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Toronto Highrise Fire Leaves Hundreds Without Homes Amid Uncertain Timeline

Fire crews are still on scene of a blaze in two connected apartment buildings in Thorncliffe Park but it's not extinguished yet. Residents of two Toronto apartment towers remain displaced after a stubborn and complex fire forced the evacuation of hundreds of units late last week. Fire crews have been battling the blaze at 11 Thorncliffe Park Drive and 21 Overlea Boulevard since Thursday, but officials say there is still no timeline for when residents will be able to return. The fire, described by Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop as one of the most complex incidents in the city’s history , has proven difficult to extinguish because it is burning inside insulation trapped between the walls of the two highrise buildings. At its peak, crews detected dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide , prompting the evacuation of all 378–408 units across the towers. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported. Acting Division Commander Robert Hewson noted that firefighters have been “actively...
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Netanyahu’s Pardon Request Sparks Political Firestorm in Israel

                                            Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a presidential pardon in his years-long corruption trial, a move that has ignited fierce debate across the country. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader, is facing charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases. He has consistently denied wrongdoing, insisting that the proceedings are politically motivated.

In a video statement released by his Likud party, Netanyahu explained that his lawyers had submitted the request to President Isaac Herzog, arguing that the trial was hindering his ability to govern and deepening divisions within Israeli society. “My personal interest was and remains to continue the process until the end, until I am fully acquitted of all charges,” he said. “But the security and political realities, the national interest, require otherwise”.

President Herzog’s office confirmed receipt of the request, describing it as an “extraordinary appeal” with significant implications. The letter from Netanyahu’s lawyers has been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for review, after which Herzog will make a decision.

The pardon request comes just weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Herzog to grant clemency, saying Netanyahu should be spared further legal battles. Supporters argue that ending the trial would allow Israel to focus on pressing national and regional challenges. Critics, however, warn that granting a pardon would undermine Israel’s democratic institutions and set a dangerous precedent by placing the prime minister above the rule of law.

The trial, which has dragged on for years, has already polarized Israeli politics and fueled mass protests. Netanyahu’s move is seen by many as a gamble to preserve his political legacy while avoiding a potentially damaging verdict. Whether Herzog grants the pardon or not, the decision will likely shape Israel’s political landscape for years to come.

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