Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
James Mitchell If you’ve followed the AFL in recent years, you’ve likely noticed a tough question creeping in: how does the league handle homophobic language when it comes from its own players? Few cases illustrate that tension more clearly than the disciplinary saga of St Kilda’s Lance Collard, a young footballer whose repeated sanctions for slurs have … Read more
Kristin Chenoweth’s life reads like a script she might have auditioned for: a rare health condition, an adoption that shaped her resilience, a Tony and an Emmy, and a date with Prince she didn’t even know was happening. Here is the full story behind the headlines, verified across medical, entertainment, and biographical sources. Tony Awards: … Read more
There’s a certain irony in the fact that Red Symons built a career on his sharp, satirical wit — but the story that has most defined him in recent years is one of profound personal loss, as behind the public persona of a brash TV judge and rock guitarist lies a life marked by music, … Read more
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