Independent Canadian news, explainers and analysis across politics, business, technology, world and culture
Jonathan MacDonald 
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
If you have watched genre television over the past decade, you have almost certainly seen Tom Hopper — towering as Sir Percival in Merlin, hardened as Billy Bones in Black Sails, or meeting a fiery end as Dickon Tarly in Game of Thrones — a physical presence that has made him a go‑to actor for … Read more
For millions of viewers, Dean Cain will always be the Man of Steel from 1990s television. But in 2025, the actor who once wore the cape announced he is trading Hollywood for a very different kind of badge — joining U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Born: July 31, 1966 · Height: 6 ft 0 in … Read more
Few names carry double meaning like “Iron Man” – to a Marvel fan, it’s Tony Stark, the billionaire inventor; to an endurance athlete, it’s a grueling 140.6‑mile race. This guide sorts fact from fiction, traces the origins of both, and settles which Avenger Thanos truly feared. First appearance: March 1963 (Tales of Suspense #39) · … Read more
Mikhaila Peterson turned a childhood autoimmune diagnosis into a public health movement, stepping out of her father’s shadow to build a career around the Lion Diet and Peterson Academy. This is a fact-checked look at her biography, marriages, health battles, and the business she’s building. Age: 32 (born 1992) · Marriages: 2 · Children: 1 … Read more
Finding your way from hedge-fund trading floors to the highest economic office in the land is rare, but Scott Bessent did it with a career that spans four decades, a history-making confirmation, and a personal story that doesn’t fit the usual Washington mold. Here’s what you need to know about the 79th Treasury Secretary—his background, … Read more
Bill Paxton’s sudden death in 2017 left fans and colleagues grappling with a loss that felt both shocking and preventable, as the beloved actor of Aliens and Titanic died from a stroke just days after undergoing heart surgery. This article walks through the medical timeline, the wrongful death lawsuit his family filed against Cedars‑Sinai Medical … Read more
Few actors have turned personal hardship into such a rich career as Allison Janney. Born in Boston and raised in Dayton, Ohio, she dreamed of becoming a figure skater until a freak accident shattered that path at age 17. From that moment, Janney channeled her discipline into acting, eventually winning an Oscar and seven Emmys … Read more
Most people know Alex Lifeson as the guy who made the Les Paul roar for Rush, but the man behind the guitar has a life story that’s quieter than his riffs. A marriage that’s lasted nearly 50 years, friendships that survived the band’s retirement, and surprising praise from two of rock’s greatest players — there’s … Read more