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Thousands protest against government move to strip teachers of public servant status in Hungary

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:09 GMT

Thousands rallied in Budapest on Wednesday (3 May) to protest against new government-sponsored legislation that would eliminate the public servant status of teachers and significantly increase their workload.Almost 5,000 teachers have already said they will leave their profession if the so-called Status Law comes into force, but Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government is going ahead with the reforms that would strip teachers of some of their job security.Wednesday's protest came after a year of teacher strikes and demonstrations for higher wages as Hungary's inflation - running above 25% - erodes teachers' salaries that are already below the national average and second to last among OECD countries according to 2021 data.Many critics refer to the draft as the "Revenge Law", perceived as punishment for teachers' year-long resistance."I am entirely against this law, which is not called the 'revenge law' in public discourse by accident," said Katalin Torley, one of the most vocal criti...

Influence, reputation, trade, and investment management are all critical components of modern business.

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:09 GMT

In today's globalized economy, businesses must be well-versed in the intricacies of influence, reputation, trade, and investment management. Each of these factors plays a critical role in determining the success of a company, and ignoring any one of them can have disastrous consequences.Let's start with influence. Influence refers to a company's ability to shape the opinions, beliefs, and behaviours of its stakeholders. This can include everything from employees and customers to government officials and industry peers. A company with a strong influence can use this power to gain a competitive advantage, attract top talent, and shape the industry landscape in its favour.Reputation is closely tied to influence. A company with a strong reputation is one that is widely respected, trusted, and admired. A good reputation can attract new customers, help retain existing ones, and even attract new investment. Conversely, a company with a bad reputation may struggle to attract new business or...

Miss Manners: Apparently my life is a reality show

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:09 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’ve been with my husband for almost five years. He has a son in his 20s who still lives with us. I am really, really bothered because both of them tell everyone everything that goes on in our household.Topics include what goes on, good and bad, between my daughter and me; my job; if I cook dinner; if I don’t cook dinner; if I made it to work that day; what I talk about; what I do for fun. Just everything!I feel like I’m living in a reality show, and maybe should be in one, since there are apparently so many people interested in everything that goes on in our relationships and lives.I’ve expressed to my husband and his son that I like my privacy and that it’s disrespectful for them to go telling the whole world everything that goes on in my life. And they continue to do it.Some of the things they have said have been exaggerations, or even lies. I feel violated, and I’ve hit the point where I think maybe this isn’t the righ...

Dear Abby: I have to take nerve medicine to deal with my in-laws

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:09 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My in-laws live out of state, and they used to stay with us when they visited. Once my son was born, I told my husband they would need to stay in a hotel because we no longer have the room.They are also the most disrespectful houseguests, and I have terrible insomnia. My MIL speaks to me only when my husband is around, and my FIL complains about everything — our streaming services, saying I need to buy more towels, complaining that we don’t have soda.I have tried explaining to my husband that they send my anxiety into the next dimension, but because none of this happens when he’s around, he doesn’t understand. I have had to ask my doctor to give me a small supply of medication for my nerves.Since they have been staying at a hotel, they complain about the cost and the accommodations. I offered to pay for a rental, but my mother-in-law has told my husband that she will buy a sleep sofa for our house so they can stay here again.I have tried telling my...

Summer of sound: Upcoming music festivals across the DC area

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:09 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews upcoming music festivals (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); }); }); You can’t throw a proverbial rock across the Potomac River without hitting a DMV music festival.In recent weeks, Maryland hosted the M3 Rock Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion, D.C. hosted Project GLOW Fest at RFK Stadium and Virginia hosted the Something in the Water music festival in Virginia Beach.I...

Brewers begin 3-game series against the Dodgers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:09 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (21-14, first in the NL West) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (19-15, second in the NL Central)Milwaukee; Monday, 7:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Tony Gonsolin (0-0, 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, four strikeouts); Brewers: Freddy Peralta (3-2, 3.12 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 41 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Brewers -110, Dodgers -109; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers host the Los Angeles Dodgers to begin a three-game series.Milwaukee is 19-15 overall and 9-6 at home. The Brewers have a 13-2 record in games when they out-hit their opponents.Los Angeles is 21-14 overall and 9-8 on the road. The Dodgers have hit 57 total home runs to rank third in MLB play.Monday’s game is the first time these teams meet this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Rowdy Tellez has nine home runs, 15 walks and 22 RBI while hitting .248 for the Brewers. William Contreras is 9-for-36 with three doubles, two home runs and six RBI over the past 10 games.Max Muncy has a double, 12 h...

