Independent Canadian news and explainers across politics, business, technology, world affairs and culture
Ethan Campbell 
For most people, watching a former head of state report to prison would be the end of the story. For Nicolas Sarkozy, it was just another chapter in a saga that blends international scandal, a high-profile marriage, and a relentless legal fight. Born: 28 January 1955 · President of France: 2007–2012 · Spouse: Carla Bruni … Read more
There is a reason Shaquille O’Neal remains one of the most talked-about figures in sports history: from his dominant NBA career with four championships to his $500 million net worth, his story is as much about hustle off the court as it is about dunks on it, but behind the larger-than-life persona, there are real … Read more
There’s something compelling about a player who gets drafted 54th overall, wins a major college award, and then quietly carves out an NBA career. Sandro Mamukelashvili, the 2021 Seton Hall star turned Toronto Raptors big man, has followed an unusual path — one that mixes elite college production with the grind of two-way contracts and … Read more
Few figures from the 1960s folk revival have remained as vividly present as Joan Baez. From her early days singing at civil rights marches to her recent turn as a painter, she has never stopped evolving. Born: January 9, 1941, Staten Island, New York · Genre: Folk, protest music · Biggest hit: “Diamonds and Rust” … Read more
When you’ve spent nearly a century making people laugh, your life and your work become one story. Carl Reiner ticked that box seven decades ago and never stopped—he created the blueprint for the modern sitcom, turned a one-man sketch with Mel Brooks into a comedy landmark, and picked up 11 Emmys along the way. Born: … Read more
When a pop star steps away from the spotlight and returns with a story that’s as much about health as it is about music, it makes you wonder what really happened behind the headlines. Nelly Furtado’s journey over the last few years has been anything but quiet—a late ADHD diagnosis, a body that changed during … Read more
When your last name is attached to an $8.5 billion investment firm and your daughter marries into one of the world’s most famous families, money becomes a very public topic. The Peltz family fortune, built through activist investing and corporate turnarounds, contrasts sharply with the celebrity-and-brand empire of the Beckhams, and this article compares the … Read more
Few figures in modern history provoke as strong a reaction as Benito Mussolini, the man who invented fascism and led Italy into World War II. This article traces his rise from socialist firebrand to fascist dictator, examines the ideology he built, and lays out the verifiable facts behind his capture, execution, and the aftermath. Full … Read more
Few people in history have towered over the world quite like Robert Pershing Wadlow. At his peak, he stood 8 feet 11.1 inches tall — a measurement confirmed by Guinness World Records (the official record-keeping organization) as the tallest ever recorded. Height: 8 feet 11.1 inches (272 cm) · Weight: 439 pounds (199 kg) · … Read more
There’s a reason co-stars keep calling him the nicest guy in Hollywood. Steve Carell, the man behind one of television’s most cringe-worthy bosses, has built a career spanning comedy and drama while maintaining a fiercely private personal life. Born: August 16, 1962 (age 62) · Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) · Net worth: … Read more