90 houses destroyed by Australia wildfires
Canberra: At least 90 houses and properties were destroyed by wildfires raging in various parts of southeastern Australia over the weekend, officials said on Monday.
Some 70 houses were burnt down by a fire in the town of Tathra, which has been blazing since early Sunday morning, reports Efe news.
A volunteer firefighter was injured and four civilians were treated for smoke inhalation, but no one has been reported missing so far, according to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.
The wildfire, fuelled by strong winds and high temperatures, spread rapidly over an area of 1,070 hectares but the fire service finally managed to control it due to change in weather conditions.
The fires have destroyed 18 houses, killed livestock and razed farms in areas some 200 km southwest of Melbourne.
Experts had warned authorities in recent reports about the worsening of extreme heat waves and wildfires due to increased carbon dioxide emissions.
The fire season in Australia varies according to the area and weather conditions.
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We’re ready to stop hostilities if Iran changes course: Israeli Envoy Reuven Azar
New Delhi (PTI): As the West Asia conflict entered its 17th day, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, on Monday said “we are ready to stop hostilities if Iran changes course”.
Interacting with reporters here, Azar also said that in the last few days, Israel consulted “diplomatic channels”, including its partners the US and countries in the region.
“We are always for diplomacy. Unfortunately, we exhausted diplomacy to the extent that we had to take military action. We hope that diplomacy will be relevant again as a result of our military action,” he said.
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The Israeli envoy said that in the past few days, Israel consulted “diplomatic channels”, including its partners the US as well as the countries in the region, and a few other nations with which it doesn't have a diplomatic relationship.
Azar also said that through military action, “we've managed to degrade Iran's launching capabilities” to a large extent.
“Right now, we are controlling the skies of Iran,” Azar told reporters, adding, “They are in dire straits.”
The future will be "brighter" if Iran decides to "change course" and recognises Israel, he added.
