US alt-rock band announce they are finally parting ways, following fisticuffs, accusations and lawsuits US alt-rock band Jane’s Addiction has announced they are parting ways after a tumultuous 15 months of fisticuffs, accusations and lawsuits. The veteran Californian group, who have a history of drama, dust-ups and bust-ups, prematurely terminated the US leg of their reunion tour in September last year after an onstage altercation in Boston between frontman Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro led to blows and, ultimately, a $10m lawsuit. Continue reading...

Has the ban started, and how will age verification work? Platforms will need to deactivate accounts for users under 16 and stop teens from making accounts until they are that age, or face fines of up to $50m. Here’s everything you need to know * Millions of children and teens lose access to accounts as Australia’s world-first social media ban begins * Read more about Australia’s social media ban Australia’s world-first social media ban for children under the age of 16 has come into effect on Wednesday. The tech platforms – large and small – are working on functionality that will kick off existing under-16 account holders and prevent any new ones from signing up. Continue reading...

The Walkabout Creek hotel in Queensland’s Gulf Country is still going strong – just don’t expect crocodiles * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast An enormous Bowie knife whirls through the air and thuds into a wooden bar, sending a shudder of excitement through the cluster of men wearing leather hats, blue jeans, flannelette vests and dirty tees carousing in an outback pub. Bursting through the front door, a man follows the knife, engaged, it seems, in mortal combat with a saltwater crocodile. But the drinkers erupt with laughter as the “mad bugger” – adorned in crocodile teeth and skin – wrangles the stuffed beast to the bar and orders two drinks: “One for me, one for me mate”. Continue reading...

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand also say the ATO’s ‘phone system just doesn’t work’ * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Rob* was part of an group of 16 workers hired by a private operator to answer phone calls for the Australian Taxation Office’s customer service line. After training, the cohort was put on the phone lines and three immediately quit. Within six months, only four staff from the original group remained. Continue reading...

Category 3 system the strongest cyclone to approach Darwin since Tracy in 1974, but no serious injuries reported by Sunday morning * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Top End residents are preparing to launch into cleanup mode after a night of damaging winds and heavy rain from Tropical Cyclone Fina. With top gusts of 195km/h and sustained winds of 140km/h near the centre of the system, Fina tore down trees, damaged houses and cut power in many places across Darwin and surrounding areas. It also brought torrential rain, with 168.6mm falling at Darwin airport in the 24 hours to 9am Sunday. Continue reading...

The actor, writer and musician on growing up on a sheep farm in New Zealand, being in Spice World and a lovely afternoon with Aretha Franklin * Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email Strange Journey: The Story Of Rocky Horror is out to celebrate 50 years of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. What’s the strangest journey Rocky Horror has taken you on? I was at the 30th anniversary at Queen’s Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue. After the show, I was in the downstairs bar, chatting to a couple of people. I turned around and going up the stairs was a man in such high heels – these fetish shoes – that he couldn’t walk in them. He had a leather thong up his arse, and I thought to myself: “I suppose I’m responsible for that, aren’t I?” Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Continue reading...

Tech platforms will need to deactivate accounts for users under 16 and stop teens from making accounts until they are that age, or face fines of up to $50m * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Australia’s world-first social media ban for children under the age of 16 is just weeks away. The tech platforms – large and small – are working on functionality that will kick off existing under-16 account holders and prevent any new ones from signing up. Continue reading...