The World Today

Australian researchers are hailing a new in vitro method of developing cancer tumours as a way to revolutionise treatment. The team from Monash University has developed a mini laboratory to grow a patient's three-dimensional tumour outside the body.

The Treasurer, Scott Morrison, says an independent forecaster is right to warn of the impact of slow wages growth on the budget deficit. Deloitte Access Economics has made the warning today, saying recent higher commodity prices aren't enough to improve the budget position. Mr Morrison says that's why the Government wants to cut the corporate tax rate, but he says the legislation to do that won't be voted on before the end of this year. The Government is instead focusing on the two industrial relations bills it used to call the double dissolution election.

Pensioner groups say they're being unfairly targeted after an influential think-tank called for tax breaks to be cut for older Australians. The Grattan Institute says there are three benefits worth a billion dollars a year that older Australians can access and that aren't available to people aged under 65. The welfare lobby group ACOSS says the report shows how manifestly unfair the tax system is. However, key Seniors group the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association, say older Australians are being unfairly targeted.

South Australia's embattled child protection system is once again in the spotlight, after it was revealed a department employee has been charged with child sex offences. The man will face court for the first time today. The event follows countless reviews and reports and a recent attempt by the government to rebuild the system.

An Australian woman has been arrested in Cambodia accused of running an illegal surrogacy clinic for couples wanting children. Tammy Davis-Charles had already moved her clinic from Thailand to Cambodia after the Thai government banned surrogacy last year. She's also accused of supplying fake documents such as birth certificates. Her arrest comes after months of surveillance by Cambodian - and apparently Australian - authorities.

The executive director of the troubled Cleveland youth detention centre in Townsville has left the position, but there's controversy over whether he resigned or was forced out. It comes at the same time as an independent review into allegations of mistreatment at the centre and a separate investigation into a recent riot which left some staff seriously injured. Former workers at the centre say the departure is just the beginning of a staff exodus.

The Greater Sydney Commission has released a 40-year plan for Sydney which envisions three major centres, to disperse jobs and homes and to build a '30 minute city'. It also takes aim at Sydney's housing affordability crisis, proposing all new developments include between five and 10 per cent of affordable housing - a move unpopular with property developers.

Australian construction giant Boral has made a US$2.6 billion proposal to buy the American building products company Headwaters. The proposed deal comes as Donald Trump's promise to rebuild America has created a bonanza for infrastructure stocks. The deal is subject to approval from US regulators and Headwaters shareholders.

A Syrian refugee in Australia has spoken out about the use of 'starve or surrender' tactics in the civil war that has lasted for five years. Nurse Khaled Naanaa ran the only medical clinic in Madaya.

The Australian Institute of International Affairs is launching the latest edition of its Australia in World Affairs series, titled 'Navigating the New International Disorder'. The Institute has published the book every 5 years since 1950.