Massive bushfires raging in Australia’s New South Wales area may have killed up to 30 percent of the region’s koalas, according to government officials.

Australia’s Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley made the shocking revelation on ABC’s AM Radio program on Friday. 

“Up to 30 percent of the koalas in the region may have been killed, because up to 30 percent of their habitat has been destroyed,” Ley said in the interview. “We’ll know more when the fires are calmed down and a proper assessment can be made.”

Ley also said that koala experts are working on a plan to establish a new area to release koalas that were saved and treated in hospitals due to the fires. 

As of Dec. 21, nine people had been confirmed dead from the fires, one confirmed missing and nearly 800 homes had been destroyed. Two volunteer firefighters died fighting the flames on Dec. 19. 

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The fires have raged for more than two months.

The new statement from officials comes after Australian Koala Foundation chairwoman Deborah Tabart estimated last month that more than 1,000 koalas have been killed from the fires.

The organization predicted in May that the Koala population was “functionally extinct,” and estimated that fewer than 80,000 koalas are left in the wild.

More than $2 million has been raised in a GoFundMe to help The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital treat koalas affected by the fire.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezTrump lashes out at ‘squad’: ‘They hate Jewish people’ Ocasio-Cortez accuses Trump of ‘an act of war’ Iran just became Trump’s No. 1 foreign crisis of 2020 — but not the only one MORE (D-N.Y.) accused President TrumpDonald John Trump Trump asks New York judge to dismiss rape allegation case NYT to fight White House’s withholdment of emails about Ukraine aid freeze Gabbard blasts Iran strike: ‘Trump’s actions are an act of war’ MORE of an “act of war” following the Thursday airstrike in Iraq he ordered that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. 

“Last night the President engaged in what is widely being recognized as an act of war against Iran, one that now risks the lives of millions of innocent people,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted Friday. 

The drone strike followed an assault on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday by supporters of an Iranian-backed militia, which itself followed reciprocal airstrikes by both sides over the weekend.

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Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoUS officials, lawmakers warn of potential Iranian cyberattacks Trump says Iranian commander was killed to ‘stop a war’ Ocasio-Cortez accuses Trump of ‘an act of war’ MORE has said that “de-escalation” is the goal of the U.S. and said the attack was carried out because of “imminent threats to American lives.”

Democrats, however, described the action as a “massive escalation” and said it could provoke “further dangerous escalation of violence.”

Iran has warned of “harsh retaliation” following the strike. 

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said Friday that about 3,000 U.S. troops will be deployed to the Middle East as tensions rise. 

Sen. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineSanders, Khanna introduce legislation to block funding for a war with Iran Kaine introduces resolution to block war with Iran Schumer: Trump failed to alert top House, Senate leaders on Iran attack MORE (D-Va.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Friday introduced a resolution to block President TrumpDonald John Trump Trump asks New York judge to dismiss rape allegation case NYT to fight White House’s withholdment of emails about Ukraine aid freeze Gabbard blasts Iran strike: ‘Trump’s actions are an act of war’ MORE from further escalating hostilities with Iran.

The resolution is privileged, which means Republicans cannot block it from reaching the floor, and comes the day after the surprise drone strike that killed Iraninan Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’s elite Quds Force.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed “forceful revenge” against the U.S., and the Pentagon announced Friday that it will send 3,000 additional troops to the Middle East.

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Kaine’s resolution requires that any hostilities with Iran must be explicitly authorized by a congressional declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of military force, though it does not prevent the United States from defending itself from imminent attack, according to a summary of the measure released by his office.

“For years I’ve been deeply concerned about President Trump stumbling into a war with Iran. We’re now at a boiling point and Congress must step in before Trump puts even more of our troops in harm’s way,” Kaine, the 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee, said in a statement.

“We owe it to our servicemembers to have a debate and vote about whether or not it’s in our national interest to engage in another unnecessary war in the Middle East,” he added.

The measure would direct the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran not later than 30 days after its enactment unless Congress approves further engagement.

It must pass both chambers by a majority vote and receive Trump’s signature to take the force of law. Otherwise, each chamber would have to muster a two-thirds majority — 67 votes in the Senate and 288 votes in the House — to overcome Trump’s veto. There are currently four vacancies in the lower chamber.

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“What the United States did yesterday should have been done long ago,” Trump said in a brief address on the strike from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla. “We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war.”

Kaine’s resolution, which was originally sponsored by Senate Democratic Whip Dick DurbinRichard (Dick) Joseph DurbinKaine introduces resolution to block war with Iran Third US senator banned from the Philippines over support of top government critic Trump administration declares ban on mint, fruit flavored vaping products MORE (Ill.), appears to have the support of Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerSanders, Khanna introduce legislation to block funding for a war with Iran Nancy Pelosi’s great impeachment charade Here’s what Congress can do to combat anti-semitism MORE (D-N.Y.), who warned on the floor Friday that Congress needs to authorize any broader military action against Iran.

“The president does not have the authority for a war with Iran,” Schumer said. “If he plans a large increase in troops and potential hostility over a longer time, the administration will require congressional approval and the approval of the American people.” 

