“As many as 25 people have lost their lives. Last week it was reported that nearly half a billion animals are feared dead in the blaze. On Monday, HuffPost reported that number has climbed to a billion.” 1 Billion Animals Have Reportedly Died in Australia’s Wildfires.

+ Reuters: “Australia’s government is sticking firmly to a position that there is no direct link between climate change and the country’s devastating bushfires, despite public anger, the anguish of victims and warnings from scientists.” (Maybe they should let koalas vote…)