Your afternoon Briefing: PNG offers to resettle Manus Island asylum-seekers

PNG offers to resettle Manus Island asylum-seekers and Pell faces civil action after appeal decision.

The Morrison government has welcomed PNG’s offer to take the remaining Manus Island asylum-seekers, and an internet community of patriotic young Chinese around the world join the online frontline against Hong Kong protesters.

—

PNG offers to resettle Manus Island asylum-seekers

The Morrison government has welcomed Papua New Guinea’s decision to offer the remaining asylum-seekers seekers on Manus Island the opportunity to resettle in the island’s capital of Port Moresby.

An online community has become the new Chinese weapon against HK protesters.

China backs anti-HK student Australian protesters

China says it’s “totally understandable” pro-Beijing Chinese citizens, including those in Australia, marched to counter the movement. The pro-Beijing sentiment is fuelled by an online community of young Chinese that began as a group set up to ridicule a Chinese soccer player.

—

In this Feb. 26, 2019, photo, Cardinal George Pell leaves the County Court in Melbourne, Australia. Pell’s lawyers argued in his appeal that there were more than a dozen “solid obstacles” that should have prevented a jury from finding him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of molesting two choirboys. The appeal court will give their verdict on Aug. 21. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)

Cardinal Pell faces civil action after appeal decision

George Pell is likely to face civil court action regardless of whether he wins tomorrow’s appeal.

—

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at the CPO in Melbourne on July 19, 2019. Picture: Adam Taylor

Strewth: Jacinda Ardern sends fluffy mascot

Care of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, a fluffy foe has appeared on Scott Morrison’s Parliament House desk. Ardern also today addressed Alan Jones’ comments about her, saying, “I understand [Jones] used to be closely linked to the Wallabies, so let’s just say that revenge is best served through a Bledisloe Cup.”