Hundreds of firefighters set to battle huge Australia blaze

 More than 500 firefighters are set to battle a blaze in the Australian state of Victoria, one of the world's most fire-prone regions on New Year's Eve. Evacuation advice has been issued to Kennett River, Grey River and Wongarra. Most residents have left their homes. But a wind change on Thursday afternoon eased the threat to these communities, fire authorities said. Firefighters and aircraft from NSW and New Zealand are on standby in case the fire breaks containment lines. The fire is the same one that destroyed more than 100 homes at Wye River and Separation Creek over Christmas Day. Advertisement It now covers around 2,800 hectares (7,000 acres) and is likely to pose a threat to communities along the famous Great Ocean Road for months. In South Australia a fire is threatening homes at Mosquito Hill south of Adelaide. Aircraft have been sent to the area but the fire is burning very fiercely, South Australia Country Fire Service spokesman Brenton Eden told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Mr Eden said residents in the area should execute their emergency plans.

Scandals see Australia ministers Mal Brough and Jamie Briggs resign

Two Australian cabinet ministers have resigned over unrelated scandals. Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs quit after a public servant complained about his behaviour at a Hong Kong bar. Special Minister of State Mal Brough quit pending a police inquiry into his role in another politician's downfall. With two front bench cabinet positions to fill in a day, this is the first major setback to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull since he took office. Standards 'not met' Mr Briggs said he went to a crowded bar after dinner while on a trip to Hong Kong in late November with his chief of staff, some officials and a female public servant. Advertisement "At no point was it my intention to act inappropriately and I'm obliged to note for the record that nothing illegal has been alleged or did in fact occur," he said in a statement. "However, in the days following the evening the public servant raised a concern about the appropriateness of my behaviour towards her at the venue.

Rare 'corpse flower' blooms in Australia

A 2m-tall flower, known for its pungent odour which has been likened to rotting flesh, has bloomed in Australia. South Australia's Mount Lofty Botanic Garden has been growing the Amorphophallus Titanium, more commonly called the Corpse Flower, for 10 years. About two weeks ago the plant's famously pungent flower began to grow, before finally opening on Monday. Matt Coulter, a horticulture curator at the garden, said the flower's "rotten fish smell" was overpowering. "When I opened the door this morning it almost knocked me over, it was so strong," he said. Advertisement Mr Coulter, who has been tending the flower for the last eight years, said he was ecstatic that it had flowered for the first time. "It's fantastic. I didn't think it would ever flower," he said. "It comes from [the Indonesian island of] Sumatra, so we've been keeping it warm in winter and cool in summer, and keeping the humidity high.

Exclusion zone after train carrying sulphuric acid derails in Australia

 An exclusion zone is in place after a 26-carriage freight train carrying some 200,000 litres (44,000 gallons) of sulphuric acid derailed in Australia. The accident happened at 10:20 Sunday morning, 20km (12.4 miles) east of Julia Creek in north-west Queensland. Three train staff are in hospital with minor injuries. The site was quickly declared an emergency and the 2km exclusion zone was imposed. The extent of any acid leakage remains unclear, says Queensland Police. The area has also been affected by flooding, which has hampered access to the site. Advertisement The cause of the accident is not yet known. Sulphuric acid is a highly corrosive substance that can cause severe burns on contact with skin.

John Beeden sets non-stop solo Pacific row record

A Briton has completed the first non-stop solo row across the Pacific from North America to Australia. John Beeden, 53, set off from San Francisco on 1 June and rowed for an average of 15 hours a day. He had hoped to reach Cairns in north-east Australia weeks ago, but was slowed down by bad weather. Mr Beeden, who rowed across the Atlantic four years ago, said there were times when he didn't think he could go on. "To be the first person to achieve something on this scale is incredible really, and I haven't processed it yet," added Mr Beeden, who is originally from the northern English city of Sheffield but now lives in Canada. Advertisement He thanked the people of Cairns for a "brilliant reception" after 209 days at sea. Crossing the Pacific Image copyright Solo Pacific Row Image caption Mr Beeden sailed more than 7,000 miles in his 6m boat Socks II There have been some nine successful rows across the Pacific Ocean.

