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Notre-Dame Cathedral Reborn: A Testament to Resilience and Restoration

  After five years of meticulous reconstruction, the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral is set to reopen its doors to the public on December 8, 2024. The reopening ceremony will take place on December 7, marking a significant milestone in the cathedral's history. The fire on April 15, 2019, caused extensive damage to the historic cathedral, collapsing its iconic spire and causing significant harm to its roof, stained-glass windows, and interior artworks. Despite initial doubts and estimates that the restoration could take up to 40 years, French President Emmanuel Macron's ambitious goal to complete the reconstruction within five years has been achieved. The restoration project, costing around $737 million, was funded by donations from 340,000 individuals across 150 countries. The project involved the efforts of 2,000 artisans and 250 companies, who worked tirelessly to restore the cathedral to its former glory. The new roof and spire have been built using 1,500 trees, including the ta...

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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