Good morning. Thomas Morgan here with your AM NewsMail. Today we can reveal Australian officials blocked Chinese embassy plans to hold a concert in Parliament House's Great Hall. It comes a day after Chinese President Xi Jinping's public spectacle that delivered a powerful message to the West.

Plus, Australia's housing affordability remaining at record lows, and we're monitoring breaking developments out of Portugal after a historic funicular crashes, killing 15.

ABC Exclusive: As China pours massive resources into commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II, we can reveal Australian officials scuppered Chinese embassy plans for a concert to mark the date at Parliament House. Analysts say Beijing is using the anniversary as part of a propaganda push to buttress its claim over Taiwan.

The planned event in Canberra was part of a huge commemorative effort. In Beijing, leaders including Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un joined Xi Jinping for a massive demonstration of global military might. And in one hot mic moment, the Chinese president and Mr Putin were overheard discussing organ transplants and immortality.

Among those in Beijing during the parade: former premiers Bob Carr and Daniel Andrews. Mr Carr appeared on last night's 7.30, defending his decision to travel there. Mr Andrews, meanwhile, appeared in photos with Mr Putin and Mr Xi. You can also watch 7.30's analysis of China's spectacle here▶️.

Analysis with Allyson Horn: Yesterday's display was a photo-op choreographed for maximum impact — Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un standing side-by-side. It set the backdrop for the Chinese leader to deliver a short but powerful warning to the West.

• House prices: Australia's property market remains at record levels of unaffordability, new data published overnight shows. Despite the tough news, there's a glimmer of surprisingly good news for first home buyers.
• 'Affordable' homes: Keeping on the housing sector for a moment, and tenants in a public-private affordable housing complex have been hit with a 17 per cent rent hike less than a year after moving in . One couple in the building says that since news of the increase, "it's been nothing but stress and anxiety".
• Super collapse: Thousands of investors in First Guardian and Shield's investment schemes may have access to "remediation". Following the high-profile failures, attention is now turning to the role superannuation platforms may have played in helping people invest in those products.
• Federal politics: This morning, Energy Minister Chris Bowen tells us exclusively that the 2035 emissions targets may not be made law. PLUS: after anti-immigration protests over the weekend, what is the price of rebuilding support for Australia's migration program? Perhaps $408 million and then some, writes ABC political lead David Speers.

• School bullying: There was no refuge, even at home, from the bullying Lucy suffered in grade 2. Classmates subjected the eight-year-old to body shaming and "deep-cutting comments" in the classroom and on social media, but teachers told her parents their hands were tied when it came to taking action.
• Breaking: At least 15 people are dead and many more are injured after a funicular railway car derailed and crashed in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon . The city's mayor says it is a "tragic, tragic incident".
• De Minaur out: The Aussie has once again crashed out of a major grand slam at the quarterfinals, losing to Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime at the US Open. 

— That's Marina Lacerda, one of Jeffrey Epstein's victims, opening up for the first time on what she suffered at the hands of the American socialite.

She and other victims of the deceased financier are pushing politicians to release more documents about the investigation, saying even they don't know crucial details about the abuse they suffered.

It was supposed to be the new artificial reef off a popular tourist spot, but now the remains of HMAS Adelaide could constitute illegal dumping. 

The saga has created a headache for the NSW government, which may now have to remove the sunken vessel.

And that's it for today. Thanks for reading. We'll be back at the same time tomorrow with more.

Thomas and the ABC News Digital team.

The concert was set to take place in the Great Hall of Parliament House and celebrate Japan's defeat in World War II, but it was blocked by Australian officials, sparking a diplomatic blame game.