Richie Assaly
@rdassaly.bsky.social
Writes about music, books and politics.
https://linktr.ee/richieassaly
https://linktr.ee/richieassaly
Pinned
Richie Assaly
@rdassaly.bsky.social
· May 3
Madeleine Thien is the quiet conscience of Canadian literature. Nine years after winning the country’s top book prize, she returns with a stirring new novel
In “The Book of Records,” the outspoken author moves between centuries and perspectives – past and imagined futures – in a prismatic attempt to unearth the very root of thinking.
www.thestar.com
Here's my profile on Madeleine Thien, whose first novel in nearly a decade arrives next week.
We spoke about Hannah Arendt, visiting Palestine, the limits of autofiction and much more.
www.thestar.com/entertainmen...
We spoke about Hannah Arendt, visiting Palestine, the limits of autofiction and much more.
www.thestar.com/entertainmen...
For those following the Bryan Passafiume saga, it appears that after being disciplined for celebrating the murder or Renee Nicole Good, he has removed the Toronto Sun from Twitter bio.
Post-“cancellation” rebrand incoming?
Post-“cancellation” rebrand incoming?
January 22, 2026 at 11:40 PM
For those following the Bryan Passafiume saga, it appears that after being disciplined for celebrating the murder or Renee Nicole Good, he has removed the Toronto Sun from Twitter bio.
Post-“cancellation” rebrand incoming?
Post-“cancellation” rebrand incoming?
Reposted by Richie Assaly
Mark Carney's intervention in Davos has elicited a considerable response and won plaudits from some unusual places. But how exactly should we interpret the speech and what might it signify? I have some thoughts.
www.lukewsavage.com/p/interpreti...
www.lukewsavage.com/p/interpreti...
Interpreting the Carney Doctrine
Toward a new progressive internationalism or a new conservative realpolitik?
www.lukewsavage.com
January 22, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Mark Carney's intervention in Davos has elicited a considerable response and won plaudits from some unusual places. But how exactly should we interpret the speech and what might it signify? I have some thoughts.
www.lukewsavage.com/p/interpreti...
www.lukewsavage.com/p/interpreti...
3 journalists were killed by Israeli strikes on Wednesday.
Anas Ghunaim, Abdul Ra’ouf Shaath and Mohammad Qeshta were filming a newly established displacement camp when their vehicle was bombed.
Israel has killed more 200 journalists in Gaza since 2023
www.cbc.ca/news/world/i...
Anas Ghunaim, Abdul Ra’ouf Shaath and Mohammad Qeshta were filming a newly established displacement camp when their vehicle was bombed.
Israel has killed more 200 journalists in Gaza since 2023
www.cbc.ca/news/world/i...
3 journalists killed in Israeli airstrike on car in central Gaza, health officials say | CBC News
Israeli fire killed 11 Palestinians, including two boys and three journalists, in separate incidents in Gaza on Wednesday, local medics said, in the latest violence to undermine a three-month-old ceas...
www.cbc.ca
January 21, 2026 at 6:10 PM
3 journalists were killed by Israeli strikes on Wednesday.
Anas Ghunaim, Abdul Ra’ouf Shaath and Mohammad Qeshta were filming a newly established displacement camp when their vehicle was bombed.
Israel has killed more 200 journalists in Gaza since 2023
www.cbc.ca/news/world/i...
Anas Ghunaim, Abdul Ra’ouf Shaath and Mohammad Qeshta were filming a newly established displacement camp when their vehicle was bombed.
Israel has killed more 200 journalists in Gaza since 2023
www.cbc.ca/news/world/i...
The “antisemitic views” in question:
January 21, 2026 at 5:55 PM
The “antisemitic views” in question:
Reposted by Richie Assaly
2026 is shaping to be a big year for Canadian fiction, with new books from Angélique Lalonde, Ashraf Zaghal, Yann Martel and @lizjohnston.bsky.social.
