The World Today

Dr Bruce Bennett, a senior defence analyst at the US-based global policy think tank, the RAND Corporation, says the damage that could be done in response to a US pre-emptive attack is 'just so great that the United States may not go there.' Dr Bennett says Korean internal politics is usually ignored and there are many things that could be said to undercut Kim Jong-un's political return. Dr Bennett also says that China could help by more rigorously enforcing sanctions against North Korea.

Australia's top financial regulators are poised to take more drastic action to cool hot real estate prices in Sydney and Melbourne according to the Reserve Bank. In the minutes from its April board meeting, the RBA said the Council of Financial Regulators 'would consider further measures if needed' to maintain financial stability.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will meet with gas producers for a second time this year to discuss the energy crisis. The talks will focus on what can be done to ensure adequate and cheap power supply is available to households and businesses. Ahead of the meeting, the Australian Industry Group has outlined its ideas to the Government, including gas swap arrangements. It's warning without such changes, Australia could lose tens of thousands of jobs.

A local government corruption hearing has begun in Queensland, probing witnesses with links to high levels of the Federal Government. The Crime and Corruption Commission is investigating allegations that some Independent candidates formed undeclared groups and misled voters by failing to properly declare funding sources, including from property developers. Those on the witness list include the LNP's dumped Minister, Stuart Robert and a former Tony Abbott staffer.

A 17-year-old girl has died after being attacked by a shark while surfing at Wylie Bay near the West Australian town of Esperance. The teenager's father was in the water with her and her mother and two siblings witnessed the attack from the beach.

Police in the United States are offering $50,000 for the arrest of a man who allegedly murdered an elderly pensioner, before posting the video on Facebook for millions to see. Residents in Cleveland are shocked, and the city's Mayor is urging the suspect, 37-year-old Steve Stephens, to hand himself in.

Tensions are rising in Turkey, with hundreds of people taking to the streets of Istanbul to protest against weekend elections, which give the president sweeping new powers. Protesters are questioning the authenticity of the result, which the president is claiming, by a razor thin margin. It's not only the country's opponents who are questioning the validity of the referendum, with international observers also questioning the vote, saying it lacked equality. Meanwhile, speculation is growing that Turkey may have its talks to join the EU frozen. For his part, Racep Tayip Erdogan has rejected the criticisms, saying the vote was democratic.

More than 1,200 United States marines have started arriving in Darwin today, bringing with it the largest military aircraft deployment to Australia yet. It's part of a rotation deal between the US and Australian defence forces. The leader of the deployment, US Lieutenant Colonel, Brian Middleton says his troops are ready for anything, but that the deployment is no more, or less, strategically important as tensions heighten between the US and North Korea.

Gay and lesbian groups say the New South Wales Government's move to shut down the controversial 'Safe Schools' program is a step backwards for equality. The federally-funded program is designed to educate students about sexual and gender diversity. Many advocates say it's produced positive outcomes and helped many students. But the Christian lobby maintains 'Safe Schools' encourages lifestyle choices that are unhealthy and they want other states to dump it.

Easter has ended abruptly for the family of a boy who's in hospital after falling from a carnival ride on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. The incident has put the spotlight on the safety of carnival rides. But one expert says it almost certainly occurred because a harness wasn't fitted properly, or at all.