United States police said they have uncovered intelligence of a possible plot by a militia group to breach the Capitol building in Washington DC on Thursday.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley will launch the National Plastics Plan in Brisbane today. 

The plan is a part of COAG’s 2019 National Waste Strategy, which recommends Australia divert 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030, and will attack the issue of plastic waste. 

The following story references sexual assault, listeners discretion is advised.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds does not deny reports she referred to the alleged sexual assault victim and former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins as a "lying cow".

North Queensland coastal communities are no longer under threat from Tropical Cyclone Niran.

The cyclone intensified to a category 3 this morning, but it is currently 345 kilometres north-east of Cairns and is slowly heading further away from the mainland.

The cyclone has caused flash flooding and heavy rain in the region. 

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will be administered in South Australia tomorrow. 

Over 300,000 doses of the vaccine arrived in Australia over the weekend and have been approved for use. 

The vaccine will require two doses, each to be administered 21 days apart. 

The Therapeutic Goods Administration may reschedule MDMA and psilocybin from prohibited drugs to controlled drugs. 

The Former Chief of Defence said the change would allow psychedelic drugs to be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. 

Scientists in Iceland say there are strong signs that volcanic eruptions may occur near Mount Keilir following several days of tremors. 

Grants to a farming group associated with a federal MP's brother will be reviewed after a $107,000 grant was awarded to the group, despite them not applying for it.

Monaro Farming Systems, an agricultural group that includes federal MP Angus Taylor’s brother, was offered the grant by the New South Wales Government's Local Land Services department.