Pressure of family and money drove bright young man to kill his family
BEN DOHERTY Sikander Zia hopes for death after orchestrating a brutal massacre, writes Ben Doherty in Islamabad.
ACT couples thrilled but no rush to the registry yet
TONY WRIGHT ''I have waited 58 years for this day,'' Lynn Grigg declared. She clutched a large sign, paying no heed to the crowd swirling excitedly about her; a sea of hugs and tears.
Second wedding to mean much more
DAISY DUMAS For Kate Findlay and Tina Brown, the ACT's step towards marriage equality paves the way for their second wedding - to each other.
Couples live in hope equality will spread
Toni Brient Same-sex couple Julia Loughlin, 26, and Tegan Davies, 28, are praising the ACT government for taking ''a big step in the right direction'' for marriage equality to be recognised throughout Australia.
Hearts swell in overflowing gallery for long-awaited day
Tony Wright ''I have waited 58 years for this day,'' declared Lyn Grigg.
'I can't be forgiven, I will ask for the death penalty'
BEN DOHERTY Sikander Zia says he murdered his aunt and her entire family to inherit their land and wealth.
Perth accountant's fine sparks warning for Aussies in New Zealand
7:34pm Aussies who 'get drunk and act violently' while on holiday in New Zealand cannot expect to pay their way out of trouble just to save taxpayers the cost of sending them to jail, a judge has warned.
Eagles set to secure Yeo in AFL trade
Roger Vaughan 4:50pm Elliot Yeo, one of five Brisbane players seeking AFL trades, appears set to join West Coast for draft pick No.28.
Media boss downplays prank tragedy
4:16pm Southern Cross Media's chairman has told shareholders 'sh*t happens' when describing 2Day FM's tragic radio prank call to a London hospital.
Magnussen hails Verhaeren appointment
Emma Kemp 3:32pm World champion James Magnussen hopes the appointment of Jacco Verhaeren as Australian swimming's head coach can help deliver Olympic gold.
Olympian appointed to head Qld trade body
1:55pm Olympic silver medallist Mark Stockwell will head a new Queensland trade body, a year after leaving a Commonwealth Games bid committee.
Qld premier vows to tackle insurance costs
1:44pm Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has promised callers to a Cairns radio station he will tackle high insurance costs with vigour.
Xenophon questions US snooping
1:32pm Independent Senator Nick Xenophon says the federal government is "sleepwalking" during concern that US groups are spying on Australians.
Rio to cut jobs as it outsources to IBM
2:43pm Job cuts are likely at Rio Tinto after the miner signing a $100 million deal with IBM to outsource some back-office functions.
Debt ceiling lifted as audit announced
Paul Osborne, AAP Senior Political Writer 5:24pm The Abbott government has enlisted businessman Tony Shepherd to audit spending as the debt ceiling heads up to $500 billion.
Govt seeks to increase debt cap to $500b
2:43pm The federal government wants to increase the limit on its borrowings from the existing cap of $300 billion to $500 billion.
Boy pleads not guilty over Newcastle fire
Stephen Ryan 12:02pm An 11-year-old boy has been placed under house arrest after pleading not guilty to starting a fire in Newcastle.
NSW cruise in one-day finals warm-up
Pete Smith 8:02pm Having already booked a one-day preliminary final berth against Victoria, NSW cruised to a 49-run win in their clash against South Australia.
Khawaja and Marsh impress as Qld down WA
Pete Smith 5:09pm Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja amongst the runs as Queensland beat WA in a one-day cup match at North Sydney Oval.
Vic officer 'feared death' before shooting
Patrick Caruana 2:45pm A Victorian police officer has told a coronial inquest he feared for his life when he fired upon a murder suspect in 2005.
Royal radio prank described in crude terms
Stephen Johnson and Evan Schwarten 2:31pm Southern Cross Media's chairman has used salty language to describe 2Day FM's Royal prank call to a London hospital which resulted in tragedy.
Son shown porn by YMCA childcare worker, mother tells commission
CATHERINE ARMITAGE 11:50am What do you do when you discover a childcare worker accused of child molestation has been showing your six-year-old pornographic images? That he's been talking about you in smutty, derogatory terms and driving your son in a car to excursions without your permission?
Market boosts Bega's takeover offer
Trevor Chappell 11:04am The value of Bega Cheese's cash and shares takeover offer for Warrnambool is rising as the share market lifts the suitor's share price.
It's A Dundeel the new Cox Plate favourite
Mike Hedge 10:47am New Zealander It's A Dundeel is on the verge of becoming Australasia's best racehorse and can confirm it if he wins Cox Plate.
Sentence increased for WA murdering pair
11:22am Two men who pleaded guilty to the "unprovoked, ferocious" murder of a WA drug dealer have had their minimum jail terms increased to 21 years on appeal.
Profit continues to fall for Blackmores
1:35pm First quarter profit at health products maker Blackmores has dropped by 31 per cent due to challenging conditions in its Australian operations.
Fenech biggest loser in Mosley pullout
Emma Kemp 10:04am Australian boxing great Jeff Fenech says he's out of pocket nearly $500,000 after Shane Mosley abandoned his fight with Anthony Mundine due to a cash row.
Postecoglou accepts Socceroos coach job
5:51pm Ange Postecoglou is set to be unveiled as the new Australian soccer coach after his A-League club agreed to release him from his current contract.
Balcony death woman was scared of fiance
Lema Samandar 3:49pm The day before her death, Lisa Harnum made a desperate call to her mother in Canada, a Sydney murder trial has heard.
ACT passes same sex marriage bill
Peter Jean and Lisa Cox 9:05am The ACT has been declared the “rainbow territory’’ after the Legislative Assembly passed a bill to establish Australia’s first same-sex marriage scheme.
