The World Today

Indonesia's counter-terrorism agency says the nation's young radicals are continuing to be drawn to the southern Philippines with fighting in Marawi now in its third month. In an interview with the ABC, a senior official from the counter-terrorism body known as the BNPT says some Indonesians have been arrested trying to make it to Marawi, some have returned home and others have been killed. The continuing battle to take back the city is focusing the political minds of the region with Indonesia warning the Islamic State group could pose a threat elsewhere, like Myanmar.

A waste war has erupted between New South Wales and Queensland over the transportation of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste across the border into the sunshine state. The Australian Council of Recycling and Queensland's Environment Minister says the Commonwealth needs to intervene, but the federal Environment Minister says the states and territories should not shirk their responsibilities in this area.

It's as sure as taxes, and yet death is still a topic we really don't talk much about. Today is 'Dying To Know Day', which aims to bring to life conversations and community actions around death, dying and bereavement. But for palliative care patients and their families, it's something that's being encouraged, in a special way.

In an age of terrorism and religious conflict, researchers have found that spirituality is still seen as a safeguard against extreme immoral acts. A study across thirteen countries suggests that people are almost twice as likely to think a serial killer, for example, is an atheist.

The head of Australia's biggest lender is resisting calls to step down following allegations the bank engaged is money laundering. Austrac alleges the Commonwealth Bank was used to wash dirty money for criminal gangs, drug runners and potential terrorists. Chief executive Ian Narev admits 'mistakes were made' and says the bank is now trying to get to the bottom of what happened.

The Australian head of the anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency International, says the latest scandal to hit the Commonwealth Bank shortens the odds of a Royal Commission into banking culture and behaviour. Serena Lillywhite says the $10,000 threshold for banks to declare cash transactions to Austrac needs to be extended to lawyers, accountants and real estate agents. She spoke with the ABC's Peter Ryan.

As Liberal MPs prepare for the emergency party room meeting on marriage equality this afternoon, another Coalition MP has joined the call for an open vote instead of a plebiscite. The Prime Minister called today's special meeting in response to threats that some members of his party may cross the floor of parliament to support a private members bill on marriage equality. But some form of public poll - or plebiscite - perhaps even a postal vote, still has majority support in government ranks.

Voters in Malcolm Turnbull's seat of Wentworth show overwhelming support for a free vote on same sex marriage. A recent poll showed 72 per cent of voters felt politicians shouldn't have to tow the party line on marriage equality. They're calling for a decision to be made on same sex marriage, so the country can move on.

John Hewson led the Federal Liberal Party in the first half of the 1990s and is no stranger to leadership tensions. He says that some of those agitating for a free vote are deliberately trying to undermine the Prime Minsiter. Dr Hewson is a Professor at the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University and sits on several company boards.

Venezualan police have arrested opponents of the President - including deserting soldiers - who are accused of trying to launch an uprising against his government. Two rebels were killed and at least 10 arrested over the attack launched against a military barracks in Valencia in the country's north-west.