A northeastern Australian state, second-largest by area
A federal judge has paused the Education Department's narrow definition of “professional degree,” temporarily preserving wider borrowing access for many advanced-health and other graduate programs ahead of caps tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill. The decision leaves the department's overall loan limits intact while litigation proceeds and the agency reviews the order. Today's time: Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:54:31 +0100.
Experts are monitoring a high likelihood of a strong El Niño developing this summer, which could lead to record global temperatures in 2027. The phenomenon may cause extreme weather events worldwide, including droughts and heavy rainfall, with a 62% chance of a super El Niño persisting into the end of the year.
Record‑level and near‑record May temperatures have been reported across multiple regions this week — parts of England and Russia have hit unusually high temps while the eastern US has recorded low‑90s — even as eastern Australia is facing a major rain band. Forecasts show brief, intense heat will give way to fronts or rain in most places; Australia is also seeing El Niño odds rise for winter.
The diphtheria outbreak in Australia has reached multiple states and territories, with the Northern Territory reporting hundreds of cases and at least one death. Health authorities warn vaccination rates are driving transmission, while Indigenous communities are disproportionately affected. Officials say cases are now decreasing after peaking earlier in 2026.
A 39-year-old man has died after a shark bite while spearfishing near Kennedy Shoal, 28 miles off northeast Australia. He was rushed to shore but could not be revived. Several sources note a recent fatality near Rottnest Island and ongoing shark activity in eastern Australia.
A series of shark attacks off Australia’s east coast have left swimmers injured and beaches temporarily closed. Authorities are deploying drones and boosting surveillance as experts warn of rising incidents amid warming seas.
Researchers have identified a ballista spider in Australia that uses a spring-loaded silk trap to catch only the green tree ant. The mechanism is triggered by the prey, launching the ant into the spider’s web at extreme acceleration.