Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has apologised for taking a family holiday in Hawaii as deadly wildfires raged across several states, destroying homes and claiming the lives of two volunteer firefighters. Mr Morrison cut short a break with his wife and adult children amid public anger at his absence from Australia at a time of national crisis. He arrived home on Saturday and on Sunday morning spoke to reporters while visiting the headquarters of the Rural Fire Service in Sydney. Yesterday an additional 30 Canadian and 9 American personnel touched down in Sydney to assist us with the firefighting effort. Thirty firefighters from Canada and nine from the United States were among fresh crews set to join the battle against the fires on Sunday.

Source: Irish Examiner December 22, 2019 01:18 UTC