PM

The national supply of blood has at times dropped so slow, Australia has only had enough for the following two days. In the winter months, Australia's national supply dips dangerously low, anyone with a cold for example, can't donate. Cancer patients in particular rely upon blood transfusions to progress through chemotherapy as quickly as possible, and the Red Cross says Australia can do better when it comes to donating.

You might have seen and heard the coverage of our correspondent Adam Harvey in Marawi in the Philippines where the government is battling Islamic militants aligned to Islamic State. Today, Adam Harvey was shot and a bullet is lodged in his neck. His injuries are not life threatening but he's on his way to hospital for treatment.

The fallout from a Four Corners investigation into the Chinese communist party's influence in Australia continues. The former Trade Minister turned Chinese business adviser Andrew Robb has assured the Prime Minister he has not breached the ministerial code of conduct. But the Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce says the rules around the jobs ministers can take after politics must be tightened. The Chinese Ambassador to Australia has also weighed in on the controversy, launching a scathing attack on the Four Corners story, labelling it 'fabricated' and 'politically motivated'.

The Federal political debate returned to the well-worn themes of debt and deficit today, as Australia's gross debt is scheduled to reach half a trillion dollars tomorrow. Labor has questioned why the Government is pursuing a tax cut for businesses, but the Government says its economic plan will ensure debt is used in a productive way, like funding infrastructure projects.

More than 200 firefighters from all over London are struggling to contain a major fire at a high-rise apartment building west of London. An unknown number of people are feared to be trapped inside the burning building. The London Fire Brigade said the flames had spread from the second floor to the top of the 27-story building, which contains 120 apartments.

Today's settlement with a group of Manus Island detainees has left questions unanswered about who responsible for their welfare. The Immigration Minister has emphasised the $70 million deal reached is not an admission of liability but the Greens are suggesting otherwise. The Human Rights Law Centre says it's important the Government protects those remaining on Manus Island from future harm.

Asylum-seekers from Manus Island say they're excited to receive compensation for alleged negligence and false imprisonment in Australia's offshore detention centre. But they're still worried about what's going to happen to them, and say they'd prefer a safe place to live instead of money.

The Government and Opposition have each accused each other of being influenced by wealthy donors with foreign links, in a fractious Question Time in Parliament. The Government repeatedly returned to the case of Labor Senator Sam Dastyari, while the Opposition focused on the creation of the 'Julie Bishop Glorious Foundation' by a Liberal party donor.

Australia's third largest free-to-air television broadcaster has gone into voluntary administration. Network Ten is now in the hands of Korda Mentha after news the broadcaster wouldn't receive a key financial lifeline at the end of the year. Analysts say the clock is now ticking on the Government to pass through crucial media reforms which may help save Ten from financial disaster.

The Productivity Commission is concerned there has been too much focus on meeting enrolment targets for the National Disability Insurance Scheme - at the expense of quality. The Commission has also found a higher than expected number of children have enrolled, many with autism. It comes as disability advocates return to Canberra to lobby in favour of the Federal Government's Medicare levy increase.