Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
World news and international affairs with Australian context.
If you’ve followed Thandiwe Newton’s career over the years, you’ve probably noticed something curious: the woman who lit up the screen in Crash and Westworld seems to carry a different name now than the one printed on movie posters a decade ago. That name change—from “Thandie” to “Thandiwe”—was her own reclamation, and it kicked off … Read more
She was called the Love Goddess, yet the woman behind the label—Margarita Carmen Cansino—carried a secret that would not be understood for decades. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 17, 1918, Rita Hayworth danced her way into Hollywood history, only to become one of the first public faces of Alzheimer’s disease. Full name: Margarita … Read more
Ringo Starr was the quiet Beatle — not because he didn’t have opinions, but because his orbit was surrounded by louder personalities. Born Richard Starkey on 7 July 1940, he became the drummer for the most famous band in history in 1962 and has remained a steady presence in music ever since. Full Name: Richard … Read more
If you recognize Joel Edgerton as Owen Lars, the moisture farmer from Star Wars, you might be surprised to learn how becoming a father reshaped the roles he chooses. The Australian actor, known for gritty dramas like Warrior and The Gift, recently explained that fatherhood led him to produce and star in the period film … Read more
There’s a moment in every global pop group’s origin story where one member steps forward — not just first in introductions, but in poise, language, and instinct. For KATSEYE, that member is Sophia Laforteza, the 22-year-old Filipino-American singer who became the leader of HYBE and Geffen Records’ first girl group after winning the 2023 survival … Read more
There’s a reason Sid the Sloth remains one of the most recognisable animated characters two decades after his debut. He’s a lovable, clumsy ground sloth who stumbles through the Ice Age films with more heart than brains — but the animal he’s based on, the Shasta ground sloth (Nothrotheriops shastensis), was a real creature that … Read more
If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through kids’ clothing online, wondering if Cotton On Kids is worth the hype, you’re not alone. With affordable prices and trendy styles, it’s become a go-to for many parents, but how does it actually measure up on sizing and quality? Parent Company: Cotton On Group · Founded: 1991 · … Read more
Few things are as unsettling as finding foreign objects in your frozen pizza. In December 2025, McCain Australia recalled its Cheese & Bacon Pizza Pockets nationwide after plastic and metal fragments were found during quality checks. This guide covers the recall notices, affected products, and what to do if you have a box in your … Read more
Few TV detectives are as beloved as DCI Vera Stanhope, and her 13th series arrived with a quiet confidence that only a long-running hit can muster. With five new cases set in the atmospheric Northumberland landscape, the season walked a careful line between delivering the familiar comforts fans expect and hinting at the farewell that … Read more
Anyone who’s refreshed a news feed on election night knows the pull of a fresh poll number — that one tick upward or downward that suddenly changes everything. The challenge is knowing which numbers to trust, why one polling company’s result looks different from another’s, and when a live election poll is actually telling you … Read more