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WTOP Top Kid: McLean teen helps others aim for the stars

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:51 GMT

Ronit Kapur and another astrology-loving friend. (Courtesy Ronit Kapur) Ronit Kapur and another astrology-loving friend. (Courtesy Ronit Kapur) Now through Oct. 27, 2023, WTOP is accepting nominations for the WTOP TOP Kids program sponsored by Northwest Federal Credit Union. In addition to being featured on-air and online, winning kids also get a chance at $500. For Ronit Kapur of McLean, Virginia, it was reading space atlases at a young age that ignited his interest in the great beyond. The fascination only grew as he visited exhibits at area museums and spent time staring at the star-filled night sky.“That sort of created the snowball effect of my interest in astronomy. And it’s taken me to where I a...

Rare and aggressive: Understanding the skin cancer that took Jimmy Buffett’s life

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:51 GMT

For a man synonymous with life in the sun, a skin cancer diagnosis can’t be a total shock to Jimmy Buffett fans. But, as many “parrotheads” learned after his death, the kind that he got, Merkel cell carcinoma, is one of the least common forms of cancer. It’s also much more aggressive.Out of the different types of skin cancer that are out there, “Merkel cell carcinoma is probably the fourth skin cancer we think about,” said Dr. Vishal Patel, an associate professor of dermatology and oncology at the George Washington University School of Medicine.“This skin cancer is much more rare, it’s much more unusual to see this and it is much more aggressive,” Patel said. “Some consider it the most aggressive form of skin cancer, meaning that patients tend to have higher rates of death when they have this skin cancer.”Typically, cancerous cells are on the surface of the skin. But Merkel cells are a more specialized cell — the ones...

Stock market today: World shares extend slide, while Japan reports economy grew less than expected

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:51 GMT

Shares fell Friday in Europe and Asia after Japan reported its economy grew less than earlier estimated in the last quarter. Germany’s DAX shed 0.5% to 15,636.59 and the CAC 40 in Paris fell 0.5% to 7,159.49. Britain’s FTSE 100 declined 0.4% to 7,415.45. The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow industrials edged 0.1% higher.Japan, the world’s third largest economy, grew at a 4.8% annual pace in the April-June quarter, below the earlier estimate of 6% growth, according to data released Friday. Much of that growth was driven by exports, which rose nearly 13%, while private consumption fell 2.2% on weak investment spending. A separate report showed that wages declined in July for the 16th straight month, falling 2.5% from a year earlier. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index dropped 1.2% to 32,606.84, while the Kospi in Seoul lost less than 1 point, to 2,547.68. Hong Kong’s markets were closed due to a tropical storm. The Shanghai Composite index shed 0.2% to 3,116.72, wh...

Safety on the agenda: Montgomery Co. education board urges more focus on school safety

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:51 GMT

Each year, the Montgomery County Board of Education maps out when different topics will come up on its calendar.This year, the topic of school safety was slotted for April. That prompted a suggestion from board member Brenda Wolff.“The majority of the school year is over by April,” Wolff said to her colleagues. “And in my visits around the county, the most important topic I’ve heard about, right behind math and literacy, is safety.”Noting the concern, Wolff said, “I don’t think we can wait until April.”She added, “Especially in light of what happened after the football game the other day, people are very concerned about the safety.”Wolff was referring to the violence that broke out after a football game between Walter Johnson and Bethesda-Chevy Chase High schools in Bethesda. That violence prompted the school system to announce that attendance at varsity football games would be restricted districtwide.Board member Shebra Evans sa...

Update your iPhone: Apple just pushed out a significant security update

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:51 GMT

Apple released a significant security update for iPhones and iPads Thursday to patch newly discovered security vulnerabilities in the devices’ system software.The issue was discovered by researchers at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, who said the software flaw was being “actively exploited” to deliver commercial spyware called Pegasus developed and sold by the Israeli company NSO Group. Pegasus is an expensive tool typically used to target dissidents, journalists and political opponents, so ordinary users likely have little to fear. Still, Citizen Lab recommends that all users should “immediately” update their devices.To install the update, open Settings on your iPhone, then select “General” followed by “Software Update.” You should see the iOS 16.6.1 software update there; tap to begin the installation.If you don’t see the update, go back to the General page, then tap “About” to check your iOS version number. If it’s 16.6.1, you already have the update in...

Broward County prepares for fallen officer’s procession in tribute to Capt. Terryson Jackson

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:51 GMT

Broward County stands united in solemn anticipation as it prepares to bid farewell to Battalion Chief Terryson Jackson, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The fallen officer’s procession is scheduled to take place following an early morning service on Friday, serving as a touching reminder of the sacrifices made by those who dedicate their lives to public safety.Captain Jackson, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash on August 28, was posthumously promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief, honoring his dedication and unwavering commitment to serving the community.Amidst the grief and reflection, Broward County officials are moving to acquire a new state-of-the-art helicopter for the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO). This decision comes in response to the catastrophic helicopter incident, which not only claimed Captain Jackson’s life but also that of Lurean Wheaton, a 65-year-old resident living in an apartment complex in Pompano Beach.The ...

Here’s why Biden can’t do much to prevent an auto strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:51 GMT

New York (CNN) — President Joe Biden may hope the United Auto Workers union will not strike the nation’s three unionized automakers. But right now all he can do is hope.Biden doesn’t have the legal authority he would have if a freight railroad or airline was threatening to strike. In those cases, a different labor law gives the president the authority to order both sides to continue on the job. So the best he can do is apply public pressure.But despite his reputation as a pro-union president, his influence with the union is fairly limited, especially considering its criticism of the administration’s support of a move away from gas-powered cars to EVs, which the union sees as bad for the jobs of many of its members.And his ability to pressure the automakers is also limited, given what they see as the need to compete with nonunion automakers such as Tesla and foreign auto brands.There are 145,000 UAW members spread across General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, the company that makes veh...

Disney drops part of its lawsuit against DeSantis to focus on free speech claims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:51 GMT

(CNN) — Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has amended its lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his hand-picked oversight board, dropping all of its claims except one.The lawsuit, filed in federal court, now focuses solely on the claim that DeSantis and his allies allegedly weaponized their political power to retaliate against the company for exercising its First Amendment right to free speech.“A targeted campaign of government retaliation—orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech—now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights,” the lawsuit said.The lawsuit is part of an ongoing conflict between Disney, one of Florida’s largest taxpayers and employers, and DeSantis. Tensions rose last year after Disney spoke out against a bill championed by DeSantis that banned certain instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida classroo...

Vehicles strikes, critically injures cycles on Southampton Street in Boston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:51 GMT

Boston police are investigating after a vehicle struck a bicyclist on Southampton Street in Boston late Thursday night. Officers responding to a report of a cyclist struck at the intersection of Southampton and Ellery streets around 11 p.m. found the bicyclist suffering from life-threatening injuries, according to Boston police.The cause of the crash remains under investigation.No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Police launch investigation on Dartmouth Street in Boston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:51 GMT

A police investigation got underway on Dartmouth Street in Boston overnight, where officers could be seen scouring a vehicle on a taped-off section of the road.Video shows police officers monitoring a section of the street while evidence is gathered from around the vehicle.No additional information was immediately available.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.