News stories Monday tell of wild speculation by some scientists that humans may one day be able to regrow limbs. This after work at Harvard University uncovered the DNA switch that controls genes for whole-body regeneration. It’s called the early growth response gene or EGR. As we know, animals achieve extraordinary feats of repair. The breakthrough in understanding this occurred with discovery of a section of non-coding or “junk” DNA in three-banded panther worms. The DNA controls the activation of this “master control gene” (or EGR). Humans also carry EGR, and produce it when cells are stressed and need repair. Yet it does not seem to trigger large-scale regeneration. Scientists think the master gene is wired differently in humans, and are trying to find a way to tweak its circuitry to reap its regenerative benefits.

Justin Trudeau has shuffled his cabinet again following the resignations of Jody Wilson-Reybould and Jane Philpott. BC Liberal MP Joyce Murray, a critical voice against the government’s approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline, will take over as President of the Treasury Board and Minister for Digital Government. She has served as the Liberal MP for Vancouver Quadra since 2008 and also ran against Trudeau for the Liberal leadership in 2013. She’s sworn in.

• Michael Wernick to step down as clerk of Privy Council, cites lack of ‘mutual trust’ with opposition
• Vice-Admiral Norman’s lawyers still waiting on documents linked to Trudeau, senior staff

Epidemic of inattention

Tel Aviv has installed so-called zombie lights at a downtown crosswalk to alert distracted pedestrians staring at their phones when they can walk and when they should stop. Similar systems are said to be in use in Australia, Singapore and the Netherlands. Traffic managers in the Israeli city say the lights aim to minimize accidents between vehicles and inattentive pedestrians at crosswalks. “We cannot force them to take their eyes out of the smartphone and into the road. We need to find ways to put the road into their eyes,” he said.

Terminal 1 at Toronto’s Pearson Airport has reopened for processing outbound international flights and inbound arrivals, about four hours after a fire broke out in the U.S. departures area on Sunday evening. All flights to the U.S. scheduled to depart from Terminal 1 on Sunday night were cancelled. Emergency crews were called to the airport around 6:30 p.m. and quickly extinguished the blaze, but a significant amount of smoke lingered in the area for several hours. Peel paramedics said they treated several patients on scene for smoke related injuries and one woman was transported to a local emergency room in stable condition. Peel police confirmed no other major injuries were reported. Amateur video

MP Rob Oliphant, a United Church minister, and St. Cuthbert’s Rev. Ian LaFleur preside

Interfaith gathering

After in St. Cuthbert’s Lamb Hall

An interfaith vigil in support of Muslim neighbors was held Sunday at St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church on Bayview Ave. MP Rob Oliphant tweeted scenes of the vigil attended by Christians, Jews and Muslims. “For me the most moving part was the tolling of the bell, 50 times for those whose lives were lost in the terrorist attack,” he wrote. School Trustee Shelley Laskin tweeted: “Thank you for including me… powerful poignant words by faith leaders… with the lights dimmed, the candles lit and the bells tolling for each of the 50 Muslim victims of the horrific hate crime in Christchurch. I was profoundly moved.”

Happy Family/Instagram

167 Rumsey/Bulldog

28 and 30 Langley Ave/TorontoACORN @TorontoACORN

Aid to Venezuela/Facebook

Waterfall Orchids/Bulldog

Chev accident at Forman and Belsize/unknown at Old Toronto

Locally this Sunday, the self-described Happy Family (upper left) has posted to #Leaside Instagram. Have a look. At the centre, shots of the new house going up at 167 Rumsey Rd. (top) and a protest demonstration Saturday against the eviction of tenants at 28 and 30 Langley Ave just across the Don. The landlord is accused of getting Airbnb Fever. It makes you want to turn your house into a Ramada Inn. At right, a van full of life’s necessities that will be shipped to Venezuela by a hard-working member of Leaside Community. Lower left are some Waterfall Orchids at Longo’s. Bottom right, it’s May 23, 1930 at the corner of Belsize Dr. and Forman Ave. where this Chevrolet has just been damaged in an accident. Homes in the background still stand 88 years later but are more expensive.

Smiles all around

Moments after birth

Everything’s good

April, the world famous mother giraffe, gave birth to her fifth calf, a boy, Saturday at the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York. The calf was born at 12:43 p.m. April went into labor around 11 a.m. Saturday. The newborn giraffe was steady and on its feet by 1:27 p.m., and nursing by 1:51 p.m. April and her calf were promptly examined by Dr. Tim Slater, the park’s veterinarian. Park owner Jordan Patch said both mom and baby are doing well.

In Chicago, the river has been turned green and there will be much beer the same shade. How’s your complexion this Sunday? Then, Uno Juno? Details from London, Ontario. Below that is comedian Steve Harvey who says Google has tricked young people into thinking they know everything. That may not be a new thing. And finally, City News with Oshawa’s 253 square foot home.

Three people shot during an apparent drive-by on Trethewey Dr near Jane St & Lawrence Av. Victims are believed to be two men shot several times, and a woman with less serious injuries. Patients transported to trauma centres. Large crime scene. #Toronto pic.twitter.com/YU5q7lEO1g

— Jeremy Cohn (@JeremyCohnTV) March 17, 2019

Photo by Michael Riecker @mrriecker

Wreck smoulders after firefighters quell flames

A driver has escaped the explosion of a vehicle after it hit a utility pole at King East at Parliament St at around 6:30 a.m. Sunday. Rescuers pulled the driver from the wreck.

BRAWL AT BANQUET HALL, THREE WOUNDED

Two people are in custody following a triple stabbing in North York. Police say a large fight broke out at a banquet hall on Finch Avenue near Chesswood Drive just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Three victims were located with stab wounds, one was hospitalized with injuries described as non-life threatening — CityNews