Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Charlotte Singh 
There’s a number in tennis that keeps sparking debate: 24. That’s the Grand Slam singles titles Margaret Court won between 1960 and 1975, a record that still stands today. It’s the number that pits her against Serena Williams in the never-ending GOAT conversation, and it sits at the heart of a deeper argument about eras, … Read more
Few Star Wars villains are as unmistakable as Jabba the Hutt — a mountain of a crime lord whose slimy grin and even slimier dealings defined the underworld of Tatooine. But the character you see today almost didn’t exist: the original 1977 scene was filmed with a human stand-in, and the slug-like Hutt we know … Read more
Goldie Hawn has spent decades making audiences smile, but lately she’s been at the center of a different kind of attention—one fueled by rumor rather than film. At the 2025 Oscars, the 77-year-old actress mentioned having trouble seeing, a moment quickly recast online as a “secret health battle.” This article separates what’s actually documented from … Read more
Few TV dramas spark as much curiosity about the real person behind the story as Last King of the Cross. The Paramount+ series follows John Ibrahim, a former Kings Cross nightclub owner whose life has been the subject of police investigations, tabloid headlines, and now a dramatised television epic that separates known facts from fiction … Read more
For more than two decades, the fate of British backpacker Peter Falconio has haunted true-crime followers around the world. The man convicted of his murder, Bradley John Murdoch, died in July 2025 without ever revealing where Falconio’s body lies. Now, fresh details from a 2026 coronial inquest into Murdoch’s final days have reignited questions about … Read more
If you’ve scrolled past Alison Hammond on This Morning or caught her infectious laugh on social media, you’ve probably wondered what’s behind the headlines. She’s lost 13 stone (approximately 84 kg) after receiving a pre-diabetic diagnosis, according to Medical Daily (health news outlet), and her career arc from reality TV to a BAFTA-nominated presenter has … Read more
For a forward who once plastered his bedroom wall with posters of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé has spent the last decade building a career resume that draws comparisons with the sport’s all-time greats rather than merely admiring them. Whether it’s the age he reached 300 career goals or the number of 40-goal seasons he’s already … Read more
When Jamie Melham guided Half Yours across the Flemington finish line three lengths ahead of the pack on 4 November, she became just the second woman in Melbourne Cup history to lift the trophy—a feat no jockey had achieved since Michelle Payne a decade ago. The milestone arrived alongside an unusual footnote: Melham rode to … Read more
If you’ve stumbled across the name Amaira and found yourself wondering what lies behind it, you’re in good company. This multicultural name carries distinct meanings across Arabic, Islamic, and Hindu traditions—a rare quality that makes it especially appealing to parents searching for something both beautiful and meaningful. What follows is a close look at where … Read more
South Africa tops the men’s World Rugby rankings at 93.94 points — but the gap to New Zealand is tight enough to shift within a single Test cycle. The Rugby World Rankings assign every recognized national team a numerical rating that updates weekly, offering a data-driven snapshot of where each side stands globally. England’s Red … Read more