Several missing after Australia bushfire

Perth : At least three people are missing after a bushfire that devastated a town in Western Australia and continues to threaten others. Yarloop, south of Perth, was worst hit, with at least 130 properties destroyed. But State Premier Colin Barnett has said it will be rebuilt. The blaze, covering some 70,000 hectares, is approaching […]

Hoverboard fire destroys Australia family’s home

Melbourne : An Australian family of five has been left homeless after a hoverboard given as a Christmas gift sparked a fire. Fire crews said the popular electrical product was charging in a girl’s bedroom in the Melbourne suburb of Strathmore when the blaze started. Local media said the girl saw sparks coming out of the […]

Chris Gayle fined in Big Bash League reporter ‘sexism’ row

Sydney : West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has been fined A$10,000 ($7,200; £4,900) by his club for “inappropriate conduct” after he asked a TV reporter for a date in a live interview. Gayle was speaking to journalist Mel McLaughlin during a Big Bash League T20 match in Hobart on Monday. “To see your eyes for […]

Scandals see Australia ministers Mal Brough and Jamie Briggs resign

Sydney : 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 […]

Sulphuric acid ‘may have leaked’ after Australia train derailed

Sydney : More than 30,000 litres (6,600 gallons) of sulphuric acid may have leaked from a freight train that derailed in Australia on Sunday, police say. Carrying 819,000 litres of sulphuric acid, the 26-wagon train derailed 20km (12.4 miles) east of Julia Creek, in north-west Queensland.A 2km exclusion zone is likely to remain for at […]