The World Today

Iraqi army forces have advanced further into northern Mosul, after pushing out Islamic State fighters. It's an important capture for the army, which hopes to take the country's last stronghold, to the west of the city. Meanwhile, asylum seekers and refugees are facing freezing conditions as snow sweeps across eastern Europe. Around 7,000 people are thought to be stranded in Serbia as they wait for their asylum claims to be processed. However, refugee camps are full, forcing many new arrivals to seek shelter elsewhere.

A new theory is being advanced by scientists today about the origins of the Moon. For decades it's been believed the Moon was formed from a big chunk of the Earth itself, sheared off in a glancing collision with an object the size of Mars. But now Israeli researchers have advanced a new model to account for why that Mars-like object was inexplicably obliterated in the impact. They contend the Earth once had a number of smaller moonlets, created from a series of impacts which gradually coalesced to form the moon over around 100 million years or so.

Medicinal cannabis advocates are calling for an amnesty for people using the drug for treatment, as the framework to grant them legal access is established. Some parents in New South Wales have faced criminal charges after supplying cannabis to treat their chronically ill children. It follows a police raid on a pensioner in South Australia who was supplying cannabis oil to more than 100 sick and terminally ill people around the country.

US President-elect Donald Trump concedes Russia did engage in election cyber attacks, with a senior member of his team warning that action 'may be taken'. It's the first time the incoming president has accepted the conclusion made by the country's intelligence community. The admission comes as the US again vows to increase its military presence in eastern Europe, to deter Russian aggression. Donald Trump's change in tune comes after Republican senators spoke out, urging him to 'push back' against Russian interference.

Sussan Ley has been forced to stand aside as Health Minister, pending an investigation into her travel expenses. Ms Ley came under fire after it was revealed she'd bought a $795,000 apartment whilst on a taxpayer-funded trip to the Gold Coast. It has since been revealed that the Minister has taken 20 trips to the Gold Coast in the past three years, including trips around New Year's Eve in 2013 and 2014. The Minister has apologised for what she has described as an 'error of judgement' when she bought the apartment, but today insisted that she did nothing wrong.

What are Vladimir Putin's plans for Russia's relations with the United States? Molly McKew is a foreign policy consultant and information warfare expert, who worked as an adviser to former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili and who writes for Washington-based news outlet Politico. Speaking with The World Today's Nick Grimm, she believes that Russia is not intent on building a pro-Russian bloc or a Soviet-style entity; rather, that Russia aims to instil 'non-linear war' - a world of constantly shifting alliances, a war of 'all against all' where no nation is certain of its power or reach in the world.

Youths are being punished after a riot at the weekend in a Victorian youth detention centre. The Community and Public Sector Union says it was set off by the detainees wanting to use the swimming pool on a hot day.

New research shows that Australia's wealthiest suburbs are among the most vulnerable postcodes in terms of mortgage stress. The analysis also shows that how those wealthier households fare over the next 12 months will determine if Australia experiences a property crisis. The 'acid test' will be whether they can successfully manage their finances in 2017 - or slide backwards.

Indonesia has retreated from its surprise suspension of military ties with Australia. Indonesia's President, Joko Widodo, appears to have overruled his defence chief, General Gatot Nurmantyo, downplaying the magnitude of the issue and indicating that cooperation between the two militaries will continue with only limited impact. Indonesia says the cut in ties will only apply to language training courses. Meanwhile, General Gatot has provoked further controversy in a speech to university students, vowing to attack Chinese refugees - and then feed them to sharks.

The rift between Australia and Indonesia over offensive posters at a training base in Perth has also highlighted tensions between Indonesian President Joko Widodo and military chief General Gatot Nurmantyo. The incident is likely to serve as a final caution for the military leader, who has created a number of problems for the Widodo Government over the past few months. It also could be a signal of the general's future political plans.