Fresh evacuation orders in place for Australia's capital city Canberra over new bushfire threats.
People have been urged to move out from the suburbs east of Canberra, with authorities blocking some roads as a precaution.
There were no reports of injuries or damage yet.
It comes as Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne experienced poor air quality due to thick bushfire smoke despite the rain last week.
Since September, at least 29 people and 1 billion animals killed in the bushfires.
Saudi-owned vessel targeted in Red Sea, crew safe, state news agency says
Saudi Arabian state news agency on Thursday confirmed that tanker Encelia was ablaze after an assault while sailing in the Red Sea.
India's Modi promises fast-track courts on exam leaks, protesters want minister to quit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that "fast-track" courts would be set up to prosecute those behind exam paper leaks, his first public response after days of youth protests demanding the resignation of the education minister.
US House passes $1 trillion defence bill despite Iran, Israel concerns
The US House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of a massive defence policy bill, despite Democrats' concerns about its huge price tag, the Iran war and a provision that would boost Pentagon ties to Israel.
Death toll in Indian tunnel blast rises to 22
At least seven more bodies were recovered from the tunnel of an under-construction hydroelectric project in India's northeastern state of Sikkim, the state government said on Thursday, bringing the death toll from a blast to 22.
US military marks 11th successive night of attacks on Iran
US Central Command said it completed its 11th consecutive day of strikes on Iran, targeting Iranian military operations centres, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure.
