10 things you need to know this morning in Australia

Peter Farquhar
Frank Lowy after receiving his Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II last week. Picture: Getty Images

Ahoy hoy.

1. Frank Lowy completed a journey he’d been on since starting a restructure of Westfield in 2014, selling the international arm of its business to Paris-based commercial property company Unibail-Rodamco in a $32.7 billion deal. It’s Australia’s biggest corporate takeover. Here’s what it means for the business and Lowy.

2. The big M&A activity helped the Aussie dollar rally to .7580, but it was knocked back again after a strong US producer price inflation report for October sent the US dollar to a one-month high. That also sent US 10-year yields back over 2.4%, with more key data to come tonight. BofA reckons the bull market has plenty of run left in it, and ASX200 futures traders are betting on another rise this morning. Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ether all rose overnight.

3. To make non-stop flights from Australia to England possible, Qantas ordered eight brand new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. To make 17-hour service possible, staff on board those flights need to sleep. And on a recent tour of their new purchase, Qantas showed us where the crew will sleep. Up these steps:

Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

We have pics from inside, including the cushy pilots’ quarters.

4. While we’re on cushy:

Electric CinemaThe Electric Cinema in London, England.

That’s just about the best, poshest cinema we’ve seen. Here are the other nine best, poshest cinemas we’ve seen around the world.

5. Any of those would be great places to watch The Last Jedi, because the new Star Wars instalment runs for two-and-a-half hours. Jason Guerrasio says you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, but it probably won’t change your life. Here’s what he thought of the return of Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia’s final performance.

6. If you’re stuck in The Kingdom for Christmas, best fill up before the holiday fuel price rise becaue this year, you’re in for a shock. A “person with knowledge” told Bloomberg Saudi Arabia plans to raise gas and jet fuel prices in January by 80%. The price of oil skipped higher on the news – but only by a little, because 80% of a litre of fuel in Saudi Arabia costs about 26 cents. But there’s a larger play going on behind the rise.

7. China’s stolen version of the F-35 will probably be in action before most countries receive their F-35s. But if you want a decent look at it now, the Center for Strategic and International Studies is here for you with a 3D model. Go on:


Here’s what’s good about it, and where it will stick out on radars like a dog’s rude bits.

8. After winning the IBF, WBA, WBO, and The Ring world heavyweight titles by beating Wladimir Klitschko two years ago, Tyson Fury tested positive to a banned sustance and hasn’t fought since. That had suited the UK just fine, because the boofhead “Gypsy King” is a massive embarrassment to the country and boxing in general. But it turns out the banned substance was in Fury’s body because he’d eaten wild pig testicles, so now he’s free to fight again.

9. Apple isn’t done with 2018 yet. If you’ve got any money left after buying an iPhone X, the new iMac Pro has finally arrived and starts at $US4999. It will be more in Australia. But remember, this is a tool for professionals, and the very best one at that. And according to this early review, Apple has pulled out all the stops.

10. Would you just look at this Royal Couple on heat:

Kate Middleton can’t keep her hands off Prince William’s knee in a hot moment on the BBC, and it’s shocking. Well, highly unusual – here’s why.

BONUS ITEM: A robot drove, carried, then passed the Winter Olympic torch through a wall it cut through:

Thank you, South Korea.

Have a great day.

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