Sam Neill: The Unassuming Star Who Became One of Cinema's Most Enduring Faces

For more than five decades, Sam Neill established himself as one of the most respected and versatile actors of his generation, building a career that ranged from acclaimed arthouse dramas to some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters while remaining unmistakably grounded in his New Zealand roots.

Born Nigel John Dermot Neill on September 14, 1947, in Omagh, Northern Ireland, he moved to New Zealand as a child, where he would develop both his acting career and the wry, understated persona that audiences around the world came to admire.

The Real Health Concerns Behind Fast Food’s “Pink Slime” Scare

Claims that McDonald’s was forced by a Jamie Oliver lawsuit to admit its food was toxic are false. However, the controversy raises legitimate questions about industrial food processing, nutritional quality and the place of fast food in children’s diets.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver drew international attention to the processing methods once used to turn fatty beef trimmings into an inexpensive ingredient for hamburger patties. In television demonstrations, he showed how the trimmings could be treated with ammonium hydroxide to reduce harmful bacteria, producing a substance critics dubbed “pink slime”.

Dame Penelope Keith, celebrated star of British television, dies aged 86

Dame Penelope Keith, the distinguished British actress whose commanding presence, impeccable comic timing and unmistakable voice made her one of television’s most enduring stars, has died aged 86.

Who is Natalie Harp and why is she so controversial?

Natalie Harp: Trump’s “human printer” and the controversy surrounding her

Curtis Means/Pool/Getty Images

Natalie Harp is not a household name, but she occupies one of the most sensitive positions in Donald Trump’s orbit: executive assistant, information courier and, reportedly, operator of his Truth Social account.

Who is ex-CIA John Kiriakou and why is he suddenly an internet sensation?

John Kiriakou is a former CIA officer turned whistleblower, author and media commentator. He served at the CIA from 1990 to 2004, including in counterterrorism roles, and became publicly known in 2007 after confirming that the CIA had used waterboarding during post-9/11 interrogations. He was later prosecuted for disclosing classified information, including the identity of a CIA officer, and was sentenced to 30 months in prison in 2013. He was released in 2015.

When Trump Becomes Rump: The $640 Watch Blunder That Stopped Time

 

In a twist so perfectly absurd it could have been scripted by late-night television, a Rhode Island Trump supporter reportedly splashed out US$640 on a limited-edition Trump-branded watch for his wife — only to discover the most important letter had gone AWOL.

What is Coachella and why do influencers love it?

 The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is a large-scale annual music and arts event held in the California desert, near Indio. Since its launch in 1999, it has evolved from an alternative music gathering into a global cultural showcase spanning pop, hip-hop, electronic music, visual art and fashion. Today, Coachella is as much a media and branding phenomenon as it is a music festival.

Olivia "Livvy" Dunne Stuns in Sports Illustrated swimsuit shoot

 Olivia "Livvy" Dunne is absolutely stunning in her latest SI Swimsuit photos. She was featured in the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, photographed by Ben Watts in Bermuda. Dunne, a gymnast and content creator, has been a part of the SI Swimsuit model lineup for the third time, showcasing her confidence and athleticism in various swimsuits.

Mass Suicide at Jonestown: Drink the Kool-Aid

With followers of charismatic leaders falling under the spell of their charm still a thing in this supposedly modern era, the events at Jonestown should send a salient message. Was it mass suicide or murder? It was certainly the origin of the phrase "drink the Kool-Aid".

Eric Bana astonishes as Mark 'Chopper' Reid

Eric Bana's performance as Mark "Chopper" Read in the 2000 Australian crime drama film "Chopper" received widespread critical acclaim. Here are some highlights.

Richard Roxburgh triumphs as Detective Roger Rogerson in Blue Murder

Richard Roxburgh's performance as Roger Rogerson in the TV series "Blue Murder" and "Blue Murder: Killer Cop" received positive reviews from critics. Here's what we know:

Film producer David Lynch has died aged 78.

David Lynch has died aged 78. David Lynch was a renowned film director, screenwriter, and artist, rather than just a producer. He's known for his surrealist and often unconventional style, which has captivated audiences and inspired generations of filmmakers.

Some of his most famous works include:

• - Eraserhead (1977)
• - Blue Velvet (1986)
• - Wild at Heart (1990)
• - Twin Peaks (1990-1991, 2017)
• - Mulholland Drive (2001)
• - Inland Empire (2006)

Lynch's films often explore themes of identity, trauma, and the human condition, frequently incorporating elements of mystery, horror, and dark humour. He's also known for his collaborations with actors like Kyle MacLachlan, Naomi Watts, and Isabella Rossellini.

Throughout his career, Lynch has received numerous awards and nominations, including several Academy Award nominations. He's widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential filmmakers of his generation.

John Farnham narrates his audiobook

 The legendary John Farnham AO will narrate the audiobook edition of his highly anticipated memoir, The Voice Inside, co-written with Poppy Stockell. In a special touch, two chapters written by John’s wife, Jill Farnham, will be narrated by Jill herself.

