Morning Mail: Discovery of seven Earth-like planets, Shorten accuses Coalition of energy "vandalism", Rudd says Netanyahu 'torpedoed' Middle East peace plans

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Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Thursday 23 February 2017 g Thrilling discovery of seven Earth-like planets Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail. Among the stories leading our website this morning is the discovery of seven potentially habitable planets orbiting a single star, described as a lottery win for astronomers looking for alien life: "This latest exoplanet discovery is just mind blowing. As a fellow journalist just said to me, 'It's like Battlestar Galactica come true!' She was referring to the science fiction series' twelve human colonies that were supposedly on planets circling the same star." Read the news story here: Thrilling discovery of seven Earth-sized planets orbiting nearby star Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines Bill Shorten to accuse Coalition of 'vandalism over pragmatism' on energy policy Opposition leader to dig in behind ETS and goal of sourcing 50% of electricity from renewables by 2030 Thrilling discovery of seven Earth-sized planets orbiting nearby star Exoplanets found orbiting Trappist-1 raise hope that the hunt for alien life beyond the solar system can start much sooner than previously thought Why a viral video of a cyclist's revenge on catcallers may not be all it seems Video of woman tearing wing mirror from catcaller's van is viral dynamite – but it seems no one verified it before covering the story Labor says it would support government building Badgerys Creek airport itself Anthony Albanese says Labor would support government forming company to build the airport if Sydney Airport Corporation declines Former retail chief savages Shorten's penalty rates stance before Fair Work decision Liberal MP Trevor Evans says Bill Shorten's position a calculated 'attempt to grab a headline' Australian news and politics The small town trying to shift spending from punishment to prevention Cowra's community has united behind an 'exciting, innovative' justice reinvestment concept – but will the NSW government stump up the cash? 'You're not alone': how a bush camp gave Indigenous teenagers a sense of pride Balunu founder David Cole says having Aboriginal mentors was 'critical' to the program's success – before it was defunded Kevin Rudd accuses Netanyahu of 'torpedoing' Middle East peace plans The former Australian prime minister hits back at the Israeli PM's criticism of his support for a Palestinian state Christian Brothers 'will disappear from Australia' because of ageing membership The Catholic order's youngest brother is in his 50s, royal commission told, as leader defends legal action Plane in Melbourne crash could have flown on one engine, say investigators Australian Transport Safety Bureau says it is too premature to say whether engine failure or something else caused the crash that killed five Greg Hunt signals Coalition reconsidering Medicare rebate freeze Health minister raises prospect of removing the freeze in a move that could cost the budget more than $3bn What is the 'Buffett rule' and why does a faction of the Labor party want it? The tax rule would ensure ultra-rich Australians would be unable to reduce their taxable income below a certain level Around the world Mexico will not accept unilateral Trump immigration steps, foreign minister says US secretaries of state and homeland security visit Mexico on Wednesday French elections: Emmanuel Macron and François Bayrou form alliance Self-described outsider and centrist take surprise step of joining forces as veteran of three elections says France is at 'extreme risk' and needs 'exceptional response' Syria peace talks: UN special envoy plans to give it 'a serious try' UN talks resume in Geneva with Russia asking the Syrian air force to respect the ceasefire but little prospect of departure for Assad Kim Jong-nam's body targeted in morgue break-in, say police Malaysian authorities seek to question senior North Korean diplomat and man connected with Air Koryo, while dismissing claims that assassins were duped Russia builds replica Reichstag so children can recreate 1945 victory Defence minister says model will allow re-enactment of Red Army's capture of Berlin in 1945 – a patriotic rallying point for Putin

One last thing I put Milo Yiannopoulos through the Christopher Hitchens test. He failedBill Maher likened the far-right agitator to one of the finest writers of recent times. He isn't even close – Yiannopoulos is a boring narcissist Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

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