Independent Toronto news, explainers and analysis across politics, business, technology, world and community
Kevin Sullivan 
If you’re an adult who got the MMR vaccine as a child, you might wonder whether that protection still holds up decades later — or if a booster is needed. The short answer is reassuring: two doses of the measles vaccine provide lasting immunity for most people, and routine boosters aren’t recommended for the general … Read more
It’s been more than a decade since Susan Boyle stepped onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage and stunned the world—but the story of what happened next is far from simple. After a minor stroke in 2022 and a quiet recovery, she’s now hinting at new music in 2025. Age: 64 (as of 2025) · Years … Read more
Weird Al Yankovic has spent nearly five decades turning chart-topping hits into laugh-out-loud parodies, yet his real life often gets buried under the punchlines. Born Alfred Matthew Yankovic on October 23, 1959, in Downey, California, he built a career that’s earned him five Grammy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This … Read more
You’ve probably seen Mia Malkova’s name pop up across Instagram, YouTube, or maybe a stream — but the story behind her transition from adult film to mainstream content creation is less discussed. In 2024, she sold her $4 million Portland mansion, signaling a clear shift in both career and personal direction. This article traces her … Read more
You know the voice — that deep, aching alto that turned heartbreak into seven Grammys and 70 million album sales. Toni Braxton has spent three decades in the spotlight, but her story goes far beyond the music: between lupus treatments, two bankruptcy filings, and a high-profile relationship with Birdman, her life has been a masterclass … Read more
There are artists, and then there are the ones who shape the culture around them. Denise Filiatrault belongs squarely in the second group. Appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1994, she has spent more than seven decades moving from comic actress to director to artistic director, leaving a mark on Quebec’s cultural … Read more
When news broke that Darrell Sheets had died, it wasn’t just the end of a reality TV personality — it was the quiet closing of a chapter for fans who’d watched him gamble on storage units for over a decade. The official manner of death, ruled suicide, left many searching for answers about what drove … Read more
There aren’t many Oscar winners who’ve thanked the children of a convicted sex offender during a televised acceptance speech — but then, Adrien Brody has never followed the script. Now in his fifties, the actor is navigating a personal life as layered as his filmography, with a deepening relationship that ties him to one of … Read more
For anyone watching Manitoba politics, Nahanni Fontaine has become a familiar figure. She’s Manitoba’s Minister of Families and a lifelong advocate for Indigenous women and families, with a career that stretches from community organizing to the legislature. Here’s a clear look at her background, career, and the questions people most often ask about her. Born: … Read more
Back in 2012, Jessica Sanchez was the 16-year-old who came heartbreakingly close to the American Idol crown. More than a decade later, she has not only claimed a different talent show throne but also started a family of her own. Runner‑up finish: American Idol season 11 (2012) · Win on America’s Got Talent: season 20 … Read more