Christmas Day blaze guts Australia homes

 A Christmas Day bushfire has destroyed more than 100 homes in Australia's Victoria state, officials say. Officials said 98 homes had been razed in Wye River and 18 at Separation Creek. No injuries are reported. Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the blaze along the famous Great Ocean Road in Victoria's south-west, popular with holidaymakers. A change to cooler weather and rain has greatly reduced the threat, but some emergency warnings remain in place. Some 1,600 residents and tourists from the popular tourist spot of Lorne were evacuated on Friday amid fears that a wind change would push the fire towards the town, but were allowed to return on Saturday.

Steve Smith wins cricketer and Test cricketer award

Australia captain Steve Smith has been named cricketer of the year and Test cricketer of the year by the International Cricket Council. He becomes the fourth Australian to lift the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy after Ricky Ponting,Mitchell Johnson and Michael Clarke. South Africa's AB de Villiers won the ODI cricketer of the year award for the second year in a row. Australia captain Meg Lanning was named the Women's ODI cricketer of the year. Smith, 26, was the sixth highest run-scorer in Australia's triumphant World Cup campaign this year, with 402 runs at an average of 67, and made 1,734 in 13 Tests, at an average of 82.57. He succeeded Clarke as skipper of the national team and led his side to a 2-0 Test series win over New Zealand last month. Englishman Richard Kettleborough was named umpire of the year for the third time.

Exeter sign Australia prop from Queensland Reds

Exeter have signed Queensland Reds' Australia prop Greg Holmes on a two-year contract from the summer of 2016. The 32-year-old has spent his entire career at the Australian Super Rugby franchise, playing 132 times for the club in 10 years. He has won 24 caps for his country, the last of them coming in October's World Cup final loss to New Zealand. Holmes is the first new signing that Exeter have made for next season. "We watched a lot of his games for Queensland and the games he featured for Australia in the Rugby World Cup and anyone who looked at Australia's scrum will see they were one of the most destructive units in the tournament and Greg played a large part in that," Exeter boss Rob Baxter said. "Since then I have looked at a lot of his games and he looks like a guy who has a lot left in the tank and he's running around playing a lot of good rugby. "We're big believers here at the club of developing young English players, but I've said before part of the way you develop those young players is with the people who they meet and the people they have time with. "There is no doubt our other front-rowers will benefit from having Greg around, but at the same time he's very determined to be successful in his own right," Baxter added.

 Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull has said he is "very disappointed" by Japan's decision to resume Antarctic whaling. He made the comments as he began a brief visit to Tokyo, his first since becoming leader in September. Mr Turnbull later met Japan's PM Shinzo Abe - he has vowed to raise the whaling issue with Mr Abe, though has said it will not damage their relationship. The leaders are also expected to discuss trade, defence co-operation and South China Sea territorial disputes. Japan suspended its Antarctic hunt last year following an International Court of Justice ruling against it.

Laura Robson will not use protected ranking for Australian Open

Laura Robson has decided not to use her protected ranking of 58 to gain direct entry into January's Australian Open. The 21-year-old has played in eight events since a 17-month lay-off with wrist problems, including the US Open. However, playing in New York - where she lost in the first round to Elena Vesnina - means the world number 555 can only use the protected ranking to enter one more Grand Slam. She may now instead opt to wait for the French Open. In the meantime, Robson is likely to try and build up her ranking at smaller events. Four other Britons - Andy Murray, Aljaz Bedene, Johanna Konta and Heather Watson - all gain direct entry into the draw in Melbourne. Kyle Edmund is currently the third alternate for the men's singles, meaning he stands a good chance of avoiding the qualifying competition.

Australia vs West Indies: Adam Voges & Shaun Marsh add 449 runs

Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh fell two runs short of Donald Bradman and Bill Ponsford's record stand of 451 for Australia on day two of the first Test against West Indies. Voges made 269 not out and Marsh 182 as they added 449 - the highest for the fourth wicket in Tests - in a total of 583-4 declared. Nathan Lyon took three wickets to reduce West Indies to 116-6 in Hobart. However, Darren Bravo's unbeaten 94 guided them to 207-6, trailing by 376. Bradman and Ponsford's record, made against England at The Oval, as stood since 1934.

