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super ace after maintenance At the beginning of the year, we looked to our correspondents for tips of Among them was hope for change for millions of people who were to vote in elections in 50 countries. At least in the United States, that change turned out to be more of the same. Among the surprises, however, there was the end of a dynasty in Syria and the beginning of another in Indonesia. Here are some of the biggest stories of the past 12 months: If 1992 was the late Queen Elizabeth II’s , then it’s hard to know how she’d have ranked this year for ’s royal family. In January, her son and successor, Charles III, put out a rather benign statement that he would attend hospital the following week for a . The statement was made shortly after it was revealed his daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, was expected to be in hospital for 10 to 14 days after undergoing abdominal surgery. Things would snowball from there. Weeks later, the King would announce he had been diagnosed with cancer. Catherine’s recovery was kept under wraps until the . A family photo was released, and it was a disaster. Even more questions were asked. Suddenly came an announcement: . Neither have been given the all-clear but have returned to light duties. Charles joined with Queen Camilla for a royal visit to Australia. But his relationships with son Harry and brother Andrew have continued to plague him. Our own Princess Mary, was in January after her mother-in-law, to make way for her son, Frederik. Two decades on from Mary’s fairytale wedding, she waved to the crowds in Copenhagen as the sovereign’s wife. Rumours have swirled about , and the Danish royals showed it ain’t just the Brits who have their problems. But 2024 was the year of the election. In Britain, Labor after 14 years of Conservative rule, with Keir Starmer moving into 10 Downing Street in a landslide victory. Within weeks, however, his popularity would start to tumble in a string of scandals and misjudgments. In the across the continent. ’s after beating Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centre-left SPD to second place in the European Parliament elections with 16 per cent. His problems at home reached a peak in December when he lost a confidence vote. In , the EU results triggered an electoral earthquake. after his party was resoundingly defeated by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally. That result left the country without a clear winner but one clear loser: Macron. He continues to struggle to grasp any real power. But it was another story in France that shocked the nation and the world. Seventy-two-year-old grandmother Gisele Pelicot bravely retold , to stop rape from being swept under the carpet. In mass protests were sparked by the government’s decision to suspend negotiations on joining the EU and push back on Russian influence. In the end, a pro-Russia former Manchester City footballer, . An election in , with the result annulled and voters to go back to the polls next year. In May, ’s Prime Minister attempt, during which he was shot five times. He recovered and is one of many populists slowly diluting Europe’s unity towards Ukraine and against . Another blow for that cause was ’s far-right Freedom Party, as they celebrated an , aligned himself closely with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his self-styled “illiberal democracy”. Kickl had also spoken of becoming Volkskanzler (people’s chancellor), which for some Austrians carries echoes of the term used to describe Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany. War continues in after almost three years. Where and when it ends, no one knows. . President Volodymyr Zelensky has laid out a plan for peace. It’s likely many will die before that happens. s Vladimir Putin is scrambling to conquer as much territory as possible before those peace talks begin. Last month, while suffering its highest casualty rates of the war. This year, continued its re-engagement strategy with Australia, and finally agreed to trade and two beef exporters, ending the $20 billion of economic sanctions slapped on Australian industries during the Morrison government. Federal Treasurer when he went to Beijing in September. His trip tapped into ongoing concerns about China’s struggling economy and the flow-on impact on Australia. But the rapprochement has not dimmed security concerns posed by China’s increasingly aggressive tactics in the Indo-Pacific, which included confrontations with Australian naval forces and repeated clashes with Filipino vessels in the South China Sea this year that heightened fears of sparking a full-blown conflict. In the face of a drumbeat of negativity from economic analysts and investors, Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to reverse course in the second half of the year and began pursuing into his beleaguered housing sector. inaugurated drawing the ire of Beijing, which regards him as a “dangerous separatist” and responded by encircling the island. A second round of drills in October piled pressure onto Taiwan’s stretched defence systems. ’s Prime Minister as his government slid to record low approval ratings. His replacement in calling a snap election proved costly, leaving the governing Liberal Democratic Party scrambling to form a minority government. In November, on subversion charges under its Beijing-led national security crackdown, in a case that drew international condemnation for its perceived silencing of political dissent. It also reignited the . And in December, virtually imploded under President Yoon Suk