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.

The threat appears to be connected to a far-right conspiracy theory that Trump will rise again to power on March 4th. The date was the original presidential inauguration day until 1933. 

The United States Capitol Police Department said they are prepared for any potential threats towards members of Congress and the Capitol complex.

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 Queensland government will pass new legislation this month to ban disposable plastic straws, plates and cutlery.

The minister said, “This is the first national strategy, one that attacks the issue from all sides and which sets clear targets over the next decade.”

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".

Senator Reynolds made the remarks in front of staff members after Ms Higgins went public about an alleged sexual assault inside the ministerial wing of Parliament House in 2019. 

Senator Reynold said the comments were in response to news reports regarding circumstances that she felt had been misrepresented.

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. 

It is likely to reach peak intensity over the Coral Sea on Friday, then gradually weaken as it moves further south-eastwards.

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. 

Retired admiral Chris Barrie said if the drugs were downgraded they could be used to expand research.

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

The volcano is located 12 kilometres from Keplavik International Airport and about 30 kilometres south of the capital, Reykjavik.

Víðir Reynisson of the island’s civil defence force said it was “more likely than not” that an eruption would occur – the first in the area since the 12th century.

The eruption poses no immediate danger to the island. 

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.

NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall said he hold an internal review into the grant.