Morning Mail: loss of threatened species habitat doubles, microplastics ‘bombshell’, the world of professional ‘merpeople’

The night parrot is among the species most vulnerable to habitat loss. Photograph: Bruce Greatwich

Morning everyone. The loss of Australian threatened species habitat has doubled in the past year in what conservationists call a “deeply distressing” development.

That’s our top local story, but we’re also reporting on Donald Trump telling Iranian protesters “help is on its way”, how scientists have cast doubt on a series of reports claiming that our bodies have become riddled with microplastics and the watery world of professional mermaids.