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Michelle

@mbranco

Canadian. Still under the covers and not sure I’m ever coming out, but if I do follow for breastfeeding, infant feeding policy and humanitarian response with a bit of public health and comms mixed in.

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24.12.2023
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Latest posts by Michelle @mbranco

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DHS Seeks Access to Massive Employment, Salary and Family Database Legally Restricted to Use in Child Support Cases The Trump administration’s immigration enforcers are requesting unfettered access to the government’s “most powerful people-finder system,” which contains sensitive information on children and victims...

DHS Seeks Access to Massive Employment, Salary and Family Database Legally Restricted to Use in Child Support Cases

11.03.2026 23:31 👍 19 🔁 15 💬 1 📌 0
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Tomorrow’s AI models are learning from today’s polluted research The research ecosystems AI models train on are changing in ways policymakers aren't yet attuned to.

MAHA-aligned research is entering the training data of AI models that millions of people (and increasingly governments) rely on.

10.03.2026 04:25 👍 261 🔁 139 💬 1 📌 31

This is an active duty RCAF officer:

"For Armstrong, who is in his mid-40s, 'the ideal woman is childlike' ... Armstrong posted in a separate comment: 'The moment a girl has her first period, she is at her peak marriagability.'" [sic]

09.03.2026 12:45 👍 175 🔁 118 💬 33 📌 17

“…the rich “really value the ability to move and work wherever they want, when they want, and when something like the Iran war disrupts it, they don’t like it”.

Informative, but will not make you feel better about humanity.

07.03.2026 01:55 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

I suppose it should not be shocking that the movement that is led by pedophiles doesn’t value the lives of children. But this is still pretty bad.

06.03.2026 01:02 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Who's that nameless no name sitting across from Michael Ford and beside Stephen Lecce at some cafe in Florida? Still pretty interesting, no? #onpoli

27.02.2026 15:34 👍 7 🔁 4 💬 1 📌 0
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How Right-Wing Political Influencers Dodged Election Spending Rules | The Tyee ‘We actually have a worse dark money problem in Canada than they do in the US.’

How Right-Wing Political Influencers Dodged Election Spending Rules
‘We actually have a worse dark money problem in Canada than they do in the US.’ #cdnpoli
thetyee.ca/News/2026/02...

26.02.2026 13:50 👍 41 🔁 29 💬 6 📌 3
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US accused of ‘shameless exploitation’ over proposed Zambian health aid deal Leaked draft of $1bn memorandum of understanding reveals mandatory targets, sharing of data, and reported access to mining concessions

Rather than accept an absurd US “deal” pushing unfettered access to sensitive health data with no guarantees for Zambia, Zam chose sovereignty & public health dignity for its citizens.

Colonialism is dead & Zambia is ensuring it stays 💀!
Good on Zambia for standing strong for its ppl and future!🇿🇲 ✊

26.02.2026 01:35 👍 224 🔁 41 💬 4 📌 2

While I do have sympathy for the problem, this is not and cannot be the solution.

25.02.2026 17:49 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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ANALYSIS | Mexico made 'high-risk bet' in taking down cartel boss El Mencho | CBC News After tracking El Mencho’s lover to his lair, Mexican special forces launched an operation by air and land, leading to two shootouts that left the drug boss mortally wounded.

I'd like to read more explainers like this from Canadian outlets, and fewer stories about how retirees from Calgary are upset about disruptions to their vacations / flights

24.02.2026 17:58 👍 466 🔁 105 💬 12 📌 5
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Heated Rivalry is igniting Canada's cottage culture Bookings for Canadian cottages have risen by 110% since the steamy show aired, rewriting what summer in Muskoka will look like in 2026.

"For people in the UK or the US, 'cottage' brings to mind a small country dwelling, but in Canada, the term 'cottage' means 'holiday home' – often a second or rented residence in a rural or lakefront area where Canadians head ... to escape the bustle of urban life."
www.bbc.com/travel/artic...

22.02.2026 02:52 👍 10 🔁 2 💬 2 📌 0

That’s going to be rough on inflation - esp with the tax refunds coming. Wheeee!

21.02.2026 04:06 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Stronach's lawyer accuses complainant of lying about memory lapses in sex assault trial | CBC News The lawyer for Frank Stronach accused one of the complainants in his sexual assault case of lying, rejecting her testimony that she couldn’t remember some details of the alleged attack.

