The High Court has dismissed a soldier' challenge to laws restraining a Rights Commissioner dealing with his complaint about being refused parental leave.

A US Army private who pleaded guilty to abusing a detainee in Afghanistan says his sergeant ordered a detainee to roll on the ground and kiss his boots as another soldier stood by and watched.

Defence lawyers are hoping a plea deal by Pfc. Lynndie England will be accepted by an Army judge as the reservist whose image became synonymous with the Abu Ghraib prison scandal heads to court.