Latest news with #Aussie
Courier-Mail
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Insta-glam home comes with roulette table, Ferrari garage
Want to take a sneak peek inside a Bulimba new-build that's drawing a whole lot of Instagram interest courtesy of its sleek interior and iconic façade? Mosman will open its doors at 11am tomorrow (August 2) for half an hour, marking only the second public viewing of the property after the first inspection drew a crowd of more than 300 people. FBI Interiors owners Michael and Natalie Ajaje worked with Tim Stewart Architects and McBryde Builders to bring the epic build to life and say their vison for the home was simple. 'We wanted to build one of the best houses in Bulimba, if not Brisbane,' Mr Ajaje said. Set on an 814sq m block, the home is known as 'Mosman' and marks the latest in a series of designer properties that the Ajajes have completed in recent years. MORE: Alice Cooper's in the living room: Hilarious Aussie listings revealed Qld acreage comes with insane 'Dad's Bar' with beer on tap Qld property: How much your home is worth now Described as their 'biggest and best' project to date, it spans three levels and has a commanding street presence due to timber cladding and white battened façade. 'The façade is very unique,' Mr Ajaje conceded. 'It's designed to set the house apart as it's a beautiful home and it deserves to stand out.' Inside, the attention to luxury detail continues, with the five-bedroom residence boasting a beach club back yard, yoga studio, roulette table, eight-car basement garage, and a bespoke circular staircase that cost an eye watering $250,000. 'It's a house with a lot of big-ticket items,' Mr Ajaje said. 'That staircase is a stunner. It's like a piece of art that you might see in the Hilton or a museum.' Featuring soaring ceilings, curves, texture and a clever use of space, the property is also designed to be functional. 'It's three levels with a lift and suits everyone from large families to professional couples and even the bachelor lifestyle,' Mr Ajaje said. Upstairs are four of the property's five ensuited bedrooms including a sprawling 120sq m master suite that's the size of an average three-bedroom apartment. It comes complete with a dressing room worthy of a Rodeo Drive retailer and an ensuite that would be equally at home in an upmarket wellness retreat. 'We've used all the tools we love,' Mr Ajaje said. 'The aim was to create something that offers easy living, is modern and on trend where there are lots of zones for people to retreat to or come together.' The central level is all about that communal lifestyle and features an open plan lounge and kitchen space leading out to the outdoor entertaining area overlooking the pool and back yard. 'People love the size of the home and that area out the back,' Mr Ajaje said. 'It's the ultimate entertainer with a beach club vibe and it's built to stand the test of time.' Downstairs, the basement area includes a games room with casino grade roulette table, a wellness space including yoga room, and a fully tiled, eight-car garage with Ferrari mural. 'The basement ensures there's parking for everyone, but it could also easily be converted to a fully standalone living space to accommodate multi-generational living,' Mr Ajaje said. 'Mosman' is listed with Sarah Hackett of Place and is located at 23 Henderson St, Bulimba. 'I'd love to see it go to a local family with younger or older kids,' Mr Ajaje said. 'It's a beautiful big house that's among the best in Brisbane right now and if you miss it, you could be waiting a long time for something similar.'
