澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-03-18（在线收听）

Australian aid is expected to arrive this morning in areas of Fiji, hardest hit by a powerful cyclone. Authorities are still trying to contact 17 Australians in Fiji's north. But damaged infrastructure is hampering communications. Cyclone Tomas has flattened homes and left villagers homeless. Meanwhile, hundreds of people have been evacuated from Queensland's Heron and Lady Elliot islands as Cyclone Ului moves towards the coast. It’s weakened to a Category-3 system, but the weather bureau says it could intensify before it makes landfall in the next few days.

Australian authorities are urging China to allow Australian officials to attend the entire trial of mining executive Stern Hu. Mr. Hu and three other Rio Tinto executives will face court in Shanghai on Monday, charged with receiving bribes and infringing commercial secrets. But the main part of the trial will take place in a closed session. Stern Hu's employers say they want the case to be dealt with quickly and transparently.

And US President Barack Obama has celebrated St. Patrick's Day, welcoming the Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen to Washington. The fountain at the White House was turned green for the day. While in New York, revellers took to the streets for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

We'll have more news updates later.