Restaurant Tycoons
The Age’s "Restaurant tycoons" series profiles ten influential figures shaping Melbourne’s dining landscape, from former student Tinee Suntivatana’s staff‑support venture to chef‑entrepreneur Daniel Andrews’ political foray. It chronicles high‑profile feuds, such as Shane Delia’s clash with George Calombaris, and personal setbacks, including Calombaris’s under‑payment scandal and the Brunetti brothers’ split. The pieces also reveal behind‑the‑scenes practices like Gimlet’s secret diner‑rating system and the generational handover at Stokehouse. Together, they paint a vivid picture of power, resilience, and transformation in Australia’s hospitality sector.
Witty and Warm, James Valentine Lifted the Spirits of a City
James Valentine, the beloved Australian saxophonist‑turned‑radio host, died at 64 after a public battle with cancer. He spent 25 years anchoring ABC Radio 702’s “Afternoons” slot, where his jazz‑improv style turned talk‑back into a community‑driven performance. Earlier, he contributed sax...
Labor to Tackle Two of Budget’s Biggest Headaches – Aged Care and NDIS – in One Go
Health Minister Mark Butler will announce a $1 bn AUD (≈$660 m USD) boost to aged‑care home‑care packages, fully funding showering, dressing and continence services for about 350,000 seniors. The same pre‑budget speech will unveil a sweeping overhaul of the $50 bn AUD...
A Shakedown From the Great Beyond
The piece juxtaposes two modern phenomena: unsettling emails that appear to come from deceased friends, and a grassroots waste‑free initiative in Paddington’s Tool, Furniture and Toy Library. The author recounts receiving a post‑mortem invitation, underscoring the rise of digital hoaxes....
Trio Offered Bans for Hawks-Suns Clash; Chinese Link to Tassie Stadium Build Bid
The AFL Match Review Officer handed one‑match bans to Hawthorn captain James Sicily and forward Dylan Moore after they struck Port Adelaide’s Logan Evans, while Port’s Zak Butters received a $660 fine for a separate incident. A subsidiary of China State...
US Fires on Iranian-Flagged Cargo Vessel in Strait of Hormuz
On April 19, US forces in the Arabian Sea fired on an Iranian‑flagged cargo vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port in the Strait of Hormuz. The engagement was part of a naval blockade aimed at enforcing sanctions and...
Chris Lucas Takes on Hong Kong at His Next Restaurant
Prolific Melbourne restaurateur Chris Lucas will launch Wishbone, his 13th venue and first on the city’s west side, in October 2026 inside the new 435 Bourke Street office tower—a $1 billion development (≈ $660 million USD). The three‑level restaurant reimagines Cantonese street food, offering dim...
Older Australians to Receive Free RSV Vaccinations
Australia will begin offering free RSV vaccinations to seniors and Indigenous adults from May 15, as part of a $445.3 million AUD (≈$295 million USD) federal program. Eligible groups include all Australians aged 75+ and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60+,...
Ben Roberts-Smith Granted Bail
Former Australian special forces operative Ben Roberts‑Smith, accused of war crimes in Afghanistan, was released on bail by a Sydney court on April 17, 2026. He had been detained for more than a week while awaiting trial. The bail order...
US-Iran War Live Updates: Israel and Lebanon Enter 10-Day Ceasefire; Netanyahu Says Israeli Military Will Stay in Southern Lebanon; Trump...
A 10‑day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon began on Friday, but the Lebanese army says Israel violated it within minutes by shelling southern villages. President Donald Trump announced the truce, urging Hezbollah to act responsibly, while also claiming the Iran...
Eating This ‘Dinosaur Egg’-Garnished Dessert Will Blow Your Mind in Five Different Ways
Melbourne’s Kumbira, a Filipino restaurant in Altona, showcases UNESCO-certified asin tibuok "dinosaur-egg" salt on its desserts, notably the tamarind four ways. Chef Jose Miguel Lontoc blends three decades of five-star experience with modern techniques, reimagining classics like lechon, adobo rillettes,...
Five Luxury Homes We Love that Are for Sale Right Now
A new roundup showcases five Australian luxury homes currently on the market, each designed for high‑end entertaining and flexible living. The properties span riverfront, coastal, and historic Victorian settings, offering features such as rooftop pools, self‑contained guest suites, and premium...
Former Police Chief Commissioner Requested to Provide Evidence in CFMEU Case
Former Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton has been served with two subpoenas to testify in the criminal trial of CFMEU official Joel Shackleton, who is accused of threatening to kill the owners of an Indigenous labour‑hire firm. Patton’s legal...
Five Young Families Compete for Charming $5.3m Mosman House
A four‑bedroom, two‑storey home at 14 Erith Street in Mosman sold for A$5.3 million (≈US$3.5 million) at auction, outpacing its A$4.8 million guide. Five young families registered, with three actively bidding, pushing the final price about 10% above the guide. The sale occurred...
Grim Recession Prediction if Middle East Conflict Doesn't End Soon
Australian economists warn that a prolonged Middle East war could push the nation into recession in the second half of 2026. The forecast hinges on sustained disruptions to global oil markets, weaker demand for iron ore and coal, and a...