Independent Canadian news and explainers across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Ethan Campbell 
Few artists have reinvented themselves quite like Donald Glover. In 2024, he closed the book on his Childish Gambino persona, only to reveal months later that a stroke had silently reshaped his life. Here’s the full picture of his recent disclosures, from health scares to identity questions. Stage name: Childish Gambino (retired) · Diagnosis: Stroke … Read more
When white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel on May 8, 2025, the Catholic Church got a first: a pope born in the United States, according to CNN. Robert Francis Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV, is a 69-year-old Augustinian who spent decades as a missionary in Peru, according to Vatican News. Papal Name: … Read more
Jalen Green’s story doesn’t fit neatly into a single headline. He’s the NBA guard who became a father at 22, the Filipino-American player who represents a community that rarely sees itself on the court, and the former second overall pick who found himself traded to Phoenix before his fourth season ended. Height: 6 ft 4 … Read more
There’s something quietly radical about leaving a life built on noise. Rosie O’Donnell, once the queen of daytime television and a fixture in American tabloids, has swapped the New York studio for the quiet countryside of Ireland. In July 2025, Donald Trump even suggested revoking her U.S. citizenship — a move legal experts say he … Read more
A lot of people know Stephanie Beatriz as Rosa Diaz, the deadpan detective from Brooklyn Nine-Nine. But there’s more to her story: she also voiced the lead in Disney’s Encanto, lives with a legally blind condition, and became a mom in 2022. This article lays out the facts about her career, her personal life, and … Read more
Anyone who has ever tried to answer the question “What does it mean to be Native American?” quickly discovers there is no single answer. Federal law, tribal constitutions, and the U.S. Census each define Indigenous identity differently — and those differences carry real consequences for healthcare, education, and sovereignty. With over 574 federally recognized tribes … Read more
Pretty Little Liars fans know Mona Vanderwaal as the ultimate frenemy, but the actress behind the glasses has a story that goes far beyond Rosewood. Janel Parrish has spent nearly three decades in Hollywood, starting as a child performer in Hawaii before becoming one of TV’s most memorable villains. Here’s a fact-checked look at her … Read more
Ask any Harry Potter fan what they’d change about the series, and you’ll hear everything from house assignments to secret backstories. Two decades after the last film, those conversations are still going strong — and with an HBO series confirmed for Christmas 2026, now is the perfect moment to revisit the biggest questions, the forgotten … Read more
Few NHL players have blended grit and skill quite like Doug Gilmour. Over 20 seasons, the center known as “Killer” earned a reputation as a relentless two-way force, winning a Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989 and a Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1993, before transitioning to family, community work, and a special … Read more
Dak Prescott’s life has been a series of highs and lows — from leading the Dallas Cowboys to the playoffs to facing unimaginable personal losses, including a painful hamstring injury in 2024 and the death of his brother Jace in 2020. This article traces how those events shaped his 2025 season and what lies ahead … Read more