The World Today

Queensland appears to be following New South Wales' lead, and reconsidering controversial lockout laws for pubs and clubs. A 1am lockout was legislated to start next week, but there are reports Queensland's Cabinet will today dumping lockouts and instead make it compulsory for clubs to keep databases of patrons' identities, with a view to excluding trouble-makers. The New South Wales Government announced a trial to soften alcohol management laws in December.

There are high hopes for new Syrian peace negotiations which are due to start in Kazakhstan's capital today. The meeting in Astana, which has been organised by Russia, Turkey and Iran, is expected to last several days. It comes as a ceasefire inside Syria, brokered by Moscow and Ankara, has mostly held for weeks.

Prosecutors in Italy have opened a manslaughter investigation into the deaths of at least six people in an avalanche at a luxury hotel. They're examining whether the weather threat was taken seriously enough. Nine people have been pulled out alive - including four children.

The British government is being accused of covering up the failure of an unarmed ballistic missile launch. The Sunday Times is reporting that the missile veered off course during a test in June last year - weeks before the House of Commons approved an expensive renewal of the UK's aging nuclear missile system, Trident. The British Prime Minister Teresa May has refused to answer questions about whether or not she knew about the apparent error at the time the vote happened.

While US markets bounced after Donald Trump's inauguration as US president, investors are nervous about Donald Trump's expansionary and protectionist policies. The listed fund Australian Foundation Investment Company says uncertainty from the Trump administration is likely to increase volatility in markets. ABC's Peter Ryan speaks with AFIC managing director Ross Barker.

Featured: AFIC managing director Ross Barker

Festivities have begun for Donald Trump's presidential inauguration. Security is out in full force across Washington DC, as Trump supporters celebrate the controversial businessman's rise to the top of the American political tree. Protesters have also flocked to the city are planning a series of rallies to voice their opposition to Mr Trump.

Preparing for this year's lighter side of the US Presidential inauguration has been more challenging than in previous years. Many celebrities have refused to perform, out of protest against President-elect Trump, or as a response to backlash from fans. That contrasts with previous inaugurations, which have featured the likes of Beyonce, U2, Bob Dylan and Frank Sinatra. An expert in contemporary and pop music says the reaction has been unprecedented, but he doubts it will have a significant impact on the Trump presidency. He argues that inauguration events now serve as a cultural and social barometer and that it will be interesting to see how that plays out over the next four years.

The New South Wales Treasurer, Gladys Berejiklian, has encouraged her colleagues to run for the position of Liberal Party leader, saying there'll be no hard feelings if they do. Earlier today Ms Berejiklian said she was taking nothing for granted, as she re-confirmed her intention to stand as the state's next premier.

Victoria's biggest exporter, Alcoa's Portland aluminium smelter, has been saved by a rescue package of about $230 million from the Victorian and Commonwealth governments. The smelter was crippled by a power outage last December, which left it operating at a third of its capacity.

The lawyer for a man found to have been discriminated against by Queensland Police says he's stunned that an appeal has been lodged against the ruling. Palm Island man Lex Wotton was jailed for inciting a riot on the island in 2004, after the death in custody of Cameron Doomadgee. Last December the Federal Court ordered the state to pay more than $200,000 in damages to Lex Wotton. But police are appealing against that decision, saying the findings are not supported by evidence. They also believe the damages are excessive.