Conservationists in Australia have been left reeling by new data revealing a deeply concerning acceleration in the destruction of crucial wildlife habitats. A recent study has found that the amount of land home to threatened species approved for clearing has more than doubled in just one year, marking the highest level in 15 years.
A 'Distressing' Surge in Habitat Destruction
The figures are stark. In 2025, the Australian government approved the destruction of more than 57,000 hectares of threatened species habitat. This represents a dramatic increase, being more than double the area approved in 2024 and a fivefold jump from the 10,426 hectares given the green light for clearing in 2023. Environmental groups have labelled the trend "deeply distressing," highlighting the extreme vulnerability of species like the elusive night parrot to such rapid habitat loss.
In a separate environmental development, a significant controversy is brewing in the scientific community regarding microplastics. Several high-profile studies that claimed to find pervasive microplastic contamination throughout the human body are now facing serious scrutiny. Experts suggest the alarming results may be due to laboratory contamination and false positives, with one chemist describing the revelations as "a bombshell" and another dismissing a prominent paper as "a joke."
Global Political Tensions and Legal Battles
On the international stage, former US President Donald Trump has directly addressed protesters in Iran, urging them to "keep protesting" and "take over" their institutions, promising that "help is on its way." This has escalated tensions, prompting China to threaten retaliation after Trump suggested imposing 25% tariffs on nations that trade with Iran as a punishment for Tehran's crackdown on dissent.
In a notable show of institutional solidarity, Reserve Bank of Australia chief Michele Bullock has joined ten other global central bankers in publicly defending US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell against attacks from the Trump administration. Meanwhile, in a UK courtroom, Donald Trump may be compelled to disclose rare details about his property and business empire as part of his $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC.
From the Courts to the Coral Reefs
In other news, prominent Australian author Craig Silvey has been charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material following a police search of his Fremantle home. In a lighter vein, a unique professional community is making waves: the world of professional 'merpeople.' These performers, who face risks from hypothermia to shark encounters, are growing in number, dedicated to their aquatic artistry.
In sport, the tennis world looks to the Australian Open, questioning if any player can break the dominance of stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Football fans are focused on the Carabao Cup semi-final where holders Newcastle host Manchester City, while the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final will see former Liverpool teammates Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah face off as Senegal meets Egypt.
