Good morning. This is Hanna Lee. 

Today, we'll look at a tough situation Pierre Poilievre faces in the Alberta riding of Battle River-Crowfoot. Then, we'll dive into why automakers want the government to scrap the zero-emissions vehicle mandate. And we'll hear from Palestinian students in Gaza, who have been accepted to Canadian universities but are facing visa delays in an increasingly urgent situation.

But first, a development in the Ukraine war.

BREAKING NEWS

Russia strikes Kyiv in largest aerial attack since war in Ukraine began

A woman passes by destroyed vehicles at the site of a damaged school in Kyiv, which was hit during Russian drone and missile strikes, on Friday. (Alina Smutko/Reuters)

Waves of drone and missile attacks targeted Kyiv overnight into Friday in the largest aerial attack since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began more than three years ago, injuring 23 people and inflicting severe damage across multiple districts of the capital.

Russia launched 550 drones and missiles across Ukraine during a seven-hour onslaught, the country's air force said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it "a harsh, sleepless night."

Less than a week ago, Russia launched its previous largest aerial assault of the war — a strategy that has coincided with a new push by Russian forces along parts of the roughly 1,000-kilometre front line.

This latest attack began on the same day a phone call took place between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Trump telling American media, "I didn't make any progress with him today at all."

Poilievre has to contend with Alberta separatists as he vies for a Commons seat

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's path back to the House of Commons runs through a rural Alberta riding that has become a hotbed for Western discontent. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

As you may know, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is running in the Aug. 18 byelection in Battle River-Crowfoot. Just one thing — the rural Alberta riding has become a hotbed for Western separatism.

What's happening: While the riding is easily one of the most Conservative in the country, the separatist movement is inconvenient, to say the least, for a politician with national ambitions. So while many view Poilievre as a shoo-in, a large chunk of his voters there will be looking for substantive answers on how Alberta can be better treated.

What they're looking for: Some want him to come down harder on issues like equalization, for example, instead of focusing so much on axing taxes. However, his status as a born-and-raised Albertan is a benefit, as many view him as truly understanding the province's culture. And he's pitched himself as that person, saying he acknowledges Albertans' grievances. "They deserve to be honoured for the immense contributions they make to this country," he recently told reporters. "I will be a unifier."

Automakers want Canada to scrap its EV sales mandate. What would that do to emissions?

New electric cars are lined up at a Hyundai car dealership in October 2024 in Quebec City. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Automotive CEOs told Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday that they wanted him to prioritize scrapping the zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate. 

What's happening: Given the current market forces, the ZEV targets — where, by 2035, all new car sales would be zero emissions — cannot be met, the CEOs say. Scrapping the mandate would significantly impact the country's climate change goals, as transportation is the second-largest source of emissions in Canada. 

Another consequence: It would also make it harder to buy an EV in parts of Canada — something that is already difficult to do, due to lack of availability. A mandate signals that the government supports the EV transition, pushing manufacturers to focus on them even during periods of slow demand, like now.

'Trapped with my dreams': Palestinian students admitted to Canadian schools stuck awaiting visa approvals

Meera, a university student who has been accepted into a master's program at the University of Regina, is stranded, waiting in Gaza. (Submitted by Meera)

Despite being admitted or receiving scholarships to universities across Canada, more than 70 Palestinian students are facing delays in getting here. They're now raising alarm, after two of their peers were killed last year.

What's happening: Take Meera, for example, an industrial engineering student accepted on scholarships to the University of Regina for a master's degree. She's stuck in Gaza City, unable to submit a completed visa application to the federal Immigration Department.

The holdup: Ottawa says the primary issue is the students need to get security clearance before leaving, which includes photos and fingerprints. But it cannot administer these tests on the ground since it has no presence in the war zone. The situation remains urgent, as Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza continues and more people are being killed by the day. And as the delays stretch on, the students face another problem: expiry dates on admissions or scholarships.

In case you missed it

• The Canadian Army is investigating members who allegedly shared racist, homophobic and antisemitic content in a private Facebook group.
   
• Operations are back to normal after multiple Canadian airports faced bomb threats that temporarily grounded flights.
   
• Famed Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has been arrested for entering the U.S. illegally and will be deported to Mexico, where he faces organized crime charges, U.S. officials said. 
   
• Michael Madsen has died at 67. The American actor was known for his roles in Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill.

And in today's good news...

Students at this Kitchener school leave lasting impression with sculpture art project

Students stand in front of a metal sculpture they created at Groh Public School in Kitchener, Ont. (Diego Pizarro/CBC)

Over the last year, the Grade 7 students of Groh Public School have been hard at work on an interesting project. In collaboration with Sandra Dunn, a local blacksmith, the Kitchener, Ont., children have created a metal sculpture called Forging Legacies that will be on display at the school's entrance for years to come. 

"It's like a once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing that most people don't get to do. And I didn't think I would ever get to do it," said Taylor Arndt, one of the students who worked on the sculpture.