NSW fire authorities warn the state could face a “big grassfire season” this summer on the back of significant grass growth fuelled by recent wet weather. NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers on Wednesday warned wet conditions had boosted grass growth across the state while bush regeneration from the Black Summer bushfires was occurring faster than predicted. He said …

A tennis fan is taking legal action against Nick Kyrgios after he accused her of being ‘‘drunk out of her mind’’ during his defeat in this year’s Wimbledon final. In a statement released by her solicitors on Tuesday, Anna Palus said the 27-year-old Australian had defamed her by making ‘‘a reckless and entirely baseless allegation’’. ‘‘Not only did this cause considerable …

A telco which pledges to stand up for its customers is facing nearly $300,000 in penalties and compensation after exposing consumers to identity fraud. Digital telco Circles.Life has been fined $199,800 by the communications watchdog for failing to conduct proper identity checks when transferring mobile phone numbers to its services. The company, established in 2019, has also offered to pay more than …

The national vacancy rate has fallen to its lowest level on record, and the rental market sits firmly in favour of landlords. According to Domain, tenants will be facing more increases in asking rent, and competition will intensify between families who are trying to find a place to live. So, if you’re renting, or trying to find a place to rent, should you expect any sympathy? Rental …

An emotional Nick Kyrgios has spoken of his struggles to discover his best form after ending a three-year title drought with victory in the Citi Open final in Washington. Kyrgios took just 81 minutes to defeat Japanese giant-killer Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4 6-3 in Sunday’s final to claim his first ATP Tour title since winning at the same event in 2019. …

Rising star and world title holder Mollie O’Callaghan can also call herself a Commonwealth Games gold medallist after leading an all-Australian finish in the 100-metre freestyle on Wednesday morning. The 18-year-old took top spot on the podium alongside Shayna Jack. O’Callaghan was even too fast for the new Games record holder and her “idol”, Emma McKeon, who came third. “I’m …

Australians are paying about 20 cents a litre more for diesel than they should be, consumer advocates say. And they say there doesn’t seem to be a good reason why. Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Australians are “absolutely filthy” about the higher fuel prices. While prices have decreased, experts say diesel prices haven’t fallen enough. But retailers say there has always been a lag …

Almost $3 million of taxpayer money handed to a Queensland theme park for a state-of-the-art facility to protect endangered koalas has been diverted to build a flashy new rollercoaster. The Queensland government gave $2.7 million of public funding to build the Future Lab wildlife research centre in 2019 at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast. However, during budget estimates hearings this …

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Greens leader Adam Bandt should reflect on his decision to remove an Australian flag from behind him at a press conference. Mr Bandt had the Australian flag set aside during a media conference this week so only the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were in camera shot. He said the Australian flag was a …

Olivier Niggli fought the tennis star’s corner amid a French Open injection controversy Tennis great Rafael Nadal has received backing from World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) director-general Olivier Niggli after admitting to using anesthesia injections during his French Open win. The Spaniard pulled two Grand Slam wins ahead of generational rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the all-time stakes at Roland-Garros last …