Environment

Animals
Eastern quolls at Bonorong after successful conservation translocation of 24 eastern quolls to The Quoin in the Midlands. 3 March 2025. Picture: Elise Kaine

Marsupials quoll-ify for new home

The eastern quoll has been extinct on mainland Australia for more than 50 years and scientists are concerned about their future in Tasmania but a conservation plan hopes to boost numbers

Environment
Labor councillors Jared Cassidy and Kara Cook will launch a new policy to include food scraps in green bins. Pics Tara Croser.

Composting mandatory for millions

One Australian state is leading the way in cutting out waste after it passed a new statewide mandate that will give all households access to Food Organics and Garden Organics recycling (FOGO)

Animals
The discovery has led to the confirmation of the existence of large carnivorous dinosaurs on what would become the Australian continent. Picture: Jonathan Metzger/Supplied

Apex predator an Australian first

Landmark new evidence points to a unique food chain led by a previously undiscovered carnivorous dinosaur that roamed the Australian continent over 100 million years ago

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Explainers
A handout photo taken on February 11, 2025 and released on February 13, 2025 by the Australian Defence Force shows China's People’s Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, part of a task group operating to the north east of Australia. (Photo by Handout / AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE / AFP) / ----EDITORS NOTE ----RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE MANDATORY CREDIT " AFP PHOTO / AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE" NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Surveillance on the high seas

The Australian Defence Force says it is keeping a close eye on three Chinese Warships spotted off the coast of Sydney, but what are they doing there and why are they being monitored?

Explainers
Cyclone Zelia is causing chaos after landing on the WA coast. Picture: Sky News

How do cyclones get their names?

There’s often a story behind the name we’re given and it’s true of cyclones too – find out why Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is the reason that Australia’s next cyclone will be named ‘Alfred’

VIDEOAnimals
Members of the herd explore the expansive surrounds of their new home at Werribee Open Range Zoo. Picture: supplied

Entire elephant herd moves house

There was happy trumpeting and tears of joy as nine Asian elephants arrived at their new home, leaving behind the big smoke of Melbourne for their expansive new $88 million regional habitat

VIDEOAnimals
A male kayaker was swallowed by a humpback whale off Chilean Patagonia before being released seconds later, unharmed., Adrián Simancas was kayaking with his father, who filmed this video as the massive mammal suddenly surfaced. Picture X

Whale swallows kayaker then spits

A kayaking trip took an unforgettable turn when a humpback whale swallowed a paddler before immediately spitting him out, with the jaw-dropping moment caught on camera – see the video

Environment
Close-up of genetically modified bananas.

Why banana prices may go troppo

Australian farmers battle drought, floods, fire, invasive species and closed roads to get fruit and vegetables to the nation’s tables – here’s why fresh bananas are a luxury after north QLD floods

News
Mark Knight cartoon
Thu 6 Feb 2025
Donald Trump
Gaza

Trump touts Gaza MAGA makeover

Donald Trump’s ‘Riviera of the Middle East’ vision for war-ravaged Gaza left the world spinning, but the US President’s past life as a property developer gave cartoonist Mark Knight an idea

History
a a a a a

Map clue points to missing colony

A hidden detail in a 400-year-old map has uncovered new clues into the whereabouts of an English colony that went missing three years after it landed off the coast of North America in 1587

Geography
SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 28: In this photo illustration, the Gulf of Mexico is displayed on the Google Maps app on January 28, 2025 in San Anselmo, California. Google announced plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” on Google Maps for United States users once the change formally goes into effect. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office to change the name. (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Photo by JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Google to rename Gulf of Mexico

Executive orders signed by American President Donald Trump hours after his Jan 20 inauguration include changing place names to more US-centric options – with Google Maps already on board

Explainers
KIDS NEWS 2024: Mark Knight's 2024 Christmas card suggests Santa might have to pedal hard to keep the Christmas tree lights on as an energy supply crisis looms in Australia. Picture: Mark Knight

Who will leave lights on for Santa?

Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight has come up with a festive plan for keeping the lights on over Christmas as the electricity grid struggles with supply – but can Santa keep up with demand?

Explainers
Mark Knight toon Nov 24

Farewell tribute to forever friends

The tragic loss of Australian teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles this past week was felt around the nation, as captured in cartoonist Mark Knight’s poignant picture of youth and beauty

Environment
General, generic stock photo of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef off the Far North Queensland coast. The photo was taken on March 20 from an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Domier 328 plane, commissioned by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) to survey the impact of coral bleaching on the northern Great Barrier Reef. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Great Barrier Reef coral in decline

New findings from the Great Barrier Reef show a large chunk of coral has disappeared from its northern section as warmer waters, cyclones and floods wreak havoc on the mighty natural wonder