The chairman of the United States House Oversight Committee believes US President Donald Trump ‘appears’ to have committed crime.

Chairman Elijah Cummings spoke to reporters after a day-long hearing with Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, referring to Cohen’s admission to breaking campaign finance laws at Trump's direction in a guilty plea last year.

However, Chairman Cummings declined to say whether Trump should be removed from office as a result.

A UK shooting range is being criticised for using a photo of a teenager who travelled to Syria to join IS, as target practice.

Shamima Begum’s image appeared on targets at the Ultimate Airsoft Range following a BBC interview in which she pleaded for the British government to let her return to the country.

A spokesperson for the shooting range said her image was placed on the targets after seeing the lack of remorse and empathy the 19-year-old showed.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a heatwave will affect most of Victoria and will bring stuffy overnight temperatures on Friday and Saturday.

The Chief Health Officer has issued a heat health alert for Victorians in the central district from Thursday through to Saturday, warning that the elderly, children and those with pre-existing medical conditions are most at risk.

Emergency Management Victoria warned fire danger ratings will likely increase to severe in some areas on Saturday, with temperatures tipped to reach up to 40 degrees.

Incoming ABC chair Ita Buttrose has said her top priority is to restore stability to the public broadcaster.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also officially announced he will recommend Ms Buttrose to the Governor-General as the new leader of the ABC.

Ms Buttrose said after the recent period of unrest, it is time to get the ABC “functioning again” and said a close relationship between the chair and the managing director is important.

Relatives of the two boys found dead in a Townsville river have launched a GoFundMe page to bring the boys’ bodies back to their hometown in Darwin for a cultural smoking ceremony in their honour.

As of this morning, the appeal has reached just over $6,700 of their $9,000 goal.

Advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights and family spokeswoman Gracelyn Smallwood thanked the local community for their search efforts and outpouring of support from Australia and globally.

Farming groups and a crossbench MP have slammed moves to protect the Great Barrier Reef from agricultural run-off.

Queensland Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch has introduced laws to reduce run-off from agriculture and direct pollution sources from intensive land uses like sewage treatment plants and mining.

Nick Dametto from Katter's Australian Party says he fears farmers would suffer from bureaucratic green tape if the bill was passed and that it is a complete assault on farming.

The UK parliament has backed Prime Minister Theresa May’s promise on allowing members of parliament to vote on whether Brexit should be delayed.

Some pro-Brexit politicians abstained from voting to support the decision as they fear a delay may be used to avoid Brexit entirely.

If May does not receive backing for her withdrawal deal by March 12, members of parliament will vote on whether to leave the EU with no deal or seek to postpone the current Brexit day of March 29.

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill requiring background checks for all firearms sales and transfers.

The bill passed the Democratic-controlled Lower House with 240 votes to 190 votes opposed but still faces tough opposition from Republicans in the Senate.

President Donald Trump, who is threatening to veto the bill, said it would impose unreasonable requirements on gun owners, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described the vote as long-overdue and a historic victory.

The Australian Federal Government has published a list of more than 100 institutions yet to sign up to the National Redress Scheme for victims of child sexual abuse.

The extensive list includes several religious institutions, as well as sporting and community groups, and provides timeframes for institutions that indicated they would sign up but have not done so yet.

Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher has urged institutions to sign up as soon as possible.