Your afternoon Briefing: Pell set to lose honours and Vatican responds

Cardinal George Pell is set to lose his honours and China hits Australia as ‘condescending master’ of Pacific.

The Vatican has issued a statement in response to George Pell’s failed appeal and China accuses Australia of acting like a “condescending master” of Pacific Island nations.

Australian Cardinal George Pell (C) is escorted in handcuffs from the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne on August 21, 2019. - Disgraced Catholic Cardinal George Pell was sent back to jail after an Australian court rejected his landmark appeal against convictions for child sex abuse. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

Cardinal’s demolition complete

With his appeal rejected, George Pell’s legacy is fundamentally cooked, writes John Ferguson. The Vatican has issued a statement in the wake of today’s decision and Governor-General David Hurley has confirmed he could strip Cardinal Pell of his Order of Australia medal

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang. Picture: AP

China hits ‘condescending Pacific master’

China has accused Australia of acting like a “condescending master’’ of Pacific Island nations as it seized on criticism last week of Scott Morrison by island leaders and hit back at concerns over its growing influence.

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St George bank, Wentworthville.

Fixed mortgage rates falling under 3pc

Australians are now being offered what are possibly the lowest fixed mortgage interest rates in history, with banks dropping rates below 3 per cent.

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Coal at the Port of Brisbane. QRC chief Ian Macfarlane and Resources minister Matt Canavan at Port of Brisbane. Monday November 19, 2018. (AAP image, John Gass)

Canavan hits out: ‘A bunch of bedwetters’

Matt Canavan says Aurecon was “weak as piss” for cutting ties with Adani in wake of activist attacks.

A horizontal composition of a variation of the typical eggs benedict in which bacon is replaced by trout or salmon, served with the usual poached egg and hollandaise sauce, all served on a toasted English muffin.

Eggcellent health news

To enjoy a good diet, turns out you have to crack a few eggs, the Heart Foundation now says.

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