SpaceX launches tiny critters, solar panels to space station

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket carrying a communication satellite lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Thursday, April 11, 2019. (Craig Bailey/Florida Today via AP)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -

SpaceX has launched a fresh load of supplies to the International Space Station, including thousands of tiny sea creatures and powerful solar panels.

The Falcon rocket blasted off Thursday from Florida's Kennedy Space Center. The booster was new for a change and landed on an offshore platform several minutes after liftoff.

SpaceX plans to recycle it for a NASA astronaut flight this fall. The Dragon capsule -- also brand new -- should reach the space station Saturday.

It's delivering water bears and bobtail squid, along with the first set of solar panels designed to bolster the station's aging power grid.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple

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Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men

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U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine

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Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'

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N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine

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Canada

N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine

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N.S. justice minister apologizes for domestic violence comments

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World

Stabbed Sydney Assyrian church bishop says he forgives attacker

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U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine

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Kenyan military chief died in helicopter crash, says president

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A Nigerian schoolgirl abducted by extremists 10 years ago is rescued pregnant and with 3 kids

Nigerian soldiers rescued a woman who was abducted by extremists a decade ago while she was a schoolgirl in the village of Chibok, the army said Thursday. Her three children were also rescued.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident

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Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.

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Politics

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Trend Line
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey

Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.

Health

Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'

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How to limit PFAS in your drinking water and food, according to experts

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized stringent new regulations on levels of six perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in public water systems. This explainer tells consumers what they can do right now to limit the levels of PFAS in their drinking water.
Ottawa Hospital testing new AI tool to help doctors draft clinical notes for patient care

The Ottawa Hospital is hoping artificial intelligence will help reduce physician burnout and increase access to care for patients.

Sci-Tech

This ancient snake in India might have been longer than a school bus and weighed a tonne

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Meta's newest AI model beats some peers. But its amped-up AI agents are confusing Facebook users

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When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public

New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.

Entertainment

Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80

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What we know about 'The Tortured Poets Department,' according to Taylor Swift

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Nicki Minaj blames runway and customs delays for Montreal show starting hours late

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Business

Google fires 28 workers in aftermath of protests over big tech deal with Israeli government

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Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error

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Solving shortage of construction workers key to housing growth: experts

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Lifestyle

'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis

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Beagles rescued from American animal testing facility find loving foster homes in Alberta

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Molly on a mission: N.S. student collecting books about women in sport for school library

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Sports

Coyotes officially moving to Salt Lake City following approval of sale to Utah Jazz owners

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Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over

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NFL draft has potential to set a record for most players on offence selected in the first round

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Autos

Tesla wants shareholders to reinstate US$55 billion pay package for Musk rejected by Delaware judge

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London, Ont. driver charged after travelling nearly 200 km/h on Highway 401

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Local Spotlight

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Marmot in the city: New resident of North Vancouver's Lower Lonsdale a 'rock star rodent'

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Corrections officers in B.C. rally for safety amid surge in assaults by inmates

Dozens of corrections officers marched in Abbotsford Thursday to call attention to worsening working conditions and their employer's alleged failure to adequately address the issue.
2 trapped workers rescued from 'dangerous situation' in Burnaby: firefighters

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Murderer and sex offender moving into Vancouver, police warn

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Toronto

Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege

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Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations

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Calgary

Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler

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Calgary study suggests mental health disorders and homelessness closely linked

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Province surveying Albertans about student cellphone use in schools

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Ottawa

1 dead following wrong-way crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa's east end

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'Sick and tired of losing': Senators clean out lockers after missing playoffs

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Eastbound Parkdale on-ramp will be closed for nearly the entire summer

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Montreal

Quebec judge suspends parts of Bill 96 that apply to English school boards

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American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple

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Pointe-Claire city council asks Quebec for help to solve dysfunction

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Edmonton

City data shows spike in red light tickets for first quarter of 2024 versus 2023

More drivers ran red lights in the first quarter of 2024 than in the same period of 2023, city statistics show.
Alberta introducing legislation to stabilize electricity rates, educate customers about RRO

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'It definitely gets attention': Barbie Jeep up for grabs at Edmonton auction

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Atlantic

Nova Scotia premier says agreement reached with teachers union, strike averted

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Teen charged in death of Tyson MacDonald has case set over to June

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N.S. justice minister apologizes for domestic violence comments

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Winnipeg

'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden pain killer drug

A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Winnipeg police make arrest in large-scale theft of Apple electronics

The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) has made an arrest in a large-scale theft of Apple electronics, valued at nearly $2 million CAD.
'This program has saved lives': New report highlights success of Mobile Overdose Prevention Site during first year of operation

The Mobile Overdose Prevention Site operated by Sunshine House has been in operation since late 2022, and now a report is being released sharing the results of its first year.

Regina

Final offer or tentative agreement? Teachers, province differ on what latest deal means

Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) President Samantha Becotte says two days of "difficult" negotiations has led to a "final offer" with slight improvements to salary and the inclusion of a line in the collective agreement – promising to address classroom complexity issues.
Closing arguments heard in trial for Sask. dad accused of abducting daughter

Closing arguments were heard Thursday morning in the case of Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter in 2021 to keep her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Sask. ER nurses say province relies too much on travel nurses to address healthcare issues

A letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon is calling on the provincial government to reduce money spent on out of province travel nurses and further support homegrown health-care staff.

Kitchener

Landlords reporting increase in tenants refusing to pay rent or leave

A property management company in Fergus is still cleaning up after they say a tenant trashed one of their units and refused to pay rent -- and they say it's not the only similar case they've dealt with recently.
Gas price hike blamed on change in seasons, motorists 'shocked'

Gas prices across Ontario have spiked to levels not seen in nearly two years as the switch from winter fuel to a more expensive summer blend pushes the price at the pumps.
What are these things doing in Waterloo Park?

