India has broken a global record for the highest number of coronavirus infections recorded in a single day as the number of confirmed cases worldwide grows to 25 million. The nation registered 78,761 new coronavirus cases yesterday, with the local health ministry also reporting 948 deaths. The surge comes just days after the Indian government relaxed restrictions in an effort to revive the struggling economy.

A new report reveals more Tasmanians have died from accidental drug overdoses than car accidents in the past five years. The Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Council Chief Executive Alison Lai said wrongly taken or mixed prescription drugs were the main culprit and not illicit substances. She also said the report shows more community education is needed to combat the issue.

Victoria has recorded 73 new cases of coronavirus and a further 41 deaths. Today's deaths total includes 22 people who died in the weeks leading up to the 27th of August and were reported by aged care facilities yesterday. The number of national fatalities has now risen to 652. 

Political donations data has revealed Queensland mining magnate Clive Palmer has donated over $80,000 to his United Australia Party over the past three weeks. Mr Palmer has been open about his intent to campaign against Queensland’s Labor Government. In an interview with the Sunday Mail, Mr Palmer reportedly said he wanted to influence the state election in the same way he did the Federal election last year, where he spent over $84 million in advertising. 

Queensland has recorded one new case of COVID-19 overnight. At a press conference in Cairns this morning, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed the one case is a "close contact of someone from the corrective services training academy". The total number of active cases in Queensland now sits at 27.

Crowds have taken to the streets of the Belarusian capital, Minsk overnight in protest of the country's authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko on his 66th birthday. Demonstrators were met by security forces as they attempted to march on the city’s cordoned off Independence Square. 150 people are believed to have been arrested after officials dubbed the demonstration unauthorised.

Riots have erupted in the Swedish city of Malmo after far-right extremists burned a Koran and posted the footage online. 15 people have been arrested over the violence, and three were arrested on suspicion of inciting hatred against an ethnic group. Miguel Moratinos, who is the head of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations, condemned the burning and called on people of all faiths to denounce religious-based violence.

Sydney’s COVID-19 cluster is expected to spread following confirmation two commuters on the same bus service have tested positive for the virus. The pair, who are said to be close contacts, have been forced to immediately self-isolate following their journey on the 20th of August. The news comes after New South Wales Opposition Leader Jodi McKay urged Premier Gladys Berejiklian to mandate mask wearing for everyone on public transport.