Australia seen waiting till March for sustained rains to douse bushfires
Australia will have to wait until March for rains heavy enough to bring sustained relief from dry weather that has fueled deadly bushfires, the country’s weather bureau said on Thursday.
Moonstruck: Japanese billionaire’s girlfriend entrants top 20,000
Applications to become Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa’s girlfriend have topped 20,000, streaming service AbemaTV said on Thursday, ahead of its documentary on his search for a “life partner” to take on his moon voyage.
Trump walking fine line in supporting Iran protesters
With tweets of solidarity in Farsi and technological tools to circumvent internet shutdowns, U.S. President Donald Trump might be close to exhausting his options to support Iranian protesters rising up against their rulers.
Unwanted no more: adoption offers pour in for baby found in Singapore bin
An abandoned baby rescued from a bin in Singapore has aroused widespread sympathy, drawing several offers of adoption, according to authorities and media in the city-state wrestling with low birth rates.
Australian bushfires wipe out historic surf board collection
White cinders, a few fins and melted board skins are all that remain of Australian surfer David Ford’s 260-strong collection of irreplaceable vintage surfboards.
Philippine volcano shows signs of calming, but danger remains
A Philippine volcano that has been spewing ash for days appeared to be calming down on Thursday, but seismologists said the danger of an eruption remained high and authorities warned evacuees not to return to their homes.
Brazilian tribes and forest tappers unite against Bolsonaro
Brazilian indigenous tribes and rubber tappers joined forces on Wednesday to oppose steps by Brazilian far-right President Jair Bolsonaro that they say are destroying the Amazon forest they depend on.
Australian government used public funds to target marginal electorates: auditor
Australia’s conservative government used a A$100 million ($69 million) sport development fund to target votes in marginal electorates ahead of an election last year, the country’s independent auditor of public spending has concluded.
Canada investigators to examine Iran crash wreckage
Crash investigators from Canada have visited the site of an Iranian plane disaster in which 57 Canadians died and will examine the wreckage later on Wednesday, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said.
Thunderstorms sweep across Australia’s bushfire-ravaged east coast
Thunderstorms and heavy rain swept across parts of Australia’s east coast on Thursday, bringing hope that some of the fierce bushfires razing the country will be extinguished – or at least slowed.




