A man has told an inquest into the cold-case murders of two women west of Brisbane that he feared he would be killed if he went to police with his evidence.

Telstra has released damning findings from a review of its contractors who remove asbestos from its telecommunications pits.Telstra's infrastructure is being used to roll out the National Broadband Network (NBN), including old pits containing asbestos.All remediation work was stopped last month after a range of mishandling complaints at several sites around Australia.The telco conducted a preliminary review, finding that all of its key contractors required changes in a range of areas.

North Korea has threatened to kill the authors of a report claiming Kim Jong-un used Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf as a leadership guide.

Health experts have proposed a national strategy to combat diabetes, with the disease set to become the largest financial burden on the health system within five years.

Josh Kennedy says the impact of his winning goal in the World Cup qualifier against Iraq is only just sinking in.

St Kilda star Stephen Milne will take an "indefinite leave of absence" while he faces four rape charges stemming from an alleged incident in 2004. The club released a statement this afternoon outlining that Milne will remain a listed player, despite being stood down. Police allege a 19-year-old woman was raped in a bedroom at the home of Milne's team-mate Leigh Montagna in 2004 after a club family day. Milne, 33, who has always denied the allegations, will appear in court on July 5.

The former Western Australian premier Brian Burke, and a stockbroker, have been committed to stand trial on insider trading charges.

Michelle de Kretser has won the 2013 Miles Franklin Award, Australia's most prestigious literary prize.

The journalist whose Rolling Stone interview with General Stanley McChrystal led to the top NATO general in Afghanistan losing his job has been killed in a car crash.

Adrian Bayley, the man who raped and killed ABC staffer Jill Meagher, is being sentenced in the Victorian Supreme Court in Melbourne.The 41-year-old has pleaded guilty to raping and murdering the 29-year-old Melbourne woman as she was on her way home from a night out in September last year.Bayley was in handcuffs as he was brought into the court under tight security this morning.Ms Meagher's husband Tom, her parents George and Edith McKeon, and her brother Michael McKeon are all attending today's sentencing by Justice Geoffrey Nettle.

St Kilda is today expected to make a statement on the future of star player Stephen Milne, after he was charged with four counts of rape over an alleged incident in 2004.

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.

Mal Meninga admits all-conquering Queensland's attitude is a major concern ahead of the must-win State of Origin II.

Blake Ferguson will miss at least four games after Canberra ordered him to undertake an alcohol management program.

The British and Irish Lions have received a much-needed boost with George North cleared for the first Test.

Josh Kennedy says the impact of his winning goal in the World Cup qualifier against Iraq is only just sinking in.

St Kilda star Stephen Milne will take an 'indefinite leave of absence' while he faces four rape charges stemming from an alleged incident in 2004.

Swimming's controversial 'Stilnox six' will find out their punishment from the Australian Olympic Committee next week.

Pakistan-born spinner Fawad Ahmed is being sent to Africa on an Australia A tour at the same time as the Ashes series.

The Heat have forced the NBA Finals series into a deciding Game Seven following a 103-100 overtime win against the Spurs.

Socceroos captain Lucas Neill says appearing at a third consecutive World Cup in Brazil would be a perfect way to end a long international career.

Yohan Blake will only run in the 100 metres at the world championships in Moscow after he withdrew from this weekend's Jamaican national titles.

Stars Jack Riewoldt and Dustin Martin lead a group of Richmond players yet to re-sign with the Tigers.

Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown has been suspended by her national federation following a positive test for a banned diuretic at a meeting last month.

Spaniard David Ferrer failed to get back on the winning track on his return after losing in the French Open final as he lost his Hertogenbosch ATP title going down 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 to veteran Belgian Xavier Malisse in the first round.

Injury-plagued Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins will continue his recuperation playing for the Northern Ireland Cricket Academy in Belfast tonight.

Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke says he doesn't believe his degenerative back condition is getting closer to requiring a serious operation.

Norwood chief executive Geoff Baynes said the SANFL might have left it too late for AFL reserves sides to join the competition next season.

Five-times Wimbledon champion Venus Williams has pulled out of this year's tournament because of an ongoing lower back injury.

Samantha Stosur has made an ideal start to her grass-court campaign but she admits keeping it going on her least-favoured surface is the real challenge.

Iran and South Korea have joined Australia and Japan as Asian direct qualifiers into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

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