The United States has seen signs that Iran or its proxy forces could be planning additional attacks on U.S. interests, Defense Secretary Mark EsperMark EsperUS airstrike kills Iran’s powerful Quds Forces leader Schumer: Newly revealed emails a ‘devastating blow’ to McConnell’s impeachment trial plans Defense chief: Iran, proxies could be planning more attacks MORE said Thursday, adding that the U.S. is prepared to take preemptive action against such attacks.

“There are some indications out there that they may be planning additional attacks, that is nothing new … we’ve seen this for two or three months now,” Esper told reporters at the Pentagon, according to Reuters.

“If that happens, then we will act, and by the way, if we get word of attacks or some type indication, we will take preemptive action as well to protect American forces, to protect American lives,” he added.

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Esper’s comments come after supporters of an Iran-backed militia on Tuesday stormed the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad, breaching the perimeter and setting small fires to the property. The protesters withdrew Wednesday after U.S. security forces fired tear gas into the crowd.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpIran foreign minister warns killing of general is ‘extremely dangerous and foolish escalation’ Congress reacts to U.S. assassination of Iranian general Trump tweets American flag amid reports of strike against Iranian general MORE has accused Iran of orchestrating the assault on the embassy.

The U.S. military sent about 100 Marines to the embassy as reinforcements. Additionally, about 750 soldiers from the Immediate Response Force of the 82nd Airborne Division were deployed to the Middle East, with Esper saying Tuesday night that more were prepared to be deployed in the coming days.

The embassy violence came after the U.S. military on Sunday struck an Iran-backed militia called Kataib Hezbollah, killing at least 25 fighters. The United States blamed the militia for a Friday rocket attack on an Iraqi military base that killed a U.S. contractor and injured four U.S. troops.

U.S. officials have blamed Iranian-backed forces for 11 attacks on military bases in Iraq in the last two months.

Referencing those recent attacks, Esper said Thursday that “the game has changed,”  according to The Associated Press.

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“We’re prepared to do what is necessary to defend our personnel and our interests and our partners in the region,” he said.

Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, who was speaking alongside Esper, said Thursday the militia’s Friday rocket attack at the base in Kirkuk was designed to kill.

“Thirty-one rockets aren’t designed as a warning shot; that is designed to inflict damage and kill,” Milley said.

Milley also said that anyone who tries to overrun the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad will now run into a “buzzsaw.” 

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuBenjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE announced Wednesday that he will seek parliamentary immunity in three corruption cases.

Netanyahu claims he deserves parliament’s protection because the charges are politically motivated. The trial cannot begin once an immunity request is announced, so the proceedings could be delayed for months, Reuters reported.  

The prime minister’s announcement was made four hours before his deadline for an application was set to expire.

Reuters notes that the parliament is not expected to back Netanyahu’s request with a majority of votes before the March 2 election. The prime minister has strived to get majority support in parliament to form a government after elections, but failed to do so in April and September. 

Netanyahu was charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust for exchanging state favors to media barons for gifts and positive news coverage, making history as the first current leader of Israel to face criminal charges. 

The prime minister maintains he did nothing wrong and says the media and left are using this to try to remove him as the leader.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) independent board of science advisers took the agency to task Tuesday for ignoring its advice and when revising Obama-era protections for mercury pollution from power plants.

In a draft released by the EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB), members say their recommendations “do not seem to have been taken into consideration in the published analysis.”

Under the Obama administration, the EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule was projected to save between $37 billion and $90 billion dollars when taking into account savings on public health. Under the Trump administration’s proposal, the estimate has been reduced to between $4 million to $6 million.

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This is at least the second time the proposal has been criticized this month. Economists criticized the cost-benefit analysis used by the EPA to justify the changes in the rule, saying the flawed analysis essentially zeros out “co-benefits,” including the other toxins that would be removed by pollution controls at power plants that would ultimately benefit public health.

The review by the SAB lists a number of scientific studies that back up the critique of economists, arguing the EPA failed to consider the wide health benefits that would result from better controlling mercury pollution and underestimated the neurological damage that comes from being exposed to it.

The SAB also digs into the EPA’s analysis on how families might be exposed to mercury from freshwater fish, arguing the EPA needs to include all types of fish and consider how bioaccumulation of mercury would impact all ages. 

An EPA spokesperson stressed the feedback was only a draft.

“EPA always appreciates and respects the work and advice of the SAB. The reports they posted are a draft and will be discussed at their next meeting. The commentary and reports may potentially be revised by the SAB members as they strive for a consensus on these documents. The final commentary and reports will be developed soon after the public meeting and then sent to the administrator,” a spokesperson said by email.

The latest EPA MATS proposal doesn’t roll back the rule itself, but changing the cost-benefit analysis associated with it would open up the agency to swift legal challenges, something critics worry could hinder future administrations from using the full power of the Clean Air Act.

