Independent Australian news and analysis across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
If you’re a runner shopping for a new watch in 2026, the Garmin Forerunner 255 keeps coming up in conversations despite being nearly four years old. It’s a test case for whether older hardware can still beat flashier screens and higher prices. Battery Life: Up to 14 days (smartwatch mode) · Water Rating: 5 ATM … Read more
There’s something about finding a good rooftop spot in Melbourne that feels like a small win. Dom’s Social Club, a three-storey Italian venue on Swanston Street, promises pizza, wine, and city views — but does it deliver? Location: Level 1, 301 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000 · Hours: Wed–Thu 5pm–11pm, Fri–Sat 4pm–1am · Cuisine: Italian … Read more
You’re planning a trip to Uluru and you’ve heard about a five-star resort with white sails and a swimming pool under desert skies. But before you book, there are a few things the glossy brochures don’t make obvious – like whether breakfast is actually included, and whether that pool is heated when the desert chill … Read more
Few things feel more frustrating than staring at a screen full of insurance quotes and not knowing which one actually saves you money. If you’re a Queensland driver, the good news is that comparing car insurance in QLD has never been easier — but the trick is knowing which comparison sites to trust and how … Read more
If you’ve glanced at your portfolio this week, you already know the stock market has been anything but calm. As Briefing.com noted in its pre-open analysis, mixed signals from earnings and the Federal Reserve are keeping traders on edge. S&P 500 year-to-date change: +12.3% (as of Oct 2023) · Dow Jones Industrial Average today: +150 … Read more
Choosing between a bigger screen and a lighter wallet isn't the easiest call when both phones share the same chip and camera philosophy, but the Pixel 10 Pro XL pushes the display to 6.8 inches and bumps the battery past 5,000 mAh. This side-by-side look at the Moonstone-colored, 1TB XL model weighs whether the extra … Read more
Anyone who has spent a quiet afternoon stacking cards in Spider Solitaire knows the pull of that last empty column, but finding a free version that saves your scores and knowing how to restore progress can be tricky. This guide cuts through the clutter to help you choose the best free Spider Solitaire app, recover … Read more
Losing your Spider Solitaire streak feels worse than a bad shuffle. This guide cuts through the clutter to find truly ad-free apps and explains how to recover old scores — because a deleted app shouldn’t erase months of progress. MobilityWare Spider Solitaire: Ad free (Google Play) · Microsoft Solitaire Collection: Free with ads (Microsoft) · … Read more
If you’ve ever filled out a medical form in Europe or tried to compare your height with a friend overseas, the math behind feet and centimeters comes up fast. Six feet is the go-to benchmark for many, and here’s the exact figure (182.88 cm) and how to handle conversions without a calculator. 1 foot (ft) … Read more
You’ve finally got the patio area sorted, and now all that’s missing is a comfortable place to sit. But with benches made from teak, steel, aluminium, and plastic all claiming to be weatherproof, this guide breaks down the real differences in material durability, maintenance needs, and where to find the best deals from brands like … Read more