Fur seal’s death marks first Australian mainland mammal fatality from spreading H5 bird flu strain 23. August 2026 (02:42) Seal found dead at Beachport in South Australia presages ‘significant losses’, minister warnsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA long-nosed fur seal has died from H5 bird flu in South Australia, marking the first confirmed case in a mammal on the Australian mainland.
The seal was found dead at Beachport on Wednesday on the state’s Limestone Coast.
It marks a fresh escalation in the spread of the virus days after the South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, announced three mass mortality events on offshore islands involving more than 1,000 greater crested terns.The federal agriculture minister, Julie Collins, said the seal death was “not unexpected” as the virus begins to spread through the country. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Heathrow expansion ‘is threat to England’s largest surviving medieval barn’ 23. August 2026 (02:00) Exclusive: campaigners warn 600-year-old New Barn at Harmondsworth could be ‘shaken to pieces’ by vibrationsSix hundred years after it was built, England’s largest surviving medieval timber-framed barn could now be “shaken to pieces” by aircraft vibrations, campaigners warn.The public has until 1 September to submit objections to the Heathrow airport expansion, which could threaten the survival of the New Barn at Harmondsworth, considered a remarkable example of medieval architecture. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tropical Storm Moke poised to slam into Hawaii just days after Hurricane Lala 22. August 2026 (23:52) Weather service warns of flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas strongly affected by previous stormTropical Storm Moke is poised to slam into the south of Hawaii’s islands with forecasters predicting heavy rains and strong winds on Saturday evening, just days after the region was devastated by Hurricane Lala.The tropical storm is gathering strength as it advances west, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Continue reading...(The Guardian)
