Explainers

OPINIONSociety and Culture

Unhappy child in the schoolyard.

Let’s make a start to stop bullying

Bullying is extremely harmful but being the meanie can’t be much fun either. Experts suggest that empathy and understanding what makes bullies tick is key to changing their behaviour – here’s how

A woman has sparked millions of tears on TikTok over a sad fact about giraffes. Picture: X

Giraffes’ clever solution to rain

What does a giraffe do when a rainstorm strikes? The answer may surprise you. It turns out not every animal is hardwired to seek shelter when the weather turns nasty – find out why

Georges River Council will host the Lunar New Year festival at Hurstville on February 21, 2026.

Giddy up for the Year of the Horse

Join Asian-Australians celebrating Lunar New Year from February 17 as the rare Year of the Fire Horse brings special significance to family traditions and cultural unity – discover what it’s all about

EXPLAINERNews

Mark Knight cartoon Friday 13th Feb 2026. Angus Taylor to challenge Sussan Ley for the Lib Leadership

Liberals fire up the leader barbie

Australia has a new Opposition Leader after the vote Friday morning, with Sussan Ley going down in flames drawn by Mark Knight as the Libs ‘throwing another leader on the barbie’

EXPLAINERSpace

Space debris. Space Junk. ESA Artist impression. Supplied

Earth’s problem with space junk

More than one million pieces of space junk are thought to be orbiting around Earth, and while they put on a dazzling light show upon re-entry, they pose a major problem for the future

EXPLAINERMoney

Mark Knight cartoon Wednesday 4th Feb 2026. Today's RBA interest rate rise.

All aboard RBA runaway rate train

Award-winning Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight returns to Kid News with the Reserve Bank and Treasury clashing at the coalface of our economy as Aussies become nervous passengers

Cereals thumbnail for 16:9 okay.

Best and worst breakfast cereals

How well do you start your day? Did you know your morning bowl may be packed with sugar and not keep you full? Experts ranked popular boxed breakfasts as choices to embrace or avoid

9/12/18 NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (3rd L) after lighting a candle with members of SydneyÕs Jewish community while celebrating Chanukah Ð the Festival of Lights Ð at Bondi Beach. Tracey Nearmy/Daily Telegraph

Australia in mourning after Bondi

Jewish communities worldwide will celebrate the triumph of light over forces of darkness during Hanukkah festivities this week and despite our nation’s shock and grief, may peace and love prevail

Primeval Caveman Wearing Animal Skin Holds Stone Tipped Spear Looks Around, Explores Prehistoric Forest in a Hunt for Animal Prey. Neanderthal Going Hunting in the Jungle

Fire-starters change human history

New evidence of humans deliberately making fire up to 350,000 years earlier than previously thought has lit up a team of British scientists – find out why fire was such a species game-changer

Aussies have been told to stay extra vigilant as an oppressive heatwave strips the nation, sparking further bushfires and sizzling temperatures.The Bureau of Meteorology warned that while dry and sunnny conditions are expected across much of the country on Monday, it will be wetter across the central and northern NSW coast.,

How to coast through heatwave

Aussies are being reminded to keep cool and stay safe as much of the country is struck by extreme heat. Here are some ways you can play it cool during a heatwave

FOR KATE UREN . This image portrays a young woman deeply engaged with her smartphone, seen through a distorted, swirling blur effect. The artistic composition highlights the concept of doomscrolling, brainrot, digital addiction, social media immersion, and the modern reliance on technology. The surreal perspective creates a sense of detachment, illustrating how screens can shape and blur reality. The warm and cool tones enhance the mood, evoking themes of isolation, distraction, and digital dependency.

What scrolling does to your brain

Ever wondered why you struggle to put down your device? A neuroscientist has revealed why social media is so addictive – and how it could be reshaping young brains for the worse

EXPLAINERScience and Technology

Lucky the rat who is taking part in research in breakthrough dementia research at the Howard Florey Institute. Dr Siew Yeen Chai and Holly Yeatman a research assistant help Lucky through the maze in the lab.

Could Oz end world’s animal labs?

An Australian start-up is using AI to power a game-changing approach to testing new drug treatments that, if successful, could save both human and animal lives. Find out how it works

Mark Knight cartoon Mon 1 Dec 2025 Anthony Albanese and Josie Hayden's wedding

All’s fair in love and wagyu

Love struck twice in Canberra this past week in cartoonist Mark Knight’s take, as the Prime Minister tied the knot while Barnaby Joyce enjoyed a political date with One Nation’s Pauline Hanson

VIDEOExplainers

EV fire thumb art split

Science behind EV fire big bucket

A big roadside bath could be the future emergency response for burning EVs on our roads as a good soaking could be key to safely suppressing vehicle fires that may otherwise last for days

India will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

Comm Games centenary saved

In 2030, Australia’s top athletes will compete at this historic Indian city to mark 100 years of the Commonwealth Games with other member nations – let’s meet the host metropolis

Mark Knight cartoon Thu 26 Nov 2025 Our higher power prices Bowen

Power price pledge unplugged

Do your parents stomp around switching off lights? Well, Mark Knight’s toon delivers this power point: energy costs are currently Australia’s biggest inflation driver despite election promises

Society and Culture

Mark Knight cartoon for Herald Sun, November 18, 2025

‘Slippery slope’ of youth crime

Cartoonist Mark Knight questions whether the justice system needs rehab with an ironic look at the bizarre ‘punishment’ dished out to two young criminals. RED LEVEL (YRS 7-12)