While the threat of a cyclone hitting an already devastated North Queensland has subsided, a monsoon trough remains in place until the weekend, driving more showers, storms and flooding.

The Senate Finance Committee voted Tuesday to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) after a pair of contentious hearings last week.

Kennedy Jr. scrapped with senators for more than four hours Wednesday, trying to defend everything from his “conflicting” ...