Morning Mail: Trump discards Middle East diplomacy, Rolf Harris to be retried, Trump cabinet pick withdraws

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Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Thursday 16 February 2017 g Mining boom cleanup could cost taxpayers billions Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail. Among the stories on our website this morning: A report from the Australia Institute says mine sites may not be able to be successfully rehabilitated, and warns of "big liabilities" for the cleanup of from NSW's mining boom, potentially costing taxpayers billions of dollars.  Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines Trump says US not committed to two-state Israel-Palestine solution Speaking alongside Benjamin Netanyahu, US president appears to dismantle years of policy by saying he is looking at multiple options for peace Andrew Puzder, Trump's labor secretary pick, withdraws from consideration Puzder, who was due to meet lawmakers on Thursday, faced concerns from Republicans over his personal background and business record Glimmer of hope for 10,000 refugees left stranded by Australia's inaction A federal court verdict exposed how valid citizenship applications from people who arrived by boat were shunted into a drawer and ignored. Now the immigration department has to say what it is going to do about them Reports Coalition planning cut to capital gains discount to fix budget – politics live The government could consider cutting the capital gains tax discount for property investors – a move which would follow Labor policy. Follow it live... Don't water down section 18C, Tim Soutphomassane will warn MPs The race discrimination commissioner says minority groups are anxious about debate amid the rise of populism in western democracies Australian news and politics Australian renters living in 'entrenched culture of fear', survey finds One in seven fear eviction or rent hikes if they request repairs, and half experience discrimination when applying for a rental, Choice report reveals Failure to back welfare measures will hurt families, says minister Simon Birmingham says the Senate needs to support government cuts in order for households to receive childcare help Same-sex marriage hopes rise as Senate inquiry rejects discriminatory measures Committee wins praise for advocating removal of right to refuse same-sex weddings on basis of 'conscientious objection' South Australian blackout blamed on thermal and wind generator failures, plus high demand Australian Energy Market Operator report says demand was higher than forecast, wind generation lower and thermal generators unable to step in Bill Shorten pressured to commit Labor to diplomatic recognition of Palestine Bob Carr and Gareth Evans say Benjamin Netanyahu's settlement building risks creating conditions for 'apartheid state' in Israel Clive Palmer 'can't recall' huge payments from coffers of Queensland Nickel Sums include $8m to his father-in-law, $15m to a personal account and $15m to his Club Med resort, liquidator's hearing told Manus Island detention centre to close by year's end, inquest told Senior Australian government bureaucrat tells Hamid Kehazaei inquest Papua New Guinean government wants centre closed before 2018 Around the world UN chief: united Europe essential to keep peace in 'chaotic' world Exclusive: António Guterres says Europe's ability to keep faith in its unity could be key stabilising factor at perilous time European parliament passes EU-Canada free trade deal amid protests Controversial Ceta deal aims to eliminate 98% of tariffs on exported goods but critics say it will lead to privatisation of public sector Kim Jong-nam death: Malaysian police arrest female suspect Police say they are looking for several other foreigners in connection to killing of North Korean leader's half-brother Late-night TV hosts skewer Michael Flynn: 'It's funny 'cause it's treason' Comics, including Trevor Noah and Stephen Colbert, discuss the controversial resignation of Trump's national security adviser and the ensuing fallout EU criticised for 'emergency authorisations' of banned bee-harming pesticide Just under half of requests for exceptions to the neonicotinoids ban were filed by industry, not farmers, legal analysis shows

One last thing Pictures of 'swooning' Ivanka Trump and Justin Trudeau go viral "Get someone that looks at you the way Ivanka Trump looks at Justin Trudeau" – "No one is safe from PM Steal Yo Girl!"The president's daughter probably doesn't fancy Canada's PM like the rest of the internet – but that didn't stop the jokes. Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

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