<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-tourists-found-alive-two-weeks-after-going-missing-265885">Australia</a> on Wednesday removed the right of doctors to order sick asylum seekers be evacuated from two remote Pacific detention centres for medical treatment, a repeal that opponents said risks the lives of refugees.

Under Australia's controversial immigration policy, asylum seekers intercepted at sea are sent to camps in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. They can never settle in Australia, even if they are found to be refugees.

In February, independent lawmakers and the opposition joined forces to give doctors the right to order sick asylum seekers be sent to Australia if they required medical care.

After securing re-election in May, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government would seek to repeal the legislation, though he needed the support of independent lawmakers as the coalition does not enjoy a majority in Australia's upper house Senate.

After weeks of negotiations, the repeal legislation passed Australia's Senate by 37 votes to 35.

"You can take advice from doctors, but doctors aren't elected. They aren't accountable to the public," independent lawmaker Jacqui Lambie, who cast the decisive vote, told the Senate.

Around 500 people remain on the two island centres, many suffering mental health issues after more than six years in detention, aid organisations say.

The United Nations has repeatedly criticised Australia's remote detention centres, insisting they lack adequate medical and mental health care.

"To now deny medical professionals from taking decisions in patients’ best interests,&nbsp;and to effectively hand that power back to unqualified officials... puts those most sick and vulnerable at risk," Paul McPhun, Executive Director of Médecins Sans Frontières Australia said in a statement.

Morrison rejected those allegations, insisting Canberra has provided significant medical aid, while those unable to get necessary treatment can be sent to Australia if the minister for home affairs approves it.

As a result, Morrison said the medical evacuation legislation is unnecessary and undermines Canberra's border policy, designed to discourage asylum seekers from undertaking dangerous sea voyages to Australia.

In 2016, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-china-spy-concerns-australia-launches-anti-espionage-task-force-265625">Australia agreed a deal with former US&nbsp;President Barack Obama</a> to offer refuge to up to 1,250 asylum seekers. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump said it would only honour that deal to maintain a strong relationship with Australia, and then only on condition that refugees satisfied strict checks.

Around 650 refugees have been resettled in the United States, with a further 250 in PNG and Nauru approved to go at a future date, Peter Dutton, the Minister for Home Affairs told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

Australia has rejected offers from neighbouring New Zealand to take a further 150 asylum seekers, fearing refugees will use it as a 'backdoor entry' into Australia.

Media reported Lambie has sought a commitment that Canberra will now accept Wellington's offer. Morrison and Lambie declined to comment.

Australia on Wednesday removed the right of doctors to order sick asylum seekers be evacuated from two remote Pacific detention centres for medical treatment, a repeal that opponents said risks the lives of refugees.

Australia on Wednesday removed the right of doctors to order sick asylum seekers be evacuated from two remote Pacific detention centres for medical treatment, a repeal that opponents said risks the lives of refugees. Under Australia's controversial immigration policy, asylum seekers intercepted at sea are sent to camps in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. They can never settle in Australia, even if they are found to be refugees. In February, independent lawmakers and the opposition joined forces to give doctors the right to order sick asylum seekers be sent to Australia if they required medical care. After securing re-election in May, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government would seek to repeal the legislation, though he needed the support of independent lawmakers as the coalition does not enjoy a majority in Australia's upper house Senate. After weeks of negotiations, the repeal legislation passed Australia's Senate by 37 votes to 35. "You can take advice from doctors, but doctors aren't elected. They aren't accountable to the public," independent lawmaker Jacqui Lambie, who cast the decisive vote, told the Senate. Around 500 people remain on the two island centres, many suffering mental health issues after more than six years in detention, aid organisations say. The United Nations has repeatedly criticised Australia's remote detention centres, insisting they lack adequate medical and mental health care. "To now deny medical professionals from taking decisions in patients’ best interests, and to effectively hand that power back to unqualified officials... puts those most sick and vulnerable at risk," Paul McPhun, Executive Director of Médecins Sans Frontières Australia said in a statement. Morrison rejected those allegations, insisting Canberra has provided significant medical aid, while those unable to get necessary treatment can be sent to Australia if the minister for home affairs approves it. As a result, Morrison said the medical evacuation legislation is unnecessary and undermines Canberra's border policy, designed to discourage asylum seekers from undertaking dangerous sea voyages to Australia. In 2016, Australia agreed a deal with former US President Barack Obama to offer refuge to up to 1,250 asylum seekers. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump said it would only honour that deal to maintain a strong relationship with Australia, and then only on condition that refugees satisfied strict checks. Around 650 refugees have been resettled in the United States, with a further 250 in PNG and Nauru approved to go at a future date, Peter Dutton, the Minister for Home Affairs told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday. Australia has rejected offers from neighbouring New Zealand to take a further 150 asylum seekers, fearing refugees will use it as a 'backdoor entry' into Australia. Media reported Lambie has sought a commitment that Canberra will now accept Wellington's offer. Morrison and Lambie declined to comment.

Australia restricts medical evacuations of refugees from Pacific camps

A man and woman have been rescued after surviving two weeks in Australia's arid outback on little more than vodka, groundwater and biscuits, but a third person is still missing, police said Tuesday.

The three friends set out to explore the country's vast sun-baked interior near Alice Springs on November 19 when their car became bogged down in a river bed.

After three days staying put and waiting for a rescue, the group feared supplies were dwindling and two of them decided to walk along a property fence line in the hope of finding help.

Police said Tuesday that a local rancher had found the man, 40-year-old Phu Tran, "slightly disorientated" but in a "good condition" a two-day walk from the vehicle.&nbsp;

His discovery came after Tamra McBeath-Riley, 52, was found on Sunday less than two kilometres from the same vehicle suffering from dehydration.

McBeath-Riley told public broadcaster ABC that the trio,&nbsp;accompanied by their blue Staffordshire terrier Raya,&nbsp;had survived by drinking pre-mixed vodka drinks and water from a hole dug for cattle, eating biscuits and sheltering in a hole dug under her car.

But the third person, 46-year-old Claire Hockridge, has not been seen since splitting from Phu two days ago.

"She was still fine when he left but we obviously are now focusing our search to identify where she is," police superintendent Pauline Vicary said.

Police were "hopeful that she's still in that condition," Vicary added, as her colleagues resumed an aerial search.

McBeath-Riley and Hockridge live in Alice Springs, while Phu was visiting from elsewhere in Australia

A man and woman have been rescued after surviving two weeks in Australia's arid outback on little more than vodka, groundwater and biscuits, but a third person is still missing, police said Tuesday.

A man and woman have been rescued after surviving two weeks in Australia's arid outback on little more than vodka, groundwater and biscuits, but a third person is still missing, police said Tuesday. The three friends set out to explore the country's vast sun-baked interior near Alice Springs on November 19 when their car became bogged down in a river bed. After three days staying put and waiting for a rescue, the group feared supplies were dwindling and two of them decided to walk along a property fence line in the hope of finding help. Police said Tuesday that a local rancher had found the man, 40-year-old Phu Tran, "slightly disorientated" but in a "good condition" a two-day walk from the vehicle. His discovery came after Tamra McBeath-Riley, 52, was found on Sunday less than two kilometres from the same vehicle suffering from dehydration. McBeath-Riley told public broadcaster ABC that the trio, accompanied by their blue Staffordshire terrier Raya, had survived by drinking pre-mixed vodka drinks and water from a hole dug for cattle, eating biscuits and sheltering in a hole dug under her car. But the third person, 46-year-old Claire Hockridge, has not been seen since splitting from Phu two days ago. "She was still fine when he left but we obviously are now focusing our search to identify where she is," police superintendent Pauline Vicary said. Police were "hopeful that she's still in that condition," Vicary added, as her colleagues resumed an aerial search. McBeath-Riley and Hockridge live in Alice Springs, while Phu was visiting from elsewhere in Australia

Australia: Tourists found alive two weeks after going missing

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-gun-owners-protest-over-tightening-of-laws-265383">New&nbsp;Zealand</a>&nbsp;moved to&nbsp;ban&nbsp;large&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;political&nbsp;donations&nbsp;and misleading social media advertisements Tuesday amid concerns about offshore interference in next year's general election.

Justice Minister Andrew Little said the move,&nbsp;which bars&nbsp;donations&nbsp;over NZ$50 (US$33),&nbsp;was aimed at protecting&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand's democracy from a growing international threat.

"We need to protect the integrity of our elections. These changes will reduce the risk of&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;money influencing our election outcomes," he said.

"We don't want our elections to go the way of recent overseas examples where&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;interference appears to have been at play."

Little did not say which countries prompted the&nbsp;ban&nbsp;but experts have consistently pointed the finger at China.

"It's in China's interest to extend influence in&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand, there's nothing wrong with that,&nbsp;that's what great powers do," Rodney Jones, a&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;economist based in Beijing told Newshub earlier this year.

"It's up to us. We need to set boundaries well ahead of time."

US intelligence says&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;interference played a major part in the 2016 American presidential election and a Canadian intelligence report this year found cyber-attackers targeted half the national elections held in major democracies in 2018.

New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;goes to the polls in late 2020, when centre-left Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will seek a second term. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Under existing laws,&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;political&nbsp;donations&nbsp;in&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;are capped at NZ$1,500 (US$975), although some say loopholes effectively raise the threshold to NZ$30,000.

The&nbsp;new&nbsp;limit for&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;or anonymous&nbsp;donations&nbsp;will be NZ$50.

"There's no need for anyone other than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/air-new-zealand-named-top-carrier-globally-in-annual-airline-awards-264722">New&nbsp;Zealanders</a> to donate to our&nbsp;political&nbsp;parties or seek to influence our elections," Little said.

The changes also require online&nbsp;political&nbsp;advertisements to contain details about their creators, which Little said was aimed at stopping the "avalanche of fake news social media ads" seen during overseas elections.

"Anonymous online advertisements aimed at interfering with our democracy will be prohibited," he said.&nbsp;

"If someone wants to advertise online they need to say who they are, the same as if the ad&nbsp;was published in a newspaper."

New&nbsp;Zealand's spy chief raised concerns about&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;political&nbsp;donations&nbsp;during a rare public appearance at a parliamentary committee hearing in April.

"In broad terms, I can say that we have seen activities by state actors that concern us," &nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;Security Intelligence Service director-general Rebecca Kitteridge said.

The measures must now pass parliament, where the governing coalition has a majority.

New Zealand moved to ban large foreign political donations and misleading social media advertisements Tuesday amid concerns about offshore interference in next year's general election.

New Zealand moved to ban large foreign political donations and misleading social media advertisements Tuesday amid concerns about offshore interference in next year's general election. Justice Minister Andrew Little said the move, which bars donations over NZ$50 (US$33), was aimed at protecting New Zealand's democracy from a growing international threat. "We need to protect the integrity of our elections. These changes will reduce the risk of foreign money influencing our election outcomes," he said. "We don't want our elections to go the way of recent overseas examples where foreign interference appears to have been at play." Little did not say which countries prompted the ban but experts have consistently pointed the finger at China. "It's in China's interest to extend influence in New Zealand, there's nothing wrong with that, that's what great powers do," Rodney Jones, a New Zealand economist based in Beijing told Newshub earlier this year. "It's up to us. We need to set boundaries well ahead of time." US intelligence says foreign interference played a major part in the 2016 American presidential election and a Canadian intelligence report this year found cyber-attackers targeted half the national elections held in major democracies in 2018. New Zealand goes to the polls in late 2020, when centre-left Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will seek a second term. Under existing laws, foreign political donations in New Zealand are capped at NZ$1,500 (US$975), although some say loopholes effectively raise the threshold to NZ$30,000. The new limit for foreign or anonymous donations will be NZ$50. "There's no need for anyone other than New Zealanders to donate to our political parties or seek to influence our elections," Little said. The changes also require online political advertisements to contain details about their creators, which Little said was aimed at stopping the "avalanche of fake news social media ads" seen during overseas elections. "Anonymous online advertisements aimed at interfering with our democracy will be prohibited," he said. "If someone wants to advertise online they need to say who they are, the same as if the ad was published in a newspaper." New Zealand's spy chief raised concerns about foreign political donations during a rare public appearance at a parliamentary committee hearing in April. "In broad terms, I can say that we have seen activities by state actors that concern us," New Zealand Security Intelligence Service director-general Rebecca Kitteridge said. The measures must now pass parliament, where the governing coalition has a majority.

New Zealand to ban foreign political donations over $33

Australia on Monday launched a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-police-to-probe-chinese-spy-claims-264524">high-level intelligence task force</a> to combat what officials say is rampant foreign interference in the country and after claims of bold Chinese spying operations Down Under.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new force would involve all the country's top intelligence agencies "to disrupt and deter anyone attempting to undermine our national interests".

One novelty of the force would see intelligence agencies, normally tasked with overseas threats, coordinate with federal police to identify and prosecute or expel foreign agents.

"We will be&nbsp;developing new specialist&nbsp;capabilities both from an&nbsp;investigatory capacity as well as&nbsp;being able to pursue investigations&nbsp;and bring them to either disrupt the activity or, indeed, follow through&nbsp;and prosecute," Morrison said during a press conference in Canberra.

"This task force to&nbsp;counter foreign interference is&nbsp;about identifying it, disrupting and&nbsp;prosecuting."