I know the Epstein files are important and horrifying. But one of Canada's major business tycoons, Frank Stronach, is on trial for sexual assault and I don't see much discussion anywhere.

And the complainants are being accused of lying.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

20.02.2026 18:59 👍 162 🔁 92 💬 10 📌 5
Screenshot of the linked press release announcing the appointment of Dr. Joss Reimer as CPHO.

Screenshot of the linked press release announcing the appointment of Dr. Joss Reimer as CPHO.

👀Hey, Canada finally has a new Chief Public Health Officer (!).
www.canada.ca/en/public-he...
Congrats Dr. Joss Reimer.
#CPHO

20.02.2026 15:38 👍 8 🔁 4 💬 2 📌 0

very good explanation of why not to feed images into an image generator, especially when memorializing children after a devastating tragedy.

better not to use image generators at all.

17.02.2026 02:52 👍 762 🔁 259 💬 1 📌 0

AOC’s biggest problem if she runs for president is that the white men who control our media ecosystem will not so much put a finger on the scale to stop her as an entire hand

it can be done (see: Zohran) but it’s going to be blatant and it’s going to be infuriating

16.02.2026 19:21 👍 5461 🔁 1035 💬 60 📌 58
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So good

14.02.2026 21:15 👍 12757 🔁 3344 💬 249 📌 136

If you know anyone who has doubted that the cruelty is the point, please share this with them.

These people have not just turned cruel. Their behaviors would lead you to believe they were bullies in school, that they tortured animals, that they took glee in making classmates fear and loath them.

14.02.2026 00:54 👍 236 🔁 170 💬 20 📌 11

Are we agreeing that, for the rest of all time, this is the only bridge we use?

(as always rule applies up to the point of undue hardship)

14.02.2026 03:21 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
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👇👇👇👇

14.02.2026 00:59 👍 12516 🔁 5304 💬 392 📌 246
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She won a landmark discrimination case in Canada. An exhibit and play honour her legacy | CBC News Gloria Baylis, a Black nurse from Barbados, took a Montreal hotel giant to court in the 60s and won. It was the first Canadian case where an institution was found guilty of job discrimination based on...

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

13.02.2026 14:21 👍 2 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0

This is shocking, even now.

13.02.2026 03:50 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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Preckwinkle calls on top Cook County prosecutor to investigate ICE, feds involved in Chicago area shootings

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, along with more than half of the county’s commissioners, have called on Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neil Burke to file charges against federal immigration agents involved in shootings that took place last year in the Chicago area.

13.02.2026 02:27 👍 646 🔁 151 💬 6 📌 8
‘Astounding’: Chris Hayes stunned Bondi still has DOJ job 
‘Astounding’: Chris Hayes stunned Bondi still has DOJ job  YouTube video by MS NOW

WATCH: “In any remotely sane political climate she would be impeached, fired, or just have the good sense to resign in disgrace,” says Chris Hayes on Attorney General Pam Bondi.

12.02.2026 01:43 👍 2239 🔁 541 💬 110 📌 28

Seems weird to me that he’d let them close the contest on approval ratings with Trump himself in dead last place.

12.02.2026 01:39 👍 4 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0

what is with these people and dogs?

11.02.2026 21:07 👍 10424 🔁 1922 💬 337 📌 99
Headline reads: my heart can't bear

Headline reads: my heart can't bear

The small-town paper in Tumbler Ridge is going to need support. This is its front page right now. Their subscription page is here:
www.patreon.com/tumblerridge...

11.02.2026 04:51 👍 273 🔁 144 💬 7 📌 8
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Statement by Prime Minister Carney on the tragic shootings in Tumbler Ridge I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today, and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect th...

I am devastated by the horrific shootings in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. My prayers and deepest condolences are with the families and friends who have lost loved ones to these horrific acts of violence.

www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/stat...

11.02.2026 14:04 👍 869 🔁 207 💬 21 📌 17
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The removal of a large rainbow Pride flag that flew over the Stonewall National Monument by the Trump administration drew sharp reactions from New York City residents and visitors.

11.02.2026 03:18 👍 229 🔁 70 💬 13 📌 9
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Shelter-in-place lifted, suspect dead after active shooter alert for high school in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. | CBC

Jeezus. 10 total dead in a town of less than 3,000

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

11.02.2026 02:08 👍 77 🔁 27 💬 6 📌 5