Australia vs West Indies: James Pattinson stars in Australia win

 James Pattinson took 5-27 as Australia beat the West Indies by an innings and 212 runs in the first Test in Hobart. Australia wrapped up the victory in three days after dismissing the tourists for 148 in the second innings. Playing his first Test for 18 months, the Pattinson ran through the fragile Windies top order to secure his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Kraigg Brathwaite was the only visiting batsman to show any resistance at the Bellerive Oval with a patient 94. Australia take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, and could return to the top of the ICC Test rankings if they complete a 3-0 series win with victories in Melbourne and Sydney.

Australia vs West Indies: Adam Voges & Shaun Marsh add 449 runs

Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh fell two runs short of Donald Bradman and Bill Ponsford's record stand of 451 for Australia on day two of the first Test against West Indies. Voges made 269 not out and Marsh 182 as they added 449 - the highest for the fourth wicket in Tests - in a total of 583-4 declared. Nathan Lyon took three wickets to reduce West Indies to 116-6 in Hobart. However, Darren Bravo's unbeaten 94 guided them to 207-6, trailing by 376. Bradman and Ponsford's record, made against England at The Oval, as stood since 1934.

Australia vs West Indies: James Pattinson stars in Australia win

 

James Pattinson took 5-27 as Australia beat the West Indies by an innings and 212 runs in the first Test in Hobart. Australia wrapped up the victory in three days after dismissing the tourists for 148 in the second innings. Playing his first Test for 18 months, the Pattinson ran through the fragile Windies top order to secure his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Kraigg Brathwaite was the only visiting batsman to show any resistance at the Bellerive Oval with a patient 94. Australia take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, and could return to the top of the ICC Test rankings if they complete a 3-0 series win with victories in Melbourne and Sydney. Australia captain Steve Smith chose to enforce the follow-on after Josh Hazelwood and Peter Siddle took just five overs to take the West Indies' remaining three first-innings wickets. There was time for Darren Bravo, 94 not out overnight, to complete his seventh Test century as West Indies posted a first-innings total of 223 in response to Australia's 583-4 declared.

Australia vs West Indies: Adam Voges & Shaun Marsh add 449 runs

Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh fell two runs short of Donald Bradman and Bill Ponsford's record stand of 451 for Australia on day two of the first Test against West Indies. Voges made 269 not out and Marsh 182 as they added 449 - the highest for the fourth wicket in Tests - in a total of 583-4 declared. Nathan Lyon took three wickets to reduce West Indies to 116-6 in Hobart. However, Darren Bravo's unbeaten 94 guided them to 207-6, trailing by 376. Bradman and Ponsford's record, made against England at The Oval, as stood since 1934.

Australia vs West Indies: James Pattinson stars in Australia win

 the section Cricket James Pattinson celebrates with his ,s Australia's win was their second-largest victory over the West Indies in 114 Tests between the sides First Test, Hobart, day three Australia 583-4 dec: Voges 269*, S Marsh 182, Warner 64 West Indies 223 (Bravo 108, Lyon 3-43, Hazlewood 4-45) & 148 (Braithwaite 94, Pattinson 5-27) Australia win by an innings and 212 runs Full scorecard James Pattinson took 5-27 as Australia beat the West Indies by an innings and 212 runs in the first Test in Hobart. Australia wrapped up the victory in three days after dismissing the tourists for 148 in the second innings. Playing his first Test for 18 months, the Pattinson ran through the fragile Windies top order to secure his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Kraigg Brathwaite was the only visiting batsman to show any resistance at the Bellerive Oval with a patient 94. Australia take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, and could return to the top of the ICC Test rankings if they complete a 3-0 series win with victories in Melbourne and Sydney. Australia captain Steve Smith chose to enforce the follow-on after Josh Hazelwood and Peter Siddle took just five overs to take the West Indies' remaining three first-innings wickets. There was time for Darren Bravo, 94 not out overnight, to complete his seventh Test century as West Indies posted a first-innings total of 223 in response to Australia's 583-4 declared.