Morrison did not explicitly mention China, saying <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-investigates-chinese-plot-to-create-spy-mp-264396">"foreign interference comes from&nbsp;many, many different sources"</a> and is "an evolving threat".

But Monday's announcement followed revelations that authorities were investigating a raft of explosive claims by Wang Liqiang, a would-be Chinese defector, about Chinese espionage and covert influence operations in Australia.

It also came after the recently retired head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Duncan Lewis, said China wanted to "take over" Australia's political system with an "insidious" and systematic campaign of espionage and influence peddling".

Australian authorities are also looking into a claim that China tried to recruit a Melbourne businessman and get him elected to parliament.

Bo "Nick" Zhao, a 32-year-old luxury car dealer who was a member of Morrison's Liberal Party,&nbsp;apparently rebuffed the offer and was found dead in a motel room in March.

Morrison described the allegations as "deeply disturbing and troubling".

China branded the claims "lies", accusing "some politicians, organisations and media in Australia" of "cooking up so-called China spy cases".

Morrison's government passed foreign interference legislation last year following revelations that wealthy Chinese businessmen with links to Beijing had been bankrolling local parties and candidates across the political spectrum.&nbsp;

The law notably required the registration of any person or organisation acting on behalf of a foreign government.

As part of that crackdown, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-wants-to-take-over-australian-politics-ex-spy-chief-263762">government barred a high-profile Chinese businessman</a> who held permanent Australian residency from returning to the country.

China is also widely suspected of being behind major intrusions into the computer systems of Australia's parliament and a university with close ties to the government and security services.

Australia on Monday launched a high-level intelligence task force to combat what officials say is rampant foreign interference in the country and after claims of bold Chinese spying operations Down Under.

Australia on Monday launched a high-level intelligence task force to combat what officials say is rampant foreign interference in the country and after claims of bold Chinese spying operations Down Under. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new force would involve all the country's top intelligence agencies "to disrupt and deter anyone attempting to undermine our national interests". One novelty of the force would see intelligence agencies, normally tasked with overseas threats, coordinate with federal police to identify and prosecute or expel foreign agents. "We will be developing new specialist capabilities both from an investigatory capacity as well as being able to pursue investigations and bring them to either disrupt the activity or, indeed, follow through and prosecute," Morrison said during a press conference in Canberra. "This task force to counter foreign interference is about identifying it, disrupting and prosecuting." Morrison did not explicitly mention China, saying "foreign interference comes from many, many different sources" and is "an evolving threat". But Monday's announcement followed revelations that authorities were investigating a raft of explosive claims by Wang Liqiang, a would-be Chinese defector, about Chinese espionage and covert influence operations in Australia. It also came after the recently retired head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Duncan Lewis, said China wanted to "take over" Australia's political system with an "insidious" and systematic campaign of espionage and influence peddling". Australian authorities are also looking into a claim that China tried to recruit a Melbourne businessman and get him elected to parliament. Bo "Nick" Zhao, a 32-year-old luxury car dealer who was a member of Morrison's Liberal Party, apparently rebuffed the offer and was found dead in a motel room in March. Morrison described the allegations as "deeply disturbing and troubling". China branded the claims "lies", accusing "some politicians, organisations and media in Australia" of "cooking up so-called China spy cases". Morrison's government passed foreign interference legislation last year following revelations that wealthy Chinese businessmen with links to Beijing had been bankrolling local parties and candidates across the political spectrum. The law notably required the registration of any person or organisation acting on behalf of a foreign government. As part of that crackdown, the government barred a high-profile Chinese businessman who held permanent Australian residency from returning to the country. China is also widely suspected of being behind major intrusions into the computer systems of Australia's parliament and a university with close ties to the government and security services.

Amid China spy concerns, Australia launches anti-espionage task force

Protesters in smoke-covered <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydneysiders-urged-to-stay-indoors-as-australian-bushfire-smoke-blankets-city-263900">Sydney </a>kicked off a fresh round of global protests against climate change on Friday, with activists and schoolchildren picketing the headquarters of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-bushfires-record-air-pollution-numbers-recorded-in-new-south-wales-sydney-chokes-263757">bushfire-ravaged </a>Australia's ruling party.

Hundreds of people gathered at the conservative Liberal party's offices to heed the call to action from 16-year-old climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg.

The protests have taken on extra urgency in Australia -- the country's southeast has been devastated by hundreds of damaging bushfires in recent weeks.

The protestors -- brandishing placards that read "You're burning our future" and chanting "we will rise" -- turned out as Sydney was again enveloped in toxic smoke caused by the fires that has blanketed the city for much of the last month.

Six people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed in the crisis, which scientists say has been worsened by rising temperatures.

Drought and unseasonably hot, dry and windy conditions have fuelled the unprecedented blazes.

The target of the protesters' ire was Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has angrily denied any link between the fires and climate change while defending his support for fossil fuels.

"Our government's inaction on the climate crisis has supercharged bushfires," said school strike leader Shiann Broderick. "People are hurting. Communities like ours are being devastated. Summer hasn't even begun."

Australia, with a population of 25 million, has low carbon emissions compared with the planet's biggest polluters, but is one of the world's leading coal exporters.

"The suggestion that (in) any way shape or form that Australia, accountable for 1.3 per cent of the world's emissions, that the individual actions of Australia are impacting directly on specific fire events, whether it's here or anywhere else in the world, that doesn't bear up to credible scientific evidence," Morrison claimed earlier this month.

Missed targets&nbsp;

Protests are expected later in the day in Melbourne, Brisbane and in cities across the world.

Last month, millions of people took to the streets in nearly every major global city for a series of "climate strikes".

The latest demonstrations come as 200 nations prepare to gather in Madrid next week for a 12-day UN climate conference.

The meeting will focus largely on finalising the "rulebook" for the 2015 Paris climate treaty, which becomes operational in 2021.

Scientists have warned that efforts to cap warming to 1.5 Celsius are failing, and that carbon emissions - which are on the rise -- would need to fall 7.6 per cent a year to meet the target.

The UN has reported that greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, the main driver of climate change, hit a record high last year.

The organisation has also warned that global temperatures are on pace to rise almost four Celsius by the end of the century -- an increase that could make some places virtually unhabitable.

Protesters in smoke-covered Sydney kicked off a fresh round of global protests against climate change on Friday, with activists and schoolchildren picketing the headquarters of bushfire-ravaged Australia's ruling party.

Protesters in smoke-covered Sydney kicked off a fresh round of global protests against climate change on Friday, with activists and schoolchildren picketing the headquarters of bushfire-ravaged Australia's ruling party. Hundreds of people gathered at the conservative Liberal party's offices to heed the call to action from 16-year-old climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg. The protests have taken on extra urgency in Australia -- the country's southeast has been devastated by hundreds of damaging bushfires in recent weeks. The protestors -- brandishing placards that read "You're burning our future" and chanting "we will rise" -- turned out as Sydney was again enveloped in toxic smoke caused by the fires that has blanketed the city for much of the last month. Six people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed in the crisis, which scientists say has been worsened by rising temperatures. Drought and unseasonably hot, dry and windy conditions have fuelled the unprecedented blazes. The target of the protesters' ire was Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has angrily denied any link between the fires and climate change while defending his support for fossil fuels. "Our government's inaction on the climate crisis has supercharged bushfires," said school strike leader Shiann Broderick. "People are hurting. Communities like ours are being devastated. Summer hasn't even begun." Australia, with a population of 25 million, has low carbon emissions compared with the planet's biggest polluters, but is one of the world's leading coal exporters. "The suggestion that (in) any way shape or form that Australia, accountable for 1.3 per cent of the world's emissions, that the individual actions of Australia are impacting directly on specific fire events, whether it's here or anywhere else in the world, that doesn't bear up to credible scientific evidence," Morrison claimed earlier this month. Missed targets Protests are expected later in the day in Melbourne, Brisbane and in cities across the world. Last month, millions of people took to the streets in nearly every major global city for a series of "climate strikes". The latest demonstrations come as 200 nations prepare to gather in Madrid next week for a 12-day UN climate conference. The meeting will focus largely on finalising the "rulebook" for the 2015 Paris climate treaty, which becomes operational in 2021. Scientists have warned that efforts to cap warming to 1.5 Celsius are failing, and that carbon emissions - which are on the rise -- would need to fall 7.6 per cent a year to meet the target. The UN has reported that greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, the main driver of climate change, hit a record high last year. The organisation has also warned that global temperatures are on pace to rise almost four Celsius by the end of the century -- an increase that could make some places virtually unhabitable.

Climate protests kick off in smoke-covered Sydney

Former limited-overs specialist George Bailey will join Australia's selectors' panel after the conclusion of the domestic Big Bash Twenty20 tournament, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Wednesday.

Bailey, 37, replaces former captain Greg Chappell who retired from his Cricket Australia roles as a selector and national talent manager at the end of September.

Bailey will draw the curtain on his playing career with Tasmania state and Big Bash side Hobart Hurricanes in early February to take on the role of selector full-time, CA said in a statement.

He will initially serve as a "National Teams advisor" for Cricket Australia and work closely with head coach Justin Langer and selector Trevor Hohns before joining the selectors' panel in a full-time capacity upon his retirement, CA said.

"I am passionate about the long-term success of the Australian cricket team and advancing the cause of Australian cricket in general," Bailey, who played five tests, 90 one-day internationals and 30 Twenty20 internationals, said.

"I'm confident I can add value to the selection process and that my experience will be complementary to that of Trevor and Justin. I am really excited to be joining them in the coming months."

Bailey is expected to focus on selections for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australia-thrash-pakistan-to-win-series-2-0-260863">Australia T20</a> team, with Australia to host the T20 World Cup in less than a year.

Former limited-overs specialist George Bailey will join Australia's selectors' panel after the conclusion of the domestic Big Bash Twenty20 tournament, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Wednesday.

Former limited-overs specialist George Bailey will join Australia's selectors' panel after the conclusion of the domestic Big Bash Twenty20 tournament, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Wednesday. Bailey, 37, replaces former captain Greg Chappell who retired from his Cricket Australia roles as a selector and national talent manager at the end of September. Bailey will draw the curtain on his playing career with Tasmania state and Big Bash side Hobart Hurricanes in early February to take on the role of selector full-time, CA said in a statement. He will initially serve as a "National Teams advisor" for Cricket Australia and work closely with head coach Justin Langer and selector Trevor Hohns before joining the selectors' panel in a full-time capacity upon his retirement, CA said. "I am passionate about the long-term success of the Australian cricket team and advancing the cause of Australian cricket in general," Bailey, who played five tests, 90 one-day internationals and 30 Twenty20 internationals, said. "I'm confident I can add value to the selection process and that my experience will be complementary to that of Trevor and Justin. I am really excited to be joining them in the coming months." Bailey is expected to focus on selections for the Australia T20 team, with Australia to host the T20 World Cup in less than a year.

George Bailey to become selector: Cricket Australia

Australian police will open a formal investigation into explosive claims by a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-wants-to-take-over-australian-politics-ex-spy-chief-263762">self-styled Chinese spy</a> who defected Down Under with an apparent trove of sensitive intelligence, an official told AFP Tuesday.

The Australian Federal Police will probe Wang Liqiang's claims,&nbsp;including allegations that China tried to recruit a Melbourne businessman and get him elected to parliament.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to comment further but confirmed a statement about the investigation is expected later on Tuesday.

The target, Bo "Nick" Zhao, a 32-year-old luxury car dealer who was a member of the ruling Liberal Party,&nbsp;apparently rebuffed the offer and was found dead in a motel room in March.

Wang has told Australian media he knows the identities of China's senior military intelligence officers in Hong Kong and took part in covert influence operations there, as well as in Taiwan and Australia.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the allegations as "deeply disturbing and troubling".

The country's main spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), said it was aware of Wang's claims and was actively investigating them.

Wang is reportedly living in Sydney with his wife and infant son on a tourist visa.

China has accused him of being an unemployed fraudster and fugitive.

Australian police will open a formal investigation into explosive claims by a self-styled Chinese spy who defected Down Under with an apparent trove of sensitive intelligence, an official told AFP Tuesday.

Australian police will open a formal investigation into explosive claims by a self-styled Chinese spy who defected Down Under with an apparent trove of sensitive intelligence, an official told AFP Tuesday. The Australian Federal Police will probe Wang Liqiang's claims, including allegations that China tried to recruit a Melbourne businessman and get him elected to parliament. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to comment further but confirmed a statement about the investigation is expected later on Tuesday. The target, Bo "Nick" Zhao, a 32-year-old luxury car dealer who was a member of the ruling Liberal Party, apparently rebuffed the offer and was found dead in a motel room in March. Wang has told Australian media he knows the identities of China's senior military intelligence officers in Hong Kong and took part in covert influence operations there, as well as in Taiwan and Australia. Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the allegations as "deeply disturbing and troubling". The country's main spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), said it was aware of Wang's claims and was actively investigating them. Wang is reportedly living in Sydney with his wife and infant son on a tourist visa. China has accused him of being an unemployed fraudster and fugitive.

