Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Daniel Harper Few childhood vaccines generate as much adult confusion as the measles shot. With outbreaks resurging and travel picking up, many people are asking whether their decades-old vaccination still holds up. The good news: two doses of the MMR vaccine remain 97% effective according to the CDC, and most adults never need a booster. Global measles … Read more
Few Australian actors have embedded themselves in the national psyche quite like Michael Caton. Whether he’s playing the gentle Uncle Harry in The Sullivans or the lovable Darryl Kerrigan in The Castle, his characters feel like family. Born on 21 July 1943 in Monto, Queensland, Caton has been a fixture of Australian television and film … Read more
Murphy Reid walked into the AFL in 2025 and immediately looked like he belonged, winning the Rising Star award and becoming the fourth Fremantle player to claim the honour (AFL.com.au, the league’s official site). This profile pieces together what is known about his background, playing style, contract, and the many gaps that remain. Height: 182 … Read more
There aren’t many singers who can say they were topping the charts before the Beatles, yet Frankie Valli is still packing venues in his 10th decade. In 2024, the 90-year-old voice behind “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” turned down retirement rumors and kept his tour rolling, even after a brief health scare sidelined a … Read more
Most people know Bea Arthur as the sharp-tongued Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls, but behind the deadpan delivery was a life full of surprising details—and a fair share of rumors. At 5 ft 9 in tall, she towered over most of her co-stars, a fact that shaped her iconic wardrobe. Born: May 13, 1922, New York City … Read more
Air Supply is still performing worldwide with both original members, despite common misconceptions about the band’s breakup or lineup changes. This guide answers the most frequent questions about the duo’s longevity, ages, and biggest hit. Formed: 1975 in Melbourne, Australia | Genres: Soft rock, pop rock | Original members: Russell Hitchcock (vocals) and Graham Russell … Read more
The internet has filled Nelly Furtado’s years outside the spotlight with speculation about weight gain and illness, but the facts tell a different story. This article separates what’s actually known from what’s been assumed, pulling together verified career facts, her real health disclosures, and a clear timeline of where she’s been and where she’s headed … Read more
If you’ve ever spent an afternoon hunched over a laptop at your kitchen table, you already know why a good desk chair matters. With more Irish professionals working from home, the right chair can mean the difference between a productive day and a sore back. 80% of office workers experience back pain, and a well-chosen … Read more
Scott Farquhar didn’t set out to become one of Australia’s richest people. He and his university friend Mike Cannon-Brookes just wanted to build software that teams actually liked using. Two decades later, that software company—Atlassian—is worth billions, and Farquhar’s personal fortune sits at an estimated US$15.7 billion. This article traces how he built that wealth, … Read more
When a musical icon dies, the public often imagines an orderly legacy — platinum records, a tidy estate, and grateful heirs. For Aretha Franklin, who battled a rare cancer in private while raising four sons, the reality proved far messier: her death set off a family feud over handwritten wills found in couch cushions. Birth: … Read more