Your afternoon Briefing

Hello, readers. Here’s how Thursday played out.

Keneally interview ‘disgusting’

The ‘Bennelong Battle’ continued today with Health Minister Greg Hunt accusing Kristina Keneally of attacking “a cancer sufferer” in her criticism of Senator Arthur Sinodinos.

Mr Hunt was the next guest on Sky News after Ms Keneally’s fiery interview with Sam Maiden, and was unimpressed with her performance.

“I did see the last interview,” he told Sky News.

“Apart from the fact that it was a genuine train wreck, one thing stuck out and that was she attacked a cancer sufferer.

“She attacked Arthur Sinodinos at the time that he is going through cancer treatment. That was a disgusting action.

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Frank Lowy and Westfield deal

The $33bn Paris tarmac pact

Details are emerging about how Frank Lowy sealed the $33bn Westfield deal — Australia’s biggest ever takeover — including some late runway negotiations.

Unibail-Rodamco’s Belgian-born boss Christophe Cuvillier had planned to journey to Lowy in London to finalise the transaction, but a late change of plans meant Lowy instead flew in his own jet to the French capital, with the key elements of the deal concluded between the pair on Lowy’s plane.

Lowy and Culliver are believed to have toasted with a quick glass of champagne — what else? — before Sir Frank embraced the businessman in a hug and declared: “I couldn’t think of a better home for the assets I’ve spent my life building”.

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FILE- In this Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, file photo, Kentucky State Rep. Republican Dan Johnson addresses the public from his church regarding sexual assault allegations in Louisville, Ky. Bullitt County Sheriff Donnie Tinnell said Johnson committed suicide on Wednesday, Dec. 13, in Mount Washington, Ky. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)

Accused US politician takes his own life

Dan Johnson, a Republican state politician in Kentucky who defiantly denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a teenage girl in the basement of his home, died in an apparent suicide last night, the county coroner said. He was 57.

The Louisville pastor sponsored a number of bills having to do with religious liberty and teaching the Bible in public schools, but was mostly out of the spotlight until Monday, when the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an account from a woman saying Johnson sexually assaulted her in the basement of his home in 2013.

If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide, call Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467), or see a doctor.

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LONDON, ENGLAND -DECEMBER 13: The new building is unveiled of the US Embassy in Nine Elms in Wandsworth on December 13, 2017 in London, England. The new US embassy designed by Kieran Timberlake architects is moving from Grosvenor Square to its new home overlooking the Thames from the south bank set to open in January 2018. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

New US embassy has a moat

The US hasn’t mucked around with its new embassy in southwest London, with the state-of-the-art fortress featuring an old-fashioned moat — the first to be built in England since the 19th century.

Costing a billion dollars, the 12-storey cube in riverside Nine Elms is the most expensive embassy ever built.

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