Independent Toronto news, explainers and analysis across politics, business, technology, world and community
Noah Gagnon 
When Raquel Welch died in February 2023, the headlines naturally turned to the cause — cardiac arrest, with Alzheimer’s disease listed as a contributing factor. But for millions who grew up watching her strut across cinema screens in a fur bikini, the news was more than a medical report: it was the end of an … Read more
Few Quebec journalists have navigated the shift from courtroom to newsroom with the same steadiness as Anne Marie Dussault. After training as a lawyer, she spent more than four decades in journalism, eventually becoming the host of Radio-Canada’s daily news magazine 24•60 on RDI. Birth date: April 19, 1953 · Place of birth: Quebec City, … Read more
Apple’s next CEO has been the subject of quiet speculation for years, and a name that keeps surfacing is John Ternus — a hardware engineering leader who has spent two decades inside the company. In April 2026, CNBC reported that Apple had officially named Ternus as its next chief executive, with Tim Cook moving to … Read more
Few rock drummers have lived as publicly as Tommy Lee. Between the thunderous beats that drove Mötley Crüe to fame and the headlines that tracked his marriages, arrests, and recovery, his story is one of excess, loss, and reinvention. Here’s what the record shows about the man behind the drum kit. Born: October 3, 1962 … Read more
Few athletes have compressed as much history into a single career as Ronda Rousey. Olympic medalist, UFC champion, WWE superstar — she has been all of them, and the transitions between those roles tell a story of resilience and reinvention. Born: February 1, 1987 · Height: 5’7″ (170 cm) · MMA Record: 12-2-0 (UFC) / … Read more
Few athletes carry the weight of two cultures while soaring through the air at 50 miles per hour. Chloe Kim, the Korean American snowboarder who became the youngest woman to win Olympic gold in halfpipe at age 17, has spent her career rewriting records and expectations. This profile traces her journey from a four-year-old on … Read more
Matthew Garber’s life was brief but his portrayal of Michael Banks in Mary Poppins left an indelible mark. Born in 1956, he appeared in only three Disney films before his death at 21 in 1977, and this article separates the confirmed facts from the lingering questions. Born: 25 March 1956 · Died: 13 June 1977 … Read more
Maybe you’ve measured the driveway, checked the garden, or simply watched your kids shoot hoops at the local court and thought: it’s time to get one of our own. Irish retailers like Smyths Toys and Decathlon Ireland (sports retailer) stock everything from €100 portable units to €1,500 in-ground systems, and a few facts can save … Read more
Being a top-10 tennis player is a full-time job, but for Taylor Fritz it comes with another layer: raising a son, navigating a public divorce, and building a new relationship — all while competing on the biggest stages. ATP Ranking: #7 · Age: 28 · Height: 6’5″ · Career Titles: 8 · Marriages: 1 · … Read more
Few actors have lived a life as dramatic as Richard Burton’s — both on screen and off. He earned seven Academy Award nominations without ever winning, and his two marriages to Elizabeth Taylor fascinated the world, separating verified facts from lingering questions about his death, his greatest love, and his legacy. Full name: Richard Walter … Read more