The World Today

A children's author whose book dealing with the Stolen Generations inspired a controversial primary school classroom exercise says her work has been misused. St Justin's Catholic Primary School in Sydney's south-west used the book 'Stolen Girl' in a role-playing exercise, when a teacher told some grade four students that they wouldn't be seeing their parents again. The school has now conceded that, although it was well intentioned, the exercise misfired.

A group supporting homeless people is worried that the number of rough sleepers on Victorian streets is not improving. Despite attempts to tackle Melbourne's problems with homeless camps, services are struggling to find housing for those in need. The release of data from the Council to Homeless Persons coincides with a national housing conference in Melbourne today.

Scientists researching the effects of climate change in Antarctica know a lot about how melting ice there will contribute to global sea level rise. But now Australian researchers have turned their minds to how that melting ice will change Antarctica itself - and its plants and animals. They're predicting that permanently ice-free areas on the continent will increase drastically in the next few decades, with serious consequences for biodiversity.

Palm Cockatoo has been dubbed by researchers as the animal kingdom's match for Ringo Star and Phil Collins. The male birds are avid drummers, using sticks crafted from branches to tap away on tree hollows. But for the first time a study has revealed just why they do it, and it's all about catching the eye of a female mate.

Banks, law firms, airports, shipping and oil companies and retailers have been hit by a major ransomware cyber attack targeting thousands of computer networks across Europe and the US, with tentacles now reaching Australia. The fast moving ransomware bug, known as the Petya virus, locks up data until money is paid. It was only last month that companies were told to urgently install security patches after a similar attack.

In Australia, computers at the Cadbury chocolate factory in Hobart have seized up and production has stopped. Law firm DLA Piper has also been affected, it's taken down all its IT system to try to limit the damage. Experts warn that many Australians are unprepared for cyber-attacks and victims often feel let down by authorities.

The Prime Minister and senior Ministers are denying reports of a growing rift within the party. Malcolm Turnbull has been trying to turn the focus away from internal politics to policy. But the ABC has been told some of his colleagues are pushing for changes to Cabinet.

Whether or not Christopher Pyne is reprimanded by his Liberal colleagues, he might have another problem on his hands. The latest census data suggests his electorate or a neighbouring one may disappear from the map, because South Australia now has too many House of Representatives seats for its comparatively slow-growing population. Analysts say seats including Mayo, Makin, Hindmarsh or even Mr Pyne's seat of Sturt are the ones at risk.

The royal commission into youth justice and child protection has heard explosive allegations that child marriages and genital mutilation are a problem in remote Aboriginal communities. The NT's former Minister for Children John Elferink told the inquiry that he hoped the Royal Commission will investigate his claims.

Victoria's medical community is mourning the loss of a respected surgeon who died after an alleged hospital attack. 41-year-old Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann from Thornbury died overnight - a man has been charged over the alleged assault. The Australian Medical Association is urging the State Government to listen to its workforce to make patients and staff feel safe.