Australian police to probe 'Chinese spy' claims

Australia's prime minister insisted he was "not naive" to the threat of foreign interference Monday, as authorities investigated an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-wants-to-take-over-australian-politics-ex-spy-chief-263762">alleged&nbsp;plot&nbsp;by China</a> to recruit a businessman and get him elected.

Nine network programme "60 Minutes" broadcast explosive allegations Sunday night that suspected&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;agents had offered&nbsp;Chinese-Australian Bo "Nick" Zhao $679,000&nbsp;to run as a candidate in a federal seat in Melbourne.

The 32-year-old luxury car dealer had reportedly disclosed the alleged approach for him to&nbsp;spy&nbsp;to the&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Intelligence&nbsp;Organisation (ASIO) last year, before he was found dead in a motel room in March.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Monday the allegations surrounding Zhao, a member of his Liberal Party, were "deeply disturbing and troubling".

"Australia&nbsp;is not naive to&nbsp;the threats that it faces," he told reporters in Canberra.

"And that's why we&nbsp;strengthened the laws, why we&nbsp;increased the resources... to&nbsp;ensure&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;was in the best&nbsp;possible position to deal with any&nbsp;threats that come our way."

In a rare public statement late Sunday night, ASIO head Mike Burgess said&nbsp;the agency was had been "actively investigating" the matter.

"Hostile foreign&nbsp;intelligence&nbsp;activity continues to pose a real threat to our nation and its security," he added.

Burgess said he would not comment further on Zhao's death as it was subject to an inquest.

Police have been unable to determine how Zhao died.

Parliamentary&nbsp;intelligence&nbsp;committee chief Andrew Hastie described the alleged episode in Melbourne as "surreal" and "like something out of a&nbsp;spy&nbsp;novel".

"This isn't just cash in a bag, given for favours, this is a state-sponsored attempt to infiltrate our parliament using an Australian citizen and basically run them as an agent of foreign influence in our democratic system," he told 60 Minutes.

"So this is really significant and Australians should be very, very concerned about this."

Chinese&nbsp;foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang denied the claims, accusing "some politicians, organisations and media in&nbsp;Australia" of "cooking up so-called China&nbsp;spy&nbsp;cases."

Some in&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;have "reached a point where they panic at the slightest move and see threats everywhere", Geng said.

But "lies are ultimately just lies", he said at a regular press briefing.

The claims come just days after a&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;spy&nbsp;reportedly gave ASIO the identities of China's senior military&nbsp;intelligence&nbsp;officers in Hong Kong and provided details about how they funded and conducted&nbsp;operations&nbsp;in the city, Taiwan and&nbsp;Australia.

China has tried to paint defector Wang "William" Liqiang as an unemployed fraudster and fugitive, but there are growing calls in&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;to grant him political asylum.

The revelations are likely to heighten tensions between Beijing and Canberra.

Geng dismissed the allegations as a "clumsy farce" and a fabrication.

Recently retired ASIO chief Duncan Lewis said last week that China wanted to "take over"&nbsp;Australia's political system with an "insidious" and systematic campaign of&nbsp;espionage&nbsp;and influence peddling.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-aims-to-boost-revenue-for-renewable-power-firms-264353">China </a>is also widely suspected of being behind major intrusions into the computer systems of&nbsp;Australia's parliament and a university with close ties to the government and security services.

But Beijing has previously angrily denied allegations it was covertly meddling in Australian affairs.

Australia's prime minister insisted he was "not naive" to the threat of foreign interference Monday, as authorities investigated an alleged plot by China to recruit a businessman and get him elected.

Australia's prime minister insisted he was "not naive" to the threat of foreign interference Monday, as authorities investigated an alleged plot by China to recruit a businessman and get him elected. Nine network programme "60 Minutes" broadcast explosive allegations Sunday night that suspected Chinese agents had offered Chinese-Australian Bo "Nick" Zhao $679,000 to run as a candidate in a federal seat in Melbourne. The 32-year-old luxury car dealer had reportedly disclosed the alleged approach for him to spy to the Australia Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) last year, before he was found dead in a motel room in March. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Monday the allegations surrounding Zhao, a member of his Liberal Party, were "deeply disturbing and troubling". "Australia is not naive to the threats that it faces," he told reporters in Canberra. "And that's why we strengthened the laws, why we increased the resources... to ensure Australia was in the best possible position to deal with any threats that come our way." In a rare public statement late Sunday night, ASIO head Mike Burgess said the agency was had been "actively investigating" the matter. "Hostile foreign intelligence activity continues to pose a real threat to our nation and its security," he added. Burgess said he would not comment further on Zhao's death as it was subject to an inquest. Police have been unable to determine how Zhao died. Parliamentary intelligence committee chief Andrew Hastie described the alleged episode in Melbourne as "surreal" and "like something out of a spy novel". "This isn't just cash in a bag, given for favours, this is a state-sponsored attempt to infiltrate our parliament using an Australian citizen and basically run them as an agent of foreign influence in our democratic system," he told 60 Minutes. "So this is really significant and Australians should be very, very concerned about this." Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang denied the claims, accusing "some politicians, organisations and media in Australia" of "cooking up so-called China spy cases." Some in Australia have "reached a point where they panic at the slightest move and see threats everywhere", Geng said. But "lies are ultimately just lies", he said at a regular press briefing. The claims come just days after a Chinese spy reportedly gave ASIO the identities of China's senior military intelligence officers in Hong Kong and provided details about how they funded and conducted operations in the city, Taiwan and Australia. China has tried to paint defector Wang "William" Liqiang as an unemployed fraudster and fugitive, but there are growing calls in Australia to grant him political asylum. The revelations are likely to heighten tensions between Beijing and Canberra. Geng dismissed the allegations as a "clumsy farce" and a fabrication. Recently retired ASIO chief Duncan Lewis said last week that China wanted to "take over" Australia's political system with an "insidious" and systematic campaign of espionage and influence peddling. China is also widely suspected of being behind major intrusions into the computer systems of Australia's parliament and a university with close ties to the government and security services. But Beijing has previously angrily denied allegations it was covertly meddling in Australian affairs.

Australia investigates 'Chinese plot' to create spy lawmaker

By Mallika Singh

After India emphatically beat Bangladesh by an innings and 46 runs on the third day of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-bangladesh-umesh-yadav-takes-five-as-winning-run-for-kohli-co-continues-264194">'pink-ball' Test</a> on Sunday in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, Australian captain&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tim-paine-takes-a-dig-at-virat-kohli-who-are-slated-to-play-test-series-next-year-264214">Tim Paine took a dig</a> at Virat Kohli&nbsp;saying that Indian captain's "mood" will decide whether the two teams will play the day/night Test&nbsp;in Australia next year.

India has consolidated its position at the top of ICC World Test Championship with 360 points&nbsp;without losing a point in the nine-team Championship. India secured a 2-0 win against West Indies, 3-0 against South Africa and now 2-0 against Bangladesh.

Kohli's team is followed by Australia who are at 116 points after winning their first <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brisbane-test-australia-beat-pakistan-by-an-innings-and-5-runs-264221">Test against Pakistan</a> in the ongoing home series after defeating Pakistan by an innings and 5 runs.

“We'll ask Virat and see if we can get his permission to play here and maybe even a pink-ball Test if he is in a good mood. So we'll wait and see,” Paine said in a post-match press conference to reporters.

India and Australia are set to play a Test series Down Under&nbsp;next year.

India had last year turned down the offer to play a day/night Test against Australia in Adelaide. On India’s decision not to play the match, captain Virat Kohli had said that the team wanted to play with the pink ball in home conditions first.

A total of 12 day-night Tests have been played so far with Australia leading the charts winning all 5 Tests. Australia had won the first-ever day/night against New Zealand at Adelaide by 3 wickets in 2015.

Kohli in the post-match conference on Sunday expressed openness about playing a '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/daynight-test-virat-kohli-registers-27th-test-century-264062">pink ball' Test </a>away from home.

“Just because we know our conditions and our bowlers are bowling so well, you do not really feel that challenge. Maybe when we play away from home, we will figure out what could be even more difficult playing with the pink ball," Kohli told reporters.

"But I think a good practice game before that and enough time to prepare, we are open to doing anything. You cannot just play on short notice. If we get enough time to prepare, we are willing to do anything that is required to take up Test cricket in any manner," he added.

By Mallika Singh After India emphatically beat Bangladesh by an innings and 46 runs on the third day of the 'pink-ball' Test on Sunday in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, Australian captain Tim Paine took a dig at Virat Kohli saying that Indian captain's "mood" will decide whether the two teams will play the day/night Test in Australia next year.

By Mallika Singh After India emphatically beat Bangladesh by an innings and 46 runs on the third day of the 'pink-ball' Test on Sunday in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, Australian captain Tim Paine took a dig at Virat Kohli saying that Indian captain's "mood" will decide whether the two teams will play the day/night Test in Australia next year. India has consolidated its position at the top of ICC World Test Championship with 360 points without losing a point in the nine-team Championship. India secured a 2-0 win against West Indies, 3-0 against South Africa and now 2-0 against Bangladesh. Kohli's team is followed by Australia who are at 116 points after winning their first Test against Pakistan in the ongoing home series after defeating Pakistan by an innings and 5 runs. “We'll ask Virat and see if we can get his permission to play here and maybe even a pink-ball Test if he is in a good mood. So we'll wait and see,” Paine said in a post-match press conference to reporters. India and Australia are set to play a Test series Down Under next year. India had last year turned down the offer to play a day/night Test against Australia in Adelaide. On India’s decision not to play the match, captain Virat Kohli had said that the team wanted to play with the pink ball in home conditions first. A total of 12 day-night Tests have been played so far with Australia leading the charts winning all 5 Tests. Australia had won the first-ever day/night against New Zealand at Adelaide by 3 wickets in 2015. Kohli in the post-match conference on Sunday expressed openness about playing a 'pink ball' Test away from home. “Just because we know our conditions and our bowlers are bowling so well, you do not really feel that challenge. Maybe when we play away from home, we will figure out what could be even more difficult playing with the pink ball," Kohli told reporters. "But I think a good practice game before that and enough time to prepare, we are open to doing anything. You cannot just play on short notice. If we get enough time to prepare, we are willing to do anything that is required to take up Test cricket in any manner," he added.

Will ask Virat if he is in a good mood: Paine on playing 'pink ball' Test against India

International&nbsp;police&nbsp;have broken&nbsp;up&nbsp;a huge <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-probes-drug-packages-washing-up-on-atlantic-coast-261217">drug-smuggling&nbsp;operation</a>&nbsp;preventing millions of&nbsp;ecstasy&nbsp;pills flooding into Australia, officials said Friday, as a minister claimed the drugs were timed to target holidaying teens.

The joint&nbsp;Dutch-Australian&nbsp;operation&nbsp;seized $200 million worth of MDMA,&nbsp;the key ingredient in&nbsp;ecstasy,&nbsp;in the Netherlands and Belgium and led to charges against 11 people, including one&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;woman, officials said.

"That is one of the most&nbsp;significant operations in the&nbsp;history of the collaboration between&nbsp;all of our agencies," said Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who leads Australia's&nbsp;police&nbsp;and security agencies.&nbsp;

Following a months-long investigation, some 700 kilograms&nbsp;of crystalline MDMA were intercepted in August in the&nbsp;Dutch&nbsp;port of Rotterdam, the&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;Federal&nbsp;Police&nbsp;said.

Dutch&nbsp;police&nbsp;then raided 15 locations in the Netherlands and Belgium on November 5, uncovering two hidden laboratories, additional stashes of MDMA and 50 tonnes of precursor chemicals,&nbsp;police&nbsp;said.

"We believe that this&nbsp;criminal network was involved and&nbsp;able to produce many thousands&nbsp;of kilos of MDMA, equivalent to tens&nbsp;of millions of pills, a large part of which was likely destined for&nbsp;Australia," said Andy Kraag, assistant commissioner of the&nbsp;Dutch&nbsp;National Criminal Investigations Division.

Kraag told a press conference in Brisbane the seized MDMA "could be used for more than 10 million&nbsp;ecstasy&nbsp;pills."

Dutton said the timing of the drug&nbsp;operation&nbsp;indicated the smugglers were hoping to specifically target "schoolies week," when thousands of high school students party along Queensland beaches beginning this weekend.

"The&nbsp;timing would have meant that these&nbsp;pills are hitting the street and&nbsp;specifically here in Queensland at a&nbsp;time just before schoolies," he said.

He celebrated the success of the&nbsp;operation, and added,&nbsp;"people who tell you that we&nbsp;are losing the fight and the war&nbsp;against drugs don't know what they&nbsp;are talking about."

Kraag said those <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-jails-former-japanese-politician-for-smuggling-drugs-in-shoes-260812">arrested in Europe</a> included two "high-value targets" of a significant&nbsp;Dutch&nbsp;drug-running network and that further arrests were expected.

"We want to target the complete&nbsp;chain", he said.

International police have broken up a huge drug-smuggling operation preventing millions of ecstasy pills flooding into Australia, officials said Friday, as a minister claimed the drugs were timed to target holidaying teens.

