Officials on the United States' western coast have accused President Donald Trump of being "in denial" about climate change after record-breaking fires killed 31 people. Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti called for "real action" saying the country needs to reduce carbon emissions and manage their water. According to IQAir, the top five most air-polluted cities in the world on Saturday were on the west coast of the United States.

European countries are scrambling to prevent a second wave of COVID-19, as infection numbers reach an all-time high. On Saturday, France recorded 10,000 new cases and Spain recorded over 12,000: the highest daily increase for both countries since testing began. Other countries such as the UK and the Netherlands have seen a steady increase in cases after months of low numbers of infections. 

Data from Cancer Australia shows that in March and April there was a 30-50% drop in cancer tests and operations due to the coronavirus outbreak. Skin cancer treatments and imaging for breast and colon cancer fell due to lockdown measures. Cancer Australia CEO Professor Dorothy Keefe said this was due to people putting off seeing a doctor out of fear of catching COVID or burdening the health system, and urges people with any cancer-like symptoms to see their doctor. 

More than 70 people have been arrested in Melbourne over the weekend following anti-lockdown protests. This has been the second weekend of self-proclaimed “Freedom Walk” demonstrations, which protests against Melbourne’s prolonged stage-4 Coronavirus restrictions. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews labeled the protest “selfish, stupid and dangerous” and warned Melburnians who breach the Chief Health Officers’ stay-at-home order can face a $1600 fine and possible criminal charges.

For the first time in Queensland's history, correctional center inmates will be given the right to vote in the upcoming state election. Legislative changes came about in January, relaxing the state's tough laws that barred inmates voting in local and state elections. Prisoners serving sentences of less than three years will be able to vote, which brings Queensland’s laws in line with the rest of the country.

Queensland’s Deputy Premier Steven Miles has accused national LNP politicians of leading a 'planned and orchestrated’ attack against Premier Annastacia Palazczuk over the state’s border restrictions. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann all publicly condemned the Premier labeling her 'nasty' and 'cold-blooded'. This comes as members of the Australian Medical Association have spoken out in support of Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young after she was the target of online harassment for the state’s COVID response.

Oakey Beef Exports – a South-East Queensland abattoir – are taking the Australian Defence Force to court over claims of chemical contamination. The abattoir claims the Army Aviation Centre in Oakey had an historical record of processing chemicals, significantly affecting their products and employees. Per and poly-fluoroalkyl, also known as PFAs, were once used widely in Defence Force fire-fighting foams. Defence have upheld they had continued discussions with the abattoir and the Oakey community surrounding the contaminants up until they ceased using the products.

Bob Woodward, a renowned American investigative journalist, has a released a new book called ‘Rage’, which unveils the truth behind Donald Trump’s decision to play down the effects of COVID-19. Woodward was given consent to conduct over 18 interviews with The President, who also permitted Woodward to release such information. Woodward has publicly exposed Trump for blatantly avoiding communicating early reports and associated risks of COVID-19 transmission through children and young adults.

Wildfires are blazing throughout San Francisco as the state’s Governor announces hundreds of houses victim to the flames. Winds continue to push fires into outer-region towns with firefighters announcing thousands of residents need to evacuate. According to the National Interagency Fire Centre, 2020 has seen nearly 1.9 million hectares burnt across the United States.