The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's education is not over, one of Australia's leading charities warns.

Frantic children called 911 more than half a dozen times from the Texas classrooms where a massacre was unfolding, pleading for police to intervene, as some 20 officers waited in the hallway nearly an hour before entering and killing the gunman.

Brisbane fans booed wantaway star Payne Haas before Gold Coast blew another big lead in a mad 35-24 Broncos NRL win.

A family of Tamil asylum seekers who captured the hearts of Australians has been permitted to return to their home in the regional Queensland town of Biloela on bridging visas.

There were jokes, laughs, sombre moments and a poem titled 'You ripper Roy' as Andrew Symonds was farewelled in style on Friday.

Former veterans affairs minister Darren Chester has urged the Nationals to better recognise the diversity of views in regional areas, following his decision to contest the party leadership.

Craig Bellamy has said his star winger Xavier Coates should be one of the first picks for Queensland when incoming Maroons coach Billy Slater names his State of Origin squad on Monday.

Changing the old guard to new and turning North Queensland's fortunes around has always been the plan of Cowboys general manager Micheal Luck.

Addressing the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic is a top priority for Anthony Albanese along with mending regional relationships.

NSW paramedics are stepping up industrial action in their fight for better resources as ambulance services face unprecedented demand.