Chants echo through the streets, flares singe the hair on the back of your legs, and thousands of adolescents and geriatrics alike in full voice. A cacophony of noise, unlike any other, the sights and sounds of a World Cup live site. The commotion – the Socceroos have qualified for their fifth consecutive World Cup, and expectations have never been higher for the Popovic side. Diehard Socceroos fan Kai Bowman believes this tournament will be a true indicator of how far Australian football has come. “It’s indicative, you know,” he said. “The World Cup is the biggest football tournament in…
Author: Earl Powell
Japanese beverage giants Kirin Holdings and Asahi Group Holdings now control more than 80 per cent of Australia’s beer market, squeezing local breweries and pushing many out of the industry. In addition, the cost of producing pints has continued to rise, with retail prices struggling to keep pace. According to the Independent Brewers Association the cost of producing an IPA has risen by 23 per cent, while the recommended retail price has increased by only around 11 per cent. Since the beginning of 2023, 35 breweries nationwide have entered insolvency, a figure that almost matches the total recorded during the…
Australians spent more than $1 billion across last year’s Mother’s Day weekend, according to the Australian Retailers Association, with ANZ customers alone contributing $592 million, up 6.6 per cent year-on-year. The RBA has delivered its third consecutive rate hike, with inflation remaining stubbornly above target. Retailers are cautiously hoping Australians will once again make an exception for Mother’s Day and spend big. According to an Australian Retailers Association (ARA) -Roy Morgan SMS survey conducted in April last year, Australians plan to spend an average of $141 on Mother’s Day, up sharply from $102 in 2024. Overall participation, however, dropped by…
Italy has failed to reach a third straight World Cup after being knocked out by Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 on penalties. It marks a continuation of a troubling pattern of performances on the international stage, as the former four-time world champions, most recent triumphant at the 2006 World Cup and 2020 European Championship, continue to fall from grace. Italy’s defender Leonardo Spinazzola said in a press statement that it was a blow to everyone. “We still don’t believe it, that we’re out and it happened in this manner,” Spinazzola said. “It’s upsetting for everyone, for us, for our families, and…
Illawarra homeowners could face new levels of financial stress, as all four major banks predict another rise in the cash rate in May. The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised interest rates to 4.1 per cent, citing persistent inflation above its 2 to 3 per cent target as the main cause. Haus of Loans director Renee Robins director said young families in the Illawarra are facing an uphill battle. “With every rate increase, the borrowing capacity of prospective homeowners goes down, and the dream of home ownership gets further and further away,” she said. According to Cotality’s November 2025 report,…
Golf has often been portrayed as a pastime for the older generation—a game requiring patience, precision, and time spent on the green. But lately, that image is evolving. A new generation, eager for both physical and mental challenges, is gravitating toward the sport, discovering that golf offers a refreshing mix of strategy, skill, and perseverance that’s unlike any other sport. As one of those young players recently drawn to the sport, I’ve found that golf holds a special allure, blending competitive spirit with a calm, meditative quality. There’s something captivating about the pursuit of mastery in golf, where every shot…