Otago Daily Times News Feed

As of yesterday there were 98 bush and grass fires burning in NSW, 50 of which were yet to be contained. Photo: NSW Rural Fire Service Balmoral residents are expecting the worst when they return home following a bushfire that's feared to have all but wiped out the small village southwest of Sydney.

Ben Smith has had a debut to forget in France.

An Australian-based team of hail damage repairers has set up a base in Timaru to fix cars damaged in a recent hailstorm.

Ben Smith has had a debut to forget in France.

Some sports appear to be a fair way down the path of dropping junior representative teams, while others have not made the first step.

Eddie Jones. Photo: Getty Images England coach Eddie Jones believes New Zealand Rugby have a serious challenge ahead of them to retain their status as the world's greatest rugby nation.

As of yesterday there were 98 bush and grass fires burning in NSW, 50 of which were yet to be contained. Photo: NSW Rural Fire Service Balmoral residents are expecting the worst when they return home following a bushfire that's feared to have all but wiped out the small village southwest of Sydney.

David Warner. Australian opening batsman David Warner has warned the Black Caps will be wasting their time with the bowling tactics they used in the opening test defeat in Perth.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) says complaints have surged by about a third in the past year, putting a strain on its resources.

The family home of (back, from left) Hayley Green and Joel Walker, who are pictured with kids (from left) Ayva (1), Mathew (4), and Jahn (5) Walker, was ransacked on Saturday night. Photo: Supplied A South Otago family has had a rough start to Christmas after their home was targeted by thieves.

Test your local and general knowledge by taking the Otago Daily Times quiz for Monday, December 23.

Auckland City player Angel Berlanga crosses the ball as Southern United forward Joel Stevens watches proceedings during a National Football Premiership match at Logan Park on Saturday. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON Points do not come much harder fought.

Kiwi number 3 Evan Williams. Photo: Getty Images The New Zealand men’s team secured its best finish in 20 years with a fifth placing at the world championships in Washington DC yesterday.

Matt Clarkson takes aim as Mark Baldwin holds the target during a session at the Threshold Taekwon-Do School on Saturday.PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON Taekwondo exponents from around the South should eat with some satisfaction this week after a top series of results in Dunedin this month.

The public may not be convinced of the reality of the commissioners' claim they have begun turning the rudder on the good ship Southern District Health Board.

Jeweller Brent Weatherall is over the moon at the response his petition has had so far. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON Several thousand people have signed their names to a campaign to keep Dunedin’s main shopping drag as it is.

Photo: Getty Images Gina Barreca reflects on a child's Christmas in Brooklyn. 

Russian athletes are likely to be allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympics next year — if they can prove they are not linked to their country’s doping programme. PHOTO: REUTERS Caveats and compromises in the small print mean there is a good chance Russian athletes and footballers will appear at the 2020 Olympics and the 2022 World Cup, writes Sean Ingle. 

Photo by Linda Robertson. Animals are for life, not just the holidays, writes Lindsay Pollard-Post.