Weather
Australia’s environment report reveals ‘crisis’
environmentExtreme weather events are having a compounding effect on Australia’s native plant and animal species, as latest five-yearly report reveals the nation’s natural environment is struggling
Turtle and croc strike up unlikely friendship
animalsA fearless turtle appears to have struck up an unlikely friendship with a crocodile in northeast Queensland, with locals snapping a picture of it riding on the croc’s back
NASA rocket launches from NT
spaceA NASA rocket lit up the skies above the Arnhem Space Centre at Sunday night’s launch, the first rocket to leave Australian soil in 26 years and the space agency’s first outside the USA
Latest
La Nina’s over but don’t put your umbrella away yet
Just when we thought we had seen the end of the La Nina climate driver responsible for dumping all that rain, the weather bureau is warning it could be back for a third year in a row
Lion with mullet causes uproar at Chinese zoo
Even lions can have a bad hair day. Just ask Hang Hang. The big cat’s once glorious mane looks more like a mullet, with keepers blaming hot and humid weather
Great Barrier Reef’s summer of bleach grief
Cooler La Nina conditions over summer were not enough to stop mass bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef as the annual snapshot reveals 91 per cent of surveyed reefs show signs of stress
How to have a native animal Easter
Australia’s beloved koala is now officially an endangered species – but families can help conservation efforts simply by downloading a free children’s book over Easter
Taxis jump queue to get queen bees to hives
An exclusive new chauffeur service delivers VIP levels of comfort and security to a very small but vital customer base – queen bees in need of a ride as they relocate with their hives
Why do we have daylight saving?
As many Australians prepare to wind back their clocks to regular time this weekend, let’s take a look at where daylight saving came from and why some states have it and others don’t
Simultaneous heatwave at North and South Poles
A weather event has seen temperatures jump at opposite ends of the globe despite the Arctic and Antarctic regions being in opposing seasons
Solar storm could bring light show
The latest solar flare ejected from the sun could deliver a beautiful aurora light display … and possibly switch off the power
Two epic blobs below Earth’s surface
Beneath the surface of our planet lie two gigantic ‘rock blobs’ that are 100 times taller than Mount Everest and could be the remains of an alien world
Amazon could become treeless savanna
Lowering the Amazon Basin’s ability to withstand climate change and sustained deforestation would have worldwide impacts
Rain could last until August
The east coast of Australia could be in for a wet, wet, wet autumn and winter as La Niña looks set to be here for the long haul
Nature and climate change make a destructive mix
Mark Knight has captured the catastrophic force of the Queensland and NSW ‘rain bomb’ in his latest cartoon for Kids News
PM Scott Morrison has Covid-19
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will isolate for a week after developing a fever and testing positive to Covid-19, while it’s back to work for the Queen
Dealing with the world’s worries
It’s normal to feel worried about all the bad news in the world right now. Childhood expert Dr Joe Tucci has some great tips for dealing with your feelings
Global warming threat to outdoor sport
The Australian way of life will have to change unless leaders take greater action now to address climate change
School’s out as Qld floods cause havoc
A deadly eastern brown snake became an unlikely saviour to mice and frogs during severe flooding, as Queensland closed nearly 1000 schools and the storms headed south to northern NSW
See ya later alligator!
Keepers had to recapture a large alligator that tried to make his escape from a NSW wildlife park during flooding rain. WATCH THE VIDEO
How did Beijing get Olympics blue sky?
Beijing’s smog is notorious. But the Chinese capital has enjoyed blue skies like this for much of the Winter Olympics. How did it do it?
