News, at a calm glance

It’s been a while, but Gavin McKenna is trying to focus on his next shift. Luke Fox has more on how the 18-year-old is handling his benching in Thursday's loss to the Sabres.

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.

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.

⁠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.

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.

No. 1 pick in 2026 NHL Draft didn’t see ice in final half of OT loss to Sabres on Thursday TORONTO -- Gavin McKenna is ready to move forward after the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft was benched by Toronto Maple Leafs coach Jim Hiller on Thursday.

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.

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.

Kapanen will replace Owen Beck and Reinbacher will take Adam Engstrom's spot against Sabres. Jacob Fowler will start in goal for the Canadiens Saturday at the Bell Centre against the Buffalo Sabres (7 p.m., SNE, TVA Sports) while forward Oliver Kapanen and defenceman David Reinbacher will make their season debuts.

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

AtlanticNova ScotiaNew BrunswickPrince Edward Island Newfoundland and LabradorCalgaryLethbridgeKitchenerGuelphNorthern OntarioSudburyNorth BaySault Ste. MarieTimminsOttawaKingstonBrockvillePembrokeReginaYorktonSaskatoonPrince AlbertTorontoWatchWeatherPeelHamiltonDurhamYorkHaltonNiagaraQueen's ParkToronto City HallIn PicturesVancouverVancouver IslandCanadaLocal SpotlightRoyal FamilyPoliticsNanosPower PlayQuestion PeriodFederal Election 2025WorldMideast ConflictRussia-Ukraine WarWatchLatestCaptured on CameraPoliticsLifestyleConsumerHealthExplainedEntertainmentTechnologyDeception DecodedAutosEnvironmentBusinessInflationReal EstateAutos

Multi-vehicle crash on Highway 99 in Delta WATCH: Multi-vehicle crash on Highway 99 in Delta