Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
She was called the most beautiful woman in the world, but Gina Lollobrigida’s life was far more than a movie-star face. Rising from a mountain village east of Rome, she became a classic cinema icon, then walked away from acting to pursue photography, sculpture, and even a run for political office. Born: July 4, 1927, … Read more
Anyone who has tried to measure a wall with a ruler knows the pain of an arm-span gap. A tape measure fixes that — but only if you can read its tiny marks. With smartphone apps now using augmented reality to measure distances, the real question is when to trust a 150-year-old invention and when … Read more
You’ve probably stood in the middle of a room wondering if the couch will fit, tape measure in one hand, phone in the other, and wished they were the same tool. They’re not — but they’re closer than you think. We’ll help you read a tape measure, use your smartphone as a makeshift ruler, and … Read more
Few names in hip-hop spark as much curiosity about money as Rick Ross. The rapper born William Leonard Roberts II has built a persona that blends street credibility with business ambition, but the numbers behind his wealth often get tangled in rumor and lawsuit headlines. This article breaks down his estimated net worth, the legal … Read more
There’s a reason the name Minnie Riperton still stops people mid-conversation. She was the singer with a five-octave vocal range who could make a single note feel like an entire story, the woman behind the 1975 hit “Lovin’ You” — a song she wrote as a lullaby for her daughter Maya. But her life was … Read more
Few actors leave a mark quite like Christopher Lloyd. This article separates fact from rumor, covering his career, his friendship with Michael J. Fox, and his recent Emmy nomination. Born: October 22, 1938 · Age: 86 (as of 2024) · Notable role: Dr. Emmett Brown in Back to the Future · Emmy nominations: 2 (including … Read more
Few television stars have had a career arc as dramatic as Roseanne Barr’s, from sitcom royalty in the late 80s to a controversial exit from her own show in 2018. Today, at 71, she lives on a macadamia nut farm in Hawaii, hosts a podcast, and continues to make headlines for her health and political … Read more
There’s a reason Vivienne Westwood’s name still sparks a reaction — even years after her death, the fashion world hasn’t stopped talking about her. Born in a small English village in 1941, she went from selling jewelry on Portobello Road to becoming the architect of punk style, then spent her later years fighting for climate … Read more
There are paintings that make you look away, and then there are paintings that make you keep looking because you can’t quite believe what you’re seeing. Goya’s Saturn Devouring His Son is one of those works. Painted directly onto the plaster wall of his country villa between 1821 and 1823, it’s a scene that has … Read more
There’s something about a good barbershop that goes beyond the haircut — the smell of pomade, the sound of clippers, the easy banter — it’s a ritual. But when you’re in Dublin, the spelling, tip, and price can get surprisingly nuanced, with Irish tipping culture less rigid than the US and 10% being a common … Read more