The Prime Minister has been briefed by military, foreign policy and intelligence officials in Canberra about the threat posed by North Korea. Malcolm Turnbull has reiterated Australia would come to the aid of the United States, if Pyongyang launches an attack. But it's still not clear what Australia's role in any conflict would involve.

The highly anticipated High Court showdown between the Federal Government and opponents of the same-sex marriage postal survey has been put off until early next month. Marriage equality advocates had been hoping for an immediate injunction to stop the process dead in its tracks. At this stage voters will still only have two weeks to update their enrolment details.

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A NSW dairy farmers group has launched an online petition aimed at increasing support for stopping plant-based products marketing themselves as milk. Laws in Canada already force the distinction, the US debating a similar change and the EU Court of Justice recently ruled plant based products can't use dairy-associated words like milk, cheese or butter. Now dairy farmers want those rules brought here.

While grieving families are relieved that 'No Body No Parole' laws have passed in Queensland, the legal profession says the new laws could mean people wrongly convicted will remain in jail. Prisoners in Queensland convicted of manslaughter or murder will now have to reveal the location of their victim's body if they want parole, under new laws passed unanimously by that state's parliament. The 'No Body No Parole' laws have an Australian-first provision which includes not only those convicted of murder, but anyone convicted of being an accessory after the fact to manslaughter.

A tactical response unit using a tear-gas type substance has brought an eight-hour standoff with inmates to an end at Hobart's Risdon Jail. The incident began yesterday when about 40 prisoners refused to return to their cells after lunch. The union, prisoner rights advocates and the opposition say the jail is overcrowded and understaffed but Tasmania's Correction's minister says it's got more to do with a new smoking ban.

Australian researchers have exposed USB connections as prone to 'leaking' data, making them vulnerable. Testing uncovered that malicious USB interfaces can be used to capture sensitive data like keystrokes from keyboards. It's revealed another avenue that hackers may exploit, prompting a warning to only use trusted devices.

According to an Australian study, Vitamin B3, found in green vegetables and Vegemite, could be a way to prevent some types of birth defects and miscarriages. Scientists say they haven't only found the cause of many birth defects but also the supplement that could offer a cure for some. And it's already on chemist shelves.

The Competition watchdog is worried that a proposed merger between two of Australia's biggest after-school care providers is going hit parents where it hurts. The ACCC claims a merger between Camp Australia and the Junior Adventures Group will result in higher prices for parents, and a reduction in the quality of service for kids. But one Sydney mum has come up with a very simple solution to the whole problem, and it's entirely free.

An Australian Border Force officer and a former customs officer have been charged over their role in an alleged international criminal conspiracy to import massive amounts of drugs and tobacco into Australia. The two accused were among eight people arrested as part of widespread raids across Sydney on Tuesday. Police say they've dismantled an international crime organisation enabled by corrupt public officials.