Tiny home's huge sale after developers held off for decades, Kyrgios' sad revelation after loss, boy, 13, allegedly stabs Coles worker

Plus see the Australia Day question Anthony Albanese has refused to answer.

The small cottage sold for a suburb record. Source: Ray White
This small cottage has sold for a suburb record after its owners held off developers for years. Source: Ray White

Yahoo's live news blog for Tuesday, January 14 has now concluded. Nick Kyrgios' appearance in the Men's Singles at the Australian Open has been brief, losing in the first round in straight sets to Brit Jacob Fearnley. See why Aussie spectators at the match are copping a fair bit of criticism below.

A "tiny" home on a sought-after Queensland street has sold for a huge $6.72 million after its owners held off developers for decades. The waterfront home was being advertised as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and its auction attracted a huge turnout over the weekend.

The death toll from the LA wildfires has risen to 24. Authorities are warning landlords in the area after rents were raised following the destruction of thousands of homes. Attorney General Rob Bonta said landlords doing this could end up in jail.

See all of the day's updates below.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER14 updates
  • Big hazard facing firefighting planes in LA

    Authorities in LA are pleading with the public to stop flying unauthorised drones above destroyed areas of the city with the FBI reporting a huge spike in the number of sightings.

    It comes as police in LA confirmed they had arrested three people over the flying of drones. The devices can damage firefighting aircraft due to how low they fly and one drone collided with an aircraft over the Palisades wildfire, causing it to be grounded.

    "We continue to stress to the public: Stop flying your drones over these fires,” the FBI's Akil Davis said.

    Private ownership of drones has surged in recent years and aerial vision from the LA area has offered an insight into the scale of the damage and destruction from the wildfires.

  • Nine Sydney beaches shut

    Nine Sydney beaches have been closed after mystery balls washed ashore once again.

    The announcement comes months after several of the city's beaches were closed following the discovery of similar balls, which were later deemed by experts to be lumps of 'fatberg' containing human waste from the sewer system.

    But photos shared by Northern Beaches Council on Tuesday show the balls discovered between Manly and North Narrabeen are a lighter shade and smaller than those previously found.

    Manly, Dee Why, Long Reef, Queenscliff, Freshwater, North and South Curl Curl, North Steyne and North Narrabeen have all been closed until further notice.

    A host of Sydney beaches have been impacted by mystery balls again. Source: Northern Beaches Council via the Sydney Morning Herald
    A host of Sydney beaches have been impacted by mystery balls again. Source: Northern Beaches Council via the Sydney Morning Herald
  • Albo told to team up with Elon Musk to fix 'inferior' Aussie product

    Nationals senator Matt Canavan says the Albanese government should “put aside their egos” and partner with Elon Musk’s Starlink internet operators in order to boost the capabilities of the National Broadband Network.

    His comments come off the back of Labor’s announcement to inject a further $3bn into the government-owned broadband network, which would allow 95 per cent of premises, or about 622,000 households, to upgrade to speeds of up to 1 gigabyte-per-second.

    While the Coalition has said it “won’t be standing in the way” of the funding bid, Senator Canavan urged the government to work with the “clearly superior” satellite internet service to boost take-up in the network.

    Elon Musk has taken aim at Australia. Source: Reuters
    Elon Musk has clashed with the Australian government in the past 12 months. Source: Reuters

    “One of the reasons the NBN is struggling at the moment is because the likes of Elon Musk Starlink is taking their customers, and at least where I live in out in rural and regional Australia, the services of Starlink are clearly superior … that’s the feedback I get,” he told Sky News on Tuesday.

    “The question for the government, though, is why aren’t they talking to Elon Musk and maybe partnering with Starlink to get better value for taxpayers.”

    He added that any hesitancy from the government was likely due to its political differences with the conservative business magnate, who also owns social media platform X and is a key Donald Trump ally.

    “You’ve got to think that one of the reasons perhaps this government won’t talk to Elon Musk is they just don’t like his politics, and that sort of stubbornness is coming at the cost of billions of dollars of losses for the Australian taxpayer,” Senator Canavan said.

    “So put aside your egos and put the Australian taxpayer first.”

    - NCA NewsWire

  • Genius or 'a monstrosity'?

