An Australian soldier wounded during a foot patrol in Afghanistan remains in a
serious condition in a German hospital.

Authorities have intercepted a suspected asylum-seeker vessel northeast of Ashmore
Island.
A statement from Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor said initial indications

The national holiday road toll has risen to 26 with the deaths of two women in
Victoria and a man in NSW on Christmas Day.

Torrential rain has lashed Queensland's far north coast with Tropical Cyclone Tasha
running out of puff between Cairns and Innisfail early on Christmas morning.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has thanked rescue workers battling floods at home and
Australian troops risking their lives overseas for their work on Christmas Day.

South Sydney have received the perfect Christmas present, with the NRL confirming
they will register Greg Inglis' three-year contract.

A Perth man has appeared in court charged over the death of his estranged wife whose
body was found in an inner suburban flat two weeks after she went missing.

An Australian soldier wounded during a foot patrol in Afghanistan remains in a
serious condition in a German hospital.

The teenage girl who posted lewd photos of St Kilda AFL players on the internet
appears to have stepped back from the confrontation she was promoting on the

NSW Premier Kristina Keneally has lied to the public about her intentions to shut
down parliament, Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell says.