Your noon Briefing

Welcome to your noon digest of what’s been making news and what to watch for.

Hello readers. Here is your noon round-up of today’s top stories so far and a long read for lunchtime.

16/5/18 CMFEU boss John Setka and his deputy Shaun Reardon arrive at the Melbourne magistrates court. Aaron Francis/The Australian

Charges dropped

Blackmail charges against construction union boss John Setka and his deputy Shaun Reardon have been dropped midway through their committal proceeding. It was alleged the two men made the threats during the blackban on Boral at the height of the union’s war on Grocon over the appointment of on-site health and safety officers.

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16/5/18 Former Liberal frontbencher Sophie Mirabella leaves the Melbourne county court after the hearing for damges in the defamation lawsuit. Aaron Francis/The Australian

$175k for Mirabella

Former federal Liberal politician Sophie Mirabella has been awarded $175,000 in damages after she was defamed by a regional Victorian newspaper. Ms Mirabella successfully sued the weekly newspaper The Benalla Ensign and its editor Libby Price this year over an article that claimed the former MP had pushed another politician out of the way during a photo opportunity.

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Donald Trump and Keith Richards.

Keef’s beef

Donald Trump has made many enemies in his time, but surely only Keith Richards has drawn a knife. The Rolling Stones guitarist has told of the band’s bad experience with Mr Trump before he became president. In 1989 the business tycoon was a promoter of their Steel Wheels tour.

“You’ve got to get rid of this man.”

Keith Richards

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The long read: Twilight of a statesman

Cameron Stewart looks back on the life of John McCain, Australia’s best friend, as he makes a long goodbye to his country and those he loves.

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Comment of the day

“Since the Witlam government introduced ‘no fault’ divorce, the number of divorces has grown to record numbers. Hand in hand with this phenomenon, the backlog of cases concerning family law disputes (mainly custody and property disputes) has also reached record numbers.

“ Our politicians must pull their heads out of the sand; urgently appoint more judges (temporary if necessary); and see to it that this record backlog of cases requiring judicial determination is resolved.”

Jonathan, in response to ‘Family Court in poor shape, lacks independence, says judge’.