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Tehran in Turmoil as Residents Flee Following Trump’s Urgent Warning

The streets of Tehran are rapidly emptying as residents heed an urgent warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, who called for the immediate evacuation  of the Iranian capital amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.  Trump’s statement, posted on his Truth Social platform, emphasized that “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon” and urged the city’s nearly 10 million residents to leave before it was “too late”. His remarks came as Israel intensified its airstrikes on Tehran, targeting key infrastructure and military sites.  Reports indicate that major roads leading out of Tehran are clogged with traffic, as families scramble to find safety. The city’s historic Grand Bazaar has shut down, an unusual move that underscores the severity of the situation. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities insist that “everything is under control” , though no official evacuation order has been issued.  The international community is closely monitoring the crisis, with leaders of the Gro...

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Ontario Science Centre Closure Attributed To ‘Political Move,’ Says Architecture Firm

 

The Ontario Science Centre, a beloved institution in Toronto, recently faced an abrupt closure due to safety concerns related to its roof. However, the architectural firm behind the centre, Moriyama Teshima Architects, has expressed disbelief at the decision, labeling it as “absurd” and driven by political motives rather than genuine safety concerns.

The late architect Raymond Moriyama designed the science centre, which opened in 1969 near the west branch of the Don River. Last week, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Infrastructure Ontario announced the closure, citing health and safety concerns over failing roof panels made with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, a material popular in the 1960s and '70s. The government acted swiftly after receiving an engineer’s report detailing roof problems, but the architects argue that the entire building need not have been shut down immediately.

Brian Rudy, a partner with Moriyama Teshima Architects, emphasized that the roof panel issue was not a surprise and had been known for years. He criticized the decision as a “political move” and questioned the need for a complete closure. Replacing the roof would take years and cost upwards of $40 million, according to Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma. However, Rudy contends that public areas of the building could have remained open during repairs.

The closure sparked outrage from local residents, science enthusiasts, and opposition politicians, who have called on the government to reconsider its decision. While safety is paramount, the architects’ perspective sheds light on the complexities of balancing safety concerns with the preservation of cultural and educational institutions.

In summary, the Ontario Science Centre’s closure has become a contentious issue, with the architectural firm attributing it to politics rather than a straightforward health-and-safety matter. The centre’s fate remains uncertain, but the debate continues as stakeholders advocate for a more nuanced approach to addressing structural challenges while keeping the institution accessible to the public.


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