Sky News Australia has apologised for an interview it had with far-right nationalist Blair Cottrell, saying it was wrong to air the interview.

The former United Patriots Front leader was on the Adam Giles Show for a studio interview, speaking with the former Northern Territory about winding back immigration.

Last September Mr Cottrell was found guilty of inciting serious contempt for Muslims after he and other far-right nationalists uploaded a video of a mock beheading to protest against the building of a mosque in Bendigo.

Last Thursday Victorian police raided the homes of 17 former state Labor party campaign staff, who were arrested and interviewed with no charges laid.

Former Labor campaign organiser Jake Finnigan was one of the 17 but the only one to report being strip-searched and placed in a holding cell.

The raids occurred after the police’s decision late last month to launch a criminal investigation into Labor’s misuse of taxpayers’ money to pay campaign staff, dubbed the “Red Shirts” affair.

A vintage Swiss military plane, saved by a national fundraising campaign, has crashed into a mountain in the Alps, killing 20 people onboard.

Chief executive of the airline, Kurt Waldmeier says it was the worst day in the 36-year history of JU-Air. We have all suffered a very great loss.

Authorities were informed of the crash 50 minutes after the aircraft had taken off from Locarno’s Magadino airfield with five helicopters were deployed in a search and rescue mission.

Right wing Patriot Prayer held a rally in Portland, Oregon culminated in a police charge on counter-protestors with batons drawn and use of stun grenades and rounds containing pepper spray.

Counter protestors including labour and community groups, followed at a distance through neighbouring streets with the charge happened on Southwest Columbia Street after claims protestors were throwing missiles at their lines.

Plans have been lodged with Brisbane City Council for a floating pedestrian and cyclist riverwalk that would link the existing City Reach boardwalk to the City Botanic Garden’s Banya Way.

The project would be funded as part of the council’s $100 million Better Bikeways for Brisbane program.

Council will now assess the application including a permit seeking approval for tidal and building work on a Queensland heritage place.

Justice advocates are preparing to launch an independent group to highlight the lack of oversight of police misconduct in the wake of the recent reporting of Queensland Police shredding a victim’s rape statement.

The group was started by justice advocate Renee Eaves with other advocates including Narelle Dawson-Wells, an experienced clinical psychologist and the wife of former Queensland attorney general Dean wells.

The New South Wales government hyped up the Sydney light rail project before technical difficulties were fully known a report says.

Screenshots of a 2016 review by Transport for NSW experts, entitled lessons for rail, and released by Labor leader Luke Foley’s office, shows changes to the design of the $2.1bn project triggered delays and hefty costs.

The report warned the project would be blamed or delayed when it failed to meet “unrealistic expectations”.

Farmers who have been affected by drought will receive up to $12,000 in cash payments.

The initiative has been supported by the National Farmers Federation, NFF President Fiona Simson says it’s vital we help farmers and families dealing with the stress and pressures drought brings.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a $190 million relief package which will also boost mental health services, with couples being able to access $12,000 and singles receiving $7,200.

A helicopter carrying oil workers and three crew members crashed into another aircraft in the Krasnoyarsk region in Siberia, killing 18 people.

The incident occurred when the Russian-made Mi-8 aircraft knocked into the cargo of an adjacent helicopter as both were completing take-off.

A commission has been set up to investigate the crash with both helicopters’ black boxes sent to Moscow.