The Moscow-backed Syrian constitutional committee has met for the first time under UN auspices to chart a political settlement and to end the eight-and -a-half-year civil war.

Foreign ministers from Russia, Iran and Turkey congregated in Geneva, overseen by UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pederson,  with expectations low that the Syrian government will see the need to make any major political concessions to secure western recognition.

Thailand’s king has fired four royal guards, as purges continue after his royal consort was stripped of all titles for “disloyalty”.

According to the Royal Gazette, two guards from the bedroom section have committed inappropriate acts and adultery. 

Thailand’s royal family is protected by a defamation law that makes scrutiny of its actions all but impossible within the kingdom.

A recent University of Queensland study reveals there was a 626 per cent increase in the calculated impact on climate as a result of tropical forest clearing between 2000 and 2013.

UQ conservation scientist Dr Sean Maxwell says the analysis considers all impacts such as the effects of selective logging, forgone carbon sequestration, expanding effects on the edges of forests and species extinction.

Kiribati has detained Nine Network journalist Liam Bartlett and other members of a 60 minutes crew and will deport them from the country after denying their request to film. 

Kiribati government officials said the Australians has been detained since Tuesday due to ‘false and misleading information’ over the purpose of their visit

They [60 Minutes] intentionally came to Kiribati without applying for a permit and then lied about the reason for their visit to immigration officers at the airport," a Kiribati Government spokesperson said. 

One of Brisbane’s longest-running indoor bowls clubs will be forced to close after 70 years. 

Despite major renovations to the Broncos club finishing in mid-October, the Broncos Indoor Bowls Club (BIBC) have been told the space will no longer be available.

Narelle Jeffs, BIBC president says the team is disappointed that the Broncos have been unable to find space for them, however they are grateful to have been able to bowl there for so many years.

Candidates in the 2020 Logan election have been warned of new state government laws to be introduced on November 18 this year.

The new laws rule all candidates running on a group ticket or for a political party must declare their allegiances.

Logan mayoral candidate Darren Power, says some Logan candidates were unaware of the changing laws and had surreptitiously formed teams.

“The legislation is very strict and unless candidates are informed they may inadvertently cross the line without realising it," Mr Power said. 

Teenage activist Greta Thunberg has rejected the Nordic Council’s environmental award saying the climate movement does not need any more awards. 

Ms Thunberg says while the award is a great honour it’s more important the politicians and people in power listen to current and best-available science. 

In an Instagram post, Ms Thuburg said "The Nordic countries have a great reputation around the world when it comes to climate and environmental issues,” but Nordic energy consumption tells another story.

Ex-US National Secretary Advisor John Bolton has been summoned to testify in the congressional impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump next month.

Mr Bolton left his position in September this year after losing support from President Trump.

According to a witness testimony Mr Bolton likened the alleged proposal, between the US President and Ukraine, to a “drug deal”.

President Trump rejects claims he pressured Ukraine to investigate former US Vice-President Joe Biden and his son.