Reporters can be abrasive characters and are not above the law, but undermining fearless, independent reporting also damages our healthy democracy, writes Craig McMurtrie.

There is overwhelming support for banning phones from classrooms but there are many reasons to be cautious about it. Previous experience suggests a blanket ban might introduce more problems than it hopes to solve, writes Neil Selwyn.

The Matildas made their earliest departure at a Women's World Cup in 16 years and FFA's sacking of Alen Stajcic is being cited as the main reason for the failed campaign in France.

The number of displaced people worldwide hits a record high of 70.8 million, with developing nations bearing the brunt of an influx of refugees fleeing conflict and political oppression, according to a UN report released for Refugee Week.

Australia's Hannah Green is playing some extraordinary golf to be three shots clear at halfway in the Women's PGA Championship in Minnesota.

Melbourne hosts top-eight side Fremantle at the MCG to kick off Saturday's AFL action before St Kilda takes on Brisbane, and Geelong travel to Adelaide to take on the Power. Follow all the stats, scores and commentary.

Will the Bulldogs cause a shock in the NRL at the Olympic stadium as they take on the high-flying Dragons? Follow all the live scores, stats and commentary.

Israel Folau tells members of his church he is worrying about finances "for the first time" in over a decade as a panel decides the future of his rugby career after controversial social media posts.

After a week of epic footballing comebacks, Sydney FC serves up a Big Blue belting, smashing Melbourne Victory 6-1 to march into the A-League grand final against Perth Glory.

Mining giant BHP's half-year earnings are hurt by operational issues including the forced derailment of a runaway iron ore train.

Some say supermoons are an "embarrassment to everything else we call super", but astrophysicist Brad Tucker reckons it's still a good excuse to go and have a look at the moon.

A reading of evidence from Senate estimates yesterday paints a very different picture of the security implications of last week's debate about medevac legislation than the one generally reported, writes Laura Tingle.

If the mere mention of ticks sends a shiver down your spine, you're not alone. But knowing more about the tiny creatures, how to spot them, and how to safely remove them from you or your pet may help to allay your fears.

For farmers these are very difficult times, seriously exacerbated by the drought. Those looking for a scapegoat for the recent tragedy of fish deaths below Menindee Lakes achieve nothing more than fuelling media coverage and unrest, writes Les Gordon.

Queensland police release new vision of a man who was caught on CCTV allegedly assaulting Brisbane bus passengers in separate attacks late last year leaving the victims with facial injuries.

Bundaberg-born forensics specialist Angela Williamson was part of the team that noticed a disturbing pattern among a few unsolved killings — but she had no idea the killer she found would start confessing to more than 90 murders.

A closed Facebook group dedicated to jokes and memes about Asian stereotypes and young migrant experiences has gained almost a million followers around the world since its creation in September.

Retired General David Hurley will replace current governor-general Peter Cosgrove when the latter's five-year term as the Queen's representative in Australia comes to an end in March next year.

What happens when you run a car rental business and decide you can increase profits by lying to customers? Not much.

The Senate crossbench has pushed the number of inquiries to record levels but some have not attended a single meeting | GRAPHIC