National News

It was a "sliding doors" moment that could have changed everything.But future Immortal Johnathan Thurston has no regrets after revealing he considered big money overseas rugby union offers before remaining loyal to NRL club North Queensland in 2010.

Parramatta chairman Max Donnelly has hit out at fresh claims the club is again cheating the NRL salary cap by providing free or discounted rental properties to its players.

Malcolm Turnbull has survived a no confidence motion after earlier surviving a leadership challenge from outgoing Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton.

At least 11 people have been killed in southern Italy when they were washed away over rocks by a raging white-water creek in a deep mountain gorge that swelled suddenly after heavy rain upstream, officials said.

By rights, North Queensland co-captain Matt Scott should be hogging the limelight at Friday night's NRL clash with Parramatta in Townsville.

Malcolm Turnbull has claimed victory in a leadership challenge and now wants his party unified and focused on Australians instead of internal battles.

Sydney Roosters' push for the NRL minor premiership is set to get a boost with five-eighth Luke Keary likely to be included in their 21-man squad for Saturday's match against Brisbane.

Australia's business community is furious the National Energy Guarantee has been effectively dumped, along with a pledge to legislate a cut to emissions in the electricity sector.

Pope Francis, facing sexual abuse crises in several countries, wrote an unprecedented letter to all Catholics on Monday, asking each one of them to help root out "this culture of death" and vowing there would be no more cover ups.

Firefighters are working throughout the night to contain dozens of out-of-control bushfires across NSW before strong winds return to fan the blazes.