Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Alex Chen You’ve probably seen the name Dricus Du Plessis popping up in fight news—he’s the South African powerhouse who took the UFC middleweight belt from Sean Strickland in 2024, with a 24-3-0 record that tells only part of the story. Here’s a verified look at his stats, his next fight rumors, his personal life with girlfriend … Read more
Billy Bob Thornton has spent decades proving that labels don’t stick — a Southern musician who won an Oscar, a self-described addict who quit on his own, and a man with a prosthetic finger who plays a roughneck on TV. His life is a collection of contradictions that somehow add up, and this article traces … Read more
It’s been more than two decades since Samantha Lewes passed away, yet the story of Tom Hanks’ first wife still stirs curiosity—especially now, after her daughter’s memoir brought long-buried allegations to light. The picture that emerges is more complicated than the quiet divorce and early death most people remember. Born: November 29, 1952 · Died: … Read more
The name “James Stewart” might make you think of a drawling everyman in a classic film, or maybe a motocross rider flying over a dirt track. The truth is, at least four notable men share that name across very different fields. This guide untangles the Hollywood icon, the two-wheeled champion, the calculus author, and the … Read more
Few NRL moves have sparked as much conversation as Jamayne Isaako’s decision to leave the Dolphins for the Melbourne Storm in 2027. The 30-year-old goal-kicking winger, who led the league in points last season, will bring his reliable boot and Polynesian heritage to one of the competition’s powerhouse clubs. Born: 5 June 1996 · Height: … Read more
Rod Stewart has lived a life that reads like a rock-and-roll novel — packed with chart-topping hits, high-profile romances, and serious health scares. But behind the headlines about his eight children and estimated $300 million fortune lies a story of resilience and reinvention. Born: 10 January 1945 · Net worth: Approximately $300 million · Children: … Read more
You might recognize Ben Azelart from his high-energy YouTube pranks or his skateboard tricks, but there’s more to him than viral stunts. This guide cuts through the rumor mill to separate confirmed facts from gaps. Instagram followers: 4.7 million · TikTok followers: 16.1 million · Cereal brand: Backflip Breakfast (Target launch July 19) · Charity … Read more
Arvid Lindblad is only 17, but he’s already got a Formula 1 seat for 2026. That kind of fast track usually comes with a story — and his involves a Swedish father, an Indian mother, and a home in Portugal. Age: 17 (born 8 August 2007) · Nationality: British and Swedish · Team: Visa Cash … Read more
Few figures in Australian nightlife inspire as much myth and mystery as John Ibrahim, a former Kings Cross nightclub owner labeled an alleged organized crime figure by police who has never been convicted of a serious crime as an adult. His story is now the subject of the TV series Last King of the Cross, … Read more
Katherine Kelly escaped the soap bubble by walking away from Coronation Street’s Becky McDonald at the height of the character’s popularity. The woman behind that peroxide wig has since built a television career that spans gritty crime dramas, historical series, and an executive producer credit on Channel 4’s 2025 thriller In Flight. Here is what … Read more