International police have broken up a huge drug-smuggling operation preventing millions of ecstasy pills flooding into Australia, officials said Friday, as a minister claimed the drugs were timed to target holidaying teens. The joint Dutch-Australian operation seized $200 million worth of MDMA, the key ingredient in ecstasy, in the Netherlands and Belgium and led to charges against 11 people, including one Australian woman, officials said. "That is one of the most significant operations in the history of the collaboration between all of our agencies," said Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who leads Australia's police and security agencies. Following a months-long investigation, some 700 kilograms of crystalline MDMA were intercepted in August in the Dutch port of Rotterdam, the Australian Federal Police said. Dutch police then raided 15 locations in the Netherlands and Belgium on November 5, uncovering two hidden laboratories, additional stashes of MDMA and 50 tonnes of precursor chemicals, police said. "We believe that this criminal network was involved and able to produce many thousands of kilos of MDMA, equivalent to tens of millions of pills, a large part of which was likely destined for Australia," said Andy Kraag, assistant commissioner of the Dutch National Criminal Investigations Division. Kraag told a press conference in Brisbane the seized MDMA "could be used for more than 10 million ecstasy pills." Dutton said the timing of the drug operation indicated the smugglers were hoping to specifically target "schoolies week," when thousands of high school students party along Queensland beaches beginning this weekend. "The timing would have meant that these pills are hitting the street and specifically here in Queensland at a time just before schoolies," he said. He celebrated the success of the operation, and added, "people who tell you that we are losing the fight and the war against drugs don't know what they are talking about." Kraag said those arrested in Europe included two "high-value targets" of a significant Dutch drug-running network and that further arrests were expected. "We want to target the complete chain", he said.

Australian, Dutch police break-up massive ecstasy smuggling operation

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pak-china-cpec-project-will-hamstringing-pm-imran-khans-reform-agenda-us-263755">China</a> is seeking to "take over" Australia's political system with an "insidious" and systematic campaign of espionage and influence-peddling, Canberra's ex-spymaster said in an interview published Friday.

Duncan Lewis, who resigned in September after five years at the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), said China could target anyone in political office, with the impact potentially not known for years to come.

"Espionage and foreign interference are insidious. Its effects might not present for decades and by that time it's too late," Lewis was quoted as telling the&nbsp;Sydney&nbsp;Morning Herald in his first interview since leaving the office.&nbsp;

"You wake up one day and find decisions made in our country that are not in the interests of our country," he said.

"Not only in politics but also in the community or in business. It takes over, basically, pulling the strings from offshore," he added in the interview with the newspaper's foreign editor.

Lewis singled out incidents of Chinese agents making large contributions to Australian political parties as part of a wide-ranging influence-peddling campaign that also targeted media and the country's universities.

"It's quite clear to me that any person in political office is potentially a target. I'm not trying to create paranoia, but there does need to be a level of sensible awareness," he said.

The former spy chief said the help of Australia's large ethnic Chinese community was "vital in the work against foreign covert influence" much like Muslim-Australians who have aided in the fight against terrorism.

While running ASIO, Lewis, who also held senior military positions and served as Australia's ambassador to Belgium and NATO, frequently warned of the dangers of foreign espionage, but avoided singling out China for criticism.

His latest remarks are sure to rile Beijing, which has angrily denied allegations its ruling Communist Party was covertly meddling in Australian affairs.

Earlier this month, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/many-lgbtq-people-in-china-forced-into-illegal-conversion-therapy-groups-263636">China barred</a> a planned visit by two MPs from the governing Liberal party over their criticism of Chinese activities in Australia and across the Pacific.

And a group of Australian universities last week announced measures to combat foreign interference in key areas of research collaboration, cybersecurity, and international partnerships,&nbsp;a move seen as targeting China.

China is also widely suspected of being behind major intrusions into the computer systems of Australia's parliament and a university with close ties to the government and security services.

China is seeking to "take over" Australia's political system with an "insidious" and systematic campaign of espionage and influence-peddling, Canberra's ex-spymaster said in an interview published Friday.

China is seeking to "take over" Australia's political system with an "insidious" and systematic campaign of espionage and influence-peddling, Canberra's ex-spymaster said in an interview published Friday. Duncan Lewis, who resigned in September after five years at the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), said China could target anyone in political office, with the impact potentially not known for years to come. "Espionage and foreign interference are insidious. Its effects might not present for decades and by that time it's too late," Lewis was quoted as telling the Sydney Morning Herald in his first interview since leaving the office. "You wake up one day and find decisions made in our country that are not in the interests of our country," he said. "Not only in politics but also in the community or in business. It takes over, basically, pulling the strings from offshore," he added in the interview with the newspaper's foreign editor. Lewis singled out incidents of Chinese agents making large contributions to Australian political parties as part of a wide-ranging influence-peddling campaign that also targeted media and the country's universities. "It's quite clear to me that any person in political office is potentially a target. I'm not trying to create paranoia, but there does need to be a level of sensible awareness," he said. The former spy chief said the help of Australia's large ethnic Chinese community was "vital in the work against foreign covert influence" much like Muslim-Australians who have aided in the fight against terrorism. While running ASIO, Lewis, who also held senior military positions and served as Australia's ambassador to Belgium and NATO, frequently warned of the dangers of foreign espionage, but avoided singling out China for criticism. His latest remarks are sure to rile Beijing, which has angrily denied allegations its ruling Communist Party was covertly meddling in Australian affairs. Earlier this month, China barred a planned visit by two MPs from the governing Liberal party over their criticism of Chinese activities in Australia and across the Pacific. And a group of Australian universities last week announced measures to combat foreign interference in key areas of research collaboration, cybersecurity, and international partnerships, a move seen as targeting China. China is also widely suspected of being behind major intrusions into the computer systems of Australia's parliament and a university with close ties to the government and security services.

China wants to 'take over' Australian politics: ex-spy chief

Australia's New South Wales is struggling with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-bushfires-rage-and-choke-sydney-australian-pm-denies-link-to-climate-policies-263569">worst levels of air pollution</a> ever recorded as smoke emanating from bushfires has caused a spike in hospital visits and causing poor visibility for drivers.

Sydney, the country's most populous city, woke up to a thick haze, and blood-red sun, for the fourth consecutive day on Friday, even as a cooler change brought some relief for firefighters battling scores of wildfires across the country's southeast.

The harbour city of Sydney peaked at number eight on the Air Visual global rankings, where it now at number ten - a rare appearance for the city. This effectively makes it one of the most polluted cities in the world. It ranks above Jakarta and Shenzhen, and just below Mumbai and Kolkata.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is now facing mounting pressure to find a solution as critics slam him for not doing enough. He recently claimed that the bushfire had nothing to do with his climate policies, including the one that supports the coal industry.

"The suggestion that Australia, by having some trade-off where we could have higher emissions reduction targets, which would destroy jobs in regional communities, if we did that, then we wouldn't be having these fires. That is just not true," Morrison told 3AW radio.

Morrison's conservative government has committed to the Paris Agreement to reduce its emissions by 26-28 per cent&nbsp;from 2005 levels by 2030. Critics point out that current projections suggest it will not meet that target and have called on the government to put in place policies to address the shortfall.

Watch: Hazardous thick layer of bushfire smoke covers Sydney

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-hazardous-thick-layer-of-bushfire-smoke-covered-sydney-263107/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The impacts of the ongoing drought and recent bushfires have led to some of the highest levels of air pollutants recorded in New South Wales since air quality monitoring began during the millennium drought," a spokeswoman for the state's Department of Planning, Industry and Environment said in an email.

Workers heading into the city and children going to school donned masks <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bushfire-threat-spreads-wreaks-havoc-in-australia-as-sydney-chokes-263481">to deal with the hazardous air quality</a> while 55 bush and grass fires still burned across the state after two weeks.

The smoke coming from the bushfires contains particulate pollution, which gets absorbed into the bloodstream. According to the NSW Health Ministry, the number of people showing up at hospital emergency departments has increased.

Authorities have also advised drivers to practice caution in New South Wales and South Australia owing to low visibility.

The bushfires have already left at least four people dead and destroyed more than 400 homes across two states since the start of November. Fires are still burning in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland states.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hazardous-bushfire-smoke-blankets-sydney-residents-warned-to-stay-inside-263070">Bushfires are common in Australia</a>, but the fire season this year began much earlier than usual, with temperatures reaching 40-degree celsius. Three years of drought have also added to the menace, with help from high winds.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Australia's New South Wales is struggling with the worst levels of air pollution ever recorded as smoke emanating from bushfires has caused a spike in hospital visits and causing poor visibility for drivers.

Australia's New South Wales is struggling with the worst levels of air pollution ever recorded as smoke emanating from bushfires has caused a spike in hospital visits and causing poor visibility for drivers. Sydney, the country's most populous city, woke up to a thick haze, and blood-red sun, for the fourth consecutive day on Friday, even as a cooler change brought some relief for firefighters battling scores of wildfires across the country's southeast. The harbour city of Sydney peaked at number eight on the Air Visual global rankings, where it now at number ten - a rare appearance for the city. This effectively makes it one of the most polluted cities in the world. It ranks above Jakarta and Shenzhen, and just below Mumbai and Kolkata. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is now facing mounting pressure to find a solution as critics slam him for not doing enough. He recently claimed that the bushfire had nothing to do with his climate policies, including the one that supports the coal industry. "The suggestion that Australia, by having some trade-off where we could have higher emissions reduction targets, which would destroy jobs in regional communities, if we did that, then we wouldn't be having these fires. That is just not true," Morrison told 3AW radio. Morrison's conservative government has committed to the Paris Agreement to reduce its emissions by 26-28 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. Critics point out that current projections suggest it will not meet that target and have called on the government to put in place policies to address the shortfall. Watch: Hazardous thick layer of bushfire smoke covers Sydney "The impacts of the ongoing drought and recent bushfires have led to some of the highest levels of air pollutants recorded in New South Wales since air quality monitoring began during the millennium drought," a spokeswoman for the state's Department of Planning, Industry and Environment said in an email. Workers heading into the city and children going to school donned masks to deal with the hazardous air quality while 55 bush and grass fires still burned across the state after two weeks. The smoke coming from the bushfires contains particulate pollution, which gets absorbed into the bloodstream. According to the NSW Health Ministry, the number of people showing up at hospital emergency departments has increased. Authorities have also advised drivers to practice caution in New South Wales and South Australia owing to low visibility. The bushfires have already left at least four people dead and destroyed more than 400 homes across two states since the start of November. Fires are still burning in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland states. Bushfires are common in Australia, but the fire season this year began much earlier than usual, with temperatures reaching 40-degree celsius. Three years of drought have also added to the menace, with help from high winds. (With inputs from Reuters)

Australia bushfires: Record air pollution numbers recorded in New South Wales, Sydney chokes

A dust storm turned the sky bright orange and covered everything in sight.

Massive dust storm turns Australian city red

Australia's Prime Minister on Thursday denied his climate policies had caused <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bushfire-threat-spreads-wreaks-havoc-in-australia-as-sydney-chokes-263481">unprecedented bushfires</a> ravaging the country and insisted his government was doing enough to tackle global warming.

As dozens of new blazes scorched the countryside and the country's largest city was cloaked in hazardous smoke, conservative leader Scott Morrison defended his climate record, saying Australia was "doing our bit".

His comments came after weeks spent refusing to speak about the link between climate change and deadly fires described by the emergency services as unprecedented in number and scale for the early bushfire season.

As more people in the southeast of the country were told to evacuate their homes and schoolchildren in Sydney were again forced to play indoors, Morrison dismissed mounting calls for action.

"The suggestion that any way shape or form that Australia, accounting for 1.3 per cent of the world's emissions... are impacting directly on specific fire events, whether it is here or anywhere else in the world, that doesn't bear up to credible scientific evidence," he told ABC radio.

Scientists, former fire chiefs and residents touched by bushfires have all drawn the link between this season's more intense fires and climate change.

Drought, unseasonably hot, dry and windy conditions have fuelled the unprecedented blazes. Scientists believe many of those factors are made worse by rising global temperatures.

On Thursday bushfires burned across every region of Australia with residents in Victoria warned to leave high-risk areas and officials in New South Wales reporting more than 600 homes have been destroyed in recent weeks.

Morrison is facing calls to cut greenhouse gas emissions and rapidly transition to renewable energy -- a sensitive debate in light of Australia's lucrative mining industry.

Australia has committed to globally agreed climate targets to help limit warming, but its emissions continue to rise and targets are only being met with the use of some creative carbon accounting,&nbsp;using credits gained in past decades.

While Australia's burning of fossil fuels accounts for only a fraction of global emissions, coal dug up Down Under and burned around the world makes the country a major emissions exporter.

Watch: Hazardous layer of bushfire smoke covers Sydney

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-hazardous-thick-layer-of-bushfire-smoke-covered-sydney-263107/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

'Code red'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Sydney%3A+People+asked+to+stay+indoors+as+hazardous+smog+from+bushfires+eclipses+city">Devastating fires along the country's</a> east coast have claimed six lives since mid-October.

Now the fire danger has moved into states further south, with more than 60 fires breaking out in Victoria on Thursday,&nbsp;including five at "emergency" level,&nbsp;after a so-called "Code Red" fire danger was declared for the first time in a decade.

Victoria Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said firefighters were batting "some of the worst conditions that you'd expect to see, often in February or March, and we're seeing them in November".

"It is incredibly dry, it will continue to get drier as the months go on over this summer, so the conditions we see today are likely conditions that we'll confront over this summer," she said.

The Bureau of Meteorology said "large areas" of central and eastern Victoria broke maximum temperature records for November,&nbsp;including in Melbourne where the mercury reached 40.9 Celsius, while a dramatic dust storm swept through the town of Mildura, turning the sky a vivid orange.

Country Fire Authority chief Steve Warrington earlier told people living in high-risk rural areas to leave for the safety of cities.

"We are saying, 'do not be there, do not be there when a fire occurs, because you will not survive if you are there'," he said.

The fire danger was also elevated to "extreme" in the island state of Tasmania off mainland Australia's southeastern coast, one of several areas where a total fire ban was declared.

For the second time in three days, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-braces-for-heavy-winds-lightning-as-bushfire-threat-lingers-262193">smoke from bushfires blanketed Sydney</a>, Australia's biggest city and an area that is home to more than five million people, sending air quality plummeting to hazardous levels.

In South Australia, the state capital Adelaide was also shrouded in bushfire smoke and residents were being told to stay indoors for health reasons.

More than 110 fires are still burning in worst-hit New South Wales and neighbouring Queensland, while in South Australia&nbsp;more than 40 fires broke out during catastrophic fire conditions Wednesday.&nbsp;

The country is bracing for challenging fire conditions to continue throughout the Southern Hemisphere summer.

Australia's Prime Minister on Thursday denied his climate policies had caused unprecedented bushfires ravaging the country and insisted his government was doing enough to tackle global warming.

Australia's Prime Minister on Thursday denied his climate policies had caused unprecedented bushfires ravaging the country and insisted his government was doing enough to tackle global warming. As dozens of new blazes scorched the countryside and the country's largest city was cloaked in hazardous smoke, conservative leader Scott Morrison defended his climate record, saying Australia was "doing our bit". His comments came after weeks spent refusing to speak about the link between climate change and deadly fires described by the emergency services as unprecedented in number and scale for the early bushfire season. As more people in the southeast of the country were told to evacuate their homes and schoolchildren in Sydney were again forced to play indoors, Morrison dismissed mounting calls for action. "The suggestion that any way shape or form that Australia, accounting for 1.3 per cent of the world's emissions... are impacting directly on specific fire events, whether it is here or anywhere else in the world, that doesn't bear up to credible scientific evidence," he told ABC radio. Scientists, former fire chiefs and residents touched by bushfires have all drawn the link between this season's more intense fires and climate change. Drought, unseasonably hot, dry and windy conditions have fuelled the unprecedented blazes. Scientists believe many of those factors are made worse by rising global temperatures. On Thursday bushfires burned across every region of Australia with residents in Victoria warned to leave high-risk areas and officials in New South Wales reporting more than 600 homes have been destroyed in recent weeks. Morrison is facing calls to cut greenhouse gas emissions and rapidly transition to renewable energy -- a sensitive debate in light of Australia's lucrative mining industry. Australia has committed to globally agreed climate targets to help limit warming, but its emissions continue to rise and targets are only being met with the use of some creative carbon accounting, using credits gained in past decades. While Australia's burning of fossil fuels accounts for only a fraction of global emissions, coal dug up Down Under and burned around the world makes the country a major emissions exporter. Watch: Hazardous layer of bushfire smoke covers Sydney 'Code red' Devastating fires along the country's east coast have claimed six lives since mid-October. Now the fire danger has moved into states further south, with more than 60 fires breaking out in Victoria on Thursday, including five at "emergency" level, after a so-called "Code Red" fire danger was declared for the first time in a decade. Victoria Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said firefighters were batting "some of the worst conditions that you'd expect to see, often in February or March, and we're seeing them in November". "It is incredibly dry, it will continue to get drier as the months go on over this summer, so the conditions we see today are likely conditions that we'll confront over this summer," she said. The Bureau of Meteorology said "large areas" of central and eastern Victoria broke maximum temperature records for November, including in Melbourne where the mercury reached 40.9 Celsius, while a dramatic dust storm swept through the town of Mildura, turning the sky a vivid orange. Country Fire Authority chief Steve Warrington earlier told people living in high-risk rural areas to leave for the safety of cities. "We are saying, 'do not be there, do not be there when a fire occurs, because you will not survive if you are there'," he said. The fire danger was also elevated to "extreme" in the island state of Tasmania off mainland Australia's southeastern coast, one of several areas where a total fire ban was declared. For the second time in three days, smoke from bushfires blanketed Sydney, Australia's biggest city and an area that is home to more than five million people, sending air quality plummeting to hazardous levels. In South Australia, the state capital Adelaide was also shrouded in bushfire smoke and residents were being told to stay indoors for health reasons. More than 110 fires are still burning in worst-hit New South Wales and neighbouring Queensland, while in South Australia more than 40 fires broke out during catastrophic fire conditions Wednesday. The country is bracing for challenging fire conditions to continue throughout the Southern Hemisphere summer.

As bushfires rage and choke Sydney, Australian PM denies link to climate policies

Strong winds stoked more than 100 fires across Australia's east coast on Tuesday, blanketing Sydney in hazardous smoke and prompting health warnings for the country's most populous city.

Australia: Hazardous thick layer of bushfire smoke covers Sydney

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hazardous-bushfire-smoke-blankets-sydney-residents-warned-to-stay-inside-263070">fire danger</a> was elevated across wider swathes of southern Australia on Thursday, with residents warned to avoid at-risk areas as smoke from bushfires choked Sydney and other major cities.

Devastating fires along the country's east coast have claimed six lives and destroyed more than 500 homes since mid-October, with climate change and unseasonably hot, dry conditions fuelling the unprecedented blazes.

Now the fire danger has moved into states further south, with a so-called "Code Red",&nbsp;the highest possible fire risk in Victoria,&nbsp;being declared in the state's northwest for the first time in a decade.

"What that means is that if we see fires in those areas they will be fast-moving, they will be unpredictable, they will be uncontrollable," emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp told reporters.

Country Fire Authority chief Steve Warrington told people living in rural areas to leave for the safety of cities.

"We are saying, 'do not be there, do not be there when a fire occurs, because you will not survive if you are there'," he said.

"There is a good chance if a fire occurs that your home will be destroyed."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-braces-for-heavy-winds-lightning-as-bushfire-threat-lingers-262193">The fire danger was also elevated</a> to "severe" in the island state of Tasmania off mainland Australia's southeastern coast, &nbsp;where a total fire ban was declared.

Two bushfires in the state's northeast did not pose an immediate threat to residents, the Tasmania Fire Service said.

For the second time in two days, smoke from bushfires blanketed Sydney, Australia's biggest city and home to more than five million people, sending air quality plummeting to hazardous levels.

Watch: Hazardous thick layer of bushfire smoke covers Sydney

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More than 110 fires are still burning in worst-hit New South Wales and neighbouring Queensland, while in South Australia&nbsp;more than 40 fires broke out during catastrophic fire conditions Wednesday.&nbsp;

A South Australia Country Fire Service spokeswoman said all of those blazes had been brought under control or extinguished by Thursday, with the exception of a major fire on the Yorke Peninsula that had come perilously close to a small town.

Conditions were expected to ease in the coming days in South Australia, where the state capital Adelaide was also shrouded in bushfire smoke and residents were being told to stay indoors for health reasons.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lack-of-forecast-rains-to-prolong-australian-bushfires-threat-261992">Bushfire-prone Australia</a> has experienced a horror start to its fire season, which scientists say is beginning earlier and becoming more extreme as climate change pushes temperatures higher and saps moisture from the environment after months of severe drought.

Growing calls to curb fossil fuels and drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions are being ignored by the country's conservative government, which is eager to protect its lucrative mining industry.

The country is bracing for challenging fire conditions to continue throughout the Southern Hemisphere summer.

The fire danger was elevated across wider swathes of southern Australia on Thursday, with residents warned to avoid at-risk areas as smoke from bushfires choked Sydney and other major cities.

The fire danger was elevated across wider swathes of southern Australia on Thursday, with residents warned to avoid at-risk areas as smoke from bushfires choked Sydney and other major cities. Devastating fires along the country's east coast have claimed six lives and destroyed more than 500 homes since mid-October, with climate change and unseasonably hot, dry conditions fuelling the unprecedented blazes. Now the fire danger has moved into states further south, with a so-called "Code Red", the highest possible fire risk in Victoria, being declared in the state's northwest for the first time in a decade. "What that means is that if we see fires in those areas they will be fast-moving, they will be unpredictable, they will be uncontrollable," emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp told reporters. Country Fire Authority chief Steve Warrington told people living in rural areas to leave for the safety of cities. "We are saying, 'do not be there, do not be there when a fire occurs, because you will not survive if you are there'," he said. "There is a good chance if a fire occurs that your home will be destroyed." The fire danger was also elevated to "severe" in the island state of Tasmania off mainland Australia's southeastern coast, where a total fire ban was declared. Two bushfires in the state's northeast did not pose an immediate threat to residents, the Tasmania Fire Service said. For the second time in two days, smoke from bushfires blanketed Sydney, Australia's biggest city and home to more than five million people, sending air quality plummeting to hazardous levels. Watch: Hazardous thick layer of bushfire smoke covers Sydney More than 110 fires are still burning in worst-hit New South Wales and neighbouring Queensland, while in South Australia more than 40 fires broke out during catastrophic fire conditions Wednesday. A South Australia Country Fire Service spokeswoman said all of those blazes had been brought under control or extinguished by Thursday, with the exception of a major fire on the Yorke Peninsula that had come perilously close to a small town. Conditions were expected to ease in the coming days in South Australia, where the state capital Adelaide was also shrouded in bushfire smoke and residents were being told to stay indoors for health reasons. Bushfire-prone Australia has experienced a horror start to its fire season, which scientists say is beginning earlier and becoming more extreme as climate change pushes temperatures higher and saps moisture from the environment after months of severe drought. Growing calls to curb fossil fuels and drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions are being ignored by the country's conservative government, which is eager to protect its lucrative mining industry. The country is bracing for challenging fire conditions to continue throughout the Southern Hemisphere summer.

Bushfire threat spreads, wreaks havoc in Australia as Sydney chokes

Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins led an Australian fightback as Pakistan lost five wickets for just 19 runs after lunch on the opening day of the first cricket Test at the Gabba on Thursday.

At tea, Pakistan were 125 for five, with Asad Shafiq not out on 18 and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan alongside him on 19.

The visitors had frustrated the Australian pace attack in the first session, going into lunch at 57-0 with openers Azhar Ali and Shan Masood unbeaten on 28 and 21 respectively.

The pair began to open up after the break with some sparkling attacking shots, but Hazlewood and fellow quick Cummins, at last, found their length and began to turn the screws.

The pressure began to tell and with the score on 75, Masood waved at a Cummins delivery outside off stump and got an edge to Steve Smith at second slip.

Azhar went the next ball when he edged Hazlewood to Joe Burns at first slip before Haris Sohail (1) and Babar Azam (1) fell in quick succession to poor shots as the visitors crashed to 78-4.

When Nathan Lyon had Iftikhar Ahmed caught at bat-pad for seven, Pakistan were reeling at 94 for five before Shafiq and Rizwan steadied the ship in the half-hour before tea.

Pakistan earlier won the toss and chose to bat on a hot and humid morning in Brisbane.

Azhar and Masood began cautiously against the Australian pace duo of Mitchell Starc (1-35) and Hazlewood (2-30), who bowled quickly but without ever really troubling the Pakistan openers.

The visitors crawled to 33 at the first drinks break and took almost two hours to reach 50, bringing up the half-century opening stand with a Masood boundary through the square leg in the penultimate over before lunch.

Pakistan had earlier caused a major surprise when they left out experienced seamer Mohammad Abbas, opting instead for&nbsp;pacemen Shaheen Afridi, Imran Khan and 16-year-old Naseem Shah, who were impressive in their lead-up game against Australia A.

Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins led an Australian fightback as Pakistan lost five wickets for just 19 runs after lunch on the opening day of the first cricket Test at the Gabba on Thursday.

Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins led an Australian fightback as Pakistan lost five wickets for just 19 runs after lunch on the opening day of the first cricket Test at the Gabba on Thursday. At tea, Pakistan were 125 for five, with Asad Shafiq not out on 18 and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan alongside him on 19. The visitors had frustrated the Australian pace attack in the first session, going into lunch at 57-0 with openers Azhar Ali and Shan Masood unbeaten on 28 and 21 respectively. The pair began to open up after the break with some sparkling attacking shots, but Hazlewood and fellow quick Cummins, at last, found their length and began to turn the screws. The pressure began to tell and with the score on 75, Masood waved at a Cummins delivery outside off stump and got an edge to Steve Smith at second slip. Azhar went the next ball when he edged Hazlewood to Joe Burns at first slip before Haris Sohail (1) and Babar Azam (1) fell in quick succession to poor shots as the visitors crashed to 78-4. When Nathan Lyon had Iftikhar Ahmed caught at bat-pad for seven, Pakistan were reeling at 94 for five before Shafiq and Rizwan steadied the ship in the half-hour before tea. Pakistan earlier won the toss and chose to bat on a hot and humid morning in Brisbane. Azhar and Masood began cautiously against the Australian pace duo of Mitchell Starc (1-35) and Hazlewood (2-30), who bowled quickly but without ever really troubling the Pakistan openers. The visitors crawled to 33 at the first drinks break and took almost two hours to reach 50, bringing up the half-century opening stand with a Masood boundary through the square leg in the penultimate over before lunch. Pakistan had earlier caused a major surprise when they left out experienced seamer Mohammad Abbas, opting instead for pacemen Shaheen Afridi, Imran Khan and 16-year-old Naseem Shah, who were impressive in their lead-up game against Australia A.

Cricket: Australia storm back as Pakistan wickets clatter

Three Australian universities severed ties with a charity founded by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-prince-andrew-denies-having-sex-with-epstein-accuser-262718">Prince Andrew </a>Wednesday after the British royal refused to recant his friendship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Bond University, Murdoch University and RMIT University in Melbourne said they would no longer work with "Pitch@Palace" -- a charity founded by the Duke of York to promote entrepreneurship.

Murdoch said it had "advised Buckingham Palace it would not continue its participation" in the Pitch@Palace project, while Queensland's Bond University said it had brought forward review set for next year.

"In light of recent events, the university does not intend to seek any further involvement," a Bond University spokesperson told AFP.

RMIT University said its "involvement with Pitch@Palace concluded in October 2019" and would not be renewed.&nbsp;

"We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring RMIT is a safe and inclusive place to work and study," the university said.

The announcements follow several UK-based businesses -- including Standard Chartered and KPMG -- and some universities already announcing they will no longer associate themselves with the Prince or his charities.

This came after he denied having sex with a 17-year-old girl during a lengthy and much-condemned BBC interview in which he also described Epstein's behaviour as "unbecoming".

Epstein was found dead in New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center on August 10 as he awaited trial on allegations that he trafficked girls as young as 14 for sex.

Three Australian universities severed ties with a charity founded by Prince Andrew Wednesday after the British royal refused to recant his friendship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Three Australian universities severed ties with a charity founded by Prince Andrew Wednesday after the British royal refused to recant his friendship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Bond University, Murdoch University and RMIT University in Melbourne said they would no longer work with "Pitch@Palace" -- a charity founded by the Duke of York to promote entrepreneurship. Murdoch said it had "advised Buckingham Palace it would not continue its participation" in the Pitch@Palace project, while Queensland's Bond University said it had brought forward review set for next year. "In light of recent events, the university does not intend to seek any further involvement," a Bond University spokesperson told AFP. RMIT University said its "involvement with Pitch@Palace concluded in October 2019" and would not be renewed. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring RMIT is a safe and inclusive place to work and study," the university said. The announcements follow several UK-based businesses -- including Standard Chartered and KPMG -- and some universities already announcing they will no longer associate themselves with the Prince or his charities. This came after he denied having sex with a 17-year-old girl during a lengthy and much-condemned BBC interview in which he also described Epstein's behaviour as "unbecoming". Epstein was found dead in New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center on August 10 as he awaited trial on allegations that he trafficked girls as young as 14 for sex.

Three Australian universities cut ties with Britain's Prince Andrew

Two gay Saudi journalists who sought asylum in Australia after being threatened at home over their relationship have been held for weeks at an immigration detention centre, their lawyer said Wednesday.

The couple arrived in Australia in mid-October&nbsp;on tourist visas but was singled out by airport customs officials, then taken into detention, when they admitted plans to seek asylum, lawyer Alison Battisson told AFP.

"Australia being very well known for being... a safe place for LGBTI people, they were incredibly surprised and distressed," she said.

One of the men, who worked for Saudi Arabia's media ministry and regularly assisted visiting international news organisations, said they came under pressure from authorities after dissident leaked sensitive documents to foreign media.

"I was called into a prison on the outskirts of Riyadh by the state security," he told ABC, adding they "hinted that they realised I was in a relationship with my partner and that I should stop working with the foreign media".

Battisson said the men had not leaked any documents, but were swept up in a wider crackdown by Saudi authorities in the wake of Khashoggi's murder.

In August, one of the men received a phone call from a relative warning they knew of their gay relationship and if it it wasn't ended his partner would be killed.

Police followed that up with separate calls asking them to come in for questioning, which led to their decision to flee.

Homosexuality is <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabias-state-security-categorises-feminism-homosexuality-atheism-as-extremist-ideas-261671">illegal in Saudi Arabia</a> and punishable by death.

Battisson says the two men have been separated in detention as one&nbsp;

Two gay Saudi journalists who sought asylum in Australia after being threatened at home over their relationship have been held for weeks at an immigration detention centre, their lawyer said Wednesday.

Two gay Saudi journalists who sought asylum in Australia after being threatened at home over their relationship have been held for weeks at an immigration detention centre, their lawyer said Wednesday. The couple arrived in Australia in mid-October on tourist visas but was singled out by airport customs officials, then taken into detention, when they admitted plans to seek asylum, lawyer Alison Battisson told AFP. "Australia being very well known for being... a safe place for LGBTI people, they were incredibly surprised and distressed," she said. One of the men, who worked for Saudi Arabia's media ministry and regularly assisted visiting international news organisations, said they came under pressure from authorities after dissident leaked sensitive documents to foreign media. "I was called into a prison on the outskirts of Riyadh by the state security," he told ABC, adding they "hinted that they realised I was in a relationship with my partner and that I should stop working with the foreign media". Battisson said the men had not leaked any documents, but were swept up in a wider crackdown by Saudi authorities in the wake of Khashoggi's murder. In August, one of the men received a phone call from a relative warning they knew of their gay relationship and if it it wasn't ended his partner would be killed. Police followed that up with separate calls asking them to come in for questioning, which led to their decision to flee. Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and punishable by death. Battisson says the two men have been separated in detention as one

Gay Saudi journalists detained in Australia after asylum bid

Taliban insurgents released two Western hostages - Kevin King from the United States and Timothy Weeks from Australia - on Tuesday in a prisoner exchange deal with the Afghan government, two Afghan officials said. Three Taliban commanders who are part of a prisoner swap for two Western hostages held by the militant group have landed in Qatar, three Taliban sources familiar with the deal said on Tuesday.

Sources: Taliban frees U.S. & Australian hostages in a prisoner swap, Taliban Comdr. part of swap

The United States on Monday effectively backed Israel's right to build Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank by abandoning its four-decade-old position that they were "inconsistent with international law," a stance that may make Israeli-Palestinian peace even more elusive.

Reversal of U.S. on it's long standing policy on Israeli settlements

An Australian national has been accused of intentionally lighting a fire which led to out-of-control <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lack-of-forecast-rains-to-prolong-australian-bushfires-threat-261992">bushfires </a>in order to protect his cannabis crop.&nbsp;

The police in Australia charged a 51-year-old man, who appeared before a court on Saturday, for deliberately setting fire at Ebor in New South Wales. The fire in Ebor is about 10,000 hectares in size and is still burning even after three days.&nbsp;

The accused made a bungled attempt allegedly at backburning which intensified the fires and he didn't take any action to extinguish the flames, according to the police. Backburning is a practice in which firefighters try to clear the undergrowth that fuels the fire.&nbsp;

Authorities blame arsonists for several bushfires across badly-hit New South Wales and Queensland and appealed the residents to give information regarding this which will lead to more arrests. &nbsp;

So far, four people have been killed, more than 300 homes destroyed and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stay-alert-millions-of-australians-brace-for-catastrophic-bushfires-261487">millions are being affected </a>because of the hazardous smoke spread by the massive bushfires. More than one million hectares of land has been razed in over a week.&nbsp;

There were 130 fires that were burning in the two Australian states on Saturday, damaging large swathes of the area which has already been ravaged by a drought.&nbsp;

On Saturday, the uncontrolled bushfires led to demands in Australia asking the country's conservative government to do more to tackle climate change. &nbsp;

Firemen in New South Wales undertook backburning as temperatures dipped on Saturday night. The fires in New South Wales are expected to deteriorate early next week.&nbsp;

Parts of Queensland are facing the risk of an extreme situation as the forecast of high temperatures, low humidity combined with storms will make life difficult for firefighters to control the fires.

Australia is prone to bushfires and scientists believe that the reason behind the fires early this season is because of climate change which is leading to a rise in temperatures and sapping of moisture from the environment.

The Australian government has ignored growing calls of limiting the use of fossil fuels, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and is eager to protect the highly lucrative mining industry.

(with inputs from AFP)

&nbsp;

An Australian national has been accused of intentionally lighting a fire which led to out-of-control bushfires in order to protect his cannabis crop. The police in Australia charged a 51-year-old man, who appeared before a court on Saturday, for deliberately setting fire at Ebor in New South Wales.

An Australian national has been accused of intentionally lighting a fire which led to out-of-control bushfires in order to protect his cannabis crop. The police in Australia charged a 51-year-old man, who appeared before a court on Saturday, for deliberately setting fire at Ebor in New South Wales. The fire in Ebor is about 10,000 hectares in size and is still burning even after three days. The accused made a bungled attempt allegedly at backburning which intensified the fires and he didn't take any action to extinguish the flames, according to the police. Backburning is a practice in which firefighters try to clear the undergrowth that fuels the fire. Authorities blame arsonists for several bushfires across badly-hit New South Wales and Queensland and appealed the residents to give information regarding this which will lead to more arrests. So far, four people have been killed, more than 300 homes destroyed and millions are being affected because of the hazardous smoke spread by the massive bushfires. More than one million hectares of land has been razed in over a week. There were 130 fires that were burning in the two Australian states on Saturday, damaging large swathes of the area which has already been ravaged by a drought. On Saturday, the uncontrolled bushfires led to demands in Australia asking the country's conservative government to do more to tackle climate change. Firemen in New South Wales undertook backburning as temperatures dipped on Saturday night. The fires in New South Wales are expected to deteriorate early next week. Parts of Queensland are facing the risk of an extreme situation as the forecast of high temperatures, low humidity combined with storms will make life difficult for firefighters to control the fires. Australia is prone to bushfires and scientists believe that the reason behind the fires early this season is because of climate change which is leading to a rise in temperatures and sapping of moisture from the environment. The Australian government has ignored growing calls of limiting the use of fossil fuels, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and is eager to protect the highly lucrative mining industry. (with inputs from AFP)

Australian man accused of starting bushfires to protect his cannabis crop

Australia braced on Friday for strong winds that could whip up bushfires in two states over the weekend and add to a toll of more than 270 homes destroyed and 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of land ravaged during the past week.

The country's weather bureau warned that winds and lightning strikes increase the threat to communities across two states on the country's east coast, which have been ravaged by fire since last Friday.

"A fresh burst of hot, dry westerly winds will result in severe fire dangers in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt," the Bureau of Meteorology flagged for the border region between the states of Queensland and New South Wales.

It added that thunderstorms were possible over the northern part of that region, "bringing the risk of lightning as an ignition source for new fires."

In New South Wales, 259 homes have been destroyed over the past week and 59 bush or grass fires are still burning, but none are rated at the "catastrophic" warning level-triggered earlier in the week, the state's Rural Fire Service said.

In Queensland, where 16 homes have been destroyed since November&nbsp;7, 59 fires are still burning.

The bushfire season has begun earlier than usual, in the southern hemisphere spring, and is expected to be long and brutal this year as a three-year drought has left broad swathes of Australia's east and west more susceptible to fire.

Looking to avert fatigue among firefighters, Western Australia has sent teams out to relieve tired crews on the east coast, and New Zealand has also sent up reinforcements.

"We're doing what we can for our fellow Aussies while still maintaining resources on the home front, which have been much needed in the past few days," the Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services said on social media.

Australia braced on Friday for strong winds that could whip up bushfires in two states over the weekend and add to a toll of more than 270 homes destroyed and 2.

Australia braced on Friday for strong winds that could whip up bushfires in two states over the weekend and add to a toll of more than 270 homes destroyed and 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of land ravaged during the past week. The country's weather bureau warned that winds and lightning strikes increase the threat to communities across two states on the country's east coast, which have been ravaged by fire since last Friday. "A fresh burst of hot, dry westerly winds will result in severe fire dangers in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt," the Bureau of Meteorology flagged for the border region between the states of Queensland and New South Wales. It added that thunderstorms were possible over the northern part of that region, "bringing the risk of lightning as an ignition source for new fires." In New South Wales, 259 homes have been destroyed over the past week and 59 bush or grass fires are still burning, but none are rated at the "catastrophic" warning level-triggered earlier in the week, the state's Rural Fire Service said. In Queensland, where 16 homes have been destroyed since November 7, 59 fires are still burning. The bushfire season has begun earlier than usual, in the southern hemisphere spring, and is expected to be long and brutal this year as a three-year drought has left broad swathes of Australia's east and west more susceptible to fire. Looking to avert fatigue among firefighters, Western Australia has sent teams out to relieve tired crews on the east coast, and New Zealand has also sent up reinforcements. "We're doing what we can for our fellow Aussies while still maintaining resources on the home front, which have been much needed in the past few days," the Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services said on social media.

Australia braces for heavy winds, lightning as bushfire threat lingers

Australia selectors have shaken up the squad's underperforming batting lineup for the two-Test series against Pakistan by dumping top-order batsmen Usman Khawaja and Marcus Harris while handing a surprise recall to Cameron Bancroft.

