The World Today

Researchers are warning the homelessness sector needs to diversify its funding sources so money can stretch to those most in need. The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute says it's revealed for the first time how heavily the sector relies on government support. Its findings are being presented at a homelessness solutions conference in Brisbane today.

Who butchered the mastodon? That's the question creating controversy among scientists, following the release of new research suggesting early humans may have occupied North America tens of thousands of years earlier than previously accepted. The research has been co-authored by Australian archaeologist Professor Richard Fullagar from the University of Wollongong, who examined the broken bones of a extinct mastodon, finding they appeared to have been carved up and eaten by a mystery race of people who lived 130,000 years ago.

The Ten Network has signalled grave concerns about its survival in a tough advertising market as it posted a half-year loss of $232 million. Australia's third-largest network is pinning its future on $200 million in debt financing guaranteed by News Corporation co-chairman Lachlan Murdoch, businessman Bruce Gordon and Crown Resorts majority owner James Packer, which is due to expire in December. Media analyst Peter Cox believes Ten should go into administration so it can restructure for the new media environment.

The Federal Government has announced export restrictions will apply to gas companies if Australia is low on supply. The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association says it's disappointed with the decision and the focus should be on boosting supply options. The Government claims the restrictions will help lower gas prices. But APPEA isn't convinced.

A counter-terrorism expert has expressed concern that Australia's de-radicalisation programs aren't doing enough to curb the terror threat. The ABC has obtained documents showing the federal police's flagship counter-terrorism program had to make do without a car and key staff for months. And it comes as police in New South Wales announce a new unit to target people who are driven by extreme beliefs. But Dr Clarke Jones from the Australian National University says the programs need to focus more on community engagement.

Finding an affordable place to live in Australia has never been harder. That's the finding today of new research produced by Anglicare Australia in its latest snapshot of the rental market across the nation. It finds that many people are suffering 'rental stress' which occurs when more than 30 per cent of their household income must go towards their weekly rent.

Australia's tax regime is distorting the housing market, making house prices unaffordable for home buyers, while encouraging a rush of investment dollars into the sector. A range of 'perverse incentives' are also causing many investors to leave their properties sitting empty, leaving renters unable to find an affordable place to live.

A former guard at the troubled Cleveland youth detention centre in north Queensland is calling for more Indigenous people to take up management positions there. It comes after the Queensland Government released a report after an inquiry into allegations of mistreatment at the Townsville centre.

The former Northern Territory corrections minister, who featured prominently in an ABC Four Corners report last year, has appeared for the first time before the royal commission into youth detention. This morning's hearing was delayed by more than an hour, amid legal arguments led by Mr Elferink's lawyer regarding the fairness of that Four Corners report. Mr Elferink wanted to tender more than six hours of the unaired portions of his interview with Four Corners to the royal commission, but it was deemed not relevant to the inquiry's terms of reference.

An advocate for mental health services, says Australia's mental health network needs to change from within or face years of missed opportunity. Professor Ian Hickey is also a mental health commissioner and says that for too long, competing governments, companies and professionals have pointed the finger at problems, rather than working together to fix them. Professor Hickey says significant improvements are being made federally when it comes to mental health services, now it's up to the industry to ensure patients reap the benefits.