In short: An endangered crayfish species was rescued after bushfires in January tore through Victoria's High Country. Some are now returning home after months in captivity.

What's next? Conservationists expect more species will need rescuing after bushfires amid climate change.

Tell the Labor Government: Don't mine Takayna rainforest for Trump's war machine

"Mined for the war machine?
Mount Lindsay is under threat of being ripped open for a tungsten mine to supply the US war machine. Tungsten hardens steel for tanks, armour and armour-piercing munitions, and makes lethal, indiscriminate scattering warheads that have killed civilians, including children and infants."

"A back door through environment laws
Reforms to federal environment law in 2025 allow National Interest Exemptions for projects deemed necessary for strategic or defence purposes. Two have already been granted to Alcoa in WA’s Jarrah forests to produce Gallium for US missile systems. The parallels to Mount Lindsay are unmistakable."

In short:

Spirit of Tasmania IV has arrived in Geelong four hours late after suffering from a steering issue and requiring a tugboat escort through Port Phillip Bay.

Ferry operator TT-Line said a "fault" was identified "as the vessel was preparing to transit through Port Phillip Heads".

What's next?

It comes as transport safety authorities investigate a "steering issue" on the second of the new ferries, Spirit V, during a trial voyage two weeks ago.

In short:

An annual social cohesion survey of 10,000 Australians has found the nation is becoming "more divided" and "more pessimistic".

The latest Scanlon Foundation survey has found mounting financial pressure has left many households unable to pay for essentials such as food, rent or health care.

One in three respondents expressed anxiety about their future, triple the number of respondents who expressed the same pessimism in the first 2006 survey.

In short:

Calvary Health Care has confirmed it will cease IVF, elective abortions, voluntary assisted dying, and gender reassignment surgeries at Newcastle and Hunter Valley Private Hospitals.

The Catholic provider hopes to take control of the two hospitals by the end of the month.

What's next?

The formal sale is still subject to regulatory approvals.

In short:

A national study into bandicoots has uncovered new knowledge, which researchers say could have some big implications for the marsupials in South Australia.

While there was previously believed to be only one bandicoot species in the state, research has revealed there were once three.

**What's next? **

The southern brown bandicoot is already classified as an endangered species, which could mean a "conservation reassessment" for a new subspecies.

David Jones customers have rushed to spend gift cards hours after news broke the retailer's future was in serious jeopardy.

Queer non-binary Hobart City Council Greens candidate, Mx Trenton Hoare, has shared the “dehumanising, discriminatory, and destructive” online abuse they recieved during the Hobart City Council campaign.

Stumbled across this recently and I forgot what a banger the tune was.

In short:

A new survey has revealed a rise in young men who say "extreme measures" could sometimes be justified to advance a cause.

The McKinnon Index data also shows trust in politicians and governments has fallen among Australians in the past year.

Australia's democracy has been in the spotlight since the alleged attack on Helen Haines.

In short:

The Municipal Association of Victoria has demanded the state government impose a moratorium on data centres.

The peak body for all 79 councils in Victoria passed a resolution at its state council meeting calling for a moratorium on approvals for all new or expanded data centres until a "comprehensive" planning and environmental framework is established.
What's next?

The move by councils places pressure on the major parties to respond to mounting community opposition ahead of next month's election.

Educators and community supporters rally over NSW preschool funding cuts, warning of job losses, pay freezes and reduced support for children.

The Federal Court has ordered Apple to open up its devices to other app stores, as part of a landmark finding that the tech giant violated Australian competition law.

It's a fundamental shift for an estimated 15 million Australian Apple users, who will soon be able to download apps from the open web as well as rival app stores as a result.

The company has until March 2027 to make the changes, Federal Court Justice Jonathan Beach ruled on Thursday.

In short:

Advocates say changes to Northern Territory child protection must be in genuine partnership with Aboriginal organisations.

They say the Webb review has not captured the "full picture" of systemic failures endured by Kumanjayi Little Baby and her mother.

What's next?

The national commissioner for First Nations children is calling for a broader commission of inquiry.

Because if the mere act of adding gender-neutral language, like the word “parent”, to breastfeeding policies in parliament sets off an attack against gender-inclusivity, what else will? And if conservatives continue to reduce womanhood to reproductive functions, what Handmaid’s Tale-esque dystopian future awaits us?

It's not just NAB that is slashing its staff numbers, as large businesses look for ways to become "more agile" during lean times. But could this turbo-charge the path to recession?