Independent Toronto news, explainers and analysis across politics, business, technology, world and community
Noah Gagnon 
Joshua Van, a 23-year-old flyweight from Houston, Texas, carries a background that sets him apart from most peers inside the UFC cage. Born on October 10, 2001 in Myanmar, he moved to the United States as a refugee before turning professional in 2021. Record: 17-2-0 · Age: 23 · Height: 5’5″ · Weight: 125 lbs … Read more
A chance meeting on an airplane, a sketch on a sick bag, and a wicker basket stuffed with everyday chaos—that’s the origin story of the world’s most coveted handbag. But Jane Birkin was far more than the namesake of a luxury accessory. She was a British-French actress, singer, and style icon whose effortless look influenced … Read more
Few basketball players command the same mix of awe and curiosity as Stephen Curry — he changed the game, but fans also ask about his medical history, net worth, and why he sits out. This article separates verified facts from speculation. NBA Championships: 4 (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) · NBA MVP Awards: 2 (2015, 2016) … Read more
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