The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half of a percentage point on Wednesday, kicking off what is expected to be a steady easing of monetary policy with a larger-than-usual reduction in borrowing costs that followed growing unease about the health of the job market. “The committee has gained greater confidence that inflation is … Read more
The affidavit of an FBI special agent, and the Russian documents attached to it, offer a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a vast Russian network of disinformation. Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted two Russians — both employees of state broadcaster RT — accused of illegally funnelling $9.7 million into a Tennessee media company. … Read more
Liberal MPs are calling for a committee investigation of Canadian connections to U.S. allegations that Russia has used state-run media, unwitting influencers and websites to spread disinformation. Last week, the U.S. Justice Department unsealed an indictment against two Russian nationals accusing them of setting up a conservative media outlet as a front for pro-Kremlin propaganda. … Read more
The Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice arrived with about as much subtlety as its scheduling at the Toronto International Film Festival. Just as the Ali Abassi-directed film was plopped into the festival’s opening night schedule on Thursday as a last-minute surprise, the film barrels into its thesis without much warning or preamble. Documenting the former U.S. president’s beginnings … Read more
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says senior Biden administration officials pressured Facebook to “censor” some COVID-19 content during the pandemic and vowed the social media giant would push back if it faced such demands again. In a letter to Rep. Jim Jordan, the Republican chair of the judiciary committee of the House of Representatives, Zuckerberg alleges … Read more
Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. said Tuesday the country will work well with whomever wins the November presidential election, saying the government’s “Team Canada” approach of continually meeting with a bipartisan group of American federal, state and local officials has prepared Canada for any eventuality. Speaking to reporters at the Liberal cabinet retreat in Halifax after … Read more
Last night, talk show icon Oprah Winfrey received roaring applause at her first-ever appearance at a national political convention. The day before, actor Sean Astin strutted onstage to call for the first woman president in United States history, while managing to slide in references to his roles in both Stranger Things and Rudy. And Atlanta rapper Lil … Read more
Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched a television genre that made household names of Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others, has died. He was 88. NBC’s Today show said Donahue died on Sunday after a long illness. Dubbed “the king of daytime talk,” Donahue was the first to incorporate audience participation in a talk show, … Read more
Year-over-year inflation in the United States reached its lowest level in more than three years in July, the latest sign that the worst price spike in four decades is fading and setting up the Federal Reserve for an interest rate cut in September. Wednesday’s report from the U.S. Department of Labor showed that consumer prices rose just … Read more
Céline Dion and her management team said Saturday that they do not endorse an “unauthorized” use of one of her most popular songs by former U.S. president Donald Trump at a campaign rally. “Today, Céline Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, … Read more
