SOUTH Korean police have arrested a man who faked his own death - and cremation - to secure insurance payouts totalling 1.8 billion won ($1.5 million).

A PREGNANT mother gave birth moments after putting the Christmas dinner on - and was back home in time to serve it up.

FOUR foreigners may face execution in China over a big seizure of heroin, a Hong Kong newspaper reported today.

THE eight American civilians killed in a suicide bombing at a military base in southeastern Afghanistan were all CIA agents, US officials said.

CAMBODIA'S "jungle woman'', who apparently spent 18 years living in a forest, has begun speaking normally instead of making animal-type noises.

MORE than $25,000 has been donated to the Toodyay Bushfire Appeal less than 24 hours after the call went out to help victims.

A QANTAS A380 Airbus takes off from Melbourne this evening taking 450 passengers south to the Antarctic to welcome in the new year on a "midnight sun'' sightseeing trip over the southern continent.

THE Australian dollar closed firmer today, as recent moves on bulk commodities markets lifted the currency towards 90 US cents in quiet trading.

PAKISTAN commandos raided a private hospital, killing four foreign militants and a woman, officials said.

A FAMILY who watched a python eat a young wallaby in their backyard says public backlash for not helping the joey is "water off a duck's back".