has approved a key step towards the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine being given to children aged five to 11.

NSW is on track to hit the state's next COVID-19 vaccination target within days, but the premier has flagged the planned easing of some restrictions may be delayed.

A rare two-headed diamondback terrapin turtle is alive and kicking - with all six of its legs - in the US state of Massachusetts after hatching two weeks ago.

The founder of a new domestic airline says most of its planned routes are not available elsewhere and customers will benefit from lower fares.