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'Close' wins the LUX Audience Award 2023

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:18:22 GMT

The film, co-produced by Belgium, France and Netherlands, tells the story of an intense friendship between two thirteen-year old boys Leo and Remi. When their friendship is suddenly disrupted, Leo approaches Sophie, Remi’s mother, struggling to understand what has happened. Close is a film about friendship and responsibility.The other four films shortlisted for the award were: Alcarràs by Spanish director Carla Simón, Burning Days by Turkish director Emin Alper, Will-o'-the-Wisp by Portugese director João Pedro Rodrigues and Triangle of Sadness by Swedish director Ruben Östlund.The winning film was chosen by combining a public vote and a vote by MEPs, with each weighed at 50%. The awards platform received around 45,000 ratings (reviews on a scale going from one to five stars) from European viewers and 360 from MEPs.

Miss Manners: I thought it was inappropriate for her to skip the funeral and show up for the food

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:18:22 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was wondering if it’s inappropriate to show up for the repast if you have not attended the funeral.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: I told the subway rider he was rude, and he got huffy Advice | Miss Manners: Why do they ask such questions about my groceries? Advice | Miss Manners: The bride isn’t friendly, plus I know she’s already married. Must I go to her wedding? Advice | Miss Manners: Am I right that it’s disgusting to put eyeglasses on a kitchen counter? Advice | Miss Manners: They got upset when I tried to step out of the photo My brother-in-law by marriage passed away, and we traveled out of town for the funeral, staying at a hotel. My daughter, an adult child from a previous marriage, lives about an hour away from where we were staying. She has only met my husband’s family four times in 10 years.She was not able to attend the wake or the f...

Bipartisan bill wants to stop airlines from charging fees for families to sit together

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:18:22 GMT

Air travel can be especially stressful during the summer, as this week has shown, due to technical difficulties and storms that have delayed and canceled thousands of flights.And as many parents know all too well, flying can be even more of a challenge when traveling with young children.Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., is the co-sponsor of bipartisan legislation that seeks to help parents and their children fly together, without having to pay extra.“No family should face exorbitant extra fees just because they want to sit with their children during a flight,” Spanberger said in a statement, noting she’s the mother of three school-age kids.The “Fly Together Act” calls for the U.S. Transportation Secretary to issue a rule that would require airlines to seat children 13 years and younger with their family members, without charging additional fees.Spanberger notes that “unnecessary fees” are opposed by Democrats and Republicans alike and argues t...

Pets hate fireworks? DC-area veterinarian offers some tips on helping furry friends enjoy July Fourth

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:18:22 GMT

Some of your furry friends may not appreciate all the festivities that come with celebrating the Fourth of July — particularly those that are loud and bright. But a D.C.-area veterinarian has some tips on helping pets cope with fireworks.Though cats can also be “skittish” around the decorative explosives, veterinarian Ashly Smith, D.C.-area regional medical director for Bond Vet, tells WTOP it’s mostly dogs — of any age or breed — who react poorly to firework displays.“There’s the unpredictability — we know what we’re looking at, we know that we’re about to see beautiful fireworks light up in front of us,” Smith said. “But these animals have no idea what this physical sound is, it’s just startling to them.”Imagine all of the pots in your cupboard fall at one, Smith said. That feeling is similar to what dogs are going through. And as “smart” animals, they’re conditioned to react to a boom of thunder o...

Sri Lanka spares banks in its $ 19.8 billion local debt restructuring plan

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:18:22 GMT

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka will spare banks from being part of its local debt restructuring plan because of the possible impact on deposits, while the bulk of the burden will be shared by the Central Bank and superannuation funds, officials said Thursday.Sri Lanka’s Cabinet a day earlier approved a plan to restructure nearly half of its $42.1 billion local debt following a bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund. A special Parliament sitting has been convened for Saturday to seek approval for the plan.The government has announced a bank holiday until next week to prevent any speculation-triggered bank run.Central Bank governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said the treasury bills owned by the bank will be converted into treasury bonds with a longer maturity period and the same has been proposed to superannuation funds. If those funds are unwilling to be part of the plan they may have to pay a 30% tax instead of the 14% special treatment effective now. Sri Lanka ...

