Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Few stories in country music carry the weight of a single sentence exchanged in jest: Waylon Jennings’s parting words to Buddy Holly on February 2, 1959 — “I hope your ol’ plane crashes” — would shadow him for the rest of his life after the plane did crash, killing Holly and two others. That moment, … Read more
There’s something about the man who played Obi-Wan Kenobi that still pulls at movie fans decades later. Alec Guinness brought dignity to a role he openly disliked, and in the process, negotiated a 2% net profits share from Star Wars that would earn him a small fortune. Full Name: Sir Alec Guinness de Cuffe · … Read more
When a club captain requests a trade, it’s never just about the stat sheet. For Jack Steele, the decision to leave St Kilda after five seasons as skipper and join Melbourne in October 2024 sent ripples through the AFL — and the reasons behind it stretched far beyond the field. Club: Melbourne Football Club · … Read more
There are few frontmen in alternative rock as instantly recognizable as Billy Corgan—both for his shaved head and for the swirling, emotional sound of The Smashing Pumpkins. But the man behind “1979” carries a story that goes far beyond the stage, touching on Irish heritage, childhood trauma, and an unexpected turn into professional wrestling. Here’s … Read more
The 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush felt like a homecoming for Irish golf, and at the center of it all was Shane Lowry, whose steady game and human stories — his faith, finances, friendships, and a pub — have drawn fans since. This profile sorts confirmed facts from speculation, drawing on official player profiles … Read more
For decades Steve Martin has made audiences laugh as a wild-and-crazy comedian, a banjo-picking musician, and a beloved film actor. But behind the spotlight, his personal life—his health, his marriage, and his role as a father—stays largely out of view. This article brings together the verified details about Martin’s hearing loss, his family, and what … Read more
There are few athletes whose numbers feel almost fictional—until you check the scorecard. Donald Bradman’s career batting average of 99.94 is one of those stats that makes you pause. Test average: 99.94 · Centuries: 29 in 52 Tests · Highest score: 334 · Career span: 1928–1948 · Knighted: 1949 Quick snapshot 1Early Life Born 27 … Read more
Few NRL contracts have sparked as much debate as Dylan Brown’s reported 10-year deal with the Newcastle Knights, which the ABC described as the richest in rugby league history, worth at least A$13 million. This article pulls together everything known about Brown — his ethnicity, salary, contract, injuries, and why his personal life remains largely … Read more
Bert Kreischer built a career on stories about heavy drinking, wild parties, and near-death adventures. But a real health scare in 2023 forced him to rethink the party lifestyle that made him famous. Here’s how the comedian’s blood clot diagnosis, sobriety shifts, and Netflix milestones are reshaping his story. Net worth (2024): $13 million · … Read more
Few Australian cricketers carry a story quite like Usman Khawaja’s — born in Islamabad and raised in Queensland, he became the first Muslim to play Test cricket for Australia, and now after 88 Tests and 16 centuries he has announced his retirement with a candid critique of racial stereotypes. His personal life — from his … Read more