The judge overseeing Donald Trump's criminal trial said he would hold the former president in contempt of court for a tenth time for violating a gag order and said he would consider jailing him for further violations.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced the plans saying they would be in response to "provocative statements" from Western officials in recent weeks.

High profile Perth bikie Troy Mercanti is released from custody after spending the weekend behind bars on serious sexual assault charges, with police revealing more offences could follow.

A Chinese military jet has detonated flares near an Australian Navy helicopter which was operating in international waters, forcing the pilot to take evasive action to avoid an accident.

The Australian actor won a silver Logie for his role as Sergeant Frank Gilroy in popular 1980s soap A Country Practice. 

A Victorian judge has been reprimanded for using "demeaning" and "gratuitous" language towards a woman at the centre of a sexual assault trial.