British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says sanctions against Russia should be "considered" amid suggestions the country is committing war crimes in Syria. Speaking during a visit to a refugee camp in Turkey, he reaffirmed his view that Russia was in danger of breaching international humanitarian law. Moscow earlier reacted angrily to the "unacceptable" suggestions, which have come from Britain and America, about its role in Syria's bloody civil conflict.

The Australian dollar could fall up to 10 per cent if US Republican candidate Donald Trump wins the US presidency in November, according to Commonwealth Bank's currency strategists. Mr Trump's main economic policies, including major income and company tax cuts, government spending and tariffs, are "very inflationary", CBA currency strategists Richard Grace, Elias Haddad, Joseph Capurso and Wei Li say in a research note. The first US presidential debate between Mr Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton is set to take place on Monday night in the US, around 1100 Tuesday AEST.

The Australian share market has finished lower, however it did claw back some earlier losses following signs Hillary Clinton may be leading Donald Trump after the first US presidential candidate debate. CMC Markets chief market strategist Michael McCarthy said the local bourse started Tuesday lower as investors worried about the outcome of the US presidential candidate debate. Online polls following the debate have had conflicting results, with some saying Clinton won the night while others gave it to Trump.

Victoria's belief it would get $1.45 billion in federal top-up funds for leasing Melbourne's port was "wilful misunderstanding", Treasurer Scott Morrison says. Mr Morrison said Victoria not only missed the June 30 deadline for applying but the state was never going to get 15 per cent of the sale price to spend. "It's not 15 per cent on the sale price, it's 15 per cent on the agreed apportionment of funds to projects, that comes from the asset recycling process," Mr Morrison told reporters on Tuesday.

Treasurer Scott Morrison has described a backbench committee as being like "a pig in mud" after settling on a compromise for its controversial backpacker tax. Farmers have also been quick to ...

Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange: CVO - COVER-MORE - in trading halt, last traded at $1.44 Travel insurance group Cover-More is acquiring US-based Travelex Insurance Services for $138 million, ...