History

Animals
Scientists described the ichthyosaur as a reptile version of a dolphin. Dearcmhara shawcrossi. Artist: Todd Marshall/ PA

Ancient sea monster found in Qld

Australia’s most complete ichthyosaur fossil has been unearthed in outback Queensland, with the seven-metre long skeleton set to reveal new secrets about the ancient marine predators

Explainers
Mark Knight toon August 17

Putin rides away from Alaska talks

Cartoonist Mark Knight had a lot more fun than Trump with the much-hyped Alaska summit with President Putin – but days later it was the sharp suit on Ukraine’s President Zelensky for the win

Space
The new discovery could change everything. Picture: Supplied

Black hole find challenges history

Astronomers have discovered what is thought to be the largest black hole in the history of space and the ‘over-massive’ find could rewrite accepted theories of the origins of the universe

Space
a a a a a a

Legendary NASA astronaut dies

Space veteran and Apollo 13 legend Jim Lovell has passed away peacefully at the age of 97 – discover why his name will forever be written in the stars as a true hero of early space exploration

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Explainers
Mark Knight's parody of the coveted Gold Logie sees a number of dubious contenders vying for the leadership award. Picture: Mark Knight

Gold leadership Logie goes to …

Award-winning cartoonist Mark Knight delivers a classic slow clap to world leaders in his satirical spin on the coveted Gold Logie, with nominees noteworthy for woes created in their wake

VIDEOAnimals
Victorian zoo  announce the birth of a giraffe at Melbourne Zoo, the first calf to be born at the zoo in almost 20 years. First-time mother Nakuru and her yet-to-be-named son are bonding in the privacy of the barn in this critical early period. Supplied: Zoos Victoria

Historic giraffe birth at Aussie zoo

First-time mother Nakuru has made history at Melbourne Zoo with the safe – and swift – birth of a healthy calf, the first giraffe born at the city zoo in almost two decades WATCH THE VIDEO

Animals
Monster rat found in home, locals disgusted

Rodent size goes rogue in the UK

French charm in the animated film Ratatouille helped lift the rat’s reputation but the heebies have hit hard after one giant creature was caught in the UK – but is widespread rat revulsion deserved?

Explainers
The sheer intensity and energy exploding from this quake. 😳
8.7 mag earthquake in #Russia. Tsunami warnings and watches. Picture  X @GEZUPA

What’s a tsunami warning system?

The world’s worst earthquake in 14 years off the coast of Russia set off tsunami alerts in multiple countries and waves hit the coast of Russia and Japan – so how does Australia stay alert and safe?

VIDEOHistory
Researchers have feared causing damage to the intricately wrapped fabric of the Bashiri Mummy. Photo: Vania Teofilo/Wikipedia

Tech unwraps mummified mystery

For more than two millennia, this Egyptian mummy known as “the untouchable one” has stayed under wraps for fear of damaging it – until now. Find out what hi-tech scans revealed

VIDEOSport
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Ashleigh Barty of Australia plays a backhand in her Ladies' Singles fourth round match against Alison Riske of The United States during Day Seven of The Championships - Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Best Aussie athlete of 21st century

Australia has a vast treasure-trove of exceptional sporting exports, but our best athlete of the past 25 years has been named – do you agree with the top pick and who else made the list? Take our poll

Animals
Dingo puppies Muffin and Rusty with Lily Gabriel, River Craig and Wyatt Craig at the Australian Reptile Park. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Dingo pups melt hearts at park

Eight-week-old dingo duo Muffin and Rusty are winning over young crowds at the Australian Reptile Park with their playful antics, leaving some wishing they could take the playful pair home

Explainers
Mark Knight cartoon for Herald Sun, June 25, 2025

‘Peace in our time’ blast from past

The US President claiming a total ceasefire as hostilities continued in the Middle East recalled a cautionary quote nearly a century old that reminded Mark Knight of the fragility of peace in war

UPDATEDExplainers
IN FLIGHT - JUNE 24: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One on the way to the 2025 NATO Summit on June 24, 2025 in flight. This year's NATO summit, which brings together heads of state and government from across the military alliance, is being held in the Netherlands for the first time. Among other matters, members are to approve a new defense investment plan that raises the target for defense spending to 5% of GDP.   Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Andrew Harnik / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Shaky ceasefire btwn Israel, Iran

US President Donald Trump claimed credit for a ceasefire that Israel and Iran both denied before a shambolic day of uncertainty and breaches – now what? RED LEVEL (YEARS 7-8)

History
The sacrificial sword straddled the Christian-Viking divide.

Viking sword pulled from river

A 900-year-old sword with strange markings from both the Christian and Viking worlds has been discovered in a river in the Netherlands. But how did it get there? And what was it used for?

History
Captain Cook’s lost ship finally found

Captain Cook’s ship found at last

The infamous ship on which Captain Cook first sailed to Australia has been identified as a wreck off the east coast of America – but how did the Endeavour sink and why did it have a new name?

VIDEOArts
Tourists wait outside the Louvre museum which failed to open on time Monday, June 16, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Why the famed Louvre shut down

Arguably the world’s most famous museum and officially its most-visited, the Louvre – a global symbol of art, beauty, culture and lasting history – was shut down this week … but why?

BREAKINGSport
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - JUNE 10: Connor Metcalfe of Australia celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Aziz Behich during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round Three AFC Asian Qualifier match between Saudi Arabia and Australia Socceroos at King Abdullah Sports City on June 10, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Socceroos qualify for World Cup

The Socceroos are going to their sixth successive FIFA World Cup after the Australians sealed automatic qualification in style with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah

Animals
Artist impression of Diamantinasaurus matildae (Judy). Picture: Travis Tischler

Dino’s dinner studied from fossils

The last meal of a sauropod that roamed the earth 95 million years ago has been identified from fossilised remains using advanced geothermal analysis. So what did the giant dinosaur eat?