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Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenWarren announces support for new North American trade pact Bloomberg rises to third place alongside Warren in national poll Poll: Biden holds double-digit lead over 2020 Democratic rivals MORE (D-Mass.) said Friday that she supports President TrumpDonald John Trump Trump asks New York judge to dismiss rape allegation case NYT to fight White House’s withholdment of emails about Ukraine aid freeze Gabbard blasts Iran strike: ‘Trump’s actions are an act of war’ MORE’s renegotiated version of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which passed the Democratic-controlled House last month.

Warren, a 2020 presidential candidate, told Boston CBS affiliate WBZ that she would vote to approve the pact despite her past opposition to free trade agreements. The Senate is expected to approve Trump’s proposal, called the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) as soon as this month.

Warren said Friday that the updated version of the USMCA “makes improvements” to the original NAFTA and Trump’s first proposal. The White House agreed to bolster labor law enforcement provisions, scrap protections for high-cost prescription drugs and tighten environmental standards to win the overwhelming support of House Democrats.

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“Workers have had the legs taken out from underneath them and this agreement makes improvements,” Warren said Friday.

“It’s gonna help open up some markets for farmers, they need that stability,” she said. “It’s gonna help with enforceable labor standards and that’s gonna be useful.”

Warren is among the Democratic Party’s most ardent critics of free trade agreements, which she blames for the outsourcing of U.S. manufacturing jobs and exploitation of workers. The senator has also proposed using trade policy to create stronger safeguards for labor, the environment and regions of the U.S. struggling to adjust to globalization.

While Warren opposed Trump’s initial USMCA proposal, she joined a slew of trade hawks and labor unions to endorse an updated version following talks between the White House and House Democrats. Several of her 2020 primary competitors have also voiced support for USMCA, including former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenNYT to fight White House’s withholdment of emails about Ukraine aid freeze Krystal Ball: ‘Doesn’t hold up’ to say Castro failed to gain traction due to race Warren announces support for new North American trade pact MORE and Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy Jean KlobucharWarren announces support for new North American trade pact Booker raises .6M in fourth quarter, trailing top rivals 2020 Democrats: Iran airstrike ‘reckless,’ ‘could cost countless lives’ MORE (D-Minn.).

Warren’s support for USMCA also marks another contrast with Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersSanders, Khanna introduce legislation to block funding for a war with Iran Krystal Ball: ‘Doesn’t hold up’ to say Castro failed to gain traction due to race Hill.TV’s Saagar Enjeti warns Trump could lose in 2020 if Sanders becomes nominee MORE (I-Vt.), her biggest obstacle to cementing support among progressive primary voters. Sanders said last month he would vote against USMCA, calling the agreement “a modest improvement.”

“It is not going to stop outsourcing, it is not going to stop corporations from moving to Mexico, where workers make $2 an hour,” Sanders said, though the deal does require Mexico to boost wages in certain sectors.

Interior Secretary David Bernhardt on Thursday extended the tenure of the controversial acting director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), ensuring William Pendley will stay at the helm of the agency even as he faces calls for his firing.

A temporary redelegation of authority signed by Bernhardt leaves Pendley in charge of the BLM through April 3.

Pendley’s renewed tenure comes as a coalition of 91 various conservation and public interest groups have called for his ousting and amid a much-contested move of BLM headquarters to Colorado.

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Critics have complained the orders, a frequent practice of the Department of the Interior, leave major bureaus without permanent leadership and allow controversial leaders to skip a Senate confirmation process they’d be unlikely to pass.

The coalition on Monday who demanded Pendley’s resignation cited his advocacy for selling off public lands as one reason “his actions betray BLM’s mission and demonstrate his lack of fitness to lead it.”

The Interior Department pegged the groups involved in the drafting of the letter, ranging from a number of local wildlife groups to the outdoor apparel brand Patagonia, as environmental extremists.

“For this group of environmental extremists to call themselves sportsman and conservationists is as laughable as this letter. Mr. Pendley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Department and is committed to carrying out the Administration’s priorities for the betterment of the American people,” a spokesperson told The Hill by email on Monday.

Some books authored by Pendley discuss his philosophy on government land ownership, including “War on the West: Government Tyranny on America’s Frontier” and “Warriors for the West: Fighting Bureaucrats, Radical Groups, and Liberal Judges on America’s Frontier.”

Sen. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerBiden maintains national lead after December debate: poll Booker eyes improvements to long-term care in new 2020 plan The right whale is facing extinction — we must act now MORE (D-N.J.) unveiled a plan on Monday to expand eligibility for long-term services for low- and middle-income Americans 

“No one should have to impoverish themselves or quit their job in order to get the care they need or secure care for a loved one,” he said on his campaign web site.

The New Jersey senator said in his proposal that he wants to increase asset limits for long-term services and support to $200,000 and income limits to 300 percent of the federal poverty line, “ensuring that all low- and middle-income seniors and people with disabilities have access to services through Medicaid.”

The plan would also ensure home care workers get paid at least $15 per hour and have access to affordable health care, retirement benefits, paid family and medical leave, and other workplace benefits.

Booker also said his plan would increase Medicaid funding for direct care workers in publicly funded programs.

The plan would also compensate family caregivers through an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit.