Opera Queensland, Lyric Theatre, QPAC Directed by Michael Grandage, the performance of Puccini’s sorrowful and tragic tale of a broken heart, breached trust and loss was a successful and splendid achievement. The lyricism of the opera is moving and touching and highlights why it is still so popular. The set was simple yet effective with […]

Thyme2 Interactive restaurant, Brisbane CBD This buffet-style restaurant is located within the Sofitel Brisbane Hotel, and as you would expect from a five-star hotel, the décor and atmosphere as you walk in are just beautiful. The buffet selection includes a variety of cheeses, salads, sushi, a brilliant selection of fresh seafood including Moreton Bay bugs, […]

Hidden deep in the bowels of the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart is the Cloaca, known as the Poop Machine to fans and critics alike. It was designed and built by Belgium man Wim Delvoye who wanted to recreate the human digestive system as close as scientifically possible. The monstrous machine […]

Pet owners on the Gold Coast are struggling to find accommodation, with many forced to relinquish their animals. Local James Healy said he found it difficult to find a pet-friendly rental for his small dog and cat. Despite being financially qualified, with full-time work and good pay, Mr Healy was refused repeatedly before an application […]

The valour and sacrifice of thousands of Queenslanders who died during World War I is being remembered with a 100km trek from Brisbane to Woodford. In keeping with the spirit of ANZAC, people from all walks of life have been invited to take part in the World War I Queenslander Challenge to commemorate the diggers. […]

Educators in Abu Dhabi have welcomed reforms to assessment of senior students in the United Arab Emirates capital. The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) has updated its assessment process so that cycle 3 students no longer receive numeric marks. The year 10 and 11 students will now be assessed using special letters. They will be […]

An investigative journalism group has become the first major news organisation to launch on the Dark Web. Pro Publica, a non-profit investigative journalism news service dedicated to public interest stories, has launched a version of its site on the Dark Web. But an Australian cyber security expert predicts mainstream media are unlikely to follow. Associate […]

A Brisbane magistrate has criticised tap-and-go technology after a man went on a shopping spree when he found a debit card outside a supermarket. The court was told Colin Leslie Saunders used the no-PIN pay-pass facility to obtain goods illegally after finding the card at a Newmarket shopping centre. Wendy Cull, SM, said the pay-wave […]

Gosford City Council town crier Stephen Clarke has been readying his voice, his moves and his outfit in preparation for the annual Australian Town Crier Championship. It is a special year in the event’s history, as it is being held in Parkes in conjunction with the 200th birthday celebrations of Sir Henry Parkes later this […]

Sydney Roosters Dylan Napa could be plaiyng in his first State of Origin match for Queensland in round 1. The Roosters giant (pictured) has been picked as 18th man in Mal Meninga’s Queensland squad, but an injured Daly Cherry-Evans could see Napa taking his place on the field. Queensland Coach Meninga said he would very […]

He did it his way. Once again, Jose Mourinho (pictured) will lift the Premier League trophy after his Chelsea side wrapped up the title with three games to spare. The ‘Special One’ has the special touch when it comes to winning league titles. He did it in his breakout year as a manager with FC […]

South Sydney defeated a fast-finishing St George Illawarra 16-10 at ANZ Stadium on Monday night. The three tries to two victory ended a three-match losing streak for the Rabbitohs as well as giving the Dragons their first loss in seven games. Returning half-back Adam Reynolds opened the scoring with a penalty goal after John Sutton […]

The New York Rangers won an exciting National Hockey League match against Washington Capitals on Wednesday. With a final score 4-3, the Rangers scored two of their goals in the first period. The Rangers’ Dan Boyle on defence kept the game tight and tidy, while left wing Chris Kreider kept the team confident in the […]

A last-minute try by Corey Oates at Suncorp Stadium gave Brisbane Broncos victory 8-5 on Friday night against Penrith Panthers in what was mostly a very dull game. But another not-so-dull moment occurred when Penrith back-rower Tyrone Peachy dropped player Adam Blair on his head. At the 60th minute Peachey fumbled the ball but regained […]

A stirring re-enactment of the Anzacs’ initial landing set the scene for the dawn service at picturesque Terrigal Beach on the NSW Central Coast. Flares were lit and music played as the boats came to shore, complete with audio of troops shouting and incessant gunfire as they marched into war. Gosford resident Elisha Wenner said: […]

The famous wreck of New Zealand’s SS Maheno, aground on Fraser Island’s eastern beach for the past 80 years, today provided a backdrop to the celebration of a special connection between Australia and New Zealand at Gallipoli. The ship’s bell was escorted to the island by school children from the town of Maheno in New […]

The Australian and New Zealand embassies are hosting a dawn service in Abu Dhabi on Anzac Day. They will commemorate Australian and New Zealanders who have died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions. Defence Attaché Colonel Darryl Groves will lead the service from 5am on the Falcon Lawn at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel, […]

The Central Coast has been left reeling after once-in-a-decade storms battered the region over the past two days. Winds of up to 135 kilometres per hour were recorded, while flash flooding caused traffic chaos and damaged many homes. An estimated one-third of all homes and businesses on the Central Coast were left without power. About […]

The Senate has approved the Foreign Fighters Bill, making it illegal to advocate terrorism and declaring overseas conflict areas no go zones for Australians. The bill passed the Senate easily 43 votes to 12 with Labor and the Palmer United Party supporting the government. Only the Greens, independent Nick Xenophon and Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm […]

Prime Minister Tony Abbott told Parliament on Tuesday he wants a mature national debate on the goods and services tax but has denied that the government plans to increase the tax. Despite repeated opposition questions suggesting the government plans to increase GST, Mr Abbott, backed up by his ministers, said he just wanted to see […]