Phillip Dwight Morgan and @rdassaly.bsky.social share eight novels they can't wait to read.
Phillip Dwight Morgan and @rdassaly.bsky.social share eight novels they can't wait to read.
Eight New Novels We Can’t Wait to Read in 2026
2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year for Canadian literary fiction. Here are some of our most anticipated books in the months ahead.
www.thegrindmag.ca
January 21, 2026 at 4:33 PM
2026 is shaping to be a big year for Canadian fiction, with new books from Angélique Lalonde, Ashraf Zaghal, Yann Martel and @lizjohnston.bsky.social.
Phillip Dwight Morgan and @rdassaly.bsky.social share eight novels they can't wait to read.
Phillip Dwight Morgan and @rdassaly.bsky.social share eight novels they can't wait to read.
Reposted by Richie Assaly
NEW: After being defunded by Doug Ford’s government, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre scrambled to find an alternative model that would allow its safe drug consumption site (SCS) to continue operating. The feds stood in the way.
By @emmapaling.bsky.social.
By @emmapaling.bsky.social.
EXCLUSIVE: Carney Government Prevented Parkdale SCS from Staying Open
After being defunded by Doug Ford’s government, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre scrambled to find an alternative model that would allow its safe consumption site (SCS) to continue…
www.thegrindmag.ca
January 21, 2026 at 3:12 PM
NEW: After being defunded by Doug Ford’s government, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre scrambled to find an alternative model that would allow its safe drug consumption site (SCS) to continue operating. The feds stood in the way.
By @emmapaling.bsky.social.
By @emmapaling.bsky.social.
Aphex Twin has corrupted Pitchfork’s motherboard. 30 years worth of reviews have been erased.
January 21, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Aphex Twin has corrupted Pitchfork’s motherboard. 30 years worth of reviews have been erased.
Israel demolished UNRWA’s offices in Sheikh Jarrah, fired tear gas at a nearby vocational school for young refugees, and shot a 15-year-old in the eye with a rubber bullet.
Meanwhile, babies are freezing to death in Gaza
www.thestar.com/news/world/m...
Meanwhile, babies are freezing to death in Gaza
www.thestar.com/news/world/m...
Israeli crews target UN facilities for Palestinian refugees in east Jerusalem
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli forces on Tuesday targeted at least two United Nations facilities, pushing forward with its crackdown against the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees tasked with delivering h...
www.thestar.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Israel demolished UNRWA’s offices in Sheikh Jarrah, fired tear gas at a nearby vocational school for young refugees, and shot a 15-year-old in the eye with a rubber bullet.
Meanwhile, babies are freezing to death in Gaza
www.thestar.com/news/world/m...
Meanwhile, babies are freezing to death in Gaza
www.thestar.com/news/world/m...
Reposted by Richie Assaly
In 'Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie,' the stunts are bigger and more outrageous than ever.
Emilie Hanskamp talks to Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol about the making of the one of the most Toronto-centric films of all time.
Emilie Hanskamp talks to Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol about the making of the one of the most Toronto-centric films of all time.
Johnson and McCarrol Mine the Chaos for Comedic Gold in ‘Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie’
17 years after launching ‘Nirvanna the Band the Show,’ the pranksters bring their antics to the big screen — and they’re more outrageous than ever…
www.thegrindmag.ca
January 19, 2026 at 6:02 PM
In 'Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie,' the stunts are bigger and more outrageous than ever.
Emilie Hanskamp talks to Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol about the making of the one of the most Toronto-centric films of all time.
Emilie Hanskamp talks to Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol about the making of the one of the most Toronto-centric films of all time.
The Israeli consulate spent nearly $10,000 for Toronto city councillors James Pasternak and Mike Colle to visit Israel in November.
The “fact-finding” “peace mission” included airfare, meals and VIP airport service.
The “fact-finding” “peace mission” included airfare, meals and VIP airport service.
