Morning Mail: Bernardi quits Liberals, Trump's terror list, China plays down Bannon's war prediction

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Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Wednesday 8 February 2017 g Melania Trump lawsuit suggests desire to monetise first lady role Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail. Among the most read stories on our website this morning: Melania Trump has refiled a $150m lawsuit against the Daily Mail for reporting rumours that she worked as a high-end escort in the 1990s. The extraordinary part of the new filing is its suggestion that there was a desire to monetise her role as first lady, arguing the Daily Mail article had hurt Trump's chances at a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" of establishing "multimillion-dollar business relationships" during the years in which she would be "one of the most photographed women in the world". Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines China plays down Steve Bannon's predictions of war with US Wang Yi dismisses Trump strategist's comments, saying any 'sober-minded politician' would know both sides would lose out from such a conflict Privacy chief has 'grave concerns' about listening devices installed in public places by council Commissioner Philip Green says he had concerns the scheme breached two laws, contradicting the mayor who said Green had advised it broke no laws Murdered backpacker's mother criticises Trump over 'terror' list Rosie Ayliffe says president is wrongly using daughter's death in Australia to further 'persecution of innocent people' Bernardi bets on wave of destruction but future of rightwing populism is in Trump's hands Malcolm Turnbull is facing a one-man existential crisis but the US will decide whether the political class is defeated or rises again Coalition renegotiates family tax benefits changes to pass childcare reforms Government expected to introduce childcare reforms bill after taking hit to the budget to secure support in the Senate Australian news and politics Teenagers to face court over charges of planning terrorist attack in Sydney Nineteen-year-olds, who have been in custody since early 2015, face new charges following police investigation Cory Bernardi on why he's not Australia's Donald Trump – Australian Politics Live podcast In this in-depth interview Guardian Australia political editor Katharine Murphy talks to Cory Bernardi about how he feels about burning bridges in the liberal party, who is going to finance his new political party and what could have made him 'stay in the tent' Bob Day sought arrangement to receive rent for electorate office, court hears High court told former Family First senator's 'indirect pecuniary interest' made him ineligible to be elected in 2016 Protests as Melbourne council considers removing homeless people's belongings from street About 250 people attended a council meeting proposing to open proposed new law to public consultation Cory Bernardi says he resents being used in Liberal party 'proxy war' Former Liberal senator says he does not appreciate being cited in ongoing skirmishes between Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull Labor grill government on Centrelink and Bernardi – as it happened Malcolm Turnbull has endured an uncomfortable first day back in parliament after Cory Bernardi confirmed he was quitting the Liberal party Cory Bernardi explainer: why his defection means trouble for Turnbull – video The senator's split from the Liberals to form the Australian Conservatives adds to Malcolm Turnbull's woes Around the world Putin approves change to law decriminalising domestic violence Critics say amendment sends wrong message in country where one woman dies every 40 minutes from domestic abuse Betsy DeVos confirmed as education secretary after Mike Pence breaks tie Republican mega-donor given position despite opposition of two Republicans and all Democrats in closest confirmation vote on Trump's cabinet Greece's debt costs rise sharply as worries grow over IMF role Investors worried by fund's warnings country's debt burden is unsustainable and reported split over joining latest bailout China may still be using executed prisoners' organs, official admits Huang Jiefu, in charge of overhauling the Chinese transplant network, angers rights activists as Vatican trafficking talks begin French presidential contender François Fillon faces fresh claims over wife's pay Rightwing candidate disputes allegation that Penelope Fillon received €48,000 in severance payments

One last thing Late-night hosts on the evolution of Trump: 'dickish to dictatorish'Trevor Noah and Stephen Colbert took apart the latest government developments and Kellyanne Conway's 'Bowling Green Massacre' comments Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

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