World Explained · Space
The asteroid that missed its radar appointment and turned out to be a comet
A near-Earth object failed to appear where gravity predicted. Its tiny unexplained push led astronomers to a faint tail and a new identity.
Newest first
Latest stories
Every story below has passed the same source, image and editorial checks. Publication dates make it clear what is new.
30 most recent storiesFresh from every desk
Start with what is new
Australian Curiosity · Cars and transport
Has Fiat left Australia? What the 500e import pause actually means
Fiat has stopped ordering more 500e and Abarth 500e electric cars for Australia, but that is not the same as abandoning every model or existing owner.
World Explained · Space
The oldest light we can see fills the entire sky
Look in any direction far enough and you meet the same ancient glow: light released when the universe first became transparent, about 380,000 years after the big bang.
Australian Curiosity · Work and technology
What Australia's new workplace AI safety guidance means
The guidance does not ban workplace AI. It explains how existing health and safety duties apply to algorithms, automation, monitoring and software changes.
Australian Curiosity · Education
Who gets Australia's expanded paid-prac payment in 2027?
Ten allied-health fields are joining the Commonwealth Prac Payment. Here is when it starts, who may qualify and what the announced weekly rate does not yet tell us.
Australian Curiosity · Wildlife
Why a kangaroo's tail behaves like a powerful fifth leg
At a slow walk, a kangaroo plants its tail like a limb. Force measurements show it can push the animal forward as powerfully as all four legs combined.
World Explained · Space
How a day on Venus outlasts an entire Venus year
Venus needs about 243 Earth days to turn once but only about 225 to orbit the Sun. Then its backwards spin creates an even stranger sunrise clock.
World Explained · Wildlife
Why one leg can be the easier option for a resting flamingo
A flamingo can become more stable as it relaxes on one leg. Experiments reveal how gravity supports the pose, while other studies show why temperature may influence when birds use it.
World Explained · Space
Why the Moon is slowly moving away from Earth
Mirrors left on the Moon reveal a change too small to see but large enough to reshape two worlds: the lunar orbit grows by about 3.8 centimetres each year.
Australian Curiosity · AFL rules
AFL 2026 bench and concussion rules: what actually changed
The AFL now uses five interchange players instead of a tactical substitute. Head assessments and diagnosed concussions follow separate medical timelines.
Better Home · Home energy
Australia's new Home Energy Rating explained in plain English
An existing home can now receive two related energy ratings. One covers whole-home energy use, while the other measures how well the building stays comfortable.
Australian Curiosity · Commonwealth Games
What Australia is competing in at Glasgow 2026
Australia has athletes across the complete 10-sport Glasgow programme, including six integrated Para disciplines. Here is the safest way to follow the team.
World Explained · Football rules
Can VAR review a second yellow card? The 2026 rule explained
VAR can now correct a clearly wrong second yellow that produces a red card, but it cannot search for a missed second booking. The distinction matters.
Better Home · DIY checks
Check these cheap draught fixes before buying a bigger heater
Cold air may be entering around doors, windows, floors or exhaust openings. A careful room-by-room check can identify the useful fixes without blocking safety ventilation.
World Explained · Football rules
Do yellow cards carry into a World Cup penalty shoot-out?
A caution from normal or extra time does not carry into a penalty shoot-out, but red cards still matter and new misconduct can still be punished.
Better Home · Laundry
Does drying clothes indoors make winter condensation worse?
The water leaving wet fabric has to go somewhere. In an unventilated room, much of it enters the air and can later collect on cold glass and walls.
World Explained · Football
How Ferran Torres's extra-time goal won the 2026 World Cup
Spain searched for 105 minutes before one cross, one headed pass and one first-time finish broke Argentina's resistance in the World Cup final.
Australian Curiosity · Commonwealth Games
Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: opening ceremony, sports and how to watch
Glasgow 2026 begins on 23 July with an arena opening ceremony, then runs through 2 August. Here are the verified sports, venues, schedule and Australian viewing route.
World Explained · Commonwealth Games
Glasgow 2026 versus Birmingham 2022: what changed?
Glasgow has fewer sports, venues and athletes than Birmingham, but a larger Para medal programme. The numbers reveal two very different Games models.
World Explained · Football
Golden Ball, Golden Boot and Ballon d'Or: what is the difference?
The names sound interchangeable, but they reward different achievements. Here is the simple difference between football's Ball, Boot and Ballon d'Or.
World Explained · Sports rules
How 3x3 wheelchair basketball works
Three players, one hoop, a 12-second shot clock and a race to 21 points make wheelchair 3x3 fast. Classification adds an important team-building rule.
World Explained · Football
How the 48-team World Cup format worked in practice
The 2026 World Cup used 12 groups, a best-third-place ranking and a new Round of 32. Here is how 48 teams became one champion.
World Explained · Aviation engineering
How the A350-1000ULR can stay airborne for up to 22 hours
Extra fuel is only part of the answer. The Project Sunrise aircraft combines a larger tank, higher take-off weight, efficient engines and a low-density cabin.
Australian Curiosity · AFL ladder
How AFL percentage works and why it is not a win percentage
AFL percentage divides points for by points against and multiplies by 100. Learn the formula, the ladder purpose and why one big result can matter.
World Explained · Football
How the best third-place teams reached the 2026 World Cup knockouts
Eight of the 12 third-place teams advanced to the Round of 32. Points came first, followed by goal difference, goals and disciplinary conduct.
Better Home · Winter home
Can windows really lose 40 per cent of a home's heating energy?
The widely repeated figure says up to 40 per cent, not every home. Glass, frames, gaps and uncovered surfaces explain why the result varies so much.
Australian Curiosity · NRL rules
How the NRL ladder works: points, byes and points difference
Wins, draws and byes build competition points, while points difference helps separate teams. Here is how to read every important NRL ladder column.
World Explained · Commonwealth Games
How Para sport is integrated at Glasgow 2026
Six Glasgow sports include Para competition inside the same Games schedule. A record 47 Para medal events share venues, branding and medal programme.
World Explained · Football technology
How semi-automated offside worked at the 2026 World Cup
The system combined optical tracking, 3D player models and faster alerts, but human officials still decided whether an offside position became an offence.
Australian Curiosity · AFL rules
How to read an AFL score: goals, behinds and the total
An AFL score has goals, behinds and a total. Learn why 12.8 means 80 points, what the four posts do and which number decides the winner.
Original writingEvery story is written for this publication.
Sources you can openFactual stories link to primary or authoritative material.
Clear correctionsMaterial errors are fixed and explained.