ABC NewsMail - Morning Edition

NewsMail Morning Edition Fri 18 Oct, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » Live: Hundreds of homes feared lost as firestorms rip through NSW communities Thousands of New South Wales residents are dealing with scenes of widespread destruction, as dozens of bushfires continue to burn out of control across the state. Firefighters say they fear around 200 homes were lost as firestorms ripped through communities yesterday, and say they fear there could have been at least one fatality. They say "whole streets" have been razed in some Blue Mountains communities. Thousands of people spent the night in evacuation centres, and authorities say the full extent of the disaster will become clear later today. This morning 100 fires were still burning, more than 30 of them out of control. The main threat was on the Central Coast, with an emergency warning issued and residents urged to seek shelter as a fire raged at Ruttleys Road near Wyong. An emergency warning also remained in place for a fire at Lithgow in the Blue Mountains. More » Shorten to announce Labor frontbench portfolios today Some bodies recovered after fatal Laos plane crash Voluntary euthanasia law defeated by two votes in Tasmania More Analysis » Why isn't Abbott acting on the 'budget emergency'? Almost two months after a thumping election victory, there is not one hint of any economic policy change from the Abbott Government that will deal with the budget bottom line. Yet until the day before the election, this was painted by the Coalition as an "emergency" or "crisis". The reason is obvious. The budget is in triple-A shape and in the complete opposite of an emergency. While Labor didn't always get the politics right, it is difficult to find what policy settings could have done better. More » When two tribes go to war Ten housekeeping tips for a future Labor government Australia must never forget its shameful past Why philanthropy matters Queensland's 'war' on bikie gangs goes too far Gender pay inequality is still holding Australia back The prize for worst music awards goes to... No easy revenue raisers up the Coalition's sleeve Subsidising the car industry to death Just In More Just In » US government returns to work as Obama says shutdown left 'no winners' President Barack Obama has moved to reassure the world the US economy is back on track, now that the government has reopened and the debt ceiling has been raised. Mr Obama yesterday authorised a last-minute bill to fund the government through to January 15 and extend its borrowing authority through to February 7. Workers have now returned to their offices and tourists are again allowed to visit landmarks, national parks and museums. Speaking after signing the legislation, Mr Obama said there was no winners in the budget row and the standoff had inflicted unnecessary damage on the American economy. More » Parliament passes Qld's sex offenders laws Bikies quit clubs in wake of Qld's tough new laws Some bodies recovered after fatal Laos plane crash Live: Hundreds of homes feared lost as firestorms rip through NSW communities Shorten to announce Labor frontbench portfolios today In their own words: residents speak of bushfires ravaging NSW Homes destroyed as blazes rip through NSW South Australian political staffer suspended over leak investigation Tasmanian MPs vote down voluntary euthanasia law World More World » US government returns to work as Obama says shutdown left 'no winners' President Barack Obama has moved to reassure the world the US economy is back on track, now that the government has reopened and the debt ceiling has been raised. Mr Obama yesterday authorised a last-minute bill to fund the government through to January 15 and extend its borrowing authority through to February 7. Workers have now returned to their offices and tourists are again allowed to visit landmarks, national parks and museums. Speaking after signing the legislation, Mr Obama said there was no winners in the budget row and the standoff had inflicted unnecessary damage on the American economy. More » War spectacle to replay Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig Suicide truck bomber kills 15 in northern Iraq NSA deeply involved in US drone strikes: report Bomb blasts in eastern Myanmar kill 1: police Nearly 30 million people in slavery: report Business More Business » Barack Obama signs debt ceiling bill to end US government shutdown President Barack Obama has signed into law legislation raising the Treasury Department's borrowing authority, officially ending the government shutdown that has crippled the country since October 1. More » Ten Network records $285 million loss Fortescue says iron ore demand from China remains strong US' financial jitters could provide a boost to China's financial system Global markets jump after US senators unveil debt ceiling deal Politics More Politics » US government returns to work as Obama says shutdown left 'no winners' President Barack Obama has moved to reassure the world the US economy is back on track, now that the government has reopened and the debt ceiling has been raised. Mr Obama yesterday authorised a last-minute bill to fund the government through to January 15 and extend its borrowing authority through to February 7. Workers have now returned to their offices and tourists are again allowed to visit landmarks, national parks and museums. Speaking after signing the legislation, Mr Obama said there was no winners in the budget row and the standoff had inflicted unnecessary damage on the American economy. More » Shorten to announce Labor frontbench portfolios today South Australian political staffer suspended over leak investigation Malaysian students told not to attend Ibrahim lecture Barack Obama signs debt ceiling bill to end US government shutdown Sport More Sport » FFA yet to approach Postecoglou, spoken to Victory Ange Postecoglou has not spoken to the FFA about a Socceroos appointment but believes they have spoken to his club. More » Aussies ponder changes for third ODI against India Betham to debut for Wallabies against ABs World surfing title goes to last event Socceroos drop to 57 in world rankings Former 'Hoogie' mentor becomes Australia head coach 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 » Part of meteor that hit Russia pulled from lake Divers have pulled a half-tonne suspected meteorite from a Russian lake, said to have been part of a meteor whose ground-shaking shockwave hurt 1,200 people in February. More » 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 CSIRO creates technology to predict bushfire behaviour 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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