ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

NewsMail Morning Edition Wed 23 Oct, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Live NSW bushfires: RFS braces for horror day New South Wales firefighters face worsening weather conditions today with hot, dry winds and temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius. Crews have worked through the night back-burning to get a handle on several large blazes burning out of control, particularly in the Southern Highlands, the Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains. There are four watch-and-act alerts in place for the State Mine fire near Lithgow, the Mount Victoria fire, the Hall Road fire near Wollondilly and the Linksview Road fire near Springwood. NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mike Gallacher was blunt in his advice to those waking up in the Blue Mountains this morning, saying: "If you don't have a plan, quite simply let me give you one - pack the car now, head down the mountain, come down and enjoy time in the metropolitan area and allow the firefighters the freedom to move through the community to protect your homes." Since Thursday, more than 200 homes have been lost. The Rural Fire Service says more property may be lost today. Follow our live blog for updates on the situation throughout the day. More » 'Learned helplessness' has city slickers unable to cope with disasters Commonwealth debt limit to be lifted to $500 billion Irish Roma child found in similar case to Greece's Maria Alex Ferguson says David Beckham had to leave Manchester United because of his love of celebrity More Analysis » Now is the time to talk about climate change It's easy to understand why there's widespread support for politicians and others who argue we shouldn't talk about climate change in the middle of a bushfire emergency. We'd much prefer to think of climate change as a long-term global risk we can emotionally detach from; bushfires bring the threat uncomfortably close to home. But that's no reason not to talk about it. We must decide to get ready for a lot more angry summers. They're going to be tragic, expensive and disruptive, and the sooner we get our heads around that the better off we'll be. More » Standing in the way of national marriage equality Why the work of great teachers is hard to quantify A proven formula for avoiding disaster candidates Snapshots of Syria's medical emergency Will the Coalition pass its first environmental test? Climate change action is essential risk management A conservative vision of party reform US remains integral to the Pacific's future The case for Indigenous self-determination Just In More Just In » Slain Nevada school shooting teacher praised as hero A popular maths teacher shot dead by a 12-year-old boy at a school in the US state of Nevada has been praised as a hero, after he was gunned down when he stepped into the shooter's line of fire, giving students time to flee to safety. More » Search resumes for man swept into ocean off Qld's Sunshine Coast Irish Roma child found in similar case to Greece's Maria Sentence in ADFA Skype sex case expected today Severe weather rips roofing from Adelaide Oval Becks thought he was bigger than United: Ferguson Colombian team wear knock-off shirts after forgetting uniforms 2Day FM boss under fire for Royal baby prank remark Assad 'would play no role' in new Syrian government Live NSW bushfires: RFS braces for horror day World More World » Slain Nevada school shooting teacher praised as hero A popular maths teacher shot dead by a 12-year-old boy at a school in the US state of Nevada has been praised as a hero, after he was gunned down when he stepped into the shooter's line of fire, giving students time to flee to safety. More » Irish Roma child found in similar case to Greece's Maria Becks thought he was bigger than United: Ferguson Colombian team wear knock-off shirts after forgetting uniforms Assad 'would play no role' in new Syrian government Oarfish deaths in California revive earthquake myths Business More Business » Commonwealth debt limit to be lifted to $500 billion By chief political correspondent Emma Griffiths The Federal Government has announced a $200 billion increase to the Commonwealth debt ceiling and a six-month audit into Government spending in the face of a "deteriorating" budget position. Treasurer Joe Hockey announced the measures after a federal Cabinet meeting in Canberra on Tuesday. He said the debt limit was being increased from $300 billion to $500 billion because the Government wanted to put the matter "beyond any doubt", particularly in the wake of the recent debt limit crisis in the US. "We are increasing it to that level because I've been advised that on December 12, the current debt limit of $300 billion will be hit," he said. More » Mining stocks push ASX to another five-year high BHP Billiton increases iron ore production Floating LNG platforms the preferred option for remote gas fields but it is unproven technology Politics More Politics » Legal advice sought on exploration rights granted to Clive Palmer's company Western Australia's Mines Minister has asked for legal advice over the granting of exploration rights to Clive Palmer's company Mineralogy. More » Government defends level of assistance for NSW bushfire victims Commonwealth debt limit to be lifted to $500 billion NSW fires show world 'paying the price' of carbon: UN SA Government defends response to teacher sex allegations Sport More Sport » Victory releases Postecoglou to coach Socceroos Ange Postecoglou will take the reins of the Socceroos after being released by the Melbourne Victory. More » Becks thought he was bigger than United: Ferguson Magnussen hopes new coach will lead to Rio gold Serena makes speedy start to title defence Glen Boss, Nicholas Hall fail in bid to ride in Cox Plate Jeff Fenech biggest loser in Mosley pullout Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Experts hail father who uncovered son's rare disease A leading Australian molecular geneticist says we are on the cusp of a revolution which will enable science and medicine to look at individual DNA and tailor treatments for common cancers. The comment was in reference to the implications of work by a Melbourne father with no medical experience who teamed up with a Queensland scientist to uncover a rare disease. More » Asteroid makes close approach and will return in 2032 Custom made shoes for race horse using 3D printing Rare giant oarfish found off Californian coast Rare mosquito fossil shows insect's blood-filled belly Environment More Environment » NSW fires show world 'paying the price' of carbon: UN The executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Christiana Figueres, says the bushfires in New South Wales prove the world is "already paying the price of carbon". More » Bandt defends bushfire attack on Abbott Part of meteor that hit Russia pulled from lake Kiribatian seeks climate change asylum in New Zealand Scientists battle to save rare spider orchid 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. 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