Toronto councillors are standing by a consulate-sponsored trip to Israel in Nov., saying it strengthened bonds with an ally and aligned with council priorities. Critics say it was an attempt to burnish Israel's image as it faced genocide allegations. www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor...
Toronto city councillors stand by consulate-sponsored trip to Israel amid criticism, as integrity commissioner finds no breach
Toronto city councillors Mike Colle and James Pasternak attended a six-day “Canadian political leadership mission” to Israel in November.
www.thestar.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:48 PM
The Israeli consulate spent nearly $10,000 for Toronto city councillors James Pasternak and Mike Colle to visit Israel in November.
The “fact-finding” “peace mission” included airfare, meals and VIP airport service.
The “fact-finding” “peace mission” included airfare, meals and VIP airport service.
Reposted by Richie Assaly
"Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore's 'Tragic Magic' Is for Getting Lost" 🌹@exclaimdotca.bsky.social dotca @rdassaly.bsky.social 🌹
For Exclaim, I reviewed the lovely new album by Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore.
Experimental ambient music to get lost in, or get lost to.
@exclaimdotca.bsky.social
Experimental ambient music to get lost in, or get lost to.
@exclaimdotca.bsky.social
Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore's 'Tragic Magic' Is for Getting Lost │ Exclaim!
Your daily dose of the best music, film and comedy news, reviews, streams, concert listings, interviews and other exclusives on Exclaim!
exclaim.ca
January 14, 2026 at 7:01 PM
"Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore's 'Tragic Magic' Is for Getting Lost" 🌹@exclaimdotca.bsky.social dotca @rdassaly.bsky.social 🌹
For Exclaim, I reviewed the lovely new album by Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore.
Experimental ambient music to get lost in, or get lost to.
@exclaimdotca.bsky.social
Experimental ambient music to get lost in, or get lost to.
@exclaimdotca.bsky.social
Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore's 'Tragic Magic' Is for Getting Lost │ Exclaim!
Your daily dose of the best music, film and comedy news, reviews, streams, concert listings, interviews and other exclusives on Exclaim!
exclaim.ca
January 14, 2026 at 6:31 PM
For Exclaim, I reviewed the lovely new album by Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore.
Experimental ambient music to get lost in, or get lost to.
@exclaimdotca.bsky.social
Experimental ambient music to get lost in, or get lost to.
@exclaimdotca.bsky.social
“Iranians are once again caught between their own brutal regime and the U.S. war machine. There has to be a better way”
newrepublic.com/article/2051...
newrepublic.com/article/2051...
Military Intervention Will Not Liberate the Iranian People
Iranians are once again caught between their own brutal regime and the U.S. war machine. There has to be a better way forward.
newrepublic.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:41 PM
“Iranians are once again caught between their own brutal regime and the U.S. war machine. There has to be a better way”
newrepublic.com/article/2051...
newrepublic.com/article/2051...
I’m hanging in Montreal for a few weeks. Please drop your fav spots or hidden gems. ⬇️
January 12, 2026 at 5:11 PM
I’m hanging in Montreal for a few weeks. Please drop your fav spots or hidden gems. ⬇️
January 12, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Reposted by Richie Assaly
It’s easy to forget amid his constant editorializing that Bryan Passifiume is actually a reporter.
Can you imagine the response from him if a Toronto Star or CBC reporter said this about the right?
Can you imagine the response from him if a Toronto Star or CBC reporter said this about the right?
January 10, 2026 at 4:09 AM
It’s easy to forget amid his constant editorializing that Bryan Passifiume is actually a reporter.
Can you imagine the response from him if a Toronto Star or CBC reporter said this about the right?
Can you imagine the response from him if a Toronto Star or CBC reporter said this about the right?
Toronto Sun reporter Bryan Passifiume has now deleted this tweet about the ICE murder of Renee Nicole Good.
