National News

Some Australians would rather die or "poke their eye with a pencil" than go into residential care, the royal commission into aged care has been told.

George Burgess will remain at South Sydney for 2019 with the Rabbitohs indicating they won't release the star prop despite him being linked to Parramatta.

Brisbane spent months trying to convince teenager Payne Haas to speak to the NRL's integrity unit and say they had no choice but to suspend him for four games and fine him $20,000 when his co-operation fell short.

Having an attentive partner can significantly improve a person's long-term health and even life expectancy, new research suggests.

Catholic religious orders around the world have apologised for failing to respond when their priests raped children, acknowledging their family-like communities blinded them to sexual abuse and led to misplaced loyalties.

The death toll from an attack last week by gunmen in northwestern Nigeria has doubled to more than 130, the Kaduna state governor says, adding it appeared a deliberate plan to "wipe out certain communities.

DRUG CONSUMPTION BY STATE:ACT:1- Methylamphetamine2- Oxycodone3- Fentanyl4- Cocaine5- HeroinNSW:1- Methylamphetamine2- Fentanyl3- Oxycodone4- Cocaine (highest average consumption)5- Heroin (highest regional consumption)NT:1- Methylamphetamine2- MDMA (highest capital city consumption)3- Cocaine4- Oxycodone5- FentanylQUEENSLAND:1- Methylamphetamine2- Fentanyl3- Oxycodone4- Cocaine5- HeroinSA:1- Methylamphetamine2- Fentanyl3- Oxycodone4- Cocaine5- HeroinTASMANIA:1- Methylamphetamine2- Oxycodone (highest average consumption)3- Fentanyl (highest average consumption)4- Heroin5- MDMA...

Australians spent about $9.3 billion last year on cocaine, meth, MDMA and heroin, according to an examination of sewer water.

Fire crews have gained the upper hand on blazes burning across northern NSW but predicted strong winds and hot conditions mean total fire bans have been declared once again.

The federal agriculture minister has savaged Coles and Aldi for retaining their cut-price milk lines and urged customers to boycott them.