OTTAWA – The Canadian political landscape is undergoing change as five MPs have crossed the floor to join the Liberal party, potentially giving Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a majority government, according to a CBC News broadcast Friday evening. Ontario Conservative MP Marilyn Gladue is the latest to join the Liberals, ahead of three key by-elections scheduled for Monday.

International News Updates
The broadcast also touched upon international developments, including confusion surrounding a potential U.S.-Iran ceasefire and the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. Details regarding these situations were limited.

Artemis II Mission Update
The CBC News program provided updates on the Artemis II mission, with the crew preparing for re-entry and a splashdown expected after 8:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday. NASA is focused on ensuring the crew’s safe return. A live news conference with the astronauts, including Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, is anticipated to take place shortly. Prime Minister Trudeau connected with the crew virtually, praising their teamwork and collaboration. Hansen’s wife, Dr. Catherine Hansen, described a recent private communication with her husband, noting his excitement about the mission and the strong bond within the crew.

Other News
* Long Island Serial Killer: Rex Heuerman pleaded guilty to murdering eight women, ending a decades-long case. He was arrested in 2023, over ten years after the first bodies were discovered.
* Matthew Perry Case: The woman known as the “Ketamine Queen” was sentenced to 15 years in prison for selling the dose of ketamine that led to the death of actor Matthew Perry. Perry’s stepfather, Keith Morrison, expressed strong condemnation.
* Nova Scotia Cannabis Dispute: Nova Scotia has passed legislation to impose tougher penalties on the sale of unregulated cannabis, impacting Indigenous communities who argue it infringes on their treaty rights. Protests have occurred, with tensions escalating between the government and Mi’kmaq communities.
* Rhabdo Spike in Newfoundland and Labrador: Health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador are warning about a spike in cases of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo), a potentially dangerous muscle condition linked to intense workouts.
* Air Canada Compensation Claims: Air Canada is testing a new arbitration process to address its backlog of passenger compensation claims, currently exceeding 96,000 cases.