UN aviation body rules Russia downed MH17: Netherlands
Dutch and Australian officials say a council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation concluded Russia was responsible for the downing of MH17 in 2014.
crime, law and justice
Psychiatrist claims ‘no error’ in treating mall killer
A psychiatrist who treated the man behind a mass stabbing at a busy mall has denied any mistakes in her care despite ceasing his antipsychotics years earlier.
Plea for drivers to stop taking risks as deaths soar
The road toll in one state spiked by 10 over a deadly Mother's Day weekend as authorities beg "entitled" motorists to stay safe.
Record $7m tobacco haul as police target crime assets
Police have seized a record $7.3 million haul of tobacco and frozen $22 million in crime syndicate assets in a big blow to the booming black market.
Woman’s accused murderer loved ‘high life’, jury told
A man accused of killing his flat mate loved the "high life" and fast cars but had trading and gambling debts and was in rental arrears, a court has been told.
Uranium miner backs off challenge to Jabiluka decision
A bid to overturn a decision not to renew the controversial Jabiluka mineral lease looks set to be abandoned as Rio Tinto moves to take over a uranium miner.
Mall stabber’s father ‘did not want’ son medicated
The father of a man who stabbed six people at a busy shopping centre believed his son would die if he began taking anti-psychotics again.
Forensic evidence may help solve historic double murder
Police are pouring resources into a cold case where two women were found dead, with potential forensic clues to be investigated 25 years on.
Surprise cash purchase tips cops to huge cocaine stash
A suspicious cash purchase was enough to put police on the trail of an organised crime group allegedly trying to make an major drug import.
‘Men keep killing us’: nationwide rallies plea for help
From Brisbane to Perth, tens of thousands have rallied across the nation calling for urgent action to end gendered violence.
From treated to tragic: the deterioration of a killer
A highly educated, multi-lingual man showed great prospects until a dire deterioration in his mental health put him on the path to become a mass killer.
Town reels as grandmother faces court over boys’ deaths
A grandmother charged with murdering her two grandchildren has appeared in court for the first time the morning after a community gathered for a sombre vigil.
First white South Africans to arrive as refugees in US
The first group of white South Africans are expected to arrive as refugees in the US as soon as next week, under a controversial Trump administration plan.
Disgraced, corrupt former state minister dies of cancer
Disgraced former state minister Gordon Nuttall has died at the age of 71 after losing a battle with kidney cancer, almost two years after being diagnosed.
Tool box murder confession ‘based on TV’, jury told
A man admitted a life of deceit while concealing a woman's body and impersonating her to steal money but says he is now telling the truth, a jury has heard.
Bail failing: legal services warn against tighter laws
Restricting bail and increasing penalties do not work to reduce crime, legal experts say, as 'tough on crime' measures continue to sweep across Australia.
Mushroom cook’s co-parent relationship ‘very negative’
The teenage son of accused murderer Erin Patterson has described the relationship between his estranged parents before a death-cap mushroom-laced lunch.
Cricket legend backs ex-spinner over ‘biggest mistake’
Ex-spinner Stuart MacGill has described his role in a cocaine deal as his "biggest mistake" before being spared jail time for a "colossal lapse in judgment".
Locals embrace family as three kids die in fire horror
A tragic house fire has claimed the lives of three children, devastating a family and sending a "ripple effect" through a shellshocked community.
‘They can just rot’: teen’s murderers face life in jail
Two men convicted of murdering Indigenous teen Cassius Turvey face life sentences after the boy was fatally bashed with a metal pole in an after-school attack.
Murder accused avoids photos of woman’s body in box
A man drank alcohol, inhaled laughing gas and had sex just metres away from where he knew a woman's dead body was concealed in a tool box, a jury has heard.
Massacre order poster on coloniser statue in court test
A protester who pasted a massacre order made by a former governor against Indigenous Australians on a statue has suffered a defeat in court.
Justice for murdered teen Cassius as men found guilty
A murdered Indigenous teen identified his killers before he "died for absolutely nothing", his mother says after a jury found three men guilty over the death.
Training for Bondi mall security operator ‘troubling’
Concerns had been raised over the competency of a security guard who was the sole control room operator during a mall stabbing spree, an inquest has been told.
Terror suspect killed couple after tracking ‘failure’
It is "not satisfactory" that a terrorism suspect was able to evade tracking while on bail and kill two people before police shot him, a coroner says.
Blow for footy legend over drunken assault claims
NRL and rugby legend Wendell Sailor faces a lengthy wait to fight allegations he assaulted two men in an alcohol-fuelled altercation outside a pub.
Drop in kids going to jail prompts controversial review
A landmark High Court ruling on criminal responsibility for children has led to a drop in the number of kids found guilty amid calls to tackle youth crime.
Mushroom cook sick day after meal, daughter tells court
The young daughter of accused triple murderer Erin Patterson has described how her mother started feeling sick the day after a death-cap mushroom-laced lunch.
Man threw hot water at officers in 14-hour police siege
Police accuse a man of repeatedly throwing hot water and hitting three officers during a 14-hour siege after a woman was allegedly assaulted at a residence.
Smoke, screams as neighbour recalls fatal house fire
A neighbour has described the moment he realised someone was still inside a "suspicious" house fire after six people escaped the blaze in the early morning.
‘Wild goose chase’: murder accused admits lying to cops
A man accused of murdering a woman has told a jury he profited from her death but claimed it was an accident with "laughing gas" that killed her.