    Yes, that is what you think it is. Source: Reddit - WatermelonLad
    Yes, that is what you think it is. Source: Reddit - WatermelonLad

    Well this is causing a bit of discussion online, with its critics branding it an "abomination".

    A photo shared to Reddit today shows how two of Australia's iconic treats can be merged together, but whether it should be is another question.

    The fairy bread/ snag combo triggered some emotional comments from other users.

    "You are meddling with powers YOU DO NOT COMPREHEND!" one person said.

    "Straight to jail," one person suggested for its creator.

    So what do you reckon? Is it that bad? Have your say below.

  • New details after boy, 13, allegedly stabs Coles worker

    A 13-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder following an alleged stabbing of a Coles employee.

    Police allege the teenager approached the 63-year-old woman while she was working at the supermarket in Ipswich's Yamanto Shopping Centre, south-west of Brisbane, and stabbed her in the back with a knife before attempting to flee the scene.

    Members of the public and security staff restrained the boy until police arrived.

    Superintendent Kylie Reed commended their actions.

    "It certainly was very brave of them to come forward and assist," she said.

    The injured woman was treated by attending police before being transported by paramedics to Princess Alexander Hospital, where she remains in a critical but stable condition.

    Detective Inspector Michael Manago described the attack on Monday evening as an "abhorrent crime."

    "This is an abhorrent crime that occurred to an innocent, 63-year-old woman who is going about her daily employment at that shopping centre, and it shouldn't happen in society," he said.

    Police confirmed the alleged attack was random and they believe the 13-year-old acted alone.

    "There was nothing to suggest that any other persons were involved," Det Insp Manago said.

    Detectives are investigating how the boy obtained the knife, with recent legislation known as 'Jack's Law' restricting the sales of knives in Queensland.

    The teenager was charged overnight and is set to face the Ipswich Children's Court on Tuesday.

    Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has condemned the incident, calling it traumatic and reflective of a broader issue the state is grappling with.

    "It is just so traumatic. What has unfolded is something that no Queenslander wants to see," the premier told reporters on the Sunshine Coast.

    "There's a sense of deja-vu for the state and is exactly the kinds of incidents that Queenslanders have had enough of."

  • Scary LA wildfires detail as dozens arrested

    More than 40 people have been arrested in an evacuation zone in LA's Santa Monica, with police saying 10 of them were allegedly caught burglarising homes.

    It comes amid reports some people are posing as firefighters in evacuation zones to evade detection, including one man police found in Malibu who has since been arrested.

    Police said none of the people arrested are from the Santa Monica area.

    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11 : A National Guard officer closes a street enforcing a curfew in evacuation order zones and evacuation warning zones from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM as wildfires cause damage and loss through LA region on January 11, 2025 in Santa Monica, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. Reportedly at least 10 people have died with over 180,000 people having been under evacuation orders. Over 9,000 structures have been damaged or burned while more than more than 25,000 acres were burning from the fires.  (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
    A National Guard officer closes a street enforcing a curfew in evacuation order zones in Santa Monica. Source: Getty
  • Wendy's reopening in Australia

    Wendy's is making a return to Australia after more than 30 years. The first new shop of the iconic US burger chain opens its doors on the Gold Coast on Wednesday, and enters a highly-competitive market.

    There are bold plans for the brand to roll out more than 100 stores across the country, with Wendy's saying it is ready to "unlock growth" in the fast-food sector in Australia.

    “The opening of the first Wendy’s restaurant on Australia’s Gold Coast is an exciting milestone, showcasing the brand’s global relevance and proven ability to travel around the world,” Wendy’s international president E.J. Wunsch said.

    Read more here.

  • Home falls down hillside

    Well this is a striking image from Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. A house has fallen down a hillside in a suspected landslide.

    One person has been hospitalised with a broken leg after the home fell onto another property in McCrae this morning.

    Resident Tanina Osborne said on social media that she had just completed a swim when she heard an “almighty tumble” from behind.

    She turned around and watched the house crashing and sliding down the hill. Other witnesses say the home has been completely destroyed, with images showing parts of the structure remain in tact despite the fall.

