Australian scientists said yesterday they aim to prevent a real-life version of the space disaster scenario portrayed in Oscar-winning film Gravity by removing extraterrestrial debris with lasers.

HUNDREDS of people began sifting through the charred remains of their homes on the outskirts of Australia's capital yesterday after wildfires swept through the region, killing four people and destroying at least 388 homes.

Hundreds of people began sifting through the charred remains of their burned-out homes today after the worst bush fires in the history of Australia’s capital, Canberra, left four dead.