The United States and the Taliban have agreed to hold talks that could lead to a peace deal that ends the 12-year war in Afghanistan.

G8 leaders have called for a Syrian peace conference to be held as soon as possible, but deep divisions remain as Russia stands by its embattled Middle East ally.

The Brumbies have clung on for a dramatic 14-12 victory over the British and Irish Lions in Canberra.

US representatives will meet the Taliban in Doha next week for talks to achieve peace in Afghanistan

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck has described qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil as a "beautiful feeling" and vindication of his methods. Australia beat Iraq 1-0 in a tense, nervy affair at Sydney's Olympic stadium last night thanks to an 83rd-minute header from substitute Josh Kennedy. Dropped points could have seen second-placed Australia finish third in Group B and face a series of difficult play-offs to qualify, but victory saw the Socceroos book their tickets to a third straight World Cup tournament.

The family of murdered ABC staffer Jill Meagher will face Adrian Bayley for a final time today when he is sentenced in the Victorian Supreme Court.

At least 64 people are dead and tens of thousands have been left stranded after early monsoon rains caused flooding and landslides in India.

China, the world's largest carbon emitter, has launched its first carbon trading scheme as it tries to reduce pollution from greenhouse gases.

There are calls for Conservative Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi to be disendorsed after he once again linked same-sex marriage to polygamy and bestiality.

Tasmania's Human Services Minister says she is "mortified" by images of a disabled man living in squalor, but was unaware of his plight.Disability pensioner Gerard Stefaniw, 54, is living in sub-standard conditions in a Housing Tasmania unit in a Hobart suburb.The unit has no wheelchair access and walls are damaged. There are broken windows, doors are hanging off cupboards, and Mr Stefaniw tries to keep warm with a small electric heater.

An Australian businessman and former senior DFAT diplomat is being held in Indonesia after a business deal turned sour, despite a court ruling that his ongoing detention is illegal.Patrick Alexander has been held in detention for three months after being accused of embezzlement by a disgruntled investor.Yesterday a Jakarta court ruled he should be released from detention, but rather than being freed, he was taken back into custody.Mr Alexander has blamed a "corrupt and abusive system" for his plight, and says his case provides a warning to others about doing business in Indonesia.

Outgoing Senator Trish Crossin has delivered an emotional valedictory speech, slamming the Prime Minister over the process that saw Nova Peris given top spot on the NT Senate ticket and calling for the ALP to engage with Indigenous party members.

Grandstand brings you to-the-minute updates of Australia's World Cup qualifier against Iraq in Sydney.

A consumer fraud forum in Melbourne has been told online shopping licences for people who wish to purchase goods on the internet could be used as a way to stamp out fraud.

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has deferred its decision to place the Great Barrier Reef on the "in danger" list until 2014.

Researchers have found 280 new craters on the Moon by combining data about its gravity and surface for the first time.

Victoria Police have charged St Kilda star Stephen Milne with four counts of rape over an alleged incident in 2004. Police allege a 19-year-old woman was raped in a bedroom at the home of Milne's teammate Leigh Montagna after a club family day. The Director of Public Prosecutions has previously decided against laying charges, citing a lack of evidence. However, after further inquiries by the Victoria Police sexual crimes squad following a 2011 review, the decision has been made to lay charges.

Holden says it is in talks with staff about cutting labour costs at its South Australian plant.

Barnstorming Canberra Raiders forward Josh Papalii and Manly half-back Daly Cherry-Evans will make their State of Origin debuts after being selected for Queensland in the second game of the series at Lang Park next week.

NSW Treasurer Mike Baird has handed down a cautious third budget, focusing on roads, rail and housing, as the Government continues its drive to rein in expenses and cut wage costs. The headline announcement will see the Government continue its privatisation of the state's ports. The world's largest coal port, the Port of Newcastle, is the latest to go under a 99-year lease to fund the "Rebirth of Newcastle" to revitalise the state's second largest city.

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck says qualifying for the World Cup is a "beautiful feeling" and vindication of his methods.

Australian sprinter Shamexpress has finished midfield in the King's Stand Stakes (1,000m) at Royal Ascot.

Bernard Tomic has won his first match in almost two months but is still dealing with an injury a week out from Wimbledon.

Another Burgess brother has come off the assembly line with Tom to replace his suspended identical twin George in the South Sydney team to face Parramatta on Sunday.

The Brumbies have clung on for a dramatic 14-12 victory over the British and Irish Lions in Canberra.

Luke Hodge has succeeded in having a rough conduct charge overturned at the AFL tribunal.

Grandstand brings you to-the-minute updates of Australia's World Cup qualifier against Iraq in Sydney.

Retired Olympic swimmer Scott Miller has been arrested and charged with theft and drug offences.

Canterbury's Dene Halatau does not know if Manly fans spat at his team-mates but was shocked by the crowd abuse.

Caretaker Melbourne coach Neil Craig says he may apply for the job full-time at the end of the season.

Nathan Merritt admits he had virtually given up all hope of ever playing Origin football before his NSW call-up on Tuesday.

Kookaburras star Jamie Dwyer warmed up for his 300th appearance with a five-goal haul in his side's 7-1 win over France at the Hockey World League in Rotterdam.

Barnstorming Canberra Raiders forward Josh Papalii and Manly half-back Daly Cherry-Evans will make their State of Origin debuts after being selected for Queensland in the second game of the series at Lang Park next week.

The Canberra Raiders has thrown its support behind the NRL's decision to stand Blake Ferguson down and confirmed the three parties will meet in the next 24 hours to determine the player's future.

Wallabies winger Digby Ioane declared himself fit for the first Test against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane on Saturday.

Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge will contest his rough conduct charge at the AFL tribunal, risking his appearance in Friday night's clash with West Coast.

Fawad Ahmed may join Ashes Test squad after taking first Australia A wicket against Ireland.

African champions Nigeria as expected beat minnows Tahiti 6-1 in their Confederations Cup opening Group B match in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Rabbitohs winger Nathan Merritt will make his State of Origin debut after being named on the wing as the replacement for Blake Ferguson for the second game in Brisbane next week.

South Sydney Rabbitohs prop George Burgess has been stood down by his club after being charged with two counts of wilful damage to a car.