Wide Gulf between rhetoric and reality for fossil fuels and renewables
Do big investments in solar energy point to a different future for the oil-rich nations of the Middle East?
Environment
Looming cyclone may break a record drought for Australia's region
An unusually quiet period for cyclones in the Australian region may come to an end within days.
Showers, storms to signal break up of Sydney's oppressive heat
Showers and possible storms will sweep across Sydney on Tuesday afternoon
The charts that show just how hot it was in 2016
The world's major meteorological agencies have declared 2016 to the hottest year on record - making it three new highs in as many years - as increases in greenhouse gases drove global warming.
Energy chief: why Trump is unlikely to derail renewables
Head of international energy body says policies are important, but the economic facts "are stubborn".
Early skirmishes point to a war over renewables lasting well into 2017
A political divide is forming over renewable energy's future in Australia.
NSW drops off the solar pace as demand shifts towards business
National demand for solar is up slightly, but NSW is going backwards
Shark!
Have a spate of bites and sightings up and down the NSW coast raised the odds that an attack awaits beachgoers this summer? Peter Hannam investigates.
Heat relief is on the way for Sydney but it won't last long
Sydney's latest summer heatwave will crest around the middle of Tuesday but any ebbing in temperatures will be moderate and temporary.
'Exceptional' heat shows little sign of easing grip on Sydney and NSW
Sydneysiders struggling back to work and school this week are likely to get little early relief - particularly overnight - from the city's record-breaking heat.
Mining plans for Sydney's catchment pose Gladys a 'crucial test'
Coal mining in Sydney's water catchment could prove an early test for new Premier Gladys Berejiklian
NSW weather: Heatwave, severe fire danger as students return to school
NSW students returning to school this week face extreme heat on Monday and Tuesday with temperatures reaching into the 40s for much of the state.Â
Victoria to take on Turnbull with new climate target
The Andrews government will pledge to cut Victoria's greenhouse gas emissions by up to a fifth by 2020, putting it at odds with Canberra on tackling climate change.
Extreme heat forecast for first day at school
It will be a blazing start to the new school year.
'Never been a higher risk': RFS warns of grass fire threat
Despite record-high temperatures so far this summer, Sydney has avoided serious bushfire over the holiday period - though the Rural Fire Service warns the danger is not over yet.
The seven strangest sea creatures near you
Sharks have hogged the spotlight this summer. But what about the smaller creatures that inhabit our waters. Fish that can go from being female to male or sea cucumbers that can reorganise the position of their vital organs before splitting in two. They all live in Australian waters: in our bays, harbours and deep oceans.
Lost and found
Claims of a cover-up as a plant lost for two centuries turns up on a development site.
Canberra roo fertility trial costs $612,000, treats 135 kangaroos
'Took a bit of practice' to get two shooters in sync, one with contraceptive and the other with marker dye.
NZ rodeo to use men dressed as sheep
A rodeo in New Zealand is to use men dressed as sheep because chasing real sheep is banned.
Baby cotton-top Tamarin newest addition at Taronga Zoo
Meet Taronga Zoo's newest addition  - one of the world's tiniest and rarest primates, a mohawk-sporting baby cotton-top tamarin.
Gene-modified ants shed light on how societies are organised
The world's first transgenic ants offer scientists the chance to explore the evolution of animal societies - and, perhaps, our own.
Sydney on course for hottest ever January as heat refuses to budge
Sydney is heading for its hottest ever January at least for overnight temperatures.
Tired of energy bills, households take matters into their own hands
Households with solar panels could triple within five years and those with batteries rise even faster.
Moth larvae could be a saviour for lab rats
The number of mammals used in animal testing could be cut dramatically thanks to moth larvae, scientists say.
Bluebottles put the sting back into summer
Going for a summer's dip at the beach was a real pain for some people this past weekend.
Mercury to hit 42 before some relief arrives
There's little sign of summer taking a holiday this week, with more scorching days and a string of warm nights ahead.
'Penguins for Peace': Anti-Trump protests even reach Antarctica
More used to marching penguins, it was a different kind of movement that swept across one of the most remote places on the planet in recent hours.
Australian high school scores international green technology gong
How tiny Huonville does well by doing good on the environment front.
Police appealing for witnesses to 'sickening' animal cruelty case
The man also used the animal's carcass to threaten passers-by in a bizarre act of animal cruelty.
White House website removes Obama climate change initiatives
Just moments after President Donald Trump took the oath of office on Friday, the official White House website was transformed to wipe out all mention of climate change.
Severe thunderstorm warning cancelled for ACT
Damaging winds pass Canberra by with severe thunderstorm warning cancelled.
Taronga Zoo's red panda cub nursed back to help after neck injury
An adorable baby red panda who suffered horrific neck injuries has a second lease on life thanks to a cuddly toy and a Sydney zookeeper.
'God's country' up in flames as fire rips east near Tarago
A large fire swallowed more than 3300 hectares as it burned east from Lake George on Tuesday afternoon.
Sydney 30 degrees at midnight as city endures hot summer night
Sydneysiders have endured yet another sticky, stifling night of summer, with the temperature not dipping below 28 degrees in the city all night.