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Human Interest

Weekly news quiz: A Trump ruling, Garry the missing gorilla and an Olympic feat

Think you've kept a keen eye on the news cycle this week? Test yourself!
A composite image with a photo of Donald Trump, a gorilla statue and a female athlete kayaking

Lithium-ion battery fire destroys two caravans at dealership within minutes

Authorities have reminded caravan owners to stay informed about the industry's regulatory changes and safety precautions after a fire destroyed two caravans.
Thick black smoke rises with bright orange flames underneath, coming out of a caravan, the flames touching a caravan beside it.

Daughter of Captain Sir Tom banned from being charity trustee

Hannah Ingram-Moore, the daughter of a British veteran who raised millions for the NHS, has been banned from being a trustee of a charity he set up before his death.  
Woman posing next to tree in garden

How the discovery of a 509-million-year-old fossil flipped palaeontology on its head

Scientists were taught that they would never find fossils in volcanic rock but a recent discovery shows the complete opposite.
Updated
A group of insectoid like creatures swimming away from a cloud of ash

End of an era as iconic Brisbane antiquarian prepares to close shop for retirement

For nearly 40 years, Rhonda McGuigan has sold sentimental trinkets from days gone by out of her antiques store in Annerley, Brisbane. The 84-year-old has run the iconic Southside Antiques Centre since 1986, but has announced plans to close up shop and retire by the end of the year.
A woman next to an antiques store

'It makes me feel ill': Author Elfy Scott on the reality of living in Sydney's current rental market

It's Pay Day! Author Elfy Scott answers all the money questions we don't like to talk about as we seek to demystify personal finance and normalise conversations about how we think about money, what we earn and how we spend it.
A woman in her 20s smiles with an orange backdrop, wearing a black dress

In 10 years, Liv Lovelace went from being the only girl at the skatepark, to an Olympian

Australia will field the fourth-largest skateboard team heading to Paris behind the US, Brazil and Japan — while also including the youngest Olympian on the Australian team.
Chloe Covell and Liv Lovelace pose with their boards

perspective:How a stint at a US college fraternity helped me embrace my true self

AJ Lamarque didn't expect to join a fraternity on a US university exchange. The crash course in male friendship taught him a great lesson — and led to a new life in Australia.
Portrait of comedian and writer AJ Lamarque wearing a black t-shirt and posing in front of a dark orange backdrop.

Could robots replace man's best friend as guide dogs?

No bark and no bite, but this guide dog could help millions of visually impaired people across China and the globe, says a group of Shanghai researchers working on the six-legged robot prototype. 
A short six legged black and silver robot walks in front of a human's legs on the footpath

How we made two hours of TV about an ancient true crime mystery

From filming in some of the most remote and inhospitable areas of Australia, to working with an A-list Hollywood actor, this is how the ABC Science team investigated what killed our ancient megafauna.
Updated
Two men stand behind a video camera next to a highway. It's dusk and a mountain range is lit up in the background

Have you seen a rakali? Researchers need help to understand the 'elusive' species

A PhD candidate urges citizen scientists to log sightings of the "mysterious", semi-aquatic animals — also known as water rats — so researchers can gather more information about its population. 
a rat-like species sitting in water beside a tree trunk, its hands are near its face

Military horses run through central London for second time in a matter of months

One of the three horses sustained minor injuries in the incident, which was captured in part by a London cab driver.
Updated
A horse gallops in front of the bonnet of a black cab in a busy street in London

Spare a thought for national parks staff who have to scrub and vacuum caves every winter

It can take up to two weeks and is exhausting work, but these specialised staff feel "houseproud" after cleaning out Tasmania's public caves. So, what's involved?
Updated
A woman wearing ear muffs vacuums the path alongside massive limestone and crystalline rock formations inside a cave.

Former South Australian premier remembered as man of 'integrity' and 'courage'

The life and legacy of Steele Hall — who led the state for two years from 1968 — has been honoured at a state funeral service at Adelaide's Festival Centre after his death, aged 95, last month.
Updated
Steele Hall sits.

AFL legend David Parkin and his first students — a connection that’s endured for 60 years

Four-time AFL premiership coach David Parkin is known for his football success, but off the field he forged friendships with his former grade-three students that has endured since 1964 and inspired them to aim high. 
Val Sands and David Parkin.

PNG is trying to work out what its population is, but there are fears even a census won't be able to determine it

PNG has not had an accurate count of its population in 24 years and estimates vary by millions, but with a new census underway and officials heading to all corners of the country by road, boat and helicopter there could soon be a reliable number on exactly how many people are in the country.
Two PNG census officials complete paperwork as they chat with a woman in the shade near a building.

Think you're smarter than a Hard Quiz contestant? I'll believe it when I see it

Back again, I see, and clearly with something to prove. Let's see if that confidence is misguided. 
Tom Gleeson standing with his arms crossed and a serious look on his face. The Hard Quiz has been added behind his head

Actor Martin Mull, known for guest spots on Roseanne and Arrested Development, dies aged 80

Martin Mull appeared in beloved roles such as private eye Gene Parmesan on Arrested Development and would be nominated for an Emmy in 2016 for a guest turn on Veep as Bob Bradley. 
A man with glasses in a bowtie

analysis:Handing out luxury cars and wads of cash like confetti, MrBeast draws massive crowds who love watching others win

MrBeast is YouTube's most subscribed to content creator, with a staggering 290 million followers. So why are his videos so enjoyable for his legions of fans?
A man stands on stage pointing to a crowd while holding a microphone, a luxury car behind him

Princess Anne is out of hospital after suffering horse-related head injury. It wasn't her first

Princess Anne has been discharged from hospital after suffering a concussion, believed to be caused by a horse. Here's what to know about 'the hardest-working royal'.
A portrait of Princess Anne looking off to her right with a small smile.

Rollicking times at the Captains Flat pub are the stuff of legend and the new owner wants to bring them back

It used to be famous for having the longest bar in the southern hemisphere until a disgruntled patron hacked a bit of it off with an axe one night. Now the much-loved Captains Flat Hotel is getting dusted off and reopened for a new era.
Updated
A bunch of men pose for a photo on the street in front of the pub. They look happy.

Caroline is about to deliver her 14th baby — and her midwife has been there every step of the way

Caroline Langguth feared she may never be able to have children after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teen.
A family of 14 walk hand-in-hand while wearing matching red shirts.

Do your neighbour's security cameras make you uncomfortable? Here's what you can do

Many Australians can now access surveillance tech, but this can lead to disputes between neighbours. Here's a breakdown of some of the legal issues that can crop up.
A small security camera being installed on a yellow wall

One of the most famous book covers in history just sold for nearly $3 million

Thomas Taylor was just 23 years old when he landed his first professional commission to illustrate the first Harry Potter book cover. It's now sold at auction for $2.8 million.
The watercolour painting featuring Harry Potter in front of the Hogwarts Express at Kings Cross Station

Weekly news quiz: State of Origin, the Irwin family holiday, and when horses mix with high fashion

Think you've been paying attention to the news this week? It's time to put yourself to the test.  
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