PM

Australia's drug regulator the Therapeutic Drugs Administration has ruled the ban on e-cigarettes will continue. Some public health experts back the decision and agree there is a risk vaping may encourage some people to take up smoking. But others say Australian smokers are being denied a tool that has helped thousands of people quit the habit overseas.

More than 10 people were killed in some of the worst fighting for weeks in eastern Ukraine. The government in Ukraine says at least seven of them were soldiers were killed in clashes between the country's army and pro-Russian rebels. The fighting erupted despite an attempt to renew a ceasefire last month.

US President Donald Trump has fired his acting Attorney General in another dramatic twist to the rollout of his controversial order to impose travel restrictions on refugees and people from seven Muslim-majority nations.

The Acting US Attorney General Sally Yates has been fired after ordering the Justice Department not to defend President Trump's executive order on immigration in court, saying she's not convinced that the defence of the executive order is consistent nor lawful. Ms Yates was appointed under the Obama administration and has now been replaced by US attorney, Mr Dana Boente who will act in the position for the eastern district of Virginia until Jeff Sessions is confirmed as Attorney General.

Should Australia fear the Trump administration? The implications of the travel ban that Gordon Flake considers to be 'unconventional policy making' could have an impact on national security.There are broader and deeper concerns that stem from this executive order.

The major parties are making a pitch for which one can provide more jobs for Australians. Today the Opposition Leader Bill Shorten gave a speech saying he wants more people to be trained as apprentices and for a focus on the skills shortages. The Prime Minister will also address the issue of jobs when goes to the Press Club tomorrow. But the politics of the day wasn't just domestic with Bill Shorten saying the Prime Minister was wrong to be silent about Donald Trump's immigration ban.

Welfare advocates say there needs to be greater protection against pay day lenders, after reports of loan sharks targeting vulnerable people in South Australia's West Coast. Around a dozen people, some on the cashless welfare card trial have been offered loans of up to $2000 dollars with exorbitant interest rates and application fees.

Queensland's Liberal National Party is in shock after a fourth politician defected to One Nation.

Michael Pucci, former LNP member for Logan has taken up a job as One Nation's state campaign director.

Pauline Hanson from One Nation says she expects more politicians, from both sides of politics to join her party.

A report into child protection in Tasmania has found the state is the only jurisdiction in the country without independent standards and accountability for foster care. The State Government is planning to introduce standards that will include regular visits. The National Children's Commissioner says it's important that children around Australia are listened to in order to combat child abuse.

The City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government are considering how to best commemorate the people killed in the Bourke Street car attack. The floral tributes to the victims have been removed from outside Melbourne's old GPO building and at eight other spots in Bourke Street. The flowers will be mulched and put on the memorial garden for victims of crime at Parliament House but a permanent memorial is also planned.