Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Few tennis stories are as layered as Jelena Dokic’s: from a teenager who stunned world No. 1 Martina Hingis at Wimbledon to a survivor who rebuilt her life far from the court, her journey keeps drawing new attention. In 2024, the documentary Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story hit Australian cinemas, and a new relationship marked … Read more
There’s something quietly compelling about an actress who can make you forget you’re watching a character you should hate—and then makes you root for her anyway. Yvonne Strahovski has built a career on exactly that tension, moving from Australian TV to defining roles in Chuck, Dexter, and The Handmaid’s Tale. This biography pulls together her … Read more
Few NRL players can say a finger amputation helped them reach State of Origin level, but Angus Crichton did exactly that. The Sydney Roosters second-rower has navigated a career defined by resilience — from a shocking on-field injury to a surprise switch to rugby union, all while building a family. Born: 5 February 1996 (age … Read more
When you hear the name Ana Kasparian, you probably think of sharp political commentary and The Young Turks. Behind the microphone is an Armenian-American woman whose path from a progressive newsroom to a more independent voice is as personal as it is public. Age: 38 (born July 7, 1986) · Profession: Political commentator, media host, … Read more
For decades, the idea of a female jockey winning the Melbourne Cup seemed like a distant possibility. Then, on a November afternoon in 2015, Michelle Payne rode Prince of Penzance across the finish line first, shattering a 155-year barrier and becoming an instant national icon. Born: 29 September 1985 · Melbourne Cup Win: 2015 · … Read more
When Mehreen Faruqi took her seat in the Australian Senate in 2018, she brought a biography unlike most of her colleagues: a PhD in civil engineering, a childhood in Lahore, and a career as an environmental engineer before entering politics. Her path from Pakistan to becoming deputy leader of the Australian Greens is a story … Read more
If you’ve been scrolling TikTok and wondered who Kira Pregiato is, you’re not alone. She’s one of those creators who appears suddenly, racks up millions of followers, and leaves you asking basic questions like how old she is or where she’s from. TikTok followers: 2.6 million · TikTok likes: 62.5 million · Instagram followers: ≈100,000 … Read more
There’s a particular kind of silence that haunts a songwriter—especially one who built a career on crystalline harmonies and layered arrangements. For Paul Simon, the silence isn’t metaphorical. In 2023, he revealed that he’s been grappling with severe hearing loss in his left ear, a condition that has reshaped how he performs and records. Born: … Read more
After 19 seasons of playing Dr. Meredith Grey, Ellen Pompeo has become one of television’s most recognizable faces. Yet for all the on-screen drama, her real life—from her quiet marriage to music producer Chris Ivery to her decision to use surrogates for two of her three children—has drawn just as much curiosity. This article pieces … Read more
Every now and then, a name starts popping up across social media and search results, and suddenly everyone wants to know: who is Stephanie Nur? The Austrian-Syrian actress has earned roles in major productions like 1883 and Lioness, but a persistent rumor about her personal life has drawn almost as much attention as her work. … Read more