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Science

October 17, 2026 — Episode 55 of lava fountaining in the mist at Kīlauea summit - USGS (.gov)

A misty view of the north vent lava fountain feeding streams of lava flows down the shield-like structure that has built up around the vent. This photograph, from the Steam Vents in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, was taken around 5:45 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. Episode 55 of lava fountaining in Halemaʻumaʻu began at the summit of Kīlauea began at 3:19 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026.

USGS (.gov)·
Gaming

As too much of the industry embrace their own death through genAI, Konami say it's real people that are most important for making good games

I've taken a habit, recently, to proclaim my desire to explode in lieu of anything more realistically violent I could wish upon myself when I feel stressed. And, in what would likely be more concerning if I were a sentient bomb talking to a bomb diffusal squad, I've been saying that a lot lately, primarily because of the copious amounts of AI nonsense I've been seeing… everywhere. Epic Games, the ever-boycottable company called Microsoft, the decompiling community, the poison has found its way into everyone's veins and it's making me want to, say it with me now, explode! So you can imagine my relief to hear a developer say they don't think AI will make a massive impact. The developer? Perhaps surprisingly, Konami. Yes, yes, the same Konami we all rag on for equal parts valid and parasocial (Kojima will never acknowledge you, give it up) reasons. As spotted by Dengeki Online, and translated by Automaton, Konami Digital Entertainment president Hideki Hayakawa shared his thoughts on the rapid paced development of AI technology in the company's latest integrated report.

Rock Paper Shotgun·
Business

Mercedes-AMG’s first ground-up SUV is a 1,150hp electric beast - The Verge

Earlier this year, Mercedes’ AMG performance brand grabbed our attention with the GT four-door coupe, a souped-up sports sedan with three axial flux motors delivering over 1,150 horsepower. Well, now meet its beefier cousin, the 2028 Mercedes-AMG GT SUV, an equally powerful, ultra-fast-charging electric people-hauler. The AMG GT SUV (say that five times fast) marks the first time in the performance brand’s 59-year history that it has developed a full-size SUV entirely in-house from the ground up. Scheduled to hit the US next summer, the new EV is built on Merc’s high-performance AMG. EA architecture to combine sports-car handling with full-size SUV suburban practicality. It will be available in three trims — GT 53, GT 55, and the flagship GT 63 — with the top model delivering 1,153hp via the same three axial flux motors powering the four-door coupe. That beats the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric with Launch Control, which is sure to make for some awkward run-ins around Stuttgart.1/10Thanks to an 800-volt architecture, the SUV supports blistering-fast charging speeds up to 710kW on the 128kWh battery (GT 63 / GT 55) and 600kW on the 106kWh battery (GT 53).

The Verge·
Science

How "mirror-image" snails could unlock secrets of human asymmetry - Interesting Engineering

A small genetic difference can turn a snail into the mirror image of another. Now, researchers studying Japanese land snails have identified a gene that helps determine whether their shells coil clockwise or counterclockwise, offering new clues into how animals develop their left and right sides. The study, led by researchers at the University of Nottingham and Tohoku University in Japan, examined wild Euhadra snails to understand the biological mechanisms behind this phenomenon, known as chirality. Their findings suggest that subtle variations in a gene responsible for producing a protein called myosin can result in healthy snails with opposite body plans.

Interesting Engineering·
Business

Class Action in Rough Halifax Plane Landing Certified in Supreme Court - VOCM

The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador has certified a class action on behalf of passengers on board Air Canada Flight AC 2259 which landed hard at Halifax in December of 2025 after the plane’s landing gear collapsed. The flight had taken off from St. John’s International earlier that evening, and officials at YYT later confirmed that debris was found on one of its runways after the flight took off. They wouldn’t say at the time whether the discovery was related to the incident at Halifax. The class action names Air Canada, Provincial Aerospace Ltd, St. John’s International Airport Authority and the Halifax International Airport Authority, all of whom have consented to certification. Stephen Barnes of Bob Buckingham Law says they want to understand what went wrong that night and make sure that passengers have an opportunity to be fairly compensated for what they went through. The case will examine whether the defendants met their responsibilities for aircraft safety, runway safety and emergency response, and whether any failures caused injury or loss to passengers.

VOCM·
World

Kenya confirms four more Ebola cases, bringing total to seven - Al Jazeera

⁠Three health workers who ⁠treated the country’s first Ebola patient are among the latest confirmed cases. The Kenyan government says four new patients have tested positive for the Ebola Bundibugyo virus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the East African nation to seven. Three of the new cases were among health workers who treated the country’s first patient, Kenya’s Ministry of Health said in a statement posted on X on Saturday. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Why single Ebola death in Kenya has prompted fears of wider African spreadlist 2 of 3DR Congo Ebola cases pass 9,000 as efforts to curb transmission falterlist 3 of 3Kenya records third Ebola case, linked to first patient who diedend of listThe fourth case is a relative of that same patient, who died from the disease, it added. The relative had been in quarantine since October 6, the ministry said. This comes a day after Kenya confirmed three cases in the country. The patient identified on Friday was a “primary contact and a close relative of the first and second cases”, the Health Ministry said.

