Australia

Children ride on a motorcycle near a large billboard.

New Zealand condemns China’s treatment of Uyghurs but won't call it ‘genocide’

New Zealand has joined other countries in calling out China for its mistreatment of Uyghurs, but falls short of calling it "genocide." Critics say the condemnation has been "watered down" to protect China as an essential trade partner.

New Zealand condemns China’s treatment of Uyghurs but won't call it ‘genocide’

Genesis Owusu's debut album 'Smiling With No Teeth' doesn't shy away from issues of race

Genesis Owusu's debut album 'Smiling With No Teeth' doesn't shy away from issues of race
A restaurant posts a closed sign in Melbourne

Returning travelers in quarantine hotels may have triggered Melbourne's latest lockdown

Returning travelers in quarantine hotels may have triggered Melbourne's latest lockdown
Corals grow in the shallow waters around a small island in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea. 

This researcher finds hope in ‘bright spots’ among coral reefs

This researcher finds hope in ‘bright spots’ among coral reefs
A gorilla appears sitting on green grass near a tree

Canadian singer delights his gorilla superfans with Christmas songs

Canadian singer delights his gorilla superfans with Christmas songs
Research at The University of Sydney in Australia suggests cows have individual voices, and they talk to each other. 

The emotional lives of cows

Cows are social creatures, and can become distressed when they are separated from their herd, or when they are taken away from their mothers too young. That’s why having individual voices may be particularly useful.

The emotional lives of cows
To understand the effects of a big die-off, researchers set up experiments with wild boar carcasses.

Rotting feral pig carcasses teach scientists what happens when tons of animals die all at once, as in Australia's bushfires

Unfortunately, animal die-offs of massive proportions are becoming more frequent. Global change — which includes human-caused changes in climate, land use, fire regimes and other things — may largely be to blame for the increased frequency and intensity of mass mortality events across all kinds of animals.

Rotting feral pig carcasses teach scientists what happens when tons of animals die all at once, as in Australia's bushfires
A man on an orange jumpsuit holds a koala with burned feet.

1 billion animals have died in Australian bushfires, ecologist estimates

The University of Sydney ecologist Chris Dickman stunned people recently with his estimate that 480 million animals have been injured or killed in Australia's bushfires. A few weeks later, the fires have spread even farther, and he's updated the impact to include 1 billion animals.

1 billion animals have died in Australian bushfires, ecologist estimates
One woman wears an white protective suit and has a large plastic jug strapped to her back; another woman stands next to her as both inspect a branch of a bush.

Aboriginal rangers use traditional knowledge to protect their lands

A government program has created 800 full-time Indigenous rangers who patrol to make sure water sources are clean and restore resources damaged by intensive farming practices.

Aboriginal rangers use traditional knowledge to protect their lands
A Chinese flag flies in front of the Great Wall of China

A group of Western nations are planning to bulk up their Pacific presence to counter China

The battle for influence in the sparsely populated Pacific matters because each of the tiny island states has a vote at international forums like the United Nations, and they also control vast swathes of resource-rich ocean.

A group of Western nations are planning to bulk up their Pacific presence to counter China
Trevor Noah

How #MeToo in the Australian media has spread to other industries

There’s little doubt #MeToo is having an impact on the public conversation in Australia — as it is in the US and other countries. And, the complexity and specificity of different women’s experiences, especially nonwhite women, is showing itself to be a critical part of that conversation — particularly in light of the country’s recent colonial past and current racial inequality.

How #MeToo in the Australian media has spread to other industries
This image is from a video made in 2011 that compiled visualizations of the Antarctic ozone hole. Recent findings have shown that the hole is filling up — while other parts of ozone remain on the decline.

The ozone hole over the Antarctic is beginning to fill up. Here's the bad news.

In spite of recovery in the Antarctic, the forecast for the ozone is not as rosy near the equator and in the middle latitudes.

The ozone hole over the Antarctic is beginning to fill up. Here's the bad news.
A biting midge pollinates a cacao flower on the Goodman Cacao Estate in Killaloe, Australia.

Giant chocolate industry depends on tiny insects for survival

Do you love chocolate? This fact may bug you.

Giant chocolate industry depends on tiny insects for survival
The common housefly makes up just one of 150 families of flies.

‘The Secret Lives of Flies’ provides insight into the diversity of the small insects

They're possibly the most misunderstood creatures in the animal kingdom, but a recently published book is providing new insight into the fascinating world of flies.

‘The Secret Lives of Flies’ provides insight into the diversity of the small insects
A supporter of the 'Yes' vote for marriage equality wears a shirt as he celebrates

Australians celebrates same-sex marriage legalization

Lawmakers, who had cast aside a conservative push to allow religious objectors to refuse service to same-sex couples, waved rainbow flags and embraced on the floor of the chamber, after the overwhelming vote in favour of the bill.

Australians celebrates same-sex marriage legalization