Australian wildfires

Tourists, wearing face masks due to heavy smoke, take a selfie at Sydney Harbour on Dec. 19, 2019. As news of Australia's wildfires spreads around the world, fewer tourists are arriving in the country.

World News

Australia's Massive Fires Threaten To Slow Decades-Long Economic Boom

8:52am January 12, 2020

by Jim Zarroli

Australia hasn't had a recession in nearly 30 years, an impressive track record for an industrialized county. But the fires threaten two pillars of the country's economy.

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Australian authorities say the iconic Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks will go ahead, despite calls for them to be canceled for environmental concerns.

World News
Environment

Threat Of Wildfires Not Enough To Cancel Sydney's New Year's Eve Fireworks

6:33pm December 29, 2019

by Gabriela Saldivia

Thousands have called for the iconic Sydney fireworks display to be canceled because of record heat and fire. Australian officials say they will go ahead unless conditions are declared catastrophic.

Residents defend a property from a bushfire earlier this month in Taree, north of Sydney.

World News
Environment

In Australia, Stubborn Fires Shroud Cities In Smoke, Char Terrain And Menace Koalas

2:26pm November 22, 2019

The blazes in one state alone have consumed an area about eight times the size of Los Angeles, and other fires have erupted across Australia. Amid drought and dry months to come, it could get worse.