Australian universities have been revealed to have slid down in the 2019 world university rankings, with six of the country’s top nine moving down in rankings.  

Three Universities have had major declines, including the University of New South Wales sliding 11 points and University of Western Australia sliding 23.

Cane Toad’s on Kimberley Island in Western Australia are baffling researchers as they continue to thrive and prosper alongside our native wildlife.

WA’s cane toad strategy team are surprised that the national pest is able to coexist with animals that in the rest of the country are negatively impacted by the toads.

There is no permanent water on the island, and it is believed the cane toads spend more time underground where the soil is moist, leaving more food sources for species like yellow spotted goanas, and quolls.

Four landmark trees near the Wheel of Brisbane are going to be cut down to make way for the new Neville Bonner Bridge, connecting South Bank and the Casino at Queen’s Wharf.

Three fig trees and a poinciana will be removed, and hopefully replanted, as the area is redesigned to have more concrete rather than grass and trees.

These plans are not yet finalised, and changes could still be made to the landscaping around the new bridge.

A six year old boy has suffered horrific burns to his feet after stepping on a hidden fire pit at the Sunshine Coast.

Kai Dight and his family had been camping north of Noosa when the boy ran through a still-smoldering fire pit that had been covered over by sand.

In the last year alone, the Queensland Children’s Hospital has treated more than 50 children for burns caused by fire ashes and embers.

Officials warn in the wake of the accident, that even if a fire has been put out using sand, it can retain heat of over 100 degrees.

Indonesian getaway destination Bali will now issue new rules on visiting Hindu Temples following disrespectful behaviour from tourists.

The new regulations were made in the hopes of preserving the sanctity of the sites following cases of tourists stealing artefacts, sitting on shrines and engaging in immoral conduct at the temples says chairmen of the Indonesia Hindu society Ngurah Sudiana

It has been revealed that four more workers have been ‘secretly’ rescued from Thailand’s Tham Luang cave rescue.

The workers were employees of Thailand’s water company, was made public by rescuing divers Richard Harris.

This came a week before the Wild Boars soccer team were rescued,  where Harris admitted he thought the mission had ‘zero chance’ of success.

Addressing a conference in the UK revealed he found the four men on June 28 after navigating the cave’s treacherous high water levels.

The Federal government has announced a $4.6 billion deal with Catholic and independent school system last week.

State and territory governments will use the deal to argue funding agreements in the public sector, with Gonski 2.0 being reviewed.

This has prompted state education ministers to debate concessions with the $23.5 billion deal agreed on in 2017.  The scheme insists that 75% of public school resources are raised by 2023.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released new data that indicates a 9.1 per cent increase in suicide amongst Australians in 2017.  

The statistics show over 3000 people died as a result of ‘intentional self-harm, up over 300 since 2016.

Three out of four people who take their own lives are men.  

This comes as the federal government announced $36 million in funding to 15 suicide prevention organisations.

If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

A Gold Coast architect has revealed that unreleased documents show that councils are pushing for even taller buildings across Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

The council study, not fully released to the public, looks at possible changes in building height allowances throughout the city and is being cited in development applications.

Officials believe however that it is too early to confirm the report’s suggestions, as it is yet to pass a public interest test.