ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Thu 24 Oct, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Live: Pilot confirmed dead as fires flare in Blue Mountains The Rural Fire Service (RFS) has confirmed that a pilot died when his water-bombing aircraft crashed in southern New South Wales this morning. The RFS says the pilot, 43, was killed when his Dromader water-bomber went down west of Ulladulla. The plane was involved in fire-fighting operations, and it is believed a wing snapped off the aircraft before the crash. The RFS has issued two emergency warnings for blazes in the Blue Mountains - the so-called State Mine fire and the blaze at Mount Victoria. Follow our live blog for updates throughout the day. More » Security incident closes parts of Brisbane CBD's court precinct amid reports of suspicious man Federal Government releases laws to repeal mining tax Acid fears force evacuation of Sydney's University of Technology city campus High Court case on same-sex marriage laws to begin tomorrow Hunt defends Abbott's climate change comments Richie Benaud in stable condition after Sydney car accident More Analysis » Bob's his uncle: Bill Shorten's path to power Comparisons may be invidious but Bill Shorten is unlikely to complain about those who say he has more than a touch of Bob Hawke about him. He shares Hawke's skills as a communicator, with an ability to inspire audiences. He is a tireless self-promoter and networker, within the party, in the media and to the public at large. But the question is whether Shorten's qualifications are better suited to those of prime minister than opposition leader, a position rightly described as the hardest in politics. More » Bushfires, climate and the debate we have to have The future of Australian electoral politics Does Treasury need to move to the big smoke? The case for George Bailey All is fair in love, war and diplomacy Australia's nuclear policy is a complex challenge Some good news to run your fingers through Civilian deaths demand we rethink secret drone wars Broadband is just the start of Turnbull's minefield Just In More Just In » Richie Benaud injured in Sydney car accident Cricket icon Richie Benaud is in a stable condition in hospital after being injured in a car accident on Wednesday. More » Federal Government releases laws to repeal mining tax Hunt defends Abbott's climate change comments Gold Coast teen safe after walking into ABC's Sydney HQ Dust flies in Ayers Rock Resort $65m writedown Defence investigates SA training range fire Q & A: How firefighters contain a massive bushfire Suspect device found in car closes parts of Brisbane CBD's court precinct Acid fears force evacuation of UTS in Sydney Mother tells of shock at YMCA childcare centre abuse World More World » Boy, 3, disciplined in 'mummy-wrap' dies Three people are charged with manslaughter over the death of a three-year-old Florida boy who was wrapped tightly in a blanket as a form of discipline. More » Former BBC broadcaster faces child sex charges Pakistan PM urges US to end drone strikes Japan says asteroid-blasting space cannon on track Slow broadband not sustainable, Europe tech chief says Silvio Berlusconi to stand trial for allegedly bribing a senator Business More Business » RBA says no dividend from $4.3b profit By business reporter Pat McGrath The Reserve Bank says it will not pay a dividend to the Federal Government this year, as it devotes its biggest profit in four years to topping up a fund designed to ensure financial stability. The move comes after the Treasurer Joe Hockey announced the Federal Government will give the central bank $8.8 billion for the fund. More » Global markets drop as profits results fall short of expectations NSW minister says landlords exploiting bushfire victims Bathurst's Simplot plant to be downsized Politics More Politics » Federal Government releases laws to repeal mining tax By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths The Federal Government is pushing ahead with axing the troubled mining tax, pressuring Labor to respect its mandate and pass the repeal legislation before Christmas. Draft laws to abolish the Minerals Resource Rent Tax (MRRT) have been released ahead of their expected introduction to parliament next month. Labor looks set to join the Greens in opposing the move, making it likely that the legislation will be blocked until the Senate changeover next July. That would leave the laws in the hands of billionaire mining magnate Clive Palmer, whose Palmer United Party has won three Senate spots and has recruited the Motoring Enthusiasts' Ricky Muir to form a powerful voting bloc. More » Hunt defends Abbott's climate change comments More exploration permits granted for Bight Silvio Berlusconi to stand trial for allegedly bribing a senator Russia softens piracy charges against Greenpeace activists Sport More Sport » Richie Benaud injured in Sydney car accident Cricket icon Richie Benaud is in a stable condition in hospital after being injured in a car accident on Wednesday. More » Postecoglou backs Muscat to take reins at Victory Four in a row Ashes target inspires Cook Fifita excited to debut for Kangaroos Aussies' shot at top ODI ranking washed away Lethal on new-look Lions board Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Coral more resilient than first thought: scientists By Stephanie Smail Australian scientists have found that not only is coral more resilient than first thought, its secret defence weapon contributes to the bad smell that can come from oceans. More » Slow broadband not sustainable, Europe tech chief says US firm to take balloon rides to new heights NBN Co chiefs seek answers at broadband forum Gold grows on eucalyptus trees: study Environment More Environment » Hunt defends Abbott's climate change comments By Lexi Metherell Environment Minister Greg Hunt has had a testy exchange with a BBC presenter in an interview over bushfires and climate change. More » More exploration permits granted for Bight Coral more resilient than first thought: scientists Invasion of venomous 'false widow' spiders shuts British school Russia softens piracy charges against Greenpeace activists About this email You received this email because you are subscribed to ABC News email alerts. This message was sent to you at starnewsposting@gmail.com Please add newslists@your.abc.net.au to your email address book to see images by default and stop the email being treated as spam. This email address is not monitored - Please don't reply to this email. 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