Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Alex Chen Few stories in Australian military history are as dramatic as the fall of Ben Roberts-Smith. A decorated SAS soldier awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in Afghanistan, he now faces five charges of war crime murder. This article traces his journey from battlefield hero to the centre of a major legal battle. Born: 1 November … Read more
It’s a rare thing when an actor becomes so synonymous with a single character that the actor’s own life can seem overshadowed by the role. For Ted Danson, the man behind the bar at Cheers, the reality is far more layered than Sam Malone’s witty one-liners. This article separates the verified facts of his six-decade … Read more
Robert Walls spent more than 250 nights in hospital over two years before he chose to end his life on his own terms. The dual premiership player and coach who shaped three AFL clubs died at 74 after a rare blood cancer returned. His decision to use Victoria’s voluntary assisted dying laws brought a private … Read more
Life in the spotlight comes with a strange bargain: the same fans who cheer your triumphs also witness your deepest losses. For John Travolta, that bargain has been especially brutal. Age: 70 (as of 2024) · Born: February 18, 1954 · Children: 3 (one deceased) · Net worth: $250 million (estimated) · Notable films: Grease, … Read more
Winning a national comedy competition at 16 might seem like a fast start, but Aaron Chen’s rise has been anything but rushed. The Sydney-born comic, known for his deadpan delivery and sharp observational humor, built his reputation on Australian club circuits before landing a regular role on ABC’s Fisk and later releasing his Netflix special … Read more
Ask someone to name a British actor who broke through in a crime drama, and you get a few familiar names. Damson Idris is one of them: a Peckham-born, British-Nigerian performer who rose to fame as Franklin Saint in FX’s Snowfall (Wikipedia, the open encyclopedia). This article sorts the verified facts from the rumors about … Read more
Few actresses have navigated the line between blockbuster fame and family life with as much candid humor as Malin Akerman. Whether you first saw her as the iconic Silk Spectre II in Watchmen or just discovered her in the viral wig debate surrounding The Hunting Wives, her story spans two continents, two children, and a … Read more
There’s something about Alyson Hannigan that makes her characters feel like old friends. Whether she’s casting spells as Willow on Buffy the Vampire Slayer or navigating parenthood on How I Met Your Mother, she’s been a constant pop culture presence for decades. But what has she been up to lately? Here’s a look at her … Read more
Miles Davis could be both spellbinding and infuriating — the man who reshaped jazz four times over also inspired rumors of domestic violence and a famously prickly personality. The National Endowment for the Arts calls him “arguably the most influential jazz musician in the post-World War II period,” and this article looks at his music, … Read more
Aaron Judge stands apart in modern baseball: his 6’7″, 282-pound frame and 2022 home run record create an on-field legend, yet the public’s deepest curiosity often circles his personal health, marriage, and daily habits. This dossier connects the verified facts of his career with the lesser-known details of vagal nerve dysfunction, his mixed-race heritage, and … Read more