Middle Eastern Politics Headlines at 3:44 p.m. GMT
US officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group that ousted Assad, Blinken says
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Australian Associated PressEngland win toss, send Aussies in to bat in 2nd T20I
Australia are batting first in the second T201 against England at Manuka Oval in Canberra after losing to toss..
- Australian Associated Press
Arrests after 'despicable' attack on off-duty cops
Arrests have been made after an off-duty police officer was repeatedly kicked and punched in the head by a group of men as he was returning home from a concert.
- Australian Associated Press
Ballooning capital works blamed for budget blowout
A state will be in the red for some years as its government flags swelling infrastructure costs, as the opposition warns of the risk of potential spending cuts.
- Australian Associated Press
Romo takes Tour lead with first pro cycling win
Spaniard Javier Romo leads the Tour Down Under after his first pro cycling win, taking out stage three in the Adelaide Hills on a day that featured two crashes.
- Australian Associated Press
Second arrest made over synagogue graffiti, fire attack
Police have arrested a second man over a graffiti and fire attack on a synagogue as another man is held in custody over the incident.
- Australian Associated Press
Driver jailed for five years for taking five lives
A dangerous driver who failed to heed a police warning before causing a crash which killed five people could walk free on parole within three years.
- Australian Associated Press
Frustration good for winless Victory: interim coach
Victory interim coach Arthur Diles is urging his players to embrace the frustration of their six-game winless streak ahead of their clash against Sydney FC.
- Australian Associated Press
'Workaholic' ex-cop forged documents in drug lab probe
A former senior constable has claimed he forged internal forms during an investigation of a drug 'super-lab' to boost efficiency and combat his untreated PTSD.
- Australian Associated Press
Fears hate speech laws could make anti-Semitism worse
A crackdown on hate speech laws to curb anti-Semitism could have the opposite effect, legal experts warn.
- Australian Associated Press
Hunt a Broncos leader as Maguire makes captain's call
Adam Reynolds will again captain Brisbane under new coach and former South Sydney mentor Michael Maguire, with returning Ben Hunt among the senior leaders.
- Australian Associated Press
Socceroos defender Matthews closing in on overseas move
Hayden Matthews is poised to move to an overseas club, with Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay confirming the Socceroo will not be available against Melbourne Victory.
- Australian Associated Press
Dutton shuts down Nationals' call for gender debate
There are no plans to change the coalition's position on transgender rights, Peter Dutton says, following US President Donald Trump's executive orders.
- Australian Associated Press
Snyder responds to Boomers link as coach search narrows
Atlanta NBA coach Quin Snyder has responded to links to the vacant Boomers job after his side, featuring breakout Australian Dyson Daniels, fell to Detroit.
- Australian Associated Press
Grieving time is over as Rugby Sevens hits Perth
It will be Rugby Sevens fever in Perth from Friday as the world's best teams converge on HBF Park for the three-day tournament.
- Australian Associated Press
'Why not me?' - Demon won't give up on grand slam dream
Despite a demoralising Australian Open quarter-final loss to Jannik Sinner, Alex de Minaur believes he hasn't hit his ceiling and can still contend for a slam.
- Australian Associated Press
Not scared or vulnerable: Sixers dodge Thunder digs
Sydney Sixers player Jordan Silk has dodged verbal punches from Sydney Thunder's Tanveer Sangha, dismissing claims his side are "scared" and "vulnerable".
- Australian Associated Press
Shelton plots Open upset win over red-hot Sinner
American Ben Shelton knows he's the underdog but hopes to find a way to make life uncomfortable for Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals.
- Australian Associated Press
Coach Murray proves the missing piece in Novak's puzzle
One of Novak Djokovic's ex-allies believes hiring Andy Murray as coach could prove the catalyst to the Serb winning a record 25th grand slam singles title.
- Australian Associated Press
Man faces court after woman's 'tragic' grassfire death
A man has fronted court days after the body of a woman was found following a grassfire that has left a rural Victorian town reeling.
- Australian Associated Press
More charges over building regulator kickbacks scandal
Dozens more people are set to face court after being charged as part of a corruption probe into allegations of builder registration kickbacks.