The World Today

The presidency of South Africa's Jacob Zuma is looking increasingly shaky. Ministers in his own government have been openly calling for the 74 year old head of state to step down. But Mr Zuma has so far survived attempts to end his leadership.

For the first time since it was established in 1903 a woman will lead the High Court of Australia. Justice Susan Kiefel has served on the High Court since 2007 and will be sworn in as Chief Justice in January next year. The Government says she's been one of Australia's most outstanding legal officers. Justice Kiefel says she's deeply honoured by the appointment and conscious of the responsibility it brings. The legal profession has welcomed her appointment, and the choice of 42 year old Justice James Edelman to fill the High Court vacancy.

Detectives and representatives from the criminal justice system from across Australia are being quizzed about the difficulties in pursuing child abuse cases through the courts. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is exploring a range of reforms already being trialled that are intended to help children give evidence.

The South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has delivered the Government's formal response to the State's Child Protection Systems Royal Commission. At the centre of the response, the Government has more than doubled the $200 million it initially promised to implement the reforms, as well as new child safety laws.

The Federal Government's hopes for a construction industry cop-on-the-beat appear to hinge on whether it's prepared to allow more water to flow down the Murray River to reach South Australia. Negotiations are continuing today with the South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon, who commands the final votes the Government needs to get its legislation to restore the Australian Building and Construction Commission through the Senate.

A Melbourne University study has found people are still struggling nearly eight years on from the Black Saturday bushfires. But it's also found community groups are proving a great comfort.

The great tradition of rolling down the green slopes of Parliament House in Canberra might be barred under plans to bolster security to the building. The proposal to block off the famous lawns to the public is one of a number of security upgrades that are reportedly being considered by parliamentarians. Other measures may include restricting pedestrian access to the building, more armed police patrols and putting up fences and gates around the House. But the public and politicians are divided over whether the security crackdown is necessary, with crossbench Senator Derryn Hinch saying it would be like putting barbed wire around the Opera House.

Former fly-in-fly-out workers have told the ABC they have serious injuries after breathing in toxic smoke from burning rock on one of the world's biggest zinc and lead mines, and that owner Glencore has not offered compensation or assistance. They are also alleging that staff at the McArthur River Mine in the Northern Territory were ordered to cover up the extent of a fire on the huge man-made mountain where the company is dumping its waste rock. For the first time Glencore has publicly confirmed to the ABC that it is aware that one of its workers has alleged they have been injured

The competition regulator has rejected a move by three of Australia's big four banks to collectively boycott Apple's payment system, Apple Pay. The banks had wanted access to Apple's hardware system on its iPhones which allow contactless payments using their own systems. The ACCC's decision is a blow to major banks which are racing to compete with Apple in an increasingly cashless society.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister is proposing drastic measures to reduce the country's shockingly high maternal and infant mortality rates. Peter O'Neill is effectively planning to ban home births, saying he will make it compulsory for women to give birth in a clinic or hospital. Doctors and midwifery groups are pleased the government is finally acting on the high rate of mother and infant deaths, but they say the proposal is completely unworkable in a country where roughly 50 per cent of women give birth in rural villages.