WA detects new case linked to backpacker
Western Australia has found a new COVID-19 case linked to an infected French backpacker who travelled from Queensland.
national news
England face more questions at the top
England's woes at the top of the order have deepened with their average opening stand dropping to just 7.6 in the Ashes series after flopping again at the MCG.
Qld records 714 new COVID-19 infections
Queensland has recorded 714 COVID-19 cases with Chief Health Officer John Gerrard attributing the fall from 765 a day earlier to a Christmas Day testing lull.
Detection dogs train as wildlife warriors
Conservation dogs are being used to help to sniff out the droppings of endangered native animals as well as their foes to help with preservation efforts.
NT cyclone warning downgraded
A tropical low off northern Australia is no longer expected to reach cyclone intensity, although authorities continue to warn of strong winds and heavy rain.
Australians face Boxing Day virus surge
Australians are bracing for virus case numbers to soar past 10,000 after the second Christmas Day since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.
Starting gun music to SydHob sailors’ ears
After the cancellation of the 2020 Sydney to Hobart and the cloud of COVID this year, officials and sailors are waiting for the start of the 2021 race.
Woolf eyes more Tongan World Cup upsets
Tongan coach Kristian Woolf says his team at next year's World Cup will be stronger than the one that beat Australia in 2019.
Thousands spend Christmas in isolation
With more than 30,000 people testing positive for COVID-19 just in NSW over the past 10 days, it'll be a sad, quiet Christmas for the many in isolation.
Reds have Super points to prove in 2022
A humiliating loss and a host of Wallabies selection snubs are fuelling the Queensland Reds' quest to become a Super Rugby Pacific powerhouse.
Australia one win from Ashes history
Australia have a chance to wrap up the Ashes in the quickest time since the late 19th century if they are able to beat England in the Boxing Day Test.
Churches urge Christmas unity, resilience
Church leaders have urged Australians to treat one another with graciousness, acceptance and generosity this Christmas as COVID-19 continues to disrupt lives.
WA toughens more border restrictions
Western Australia has toughened border restrictions with South Australia and Queensland over "alarming" COVID-19 case numbers in those states.
Aussies celebrate second COVID Christmas
Australians are coming together for their second Christmas since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in Australia, as the Omicron variant continues to spread.
Mostly warm Christmas with some extremes
The majority of state capitals are in for a warm and partly cloudy Christmas, but extremes are forecast for Perth and Darwin.
Black Jack banking on vast race experience
Skipper Mark Bradford is backing the experience of his Black Jack crew to help his supermaxi perform after a difficult preparation for the Sydney Hobart race.
Hazlewood on ice but Green feeling fine
Josh Hazlewood has sat out the main MCG net session before Boxing Day with his side strain, but Joe Root's arch-nemesis Cameron Green has no workload concerns.
Three-year-old boy drowns on Gold Coast
A toddler has died after being pulled from the water at a popular Gold Coast swimming area.
Sales records tipped for Boxing Day
Shoppers are expected to rack up Boxing Day records for both online and instore sales and won't let coronavirus stop them missing a bargain.
NBL postpones games due to COVID-19 cases
Another three NBL games have been postponed because of positive COVID-19 cases in the Illawarra Hawks and Brisbane Bullets teams.
Plapp driven by Olympic pursuit gold quest
Smarting from Australia's near-catastrophe in the team pursuit at the Tokyo Games, rising cycling star Luke Plapp has vowed to win an Olympic gold medal.
Rebuilt Richardson a smarter Test quick
Jhye Richardson has returned to Test cricket a smarter bowler despite back-to-back shoulder operations.
Chidiac keen to make Victory stint count
Alex Chidiac is determined to make her loan at Melbourne Victory count and is happy to spend this Christmas preparing for a derby against Melbourne City.
‘Brave’ Root confident of Ashes century
Joe Root believes he will scores a first Ashes ton on Australian soil, though the England captain admits it is 'a brave thing to say'.
COVID restrictions return amid case surge
States and territories are reintroducing COVID-safe measures and working to reform how they contact trace exposures amid a sharp spike in infections.
WA to learn extent of COVID-19 outbreak
West Australians are donning face masks for last-minute Christmas shopping after a backpacker visited more than a dozen venues while infected with COVID-19.
Two newcomers named in England T20 squad
England have named a 16-strong squad for their five-match Twenty20 series against the West Indies in Barbados.
Heat win BBL toss and bat against Strikers
The Brisbane Heat have won the toss and elected to bat against the Adelaide Strikers in their BBL game at Adelaide Oval.
Canberra stage comeback to secure ALW draw
Two late goals have allowed Canberra United to snatch an A-League Women point in a 3-3 draw against Brisbane Roar.
Latest snapshot of the coronavirus impact
The latest snapshot of COVID-19 cases, deaths and vaccinations in Australia at 1530 AEDT on Thursday, December 23.
Smaller yachts chasing handicap honours
The fate of overall honours in this Sydney to Hobart will be decided two days into the race, according to the two-times handicap-winning owner of Quest.