MELBOURNE, Jan 16: Australia’s peak tourism body estimated the country’s bushfire crisis has so far cost the industry almost A$1 billion ($690 million) and called for urgent help from the government to lure back visitors.

SYDNEY, Jan 10: Australian authorities urged nearly a quarter of a million people to evacuate their homes on Friday and prepared military backup as soaring temperatures and erratic winds fanned bushfires across the east coast.

KATHMANDU, Jan 6: Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali has expressed condolences over the heavy loss of lives and property in Australia due to the devastating bushfire.

MELBOURNE, Jan 5:  Smoke from raging bushfires in Australia blanketed parts of neighbouring New Zealand on Sunday, turning the sky over Auckland a bright orange.