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As the European Political Community meets again, its role starts to take shape

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:59:32 GMT

The European Political Community has held its second-ever meeting, this time in Moldova. Launched last year at the suggestion of France’s President Macron, it’s open to all European nations; although Russia and Belarus are not currently invited and Türkiye chose not to attend. So what’s the EPC for -and what might it achieve, asks Political Editor Nick Powell.In a very real sense, the European Political Community is defined by what it is not. Countries do not have to be members of the European Union to take part, whether they’re outside by choice or are trying to join. It is not a body that can bind its members to a particular course of action, it is a twice-yearly opportunity to meet and discuss and perhaps agree. A talking shop in other words.It doesn’t have a high authority, as the European Coal and Steel Community did, to implement its decisions. It certainly doesn’t have a commission to run it, like the European Economic Community. Indeed, the British government would have pref...

Miss Manners: How can I make a guest commit to her RSVP?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:59:32 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have hosted several teas for five to eight friends, most of them around my age (mid-20s) or a little younger.My difficulty is with RSVPs. Each time, I’ve had multiple guests tell me the day of the tea that they’re no longer able to attend — for reasons such as being tired, having work to get done or needing to go grocery shopping.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: How am I supposed to plan a shower with all these gay friends? Advice | Miss Manners: We are stung that the ‘cool’ neighbors didn’t clue us in Advice | Miss Manners: Her sheepish greeting always makes me feel awkward Advice | Miss Manners: Must I order sheep’s brains if I don’t want to share my food? Advice | Miss Manners: My former co-workers made snide comments about my presence I’ve gone to increasing lengths to formalize the event in the hope that that would buil...

Dear Abby: He learned things in kindergarten that made him cry

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:59:32 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My grandson is 6 and very sensitive, maybe too sensitive.He’s also lovable, super scientific-minded, good-hearted and generous with his little sister. However, he still uses a diaper at night and has CVS (cyclical vomiting syndrome). It’s heartbreaking. For that reason, he’s on a special gluten-free, no-flour, no-chocolate diet.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My husband is upset that I find his new look mortifying Advice | Dear Abby: I have news about my co-worker that his girlfriend should know Advice | Dear Abby: What the bridesmaid told me sent my wedding stress off the charts Advice | Dear Abby: I walked into the bedroom and I can’t forget what I saw Advice | Dear Abby: My friends’ comments about my wedding are hurting my feelings The other day at school (he is in kindergarten), they had a presentation with a magician about the danger of drugs and alcohol....

National Eating Disorders Association takes its AI chatbot offline after complaints of ‘harmful’ advice

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:59:32 GMT

New York (CNN) — An eating disorder prevention organization said it had to take its AI-powered chatbot offline after some complained the tool began offering “harmful” and “unrelated” advice to those coming to it for support.The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), a nonprofit organization aimed at supporting people impacted by eating disorders, said on Tuesday that it took down its chatbot, dubbed “Tessa,” after some users reported negative experiences with it.“It came to our attention last night that the current version of the Tessa Chatbot, running the Body Positive program, may have given information that was harmful and unrelated to the program,” the organization said in a statement posted to Instagram on Tuesday. “We are investigating this immediately and have taken down that program until further notice for a complete investigation.”Liz Thompson, NEDA’s CEO, said in an email to CNN that the Tessa chatbot had a “quiet” launch in February 2022, ahead of a more recent cr...

Grant program aims to boost pay for restaurant workers in Prince George’s Co.

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:59:32 GMT

One of the hardest parts of running a restaurant coming out of the pandemic has been hiring good workers, and keeping the ones who are good from leaving.It doesn’t help that other jurisdictions around the D.C. region pay more, with D.C., specifically, phasing in a raise from $5 per hour to $16.10 in the coming years.To help bridge the gap, the advocacy group One Fare Wage and Capital One have teamed up to offer grants to restaurants to help pay their workers $15 per hour, plus whatever tips workers earn.Advocates said 20,000 restaurant workers in Maryland have already left the industry in recent years.“Maryland is about to lose a lot more workers come July 1, when the wage goes up to $8 per hour [in DC] and Maryland is still at $3.63,” said Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage.“Workers in Prince George’s County can wake up in the morning, go across the border and get more than double the wage and it’s going to keep going up next year and the year following until it’s finally f...

