Thai police have closed a Bangkok forum on potential prosecution of Myanmar military officers after their alleged abuse of Rohingya Muslims.

Police attributed potential threats to national security and foreign relations as the reasons behind the intervention.

This is believed to be the sixth time police have forcibly cancelled similar events.

Tanzanian president John Magulfuli has advised Tanzanians to stop using contraception in order to boost the nation’s population.

President Magulfuli has said those who use contraception are lazy and do not want to work hard to feed a large family.

Parliament member Cecil Mwambe said the statements are inconsistent with policy, and that the country’s health insurance can only currently accommodate a maximum of four children per family.

Morningside councillor Kara Cook has called for a smoking ban to reduce “clouds of toxic smoke” on Edward, Ann and Queen St footpaths.

Cook presented a petition to the Brisbane City Council asking to enforce the Edward and Ann street hostel to take responsibility for cigarette litter and congestion outside the hostel's entry.

While the council assessed the request, they ruled a smoking ban was already in place within the area, and the litter was the obligation of hotel management.

Fewer than one third of a projected 21 000 passengers are actually using the Redcliffe Peninsula rail line.

Queensland Rail Chief Executive Nick Easy said only Translink can explain why so few people are using the service.

Public Transport advocacy group, Rail Back on Track, said the lack of express services and poor bus connections are contributing to commuters avoiding the service.

Over $15 million dollars worth of gold specimens have been uncovered in an outback mine in Western Australia.

Underground miners in the Beta Hunt mine near Kambalda, situated 630km from Perth, discovered the gold encrusted rocks 500 metres below surface level.

Senior geologist Zaf Thanos said this is a once in a lifetime discovery, with this sort of bonanza zone being “incredibly unique” in Australia.

A group of war veterans who served in Afghanistan are campaigning to urge Peter Dutton to grant humanitarian visas to Afghan translators who helped Australian soldiers overseas.

In an ABC interview, ex-Army Captain Jason Scanes said people should make sure they stand up for their mates if they can see an injustice.

Peter Dutton continues to face backlash for granting visas to two au pairs who had breached their visa conditions.

Up to one million residents on the eastern coast of the United States will be evacuated ahead of Hurricane Florence’s predicted arrival.

With warnings of inland flooding, high winds, and widespread power outages, the National Hurricane Centre said Florence could be an extremely dangerous meteorological event.

Florence is expected to hit South Carolina or North Carolina on Thursday.

The Cambodian National Rescue Party leader has been released from prison, but is still awaiting trial for treason.

Kem Sohka was arrested for allegedly conspiring with the United States to overthrow the Cambodian government, which both parties deny.

The CNRP was seen as the only viable challenge to the 30-year rule of the Cambodian People’s Party, and was dissolved along with Sohka’s arrest last September.