Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Paul George has been one of the most consistent stars in the NBA for over a decade, but a single off-court medication mistake has upended his season and his reputation. The Philadelphia 76ers forward was hit with a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug program, costing him roughly $11.7 million in salary. Height: 6 … Read more
There’s a reason fans at the US Open can’t help but cheer for Frances Tiafoe—he plays with a joy that feels genuine. Born to Sierra Leonean immigrants and raised in the hallways of a Maryland tennis center, his rise to world No. 10 is only half the story. Age: 28 (born January 20, 1998) · … Read more
By day, Mara Lejins argues cases as a barrister at 12th Floor Chambers in Sydney after years as a prosecutor. On television, she’s “The Smiling Assassin,” one of the quiz chasers on The Chase Australia, calmly taking down contestants with a grin. Full name: Mara Lejins · Age: 30 (born 11 April 1995) · Nationality: … Read more
There are actors whose faces you know immediately, even if the name takes a second to surface. Djimon Hounsou is one of them — a two-time Academy Award nominee whose presence has anchored films from Amistad to Guardians of the Galaxy. But behind the Hollywood credits lies a story that begins in Benin, passes through … Read more
Every few years a business story surfaces that makes you stop and think about the sheer scale of cardboard. Anthony Pratt, the Australian billionaire who runs one of the world’s largest privately held packaging companies, has built his fortune on a material most of us toss in the recycling bin without a second thought. Net … Read more
A tight federal election result, abandoned court action, and a professional journey from international trade law to the top ranks of a tech giant — few candidates bring a resume quite like Gisele Kapterian’s. This profile pieces together what’s confirmed about her career, her Liberal candidacy in the Sydney seat of Bradfield, and the gaps … Read more
Few public figures generate as many personal questions as Oprah Winfrey, and 2024 has been no exception. At 70, the media titan has a net worth of $3 billion (Forbes), yet much of the online curiosity centers on her health, family, and weight-loss journey. Net worth (2024): $3.0 billion (Forbes) · Age: 70 years old … Read more
Try to square the image of a Victoria Cross recipient with a man accused of war crimes—it takes a moment. Ben Roberts-Smith was once celebrated as one of Australia’s most decorated soldiers, but a decade of legal challenges has reshaped that legacy, and this article lays out his military record, the allegations, and the ongoing … Read more
There’s something about a crepe myrtle in full summer bloom that stops you in your tracks. The crinkled petals, the peeling bark, the way it seems to thrive on heat — it’s a tree that wears its tropical origins openly. But for gardeners in the UK and Ireland, that love affair comes with a serious … Read more
Almost everyone who watched Frasier has a fond memory of Daphne Moon — the warm, eccentric physical therapist with a Manchester accent who became part of the Crane family. But behind that character is Jane Leeves, an English actress whose journey from ballet dancer to sitcom star is full of interesting twists, and this article … Read more