Opener Harris averaged 9.66 against England in the last three Tests of the Ashes and has been jettisoned in favour of Queensland's Joe Burns for the series, which starts in Brisbane on November&nbsp;21.

Burns has been recalled after being snubbed for the Ashes despite having scored 180 in the previous Test against Sri Lanka in Canberra in February.

Khawaja, once among Australia's first picks, was dropped after the third Ashes Test at Leeds and has failed to find form for home state Queensland.

Bancroft may consider himself the luckiest in the 14-man squad released on Thursday having been given another chance after being dumped two Tests into the Ashes.

He was a late call-up for the Australia A team that played Pakistan in a tour game this week after Nic Maddinson pulled out for mental health reasons.

He scored 49 from 155 balls in the first innings, which turned out to be the team's top score as the rest of the Test hopefuls failed in the unofficial audition in Perth.

Harris, however, may have cause to feel aggrieved having had a stronger first-class season in the domestic Sheffield Shield than Bancroft.

Selector Trevor Hohns said Bancroft's ability to play in the middle order as well as at the top had been in his favour.

"He’s got the ingredients of being a very good Test match player, he’s a hard worker," Hohns told reporters in Perth of the 26-year-old Western Australian who has averaged 26.23 from his 10 Tests.

"And the improvement in his game is very noticeable."

Middle-order batsman Travis Head, who had a poor series in England and was dropped for the final Test, has been retained.

After strong domestic form, uncapped bowling all-rounder Michael Neser has been included along with pacemen Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson.

Cricket Australia (CA) announced earlier on Thursday that promising young batsman Will Pucovski had withdrawn from selection for "mental wellbeing" reasons.

Hohns said the uncapped 21-year-old's decision came before selectors had finalised the squad.

Pucovski, who pulled out of the Test squad in January for similar reasons, became the third Australian cricketer to report mental health problems to staff in just over two weeks.

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell remains on an indefinite break after pulling out midway through the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka.

"I think we should be quite proud and pleased in our sports players are comfortable coming out and talking about (mental health)," said Hohns.

"It’s just happening more and more in everyday life."

Tim Paine's Australia meets Pakistan in the second Test in Adelaide on November&nbsp;29.

Australia selectors have shaken up the squad's underperforming batting lineup for the two-Test series against Pakistan by dumping top-order batsmen Usman Khawaja and Marcus Harris while handing a surprise recall to Cameron Bancroft.

Australia selectors have shaken up the squad's underperforming batting lineup for the two-Test series against Pakistan by dumping top-order batsmen Usman Khawaja and Marcus Harris while handing a surprise recall to Cameron Bancroft. Opener Harris averaged 9.66 against England in the last three Tests of the Ashes and has been jettisoned in favour of Queensland's Joe Burns for the series, which starts in Brisbane on November 21. Burns has been recalled after being snubbed for the Ashes despite having scored 180 in the previous Test against Sri Lanka in Canberra in February. Khawaja, once among Australia's first picks, was dropped after the third Ashes Test at Leeds and has failed to find form for home state Queensland. Bancroft may consider himself the luckiest in the 14-man squad released on Thursday having been given another chance after being dumped two Tests into the Ashes. He was a late call-up for the Australia A team that played Pakistan in a tour game this week after Nic Maddinson pulled out for mental health reasons. He scored 49 from 155 balls in the first innings, which turned out to be the team's top score as the rest of the Test hopefuls failed in the unofficial audition in Perth. Harris, however, may have cause to feel aggrieved having had a stronger first-class season in the domestic Sheffield Shield than Bancroft. Selector Trevor Hohns said Bancroft's ability to play in the middle order as well as at the top had been in his favour. "He’s got the ingredients of being a very good Test match player, he’s a hard worker," Hohns told reporters in Perth of the 26-year-old Western Australian who has averaged 26.23 from his 10 Tests. "And the improvement in his game is very noticeable." Middle-order batsman Travis Head, who had a poor series in England and was dropped for the final Test, has been retained. After strong domestic form, uncapped bowling all-rounder Michael Neser has been included along with pacemen Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson. Cricket Australia (CA) announced earlier on Thursday that promising young batsman Will Pucovski had withdrawn from selection for "mental wellbeing" reasons. Hohns said the uncapped 21-year-old's decision came before selectors had finalised the squad. Pucovski, who pulled out of the Test squad in January for similar reasons, became the third Australian cricketer to report mental health problems to staff in just over two weeks. All-rounder Glenn Maxwell remains on an indefinite break after pulling out midway through the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka. "I think we should be quite proud and pleased in our sports players are comfortable coming out and talking about (mental health)," said Hohns. "It’s just happening more and more in everyday life." Tim Paine's Australia meets Pakistan in the second Test in Adelaide on November 29.

Usman Khawaja, Marcus Harris dropped from Australia Test squad

Australian employment suffered its sharpest fall in three years last month, data showed on Thursday, underlining the need for urgent stimulus to revive economic activity and wages.

The local dollar fell a third of a cent to $0.6806&nbsp;as the market narrowed the odds on a rate cut from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in December, though it was still considered an outside chance.

The disappointing report will also pile political pressure on the conservative government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison to launch a fiscal rescue package for the economy.

Morrison has so far resisted all calls for action, in part by citing continued strength of the labour market.

That position will be harder to defend given net new jobs fell 19,000 in October, the largest drop since late 2016. The unemployment rate also nudged up to 5.3 per cent, reversing a promising dip in September.

Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a gain of 15,000 jobs and an unemployment rate of 5.3 per cent.&nbsp;

"Slower employment growth also presents an additional challenge for the RBA's outlook for a recovery in consumer spending," said NAB economist Kaixin Owyong.

"Ideally the government would step in to deliver an additional fiscal stimulus, but if this fails to eventuate the RBA could adopt unconventional policy and cut the cash rate to 0.25 per cent."

The central bank has already cut rates three times to a historic low of 0.75 per cent, but so far the only impact has been a revival in-home price inflation.

Financial markets imply around a 24 per cent&nbsp;probability of a quarter-point easing at the RBA's next meeting on Dec. 3, rising to 62% for February.

Just last week the RBA threw in the towel on getting wages going, forecasting miserly annual growth of 2.3 per cent&nbsp;right out to 2021. Indeed, data out on Wednesday showed wage growth actually went backwards to 2.2 per cent&nbsp;in the September quarter.

Up until now, Australia's problem was not a dearth of hiring. Some 251,800 net new positions were created in the year to October, with the majority full time.

Annual jobs growth ran at a solid 2.0 per cent, comfortably above the latest US&nbsp;performance of 1.4 per cent.

The trouble, ironically, is that the labour market has proved too flexible in providing the workers needed to fill those jobs. All the growth in employment was met by an increased supply of labour, thus keeping the jobless rate up.

Participation in the workforce is up near-record peaks at 66.0 per cent&nbsp;and, adding in those who want to work more hours, the underutilisation rate was a high 13.8 per cent.

This phenomenon is partly a direct result of government policy. Extending childcare and disability payments have lifted the share of females in the workforce to all-time peaks.

The conservative government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also kept the doors wide open to skilled migration, with net arrivals running at almost 300,000 in the year to September, the highest in more than five years.

It has also imposed caps on pay rises for the public sector which has kept growth well under 3% for every year since 2013.

Australian employment suffered its sharpest fall in three years last month, data showed on Thursday, underlining the need for urgent stimulus to revive economic activity and wages.

Australian employment suffered its sharpest fall in three years last month, data showed on Thursday, underlining the need for urgent stimulus to revive economic activity and wages. The local dollar fell a third of a cent to $0.6806 as the market narrowed the odds on a rate cut from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in December, though it was still considered an outside chance. The disappointing report will also pile political pressure on the conservative government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison to launch a fiscal rescue package for the economy. Morrison has so far resisted all calls for action, in part by citing continued strength of the labour market. That position will be harder to defend given net new jobs fell 19,000 in October, the largest drop since late 2016. The unemployment rate also nudged up to 5.3 per cent, reversing a promising dip in September. Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast a gain of 15,000 jobs and an unemployment rate of 5.3 per cent. "Slower employment growth also presents an additional challenge for the RBA's outlook for a recovery in consumer spending," said NAB economist Kaixin Owyong. "Ideally the government would step in to deliver an additional fiscal stimulus, but if this fails to eventuate the RBA could adopt unconventional policy and cut the cash rate to 0.25 per cent." The central bank has already cut rates three times to a historic low of 0.75 per cent, but so far the only impact has been a revival in-home price inflation. Financial markets imply around a 24 per cent probability of a quarter-point easing at the RBA's next meeting on Dec. 3, rising to 62% for February. Just last week the RBA threw in the towel on getting wages going, forecasting miserly annual growth of 2.3 per cent right out to 2021. Indeed, data out on Wednesday showed wage growth actually went backwards to 2.2 per cent in the September quarter. Up until now, Australia's problem was not a dearth of hiring. Some 251,800 net new positions were created in the year to October, with the majority full time. Annual jobs growth ran at a solid 2.0 per cent, comfortably above the latest US performance of 1.4 per cent. The trouble, ironically, is that the labour market has proved too flexible in providing the workers needed to fill those jobs. All the growth in employment was met by an increased supply of labour, thus keeping the jobless rate up. Participation in the workforce is up near-record peaks at 66.0 per cent and, adding in those who want to work more hours, the underutilisation rate was a high 13.8 per cent. This phenomenon is partly a direct result of government policy. Extending childcare and disability payments have lifted the share of females in the workforce to all-time peaks. The conservative government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also kept the doors wide open to skilled migration, with net arrivals running at almost 300,000 in the year to September, the highest in more than five years. It has also imposed caps on pay rises for the public sector which has kept growth well under 3% for every year since 2013.

Australian jobs suffer biggest drop in three years

Official weather forecasts for Australia out on Thursday showed no substantial rains for at least three months, providing grim news as firefighters battle to get more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australians-shelter-and-flee-as-firefighters-battle-150-bushfires-261748">100 bushfires</a> raging across the east coast under control.

Wildfires in New South Wales and Queensland states have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/deadly-australian-bushfires-haze-sydney-261641">killed four people</a>, destroyed hundreds of homes and wiped out 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of farmland and bush over the past week.

The fires have been fuelled by tinder-dry conditions after three years of drought that experts say has been exacerbated by climate change, a factor that has sparked a sharp political debate in recent days.

Firefighters have said the blazes will burn for weeks without significant rainfall.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said there is just a 25 per cent&nbsp;chance that the country's east coast will receive average rainfall between December&nbsp;1 and February&nbsp;28.

Stoking the threat, BOM said there is more than 80 per cent&nbsp;chance that temperatures will exceed average levels over the next three months.

More immediately, Rural Fire Service NSW deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said fatigued firefighters face another challenging few days.

"Conditions are starting to warm up tomorrow, into the weekend and then heating up early next week, a return to more gusty conditions. We’re in for the long haul,” Rogers told Australia's Channel 7.

The death toll from the fires rose to four on Thursday after police reported the body of a man was discovered in NSW bushland that had been ravaged by fire.

Bushfires are common in Australia's hot, dry summers, but the ferocity and early arrival of the fires in the southern spring this year has caught many by surprise and stoked an increasingly acrimonious political debate about climate change.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has repeatedly batted away questions on that issue during the current crisis, drawing criticism from climate activists and opposition lawmakers.

A group of former fire chiefs on Thursday said the government's refusal to discuss climate change issues were impeding preparations for large-scale fires.

Greg Mullins, a former Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner, said he and 23 other fire and emergency chiefs had been trying to have a meeting with Morrison since April because they "knew that a bushfire crisis was coming."

Instead, he said current fire chiefs had been locked out of discussions and were "not allowed" to mention climate change.

"This government fundamentally doesn’t like talking about climate change," Mullins told reporters in Sydney.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said earlier in the week that linking the fires to the government's support of the coal industry was "the ravings of some pure, enlightened and woke capital city greenies".

Official weather forecasts for Australia out on Thursday showed no substantial rains for at least three months, providing grim news as firefighters battle to get more than 100 bushfires raging across the east coast under control.

Official weather forecasts for Australia out on Thursday showed no substantial rains for at least three months, providing grim news as firefighters battle to get more than 100 bushfires raging across the east coast under control. Wildfires in New South Wales and Queensland states have killed four people, destroyed hundreds of homes and wiped out 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of farmland and bush over the past week. The fires have been fuelled by tinder-dry conditions after three years of drought that experts say has been exacerbated by climate change, a factor that has sparked a sharp political debate in recent days. Firefighters have said the blazes will burn for weeks without significant rainfall. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said there is just a 25 per cent chance that the country's east coast will receive average rainfall between December 1 and February 28. Stoking the threat, BOM said there is more than 80 per cent chance that temperatures will exceed average levels over the next three months. More immediately, Rural Fire Service NSW deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said fatigued firefighters face another challenging few days. "Conditions are starting to warm up tomorrow, into the weekend and then heating up early next week, a return to more gusty conditions. We’re in for the long haul,” Rogers told Australia's Channel 7. The death toll from the fires rose to four on Thursday after police reported the body of a man was discovered in NSW bushland that had been ravaged by fire. Bushfires are common in Australia's hot, dry summers, but the ferocity and early arrival of the fires in the southern spring this year has caught many by surprise and stoked an increasingly acrimonious political debate about climate change. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has repeatedly batted away questions on that issue during the current crisis, drawing criticism from climate activists and opposition lawmakers. A group of former fire chiefs on Thursday said the government's refusal to discuss climate change issues were impeding preparations for large-scale fires. Greg Mullins, a former Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner, said he and 23 other fire and emergency chiefs had been trying to have a meeting with Morrison since April because they "knew that a bushfire crisis was coming." Instead, he said current fire chiefs had been locked out of discussions and were "not allowed" to mention climate change. "This government fundamentally doesn’t like talking about climate change," Mullins told reporters in Sydney. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said earlier in the week that linking the fires to the government's support of the coal industry was "the ravings of some pure, enlightened and woke capital city greenies".