Great Barrier Reef’s coral baby boom
Corals born during an innovative IVF project have reached maturity in time for a reproductive rush at the Great Barrier Reef’s annual mass spawning event
Saving Mawson’s remote Antarctic huts
Extreme isolation on ice awaits a team tasked with preserving Sir Douglas Mawson’s 110 year old Antarctic timber huts
Cold, wet summer Down Under
Dreams of the perfect Aussie summer have been dashed as La Niña starts to lash eastern states with rain, wind and cold
Assassin spiders dodge death
Kangaroo Island assassin spiders have been found alive almost two years after bushfires were feared to have wiped them out
Aurora Australis puts on a stunning southern show
Keen photographers made the most of Aurora Australis in the night skies over Victoria – a rare, beautiful sight invisible to the naked eye
Jupiter’s gigantic storm captured in infra-red
Spectacular infra-red images of Jupiter’s atmosphere taken by NASA’s Juno spacecraft have been revealed as fresh data shows the Great Red Spot storm extends hundreds of kilometres below its clouds
Greenhouse gas levels hit record high
The UN has issued a strong challenge to global leaders ahead of the COP26 summit, warning that greenhouse gas levels remain too high to meet temperature targets
Lava flow makes Spanish island bigger
Satellite imagery shows molten rock has extended the size of La Palma’s western shore as volcanic eruptions continue
How rising sea levels could impact landmarks
Scientists have illustrated the possible impact of global warming in a series of digital images that show how rising sea levels could affect world landmarks including the Sydney Opera House
Fluffy clouds to help save Great Barrier Reef
Cloud cover generated by a turbine is helping cool conditions and reduce coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef
Kid poets published in bushfire book
The winners of the Kids News Bushfire Poetry Competition have had their poems included in the book Fighting Spirit: A tribute to the bushfire-affected communities of Australia’s Black Summer
Thai taxis become bonnet and rooftop gardens
Without tourist trade keeping taxi fares ticking over in the Thai capital, one Bangkok cab company has devised a novel solution to help feed its unemployed drivers
Lava slows after volcano erupts
Tourists and residents have been safely evacuated from affected areas of Spain’s Canary Islands after the region’s first volcanic eruption in 50 years
Coral atlas maps the world’s reefs
The Allen Coral Atlas delivers the first-ever detailed, digital map of global coral for conservationists and ocean lovers the world over
New plan to save Aussie animals
NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean marked Threatened Species Day by announcing a bold plan to end extinction fears for Australia’s best loved fauna and flora
The hunt begins for sunken ships
Fishing fleets will hunt for hundreds of shipwrecks off the Victorian coast in a new push to preserve Australia’s maritime history
Global climate changing by degrees
Experts say the international effort to limit global warming by keeping temperature rises to two degrees by 2060 is under pressure
Ancient Egyptian shipwreck found in the Mediterranean Sea
Buried beneath 5m of clay, archaeologists have made the incredible discovery of a 2200-year-old Egyptian shipwreck
Evidence of regrowth on the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef has gone through an important period of recovery, spared the impact of heatwaves and tropical cyclones over the past year
Aussie python celebrates World Snake Day
Big Ronny the scrub python is in lockdown in Sydney, but the whopper reptile will ‘shake it off’ by shedding his skin just in time for World Snake Day
Great Barrier Reef headed for endangered list
The United Nations has recommended the Great Barrier Reef be listed as 'in danger' but the federal government is fighting the move
Astronauts install new solar panels in space
It's been a busy week in space as astronauts at the International Space Station install new solar panels and three Chinese astronauts step aboard China’s module for a historic three-month stay
Students test sea rubbish removal with robots
Year 7 students in SA have begun testing robotic rubbish collectors in the school pool, with their sights set on one day cleaning up waste-filled water worldwide
Raining spiders after Victorian floods
Despite headlines of an ‘arachnid apocalypse’ and startling images of cobwebs blanketing country Victoria, locals and experts alike are mesmerised by the spiders’ ingenious survival technique
Teen climate warriors have their day in court
Aussie teenage climate activists have lost their court bid to stop a NSW mine expansion, but ‘duty of care’ ruling declared a win
Earth’s scorching desert heat tops 80C
Death Valley is no longer the hottest place on Earth, according to scientists who have found two even hotter places. We look at how Australia’s hottest places compare
Antarctic ice shelf calves massive iceberg
An iceberg 170km long, 25km wide and the largest of its kind in the world has broken off Antarctica. It formed as scientists reported the previous largest iceberg had broken up and melted
World Bee Day creates buzz
We all know bees make honey, but their importance in Australia extends far beyond producing a beloved breakfast spread
Aussie coins encourage conservation in kids
Zookeeper and bushfire survivor Chad Staples says showcasing native creatures in the Great Aussie Coin Hunt is “so important” for conservation awareness
Sherpa Kami summits Everest for record 25th time
Nepalese Sherpa Kami Rita has set a new record for the most Everest ascents, reaching the summit of the world’s highest peak for the 25th time
Some good news for endangered Sumatran rhino
With only an estimated 80 Sumatran rhinos left in the wild, the results of a new study deliver welcome hope for the survival of the species.