Don’t be alarmed if you see some strange new creatures in Waterloo Park.

Saskatoon

Final offer or tentative agreement? Teachers, province differ on what latest deal means

Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) President Samantha Becotte says two days of "difficult" negotiations has led to a "final offer" with slight improvements to salary and the inclusion of a line in the collective agreement – promising to address classroom complexity issues.
Sask. village, contractor fined $42,000 for illegal dumping

A Saskatchewan village and a contractor it hired are facing significant fines after conservation officers discovered they dumped demolition waste at an illegal landfill.
Before they were pros, they played baseball in Saskatchewan

Jack Mcdowell, Larry Walker and Albert Belle all became stars in the major leagues. But before their days in the pros, we found footage of them playing baseball in Saskatchewan in 1984.

Northern Ontario

Private Northern Ont. college accused of taking tuition, but not offering courses

A private career college in North Bay is under intense scrutiny from students for taking tuition but not offering courses, and from former teachers who say they haven't been paid.
Text messages before fatal Sudbury arson show accused knew victims were home

The Crown rested its case Thursday in the trial of Liam Stinson, who is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in connection with an arson in 2021 in Sudbury.
Parry Sound man among those falsely told by Tim Hortons that they won a boat

Tim Hortons says human error is to blame for some customers thinking they had won a boat in a recent digital roll up to win contest.

London

'Mistakes happen': Health minister says patients have recourse if charged inappropriately

The provincial government is advising there is recourse for those who believe they've been wrongfully billed for healthcare services.
Witness alleges years of severe abuse at the hands of parents

A jury heard some horrific evidence Thursday at the trial of a London, Ont. couple charged with physically and sexually abusing their children.
Mourning loss of affordable housing in London

Members of London Acorn chanted slogans and called for urgent action from all levels of government to prevent the loss of affordable housing units.

Barrie

Driver suffers life-threatening injuries in Hwy 12 collision

One person suffered life-threatening injuries after a collision with a commercial vehicle on Highway 12 at Forest Avenue in Orillia early Thursday afternoon.
Discreditable conduct Police Services Act hearing for Barrie police veteran

A Barrie police officer charged with discreditable conduct following an OPP investigation made a court appearance via teleconference on Thursday morning.
Death investigation launched after body washes onto Lake Couchiching shore

Provincial police are investigating after a man's body washed up on the shores of Lake Couchiching in Severn Township.

Windsor

'This is a gun-free event': Detroit police chief unveils plans for NFL Draft weekend

Officials in Detroit say prepartions are well in hand as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to come to the Motor City from April 25 to 27 for the NFL Draft.
WECHU warns of possible meningitis exposure

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is investigating a local case of meningitis in a youth in the community.
Parents and personal support worker charged in death of Windsor woman

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Vancouver Island

B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms

Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
2 earthquakes recorded west of Vancouver Island

Two earthquakes were recorded west of Vancouver Island Wednesday, about 190 kilometres away from Port Alice.
B.C. Mountie 'likely crossed criminal negligence threshold' in failed wellness check

British Columbia's police oversight agency says a Kelowna RCMP officer "quite likely crossed the criminal negligence threshold" when his attempt to conduct a wellness check on a man who was later found dead was thwarted because the officer couldn't find the buzzer number for the man's apartment.

Kelowna

Stolen snake named Milkshake returned to Kelowna pet store

A banana ball python that was stolen from a Kelowna pet store on Saturday has been returned unharmed, Mounties said.
Nurses rally at B.C. Interior hospital over security, staffing concerns

Nurses held a rally Wednesday at a hospital in the B.C. Interior that closed its emergency department more than a dozen times last year due to insufficient staff.
B.C. to add 240 complex-care housing units throughout province

British Columbia is planning to add 240 new units to its complex-care housing program, providing homes for people with mental-health and addictions challenges that overlap with other serious conditions.

Lethbridge

Deterrent sentence possible, expert says, after trio convicted in connection to Coutts border blockade

Three men who helped lead and co-ordinate the 2022 border blockade at Coutts, Alta., have been found guilty of public mischief.
Central Alberta man arrested in connection with grandparent scam

Lethbridge police have arrested a Vermilion, Alta., man in connection with a 'grandparent scam' that took aim at a local senior.
Woman, 61, killed in crash north of Coaldale, Alta.: RCMP

An Alberta woman was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on a highway north of Coaldale, Alta., on Wednesday morning.

Sault Ste. Marie

Northern Ont. woman wins big with gifted lottery scratch ticket

A 65-year-old northern Ontario woman says her winning lottery scratch ticket is the best present she has ever received.
Small northern Ont. town loses access to mobile cancer screening

A northern Ont. city councillor says she fears many women will go without the proper health care after town loses access to mobile cancer screening.
Sault cracking down on people who misuse accessible parking spots

For the next several months, the City of Sault Ste. Marie will be cracking down on people who improperly use accessible parking spaces.

N.L.

N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine

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500 Newfoundlanders wound up on the same cruise and it turned into a rocking kitchen party

A Celebrity Apex cruise to the Caribbean this month turned into a rocking Newfoundland kitchen party when hundreds of people from Canada's easternmost province happened to be booked on the same ship.
Protest averted as Newfoundland and Labrador premier helps reach pricing deal on crab

A pricing agreement has been reached between crab fishers and seafood processors that will allow for Newfoundland and Labrador's annual crab fishery to get started.

SpaceX launches tiny critters, solar panels to space station

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Trend Line | Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey

Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey