As bushfire victims work to rebuild their lives after the devastating Australian summer, a group of quilters is stitching together beautiful handmade squares from around the world to offer a gift that is like a "nice warm hug".

NSW's total number of new COVID-19 cases increases by only two people, one day before some social-distancing restrictions in Australia's worst-affected virus state are eased.

MORNING BRIEFING: People in NSW are warned they should still practice social-distancing as coronavirus restrictions are eased from today, while two men are shot in Merrylands in what is believed to be a targeted attack.

There's no fuss, no entourage and no star ego, writes producer Vanessa Gorman, on filming with Sam Neill.

After soaking rains in February, for the first time in three years farmers have a real opportunity to sow a crop, but they must first face international importation issues and supply shortages of agricultural chemicals and fertiliser.

After a frustrating wait, the bushfire clean-up effort is set to ramp up in South East NSW with around 300 properties to be cleared each week.

Veronica Coen and Ruth Haggar make one final sift through the ruins of their Quaama homes before the first stage of the bushfire clean-up begins.

A judge says the attack on Pakistani national Zeeshan Akbar, who was stabbed to death at a Caltex outlet in Queanbeyan in 2017 during a robbery, was an act of "unmitigated cowardice".

A man is jailed for circling a family in his car and hurling anti-Islamic abuse at them on the New South Wales south coast last year.

Gail Baker's dying wish has been granted, with her sister allowed a travel exemption to fly to Australia from New Zealand to care for her in her final days.

A disability carer has been charged with 16 offences including counts of producing child abuse materials, after an investigation into a care home in Sydney's west.

The Eastern Creek man was arrested on alleged abuse charges of adults and children at a disability care home

Health authorities in NSW carried out more than 8,800 tests yesterday, and they're delighted that only five came back positive.

The New Zealand Warriors will fly into Tamworth tomorrow, in an exemption from current travel rules.

The Australian Red Cross and Salvation Army have so far paid out fewer than half the donations they received to help Black Summer bushfire victims — with one charity claiming it's had to sift through more than 1,000 fraudulent claims.

Newmarch House records another death as cases there continue to climb, while more than 7,200 people were tested in NSW yesterday, the highest testing on a Saturday so far.

If you're thinking of sending flowers for Mother's Day next week, order early because some growers are predicting a sell-out of supply.

Elizabeth Lane says her mother, a Newmarch House resident, is a 'sitting duck' as the new COVID-19 cases continue to rise at the Western Sydney aged care home.

7.30 host Leigh Sales tells of the toughest part of her job, setting up a pop-up studio in her bedroom and the comfort of cake during coronavirus.

The only unburnt area of bushland around the Conjola National Park, on the South Coast, is set to be cleared this week for a new housing development.

MORNING BRIEFING: The aged care facility in Sydney's west is stepping up measures to address an outbreak of coronavirus after a staff member worked six shifts with mild symptoms.

Coronavirus deaths decrease in New York but rise everywhere else in the country.

The number of coronavirus related fatalities at the Newmarch House aged care facility in Western Sydney rises again, putting the death toll at 15.

A major redevelopment in Sydney's north west is given the go-ahead days after the announcement of an expedited approvals program — prompting criticism that the process seemed "predetermined".

Three girls accused of attacking another teen near Wollongong face a maximum 25 years behind bars if found guilty of the shopping centre assault.

Sydney arts centre Carriageworks says the coronavirus pandemic has caused an "irreparable loss of income" after six months of events were cancelled or postponed.

A mental health initiative that became a national success story is forced to innovate in the coronavirus era with Zoom walks and online check-ins.

MORNING BRIEFING: An aged care operator at the centre of Australia's second biggest coronavirus cluster has requested a worker be stood down after alleged breaches of infection control.

Another resident dies from coronavirus at Newmarch House in Western Sydney, bringing the aged care facility's death toll to 16.

A rampant outbreak of COVID-19 is sweeping the western Sydney aged care facility, and has so far killed 15 of it's residents.

A NSW health district has collated its data from recent weeks and it shows a clear picture of how COVID-19 arrived and spread in the west of the state.

While the lucrative mud crab trade was all but halted by the impact of coronavirus, eels enable one commercial fisher to claw back some lost trade.

People with Tourette syndrome appeal for compassion as pandemic panic exacerbates their neurological condition, causing their anxieties and tics to worsen.

A program preparing young Indigenous people for work in Dubbo is now operating a lime farm and selling the produce.

MORNING BRIEFING: The multi-arts venue hosts Vivid, Sydney Writers' Festival and Fashion Week, but a new proposal would see the Sydney Opera House take control.

While hygiene and handwashing are on people's minds at present, there's hope that water conservation is right up there with it as parts of Australia come out of drought.

Health authorities in NSW investigate the source of five mystery coronavirus infections discovered yesterday, as the total number of cases rises by nine to 3,042.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Dr Kerry Chant provided an updated on coronavirus for May 6. NSW has confirmed nine new cases of COVID-19 overnight.

In the five months since her house was destroyed, Tod Adams has been at war with government agencies because the Fires Near Me app suggests her home was not affected.

Jim Hamilton, 68, a passenger on Ruby Princess, says a stint in intensive care with COVID-19 has left him musing about "the meaning of life and everything".

A court hears the NSW Rural Fire Service may ask the state's Attorney-General to relax restrictions so it can distribute the $51.3 million raised by comedian Celeste Barber to help victims of the Black Summer bushfires.

The NSW government has hired up to 3,000 cleaners to ensure the public transport network is safe for commuters as the state is looking to ease restrictions of lockdown.

Farmers want a 30 cent to 40-cent levy imposed on dairy products to ensure the industry has a future.

Youth taking part in the Down The Track initiative can learn how to shear sheep, get a certificate in agriculture and can learn hospitality skills for at least another 12 months.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has confirmed four new cases of COVID-19 overnight with 9,400 tests conducted for May 8.

We're all trying to keep our distance but as more people itch to get out of the house, could more drive-in theatres be the answer?

Over $340,000 raised by celebrity bushfire relief concert Fire Aid 2020 is being pre-loaded onto EFTPOS cards linked to local businesses, tackling two disasters with one innovative idea.

Outbreaks at two locations — one in Sydney and one in Melbourne — are behind many of the new COVID-19 cases identified in the past week.

Byron Shire musician Gyan has again joined forces with cartoonist Leunig

Two South African music fanatics embark on a life-changing journey to uncover the story behind one of their country's favourite, but enigmatic artists.