Independent Canadian news, explainers and analysis across politics, business, technology, world and culture
Jonathan MacDonald 
You don’t have to follow women’s hockey closely to have heard the name Sarah Fillier lately. From lighting up NCAA scoreboards at Princeton to becoming the first overall pick in the PWHL draft and then winning Rookie of the Year in her debut pro season, her rise has been both fast and loud. Age: 24 … Read more
Anyone who’s ever tried to find the perfect anniversary gift knows the struggle: the first year calls for paper, but the 25th demands silver, and the list in between can get confusing. This guide breaks down the traditional and modern anniversary gifts by year, from Victorian origins to today’s adaptations, so you can find the … Read more
Anyone who grew up watching Home Alone remembers the moment Kevin McCallister’s dad rushes through the airport shouting “KEVIN!” – that frantic, slightly exasperated voice belonged to John Heard. But for decades before that iconic sprint, Heard was quietly building a career as one of America’s most reliable character actors, with an Emmy nomination, Obie … Read more
In the world of Westeros, few stories hit as hard as the rise and fall of Robb Stark. The eldest son of Eddard Stark, he was proclaimed King in the North at just 15 years old in George R.R. Martin’s novels, a boy thrust into war who won battle after battle before a single catastrophic … Read more
If you’ve followed Vanessa Morgan’s career from Riverdale to her lead role in Wild Cards, you’ve probably noticed she rarely plays it safe. The Canadian actress, born March 23, 1992, in Ottawa, has been open about her mixed-race background, her divorce from MLB pitcher Michael Kopech, and the realities of single motherhood. This article walks … Read more
You might recognize Taissa Farmiga as the intense Violet Harmon from American Horror Story or as the ambitious Gladys Russell on HBO’s The Gilded Age. But behind the scream-queen label is a 30-year-old actress with a family story that’s just as compelling as her roles. Born: August 17, 1994 (age 30 as of 2025) · … Read more
If you’ve ever watched Michael Corleone’s transformation in The Godfather, you’ve seen the work of an actor who has fascinated audiences for over five decades. Al Pacino’s life off‑screen is just as compelling — full of notable relationships, a surprise fatherhood at 83, and a heritage that ties him to Italian‑American roots. Born: April 25, … Read more
When white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel on 8 May 2025, the Catholic Church made history. The cardinals elected Robert Francis Prevost, an American Augustinian missionary who spent decades in Peru, as the 267th Bishop of Rome. He took the name Leo XIV — the first pope ever from the United States, and a … Read more
Few television figures have commanded a courtroom—and a living room—quite like Judge Judy Sheindlin, whose sharp wit and no-nonsense rulings turned a small-claims bench into a 25‑year ratings juggernaut. Today, at 83, she’s still presiding over new cases on Judy Justice, and this article separates the facts from the fiction about her net worth, her … Read more
Anyone who’s rewatched MASH in the past few years knows it’s more than a time capsule — it’s a masterclass in balancing laughter with grief. But the actors who brought those characters to life had their own share of heartbreak and longevity. Main cast members: 11 · Total episodes: 256 · Seasons produced: 11 (1972–1983) … Read more