Weird fish makes comeback in Murray River
Scientists have found a spooky-looking, bloodsucking, critically endangered native fish in record numbers in the Murray River system, which is great news for the environment and lamprey fish
Just three per cent of Earth untouched by humans
A new scientific study has found as little as 3 per cent of the world’s land surfaces are still home to their full range of native species and remain unspoilt by human activity
Fitbits for Phillip Island penguins
Phillip Island’s little penguins are small but mighty adaptable, according to a new scientific study using custom-made ‘fitbits’.
Volcanic eruption photo wins top prize
A photo titled The Landscape of Fear and showing a volcano erupting within an incredible electrical storm has won first prize in a global photography contest. See some of our favourite photos
Leeches invade NSW homes after floods
The recent floods in NSW have brought more than just record rainfall – and bloodthirsty leeches are loving it
Supermoon helps free stuck ship
The stars, sun, Earth and moon all aligned in Egypt this week, with the year’s first supermoon bringing the high tide needed to shift the massive ship blocking the Suez Canal
Boy in boat rescues people and pets from floods
Archie Cross has displayed courage beyond his 13 years, rescuing about 10 residents and a handful of pets from their flooded homes in NSW with his little fishing boat
Of droughts and flooding rains
Australian poet Dorothea MacKellar surely nailed it when she wrote her classic poem My Country in 1904. Mark Knight reflects on how it sums up this land of amazing contrasts
Photos to celebrate the spirit of adventure
A new photography competition named for famous Australian photographer, adventurer and explorer Frank Hurley has attracted more than 1200 entries from 26 countries
American city turns off lights to save birds
A group in the US city of Philadelphia has started Lights Out Philly to try to reduce the number of confused birds dying during migration
Mount Etna’s spectacular volcanic eruption
Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, has awed even experienced volcanologists, pumping out spectacular displays of lava, ash and volcanic rocks for more than a week
Make some noise Mars, we’re listening
A microphone on NASA’s Perseverance rover has recorded for the first time the sound of another planet. It’s hoped there will be more to hear from Mars soon as the rover gets to work
Look out for fruit fly after La Nina summer
Kids are banned from taking fruit to school and residents are being urged to strip their trees of fruit in two suburbs of Adelaide that are the latest locations battling fruit fly outbreaks
Great Barrier Reef spawning shown on TV
In an Australian first, the annual Great Barrier Reef spawning has been shown live on TV in the hope the event will bring the country together in awe and inspire people to help protect the reef
Great Barrier Reef outlook now ‘critical’
Climate change is increasingly damaging UN World Heritage sites including the Great Barrier Reef, a new report warns, while 2020 is on track to be the second hottest year on record
During fire season, we are all in this together
Mark Knight chooses a favourite cartoon from 2020 and explains the process of starting with a news event, gathering ideas and working towards a drawing to tell even more of the story
Bear back on duty for bushfire season
This summer, Australian scientists will use a crew of sniffer dogs led by Bear, a border collie and Australian cattle dog cross, to find and rescue any koalas in danger from bushfires
Scientists solve mystery of giant melting glacier
Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier — more than twice as big as Tasmania — is melting from below, putting it at risk of collapse. Scientists now know warm water flowing beneath it is to blame
How cold was it in the coldest part of the Ice Age?
Scientists have calculated just how cold it got on Earth during the coldest part of the last Ice Age, using ocean plankton fossils and climate models
World temperature record set at Death Valley
One of the hottest air temperatures recorded anywhere on Earth in at least a century, and possibly ever, was reached on Sunday afternoon at Death Valley in the US, where it soared to 54.4C
Volcano on Pacific Ring of Fire erupts
Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung has erupted, sending ash 5km into the sky. It’s the latest eruption along the 40,000km-long line of volcanoes, faults and trenches called the Pacific Ring of Fire
Heatwave Harry? Naming the threat may save lives
Giving heatwaves names and strength ratings, as for cyclones, could help people in hot places such as Australia understand how dangerous they are, particularly as heatwaves worsen in future
How the Martian ice age shaped the red planet
Mars was once covered in ice sheets that carved out thousands of giant valleys in the same way as on Earth, challenging previous theories of Mars as a warm, wet planet covered in oceans
What does it feel like to touch a cloud?
