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How Maryland’s recent malaria case can inform future detection and prevention

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:44 GMT

This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.In mid-August, the Maryland Department of Health issued an advisory that the agency had confirmed a rare positive case of locally acquired malaria and urged Marylanders take precautions to avoid future mosquito bites. But locally acquired malaria is rare in the United States, and the unique case led to a new article published by federal health officials highlighting efforts that led to the eventual diagnosis.State and federal public health officials believe the malaria case identified in Maryland can help inform about the difficulties in diagnosing locally acquired cases and showcase collaboration among state agencies and public health professionals to help inform the public of the risks for malaria.“Identifying a locally acquired case was quite unusual and triggered a public health response that included local health departments, st...

Israeli military announces it is prepared for “coordinated” air, ground and naval offensive in Gaza Strip.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:44 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli military announces it is prepared for “coordinated” air, ground and naval offensive in Gaza Strip.Source

A rare “ring of fire” eclipse of the sun that began in Oregon and will end in Brazil is now appearing over the Americas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:44 GMT

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A rare “ring of fire” eclipse of the sun that began in Oregon and will end in Brazil is now appearing over the Americas.Source

Head of Gaza’s largest hospital says 35,000 people shelter inside hospital ahead of expected Israeli ground operation.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:44 GMT

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip _ (AP) — Head of Gaza’s largest hospital says35,000 people shelter inside hospital ahead of expected Israeli ground operation.Source

Authorities investigating overnight shooting death on Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:44 GMT

Police are investigating after an overnight shooting in Dorchester left a man dead on Blue Hill Avenue.The Boston Police Department said officers found the victim after being called to the area of 1194 Blue Hill Ave. around 12:30 a.m. for reports of a person shot.According to police, the victim was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and was later pronounced dead at the scene.In a news release, Boston PD said that as of Saturday morning, authorities were continuing to review evidence and that no arrests had been made yet.Authorities ask that anyone with information on the incident contact the department’s homicide unit at 617-343-4470. TThose who wish to remain anonymous can call Boston PD’s CrimeStoppers Tip Line at at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word “”TIP” to CRIME (27463).

Ticker: Wall Street struggles as war worries collide with hope for stronger profits

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:44 GMT

U.S. stocks mostly fell Friday after fears about war in the Middle East collided in financial markets with hopes for stronger profits at big U.S. companies.Oil prices leaped, and Treasury yields fell after Israel’s military ordered the evacuation of northern Gaza ahead of a possible ground invasion. But several U.S. banking giants at the same time said their profits during the summer were better than feared, which offered hope on Wall Street for an earning reporting season that may deliver the first growth for big companies in a year.All the push and pull sent the S&P 500 down by 21.83 points, or 0.5%, to 4,327.78. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up by 39.15, or 0.1%, to 33,670.29, and the Nasdaq composite dropped 166.98, or 1.2%, to 13,407.23.Microsoft closes deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard after antitrust fightsMicrosoft has completed its purchase of video game-maker Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, closing one of the most expensive tech acq...

Bruins notebook: Pavel Zacha lifting a heavy load

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:44 GMT

If there’s a Bruin player with an impossible job, it is Pavel Zacha. He is essentially replacing future Hall of Famer Patrice Bergeron, centering the first line, being the bumper on the first power-play unit and taking a big role in penalty killing.While no one is expecting him to be the next Bergeron, of course, he is playing a very important role on this team. With training camp and the season opener in the books, the chemistry with his wings David Pastrnak and James van Riemsdyk is decidedly a work in progress. But Zacha feels like it was heading in the right direction..“I think it’s getting better,” said Zacha on Saturday morning. “We started OK in the first period. I don’t think it was anything great. Then in the second and third, especially the third, I think we were real good as a line and as a team. So I think the idea is to keep building, every practice, every game. Pasta and JVR, they’ve been in the league a long time and I’m excited to get so...

Ex-Connecticut police officer suspected of burglaries in 3 states

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:44 GMT

GLASTONBURY, Conn. (AP) — A former Connecticut police officer is suspected of being a serial burglar and committing 30 or more thefts in three states, including the community he had patrolled until recently. A newly unsealed warrant says former Glastonbury Police Officer Patrick Hemingway is believed to have targeted safes and cash registers at restaurants and businesses in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The warrant, cited in multiple news reports and released Thursday, says surveillance videos show a suspect possibly resembling the former officer.Hemingway, 37, was charged last month with computer crimes and making a false statement. A judge at his arraignment said more charges were expected. In one surveillance video, a tall male wearing a mask, gloves and a hooded sweatshirt is seen holding a flashlight “in a tactical manner.” The suspect is also holding “a coiled, corded object to his left ear” that resembles the portable police radios used by the Glastonbury Polic...

Man pleads guilty to murder in 2021 hit-and-run spree that killed steakhouse chef

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:44 GMT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A man has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in the death of a Philadelphia steakhouse chef prosecutors say he intentionally killed during a drug-fueled, hit-and-run spree that caused injuries and damage in two counties.Kareem Welton, 43, also pleaded guilty Friday in Montgomery County Court to attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault and robbery of a motor vehicle in the violent predawn 2021 joyride that started in Philadelphia’s Center City and ended 30 miles (48 kilometers) away in neighboring Montgomery County.Prosecutors dropped a first-degree murder charge in exchange for the plea, which does not include any agreement on sentencing.Authorities alleged that Welton stole a car left running by a woman in July 2021 and then went to a family friend’s home and stole a 5-year-old poodle, hit two people on a motorcycle and then struck and killed 31-year-old Adriana Moreno-Sanchez as she walked home from her restaurant shift. Authorities s...

Crowds cheer as ‘ring of fire’ eclipse moves across the Americas, stretching from Oregon to Brazil

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:44 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.. (AP) — Cheers erupted among crowds in Oregon and New Mexico on Saturday as a rare “ring of fire” eclipse of the sun that had millions across the Americas waiting with anticipation began putting on a spectacular show.With the presence of cloudy skies, a NASA livestream of the phenomenon reported it in Eugene, Oregon, shortly after 9:15 a.m. local time. This came over an hour after a partial eclipse set in. For the small towns and cities along its narrow path, there was a mix of excitement, worries about the weather and concerns they’d be overwhelmed by visitors flocking to see the celestial event, also called an annular solar eclipse. Clouds and fog threatened to obscure the view of the eclipse in some western states, including California and Oregon.As totality began in Eugene, Oregon, oohs and ahs combined with groans of disappointment as the eclipse was intermittently visible, the sun’s light poking through the cloud cover from behind the moon only at times...