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NewsMail Morning Edition Mon 21 Oct, 2013 Top Stories More Top Stories » NSW in state of emergency amid fears of potential mega-fire A state of emergency is in effect across New South Wales as authorities warn of an unparalleled fire emergency and a potential mega-fire across hundreds of kilometres. Three large fires are burning in the Blue Mountains at Lithgow, Springwood and Mount Victoria, and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) is worried they could merge over the coming days. The State Mine fire near Lithgow, which has burned nearly 40,000 hectares, is of most concern today and RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says he expects it will connect with the blaze at Mount Victoria. Firefighters have spent the night building containment lines ahead of predicted hot and windy weather. Residents in some affected areas have been advised to leave ahead of deteriorating conditions, with the worst of the weather due on Wednesday. The emergency declaration gives authorities powers including the right to order the public to leave areas, shore up or demolish buildings, and disconnect utilities without notice. More » Live: NSW bushfires threat 'unparalleled' as conditions worsen YMCA in the spotlight at abuse royal commission Chopper confesses to four murders in final interview Kenyan soldiers accused of looting mall in wake of attack 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 » Chopper confesses to four murders in final interview Mark 'Chopper' Read confessed to the murder of four people during an interview recorded just days before he died. More » Ten arrested in pseudoephedrine drug bust Kenyan soldiers accused of looting mall in wake of attack WA still Australia's top-performing economy: report JPMorgan close to $13.5b settlement over financial crisis: reports Live: NSW bushfires threat 'unparalleled' as conditions worsen Blasts kill at least 34 in Baghdad Birthplace of femme fatale Mata Hari gutted by fire Truck bomb attack kills at least 30 in Syria Six more bodies recovered after Laos air crash World More World » Kenyan soldiers accused of looting mall in wake of attack Security camera footage of soldiers appearing to loot goods during last month's Nairobi shopping mall siege has infuriated Kenyans who had initially praised troops for their courage in battling the attackers. More » JPMorgan close to $13.5b settlement over financial crisis: reports Blasts kill at least 34 in Baghdad Birthplace of femme fatale Mata Hari gutted by fire Truck bomb attack kills at least 30 in Syria Gunmen dressed as clowns murder ex-leader of drug cartel Business More Business » WA still Australia's top-performing economy: report Western Australia is still the country's top economy, but its dominance has slipped slightly. CommSec's latest quarterly State of the States report shows the ACT has held onto second place, with very little to separate the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. There is then a gap to South Australia, leaving Tasmania as the worst-performing economy. More » JPMorgan close to $13.5b settlement over financial crisis: reports Boral CEO welcomes US debt crisis deal Crown gives more detail on plans to build a casino in Sri Lanka Rupert Murdoch re-elected Twenty-First Century Fox chairman Murray Goulburn enters bidding war for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Politics More Politics » WA still Australia's top-performing economy: report Western Australia is still the country's top economy, but its dominance has slipped slightly. CommSec's latest quarterly State of the States report shows the ACT has held onto second place, with very little to separate the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. There is then a gap to South Australia, leaving Tasmania as the worst-performing economy. More » Concerns raised over state of Canberra's fire trails Silvio Berlusconi banned from Italian politics for two years Popular Labor MP Barry Collier stuns O'Farrell Government in Miranda by-election Cheney's defibrillator altered to thwart terrorist hacks Sport More Sport » Wanderers and Phoenix produce thrilling draw The Phoenix and the Wanderers have drawn 1-1 at Parramatta, while Newcastle and Perth Glory drew 0-0. More » Flare thrown at linesman as Townsend sends Spurs fifth Warner century sets Blues on way to victory MotoGP disqualification too harsh: Marquez Halep edges Stosur in Moscow final To sets new Australian IM record in Doha 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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