Pirates host Colorado Rockies, look to stop home skid

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:09 GMT

Colorado Rockies (14-21, fifth in the NL West) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (20-15, first in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Monday, 6:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Kyle Freeland (3-3, 3.76 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 26 strikeouts); Pirates: Mitch Keller (3-1, 3.32 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 48 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Pirates -181, Rockies +154; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Colorado Rockies looking to break a three-game home losing streak.Pittsburgh has a 20-15 record overall and a 9-7 record in home games. The Pirates have the fourth-ranked team on-base percentage in the NL at .328.Colorado is 7-12 in road games and 14-21 overall. The Rockies have gone 5-1 in games when they hit two or more home runs.Monday’s game is the fourth meeting between these teams this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Bryan Reynolds has 13 doubles, a triple and five home runs while hitting .307 for the Pirates. Connor Joe is 8-for-36 with four doubles, a triple and two home runs...

Diamondbacks host the Marlins in first of 3-game series

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:09 GMT

Miami Marlins (17-18, second in the NL East) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (19-15, second in the NL West)Phoenix; Monday, 9:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Marlins: Braxton Garrett (1-1, 5.81 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 22 strikeouts); Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen (4-1, 2.53 ERA, .84 WHIP, 57 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Diamondbacks -218, Marlins +181; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Miami Marlins on Monday to begin a three-game series.Arizona has a 10-7 record in home games and a 19-15 record overall. The Diamondbacks have an 8-2 record in games when they did not give up a home run.Miami has a 7-9 record on the road and a 17-18 record overall. The Marlins have a 14-9 record in games when they record at least eight hits.The matchup Monday is the fourth time these teams square off this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Corbin Carroll has a .324 batting average to lead the Diamondbacks, and has 10 doubles, a triple and five home runs. Christian Walker is 16-for-45 with f...

Giants host the Nationals to begin 3-game series

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:09 GMT

Washington Nationals (14-20, fifth in the NL East) vs. San Francisco Giants (15-18, fourth in the NL West)San Francisco; Monday, 9:45 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Jake Irvin (0-0, 2.08 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, three strikeouts); Giants: Anthony DeSclafani (3-1, 2.13 ERA, .82 WHIP, 30 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -222, Nationals +184; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants host the Washington Nationals on Monday to open a three-game series.San Francisco has a 9-8 record at home and a 15-18 record overall. The Giants have a 7-16 record in games when they have given up a home run.Washington has an 8-8 record in road games and a 14-20 record overall. The Nationals are 11-3 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.The matchup Monday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.TOP PERFORMERS: J.D. Davis leads San Francisco with seven home runs while slugging .520. LaMonte Wade Jr is 11-for-34 with four home runs and six ...

Cardinals play the Cubs after Goldschmidt’s 3-home run game

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:00:09 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (11-24, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Chicago Cubs (17-17, third in the NL Central)Chicago; Monday, 7:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Miles Mikolas (1-1, 5.79 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 34 strikeouts); Cubs: Marcus Stroman (2-2, 2.18 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 38 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cubs -148, Cardinals +125BOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals meet the Chicago Cubs after Paul Goldschmidt hit three home runs on Sunday in a 12-6 win over the Tigers.Chicago has gone 10-9 in home games and 17-17 overall. Cubs hitters are batting a collective .268, the fourth-best team batting average in MLB play.St. Louis has a 5-11 record on the road and an 11-24 record overall. Cardinals hitters have a collective .328 on-base percentage, the 10th-best percentage in the majors.Monday’s game is the first time these teams square off this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Patrick Wisdom leads the Cubs with 11 home runs while slugging .587. Cody Bellinger is 12-for-40 with four double...