Good morning and welcome to the Morning Buzz for Tuesday, December 12. Be prepared for a mostly sunny day. Temperatures are expected to hit 27 in the city and up to 33 in the west. Enjoy your day!
Summer's first big heatwave to send mercury, fire risks soaring
The first big heatwave of the summer will scorch inland Australia this week and reach the east coast by Thursday, sending the mercury and fire risks soaring as it goes.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, more than a third of the state will have severe heatwave conditions by Wednesday, with a similar day forecast for Thursday. Read more.
Suspect in custody after New York City subway explosion
A suspect who allegedly set off a pipe bomb in the New York City subway has been taken into custody after the explosion sent peak-hour commuters into a frenzy on Monday morning, local time.
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio said the incident in Midtown Manhattan, near Times Square, was being treated as a terrorist attack involving one male "who, thank God, was unsuccessful in his aims".
The man was identified by New York Police Department (NYPD) commissioner James P O'Neill as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah, from Brooklyn. Read more.
Sydney commuters face significant delays to trains on multiple lines
Sydney commuters faced chronic overcrowding at train stations in the central city and major delays across the rail network during the evening peak on Monday, after a fatality on tracks at Wentworthville in the outer west early in the morning.
Sydney Trains advised commuters to avoid Town Hall and Wynyard stations due to overcrowding, and walk to other stations such as Central and Martin Place to catch trains, or hold off unnecessary travel due to the "major delays". Read more.
Optus to compensate 8700 customers who were misled about NBN speeds
Singtel Optus will offer compensation to more than 8700 customers after offering maximum speeds on national broadband network plans that could not be delivered.
By promoting and offering these speeds that were unable to be provided, the company admitted it had likely contravened Australian Consumer Law. Read more.
Salmonella poisoning warning as temperatures rise
Health authorities are warning people to take precautions to prevent salmonella poisonings, with 201 cases already reported in late November as temperatures start to climb.
Gastroenteritis diseases including salmonellosis were more prevalent in summer when the warmer weather allowed bacteria to thrive in food. Read more.
Rouse Hill boy dies in water ski accident on Wyangala Dam
The father of a 13-year-old waterskiing champion who died after crashing in a race at the weekend has paid tribute to his "best mate".
Blake Tickell, from Rouse Hill, had been competing in the Ski Racing NSW state titles at Wyangala Dam, in the NSW central west, when he fell at high speed about 1.50pm on Saturday. Read more.
Parklea correctional officer fired after allegedly smuggling tobacco
A correctional officer has been charged with corruption after an inmate allegedly paid her to smuggle tobacco into a prison in western Sydney.
The 40-year-old officer allegedly supplied tobacco to the inmate at a correctional facility in Parklea just before 11am on Sunday.
Officers from the Corrective Services Investigation Unit's Strike Force Iraga searched the inmate and seized tobacco. Read more.
Ashes war of words set to escalate in Perth
The man behind one of the flashpoints of the second Test has told England to brace for more fire and brimstone in Perth despite Jonny Bairstow's warning to Australia about its sledging.
Australian wicketkeeper Tim Paine says he expects the third Test to be as fiery as the first two as the hosts look to secure the urn with another victory over Joe Root's embattled men. Read more.
Manly facing 'significant fine' after NRL salary cap breach notice
Manly's plans for next season have been thrown into disarray after an NRL investigation found they had breached the salary cap over the past five years with secret payments to players.
Two current NRL club officials are facing deregistration from the game and the Sea Eagles' hopes of adding a playmaker to their roster for 2018 are set to be dashed in order for the club to be compliant with next season's $9.4 million salary cap. Read more.
Sydney Kings come up empty against Melbourne United
Melbourne United star Chris Goulding returned to form to lead his side to a comprehensive 95-69 victory over the Sydney Kings in Melbourne on Monday night.
Looking to bounce back from a 79-70 loss in Cairns last Saturday, United outscored Sydney 24-13 in the second quarter and powered home to record their seventh win of the season, propelling them back into the NBL top four. Read more.
Kookaburras go back-to-back for Hockey World League titles
Australia's Kookaburras have withstood late pressure from Argentina to claim back-to-back Hockey World League titles with a 2-1 win in India.
Blake Govers' 58th-minute goal proved the difference in Sunday's final after Jeremy Hayward had opened the scoring in the 17th minute, before Agustin Bugallo equalised just a minute later. Read more.
