Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Jarome Luai has become one of the NRL’s most talked-about figures following his contract moves from Penrith Panthers to Wests Tigers and now to the Papua New Guinea Chiefs. Here’s what we actually know about his contract, family, and career timeline, based on verified reporting. Full name: Jarome Luai · Date of birth: 16 January … Read more
When a child actor defines a role so completely that it echoes for decades, it’s easy to forget she was also a real person with a private life. Lisa Loring was only six when she became the original Wednesday Addams in 1964, and the deadpan braids she made iconic still influence pop culture. But behind … Read more
Few Bollywood stars can claim a journey that begins in Hong Kong, passes through London fashion weeks, and lands them among India’s most recognizable faces — but that is Katrina Kaif’s path. Here’s what we know, what we don’t, and what her next chapter might look like. Full name: Katrina Turquotte · Profession: Actress and … Read more
Andy Cohen has built a media empire on Bravo’s unscripted chaos, but these days the host and executive producer is navigating a more personal kind of drama. A former cast member’s lawsuit, fatherhood via surrogate, and his own coming-out story have put Cohen at the center of conversations that go far beyond the Real Housewives … Read more
Formula 1 drivers are used to high-stakes decisions, but few have faced a moment as personal as Alex Albon did in September 2024. The Williams racer underwent emergency surgery for appendicitis, an ordeal that left him briefly unconscious and forced him to miss the Italian Grand Prix, yet just days later he announced his engagement … Read more
Few comedians manage to blend sharp stand-up, visual art, and television writing into one career. Emma Holland is building that kind of cross-medium profile, and her recent Taskmaster Australia victory only accelerated the spotlight. Born: 1995 or 1996 · Known as: Comedian, artist, writer · Notable TV: Taskmaster · Debut Comedy Special: 2024 (YouTube) · … Read more
Billy Walters consistently beat the sportsbooks for three decades, wagering over $1 billion annually at his peak and amassing an estimated $200 million net worth. But the same man who built that gambling empire later faced prison for insider trading, leaving a legacy as complicated as it is legendary. Estimated net worth (2011): $200 million … Read more
Few images from the 1960s are as instantly recognizable as Raquel Welch in that prehistoric fur bikini. But behind the pin-up photos and the Hollywood headlines was a woman navigating career pressures, family life, and a public battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Date of birth: September 5, 1940 · Date of death: February 15, 2023 · … Read more
There’s something about a ventriloquist with a suitcase full of puppets that makes people either laugh or cringe — and Jeff Dunham has spent decades getting both reactions. With a 2026 Ireland tour on the horizon, the comedian’s career is once again in the spotlight, bringing with it questions about his divorce, the cancellation of … Read more
Few actors have managed to turn a single role into a decades-long mission the way Gary Sinise has, but the man behind Lt. Dan has a story that reaches far beyond the silver screen. While millions know him for his Oscar-nominated turn in Forrest Gump or his commanding presence as Mac Taylor on CSI: NY, … Read more