Lack of forecast rains to prolong Australian bushfires threat

Bushfires continue to pose a major threat in Australia. Emergency declared in 2 states of Australia.

Massive Bushfires in Australia: Bushfires continue to pose a major threat

Catholic cardinal George Pell will have one last chance to overturn his conviction for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-vatican-cleric-cardinal-pell-convicted-of-child-sex-crimes-199719">sexually assaulting two teenaged choirboys</a> after the Australian High Court on Wednesday agreed to hear the former Vatican treasurer's appeal.

Pell, 78, the most senior Catholic official worldwide to be jailed for child sex offences, is currently serving a six-year sentence handed down in March. He is not eligible for parole until 2022, when he will be 81.

The High Court hearing, to be presided over by a full bench of five or seven judges, will be held in March 2020 at the earliest, a court spokesman said. Pell will remain in prison until the appeal is heard.

Lawyers for Pell declined to comment on Wednesday's decision, which is the cardinal's final avenue to clear his name after an earlier appeal upheld his conviction by a lower court.

Prosecutors also declined to comment.

The lawyer for Pell's accuser, whose identity has been protected, said her client respected the appeals process despite the ups and downs he had been through.

"So we will be respectfully waiting for the outcome, but we do understand the anguish a lot of people in the community are feeling," lawyer Vivian Waller told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

The cardinal was found guilty in the Victorian County Court in December of abusing two 13-year-old boys at St Patrick's Cathedral in the late 1990s when he was archbishop of Melbourne. A first appeal was heard by the Victoria Court of Appeal, where judges upheld his conviction in a 2-1 majority in August.

The Australian Catholic church lamented the case dragging on due to the High Court ruling.

"This will prolong what has been a lengthy and difficult process, but we can only hope that the appeal will be heard as soon as reasonably possible and that the High Court's judgement will bring clarity and a resolution for all," Archbishop Mark Coleridge, head of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, said in a statement.

The High Court on Wednesday ordered Pell's lawyers to file their arguments for appeal by January&nbsp;8, with the crown prosecutors' response due on February&nbsp;5.

Pell's lawyers took the case to the High Court on the basis the Court of Appeal was wrong to have found that the jury's verdict was not unreasonable. Lawyers also argued the majority judges had erred in shifting the burden of proof to the defense to show that it would have been impossible for Pell to have committed the offenses.

Prosecutors said in their filing to the High Court last month there were no grounds for the appeal. They argued that the majority of the Court of Appeal made no error in their approach to evaluating the facts of the case and that the proposed appeal raised "no question of law of public importance".

High Court cases are decided by a majority.

Legal experts said the move by two judges of the High Court to refer Pell's bid to appeal to the full bench was unusual. Effectively the bid to appeal and the actual appeal will be heard together.

The outcome is very hard to predict, said Ben Mathews, a law professor at Queensland University of Technology, who had expected the court to refuse to hear the appeal.

"It's a really tricky one. The fundamental question is really whether the court decides it was open to the jury to reach the guilty verdict," Mathews said.

Pell was relieved of his position as Vatican treasurer after he was convicted, but remains a cardinal. The Pope has declined to comment on the case until the appeals process is exhausted.

For Pell to be dismissed from the priesthood, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith would have to find him guilty following a separate canonical trial or a shorter process.

Catholic cardinal George Pell will have one last chance to overturn his conviction for sexually assaulting two teenaged choirboys after the Australian High Court on Wednesday agreed to hear the former Vatican treasurer's appeal.

Catholic cardinal George Pell will have one last chance to overturn his conviction for sexually assaulting two teenaged choirboys after the Australian High Court on Wednesday agreed to hear the former Vatican treasurer's appeal. Pell, 78, the most senior Catholic official worldwide to be jailed for child sex offences, is currently serving a six-year sentence handed down in March. He is not eligible for parole until 2022, when he will be 81. The High Court hearing, to be presided over by a full bench of five or seven judges, will be held in March 2020 at the earliest, a court spokesman said. Pell will remain in prison until the appeal is heard. Lawyers for Pell declined to comment on Wednesday's decision, which is the cardinal's final avenue to clear his name after an earlier appeal upheld his conviction by a lower court. Prosecutors also declined to comment. The lawyer for Pell's accuser, whose identity has been protected, said her client respected the appeals process despite the ups and downs he had been through. "So we will be respectfully waiting for the outcome, but we do understand the anguish a lot of people in the community are feeling," lawyer Vivian Waller told Australian Broadcasting Corp. The cardinal was found guilty in the Victorian County Court in December of abusing two 13-year-old boys at St Patrick's Cathedral in the late 1990s when he was archbishop of Melbourne. A first appeal was heard by the Victoria Court of Appeal, where judges upheld his conviction in a 2-1 majority in August. The Australian Catholic church lamented the case dragging on due to the High Court ruling. "This will prolong what has been a lengthy and difficult process, but we can only hope that the appeal will be heard as soon as reasonably possible and that the High Court's judgement will bring clarity and a resolution for all," Archbishop Mark Coleridge, head of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, said in a statement. The High Court on Wednesday ordered Pell's lawyers to file their arguments for appeal by January 8, with the crown prosecutors' response due on February 5. Pell's lawyers took the case to the High Court on the basis the Court of Appeal was wrong to have found that the jury's verdict was not unreasonable. Lawyers also argued the majority judges had erred in shifting the burden of proof to the defense to show that it would have been impossible for Pell to have committed the offenses. Prosecutors said in their filing to the High Court last month there were no grounds for the appeal. They argued that the majority of the Court of Appeal made no error in their approach to evaluating the facts of the case and that the proposed appeal raised "no question of law of public importance". High Court cases are decided by a majority. Legal experts said the move by two judges of the High Court to refer Pell's bid to appeal to the full bench was unusual. Effectively the bid to appeal and the actual appeal will be heard together. The outcome is very hard to predict, said Ben Mathews, a law professor at Queensland University of Technology, who had expected the court to refuse to hear the appeal. "It's a really tricky one. The fundamental question is really whether the court decides it was open to the jury to reach the guilty verdict," Mathews said. Pell was relieved of his position as Vatican treasurer after he was convicted, but remains a cardinal. The Pope has declined to comment on the case until the appeals process is exhausted. For Pell to be dismissed from the priesthood, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith would have to find him guilty following a separate canonical trial or a shorter process.

Catholic cardinal Pell gets last chance to overturn Australia's sex offences conviction

Australian officials ordered people in several communities, including a major tourist destination, to evacuate immediately on Wednesday as firefighters struggled to contain more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stay-alert-millions-of-australians-brace-for-catastrophic-bushfires-261487">150 bushfires</a> raging across the east coast.

While cooler weather overnight brought some relief for firefighters in New South Wales (NSW) state, attention shifted to its northern neighbour, Queensland, where hot, dry and windy conditions brought severe fire danger.

Authorities issued a "leave immediately" warning, the highest level, for several areas including Noosa, a beachside holiday destination 150 km (93 miles) north of Brisbane, the state capital of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-authorities-urge-evacuations-ahead-of-catastrophic-fire-threat-261254">Queensland</a>.

"Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing," Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) said.

"The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path."

Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington told Reuters many of the residents in the affected north, accessible only by ferry or via the beach, had got out this week.

But he added that winds were picking up, making things particularly tricky.

"There are plenty of crews battling the fire, including two helicopters," he said.

The blaze in Noosa is one of more than 80 fires across Queensland, leaving firefighters stretched.

QFES said one its water-bombing helicopters crashed while battling a fire in Pechey, west of Brisbane, though the pilot escaped with minor injuries.

Bushfires are common in Australia's hot, dry summers, but the ferocity and early arrival of the fires in the southern spring this year has caught many by surprise.

The blazes have claimed three lives and destroyed about 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of farmland and bush, fuelled by extremely dry conditions after three years of drought, which experts say has been exacerbated by climate change.

The hot and windy conditions are set to spike again next week.

"We will not have all these fires contained before then," NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told reporters in Sydney. "We will not have all these fires contained and locked up for many, many weeks."

"Unfortunately, what we need is rain ... and there is certainly nothing in the forecast for the foreseeable future that's going to make any discernible difference to the conditions."

Some 300 homes have been destroyed in NSW in recent days, Fitzsimmons said, as flames stretched from the state's north coast to within metres of homes in Greater Sydney.

No deaths were reported on Tuesday as warning systems and evacuation plans appeared to save lives in the face of what officials said was the greatest threat in at least a decade.

"It was just chewing up everything," Karen Weston told Australian Broadcasting Corp from an evacuation centre of a fire near Taree on the mid-north coast. "I've survived two other bushfires before this but never anything like this."

Academy award winning actor Russell Crowe tweeted photos and video footage on Wednesday of firefighters using helicopters to waterbomb his property near Nana Glen, an rural community some 580 km (360 miles) north of Sydney.

Crowe said the property had "lost a couple of buildings", some fires were still burning and "we are out of water".

The fires have sparked increasingly acrimonious debate over climate and fire-prevention policies, with the ruling conservative Liberal Party and the minor opposition Australian Greens exchanging barbs.

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce was among those who have suggested that climate activists were at least partly responsible for the fires by lobbying to reduce so-called back burns, fires deliberately lit to clear dry undergrowth.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, meanwhile, said linking the fires to the government's support of the coal industry was "the ravings of some pure, enlightened and woke capital city greenies".

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has declined to comment on climate change during the crisis, has called for moderation in the debate.

Australian officials ordered people in several communities, including a major tourist destination, to evacuate immediately on Wednesday as firefighters struggled to contain more than 150 bushfires raging across the east coast.

Australian officials ordered people in several communities, including a major tourist destination, to evacuate immediately on Wednesday as firefighters struggled to contain more than 150 bushfires raging across the east coast. While cooler weather overnight brought some relief for firefighters in New South Wales (NSW) state, attention shifted to its northern neighbour, Queensland, where hot, dry and windy conditions brought severe fire danger. Authorities issued a "leave immediately" warning, the highest level, for several areas including Noosa, a beachside holiday destination 150 km (93 miles) north of Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland. "Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing," Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) said. "The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path." Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington told Reuters many of the residents in the affected north, accessible only by ferry or via the beach, had got out this week. But he added that winds were picking up, making things particularly tricky. "There are plenty of crews battling the fire, including two helicopters," he said. The blaze in Noosa is one of more than 80 fires across Queensland, leaving firefighters stretched. QFES said one its water-bombing helicopters crashed while battling a fire in Pechey, west of Brisbane, though the pilot escaped with minor injuries. Bushfires are common in Australia's hot, dry summers, but the ferocity and early arrival of the fires in the southern spring this year has caught many by surprise. The blazes have claimed three lives and destroyed about 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of farmland and bush, fuelled by extremely dry conditions after three years of drought, which experts say has been exacerbated by climate change. The hot and windy conditions are set to spike again next week. "We will not have all these fires contained before then," NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told reporters in Sydney. "We will not have all these fires contained and locked up for many, many weeks." "Unfortunately, what we need is rain ... and there is certainly nothing in the forecast for the foreseeable future that's going to make any discernible difference to the conditions." Some 300 homes have been destroyed in NSW in recent days, Fitzsimmons said, as flames stretched from the state's north coast to within metres of homes in Greater Sydney. No deaths were reported on Tuesday as warning systems and evacuation plans appeared to save lives in the face of what officials said was the greatest threat in at least a decade. "It was just chewing up everything," Karen Weston told Australian Broadcasting Corp from an evacuation centre of a fire near Taree on the mid-north coast. "I've survived two other bushfires before this but never anything like this." Academy award winning actor Russell Crowe tweeted photos and video footage on Wednesday of firefighters using helicopters to waterbomb his property near Nana Glen, an rural community some 580 km (360 miles) north of Sydney. Crowe said the property had "lost a couple of buildings", some fires were still burning and "we are out of water". The fires have sparked increasingly acrimonious debate over climate and fire-prevention policies, with the ruling conservative Liberal Party and the minor opposition Australian Greens exchanging barbs. Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce was among those who have suggested that climate activists were at least partly responsible for the fires by lobbying to reduce so-called back burns, fires deliberately lit to clear dry undergrowth. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, meanwhile, said linking the fires to the government's support of the coal industry was "the ravings of some pure, enlightened and woke capital city greenies". Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has declined to comment on climate change during the crisis, has called for moderation in the debate.

Australians ordered to evacuate as firefighters struggled to contain bushfires

Emergency Declared In New South Wales, Queensland As Australia Battles Wildfires.

Gravitas: Australia Bush Fires: Sydney On High Alert

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