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Md. fire marshal sounds alarm over dramatic spike in fire deaths in 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:49 GMT

If the trend doesn’t end, Maryland is on track to see one of its deadliest years in decades when it comes to fires.At least 40 people in the state have died so far this year in fires, which is more than double what Maryland saw during this same period last year, according to State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci.“The fires are burning hotter, they’re burning faster, and the toxic gases that they’re producing are killing people much more quickly,” Geraci told WTOP.He said the numbers are concerning, especially when comparing deaths in the first three months of this year to the total 51 deaths in 2020. That year had the lowest number of fire deaths seen in the state.“The things that are in furniture now, the flammability of furnishings, open floor settings, all contribute to that fire spread and that rapid fire spread and growth,” said Geraci.More Maryland NewsMore Local NewsHe said many of the synthetic materials in furniture are to blame for the rapid s...

A.V. Rockwell breaks down her Sundance winner ‘A Thousand and One,’ now in theaters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:49 GMT

Hear our full conversation on my podcast “Beyond the Fame.” toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews 'A Thousand and One' (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); It earned the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, joining an exclusive club of winners this decade that includes “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” “Fruitvale Station,” “Whiplash,” “Minari”...

Dodgers begin season at home against the Diamondbacks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:49 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles; Friday, 10:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly (0-0); Dodgers: Dustin May (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -191, Diamondbacks +160; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers open the season at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks.Los Angeles had a 111-51 record overall and a 57-24 record in home games last season. The Dodgers pitching staff averaged 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings while giving up 3.2 runs per game in the 2022 season.Arizona had a 74-88 record overall and a 34-47 record on the road last season. The Diamondbacks averaged 7.6 hits per game in the 2022 season with 2.8 extra base hits per game.INJURIES: Dodgers: Alex Reyes: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Pepiot: 15-Day IL (oblique), Jimmy Nelson: 15-Day IL (elbow), Daniel Hudson: 15-Day IL (knee), Gavin Lux: 60-Day IL (knee), Tony Gonsolin: 15-Day IL (ankle), Walker Buehler: 60-Day IL (elbow), Blake Treinen: 60-Day IL (sh...

Eurozone inflation posts record fall to 6.9 percent

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:49 GMT

FRANKFURT — Eurozone inflation dropped at a record rate to 6.9 percent in March, driven by a sharp decline in energy prices compared to the same month last year, data released by the European statistics agencies showed today.While welcome news, the numbers will not have the European Central Bank in Frankfurt popping Champagne corks as they also showed so-called core inflation continued to rise. Core inflation measures filter out volatile food and energy components and are seen as a bellwether for future inflation trends.In March, core inflation accelerated to a record 7.5 percent, up from 7.4 percent in February.  The ECB has raised interest rates at the fastest pace on record by a cumulative 3.5 percent since last summer, but has refrained from giving any specific policy guidance for its May meeting.A continued rise in underlying price pressures – already at more than three times the ECB’s 2 percent target – will keep up pressure on the ECB to raise rates further.

Milan mayor wins EU support for anti-Meloni campaign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:49 GMT

BRUSSELS — The mayors of Milan, Rome, Naples and Turin are accusing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of discrimination by denying same-sex parents recognition as legal guardians.Milan’s center-left mayor Giuseppe Sala is now facing off with the Italian government over the issue. Italy’s new prime minister is turning the country into a version of Viktor Orbán’s Hungary, Sala told POLITICO on Wednesday.“It is clear that the government is looking to those kind of countries,” said the mayor of Italy’s second biggest city, referring to Poland and Hungary.In Italy, a lack of specific legislation over the past two years allowed mayors and municipal officials the power to grant legal guardianship for same-sex parents — but the Meloni government cut off that option earlier this year, threatening legal action against anyone who carries the practice forward. Since taking office in October, Italy’s right-wing government has seized on divisive issues like LGBTQ+ rights and migration. ...

Home believed to be a ‘total loss’ following fire in Plymouth

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:49 GMT

A fire tore through a home on Halfway Pond Road in Plymouth early Friday morning. Intense flames were seen tearing through the roof of the home with smoke pouring out of the windows. Firefighters say they had difficulty putting out the fire because there are no hydrants in the area. Officials say there were 10 people in the home at the time and they all got out safely, however, two pet rabbits died and one cat is missing.Crews remain on scene as of 6 a.m. to monitor hot spots.The home is believed to be a total loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

With each game, Orioles star Adley Rutschman increases the need — and price — of a potential extension | ANALYSIS

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:49 GMT

With each performance like Thursday’s 5-for-5 opening day showing, Adley Rutschman shows how valuable he is to the Orioles. He also increases the price tag it would take for them to keep him around long term.A catcher regarded as one of the sport’s brightest young stars, Rutschman got off to a tremendous start to 2023 by recording five hits — including a home run in his first at-bat — and drawing a walk in a season-opening 10-9 victory over the Boston Red Sox. The game not only marked the start of the Orioles’ season, but also meant the offseason officially ended without Baltimore agreeing to a long-term contract with its best player.There’s not necessarily a rush; Rutschman is under team control for four seasons beyond the one that started Thursday. But as he continually shows the type of player he is, Rutschman also increases the value of both those years that remain and any beyond them.He’s already building a reputation in the game, start...

Man shot and killed outside pawn shop in Oshawa

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:49 GMT

Police are searching for a suspect after a man was fatally shot outside a pawn shop in Oshawa.Officers responded to a shooting at a plaza in the area of King Street West and Park Road around 8:45 p.m.An injured male was pronounced dead at the scene. Police confirmed the victim was shot outside a pawn shop.No suspect information has been made available.

UK china maker rolls out souvenirs for king’s May coronation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:49 GMT

STOKE-ON-TRENT, England (AP) — With just five weeks before King Charles III’s coronation, a British manufacturer of fine bone china is busy making “God Save The King” commemorative plates and mugs for the historic occasion. Craftspeople at the Duchess China factory in the central England city of Stoke-on-Trent painted delicate gold edges on more teacups and saucers Thursday to make sure there are enough to meet the expected demand for royal souvenirs. When Charles is crowned at London’s Westminster Abbey on May 6, the ceremony will be the U.K.’s first coronation since his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was the subject of the same ritual just shy of 70 years earlier. He inherited the throne when Elizabeth died in September.Duchess China started producing china tableware in 1888. Its range of commemorative china features the Union Jack colors of red, white and blue, and come emblazoned with the words “God Save the King.” The manufacturer said the design was inspired by ...

Global stocks rise ahead of US inflation update

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:49 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Global stocks and Wall Street futures rose Friday ahead of a United States inflation update that traders hope might prompt the Federal Reserve to ease plans for more interest rate hikes.London and Frankfurt opened higher. Shanghai and Tokyo advanced. Oil prices declined.Wall Street rose Thursday as worries about the global financial system eased following the collapse of two U.S. banks and one in Switzerland.Traders hope a measure of U.S. inflation due out Friday that is closely watched by the Federal Reserve will show upward pressure on prices easing. That might prompt the Fed to postpone plans for a possible rate hike at its May meeting.A softer inflation reading would be a “signal to continue with the risk-on theme,” said Tim Waterer of Kohle Capital Markets in a report.Inflation in the 20 countries that use the euro slowed to 6.9% in March from 8.5% the month before. Food costs are still on the rise, but energy prices fell, making a sharp turnaround after mo...