Passifiume is the Sun’s Ottawa bureau chief
Passifiume is the Sun’s Ottawa bureau chief
January 10, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Toronto Sun reporter Bryan Passifiume has now deleted this tweet about the ICE murder of Renee Nicole Good.
Passifiume is the Sun’s Ottawa bureau chief
Passifiume is the Sun’s Ottawa bureau chief
NEW: The Crown has dropped all charges against nine people arrested during an Indigenous-led, pro-Palestine rally in October.
A legal representative for the nine arrestees calls this is "another example of police overreach."
A legal representative for the nine arrestees calls this is "another example of police overreach."
Charges Dropped Against Nine Arrested at Pro-Palestine Protest
Organizers say these arrests are another example of police overreach and that they are being used as justification for ongoing repression. Toronto police call the arrests “lawful, justified…
www.thegrindmag.ca
January 7, 2026 at 9:26 PM
NEW: The Crown has dropped all charges against nine people arrested during an Indigenous-led, pro-Palestine rally in October.
A legal representative for the nine arrestees calls this is "another example of police overreach."
A legal representative for the nine arrestees calls this is "another example of police overreach."
Reposted by Richie Assaly
To kick off 2026, I spoke to Katie Stelmanis about the *excellent* new Austra album.
We chatted about heartbreak, Eurodance and the precarity of being an indie artist in 2026.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social
We chatted about heartbreak, Eurodance and the precarity of being an indie artist in 2026.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social
Austra’s Extravagant Journey Through the Depths of Heartbreak
The Toronto electro-pop project led by Katie Stelmanis returns after more than half a decade with a bittersweet breakup album inspired by the euphoric sounds of 90s Eurodance…
www.thegrindmag.ca
January 7, 2026 at 3:11 PM
To kick off 2026, I spoke to Katie Stelmanis about the *excellent* new Austra album.
We chatted about heartbreak, Eurodance and the precarity of being an indie artist in 2026.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social
We chatted about heartbreak, Eurodance and the precarity of being an indie artist in 2026.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social
To kick off 2026, I spoke to Katie Stelmanis about the *excellent* new Austra album.
We chatted about heartbreak, Eurodance and the precarity of being an indie artist in 2026.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social
We chatted about heartbreak, Eurodance and the precarity of being an indie artist in 2026.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social
Austra’s Extravagant Journey Through the Depths of Heartbreak
The Toronto electro-pop project led by Katie Stelmanis returns after more than half a decade with a bittersweet breakup album inspired by the euphoric sounds of 90s Eurodance…
www.thegrindmag.ca
January 7, 2026 at 3:11 PM
To kick off 2026, I spoke to Katie Stelmanis about the *excellent* new Austra album.
We chatted about heartbreak, Eurodance and the precarity of being an indie artist in 2026.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social
We chatted about heartbreak, Eurodance and the precarity of being an indie artist in 2026.
For @thegrindto.bsky.social
Reposted by Richie Assaly
LISTEN: @rdassaly.bsky.social urges you to pay attention to Katie Tupper's upcoming debut album 'Greyhound' on CBC Commotion. 'Greyhound' out everywhere January 21 www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
January 5, 2026 at 7:26 PM
LISTEN: @rdassaly.bsky.social urges you to pay attention to Katie Tupper's upcoming debut album 'Greyhound' on CBC Commotion. 'Greyhound' out everywhere January 21 www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Reposted by Richie Assaly
Thinking about this and the Polymarket stuff at the same time and frowning
🟡 NEW: The New York Times and Washington Post learned of a secret US raid on Venezuela soon before it was scheduled to begin Friday night — but held off publishing what they knew to avoid endangering US troops.
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
News organizations held off on reporting Venezuela raid
The American news organizations held their stories over concerns about endangering US troops.
www.semafor.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Thinking about this and the Polymarket stuff at the same time and frowning
How are people processing the news over here ?
January 4, 2026 at 1:44 AM
How are people processing the news over here ?