Almost a third of the world’s tree species are at risk of extinction, while hundreds are on the brink of being wiped out, according to a new report.

The landmark study, published by Botanic Gardens Conservation International on Wednesday, said some 17,500 tree species are at risk of extinction, while 440 species have fewer than 50 specimens left in the wild.

The Botanic Gardens International Secretary-General Paul Smith said in a statement. “This report is a wake up call to everyone around the world that trees need help.”

Afghans who worked for British troops will be entitled to indefinite leave to stay and a right to apply for UK citizenship in the future, as hundreds of those eligible for evacuation remain in Afghanistan.

Dubbed ‘Operation Warm Welcome,’ the British government unveiled on Wednesday, Afghans arriving in the UK will receive the vital support needed to rebuild their lives.

Those who have already relocated to Britain under the Afghanistan Relocations and Assistance Policy will be able to swap their temporary leaves for permanent ones, a government statement said.

Water restrictions are set to impact south-east Queensland by the end of the year as the Wivenhoe dam drops close to its lowest level since the last drought to grip Brisbane. 

The dwindling supply at the Wivenhoe dam sits at 41.8% while the combined drinking water dams in the region sits at 58.1%.

It is believed this shortage is due to several failed wet seasons and catchment missing out on heavy winter rainfall.

Overdose prevention advocates are pleading for wider use of Naloxone, a drug that can stop drug overdoses leading to deaths.

Naloxone, or Narcan, its registered trademark name, is a drug available from pharmacies as a preloaded syringe or nasal spray which can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. 

It can be used for both illicit and prescription opioid overdoses and can provide the crucial care in the minutes before paramedics arrive.

Queensland has banned single-use plastic straws, cutlery and plates, as well as containers and cups made from expanded polystyrene.

Initially announced in March, businesses had until 1 September to stop using items listed under the first stage of the state government ban.

The plan received huge support from the community during consultations, with 94 per cent of 20,000 respondents supporting the proposal.

Australia’s leading scientists and engineers have told the Morrison government the technologies needed to make significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions already exist.  

In an explicit response to the government’s “technology, not taxes” approach to reducing emissions; the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering have released a position statement urging the government to set more ambitious goals ahead of the climate summit in Glasgow. 

Lachlan Murdoch has been invited to appear before a re-convened Senate inquiry into YouTube’s temporary ban on Sky News Australia for uploading videos in breach of the platform’s Covid misinformation policy.

The inquiry will seek to understand how and why it was left to the video sharing platform to pull down potentially dangerous material. 

The city of San Francisco has launched a bold initiative to curb rising gun violence by paying high risk individuals to put the guns down and become more productive members of society.

San Francisco will launch the ‘Dream Keeper Fellowship’ as a pilot program in October. 

Those who authorities believe are most at risk of gun violence will be offered $300 per month to meet with life coaches and to talk other high risk individuals out of committing gun crimes.

As of July, shootings in San Francisco have doubled since last year.