AU Financial Review
2 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
The cheapest flight to LA put to the test
Flight review: United Airlines Economy Class UA842 Sydney (SYD) to Los Angeles (LAX) | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, departing 1120, arriving 0600 Best for family trips when you want to spend more on the ground than in the air. The equation was simple enough. An Aussie dollar anchored in the US60¢ range, a relentless family campaign for a holiday in the US, and the prospect of paying eye-watering accommodation bills or risk of an intra-familial homicide while squeezed into a still-expensive New York hotel room. With premium economy for four topping $25,000, the only way to make it happen was to save money on the flight to spend on the ground.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Will golf's major season begin and end with career grand slam? Here's who could join Rory
The 2025 major season began with career grand slam mania. Could it end that way? Minjee Lee certainly has a strong case for it at the AIG Women's British Open. The Aussie collected her third different major title at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship last month in Frisco, Texas, adding to her 2021 Amundi Evian Championship and 2022 U.S. Women's Open titles. The 29-year-old opened the AIG Women's British Open with a 2-under 70 at Royal Porthcawl, putting her in fine position to make a run. In 11 previous Women's British Open appearances, Lee has five top-11 finishes. She also finished one shot out of the playoff earlier this month at the Evian, won by Grace Kim. "I don't think I'm going to complain with a 2-under start," she said after Thursday's round in Wales. "Some of the holes are just beasts out there." The LPGA recognizes seven players as having won the career grand slam: Louise Suggs (1957), Mickey Wright (1962), Pat Bradley (1986), Juli Inkster (1999), Karrie Webb (2001), Annika Sorenstam (2003) and Inbee Park (2015). After the LPGA added a fifth major, tour officials deemed that players who have won four different majors available in their careers will have accomplished the career grand slam. Those who have won five different majors will have won the super career grand slam. Webb is the only player to have won the super career grand slam. That happened in 2002 when she won the Weetabix Women's British Open. She'd previously won the McDonald's LPGA Championship, U.S. Women's Open, Nabisco Championship and du Maurier Classic. Lee is one of five active players on the LPGA who need one more major title to achieve the career grand slam. She's joined by Lydia Ko, Anna Nordqvist, In Gee Chun and Yani Tseng. Chun and Lee are the only two players in the field this week who need the AIG to get it done. Ko told Golfweek earlier in the year that in her book, she needs all five to achieve the career grand slam. "I think for me, like all five is the goal," added Lee last week in Scotland, "so I think it's just different for us because we have five and we don't have four. I think it should be – I don't know what it should be, but I just think for me, five is the goal."
NZ Herald
4 hours ago
- NZ Herald
NZ's dangerous underworld: Gangs, drugs and a lot of money
His latest book, Underworld: The new era of gangs in New Zealand, is the third in a series he's released since 2020 – and the latest instalment delves deeper into our country's dark underbelly of gangs, guns, drugs and money – lots and lots of money. He told The Front Page that New Zealand is seeing unprecedented volumes of methamphetamine and other drugs turn up on our shores. 'When I first started reporting, one kilo of meth was a big deal, and it was a front-page story. These days, even the smallest of drug dealers would have far more than one kilo in the back of the car. Now we are talking imports of 400 to 700 kilograms,' he said. Despite some record-breaking busts, like the 613kg of meth intercepted at Auckland Airport in 2022, New Zealand's appetite for drugs remains high. 'Those big busts [are] having quite a negligible impact on how much drugs are actually being consumed,' Savage said. 'We can see through wastewater testing that for a long time we were consuming about 15 kilos of meth per week. Then last year, it was more than double every single week.' Organised crime groups have spent decades solidifying their presence in New Zealand. Drug importation and sales now rely on a global network, which includes Asian syndicates and Mexican cartels collaborating with local gangs. While homegrown gangs have been instrumental in distributing drugs throughout the country, it's the Australian imports that have come with an international contact book. 'What has really changed in the last 10 years, in particular, is members of Australian motorcycle gangs being deported here and establishing truly international crime groups. 'They had genuine connections to supply lines overseas, not just in Asia, but to the South Americas, Mexico and the US. 'It's no coincidence that [large drug imports] happened around the same time that we started seeing deportees come here. They've also brought more of a brazen, arrogant approach to the underworld. 'It's not just the Aussie gangs now that are doing these big imports, but they were certainly the ones that kicked things off. Savage said while police are doing the best they can, the only way the supply of drugs is going to dry up is if the demand for drugs dries up. 'We certainly need to be looking more into investment in rehabilitation, counselling opportunities for people who are tied up in addiction ... 'The answers lie within each community ... There are always people in there that are doing amazing work with young people; they just need some support,' he said. Listen to the full episode to hear more about New Zealand's dark underbelly, and what could be done to fix it. The Front Page is a daily news podcast from the New Zealand Herald, available to listen to every weekday from 5am. The podcast is presented by Chelsea Daniels, an Auckland-based journalist with a background in world news and crime/justice reporting who joined NZME in 2016. You can follow the podcast at iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Record