 John Farnham says: ‘I’ve just finished narrating my audiobook. It was a bit of a roller-coaster ride. There were more than a few laughs, and some tears, but it made me realise how lucky I’ve been.’

 Vanessa Radnidge, Head of Literary at Hachette Australia, says: ‘Earlier this year when we announced John Farnham was writing his memoir with the help of Poppy Stockell, many fans eagerly asked if he would record the audiobook himself. At the time, we could not provide an answer, and I honestly did not think it would be possible. But John is a born entertainer, and he never wants to disappoint his fans. Despite the challenges posed by surgery and radiation, John dedicated many hours in the studio to record his book in his own voice. Now, I cannot imagine anyone else narrating it. Listening to him is such a delight - the heart, emotion, and showmanship are all there. So are the laughs, the giggles, and the tears. John feels lucky to have lived the life he has, and I know we are all incredibly lucky to have John Farnham share the voice inside with all of us.’

The audiobook edition of The Voice Inside, narrated by John Farnham with Jill Farnham, will be available on 30 October 2024.

LISTEN TO A SAMPLE

About John Farnham:  

JOHN FARNHAM is an Australian national treasure, one of Australia’s top performing artists and the greatest singer Australia has ever produced.  His career spans more than five decades.  

Born in London, John immigrated to Australia with his family in 1959 at the age of ten. From high school he played in local bands around  Melbourne and in 1967 John left a plumbing apprenticeship to pursue a full-time career in entertainment. And what a career it has been.  

For five years, from 1969 to 1973, John was voted the King of Pop, and his success brought him screaming fans and recording contracts, won him  starring roles in stage shows and musicals and delivered twelve singles and six albums that all achieved gold status. The fickle nature of pop saw  his pop career wane in the late seventies, but John’s talent continued to develop. In 1980 he formed his own band and with them he performed  the Beatles classic ‘Help’ to critical acclaim. In 1982, he was invited to front the Little River Band (LRB) and he toured extensively with the band in  the US. But it was after leaving LRB that John truly came into his own. In 1986 he released his first solo album in six years, called Whispering Jack.  This phenomenal album was No. 1 on the Australian music charts for 25 weeks and topped the charts throughout Europe, England and Canada. It  

is still Australia’s highest-selling album of all time by a local artist and the album won John numerous ARIA awards. More chart-topping albums  would follow. Throughout his career John has regularly toured both Australian and overseas markets. At home, his tours are renowned for  breaking attendance records at major entertainment venues.  

There are so many accolades to list so here are just a few. In 1987 John Farnham was named Australian of the Year and on Australia Day in 1996  he was honoured with the Order of Australia for Services to Music and Charity. In 1997 he was recognised as the Most Broadcast Australian  Recording Artist of all time by the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia. ln 1999, he toured East Timor for the ‘Tour of Duty – Concert  for the INTERFET Troops’. In 2000, John performed with Olivia Newton-John for the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games. In 2003,  John was inducted into the Australian music industry’s ARIA Hall of Fame. John continued to record and tour and has collaborated and toured  with some of Australia’s and the world’s best performers. He is acknowledged by artists like Celine Dion, Tom Jones, Chris Martin and Jimmy  Barnes as ‘the Voice’.  

Post cancer surgery (Source: news.com.au)

In August 2022, John was diagnosed with mouth cancer and retreated with his wife of over fifty years, Jill, to fight this cancer battle. In 2023 the  documentary called Finding the Voice, that looked at John’s career and the creation of Whispering Jack, was released. It became the highest grossing  Australian-made film in 2023. The soundtrack received an ARIA Award, and it was awarded an ACCTA Award for Best Documentary.  Following the release of the documentary John had three albums in the ARIA Charts. Over his career he has won twenty ARIA Awards. Twelve  months on from his diagnosis and subsequent surgery John remains cancer free. Whilst he continues on the road to recovery, he is writing his  memoir, which will be released by Hachette Australia in November 2024.  

The famous topless duel between two aristocratic princesses

 

"The Scandalous Duel of the Aristocratic Divas!"

Vienna, 1892 – High society was left reeling this week as news spread of an extraordinary duel between two of the most glamorous women of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Princess Pauline von Metternich, a fiery aristocrat known for her sharp wit and sharper temper, clashed in a sword fight with Countess Anastasia Kielmannsegg, a rival noblewoman with an equally fearsome reputation. The reason? A petty feud over floral arrangements at a charity gala spiralled into a matter of honour that only blood could resolve!

The scandalous event took place in a secluded grove near Vaduz. Attendees—yes, there were witnesses to this shocking spectacle—included other society ladies who dared not intervene. Most shocking of all, the duel was conducted topless, a detail that has tongues wagging from Vienna to Paris. Sources claim this bizarre arrangement was at the insistence of their seconds, women themselves, who feared clothing might infect any wounds.

Under the watchful eye of Baroness Lubinska, a renowned advocate of women’s rights and, it seems sword duels, the combatants squared off. The Princess, her hair swept back into a severe bun, wielded her blade with the precision of an artist, while the Countess, younger and reportedly more athletic, displayed raw aggression. Spectators described the clash as “more savage than genteel,” with both women sustaining cuts and drawing blood.

