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Holy Week Tensions Rise as Israel Blocks Cardinal from Entering Sacred Jerusalem Site

  Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, holds a prayer service to mark Palm Sunday, following the cancellation of the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives, amid restrictions on gathering in large groups, in Jerusalem, March 29, 2026. Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, prompting widespread criticism from Christian leaders and governments worldwide. Authorities cited security concerns linked to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, noting that all holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City had been temporarily closed due to the threat of missile strikes. The Latin Patriarchate condemned the move as an unprecedented disruption of centuries‑old tradition, marking the first time church leaders were unable to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at the historic site. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later stated that the ...

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TTC Strike Averted: Framework Agreement Reached Between Union and Management

 

In a last-minute development, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 have reached a “framework settlement,” effectively averting a planned strike. The agreement comes after intense negotiations and addresses critical issues such as job security, protections against job outsourcing, and benefits for active members and pensioners.

The TTC’s buses, streetcars, subways, and Wheel-Trans vehicles will operate normally on Friday, providing relief to the city’s 1.3 million transit users. However, the finalized details of the framework remain undisclosed, pending further work and ratification by union members. The mood at the bargaining table has been one of frustration, with the union emphasizing the need for progress and alignment with transit delivery goals.

While the strike has been averted, the TTC’s role in delaying the framework agreement has drawn criticism. Transit riders can breathe a sigh of relief, but the focus now shifts to ensuring a fair and reasonable contract for all parties involved.



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