Natalie Merchant joins NSO for epic concert at Kennedy Center

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:18:22 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews Natalie Merchant at the Kennedy Center (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); }); }); She remains one of the greatest singer-songwriters of the past 40 years.The prolific Natalie Merchant will be performing a pair of epic concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center Opera House in D.C. this Friday and Saturday.“It’s magnificent,” touring cond...

La apnea del sueño que sufre Biden: ¿qué es y cómo se trata?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:18:22 GMT

(CNN) — El presidente de Estados Unidos, Joe Biden, es uno de los millones de personas que padecen apnea del sueño, un grave trastorno en el que las personas dejan de respirar durante 10 segundos o más mientras duermen.Se calcula que al menos 25 millones de adultos estadounidenses y 936 millones de adultos de entre 30 y 69 años de todo el mundo pueden padecer apnea obstructiva del sueño, y que hay muchas más personas sin diagnosticar.La afección se denomina apnea “obstructiva” del sueño porque, a diferencia de la apnea central del sueño –en la que el cerebro omite ocasionalmente indicar al cuerpo que respire–, la apnea obstructiva del sueño se debe a una obstrucción de las vías respiratorias por tejidos blandos débiles, pesados o relajados.Apnea del sueño y ronquidos: 8 señales de advertencia que hay que tener en cuentaEl tono muscular se debilita con la edad, incluso en el paladar blando y el cuello, por lo que la apnea del sueño es frecuente entre las personas mayores ...

Padres take 4-game losing streak into matchup against the Pirates

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:18:22 GMT

San Diego Padres (37-43, fourth in the NL West) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (37-42, fourth in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Thursday, 12:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Joe Musgrove (6-2, 3.88 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 55 strikeouts); Pirates: Luis Ortiz (2-3, 3.74 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 31 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -184, Pirates +156; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Diego Padres, on a four-game losing streak, take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.Pittsburgh has a 20-19 record in home games and a 37-42 record overall. The Pirates have a 27-2 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.San Diego has a 37-43 record overall and a 17-21 record on the road. The Padres have the ninth-best team ERA in MLB play at 3.84.The teams meet Thursday for the third time this season.TOP PERFORMERS:Juan Soto has 19 doubles and 14 home runs for the Padres. Ha-Seong Kim is 13-for-40 with three home runs over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Pirates: 3-7, .195 batting average, ...

Cubs host the Phillies on home losing streak

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:18:22 GMT

Philadelphia Phillies (42-37, third in the NL East) vs. Chicago Cubs (37-41, third in the NL Central)Chicago; Thursday, 8:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Taijuan Walker (8-3, 4.10 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 71 strikeouts); Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (3-2, 2.86 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 18 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -118, Cubs -102; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs aim to stop their three-game home skid with a win over the Philadelphia Phillies.Chicago has a 20-19 record in home games and a 37-41 record overall. The Cubs have hit 87 total home runs to rank eighth in the NL.Philadelphia has a 21-23 record on the road and a 42-37 record overall. The Phillies rank 10th in the NL with 85 total home runs, averaging 1.1 per game.Thursday’s game is the sixth time these teams meet this season. The Phillies are ahead 4-1 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS:Kyle Schwarber ranks third on the Phillies with 30 extra base hits (nine doubles, a triple and 20 home runs). B...

Brewers face the Mets with 2-1 series lead

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:18:22 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (42-38, second in the NL Central) vs. New York Mets (36-44, fourth in the NL East)New York; Thursday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Adrian Houser (2-2, 4.02 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 25 strikeouts); Mets: Max Scherzer (7-2, 3.95 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 76 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Mets -188, Brewers +159; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers meet the New York Mets with a 2-1 series lead.New York has gone 18-17 in home games and 36-44 overall. The Mets are 26-6 in games when they out-hit their opponents.Milwaukee has gone 20-20 on the road and 42-38 overall. The Brewers have hit 86 total home runs to rank ninth in the NL.The matchup Thursday is the seventh time these teams meet this season. The Brewers hold a 5-1 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Pete Alonso has six doubles, a triple, 24 home runs and 55 RBI for the Mets. Francisco Lindor is 11-for-34 with two doubles, four home runs and 10 RBI over the last 10 games.Willy Adam...