Australian heatwave cause bush fires

Australian firefighters are tackling fast-moving bushfires as the heatwave in South-east Australia continues.In the state of Victoria, fires in the Northern Grampians area merged into one "out of control" bushfire.

A fire ban has been issued across the state and residents have been urged to evacuate the area.

Soaring temperatures have halted matches at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne with temperatures of 41.7C (107F) on Thursday

Antarctic rescue of Akademik Shokalskiy ship

A helicopter from a Chinese ship set down nearby, bringing in a crew to assess the landing situation.The aircraft left but then returned to begin ferrying the first passengers out to an Australian ice-breaker.The Shokalskiy has been trapped since Christmas Eve.

The reason why the icebreaker repeats scientific investigations made by Douglas Mawson and his team between 1911 and 1914. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority's (Amsa) Rescue Co-ordination Centre, which is overseeing the operation, had earlier said it was unlikely the rescue would go ahead on Thursday as hoped because of the sea-ice conditions.