Good morning. As we continue our investigation into government agencies’ use of outsourced call centre workers, we focus today on NDIS call handlers who describe being burned out amid intense pressure to hit their targets.

In other news: the AI revolution has reached Australia’s classrooms – and while some educators are embracing the new technology, there’s fears some schools could be left behind by the rapid pace of change.

Elsewhere, an armed intruder has been shot and killed by US Secret Service agents at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence. Plus: we have all the action from the Baftas and the Winter Olympics closing ceremony.

AustraliaIndependent Schools Australia is urging the federal government to take up a national AI pilot or risk creating a widening educational divide. Photograph: Hills Christian Community School

AI in schools | The peak body for independent schools is urging the government to take up a national AI pilot or risk creating a “two-speed system” and widening the education divide.

Cost of living | The Reserve Bank’s deputy governor has urged shoppers to “vote with their feet” to avoid dodgy price hikes and warned that inflationary pressures have endured into the new year.

‘I want it to end’ | Five years after Darren Culleton died in custody, his family is still waiting for compensation. After an investigation and an inquest, they’re now holding on for an independent medical panel process beset with delays.

Tariffs turmoil | Australia will “examine all options” says the trade minister, Don Farrell, after Donald Trump announced a temporary 15% tariff would apply to US imports from all countries.

Security concerns | The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, says authorities have few options to prevent the return of 34 Australian women and children from a Syrian detention camp.

WorldDonald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Photograph: Steve Helber/AP

Mar-a-Lago shooting | The US Secret Service announced that an armed man was shot and killed after entering the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s Florida residence and private club.

Epstein links | An inquiry in the UK into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Jeffrey Epstein links has not been ruled out as police searches of his former home on the Windsor estate continued.

Middle East crisis | Leaders from across the Islamic world have condemned remarks by the US ambassador to Israel suggesting it would “be fine” for Israel to claim a broad swath of the Middle East.

Russia-Ukraine war | Russia has fired scores of missiles and drones at targets across Ukraine, flattening buildings in Kyiv, two days before the fourth anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion.

Baftas 2026 | It’s the biggest night of the year in British cinema: follow the latest on the red carpet gowns, the gossip and glitz from the ceremony here. Plus: the full list of winners.

Full StoryThe ACCC has accused Coles of offering “illusory” discounts on many everyday products. Composite: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Coles in court: the high-stakes battle over the price of your groceries

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is taking Coles to the federal court testing allegations the supermarket breached the law by offering “illusory” discounts on many everyday products. Coles denies any wrongdoing. One week into the court battle, Jonathan Barrett tells Reged Ahmad about what we’ve learned about how discounts are set – and whether the outcome could bring prices down.

In-depthPrivate contractors win call centre contracts on the promise they can deliver the service more efficiently than the public sector, with enough savings to generate a healthy profit. Illustration: Guardian Design

There’s a checklist of horrors that call handlers on the national disability insurance scheme phone lines hear about; staff field calls from desperate participants containing allegations of rape, violence and financial and emotional abuse. But outsourced NDIS call handlers say they suffer from a lack of proper training and intense performance targets in a pressure-cooker workplace.

Not the news‘I never actually put any money in to start the rides, because I considered them a waste.’ Composite: Victoria Hart/Alamy

In the latest of our Kindness of strangers series, we hear from a reader who found themselves desperate and exhausted as they wrangled their two young kids while out grocery shopping. Letting her children sit for a moment on a mechanical ride in front of the shopping centre so she could take a breather, an old man put $2 in the slot to start the ride – leaving the kids over the moon, and a parent eternally grateful.

SportValentino Guseli of Australia in action during the third run of the snowboard halfpipe final at the Winter Olympics. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

At least 40 Victorians are set to launch legal action against the state’s hospitals over claims their loved ones died by suicide after being prematurely discharged or denied critical care, the Age reports. The East West rail line in South Australia has been closed after sections of track of “up to 100 metres” were washed away by flooding, ABC News reports. Former PM Tony Abbott’s book on Australian history has already generated sales in excess of $2m, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

What’s happening today

Queensland | Public hearings are scheduled in Brisbane in the parliamentary inquiry into the quality and safety of Australia’s early childhood education and care system.

NSW | A coronial inquest into the death of Tammy Shipley in custody is set to continue in Lidcombe.

Victoria | Select committee hearings into capital gains tax are due to be held in Melbourne.

Victoria | The ACCC case against Coles continues in federal court in Melbourne over alleged misleading conduct in its product pricing.

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Brain teaser

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