ABC NewsMail - Afternoon Edition

NewsMail Afternoon Edition Sat 19 Oct, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Live: Fires flare at Lithgow and Springwood as crews battle blazes across NSW The Rural Fire Service has issued emergency warnings for fires burning near Lithgow and Springwood, as crews battle several blazes across NSW. Properties are under threat from the Lithgow blaze, with residents of Bell, Dargan, Berambing and Bilpin being told to take shelter and warned it is too late to leave the area. A blaze has also intensified in the Springwood area of the Blue Mountains, where more than 300 homes have either been destroyed or damaged. Cooler temperatures have assisted firefighters in other areas of the state, though watch and act warnings remain in place for fires in the Southern Highlands, Wyong and Mount Victoria. The sheer size of the fires is proving a worry to authorities ahead of forecast hot and windy conditions. Follow our blog for live updates as the situation unfolds. More » New emergency as 193 homes confirmed lost in NSW bushfires World's oldest clipper ship renamed City of Adelaide Cheney's defibrillator altered to thwart terrorist hacks More Analysis » The GOP shutdown: 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 » Fire causes millions in damage to Zig Zag Railway By Patrick Wright Lithgow's Zig Zag Railway has been left with a damage bill as high as $4 million after devastating bushfires ripped through the Blue Mountains on Thursday. More » Teenage boy drowns at Victorian beach Cheney's defibrillator altered to thwart terrorist hacks World's oldest clipper ship renamed City of Adelaide Main parties play down chances in NSW by-election Labor calls on Morrison to detail Manus Island incident Live: Fires flare at Lithgow and Springwood as crews battle blazes across NSW No charges for firefighter who ran over air crash survivor Confusion as Saudi Arabia turns down UNSC seat Evacuation centre becomes hub of fire relief effort World More World » Cheney's defibrillator altered to thwart terrorist hacks Former US vice-president Dick Cheney has revealed that his heart implant was altered to prevent terrorists from hacking into it. 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More » Labor calls on Morrison to detail Manus Island incident Confusion as Saudi Arabia turns down UNSC seat Lawyer predicts anti-bikie laws will face court challenge Government says it is vindicated on election costings Sport More Sport » Postecoglou slams refs after draw with Reds Ange Postecoglou says basic refereeing blunders robbed the Victory of an away win against Adelaide United. More » Stosur hands Ivanovic repeat dose of Moscow misery Marquez in strife again at Phillip Island Eddie Jones has difficulty with left limbs after stroke Senden shines in Las Vegas White says guilt-free after Brumbies walk-out Science and Technology More Science and Technology » Asteroid makes close approach and will return in 2032 A newly discovered asteroid made a "close" approach this week - at least in astronomical terms - coming within 6.7 million kilometres of Earth. More » 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 German wallaby makes first public appearance 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. 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