SYDNEY, Jan 11 — Authorities said bushfires have destroyed hundreds of buildings across southeast Australia, with the first fatality from the disaster confirmed.
SYDNEY, Jan 11 — Authorities said bushfires have destroyed hundreds of buildings across southeast Australia, with the first fatality from the disaster confirmed.
A heatwave pushed temperatures above 40°C in the state of Victoria, igniting dozens of fires that have scorched more than 300,000 hectares in total. While a state of disaster had been declared earlier, officials said conditions began to ease today, allowing firefighters to gain better control of several blazes.
Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said more than 300 structures, including sheds and other rural buildings, were destroyed, with over 70 homes lost. Large areas of farmland and native forest were also badly affected.
Police confirmed one person died in a bushfire near Longwood, about two hours north of Melbourne. Forest Fire Management Victoria’s Chris Hardman expressed condolences to the victim’s family and the local community.
The fires come as Australia continues to face worsening extreme weather, following the devastating Black Summer bushfires of 2019–2020. Scientists say the country has warmed by an average of 1.51°C since 1910, increasing the frequency of extreme conditions. — AFP
BANGKOK, April 24 — Thailand’s Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a petition accusing 44 current and former opposition lawmakers of ethics violations over their 2021 move to amend a law protecting the monarchy from criticism, according to Thai media reports.
PUTRAJAYA, April 24 — The Court of Appeal today dismissed Kepala Batas MP Dr Siti Mastura’s appeal against a High Court ruling ordering her to pay RM825,000 in damages and costs for defaming three DAP leaders by linking them to former Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng.
THE HAGUE, April 23 — Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte will stand trial at the International Criminal Court after judges on Thursday confirmed charges of crimes against humanity over his controversial “war on drugs.”