ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Fri 18 Oct, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Live: One dead and hundreds of homes feared lost in NSW bushfire crisis More than 20 bushfires continue to burn uncontained across New South Wales despite fire crews taking advantage of today's easing weather conditions. The crisis has claimed at least one life - a 63-year-old man who collapsed and died while defending his home at Lake Munmorah on the Central Coast late yesterday. The scene in the worst-hit areas of the Blue Mountains has been described as one of "utter devastation", with fears as many as 200 homes may have been destroyed. Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons fought back tears today while describing how some firefighters have lost their own homes in the crisis. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has also praised the efforts of fire crews: "These are ordinary people who, on an extraordinary day, come together to support their community and to protect their fellow Australians." Follow our live blog for updates. More » Faces of the bushfires Shorten names shadow ministry, Plibersek gets foreign affairs Senior Abbott staffers furious over pay rise edict Abbott proposes Arlington-style war cemetery Manus Island staff moved to safety after incident First bikie arrests in Queensland under new laws More Analysis » A party divided against itself The real cause of the latest political crisis to grip Washington was not Obamacare, but the deep rift between the Pragmatists in the Republican Party and the insurgent Tea Party rump. For the Pragmatists the capitulation to the Democrats was both a defeat and a victory. For the Tea Partiers, there was only defeat. But while the Pragmatists won this battle, it’s still too early to foresee the outcome of this GOP civil war. More » Why did Essendon alone take the fall? Australia's second class of insecure workers Carbon tax repeal is a free kick CSG industry wants to hide from its toxic name Why isn't Abbott acting on the 'budget emergency'? When two tribes go to war Australia must never forget its shameful past Ten housekeeping tips for a future Labor government Why philanthropy matters Just In More Just In » First bikie arrests in Queensland under new laws The first arrests have been made under Queensland's tough new anti-bikie laws which came into force this week. More » Boomers v Gen X: how the Abbott and Shorten teams compare Manus Island staff moved to safety after incident Abbott proposes Arlington-style war cemetery Share your story: NSW bushfires Dad describes family's escape from 'unbelievable' bushfire Former ABC reporter vows to rebuild after 'extraordinary' blaze Man gets very public snip for World Vasectomy Day Coalition in the ballpark on household savings from axing the carbon tax Shorten names shadow ministry, Plibersek gets foreign affairs World More World » Life inside the Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan Australian aid worker Stephen McDonald, describes the situation for Syrian refugees at the Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan. More » Norwegian identified as alleged Westgate mall attacker Obama nominates new Homeland Security chief US government returns to work as Obama says shutdown left 'no winners' War spectacle to replay Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig Suicide truck bomber kills 15 in northern Iraq Business More Business » Australian dollar back above 96 US cents amid volatile trading on global markets The Australian dollar has surged above 96 US cents for the first time since June amid ongoing jitters on markets around the world about the durability of a deal to end the debt crisis in Washington. More » Crown gives more detail on plans to build a casino in Sri Lanka Murray Goulburn enters bidding war for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter US government returns to work as Obama says shutdown left 'no winners' Hydro reveals $250m loss after asset writedown Politics More Politics » Boomers v Gen X: how the Abbott and Shorten teams compare See how the Tony Abbott ministry and Bill Shorten shadow ministry match up on age and experience. More » Shorten names shadow ministry, Plibersek gets foreign affairs $1.8m legal claim lodged over Ngarkat bushfire Senior Abbott staffers furious over pay rise edict Obama nominates new Homeland Security chief Sport More Sport » Lions legend Black retires from AFL Brisbane Lions legend Simon Black has called time on a remarkable AFL career including three premierships. More » Popovic ready when 'time is right' Anderson quits as NRL referees boss to return to Parramatta Dal Santo links up with Kangaroos Injured Pattinson eyeing off third Ashes Test McCaw, Jane out of Bledisloe clash with injury Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Custom made shoes for race horse using 3D printing Australian scientists have created a custom made set of titanium shoes for a race horse using 3D printing. More » Rare giant oarfish found off Californian coast Rare mosquito fossil shows insect's blood-filled belly German wallaby makes first public appearance Earth-like planet detected in space graveyard Environment More Environment » Bandt defends bushfire attack on Abbott Deputy Greens leader Adam Bandt has defended his decision to use the New South Wales bushfires to criticise the Coalition's climate change policy. More » Part of meteor that hit Russia pulled from lake Kiribatian seeks climate change asylum in New Zealand Scientists battle to save rare spider orchid Businesses may have to keep paying carbon tax if repeal fails 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. Manage your preferences | Unsubscribe | Contact Us   This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 700 Harris Street, Ultimo NSW 2007 © 2013 ABC | Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Discover other ABC Email newsletters