The number of global coronavirus cases has passed 50 million, with October being the worst month of the pandemic so far. Over 1.25 million deaths have been recorded globally since December, with Europe again becoming the epicenter of the pandemic amidst a second wave. There is concern that official data may only reflect a fraction of the number of infections, as many countries are only testing symptomatic and serious cases.

World leaders have congratulated Democratic nominee Joe Biden on his election victory as he prepares to become the 46th President of the United States of America. Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama congratulated Biden on Twitter urging the USA to return to the Paris Agreement on climate change. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on becoming the first person of Indian heritage to hold the office.

A leaked internal review of the Northern Territory’s Aboriginal homelands schools has found major funding inequalities and a lack of government support. Unsafe school buildings and a lack of support for Aboriginal teachers has made the long-standing attendance problem worse. Education Minister Lauren Moss said the review of homelands education was still ongoing. 

Victoria’s so-called “ring of steel” dividing metropolitan Melbourne from the rest of the state has expired as the state emerges from a lockdown brought about by a second COVID wave. The 25-kilometer travel limit has also been scrapped and limits in public spaces have been eased. Melbourne has seen ten consecutive days without a new case or death.

Queensland mango growers have voiced their frustrations over export subsidy disparities compared to growers in other states. Because of the pandemic, the rate of exporting fruit is down, with fears this could lead to an overabundance for local consumers resulting in a price crash. Australian Mango Growers Association chair Ben Martin has called on the Federal Government to work with growers and groups to develop sustainable market access.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said low coronavirus case numbers in Victoria could mean Queensland may open its borders to the state before Christmas. The Premier’s harsh border stance has received criticism from New South Wales Premier Gladys Berijiklian, with New South Wales opening its border to Victoria on November 23. The Premier said the State Government would continue to take advice from Chief Health Officer Dr. Jeanette Young over any future border decisions.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns parts of Queensland are at risk of dangerous fires due to the rising temperatures and gusty winds throughout the state. With Mount Isa set to peak at 42C and the rest of Queensland fluctuating between temperatures between the high 30s and low 40s, Queenslanders are encouraged to have storm and emergency plans in place for the summer.

A parrot woke his owner in the middle of the night after his Kangaroo Point home caught fire. The owner, Mr Anton Nguyen (Wen), awoke by the sound of his parrot to the smell of smoke and was shocked by the flames that engulfed the back of his house. As firefighters attended the scene at 2.30am, the house was unable to be saved.