Eyewitness accounts of the Rainbow Bridge explosion

Plus, the Israel-Hamas hostage deal and what to expect from interest rates [Get This Offer]( [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on the explosion on the Rainbow Bridge, the Israel-Hamas hostage deal and the Bank of Canada’s plans for interest rates. DON’T MISS Derek Gee/The Buffalo News via AP canada [A husband and wife are dead after a car crash on the Rainbow Bridge]( Fears of terrorism have subsided after a vehicle appeared to burst into flames near a busy U.S.-Canada border crossing Wednesday. The fiery crash killed the vehicle’s passengers, who were identified as a couple by a person briefed on the investigation and who U.S. officials said do not appear suspicious. Soon after, four border crossings were closed, adding to the chaos just before American Thanksgiving, one of the busiest periods of the year. [Here’s how eyewitnesses described the incident](. - More: “The entire building rattled. It felt like an earthquake,” said a Canadian who was inside the U.S. border security office at the time. “We ran to the window and we saw a huge fire and cloud of smoke — just smoke, smoke, smoke getting blacker and blacker billowing into the air. And then a fuel fire.” - Meanwhile: [Here’s how visitors, including Americans caught in Canada after the blast, pivoted their plans](. Victor R. Caivano/AP Photo israel-hamas war [How the hostage deal is being viewed on both sides of the conflict]( A deal that would see the release of 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners and a four-day ceasefire has received widespread support for differing reasons, Allan Woods reports. While some have welcomed the freedom of those on both sides and the desperately needed pause to stop civilian deaths and alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, others celebrated what they said was a victory over Israel. [Here’s what we do and don’t know about the Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners who could be released](. - Watch for: The Israeli prime minister’s national security adviser said in a statement late Wednesday that the hostage-for-prisoner swap had been delayed until at least Friday. - On the home front: Justin Trudeau says the Israel-Hamas truce [creates an opening for more Canadians to leave Gaza](. - On the ground: Meeting with relatives of Israeli hostages and Palestinians in Gaza, [Pope Francis used “terrorism” and “genocide” to describe the war](. - Meanwhile: [Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protested at a Toronto police station]( after the arrests made in connection with vandalism at an Indigo store. Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld cost of living [Now is not the time “to start thinking about cutting interest rates,” the Bank of Canada governor says]( If high inflation persists, the Bank of Canada could roll out more interest rate hikes, Josh Rubin reports. “We know that the higher interest rates that are working to bring inflation down are making things difficult for many Canadians. And slow growth doesn’t feel great. But the alternative — years and years of high inflation and then a deep recession — is much worse,” Tiff Macklem said in a speech to the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce. [Here’s what it would take for the central bank to finally start lowering interest rates](. - Wait, what? The Bank of Canada began its aggressive rate-hike campaign in March 2022. The bank’s key overnight lending rate had been at 0.25 per cent and is now at five per cent — the highest it’s been in 22 years. - Watch for: [Cyber Monday traps to avoid in order to get the most bang for your buck](. - While you’re at it: Do your research for Black Friday, [because not every deal is a good one](. WHAT ELSE A Toronto girl wrote a letter to her cousin held hostage in Gaza. [It sparked a global campaign](. Grocery costs are higher than ever. [These food apps can help you save money and reduce food waste](. [Don’t buy into the “narrative” Bonnie Crombie will win the Liberal leadership race]( Yasir Naqvi’s campaign says. [Soleiman Faqiri was “as unwell as you can get” before his jailhouse death]( a psychiatrist has told the inquest. [A Hamilton paramedic is among the city’s highest earners]( — banking over $250,000 — as overtime soars. Peel police have charged a youth after the [violent carjacking death of a pizza delivery driver in July](. John F. Kennedy was assassinated 60 years ago [and a new era of conspiracy theories began](. So you’re sick. [Here’s how many sick days you’re entitled to in Ontario](. Ariel Engle is a musician’s musician. (Just ask Feist.) [Her new album is a towering achievement](. [Cool gifts for the men in your life]( from the coziest sweater to the sleekest Swatch. POV R.J. Johnston/The Star [Ontario’s regional universities are in jeopardy — and so are the future of our communities.]( CLOSE-UP Luis Tato/AFP KENYA: A child looks on as others play and swim at an inundated football pitch following flash floods in Garissa on Monday. The Horn of Africa is experiencing torrential rainfall and floods linked to El Nino. Thousands of homes have been destroyed as floods killed more than 70 people and displaced many. Before I go, Monday’s newsletter included a story that was linked to the wrong article. Sorry about that. [Here]( the correct link for the story about living on the water in one of Toronto’s rare floating homes](. 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_204259). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. BLACK FRIDAY SALE Now only $39.99 for 1 year [Get This Offer]( 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](