Yeol who misread his electorate and fellow politicians, and only to have to . , he now awaits a court decision to confirm the parliamentary move. The year closed with the future of the Sino-American relationship, and hence global stability, facing a new era of uncertainty under the incoming second presidency of Donald Trump. Trump’s appointment of to key administration positions, and his , has set the stage for more turbulence between the two nations. After two failed attempts against Joko Widodo, Prabowo Subianto finally realised his decades-long dream of becoming president of . Widodo was constitutionally barred from running for a third term, so when his sniffing around for ways to run again went nowhere, the president and Prabowo teamed up for some win-win. Prabowo, the former son-in-law of late autocrat Suharto, enlisted Widodo’s son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, to be his vice presidential running mate. Widodo then turned his back on his own party and threw his considerable political and popular weight behind his former enemy. Never mind his dodgy human rights track record as a military strongman, in a canter. After backroom deals with self-interested politicians and parties in the months leading up to October’s inauguration, the 73-year-old now sits atop a massive coalition, troubling democracy watchers. , too, underwent . Lee Hsien Loong stepped down in May after 20 years as prime minister, handing the reins to his deputy, Lawrence Wong. Wong inherited a middle power punching way above its weight division, a stable and wealthy nation in a region of regular upheaval. He is an erudite statesman and seems eminently capable, but he has shown little interest in loosening the government’s tight grip on free expression. leadership transition, meanwhile, was a bin fire. , which many Thais and observers consider a big-time cog in the self-serving military and royalist establishment. Pita Limjaroenrat’s Move Forward Party won the most votes in the 2023 election but was blocked from forming government by an unelected senate. Amid the chaos, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of controversial and once-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Vice President , President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, crossed into the unhinged. In October, she warned “Bong Bong” she would dig up his old man’s bones and throw them into the sea. Last month, she told the press of her if she was killed first. She really said this. The feud is unfolding amid investigations into Duterte’s alleged misuse of funds and her dad’s bloody “war on drugs”. It is not a great time for toxic politics in the Philippines, which is clashing almost weekly with China in the West Philippine Sea. In , which has its own claims to the South China Sea, To Lam inherited the job of Communist Party secretary-general after 80-year-old statesman . In his 12 years at the top (not to mention nearly three decades in the Politburo), Trong significantly reduced poverty rates, strengthened ties with the United States and implemented a fierce anti-corruption drive dubbed the “blazing furnace”. As is often the case in South-East Asia, and Communist regimes more broadly, he also preferred his dissenters in jail. Meanwhile, those who hoped leader Hun Manet’s considerable Western education might yield democratic changes . He was gifted the job by his ruthless and ageing father Hun Sen, who still pulls strings, only now as president of the Senate. If anything, the intimidation of opposition and arrests of protesters have only increased. The most high-profile arrest was journalist Mech Dara, whose reporting touched on the businesses of Ly Yong Phat, a senator, tycoon and Hun Sen adviser, . Dara was bailed several weeks after his October arrest after a coerced public apology, a typical ploy of the Huns’ regime that they think demonstrates their beneficence. , a nation with so much economic potential, continued to suffer repeated wrecking by military men. Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, still holds onto power through force despite serious losses to myriad armed opposition groups. ASEAN, a wet lettuce leaf among regional blocs, has been unable to bring the general to heel. Underscoring the complexity of this multi-front civil war, one of came at the hands of a group fighting the junta, when the Arakan Army slaughtered hundreds of innocent Rohingya Muslims near the border of Bangladesh in August. In recent weeks, however, two major armed rebel groups – Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and ally the Ta’ang National Liberation Army – signalled they were ready for peace talks. The most tragic case closer to Australia in South East Asia was the methanol poisoning of backpackers in in November, among them. , and investigations continue. The biggest election ever staged delivered a shock result in . Ahead of the national poll, concluded on June 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to romp home. But once the 642 million ballots were counted his , he needed to rely on other parties to control parliament. Modi has dominated Indian politics for the past decade, but now faces a more uncertain era of coalition government. Elsewhere on the subcontinent, 2024 was marked by political turmoil. In , Sheikh Hasina, prime minister for 20 of the past 28 years, was driven out by a vast display of people power on the streets of the capital city, Dhaka. After she made a dramatic escape to neighbouring India on August 5, her government was replaced by military-backed , an 84-year-old Nobel Laureate, economist and social entrepreneur. Yunus has the difficult task of building consensus for much-needed reforms and staging a fair election. There was political change in as well when the little-known former Marxist, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, emerged the surprise winner in a presidential election held in September. The country continues to grapple with the aftermath of a debilitating financial crisis in 2022. In the continues to roil politics and society. