Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Victoria Hayes Few designers have shaped the way Australian women dress quite like Carla Zampatti. She was 23 when she produced her first collection in Sydney in 1965, and she was still working more than five decades later when she died in April 2021, aged 78 — the story of an Italian-born migrant who built one of … Read more
Most people meet the Mona Lisa long before they reach the Louvre — as a poster, a meme, or a blink-and-you-miss-it film cameo — yet that familiarity hides a stranger story: the portrait became a global icon only after a Louvre employee stole it in 1911, and the international hunt that followed turned a Renaissance … Read more
Every family has that one performer whose catchphrases get quoted without anyone remembering the movie they came from. Eddie Murphy is that kind of comedy icon: born in Brooklyn on April 3, 1961, he joined Saturday Night Live at 19 and, according to Variety (entertainment trade), turned stand-up fame into movie stardom almost overnight. The … Read more
Choosing an engagement ring is one of the most exciting — and financially confusing — purchases many Australians will ever make. With average costs hovering around $6,500 AUD, it’s easy to feel lost between budget rules and diamond specs. This guide lays out the real numbers, so you can match your budget to a ring … Read more
There’s a moment every couple in Ireland knows well: the happy buzz of a “yes” followed quickly by a quieter, slightly awkward question — how much did that ring actually cost, and what happens to it if things go sideways? Before you start pricing diamonds or rehearsing a speech, it helps to sort the old … Read more
Most people meet Lauren Hashian the same way: in a red-carpet photo beside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, or in a family snapshot that went viral before she had said a word. But the Lynnfield, Massachusetts native has spent much longer building her own identity as a singer-songwriter and as the daughter of musician Sib Hashian, … Read more
If you’ve ever booked a trip to Japan and found yourself staring at two very similar-looking flight options—Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA)—you’re not alone. These two carriers dominate the skies over Tokyo, yet they belong to rival global alliances and carry distinct reputations for safety, service, and value, so this comparison digs … Read more
Few stories in Australian football this season have stirred as much debate as Lance Collard’s use of homophobic language during a VFL match in March 2026 (AFL statement). The 21‑year‑old St Kilda player’s actions triggered a nine‑week suspension – later reduced on appeal to four weeks with two suspended – and cost his club a … Read more
There’s a reason people keep returning to Russell Brand’s name in headlines — few public figures have managed to pivot from comedy star to spiritual seeker to criminal defendant in such a short span. Born on 4 June 1975 in Grays, Essex, Brand has been a comedian, actor, podcaster, and author, but recent years have … Read more
You probably know Shaun White as the snowboarder who won three Olympic gold medals. But the man behind the halfpipe has been navigating a heart condition since birth, building a business empire, and recently calling off his engagement to actress Nina Dobrev. This article breaks down what he’s doing now, how his health shaped his … Read more