Saudi Arabia and the UAE planned to launch a coup in Qatar at the start of a diplomatic crisis in June last year but were stopped by former US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, likely leading to his dismissal.

The Intercept said it received information from a member of the US intelligence community. The coup, which was largely devised by the countries crown princes, "was likely some weeks away from being implemented".

Marine biologists working off Hawaii have confirmed the sighting of a hybrid of two dolphin species.

The discovery was made after the group working off the island of Kauai spotted a mixed group with unusual features.

As outlined in a newly published research paper, a skin sample was collected and DNA testing confirmed their suspicions.

The genetic test showed the hybrid had the mitochondrial haplotype of a melon-headed whale, which means the mother was a melon-headed whale, and the father was a rough-toothed dolphin.

Some farmers in the central west of New South Wales have used a new fertiliser to help deal with what's been called the worst drought in living memory.

It is human sewage, treated and dewatered to produce biosolids, an organic fertiliser transforming about 30 farms in the region.

From more than 20 metropolitan treatment plants, Sydney Water is producing about 180,000 tonnes of biosolid fertiliser a year.

Personal bankruptcies across Australia are at an eight-year high according to recently released research on the last financial year.

More than 32,000 Australians declared bankruptcy, and experts are warning that a combination of rising debt, stagnant wage growth and falling house prices could herald more bad news.

Queensland had the highest number of bankruptcies in the country, with more than 9,415 people declaring personal bankruptcy in the Sunshine State over the past year, but the rate of increase did slow to 1.5 per cent.

Researchers say for the first time an entire city, Townsville in northern Queensland, has been protected from the viral disease dengue fever.

Captive-bred mosquitoes with a naturally occurring bacteria were released, where they mated with local mosquitoes. By spreading a bacteria which hinders dengue transmission, the city has been dengue-free since 2014.

Researchers from Monash University also believe their work could stop mosquito-borne diseases Zika and malaria.

Dutton Park has been revealed as the site for Queensland's next high-rise school.

The Queensland government has been investigating several sites for a new inner-south high school to ease the enrolment pressure on Brisbane State High School.

The decision was based on the proximity to the city, connections with existing transport infrastructure and the nearby tertiary education partner, the University of Queensland.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has returned to work after spending six weeks away on maternity leave.

Ms Ardern, 38, gave birth to her first child in June, making her only the second world leader to give birth while in office.

The prime minister had continued to read cabinet papers and was consulted on significant issues during her leave.

Ms Ardern, who was elected in October, announced in January that she and her partner were expecting.