Morning Mail: Coalition hits new poll low, Trump to meet Putin 'within weeks', marriage equality will lead to gender confusion, says ACL

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Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Monday 16 January 2017 g No contact between Trump campaign and Russia, Mike Pence insists Among the stories leading our website this morning, vice president-elect Mike Pence has denied that Donald Trump's presidential campaign had any contacts with Russia, insisting investigations into Russian hacking of political parties are "a distraction". Since the election, US intelligence agencies have publicly concluded that the Kremlin orchestrated a series of hacks intended to create chaos, defeat Hillary Clinton and help Trump win the White House. The vice president elect's denial comes after the Guardian last week learned the FBI applied for a warrant from the foreign intelligence surveillance (Fisa) court in the middle of last year in order to monitor four members of the Trump team suspected of irregular contacts with Russian officials. The Fisa court turned down the application asking FBI counter-intelligence investigators to narrow its focus. According to one report, the FBI was finally granted a warrant in October, but that has not been confirmed, and it is not clear whether any warrant led to a full investigation. Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines Coalition hits new low and Greens trail One Nation in poll showing Centrelink anger One Nation gains ground in GetUp poll that finds 46.2% want Centrelink automated debt collection halted, compared with 31.8% who want to keep it Trump and Vladimir Putin to hold summit 'within weeks' President-elect reported to be planning to meet Russian counterpart in Reykjavik shortly after becoming assuming office Climate change: 90% of rural Australians say their lives are already affected Overwhelming majority believe they are living with the effects of warming and 46% say coal-fired power should be phased out Man who sailed with daughter from New Zealand to Australia charged Alan Langdon has been charged with taking his six-year-old daughter Que illegally from New Zealand, as she is reunited with her mother in Australia French progressives dare to hope as maverick Macron surges in polls Pro-EU, socially liberal and a political outsider, the former economy minister is drawing crowds who fear rise of Marine Le Pen Australian news and politics Doctors lobby group would welcome Arthur Sinodinos as health minister Australian Medical Association says it's 'not playing favourites' amid speculation Sinodinos will replace Sussan Ley Don Dale inmate flown interstate after medical emergency Territory Families says support is being given to relatives of inmate held at facility at centre of Four Corners investigation Marriage equality will lead to gender confusion, Australian Christian Lobby claims Exclusive: Same-sex marriage groups warn against ACL's call for broader rights to discriminate against same-sex couples Clive Palmer claims council officers used 'high-powered rifles' to shoot deer on his land Queensland businessman and former politician alleges meat was then sold to Gold Coast restaurants Granville train disaster: NSW government to apologise for tragedy that killed 83 Train derailed near railway station and bridge collapsed on to carriages, killing more than 80 and injuring 213 Mathias Cormann defends spending $23,000 of taxpayers' money on Broome trips One of five trips cost taxpayers $6696 but spokeswoman says all expenses on trips were appropriately declared Australia and Japan to strengthen military ties Fears about possible conflict in the South China Sea and North Korea's nuclear testing loom over Shinzo Abe's visit to Sydney Around the world Senegal hosts president-elect of The Gambia as Jammeh urged to leave Gambians flee as west African states consider military intervention if Jammeh refuses to cede power to Adama Barrow At least 30 inmates killed in Brazil prison riot as gang war death toll rises Drug gang invaded Alcaçuz prison where rivals were on Saturday; about 140 people have died in drug-related gang violence since beginning of the year Bahrain executes three Shia men in first death sentences since 2010 UK urged to loosen ties with Gulf nation after killing of three Shia Muslims as protesters claim confessions extracted under torture India: Ganges boat accident leaves two dozen dead Overloaded boat returning from kite festival in eastern state of Bihar capsizes near city of Patna Fear and loathing in Washington DC: progressives dread Trump inauguration Amid splendid pomp and pageantry, the eyes of the world are on Donald Trump as the capital is set to stage a battle for the heart of America

One last thing The seven faces of Donald Trump – a psychologist's view From the chin-jut to the zipped smile, we examine the president-elect's signature facial expressions and what they tell us about him. Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

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