Conservationists have issued a stark warning following a deeply distressing revelation: the loss of habitat critical to Australia's threatened species has more than doubled in the past year.
A Dramatic Spike in Habitat Destruction
A new study has uncovered that the Australian government approved the destruction of more than 57,000 hectares of threatened species habitat in 2025. This alarming figure represents the highest level of approved clearing in 15 years and marks a dramatic increase from previous years.
The data shows a rapid acceleration in habitat loss. The 2025 total is more than double the area approved for destruction in 2024, and a staggering five times greater than the 10,426 hectares cleared with approval in 2023. Experts describe this trend as a major setback for biodiversity conservation efforts across the continent.
Global News: From Scientific Debate to Geopolitical Tensions
In international science news, a significant controversy has emerged around microplastics research. Several high-profile studies that claimed to find microplastics pervasive within the human body are now facing serious doubt. Scientists suggest the findings may be the result of laboratory contamination and false positives, with one expert dismissing a key study as "a joke" and another labelling the concerns a "bombshell" for the field.
On the geopolitical stage, former US President Donald Trump has directly addressed protesters in Iran, urging them to "keep protesting" and "take over" their institutions, while promising "help is on its way." In response, China has threatened retaliation after Trump proposed imposing 25% tariffs on nations that trade with Iran, aiming to pressure Tehran over its crackdown on anti-regime demonstrations.
National Focus: Policy, Politics, and Legal Matters
Domestically, the New South Wales government has criticised generous capital gains tax rules, arguing they have skewed housing market incentives, pushed up property prices, and damaged affordability, primarily benefiting wealthy investors over first-home buyers.
In political circles, speculation is rife about who will replace Kevin Rudd as Australia's ambassador to the United States. Names in contention include former ministers Joel Fitzgibbon and Stephen Conroy, Defence Department boss Greg Moriarty, and career diplomat Justin Hayhurst.
In a separate development, prominent Australian author Craig Silvey has been charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material following a police search of his Fremantle home.
Other notable stories include:
- Two divers survived a 90-minute swim in open ocean after losing their boat off Western Australia, later finding it and continuing their dive.
- Reserve Bank of Australia chief Michele Bullock has joined ten other global central bankers in a show of support for embattled US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
- A Guardian investigation reveals men from countries including Egypt, Senegal, and Sri Lanka are being lured to fight for Russia in Ukraine with promises of money and citizenship, only to face high mortality or indefinite service.
Lifestyle and Culture: The Professional World of Merpeople
Beyond hard news, a growing global community of professional "merpeople" is making waves. These performers, who risk hypothermia, sea sickness, and encounters with wildlife like sharks and crocodiles, say the unique career is worth the hazards. The feature offers a glimpse into their watery world of performance art and entertainment.
In sport, the tennis world looks ahead to the Australian Open, questioning if any player can break the current dominance of stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the men's game.
This confluence of environmental, scientific, political, and cultural stories paints a picture of a world grappling with urgent ecological crises, scientific scrutiny, and complex human endeavours both on land and sea.
