Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Few figures in modern history spark as much debate as the last Shah of Iran. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi ruled for nearly four decades, pushing through ambitious reforms while leaning heavily on Western backing—only to watch his monarchy collapse in 1979. Reign: 1941–1979 · Deposed: 1979 Iranian Revolution · Religion: Twelver Shia Islam · Number of … Read more
Few actors can claim a career trajectory that includes a Best Supporting Actor nomination, a beloved sitcom dad, and a casino mogul in a major film franchise. Elliott Gould has done all that and more, with a career spanning over six decades and a high-profile marriage to Barbra Streisand. This guide covers his net worth, … Read more
Most athletes stick to one sport, but Ryan Crowley’s career path took enough turns to fill a few biographies. From a tagger at Fremantle to a winger at Leicester Tigers, then into bodybuilding and now a courtroom—his story has more chapters than most. Born: 5 March 1984 · Height: 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) … Read more
It’s rare for an actor’s off-screen story to generate as much curiosity as the characters they play, but Michele Morrone has proven to be that exception after skyrocketing to fame as Massimo in Netflix’s 365 Days (AllMusic (artist profile)). This article separates verified facts from the rumors, covering everything from his marriage and children to … Read more
Missy Higgins has long been known for her heartfelt ballads, but the story behind her latest album is one she didn’t expect to write. After a decade of marriage to Ben Higgins, the Australian singer-songwriter found herself navigating life as a single mother of two in 2023. That upheaval became the raw material for The … Read more
Bai Jingting went from a music student who almost didn’t make it into college to one of China’s most streamed leading men. This article traces his career from those early setbacks to the breakout dramas and variety shows that made him a household name. Known series: 4+ (The First Frost, Mobius, New Life Begins, Reset) … Read more
Anyone who watched Supernatural for more than a few episodes already knows Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester. But the man behind the character carries a story that goes beyond hunting demons — one that includes a very real fight for mental health awareness. Standing at 6 ft 4 in (193 cm), he has towered over … Read more
You probably know Sophie Cunningham as the sharpshooting guard for the Indiana Fever, but her story goes deeper than a stat line — between a record-setting college career at Missouri and a knee injury that cut her 2025 season short, she’s built a reputation as one of the WNBA’s most consistent three-point threats. This grounded … Read more
Few episodes of World War II remain as puzzling as the solo flight of Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler’s deputy, to Scotland in May 1941. What drove Hitler’s right-hand man to parachute into enemy territory on a self-proclaimed peace mission? This article traces Hess’s journey from Nazi leadership to life in Spandau Prison, and the controversies … Read more
If you’ve watched British television over the past twenty years, you’ve almost certainly seen Olivia Colman’s face — just maybe in very different contexts. She’s been the awkward workmate in Peep Show, the grieving detective in Broadchurch, and the imposing Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown. What unites those roles is Colman’s ability to disappear … Read more