Australia news live: ‘challenging night’ for firefighters as Victoria risk rises; NSW police shoot man dead after six-hour siege

Meanwhile steel maker BlueScope rejects $13.2bn bid by Seven tycoon Kerry Stokes. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNSW police have declared a critical incident after a man was fatally shot by officers in the state’s Central Coast on Wednesday afternoon.Police said they responded to a home in the suburb of Springfield around 3.30pm to check on the welfare of the occupant. The man, 49, allegedly armed himself with a screwdriver and other “sharp objects” and refused to cooperate.I think such is the word of the rating in itself, catastrophic. This is the worst conditions that fire can burn in. Australian homes aren’t designed to withstand fire conditions such has been predicted in some parts of the state.Any fire, let alone these two fires we have burning at the moment, any fire in the landscape, when those conditions kick in on Friday – tomorrow – will be very much concerning and we are seeing the return of those very hot temperatures. The winds on Friday will be the peak concern for us. … Continue reading...