Up to four thousand people have been forced to shelter on a beach in the Australian state of Victoria as wildfires close in.
Those on the beach in Mallacoota told local media that they could see houses being destroyed by the fire and they could hear gas bottles exploding.
Four people are also missing in Victoria, with officials saying they have "very real fears for their safety".
***
Meanwhile, Sydney's New Years Eve fireworks display is going ahead despite calls for it to be cancelled due to the ongoing wildfires.
A petition received over 270,000 signatures with people wanting the reported €3.5 million to be spent on tackling the blazes.
The city is due to welcome in the New Year at 1pm Irish time, while countries such as Samoa and New Zealand will be among the first to welcome 2020 in the coming hours.
***
Dr Aoife Mullally has been appointed the clinical lead on termination services for the HSE.
It comes on the eve of the anniversary of abortions being made available in Ireland - with just 350 GPs across the country providing the procedures.
Orla O'Connor, from the National Women's Council of Ireland, has welcomed the appointment - but says there's more to do to improve access.
***
The former chairman of Nissan, who was awaiting trial in Japan, has travelled to Lebanon - saying he's avoiding 'injustice and political persecution'.
Carlos Ghosn is facing criminal charges for alleged financial misconduct.
He denies fleeing justice, but in a statement says he'll "no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system where guilt is presumed".
***
An Ireland South MEP is calling on the EU to strengthen its policies around the protection of pollinating insects and bees.
Sean Kelly says a sharp decline in their numbers in recent years is a cause of real concern for food producers.
He says €15 billion of the EU's annual agricultural output's directly attributed to the pollination of insects and bees.
