Incessant fighting keeps hundreds trapped in a Gaza hospital

Plus, allegations against the TTC's top boss and Peter Nygard convicted [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on the plight of Gaza hospitals, allegations against the TTC CEO and Peter Nygard’s sexual assault conviction. DON’T MISS Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images israel-hamas war [Thousands have fled Gaza’s largest hospital, but hundreds more — including babies — are still trapped by fighting]( Thousands of people have fled Shifa Hospital as Israeli forces and Palestinian militants battle outside, The Associated Press reports. But hundreds of patients — including 36 babies — remain inside and are at risk of dying because of a power blackout, health officials said. They counted that 20 patients and three babies have already died since the hospital generator ran out of fuel on Saturday. [Here’s why the plight of hospitals is being seen as a symbol of the larger war as the violence continues for a sixth week](. - More: While the Israeli military said it was providing safe corridors for people to flee south and escape fighting in the north, health officials inside the hospital said the compound was surrounded by constant heavy gunfire. - ICYMI: Amid the war of words and Instagram posts, [who’s winning the battle for the narrative of the Israel-Hamas conflict?]( - On the home front: Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters [issued calls to action as they marched through downtown Toronto in separate rallies](. Lance McMillan/The Star star exclusive [Inside Rick Leary’s TTC: Allegations of bullying and a secret meeting about the CEO’s future ]( Last month, a secret board meeting aired allegations that TTC CEO Rick Leary had bullied and intimidated employees. Now, Star interviews with former TTC managers and executives reveal claims from seven people that he engaged in unprofessional and bullying behaviour that created a toxic culture, Lex Harvey, Ben Spurr and David Rider report. Some former colleagues, however, describe Leary as a dedicated leader whose occasional outbursts were driven by passion. [Here’s a closer look at the board’s cautious approach to the allegations that have cast a shadow over Leary’s future](. - Context: At a special Oct. 27 closed-door meeting, the board of the TTC voted to investigate specific allegations against Leary, [but rejected taking steps toward suspending the transit boss midway through his five-year contract](. - More: Leary said he could not comment on the allegations and signalled that he has no plans to leave his job. “I have always taken great pride in my commitment to delivering the very best and safest service possible,” he wrote in an emailed statement to the Star. Canadian Press/Alexandra Newbould courts [Peter Nygard convicted of four counts of sexual assault]( A Toronto jury has convicted disgraced ex-fashion mogul Peter Nygard of four counts of sexual assault, Jacques Gallant reports. The verdict handed down Sunday accepted the devastating testimony of four women who said they were sexually assaulted between the 1980s and 2005 in the bedroom of Nygard’s former Toronto office. Nygard was acquitted of a fifth count of sexual assault and of unlawful confinement. [This is the Jekyll and Hyde-like image of Nygard that emerged from the women’s testimony](. - Go deeper: “He’s now going to prison, but (the victims) are still doing the work to get out of the prison of pain, shame, indignity, fear, lack of trust — all of those things they’ve suffered with for so many years,” said a therapist whose clients include most of the victims. - More: “I’m ashamed to be your son.” [Here’s why Nygard was denied bail ahead of his Toronto sex assault trial](. - Watch for: On Nov. 21, the date will be set for a sentencing hearing. Additionally, Nygard faces charges of sexual assault and other crimes in Montreal, Winnipeg and New York. WHAT ELSE Diwali without private fireworks? [Brampton residents and businesses weigh in on the first holiday since the citywide ban](. Mortgage lenders make you work for the best rate. [Here’s how to get it when your mortgage comes up for renewal](. [Canada has a responsibility to remind us that it’s not broken]( Éric Blais writes. [A Montreal Jewish school was hit by gunshots for the second time in three days]( police say. [Free speech is for those we disagree with]( lawyers Faisal Kutty and Emraan Dharsi write. Is this normal? [What weather trends can Toronto expect in the future?]( Here’s how to [save like Scrooge at superspeed for the holidays](. Want to invest in your loved ones this holiday season? [Here are five financial gift ideas](. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs have always served as an antidote for a generation’s sadness and existential dread. [They gave Toronto a much-needed dose of nostalgia](. He turned to drugs and alcohol after losing his NHL career. [Now he’s helping others struggling get a second chance](. POV Ramon Ferreira/Toronto Star Photo Illustration [Mortgage rates will start dropping sooner than expected. Here’s when — and why.]( CLOSE-UP Farah Abdi Warsameh/AP Photo SOMALIA: A boy makes his way through flood water caused by heavy rain in Mogadishu on Saturday. Floods caused by torrential rainfall have killed at least 31 people in various parts of Somalia, authorities said Sunday. [Here’s how else the natural disasters are affecting the country](. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_203739). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](