Al Jazeera·

Alligator kills 71-year-old man fishing in Florida - BBC

5 hours agoGrace Eliza GoodwinA 71-year-old man has been killed by an alligator while fishing in a park in central Florida, police have said. The man was fishing near Lake Apopka in the town of Winter Garden when the 3.7m (12ft) alligator came up to the shoreline and attacked him, police captain Michael Mason said on Friday night. The attack happened at around 17:00 local time (22:00 BST) on Friday in Dr Bradford Memorial Park, a few miles west of Orlando. Alligator attacks in Florida are relatively rare, despite a population of about 1.3 million across the state, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). "Lake Apopka has tonnes of alligators in it, so that's not uncommon to see alligators in this part of town at all," Mason said. Getty ImagesThe alligator population of Florida has remained steady for many years (file photo)The alligator was "removed as a danger to the public" and "dispatched" by trappers, he said. "Always be aware of your surroundings, always be safe. Local wildlife - respect it, keep your distance," Mason said. "It looks like it's docile, it looks like your Florida emblem, but it can be dangerous.

BBC·
Science

Photo & Video Chronology — Kīlauea summit episode 55 - USGS (.gov)

After nearly two months since episode 54 of lava fountaining (Aug. 25, 2026), episode 55 of Kīlauea summit lava fountaining began at 3:19 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026. This is the 55th lava fountaining episode in the Kīlauea summit caldera eruption in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that began on December 23, 2024. It occurs following weeks of intermittent spatter, low-dome fountains, and lava flows from the eruptive vent complex. USGS photo by K. Mulliken. A misty view of the north vent lava fountain feeding streams of lava flows down the shield-like structure that has built up around the vent. This photograph, from the Steam Vents in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, was taken around 5:45 a.m. HST on October 17, 2026. USGS photo by K. Mulliken.

USGS (.gov)·
World

Map Reveals Where Drought To Worsen As El Niño To Shape Winter - Newsweek

Drought conditions could develop or worsen for parts of the northwestern U. S. in the coming months, as meteorologists expect El Niño to help shape the winter season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its winter outlook this week. In it, the agency outlined how the climate pattern could influence temperature and rainfall during winter and said drought conditions are favored to develop or worsen across parts of the northern Rockies. What Is El Niño? El Niño is a naturally recurring climate pattern associated with warmer waters in the Pacific that can influence temperatures and rainfall worldwide. In the U. S., typical El Niño effects can include stormier weather across southern regions, drier conditions in some northern areas and changes in hurricane activity. The Climate Prediction Center said earlier this month that El Niño had continued to strengthen, with chances remaining high for a “strong-to-very strong” event through January to March 2027.

Newsweek·
Health

WOAH Warns of Sharp Rise in Vector-Borne Disease Reports - Vet Candy

New global surveillance data reveal dramatic increases in reported bluetongue and West Nile fever events, raising concerns about climate change, expanding disease territories, and the future of animal health. The world's disease map is changing, and veterinarians are being urged to pay attention. From biting midges carrying bluetongue virus across Europe to mosquitoes spreading West Nile fever, vector-borne diseases are emerging in new regions, creating growing challenges for animal health professionals, livestock producers, and public health officials. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) issued a warning on October 9, 2026, calling for stronger disease surveillance, earlier detection, and better international cooperation as reports of several vector-borne diseases continue to climb. An analysis of information submitted through the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) reveals a particularly striking increase in reported exceptional epidemiological events since 2023. The findings suggest that shifting environmental conditions, changing vector populations, and animal movements are reshaping where certain infectious diseases can spread.

Vet Candy·
World

Elon Musk is pouring money into the midterms. Here's where he's giving the most. - Business Insider

Elon Musk, seen here with President Donald Trump last month, is bankrolling Republican campaigns. Elon Musk is forking over generational wealth to Republicans facing tough midterm elections this cycle. Over two donations in September, Musk gave a combined $158 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with Senate Republicans, which has, in turn, given reams of cash to funds supporting the Republican candidate in Texas. The money, shown in new federal disclosure forms, cements Musk as a major player in Republican politics over a year after he publicly split with President Donald Trump over the latter's handling of the Epstein files (though the two have since reconciled). Republicans are facing serious headwinds over the Iran war, rising inflation, and sky-high gas prices. Polls show that American voters are largely dissatisfied with Trump's leadership and handling of the economy. All told, Musk has given about $276 million since July. Much of Musk's political donations have ended up in Texas, according to federal disclosure forms, where embattled Attorney General Ken Paxton is engaged in a mudslinging battle for the Senate with state representative James Talarico.

Business Insider·
Sports

Toronto Raptors waive five players, convert Bittle's deal to two-way contract - TSN

Published: October 17, 2026 at 12:28p.m. EDTTORONTO — The Toronto Raptors waived five players on Saturday and converted centre Nate Bittle’s deal to a two-way contract. The seven-foot native of Central Point, Ore., averaged a team-high 16.8 points and 6.9 rebounds over 25 games last season as a fifth-year senior at Oregon. Forward Tyson Degenhart, centre Jamarion Sharp and guards Nimari Burnett, Jalen Celestine and Tyreke Key were waived, the NBA team said in a news release. The Raptors will begin their regular season on Wednesday night against the visiting Chicago Bulls. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2026. The Canadian Press

TSN·