Millions pledged as celebrities lead Australia bushfire relief aid

Blackened trees poke through the scorched ground after a wildfire ripped through near Kangaroo Valley, Australia, on Sunday (Jan 5). The deadly wildfires, which have been raging since September, have already burned about 6 million hectares (12.35 million acres) of land and destroyed more than 1,500 homes. - AP

SYDNEY: Hollywood celebrities, singers and sports stars have led efforts to raise funds for firefighters and bushfire victims in Australia on Sunday (Jan 5), as the conservative government's response comes under mounting criticism.

World number one tennis player Ashleigh Barty was the latest sports star to join fundraising efforts, pledging to donate all of her Brisbane International prize money. The event, which starts Monday, has a top prize of US250,000.