Scores of properties are under extreme fire threat as a huge blaze
continues to advance through Sydney's north-western suburbs. Fires
have also shut down the major road and rail links between Sydney and
Gosford.

The promotional stop in Sydney was everything to be expected for a
Hollywood blockbuster - phalanxes of photographers, a stretch limo to
a hotel across the Quay - but with one difference. A line-up of
masseurs was waiting to take the media in hand. Never has the term
"massaging the media" seemed so accurate.