Giant lions and kangaroos once roamed Australia (Reuters)

   Reuters - Marsupial lions, kangaroos as tall as trucks and wombats the size of a rhinoceros roamed Australia's outback before being killed off by fires lit by arriving humans, scientists said on Thursday.
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Lake-effect snows set to increase (weather.com)

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Storm Hunt: Spacecraft Quintet to Track Down Magnetic Field Tempests (SPACE.com)

   SPACE.com - They may seem small and boxy, but five new NASA probes have a lofty purpose: sifting through the Earth’s magnetic field for the stormy beginnings of the planet’s most dynamic auroras.
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New suit planned over Brooklyn oil spill (AP)

   AP - An environmental group and several city politicians said Wednesday they plan to file a new lawsuit against Exxon Mobil Corp. over its handling of a huge underground oil spill in Brooklyn.
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Arctic blast set to enter the Northeast (weather.com)

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Calif. agency sues over air pollution (AP)

   AP - The South Coast Air Quality Management District sued California public utility officials, claiming the liquefied natural gas that officials approved for use in the state could worsen air pollution.
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Brain harvest probe ends without charges (AP)

   AP - An investigation of suspected brain harvesting within the state medical examiner's office has ended without any criminal charges, state and federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
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Congo rebels vow to end gorilla killings (AP)

   

AP - Rebels in eastern Congo have agreed to stop killing mountain gorillas and allow government rangers to restart patrols, conservationists said Wednesday. Earlier this month, rebels allegedly killed and ate two silverback mountain gorillas, according to field reports collected by London-based Africa Conservation Fund.

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Rhino baby first for Hungary zoo

   The birth is announced of a baby rhino after artificial insemination in what Budapest zoo says is a world first.
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Live-fish market grows, stripping reefs (AP)

   AP - Amid banks of bubbling aquariums, Hong Kong resident Kerry To sat back and admired his plate-size steamed grouper plucked from one of the tanks in this Malaysian restaurant and cooked live. "It is very special," said the 45-year-old To, who flew to the northwest coast of Borneo Island for a holiday featuring a chance to sample the rare delicacy. "These fish are so big and taste so good. I'll be telling my friends."
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Lebanon conflict oil 'contained'

   An oil spill resulting from last year's conflict in Lebanon is largely contained, says the UN, but problems remain.
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Caverns give up huge fossil haul

   An astonishing collection of fossil animals from southern Australia is reported by scientists.
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Scientists can't get sloth to move (AP)

   AP - Scientists in the eastern German city of Jena said Wednesday they have finally given up after three years of failed attempts to entice a sloth into budging as part of an experiment in animal movement.
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Rhino born from artificial insemination (AP)

   

AP - The world's first rhino conceived by artificial insemination has been born at Budapest Zoo, officials said in a statement on Wednesday.

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Virgin lizard becomes new parent

   A female Komodo dragon becomes both a mother and a "father" to five lizard hatchlings at a Cheshire zoo.
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Virgin lizard proud mum and dad

   A female Komodo dragon becomes both a mum and dad to five lizard hatchlings at a Cheshire zoo.
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Drilling said caused Indonesia mud volcano (AP)

   AP - A mud volcano that inundated dozens of villages was probably triggered by commercial gas drilling, research published in a respected scientific journal shows, contradicting an Indonesian government minister who insists it was a natural disaster.
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Green agenda for global leaders

   Global warming and the second web revolution are uppermost as the World Economic Forum starts.
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Climate 'to affect nuclear sites'

   A study seen by the BBC highlights how climate change will impact the UK's future nuclear power stations.
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Food aid 'not enough on its own'

   Unless food aid reaches "the right people at the right time", it can lead to food insecurity, a UN report warns.
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Yorkshire clan linked to Africa

   People of African origin have lived in Britain for centuries, according to genetic evidence.
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Survey finds mercury in fish in West (AP)

   AP - Scientists looking for fish tainted by mercury found them in every fish and every river they sampled across the West, suggesting that industrial pollution generated around the world is likely responsible for at least some of it.
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