World News: Warning over snakes and crocodiles in flood waters

RESIDENTS in an Australian city cut off by some of the country's worst flooding in decades are being warned to stay out of the water amid fears of snakes and even crocodiles at large.

Large parts of the coastal city of Rockhampton were under water today, with levels still rising and the 75,000-strong population bracing itself for the floods' expected peak in the next 24 hours as a huge inland sea spawned by heavy rain across Queensland state drains toward the ocean.

Up to 500 people have been evacuated from their homes along the Fitzroy River, which runs through the city and has spilled over its banks and inundated houses and businesses in waters ranging from a few inches to waist-deep, with levels expected to rise another few feet.

Queensland state premier Anna Bligh said all air, rail and road links to the city had been cut, though local officials said later one highway was still open.

Rockhampton is the latest of 22 cities and towns in Queensland to be swamped by floods that began building just before Christmas, the worst effects of an unusually wet summer in the tropical region.

Swollen rivers and flooding have killed ten people in Queensland since late November, police say.

Arnie's successor is sworn in

Jerry Brown has been sworn in as the new governor of the US state of California, taking over from the departing Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Mr Brown, 72, a Democrat, said the year ahead would "demand courage and sacrifice" if California was to overcome its fiscal problems.

Fence plans along border

Greece has announced plans to build an eight-mile long fence along part its border with Turkey to stop illegal immigrants crossing the border.

Public order minister Christos Papoutsis said more than 100,000 people had entered Greece illegally last year and Athens had a duty to act.

Greece has long complained to Turkey about border security.

But the European Commission said such fences were "short-term measures" which did not tackle the root of the problem.

Cancer blood test a step closer

A blood test so sensitive that it can spot a single cancer cell lurking among a billion healthy ones took a giant step closer today.

The Boston scientists who invented the test and health care giant Johnson & Johnson will announce that they are joining forces to bring it to market.

Gang tunnels into bank

Bank robbers in Argentina have tunnelled into a vault and emptied more than 100 safety deposit boxes, police say.

The robbery in Buenos Aires was only detected when bank staff returned to work after New Year. The thieves are thought to have spent six months digging the 100ft tunnel.Iran sends out nuclear site invitation

Iran: The government has invited Russia, China, the EU and its allies among the Arab and developing world to tour its nuclear sites.

The invitation appears to be a move to gain support before a new round of talks with the US and other world powers.

Yemen: Up to 80 African migrants are feared to have drowned off the south coast of Yemen after their boats capsized, say officials.