The nation of Qatar announced Monday it will withdraw from OPEC, the organization of petroleum exporting countries, in January.

The decision was announced by Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, Qatar’s minister of state for energy affairs, saying steps had been taken to review Qatar’s role and contributions on the international energy scene.

The declaration could make Qatar the first Middle East nation to leave the organization since its founding in 1960.

The World Bank is to make $200 billion available to fund action on climate change from 2021 to 2025, helping countries adapt to the effects of global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The sum represents a doubling of the five-year investment plan put in place after the Paris agreement of 2015.

Jim Yong Kim, president of the World Bank, said the poorest and most vulnerable people were at the greatest risk, and urged other financial institutions to follow its lead.

A new report reveals media giant Village Roadshow donated $6.7m to Australia’s major political parties while successfully lobbying for tougher piracy laws.

Donations of up to 1.2 million dollars coincided with national debates regarding copyright and piracy laws.

Queensland University of Technology intellectual property law expert Matthew Rimmer says it’s difficult to determine how much Village Roadshow influenced decision making.

The impending trade war between China and the United States is delayed by 90 days after a G20 meeting between the two nations reached an agreement on the weekend.

US president Donald Trump says he will hold off imposing a 25% tariff on two hundred billion dollars of Chinese imports to allow for further negotiations on longstanding trade disputes.

The US government hopes to make a number of changes, including reinstating protection for intellectual property for US businesses operating in China.

Israeli president Benjamin Netanyahu is accused of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in a corruption case with over 60 witnesses against the country’s telecom giant Bezeq.

Israeli police allege regulations worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the telecom company came in exchange for positive coverage of the prime minister.

Mr Netanyahu dismisses the calls for his indictment and describes the case as a witch hunt orchestrated by the media.

Australian parliamentarians and their staff are set to be governed by a new code of conduct.

If passed, the bill proposed by Independent MP Cathy McGowan, will instate an independent parliamentary standards commissioner who could refer individuals to a national integrity commission.

Ms Mcgowan needs the support of Labor and all seven crossbenchers to pass the bill.

A helium balloon spotted at Central station yesterday drew Brisbane CBD trains to a halt as Queensland Rail investigated.

Trains between Bowen Hills and Park Road and Bowen Hills to Milton were suspended for up to an hour because they could not proceed without touching the object.

A Queensland Rail spokeswoman says it’s the first time they’ve encountered the bizarre interference and the issue was resolved just after 2pm.

Megachurch Hillsong has taken over Brisbane’s historical Tribal theatre intending on making it the permanent home for their services.

The theatre, also known as the Lyceum opened its doors in 1909 is recognised as Brisbane’s last historic city theatre.

Hillsong’s statement of intentions was released in April and has since sparked fierce opposition from Brisbane residents and the theatre historical society.

A rise in tiger traps is threatening to bring the Sumatran tiger population to extinction in Indonesia.

Local poachers report demand has increased for tigers, with the price growing from 85 to one thousand dollars per tiger.

Only 400 tigers remain in Indonesia, where rapid deforestation drives them further into crowded areas.