    A person is injured after a house collapsed on the Mornington Peninsula. Picture: Facebook
    A person is injured after a house collapsed on the Mornington Peninsula. Picture: Facebook
  • Hundreds of landlords warned of jail time amid LA wildfires

    The death toll of the LA wildfires now stands at 24 with the deaths of more residents feared. Fires continue to burn across the city with thousands displaced due to evacuation notices. Thousands more have lost their homes altogether.

    And with available properties now scarce, hundred of landlords have moved to capitalise on demand, raising rents beyond the 10 per cent annual limit.

    “It’s called price gouging,” Attorney General Rob Bonta said during a press conference. “It is illegal. You cannot do it. It is a crime punishable by up to a year in jail and fines.”

    PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: A firefighter walks past homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds continue to burn across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved. According to reports, 24 people have died with over 180,000 people under evacuation order or warning. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged, while more than 35,000 acres have burned. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
    Homes pictured destroyed in the Palisades Fire. Source: Getty
  • Warning to struggling Aussies as RBA decision nears

    Well just as plenty of you were getting your hopes up for a rate cut in a few weeks, there are concerns the RBA are "worried" about the struggling Australia dollar.

    It comes as ANZ shifted its first rate cut prediction and moved from May to February, joining Commonwealth.

    But EQ chief economist Warren Hogan told Sky News the falling dollar is just "another reason" a reluctant RBA will not deliver relief to millions of Aussies.

    Read more about it from Yahoo Finance here.

  • Albo dodges Australia Day question

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is looking forward to celebrating Australia Day but failed to say whether he supported Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's plan to enforce citizenship ceremonies on January 26.

    Albanese was pressed on Tuesday morning about Dutton's election promise, saying he, like always, would be attending national commemorations on the day.

    "Every year it is inspirational and I look forward to celebrating Australia Day," he told reporters.

    So what do you think? Do you support Dutton's pledge? Have your say below.

  • Huge payday as developers held off for decades

    The small cottage sold for a suburb record. Source: Ray White
    The small cottage sold for a suburb record. Source: Ray White

    The owners of a "tiny" cottage on an exclusive coastal street has cashed in after holding off developers for decades.

    The home in Queensland's Moffat Beach sold for $6.72 million, more than $3 million more than the amount bidding started at, with a huge turnout at its auction over the weekend saw 10 bidders go head-to-head to secure the sought-after property.

    Agent David Millar said the "unique" site with unrivalled views over the ocean led to the record price for a single home in the suburb.

    “Anybody who’s anybody now wants to be associated with the Moffat Beach precinct,” he told the Courier Mail.

    “Opportunities like this are few and far between in this exclusive precinct, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and vibrant coastal lifestyle.”

    Millar said a young business couple bought the home and plan to build a single property on the site.

    The home has pretty impressive views. Source: Dave Millar Real Estate
    The home has pretty impressive views. Source: Dave Millar Real Estate
  • Is this the end for Nick Kyrgios' singles career in Australia?

    Nick Kyrgios says he is unlikely to ever play a competitive singles match at the Australian Open again. His sad revelation came after he lost in straight sets to Brit Jacob Fearnley in the first round.

    "Realistically, I can't really see myself probably playing singles again here," he said after spending two hours and 19 minutes on court. "I, kind of, was taking everything in tonight ... I didn't want to just throw in the towel and walk off or retire."

    His defeat was marred by a raucous crowd in Melbourne who cheers errors by Fearnley, sparking criticism from tennis fans.

    Read more from Yahoo Sport here.

  • Boy, 13, charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing Coles worker

    A 13-year-old boy has been charged with attempt to murder after a 63-year-old Coles worker was allegedly stabbed at a Coles in Queensland’s southeast.

    Emergency services were called to Yamanto Central near Warwick Rd about 5.25pm on Monday following reports a woman had suffered stab wounds.

    Police allege a 13-year-old boy approached a Coles staff member before he allegedly stabbed her with a knife.

    He then fled the scene before bystanders managed to detain him, police allege.

    A 63-year-old woman was found with a serious injury to her back when officers arrived at the scene. It is understood the woman was an employee at the Coles.

    She was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a potentially life-threatening condition, according to the Queensland Ambulance Service.

    It is understood she remained in a critical condition as of Tuesday morning.

    The 13-year-old boy was charged with attempt to murder and is due to appear in Ipswich Childrens Court on Tuesday.

    - NCA NewsWire