Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Liam O'Brien 
Great Southern Bank stands as one of the Midwest’s most enduring regional financial institutions, tracing its roots back to a modest Springfield, Missouri office opened in 1923. Over more than a century of operation, the bank has grown from a small savings and loan association into a multi-state presence serving communities across six states with … Read more
Stamp duty in South Australia represents a significant cost for property buyers. Understanding how this transfer duty works, what you will owe, and which concessions you may access has become easier with the availability of official calculation tools and updated rate structures. Recent policy changes have reshaped who qualifies for exemptions and at what thresholds, … Read more
Latest Melbourne Auction Results and Clearance Rates Melbourne’s property auction market showed signs of cooling in the week of 5–11 April 2026, with the clearance rate dropping to 53% across 680 reported auctions. The result marks a notable decline from the 62% recorded at the same time last year, according to preliminary data from Domain. … Read more
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival returned in 2025, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s premier comedy celebrations. The event drew audiences across four weeks, transforming Melbourne’s CBD into a vibrant hub of laughter, creativity, and live performance. For nearly four decades, the festival has showcased the best in stand-up, sketch, and improv, drawing … Read more
The tennis world has witnessed few rivalries as compelling as the one between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. These two players, both born in the 21st century, have redefined what elite men’s tennis looks like, producing match after match of high-intensity, tactical brilliance. Their encounters span Grand Slams, Masters 1000 events, and the year-end championships, … Read more
Converting images from PNG to JPG format remains one of the most common tasks for anyone working with digital content. Whether you need smaller file sizes for web publishing, better email attachment compatibility, or simply prefer the universal support that JPG files offer, understanding the conversion process helps you make informed decisions about your image … Read more
Charlie Kirk was an American conservative political activist and media personality who co-founded Turning Point USA at age 18 and built one of the most influential youth political organizations in the United States before his death in 2025. Born into a wealthy Chicago suburb family, he transformed a small campus activism project into a multimillion-dollar … Read more
New South Wales recognizes twelve statewide public holidays annually, with dates gazetted under the Public Holidays Act 2010. These prescribed days mandate adjusted pay rates for employees and modified trading conditions for businesses across Australia’s most populous state. The NSW Government proclaims official dates through the Gazette, while employment entitlements fall under federal jurisdiction administered … Read more
Egg drop soup, known in Mandarin as 蛋花汤 (dàn huā tāng) or literally “egg flower soup,” represents one of Chinese cuisine’s most elegant simple preparations. The dish consists of a hot, savory broth—typically chicken-based—into which lightly beaten eggs are drizzled to create delicate, wispy ribbons resembling flower petals. This staple emerged from the practical needs … Read more
Colour by number refers to a guided artistic method where canvases or pages display enumerated sections corresponding to specific paint hues. Participants match each numeral to its designated colour, filling segmented areas until a cohesive image emerges without requiring formal training or innate talent. Commercially introduced in the early 1950s as a democratic alternative to … Read more