Australia may be rank outsiders to make the football World Cup final, but we are global finalists when it comes to household debt.

Zaky Mallah, the first person to be charged under Australia's anti-terrorism laws, arrives home in Sydney after being denied entry to Singapore because of his history of extremism, local officials say.

Attorney-General Christian Porter launches a strident defence of the press after another senior Chinese diplomat accuses the Australian media of fabricating stories about Beijing's influence in Australia.

Queensland miner Tyrone Buckton never spent a day underground but last week died after being diagnosed with silicosis, a lung disease caused by high levels of exposure to silica dust.

It is hardly an ironclad prediction, but the Socceroos are tipped by the revered Manchester United manager to progress from the group stage at the World Cup in Russia.