Casemiro’s winning mentality crucial to Man United’s hopes in FA Cup final

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:59:32 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A few concerns were raised when Brazil midfielder Casemiro completed his move to Manchester United in August.Would he still have enough motivation after nine trophy-filled years at Real Madrid?Could he adapt quickly enough to the English game?Was a 30-year-old defensive midfielder really worth $60 million and a reported weekly wage of $435,000?The answers, without doubt, have been yes, yes and absolutely yes.Take away Erling Haaland and the signing that had the biggest impact in English soccer this season is surely Casemiro, who — in the words of his coach — has exceeded expectations “by far.”“He keeps surprising you,” United manager Erik ten Hag said. “He’s such a brilliant football player.”If there’s one player Ten Hag would want to have available for the FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday, it’s Casemiro.Quite simply, the difference with and without him is huge.Casemiro started 24 of United’s 38 league games this season, and was a substitute in four oth...

Crean un reboot australiano de “The Office” con una jefa mujer

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:59:32 GMT

(CNN) — Más de 20 años después de que el comediante británico Ricky Gervais diera fama mundial al insufrible gerente David Brent se está haciendo una versión australiana del exitoso programa “The Office”, esta vez con una protagonista mujer.La cómica australiana Felicity Ward interpretará a Hannah Howard, directora general de la empresa de embalajes Flinley Craddick, la versión australiana de Brent, conocido como Michael Scott en la exitosa serie estadounidense, según informó la cadena británica BBC.Desde su estreno en 2001, “The Office” ha ganado múltiples premios y ha inspirado versiones locales en países como Chile, Israel, India y Polonia. La serie australiana es la decimotercera adaptación y la primera protagonizada por una mujer.Felicity Ward interpretará a la jefa en “The Office Australia”. (Foto cortesía de la BBC)Según un comunicado de prensa, la serie de ocho capítulos sigue al personaje de Ward, que entra en “modo superviven...

Rosslyn Cinema returns with free outdoor movies

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:59:32 GMT

Rosslyn Cinema returns to Gateway Park every Friday. (Rosslyn BID)(Rosslyn BID) Rosslyn Cinema returns to Gateway Park every Friday. (Rosslyn BID)(Rosslyn BID) toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews Rosslyn Cinema (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data(...

Reds play the Brewers in first of 4-game series

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:59:32 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (29-27, first in the NL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (26-30, third in the NL Central)Cincinnati; Friday, 5:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Corbin Burnes (4-4, 3.68 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 59 strikeouts); Reds: Brandon Williamson (0-0, 5.02 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 12 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Brewers -179, Reds +152; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds start a four-game series at home against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.Cincinnati is 26-30 overall and 14-14 at home. Reds hitters are batting a collective .257, which ranks fourth in the NL.Milwaukee is 13-15 in road games and 29-27 overall. The Brewers have gone 19-6 in games when they record at least eight hits.The teams meet Friday for the first time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Spencer Steer leads the Reds with a .289 batting average, and has 15 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 21 walks and 28 RBI. Matt McLain is 19-for-46 with two home runs and eight RBI over the past 10 games.R...

Cubs visit the Padres to begin 4-game series

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 14:59:32 GMT

Chicago Cubs (24-31, fifth in the NL Central) vs. San Diego Padres (26-30, fourth in the NL West)San Diego; Friday, 9:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Jameson Taillon (0-3, 7.76 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, 32 strikeouts); Padres: Michael Wacha (5-1, 3.45 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 49 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -168, Cubs +143; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres host the Chicago Cubs to start a four-game series.San Diego is 26-30 overall and 12-15 in home games. The Padres are 19-5 in games when they out-hit their opponents.Chicago is 24-31 overall and 9-15 on the road. The Cubs have the fifth-ranked team ERA in the NL at 4.16.The teams meet Friday for the fourth time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Juan Soto has 14 doubles, 10 home runs and 26 RBI for the Padres. Rougned Odor is 9-for-33 with three doubles, three home runs and 14 RBI over the past 10 games.Ian Happ has 15 doubles, four home runs and 22 RBI for the Cubs. Christopher Morel is 6-for-32 with a double...