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.
Australia
Deep water | Two divers have survived becoming stranded in the ocean after losing their boat while diving in a popular fishing spot off Western Australia. Ryan Chapman and his friend swam for 90 minutes to a passing boat, found their own boat and then carried on diving.
‘Distressing’ | More than 57,000 hectares of threatened species habitat was approved for destruction by the Australian government in 2025 – the most in 15 years, a study has found. That is more than double the 2024 figure, and five times the 10,426 hectares approved for razing in 2023. Also, we have a special multimedia feature mapping how much of the world’s forests are being lost to bushfires.
‘Skews incentives’ | Generous capital gains tax rules have pushed up property prices and damaged housing affordability, the NSW government says, warning the discount benefits wealthy investors at the expense of first home buyers.
Rudd replacement? | Former ministers Joel Fitzgibbon and Stephen Conroy are among the favourites to replace Kevin Rudd as Australia’s ambassador to the US. Other contenders include defence department boss Greg Moriarty and career diplomat Justin Hayhurst, government sources have said.
Western Australia | Prominent Australian author Craig Silvey has been charged with possessing and distributing child exploitation material after a search warrant was issued at his Fremantle home on Monday.
World
Exclusive | High-profile studies reporting the presence of microplastics throughout the human body have been thrown into doubt by scientists who say the discoveries are probably the result of contamination and false positives. One expert dismissed a high-profile study as “a joke”, while one chemist called the concerns “a bombshell”.
‘Keep protesting’ | Donald Trump has told demonstrators in Iran “help is on its way” and urged them to “keep protesting” and to “take over” their institutions as he stepped up pressure on the country’s unpopular theocratic regime. Follow developments live. China has threatened to retaliate against Trump after he said he would impose 25% tariffs on countries that trade with Iran as a way of punishing Tehran for its crackdown on the biggest anti-regime protests in years.
Bankers’ backing | RBA chief Michele Bullock has joined 10 other leading central bankers from around the world to defend the embattled US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, amid a concerted attack from the Trump administration. Read our profile of the steely, respected official resisting the US president.
Trump disclosure? | Donald Trump may find himself under pressure to make rare disclosures about his properties and business interests as part of his $10bn lawsuit against the BBC, the Guardian understands. Bill and Hillary Clinton have meanwhile launched an extraordinary attack on Republicans and Trump, as they refuse to testify in the House Epstein inquiry, with Bill Clinton facing the prospect of being held in contempt of Congress.
Hollywood howl | George Clooney has said “we are living in a age of cruelty” after he defended the actors Paul Dano, Owen Wilson and Matthew Lillard, criticised recently by Quentin Tarantino. And one of our critics has praised Mark Ruffalo for his “howl of frustration” at the Golden Globes.
Full Story
Why AI datacentres are draining our energy and water
Climate and environment reporter Petra Stock talks to Nour Haydar about the increasing concerns over the environmental impact of datacentres.
In-depth
Men from Egypt, Senegal, Sri Lanka, North Korea and South Africa, among others, have been lured to fight for Russia in Ukraine in exchange for thousands of dollars and the promise of citizenship. But in this brilliant investigation, the reality is quite different, with the mercenaries facing either a rapid death in the frontline meat-grinder or becoming trapped in a limbo of never-ending service.
Not the news
They risk hypothermia, sea sickness and close encounters with sharks and crocodiles but the hazards are worth the risk for the world’s growing number of “merpeople”. Sarah Szabo dips her toe into the world of professional mermaids.
Sport
Tennis | With the Australian Open almost upon us, our tennis correspondent asks whether anyone can break the domination of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the men’s game.
Football | Holders Newcastle are at home to Manchester City in the first leg of the first Carabao Cup semi-final. Follow the action live.
Afcon | Former Liverpool teammates Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah will meet in the tournament’s semi-final in the early hours of tomorrow as Senegal take on Egypt for a place in the final.
Media roundup
Australia’s biggest neo-Nazi group is disbanding to avoid being punished under new hate speech laws, the Sydney Morning Herald claims. A “furious mob” heckled the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, over alleged underfunding of the CFA when she visited fire-hit regions yesterday, the Herald Sun reports. The exploration efforts of two Australian mining companies in Greenland have shown Donald Trump how difficult it will be to exploit the territory’s resources, according to the Age. And the amount of renewable energy going to waste has doubled in the past year thanks to constraints on the grid, the Australian Financial Review reports.
What’s happening today
Education | The Futurity Investment Group will release data on the most affordable cities and regions for education.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
