Leading the news this morning,

Three Australian anti-whaling protesters been holding in a Japanese whaling ship are to be released. The men illegally boarded the ship at the weekend, protesters won't be charged and the arrangements are being made for them to be handed over to Australian authorities.

 

A private doom ceremony has been held in the Queensland town of Granson to mark the first anniversary of the devastating floods. it's the first of several memorial services for the 19 people who died when the Warolof water swept through the lockeiyy valley. Thirty-five people died in the floods and innerdata two thirds of the state, and caused billions of dollars inc damage.

 

A team of experts will arrive on the Christmas Island today to coordinate the clear-up from the stricken ship. The fourthway* ship broke amoring* and split it in two at the weekend. forth weiter has leaked the water and the oil has started to wash out on the beach.

 

A bush fire burning out of control in the western of Australia's northwest is threatening local home stays. The authorities have evacuated the pastoral stations near Kernawen. The fire has burnt through 150,000 hectares of land over the past week. parts of the northwest coastal highways have also been closed.

 

There have been violent clashes between police and protesters in Nigeria during a nationwide strike over the rising fuel prices, One person was shot dead, dozens have been wounded.