In tonight's top story: Anxiety and anger have once again gripped the Ontario First Nation of Aamjiwnaang, after a state of emergency was declared late Thursday due to high levels of benzene - a cancer-causing chemical - in the air. Aamjiwnaang is surrounded by industrial plants, and has been exposed to high levels of benzene for weeks, which they say have been making people sick. The plant accused of being the cause of emissions is in the process of temporarily shutting down. As Carolyn Jarvis reports, some residents have decided that leaving is the only option left.
Air Canada is apologizing after the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) national chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said her headdress was taken from her on a flight and mishandled by staff. The national chief and the prime minister say it's an unfortunate reminder that airlines need to do better in treating sacred or religious items with dignity. But as the national chief tells Melissa Ridgen, the ordeal has a silver lining and she has high praise for fellow passengers who tried to help.
In the U.S., Columbia University's embattled president is reportedly facing a reprimand, after school leaders voted and approved a resolution calling for an investigation into the university's administration. They say the decision to call in police to clear student protests undermined academic freedom and disregarded the privacy and due process rights of students and faculty members. The vote was held as more protests erupted outside the campus gates on Friday, with pro-Israeli demonstrators making their voices heard. Negotiations to end the pro-Palestinian encampment continue into the night, and there are fears of more clashes as demonstrations spread across the country. Neetu Garcha reports.
Plus, the United Nations (UN) is calling for an urgent and independent investigation into mass graves found at two Gaza hospitals after Israeli forces withdrew. Palestinian officials are exhuming what they say are hundreds of bodies, many found in disturbing conditions. Israel says any allegations its forces are responsible are baseless and categorically false. All this as the world waits for Israel's ground assault on Rafah. Crystal Goomansingh reports.
Honda's $15-billion plan to build new electric vehicle plants in Ontario has re-energized Canada's auto sector. The Japanese automaker says it seeks to tap long-term demand in the region, but mining critical materials is key to that plan. Even though Canada has been hailed as one of the world's most promising jurisdictions for battery supply chains, it has a long way to go to make that a reality. Mike Drolet reports.
Finally, an Ottawa farm is celebrating a rare event: a second foal has been born at the Mādahòkì Farm, expanding the farm's herd of rare Ojibwe spirit horses. Most horse breeds register tens of thousands or even a hundred thousand new births a year, but the Ojibwe Horse Society gets excited if there are a dozen foals born in a year. It’s estimated fewer than 200 of the ponies exist across the world today, following a dramatic decline in the 1970s. Abigail Bimman has more about these special animals.
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