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), did surprisingly well in February elections and his supporters have since staged huge and sometime violent protests demanding his release. The power dynamics in the Middle East were dramatically reshaped this year, with on the ascendancy and its bitter rival, , substantially weakened. Iran’s President in May, and things only got worse from there for the hard-line rulers in Tehran. Israel and Iran traded missile fire at several points throughout the year, setting off fears of an all-out regional war. Thanks to Israel’s Iron Dome system and support from Western nations, the Iranian strikes caused minimal damage, while Iran’s missile-production capability was crippled. After the monumental intelligence failure of last year’s October 7 attacks, the Jewish state regrouped and achieved some significant strategic victories. The Israeli military assassinated the mastermind of the October 7 attacks, , in Gaza and Hezbollah leader in Beirut. After a year of tit-for-tat fighting on its border with Lebanon, Israel escalated the fight against Hezbollah. This began with the shock September against the Iranian proxy group and culminated in a ground invasion and air strikes on Lebanon. It ended on favourable terms for Israel, with Lebanese civilians paying a heavy price for a conflict many did not want to be involved in. Meanwhile, the devastating war in Gaza continues and there is still no clear vision for what will come when it is over. Almost 45,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the war and over 100 Israeli hostages still remain in Gaza. In November, the against Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza, reflecting widespread international horror at the war. At home, though, Netanyahu’s popularity has been creeping up. In the most surprising development of all, in a matter of days in December. Syrian rebels from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took advantage of Assad’s key allies – Russia and Iran – being distracted by fighting elsewhere and stormed into Damascus with remarkable ease. This has injected new uncertainty into the region, with Iran again the loser after losing a crucial ally in Assad. By contrast, ’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is emboldened and empowered after backing the rebel forces. This year was meant to culminate in an election rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. But after imploding on a debate stage in June, the ’ oldest president was forced to withdraw his bid for a second term, setting in motion one of the most extraordinary political comebacks in history. While Biden’s decision to upended the trajectory of the 2024 campaign and sparked fresh enthusiasm among voters, it was not enough to dent the anger millions of Americans felt over soaring cost-of-living pressures or immigration. In a victory so resounding even some Republicans were shocked, Trump not only won all seven battleground states, he also narrowly secured the popular vote and helped Republicans take control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It was a remarkable turnaround for a former president who began the year facing 91 charges and four criminal trials: one in Washington for trying to subvert the 2020 election; one in Georgia for election interference in that state; another in Florida for mishandling classified documents; and one in New York for falsifying business records to cover up a . In the end, only the New York “hush money” trial would eventuate, resulting in Trump becoming the first convicted felon to run for the White House. A US Supreme Court decision to grant presidents substantial immunity for acts conducted in office helped him thwart all the other trials. Trump’s ascendancy was also fuelled by an at a rally in Pennsylvania – an event that shocked the world, reignited the debate over political violence, and created one of the most iconic images in political history. Two months later came – this time by a lone gunman hiding in the bushes of his golfing resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. In other North America news, environmental scientist Claudia Sheinbaum was elected ’s first female president; the war in Gaza sparked student uprisings at elite universities across the US; and Taylor Swift continued her global dominance, concluding her 149-show in after becoming the most-awarded artist in VMA history. Interest in South America rose briefly in Australian minds last month owing to Prime Minister , for the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation annual summit, overshadowed by incoming US president Donald Trump’s economic agenda. Albanese then went to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for this year’s G20. Neither , except to serve as further demonstration of in the region where it has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure. Take the new $5.6 billion port President Xi Jinping – who arrived pushing for an “orderly multipolar world” – inaugurated in Chancay, north of Lima. The intended continental logistics hub creates a direct route between Asia and South America across the Pacific