Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Richie Benaud first terrorised batsmen as a leg-spinner, then reshaped how the game is heard. His calm baritone and understated wisdom made him as much a part of cricket’s identity as the baggy green. Tests played: 63 · Test wickets: 248 · Test runs: 2,201 · Batting average: 24.45 · Bowling average: 24.60 Quick snapshot … Read more
Amy Madigan spent four decades building a quietly formidable career before finally winning an Oscar at 75—a late-career triumph that underscores how persistence and quality work can outlast Hollywood’s obsession with youth. Here is a source-verified look at her life, her work, and the questions people keep asking. Born: September 11, 1950 · Birthplace: Chicago, … Read more
Few athletes command attention quite like Aaron Judge. At 6’7″ and 282 pounds, he’s impossible to miss on the field — yet he’s equally known for disappearing into his hotel room when the game ends. This profile pieces together the quieter side of baseball’s biggest slugger: his biracial identity, his adoption story, the woman he … Read more
Type “James Johnston” into a search bar and you’ll get two very different musicians—one an Australian country singer with a growing list of awards, the other a Scottish rock bassist who’s been part of Biffy Clyro for over two decades. The confusion is understandable, but the facts are clear once you know what to look … Read more
You probably know Greta Lee as the quick-witted Stella Bak on The Morning Show or as the time-looping friend in Russian Doll. But it was her 2023 film Past Lives that turned her into a household name — and sparked a lot of curiosity about her own story. Born: March 7, 1983 · Birthplace: Los … Read more
In the early hours of 16 January 1998, a shot rang out in the laundry of a suburban Melbourne home, killing Alphonse Gangitano and setting Australia’s most violent gangland war in motion. His murder triggered a chain of revenge killings that would claim 27 lives over the next eight years. Born: 22 April 1957 · … Read more
Catherine Zeta-Jones has navigated a career that spans Oscar gold, a very public bipolar II diagnosis, and relentless tabloid speculation about her face and marriage — all while raising two children and staying in the spotlight. This article separates the confirmed facts from the lingering questions, offering a clear timeline of her journey from Swansea … Read more
When Roberta Williams released Mystery House in 1980, she didn’t just launch a game — she invented a genre. Now, after a 28-year hiatus, the pioneer behind Sierra On‑Line and the King’s Quest series is back with a remake of Colossal Cave. Born: February 16, 1953 · First game: Mystery House (1980) · Notable series: … Read more
Ask any Australian basketball fan to name the greatest scorer the NBL has ever produced, and the answer comes back almost instantly. Andrew Gaze spent 22 seasons with the Melbourne Tigers, putting up nearly 19,000 points and redefining what one player could do in the league. NBL seasons played: 22 · Olympic Games appearances: 5 … Read more
Few fictional butlers are as beloved as Niles on The Nanny, but the actor who played him, Daniel Davis, has seen his name surface in headlines for reasons that have nothing to do with polishing silver. There are actually three distinct Daniel Davises in the public eye: the stage and screen star, a retired lieutenant … Read more