Morning Mail: EPA head denies CO2 causes global warming, new Barrier Reef bleaching fears, mining industry's WA election campaign against Nationals

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Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Friday 10 March 2017 g Great Barrier Reef coral bleaching worsens Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail. Among the stories leading our website this morning: more evidence of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef has emerged ahead of surveys that will confirm whether an underwater heatwave has caused widespread damage for an unprecedented second year in a row. New photos and footage – taken at a reef south of the hardest-hit northern section of the reef last year – indicate severe bleaching of corals that were "full of colour and life" just months ago. Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines EPA head Scott Pruitt denies that carbon dioxide causes global warming Trump adviser shocks scientists and environmental advocates with statement that negates EPA policy and 'overwhelmingly clear' evidence on climate change WA Nationals leader digs in on mining tax as BHP Billiton steps up attack Brendon Grylls is going to the state election with a mining tax proposal he says will recoup the government an extra $2.3bn a year – and the industry is escalating its campaign to oust him Look on my works, ye mighty … Ozymandias statue found in mud Archaeologists believe eight-metre statue found in Cairo slum is of Pharaoh Ramses II, who ruled Egypt in 13th century BC Media union cries foul over ABC's 'back office' cuts Michelle Guthrie's plans for Aunty had a sting in the tail for programs. Plus the Press Council piles into the Daily Telegraph over 'dole bludger' yarn, and Tracey Spicer prepares to name names Ex-Trump adviser says phone may have been tapped, without offering evidence Carter Page writes to congressional investigators to describe concern, which he suggests would support Donald Trump's claim Trump Tower was wiretapped Australian news and politics Michaelia Cash pressured to release report on work for the dole tragedy Teenager Josh Park-Fing fell from a flatbed trailer during rubbish-collecting assignment at Toowoomba showgrounds Centrelink's use of 10% debt recovery fee could be unlawful, welfare groups say 'Robo debt' recovery system charged 97,300 welfare recipients the fee in the last six months of 2016 alone Backpackers assaulted and hit with hammer in South Australia attack, court told Trial of 60-year-old man hears he sexually assaulted one woman on a remote beach, then repeatedly rammed her friend with his car as she tried to flee for help Indigenous man on life support after being found unconscious in 'safe' Perth prison cell Jordan Robert Anderson's family told he will not recover after he was found hanging in Hakea maximum security prison Black cockatoo rescue renews fears for wildlife at Perth road project Environmental groups call on Barnett government to stop Roe 8 freight link project until potential dangers to other animals are assessed John Howard has inadvertent clash with angry union protesters – video The former prime minister needed to be escorted by police after accidentally running the gauntlet of a CFMEU rally against penalty rate reductions in Sydney CBD John Howard heckled after accidentally walking into union protest Malcolm Turnbull condemns the 'thuggish harassment' of one of his predecessors by CFMEU members rallying in Sydney's CBD Around the world WikiLeaks says it will help Silicon Valley defend against CIA hacking Julian Assange makes an offering to the tech community as the CIA and the press question his motivations Poland reacts with fury to re-election of Donald Tusk Almost all EU nations back former Polish PM's second term as president but Poland's opposition leaves it isolated in Europe Motorway bridge collapse in Italy kills couple Country's second such incident in recent months prompts questions over state of infrastructure Arrival of US troops intensifies struggle for influence in Syria Move into north of country comes as Turkey, Russia and Syria also stake claims to dictate assault against Isis in Raqqa Synthetic genome nearly complete, paving way for bespoke organisms Human-designed organisms could produce drugs and vaccines, convert waste into energy or grow organs for human transplant operations

One last thing   Kristen Stewart: 'It's not confusing if you're bisexual. For me, it's the opposite'Hollywood's most high-profile LGBT actor on her sexuality, her 'ghoulish' appearance in Personal Shopper – and being called out in Trump's tweets. Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

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