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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.

The Global Times says Beijing should cut imports from "arrogant" Australia.
The Global Times says Beijing should cut imports from "arrogant" Australia.

‘Cut imports’

A Chinese state media outlet known for its exaggerated threats has said Beijing should cut imports from “arrogant” Australia in order to make trade concessions to the United States.

The US and China are in the middle of complex trade talks after US President Donald Trump demanded the country cut its trade deficit.

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Archbishop Philip Wilson leaves the Newcastle Local Court in Newcastle, Tuesday, May 22, 2018. The Adelaide Archbishop has been found guilty of concealing historical child sexual abuse. (AAP Image/Peter Lorimer) NO ARCHIVING
Archbishop Philip Wilson leaves the Newcastle Local Court in Newcastle, Tuesday, May 22, 2018. The Adelaide Archbishop has been found guilty of concealing historical child sexual abuse. (AAP Image/Peter Lorimer) NO ARCHIVING

Archbishop to stand aside

Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson, who is the most senior Catholic official in the world convicted of concealing child sexual abuse, has this morning bowed to intense public pressure and announced his intention to stand aside from Friday.

“It is appropriate that, in the light of some of his Honour’s findings, I stand aside from my duties as Archbishop.”

Philip Wilson

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Stock photo showing a variety of social media logos on a mobile phone.
Stock photo showing a variety of social media logos on a mobile phone.

Diplomats hacked

The Pakistani military is alleged to have been involved in the hacking of phones of Australian diplomats potentially stealing sensitive metadata, texts and photos and tracking their movements. The hacking is thought to have occurred after users either downloaded special apps to their phones or interacted with those whose phones were compromised.

“Our research shows that Stealth Mango is being actively managed by Pakistani based actors that are likely military.’’

Lookout

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Fallout from the  High Court decision on Katy Gallagher has resulted in four MP's resign over their eligibility in Parliament House in Canberra. Susan Lamb resigned in Parliament. Picture Gary Ramage
Fallout from the High Court decision on Katy Gallagher has resulted in four MP's resign over their eligibility in Parliament House in Canberra. Susan Lamb resigned in Parliament. Picture Gary Ramage

Gallagher replacement named

Former ACT government adviser David Smith is confirmed as Katy Gallagher’s replacement in the Senate. Keep up with all the latest from parliament in our live blog, PoliticsNow.

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Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett is seen during a press conference following a team training session at Red Hill in Brisbane, Wednesday, May 23, 2018. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING
Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett is seen during a press conference following a team training session at Red Hill in Brisbane, Wednesday, May 23, 2018. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING

Bellamy tapped up

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett says he’s open to coaching another club if he’s replaced by Craig Bellamy at the end of next season.

“The way I feel now I feel great physically and mentally. I am not going be to defined by my age. If the club doesn’t see that as relevant, I will coach somewhere else.”

Wayne Bennett

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The 37-foot catamaran, Surf into Summer, partially sunk in the FLA Straits. @USCG rescued Lewis Bennett, searching for Isabella Hellmann.
The 37-foot catamaran, Surf into Summer, partially sunk in the FLA Straits. @USCG rescued Lewis Bennett, searching for Isabella Hellmann.

The long read: Mystery death on high seas

From his jail cell in Florida, Australian Lewis Bennett recently scrawled a note to a friend in England about his missing wife, ­Isabella Hellman. The future for the 41-year-old Australian also may be difficult to appreciate as he contemplates the possibility of life behind bars for the alleged murder of his wife on the high seas during their Carib­bean honeymoon

“(She) was such a positive person and always encouraged me to focus on the ‘now’ and to enjoy each and every moment. I try to take her advice but here and now for me at this moment is difficult to appreciate.”

Lewis Bennett

GCB   Isabella Hellman, her husband Lewis Bennett and their daughter Emelia. Before the yacht journey during which the Colombian-born woman is presumed to have drowned.
GCB Isabella Hellman, her husband Lewis Bennett and their daughter Emelia. Before the yacht journey during which the Colombian-born woman is presumed to have drowned.

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Comment of the day

“We complain in vain against the bias of the ABC. Let’s start a petition with a million signatures against the ABC.”

David, in response to ‘It’s too late to reform the ABC’.

Jason Gagliardi

Jason Gagliardi is the engagement editor and a columnist at The Australian, who got his start at The Courier-Mail in Brisbane. He was based for 25 years in Hong Kong and Bangkok. His work has been featured in publications including Time, the Sunday Telegraph Magazine (UK), Colors, Playboy, Sports Illustrated, Harpers Bazaar and Roads & Kingdoms, and his travel writing won Best Asean Travel Article twice at the ASEANTA Awards.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/briefing/your-noon-briefing/news-story/e4bc5c98dd8fbc3cfd4282466aebe9a4