Vet clinic worker shares her top 8 dog breeds but warns they're 'not for everyone'
She recommends getting any of these pooches if you're a first-time owner Bringing a pet into your home can be wonderful, but dogs are a big responsibility, so it's crucial to find the right breed that fits well into your home, matches your lifestyle and won't cause too much disruption. There are so many breeds with fantastic temperaments and are excellent with children, while others make brilliant guard dogs. Some breeds simply love a good snooze and a cuddle on the sofa. For those on the hunt, a woman who works at a veterinary clinic has shared her top recommendations for dog breeds for first-time owners. Sage Overson has been sharing her top tips online, prompting millions of responses. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The vet clinic worker previously discussed breeds she wouldn't own, and recently shared a list of dogs she would consider owning. There is one caveat, though. Sage is not an expert - so don't take her word for gospel. "These are breeds I've been loving since working with them - not professional recommendations," she insisted. "Even a perfect dog isn't a perfect fit for everyone and every dog is different. Please do your research," reports the Express. 1. Australian Shepherd Sage posted a picture of her "little baby angel princess" lying peacefully on a sofa. She noted that Aussie dogs are "nuts", which makes them entertaining pets. She also maintains that they are quick learners and "all so unique." This breed is medium-sized and known for their energy, intelligence and herding abilities. These dogs enjoy running around and playing ball games. 2. Great Pyrenees These mountain dogs are large, fluffy and a powerful breed. They are recognised for their strong instincts, but also their calm and gentle temperament. These obedient dogs are incredibly loyal and devoted to their families, which means they can also be stubborn. Sage said these dogs are her "favourite clients". She said the puppies "could be mistaken for a polar bear", and you could trust this breed with a newborn baby. 3. Poodle While a lot of people love miniature and toy poodles, Sage insists that the standard poodle will make a brilliant pet. She described the breed as "angel on earth", noting the dogs "wouldn't hurt a fly". They aim to please and are quite easy going. These dogs are affectionate and playful. They love being social and part of family activities. 4. Bull Terrier This breed is often on lists of dangerous dog breeds, as many people view them as aggressive with a tendency to bite. However, with the proper training they can be a brilliant pet and they are always devoted to their owner. Sage said: "Hear me out! So emotionally intelligent and in tune. A misunderstood breed. I think they're so cute." 5. Basset Hound American Kennel Club states: "The Basset Hound is a perennial favourite of dog lovers all over the world. This low-slung and low-key hound can be sometimes stubborn, but is always charming." This breed is renowned for its incredible sense of smell and loyalty. Although not the fastest dog, they can walk for extended periods. However, be prepared for their loud, resonating bark. Sage commented: "I'll deal with the ear infections and bad skin, they're so precious." 6. Golden Retriever Who doesn't adore a golden retriever? This breed, recognised by its striking golden coat, is a favourite amongst families due to its gentle and affectionate nature. These dogs also enjoy walks and playtime. Sage shared: "The OG family dog, for good reason, before the doodle. Perfect for active families, happy dogs." 7. Shih Tzu "Never thought I'd be into these things but they're so unintentionally funny and chill," Sage laughed. Pretty sure they live forever." These adorable dogs can make excellent family pets - they are known for being affectionate and forming strong bonds with their families. They can be a bit stubborn and lack patience, but training can help. Their size makes them easy to handle, too. 8. Rottweiler These dogs are large and make excellent guard dogs. They are protective, form strong bonds with their families, and are affectionate. But due to their size and protectiveness, they require extensive training and experienced owners. "Rottweiler - literally bred to watch little kids," Sage stated. All about early socialisation and they'll be the most loyal companions." She did note, however, that they drool quite a bit. Sage also expressed her fondness for Labradors, Pitbulls and Dobermans. She finds Whippets "awkward" but charming and has "only heard good things" about the breed.
