Morning Mail: Merkel's defiant reply to Trump, Japan rebuked for whale slaughter, Rolf Harris in court, 'bad batch' of ecstasy kills three

View in browser

Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Tuesday 17 January 2017 g Japan criticised after whale slaughtered in Australian waters Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail. Sign up here for our Guardian Today email, sent every day at noon, and you can sign up to our new Guardian Australia sport email here. Among the stories leading our website this morning, Australia's federal environment minister, Josh Frydenberg, has criticised Japan following the release of photographs allegedly showing the slaughtering of protected whales inside Australia's Antarctic whale sanctuary. The photographs, taken by Sea Shepherd activists from a helicopter, appear to show a dead minke on the deck of a Japanese whaler, and after the crew saw the Sea Shepherd helicopter, they covered the harpoons and attempted to hide the whale carcass with a tarpaulin. Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines 'Europe's fate is in our hands': Angela Merkel's defiant reply to Trump Chancellor joined by French president in making curt comments about the US president-elect's remarks about Germany, EU and Nato Australia's export credit agency could fund offshoring of jobs, Senate inquiry told Exclusive: Proposed changes to Export Finance and Insurance Corporation could reward companies that axe local jobs, Australia Institute warns Swedish minister 'shocked' by xenophobia towards Swedes in UK Ann Linde says future of 100,000 Swedish people in Britain must be resolved in first part of Brexit negotiations Images of giant wave on Venus captured by Japanese probe Pressure wave in planet's atmosphere was one of the largest ever seen in the solar system, stretching over 10,000 kilometres Rolf Harris like octopus in grope attack on blind woman, court hears Former entertainer jailed for series of indecent assaults is accused of molesting woman at London eye hospital in 1977 Australian news and politics Plans for Australia to adopt a 'Google tax' welcomed by advocacy group Coalition's proposed diverted profits tax could capture billions in revenue from multinationals using profit-shifting practices, says Tax Justice Network Mayor ridicules Clive Palmer's deer-shooting claims: 'Maybe the dinosaur killed them?' Tom Tate says council did not cull deer after former politician claims they were killed with 'high-powered rifles' Don Dale youth detention inmate in stable condition after medical emergency Child, who was flown to Melbourne on Sunday after undisclosed emergency, expected to make full recovery Muslim cleric accused of performing forced marriage of child bride sacked Imam Ibrahim Omerdic stood down after being charged with conduct that caused a minor to enter into a forced marriage Four teenagers moved to adult jail after being charged over detention centre riot Victorian youth affairs minister blames riots on inadequate infrastructure and 'far more violent' youth detainee population Three dead after overdosing on 'bad batch' of ecstasy in Melbourne, court told Police fear the MDMA tablets are still being sold after 20 who bought the drug in Chapel Street nightclubs taken to hospital Private health insurance premium plan sparks fears of patient exodus The acting health minister, Arthur Sinodinos, is expected to approve a 5% increase to premiums next month Around the world Trump 'reckless' on Nato, says defence committee chairman Julian Lewis says Europe could not deter attack by Russian conventional forces, after president-elect says Nato is obsolete Obama warns against ditching Iran nuclear deal on one-year anniversary In his last week as president Barack Obama urged the new Trump administration to measure the deal, implemented a year ago, 'against the alternatives' Yemen death toll has reached 10,000, UN says United Nations seeks to draw world's attention to 'huge humanitarian cost' of war that has displaced 3 million people At least five dead in shooting at BPM festival in Mexico Shots fired at club on last night of dance event held in resort of Playa del Carmen Wanted: sociable hermit for Austrian cliffside retreat Town of Saalfelden seeks replacement for its outgoing anchorite, who must be 'at peace with themselves' while dealing with a steady stream of tourists

One last thing What does the trend for smaller nipples say about us?  Cosmetic surgeons report a rise in nipple surgery. Perhaps we should have seen this coming Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

Guardian News & Media Limited - a member of Guardian Media Group PLC. Registered Office: Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9GU. Registered in England No. 908396