Your noon Briefing

Welcome to your noon roundup of how the day has played out so far and what to watch for.

Hello readers. Here is your noon digest of what’s making news and a long read for lunchtime.

Barnaby Joyce walks into the Royal Hotel Armidale while on hols .pic John Grainger

Joyce calls 2pm press conference

Acting Prime Minister Mathias Cormann has acknowledged a “very serious” allegation of sexual harassment against Barnaby Joyce, urging the facts be investigated. The allegation, which the Nationals Leader denied and has branded “spurious and defamatory”, was confirmed by the Nationals executive last night. Mr Cormann said the Nationals were, appropriately, investigating the formal complaint received against Mr Joyce. News just in is that Joyce has called a press conference for 2pm, so stay tuned.

Australian Trade Minister Steve Ciobo speaks during House of Representatives Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, February 14, 2018. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING

Abbott spray blowback

Trade Minister Steve Ciobo has said he was not going to “roll over” when he saw inaccurate statements being made about migrants as senior government ministers stood by their criticisms of Tony Abbott. Mr Abbott launched a broadside at Turnbull cabinet today after the ministers smacked down his commentary calling for lower immigration. Treasurer Scott Morrison said he stood by his critique while paying tribute to Mr Abbott’s immigration policies while in office and his achievements.

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Salim Mehajer has been charged with assaulting Channel 7 reporter Laura Banks. Picture: Brianne Makin

Mehajer guilty

A Sydney magistrate has found former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer guilty of assaulting a female television reporter who was attempting to interview him. Mehajer had denied assaulting reporter Laura Banks in April 2017 when he slammed a car door on her arm as he left a Sydney CBD police station following his arrest over a separate alleged assault. At Downing Centre Local Court on Friday, Magistrate Joanne Keogh found the 31-year-old guilty, saying he was reckless to the risk of harm when he closed the door.

“Any allegation of sexual harassment is very serious. Barnaby Joyce has denied the allegation, but it’s being investigated.”

Mathias Cormann

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (R) along with his wife Sophie Gregoire (L) pay their respects at the Sikh Shrine Golden temple in Amritsar on February 21, 2018. Trudeau and his family are on a week-long official trip to India. / AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU

Trudeau’s travel travails

Justin Trudeau’s ill-fated trip to India has stumbled from bad to worse. The Canadian Prime Minister has been accused of fraternising with terrorists after his wife was photographed with a man convicted of shooting an Indian minister. Mr Trudeau has been snubbed by Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister, who almost a week after the Canadian’s arrival has still yet to meet his counterpart. Mr Trudeau has also been mocked for the extravagant wardrobe of traditional Indian clothes that he and his family have brought with them.

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Australia's Kailani Craine competes in the women's single skating short program of the figure skating event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung on February 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV

Best dressed

For Kailani Craine, getting into figure skating wasn’t about gold medals — it was all about the dresses. Don’t miss her performance from noon in our live Winter Olympics blog. In the lead-up to her women’s figure skating free program appearance today at noon, Craine said an invitation to an ice rink birthday party provided her introduction to the ice. “I first got into figure skating in 2007. I went to a birthday party and I just wanted to pick up lessons straight away,” she said.

“Honestly, what drew me in at that age was the dresses. I loved getting new dresses!”

Kailani Craine

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(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 21, 2005 Evangelist Billy Graham takes questions at a press conference in New York to announce his Billy Graham Crusade. The body of Reverend Billy Graham, a spiritual advisor to several presidents, will lie in the US Capitol Rotunda next week so Americans can pay respect to the globally influential preacher, lawmakers said February 22, 2018.The rare honor of placing an American's remains in the Capitol is usually reserved for US presidents, military officials and politicians. Graham, who died February 21, 2018 at age 99, would be only the fourth private citizen so honored, and the first person since US senator Daniel Inouye in 2012. / AFP PHOTO / Timothy A. CLARY

The long read: God’s American salesman

Billy Graham was relatively unknown in 1949 when William ­Randolph Hearst heard him preaching at a rally in Los Angeles. The magnate probably cared more about selling newspapers than “being saved”, but he could tell charisma when he saw it. He dispatched a pithy note to his ­editors: “Puff ­Graham”. Within days he was a national celebrity. Graham was also responsible for the compiler of this Briefing coming into the world, after his parents met at Graham’s 1959 Brisbane crusade.

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Comment of the day

“Abbott simply went to the armoury and chose this grenade labelled ‘Immigration’. Funny how he always seems to perk up when the PM is out of the country.”

Armando, in response to ‘I know more about winning’.