You might already know how it feels to touch a cloud without realising it. We explain what a cloud is and why they sometimes turn into rain, snow and hail
Discovery of Earth-like habitable planet
An exoplanet that orbits a star just like our Sun could be the most similar to Earth ever found, which has scientists thinking it could liveable.
Coral transplants to boost reef health
Divers are using the quiet pandemic period to grow and replant coral at popular tourist diving and snorkelling spots on the Great Barrier Reef.
Australia set for colder, wetter than average winter
Get your umbrella and winter woollies out. The Bureau of Meteorology is tipping plenty of rain and chilly days ahead but nights could be warmer.
Painting clouds and other ideas to save our Reef
Action on climate change and ideas such as painting clouds with water and growing heat-tolerant coral are being considered to help the Great Barrier Reef be healthier in 30 years’ time
Procession of caterpillars sign of frosty time ahead
A 7m-long procession of caterpillars parading through Alice Springs is fascinating and touching them dangerous, but to the Arrernte people, it can be a sign of a harsh winter on the way
Mystery ‘Bonehenge’ woolly mammoth ring
Archaeologists are uncovering a mysterious collection of mammoth bones arranged by our ancient Palaeolithic ancestors 20,000 years ago during the last Ice Age
Why do leaves change colour and fall in autumn?
The leaves on deciduous trees turn forests, parks and gardens a rainbow of yellows, oranges, reds and browns. Why do leaves change colour? And why do the trees let them fall?
Australia’s long, hot summers the new normal
Our summers are now twice as long as our winters as climate change has increased temperatures since the middle of last century, according to a new study of Australian weather data
Aussie OJ and growers under threat
Australians may not be able to drink fresh orange juice in as little as five years if major retailers don’t pay growers more to make up for drought and rising water costs
Antarctica’s hottest day ever recorded
The temperature in northern Antarctica has hit 18.3C, thought to be a heat record on the continent best known for snow, ice and penguins
Flooding and evacuations as storm chaos hits NSW
Sydney has been plunged into chaos after the biggest rain event in 30 years sparked floods, home evacuations, traffic delays, power outages and landslides
Out-of-control bushfire burns one-fifth of ACT
A raging megablaze has burnt one-fifth of the Australian Capital Territory as out-of-control bushfires also continue to threaten homes in NSW and Victoria
First-ever close-up of the Sun
Scientists have released the first photographs of the Sun from the new solar telescope in Hawaii, showing churning plasma that looks like a sea of gold nuggets, each as big as France
Worms and mice at International Space Station
Astronauts on the International Space Station have taken delivery of super-muscled mice, pest-killing worms and a robot that can sense how the astronauts are feeling
Woman trapped in mountain of ‘cornflake’ algae
Seaweed piled high on Queensland beaches has trapped at least one runner, who had to be rescued from the algae. While seaweed is not unusual, people have never seen so much at once
First Aussie reaches heart of Antarctica
An adventurer from Queensland has become the first Australian to reach Antarctica’s Pole of Inaccessibility, just one leg of an epic journey to help men and women experiencing breast cancer
Australia on high fire alert
A Code Red fire danger day has been declared in Victoria for the first time in 10 years as the entire country swelters through heatwave conditions and fires continue to burn
Record floods swamp historic Venice
UNESCO World Heritage Site Venice is in a state of emergency after “apocalyptic” floods swept through the historic Italian city, with the mayor blaming climate change
Hell on earth as weather giants collide
In our weekly series, award-winning cartoonist Mark Knight captures the helplessness of drought-affected Australian communities now caught in the path of catastrophic bushfires
Weary firefighters hailed as heroes
As several states prepare for increasing fire danger in coming days, we look at the incredible efforts of firefighters on the ground day and night
Ice eggs cover beach in rare weather event
Ice eggs the size of footballs have engulfed an entire beach in Finland in a rare weather event that requires ice, wind, water and freezing temperatures
Australia’s most incredible weather photos
Rainbows, aurora australis and massive, fluffy clouds that make you want to bounce on them star in the year’s best weather photos, as judged by the Bureau of Meteorology
Small town strikes it lucky in big dry
Tenterfield — battling drought and, recently, bushfires — has struck it lucky with the discovery of underground water only 126 days before the town’s supply was due to run dry
Australia’s critical water shortage
Several NSW towns will run out of drinking water within weeks without rain. In the longer term, Australia needs to build more dams to supply our growing population