H5 bird flu threat: CSIRO is sequencing Australian bird flu samples to watch for genetic reassortment that could create new strains, with experts warning of “extinction-level” impacts for vulnerable species; meanwhile Victoria begins vaccinating about 5,000 little penguins at Phillip Island and St Kilda. Poultry fallout: Poultry farmers are bracing for mortality levels similar to the US outbreak as H5N1 spreads, with the Melbourne Royal Show cancelling its poultry competition. Natural hazards and insurance: Suncorp says natural hazard costs blew past its allowance by $254m, with 32 weather events across Australia and NZ driving a sharp earnings drop. Climate risk and wildlife: Researchers warn Indonesia’s nickel boom could collide with biodiversity and carbon protection goals, raising ecosystem risks as demand grows. Pacific digital resource debate: A Fiji academic warns hyperscale data centres and subsea cables could turn island nations into “resource extraction” hubs unless land, water and energy impacts are tightly managed. Energy transition in practice: A Queensland solar-plus-storage project (Lower Wonga) secured grid connection and government support, highlighting how storage is becoming central to meeting power needs.