A Japanese whaling ship and an anti-whaling protest boat collided in the remote, icy seas off Antarctica, with both sides blaming each other for the crash.

An Australian icebreaker carrying 52 passengers plucked from an icebound ship in the Antarctic is resuming its journey home after it was halted for a second potential rescue operation.

The Australian government has staunchly rejected arguments that wildfires ravaging parts of the country’s east following a record hot start to the current spring season are the result of climate change.

PADANG’S inhabitants are well aware of the dangers of living on top of one of the world’s most active fault lines, but the huge earthquake that struck their port city still took most by surprise as it wreaked devastation and death.