10,000-year-old DNA has been extracted from ancient “chewing gum”, providing archaeologists with a unique insight into Scandinavia's first human settlers.

The gum is tar of a birch bark tree, which was used by ancient settlers as a chewy snack, and fixing agent for arrowheads and axe blades.

Although the tar was discovered in the early 1990s, sufficient DNA analysis was only made possible recently; with results providing “enormous potential” for tracing the origins and movements of early humans.

The United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has warned a political paradox is forming where climate change is continuously worsening while the political will to tackle the issue fades.

The UN secretary-general said “climate change is running faster than what we are”, and that the world is “not on track” to meet its target commitments under the Paris Agreement.

An analysis of fossils have revealed the existence of a ‘high-heeled’ dinosaur.

According to UQ PhD candidate, Andréas Jannel, the Rhoetosaurus, an Australian Jurassic sauropod, stood on its tiptoes, emulating the shape of a high heel.

Mr Jannel has said we see a similar thing in elephant feet however the Rhoetosaurus was at least five times as heavy, so the foot would have had to support an immense weight.

Electric scooter company Lime have estimated thousands of helmets have been stolen from their Brisbane scooters.

The e-scooter supplier distributed 750 scooters and 11,000 helmets within their first six months of operation within the river city.

Lime regional director of government affairs and strategy Mitchell Price has said the company are looking into innovative new ways to keep track of the life-saving headwear, and are encouraging locals to help out and return any helmets they may find.

The tropical tourist destination of Cocos Island in Western Australia has become home to millions of pieces of rubbish.

A 2017 survey revealed the island’s beaches are littered with 414 million pieces of trash, with single-use plastics such as food packaging making up almost a quarter of the debris.

Scientist have said reducing plastic consumption and production is the only solution to protect and restore the environment.

Vegan and vegetarian catering options have increased across Australia to match demand.

Plant based catering options have become more widely available in restaurants and food delivery services as Australia’s vegan market is the third fastest growing in the world.

Roy Morgan research indicates that since 2014 the rate of Australians consuming a mostly or entirely plant based diet has increased by 11.2 per cent.

United States President Donald Trump has threatened Iran ‘with official end’ to a brewing potential war following attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil installations and tankers.

Saudi Arabia responded, saying that it wants to avoid war in the region, however, stands ready following last week’s attacks, and will respond with all force and determination to defend itself and its interests should war break out.

The Netherlands have taken out the top prize in the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv over the weekend.

Duncan Laurence’s emotional piano-heavy power-ballad ‘Arcade’, was tipped as a favourite before the competition began, and proved popular with audiences and critics alike, putting him 27 points above the second-place winner, Italy.

The Netherlands last won the annual competition 44 years ago and will play host the to the international musical spectacle in 2020.