Sydney

Much of Australia's wildfire-ravaged east coast was drenched on Feb. 7 by the biggest rainfall in almost 20 years, dousing some of the most dangerous blazes and providing welcome relief to farmers battling an extended drought.   

Fire alarms have been sounding in high-rise buildings across downtown Sydney and Melbourne as dense smoke from distant wildfires confuse electronic sensors. Modern government office blocks in the Australian capital Canberra have been closed because the air inside is too dangerous for civil servants to breathe.

In the grand finale at the Ken Rosewall Arena, our team beat the Davis Cup champions Spain 2-1.
Serbia had won over South Africa (3-0), France (2-1) and Chile (2-1) on their way to the group stage finals in Brisbane, beat Canada (3-0) in the quarterfinals in Sydney, finally in the semifinals Russia, also 3-0.

After weeks of criticism over the handling of the bushfires scorching Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Jan. 12 he will propose a national review into the response to the disaster, as the fires claimed another firefighter's life.     

Australia's wildfires have led to the closure of a number of embassies in the Canberra capital, where local authorities have threatened to smoke in the area over the weekend due to hot and windy weather, the Financial Times reports.

The head of the Estonian Diplomatic Mission in Australia, Kersti Eesmaa, confirmed that the Estonian Embassy has moved to Sydney.

Residents in the path of wildfires razing southeast Australia were urged to evacuate on Jan. 9 if they don't intend to defend their homes as hot and windy conditions are forecast to escalate the danger over the next two days.

Australian Nick Kyrgios outlasted world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6(7) 6-7(3) 7-6(5) after an intense duel to seal the tie for the hosts against Greece at the inaugural ATP Cup team event in Brisbane on Tuesday.

Australian officials used a respite on Jan. 6 from fierce wildfires that have killed 25 people across the country's southeast to race to reopen blocked roads and evacuate people who have been trapped for days.

Stefanos Tsitsipas was clinical as he picked up his first win of the season at the ATP Cup in Brisbane on Sunday against a temperamental Alexander Zverev of Germany, who was almost reduced to tears due to problems over his serve.

Denis Shapovalov won the battle of the up-and-comers against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas to clinch Canada's opening tie in the inaugural ATP Cup men's team event in Brisbane on Friday.
The baby-faced left-hander, 20, handed Canada an unassailable 2-0 lead in the tie with a 7-6(6) 7-6(4) victory in the second rubber against world number six Tsitsipas at the Patrick Rafter Arena.