Though the Countess lunged with dramatic flair, Princess Pauline ultimately triumphed, slashing her opponent across the forearm and forcing her to yield. Both women, bloodied but unbroken, reportedly embraced after the duel, declaring the matter resolved. Society insiders speculate the real tension between the two stemmed not from flowers but whispers of jealousy and competition in Vienna’s glittering ballrooms.

Predictably, the duel has sent shockwaves through the Empire. Critics have decried it as a disgrace to nobility, while feminists hail it as a bold statement of women’s independence. The scandal has only boosted Princess Pauline’s infamy, with some already calling her “the Swordswoman of Vienna.”

What’s next for the fierce princess and her vanquished rival? Will Countess Anastasia seek revenge, or has the sword settled the score? One thing is certain: high society will never forget this daring display of aristocratic vengeance.

The face of the Statue of Liberty

 Isabella Eugenie Boyer was a French woman who lived a life of luxury and tragedy. Here's a brief overview of her life story:

Who is British entrepreneur and businessman Mike Lynch?

Mike Lynch is a British entrepreneur and businessman, best known as the co-founder and former CEO of Autonomy Corporation, a software company acquired by Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011.

UPDATE: Mike Lynch missing after superyacht sinking (Reuters)

EXPOSED: The Brazen Career of Conman Peter Foster

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

A Decades-Long Trail of Deceit and Fraud

Sydney, NSW - Peter Foster, the notorious Australian conman, has left a trail of devastation in his wake, swindling millions from unsuspecting victims across the globe. With a career spanning over three decades, Foster's audacious scams have captivated and outraged the public, earning him the dubious title of "Australia's most notorious conman."

Commemorating the life of an extraordinary Yorke Peninsula flier, Captain Harry Butler

Captain Harry Butler was an aviation pioneer said to be almost as famous as the premier in the years after World War One – wowing the people of Adelaide with spins, dives and loop-the-loops in his famous “Red Devil” Bristol monoplane. 

STARTED OUT JUST DRINKING BEER - THE Mental As Anything STORY

 A superbly researched and written account of one of Australia’s most popular bands, with unfettered access to all the key players, and a defacto social history of a time when living in Sydney was cheap and fun. 

The Mentals went from the top of a pool table to the top of the charts. Enjoy the untold stories behind Aussie classics like: Live It Up, Too Many Times, If You Leave Me Can I Come  Too?, Berserk Warriors, Egypt, The Nips are Getting Bigger, and a whole lot more.  

“In fact, the Mentals had more charting singles than any other Aussie band in the 80s and 90s,” says author, Stuart Lloyd. “26 in all, compared to INXS’ 17.”

Plus, tales from the road as told by Greedy, Martin, Bird, Pete & Reg — and a star-studded cast including Colin Hay, Richard Gottehrer, Mark Opitz, Ross Wilson and Wreckless Eric —  in this access-all-areas official biography. 

“It’s an official biography, but that doesn’t mean it’s been sandpapered and varnished into some sort of saccharine version of the truth,” says Lloyd. “I told them upfront it had to be warts and all, or not at all, and to their credit, they have signed off on the good the bad and the ugly of the band’s 43-year journey … including the acrimonious wrongful dismissal court case in 2004, an on-stage death at Australian Made 1987, a punch-up between Greedy and Bird that put the drummer in hospital while touring New York, a payola scandal which affected Live It Up, and so on. But overall it’s a celebration of one of Oz Rock’s hardest-working most prolific and creative bands. A great summer read, I’d say.”

== -- ==

“Love it!!! Brought up lots of memories. Thoroughly enjoyable.” —KIRK PENGILLY, INXS

“This book gives us a big gulp of one of Australia’s most uniquely talented and popular bands.”—ANTHONY (TONY) FIELD, The Cockroaches, The Wiggles.

“An extraordinary and horrific portrait of five butchers who were country-killed specialists, shot through with black humour and near-naked burlesque attire.’— H.G. NELSON, comedian and broadcaster

“Stuart Lloyd captures the alchemy that saw Australian bands flourish from the arid plains of our suburban lives. I loved the Mentals and I love this book.” —DAVE WARNER, author, Countdown: The Wonder Years, and 25 Years of Mushroom Records

“Takes us behind the showbiz curtain. A deep-dive beyond the colourful personalities and the larrikin-esque cheerfulness of a uniquely Australian band who have been the soundtrack of our lives for decades. Had me glued to each page.” —JANE GAZZO, music journalist and broadcaster

Stuart Lloyd has interviewed the likes of Paul Kelly, Bic Runga and REM, on songwriting, and his travel and music features have appeared in publications such as Variety (US), The  Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, and Songsmith. This is his 19th non-fiction book. The  Telegraph (UK) described him as ‘The Perfect Storyteller!’ 

FROM NEVADA TO NEW SOUTH WALES: HUMAN NATURE CLOSE OUT BROKEN HILL MUNDI MUNDI BASH WITH EPIC VEGAS SHOW

Legendary Australian pop vocal group, Human Nature, brought the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to Broken Hill as they drew the Mundi Mundi Bash, outback NSW's biggest ever event, to a spectacular close.