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Former Northern Territory Corrections Commissioner Ken Middlebrook told the royal commission that conditions for youth detainees at Don Dale and in Alice Springs were the result of a punitive system, driven by a 'tough on crime' political mantra. He also accused a legal aid organisation, NAAJA, of 'setting him up' in front of an ABC journalist, in order to make him, and the Department, look out of control.

Two regional universities say a new medical school, based in country NSW and Victoria, will help solve the rural doctor shortage. Charles Sturt and La Trobe universities want Commonwealth support for their proposal, and say an economic assessment released today shows the numbers stack up. But that could rob sandstone universities of medical student places and funding, and they've pushed back, saying the solution to better rural health isn't that simple.

The United States has expressed deep concern after Turkey launched a series of air raids, killing American allies in Syria and Iraq. The strikes killed at least 20 Kurdish fighters who have been working with the US to battle the Islamic State group.

A top official in Myanmar has compared an attack by militants that killed nine police officers and sparked a brutal army crackdown to America's experience on 9.11. In October, a new militant group of Rohingya Muslims launched its first ever attack on two border posts, killing police, and stealing weapons. The resulting 'clearance operation' by the military has led to accusations of extrajudicial killings, systematic rape, and widespread arson in what the UN has called possible 'crimes against humanity' and Malaysia called 'genocide'. One conflict researcher says the heavy-handed response risks further radicalising Muslims and making solutions to the long-running crisis even harder to achieve.

A housing complex designed to help single fathers gain custody of their children and keep them out of foster care has opened in Hobart. Most of the men have struggled to find accommodation because they are out of work and some say they have experienced domestic violence.

The Queensland Government will spend more than $6 million and implement a raft of sweeping changes, to overhaul the state's youth justice system. It follows the release of two reports, a review of Independent Review of Youth Detention, and an investigation into a riot at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville. The Government has accepted either in full or in-principle, 90 recommendations across both reports, which include the retraining of staff in the use of restraints and for more CCTV cameras to be installed.

Cyclone Debbie's damage bill is expected to reach at least $1.5 billion, according to the Queensland Government's latest estimate. This comes as a North Queensland Coalition MP renews the push for a new insurance model for northern Australia based on a mutual fund which aims to reduce premiums for residents. But the Insurance Council of Australia and North Queensland insurers say the proposed model is not viable.

French voters have rejected the country's mainstream political parties, in the run-off to presidential elections. The result means that controversial right-wing anti-immigration, anti EU National Front presidential candidate Marine Le Pen will face off against centrist Emmanuel Macron. Experts expect the latter to be the eventual winner and, if that's the case, he will become France's youngest president and is likely to be voted in without a party. It makes for unique political times in France, the likes of which have never been seen.

US President Donald Trump has spoken to China's President on the phone as concerns mount that North Korea may tomorrow conduct a missile or nuclear test. The regime in Pyongyang marks a military anniversary on Tuesday, which analysts say could be used to fire more missiles or a 6th nuclear test. It comes as relations deteriorate between North Korea and its key ally, China.

A sports administration expert suggests the long-standing president of the Australian Olympic Committee should be offered an honorary role if he's forced to step aside. A fight is brewing for the AOC presidency with John Coates being challenged by Olympic gold medallist Danni Roche. Mr Coates' management style is being publicly questioned, with allegations of bullying made against one of his key deputies. The infighting has prompted the AOC board to call a crisis meeting.