Morning Mail: new Epstein emails mention Trump, NDIS trials AI process, Liberals face credibility test on climate

Morning everyone. Donald Trump once again faces questions about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and how much he knew about his activities after the dramatic release of emails in which the late sex offender said the US president “knew about the girls”.
At home we have an exclusive report on how the National Disability Insurance Agency has trialled the use of machine learning to create plans for claimants, we have reports and a podcast about today’s Liberal party decision on net zero, and find out how aurura australis lit up the night sky.
Australia

Sky show | Skywatchers were treated to a celestial delight last night after a severe solar storm made it possible to view the southern lights across large parts of Australia and New Zealand.
Exclusive | Three hundred staff at the National Disability Insurance Agency have carried out a six-month trial using machine learning to help create draft plans for NDIS participants, documents obtained by Guardian Australia under freedom of information reveal.
Tech fines | Meta and other tech companies refusing to sign content deals with Australian news outlets face millions in new fines, with Labor’s proposed media bargaining incentive set to impose penalties based on the local revenue of major platforms.
Agent action | Real estate agents in New South Wales could be fined $110,000 or more if caught underquoting properties under proposed new laws intended to stamp out misleading price estimates and increase transparency for buyers.
Taste test | Consumer advocacy group Choice has taste-tested 18 brands of chopped and diced tomatoes, finding three cheaper cans outranked many more expensive brands.

World

‘Trump knew’ | Donald Trump knew about Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, the late financier and sex offender wrote in three extraordinary emails released overnight by US House Democrats. Epstein said Trump “knew about the girls” and that he had “spent hours” at his house with one of Epstein’s victims. The White House responded by saying the victim was Virginia Giuffre but it was a “fake narrative”. A new Democrat congresswoman could be sworn in and force a vote on the files. Here’s a timeline of the saga, and you can follow developments live.
Venezuela alarm | A former US ambassador to Venezuela fears that Donald Trump could sanction an invasion of the country after sending the military’s biggest warship to the Caribbean. Our explainer breaks down what’s happening.
Ukraine scandal | Volodymyr Zelenskyy has moved to contain growing public outrage in Ukraine over a corruption scandal in the energy sector by firing two ministers who are accused of involvement in a large-scale bribery scheme.
Starmer pressure | Keir Starmer is facing intense pressure over the future of Morgan McSweeney after the prime minister’s chief of staff was blamed for No 10’s pushback against a possible leadership challenge.
Canada’s Euro vision | Canada is exploring the possibility of taking part in Eurovision as it distances itself from the US and seeks to deepen ties with Europe.

Full Story
Inside the Liberals’ marathon meeting to ditch net zero
Chief political reporter Dan Jervis Bardy tells Nour Haydar what happened inside the Liberals’ net zero meeting, what today’s outcome means for the future of the Coalition, and whether Sussan Ley’s leadership is on the line. Our political editor, Tom McIlroy, this morning writes that the “foundational principles” underpinning the Liberals’ decision fail the credibility test.

In-depth
We have an special report this morning from the frontline in Donald Trump’s war on migrants, with the heartbreaking story of Binod Shah, who has been deported to his native Bhutan despite being a popular member of a small Idaho community where he ran a garage with his American wife, Stephanie. Lok Darjee hears from local people who are torn by their support for Trump and the brutal treatment meted out to their own. “Binod assimilated, and it still wasn’t enough,” Stephanie says.
Not the news
Luke Buckmaster applauds Edge of Life, an “astounding” documentary by Lynette Wallworth that explores the use of psychedelics in palliative care. The film highlights an Australian-first clinical trial which is part of a growing body of research worldwide into how different treatments can not only improve the process of dying but also how we live.
Sport

Cricket | Ian Chappell (No 48), Terry Alderman (42) and Rod Marsh (amazingly only No 51) are among the Australian greats ranked in our latest countdown of the 100 best Ashes cricketers. In today’s The Spin column, James Wallace looks at how the first ball of a series is both an end and a beginning.
Football | Matildas stars Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord are in action for Arsenal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League this morning. Follow it live.
Tennis | Jannik Sinner is taking on Alexander Zverev in the latest ATP finals match in Turin.

Media roundup
The Age shows a mechanical digger being used to tear up rocks on Frankston beach amid the ongoing controversy about illegal sea walls on public land. An anti-renewables group managed to kill a $1bn windfarm using fake news, the Courier Mail reports. A woman has lost $46,000 fighting a $107 parking ticket in Adelaide, the Advertiser reports.
What’s happening today

Economy | Forbes Australia Business Summit in Sydney, and unemployment figures are out today.
Tasmania | State parliament sitting with lower house expected to debate the order to approve the Macquarie Point stadium.
Sydney | The opposition leader, Sussan Ley, to deliver the John Howard Lecture this evening.

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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.

Quick crossword
Cryptic crossword