Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Few medical conditions spark as much curiosity — and as many misconceptions — as conjoined twins. Born physically connected, these identical twins occur once in every 50,000 to 200,000 births, according to StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf, U.S. National Library of Medicine). Incidence rate: 1 in 50,000–200,000 births · Percentage female: 70% · Stillborn or die shortly … Read more
If you know her face but can’t quite place the name, you’re likely thinking of the woman who spent six seasons breaking hearts as Anna Bates on Downton Abbey. Joanne Froggatt turned a lady’s maid into one of television’s most quietly powerful characters, earning a Golden Globe and three Emmy nominations along the way. Birthdate: … Read more
Anyone who has heard Nina Simone’s voice — fierce, tender, and unapologetic — knows they’re in the presence of something rare. But behind the stage name and the legend lay a classically trained pianist, a civil rights firebrand, and a woman quietly battling bipolar disorder. Born: February 21, 1933 · Died: April 21, 2003 · … Read more
If you grew up watching British television in the 1970s, 80s, or 90s, chances are you remember Geoffrey Hughes’s face even if his name doesn’t ring a bell. He brought three of the most beloved sitcom characters to life — Eddie Yeats, Onslow, and Twiggy — and his death at 68 from prostate cancer left … Read more
Few AFL legends have commanded the spotlight like Dustin Martin, who retired after 302 games and three premierships, then quietly returned to Punt Road in 2026 as a mentor. It’s also the story of a personal tragedy that reshaped his life off the field. Games played: 302 · Premierships: 3 · Norm Smith Medals: 3 … Read more
Ruby Franke built a massive online following by sharing her family’s daily life on YouTube. But behind the camera, a darker story was unfolding—one that would lead to her arrest and a prison sentence for child abuse. Age at arrest: 41 · Number of children: 6 · Date of arrest: August 30, 2023 · YouTube … Read more
You’ve heard “narcissist” used to describe difficult people, but what separates narcissistic personality disorder from everyday self‑centeredness? The DSM‑5 requires at least five of nine specific traits for a diagnosis, and the criteria, red flags, and research‑backed advice below clarify the distinction. Prevalence of NPD: 0.5%–1% (DSM-5) · Gender ratio (diagnosed): 50%–75% male · DSM-5 … Read more
Most people recognize Dolph Lundgren as the towering Soviet boxer Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, but that image barely scratches the surface. Behind the granite jaw and 6-foot-5 frame is a man with a master’s degree in chemical engineering, a 2023 marriage to a partner 39 years his junior, and a nine-year battle with kidney … Read more
When you think of Shirley MacLaine, the first image might be that radiant Oscar winner from Terms of Endearment or the dancer with endless energy. But behind the curtain, her personal life reads like its own Hollywood script—rumored romances with a Kennedy, a famously open marriage, and a sibling bond with Warren Beatty that’s never … Read more
Most 16-year-olds are figuring out who they are in high school hallways, not on Paris runways. Kai Schreiber, the daughter of actors Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, is doing both — navigating a very public adolescence while building a modeling career. Born: December 13, 2008 · Age (as of 2025): 16 years old · Parents: … Read more