Police have caught 18 drink drivers in Bendigo in a Christmas road operation. Read more.

A severe wind warning has been issued for the region. Read more.

If you have, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning wants to hear from you. Read more.

Maryborough’s Matthew Dellavedova had a good night on the court for the Milwaukee Bucks, but his team went down to the Washington Wizards. Read more.

We all probably knew more bad news was coming and it has: Actor Carrie Fisher has died.

Her last tweet on December 22, 2016:

A teenage boy has suffered a serious head wound after he fell from a swing and plunged six metres down a cliff. 

The swing was positioned near a cliff edge on a property off Lady Wakehurst Drive at Otford. 

What started as a boating trip to pull craypots for three Mandurah men ended up in a sea rescue operation involving two helicopters and four boats in appalling weather conditions.

The men, a 78-year-old, a 79-year-old and a 56-year-old, were sailing on a six-metre-boat around James Service reef when it overturned and they fell into the water.

The calendar for 2017 that got tongues wagging this year has raised thousands for mental health awareness.

The Off the Leash calendar was created by brave Charles Sturt University third year veterinary science students who ditched the robes and got nude for a good cause.

A tourist trapped after a car washed off a causeway at the flooded Hugh River near Alice Springs, has been found, Northern Territory police said.

The tourist was among a group of three who attempted to cross the causeway when rapid water swept the car away at about 1pm on Tuesday.

Western Tasmanian has been named as one of Australia’s most polluted coastlines, with fishing largely to blame, according to a new study.

The research was published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment last week, and the CSIRO’s marine debris team is calling on all Australians to “do the right thing”.

Taxpayers spend $3.5m for Labor, Liberal and Greens' overseas trips and networking activities

Taxpayers have spent nearly $3.5 million in two years for a controversial program which gives Australia's major political parties cash for overseas study tours, networking and training events in countries including China, the US, Canada and Britain.

The Liberal and Labor parties are eligible for $1 million each year from the federal government's Australian Political Parties for Democracy Program, with the Greens allocated $200,000 annually.

Holiday drowning toll rises to seven after man found unconscious on NSW Central Coast

A Nepalese masters student, two young men on days out with friends and a grandfather trying to rescue two girls caught in a rip are among the victims of a horror 48 hours around NSW beaches and waterways.

The drowning toll over the past week rose to seven on Tuesday afternoon after a male swimmer died after he was found unconscious at The Entrance on the Central Coast.

Police detonate bomb in Magelang, Central Java

Police have detonated a bomb found near a food stall in a street in Magelang in Central Java as Indonesia continues to be on tenterhooks over a possible terror attack over the holiday period.

Central Java police spokesman Djarod Padakova said police found dangerous items including nails, pipe, a switch, wiring and a battery in the debris after they blew up a suspicious package.

Police delay raid on Thailand's largest temple after stand-off with monks

Thai authorities have delayed a planned raid on Thailand's largest Buddhist temple to arrest its charismatic 72-year-old leader Phra Dhammachayo until after New Year celebrations.

Hundreds of police who had surrounded Wat Dhammakaya have withdrawn after moving obstacles and cutting a fence blocking access to its vast grounds on the outskirts of Bangkok.

1065 Westminster Abbey in London consecrated

1612 First observation of Neptune - Galileo observes and records a "fixed star" without realising it is a planet

1767 King Taksin crowned King of Thailand and establishes Thonburi as his capital

1803 Convict William Buckley escapes, spawning the Australian phrase "Buckley's chance".

1836 Spain recognizes independence of Mexico

She’s only had her training licence since July, but young gun Brooke Somers is making her mark in racing with her unique and ethical training methods. The 34-year-old Hawkesbury trainer has had 21 runners for two wins and two seconds, but its her work off the track that’s grabbing the attention of racing followers.