Australian News

1. Climate & Environment:

   • A rapid grassfire in Victoria's Natimuk overwhelmed emergency responses, demonstrating a new, faster type of climate-driven bushfire. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Australia’s Imperial Lakes Nature Park may dry out for the first time in over a century due to drought, threatening hundreds of native animals. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Sydney faces a $3 billion wastewater overhaul after "poo balls" polluted beaches, linked to a massive fatberg in the Malabar outfall. 👉 theguardian.com

2. Geopolitics & Diplomacy:

   • Donald Trump threatens tariffs on countries opposing his Greenland annexation plans, escalating tensions with Denmark. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 9news.com.au
   • Iran’s unrest reshapes China’s view of global power structures, with Beijing cautiously observing protests and regime stability. 👉 abc.net.au
   • A realignment in the Middle East emerges as the US, Iran, and Gulf states navigate shifting alliances amid regional instability. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Iran’s young protesters, nostalgic for a pre-revolution era they never lived, risk their lives for perceived freedoms in black-and-white imagery. 👉 abc.net.au

3. Health & Science:

   • The Lancet rejects Donald Trump’s claims linking paracetamol use in pregnancy to autism, calling them a "politicisation" of medical advice. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 9news.com.au
   • A banned midwife in the Northern Territory is awarded a $1.1 million government contract despite restrictions, raising ethical concerns. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Australia’s Northern Territory risks a maternity service collapse as its last private obstetrician steps away from practice. 👉 sbs.com.au

4. Economy & Business:

   • Renters in Brisbane are turning to marina-based living, with some paying $500/week for boat dwellings amid soaring apartment costs. 👉 abc.net.au
   • A new dictionary revives the Bunurong language, spoken fluently for only a century before fading into obscurity. 👉 abc.net.au
   • People First Bank plans to close 18 branches, citing a shift toward digital services, though regional communities rely on in-person banking. 👉 abc.net.au

5. Politics & Law:

   • Australia’s hate speech laws face backlash from faith leaders, who warn of unintended consequences for free speech. 👉 sbs.com.au
   • A NSW coroner refers the death of a Filipino worker to the AFP for further investigation after a coronial inquest. 👉 abc.net.au
   • A Sydney private school teacher is charged with aggravated assault and soliciting child abuse material. 👉 9news.com.au

6. Crime & Justice:

   • A 21-year-old sports coach’s murder sparks calls for urgent action against gendered violence, though experts say reforms are stalled. 👉 au.news.yahoo.com
   • Police in Victoria shoot dead a man armed with a bow and arrow at a rural property. 👉 theguardian.com
   • A controversial boxing match between Nikita Tszyu and Michael Zerafa ends abruptly amid accusations of cowardice, sparking fan outrage. 👉 7news.com.au

7. Disasters & Emergencies:

   • Severe flash floods along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road sweep away cars and tents, with helicopter rescues described as a "Victorian first." 👉 9news.com.au 👉 7news.com.au
   • Sydney braces for a "soggiest weekend of summer" with up to 20mm of rain forecast, following a chaotic start to the year. 👉 9news.com.au
   • Pipe bombs found in Canberra prompt further investigations as authorities uncover additional devices. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 9news.com.au

8. Sports:

   • Steve Smith breaks the BBL record with a rapid century, while teammate Babar Azam fumes over a disputed single. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 7news.com.au
   • The world’s largest battery-electric ferry begins sea trials in Hobart, marking a global first in sustainable marine transport. 👉 abc.net.au
   • A Queensland teenager survives an 80-meter fall off a mountain, credited to his AirPods, which may have helped with his rescue. 👉 7news.com.au

9. Culture & Society:

   • A child sexual abuse victim-survivor reveals his identity to inspire others in their pursuit of justice. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Sydney’s courthouse purchases artworks by Aboriginal inmates, fostering cultural connection and healing through creativity. 👉 abc.net.au
   • A heritage wall demolition in Mount Gambier faces community backlash, highlighting tensions over urban development vs. preservation. 👉 abc.net.au

10. International:

    • Iranian refugees in Australia report heightened surveillance of phone calls with relatives amid ongoing protests. 👉 theguardian.com
    • Venezuela’s opposition leader gifts Trump her Nobel Peace Prize, drawing mixed reactions from Norwegian politicians. 👉 theguardian.com
    • South Korea’s former president is jailed for declaring martial law, marking a rare conviction for a former head of state. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Singer Julio Iglesias denies sexual assault allegations from two former employees, adding to a wave of high-profile cases. 👉 abc.net.au
    • Ukraine’s children face hypothermia risks as Russian attacks disrupt aid and heating supplies amid winter. 👉 abc.net.au

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