Ocean. Apart from allowing Beijing to look beyond Australia and Asia for imports such as iron ore, wine and soybeans, the port could also, says the US, . China’s influence in the region could also extend to ground stations for Chinese satellites. In former president along with 36 others in a failed coup to reverse the last election and overthrow the government of President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva in a US Capitol-inspired takeover of Congress in 2022. He denies the charges, which add to his long list of legal woes. Lula, 79, had emergency brain surgery to relieve bleeding but was back to work in a few days. In the election of right-wing Trump-like disruptor and cloned-dog owner President provided some relief to the US, after to the alternative BRICS – the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa group that has evolved to admit myriad other countries, and hopes to launch an alternative trade currency to the US dollar. In new elections to power, but no one believed the results, which the opposition said were stolen and the UN human rights watchdog is investigating. The crisis-torn country was also in the headlines owing to campaign-mode In December, prominent human rights lawyer Claudio Grossman quit the International Criminal Court in The Hague over what he said was its failure to prosecute members of Maduro’s government for crimes against humanity. In early December, Argentina, Brazil, , and , under the bloc , signed a blockbuster free trade deal with the European Union. If ratified, it will create one of the world’s largest free trade zones, covering a market of 780 million people. But in France, the Netherlands and other countries with big dairy and beef industries, critics say it will create unfair competition. In , the year started with a large to discuss action against changes proposed by the new coalition government of Prime Minister Chris Luxon, including the watering down of policies previously designed to elevate Maori language and recognition. Tuheitia said the Treaty of Waitangi was not open for reinterpretation. , with King Charles leading the tributes, saying “a mighty tree has fallen”. His daughter, 27-year-old , was chosen by a council of 12 male elders to succeed him, over her two older brothers, although the crown is not automatically inherited. Tensions over the government’s “race-based” changes, and the introduction of a bill to reinterpret the treaty, spilt over when thousands participated in a , where that made headlines around the world. , in May after an electoral reform approved in Paris triggered protests and the . It sent hundreds of police to help stem the riots, including soldiers to secure the port and airports, which were closed, . . His government later blamed . Continuing its efforts to keep closer to Australia than to China, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese headed to PNG and along with Prime Minister James Marape, did a two-day Kokoda hike, complete with . It was all part of Anzac commemorations and soft diplomacy, which continues with the , helped along by . And a in later December, causing many deaths, hundreds of injuries and crippling the nation’s electricity, water and communications systems. – In , after the vote that ended apartheid and brought it to power. President Cyril Ramaphosa managed to retain his job after a coalition deal with the country’s second-biggest party, the Democratic Alliance. In added to evidence that two human species lived side-by-side 1.5 million years ago, in a closing reminder that humans are capable of getting along.

The recalentado (literally “reheating”) is a beloved tradition in many households across Mexico and other Latin American countries. It involves reheating the leftover dishes from the Christmas Eve dinner to enjoy them over the following days, especially on December 25th, after the main festivities. What Is the Recalentado? The recalentado is more than just reheating food—it is a celebration in itself. It brings family and friends together once again to share Christmas dishes in a relaxed and cozy atmosphere. In Mexico, for example, it is customary for families to gather on Christmas Day to enjoy the leftovers from the previous night’s festivities. The dishes typically reheated during the recalentado vary depending on the region and family traditions, but common favorites include: Turkey or pork leg. Salads such as apple salad or the ensalada de Nochebuena. Tamales. Bacalao (salted cod). Soups or broths. Traditional drinks like rompope, Christmas punch, or cider. The Meaning of the Recalentado The recalentado holds several cultural meanings in Mexican tradition: Family Reunion: After the grand celebration of Christmas Eve, the recalentado offers another opportunity to spend time with loved ones, enjoying food and the festive spirit. Appreciation of Food: In Mexico, where food carries deep emotional and cultural significance, the recalentado highlights the importance of meals as a unifying force. It’s a way to honor the effort put into preparing the dishes while making the most of the leftovers. Extending Christmas Joy: While the main celebrations happen on December 24th, the recalentado prolongs the Christmas spirit. Sharing leftovers keeps the festivities alive a little longer. Simplicity and Enjoyment: Unlike the formal Christmas Eve dinner, the recalentado is more relaxed and spontaneous. It’s about enjoying food informally, sharing stories, and savoring the moment. The recalentado is a way to continue the celebrations, share the abundance of Christmas, and keep the spirit of joy and unity alive. Though deeply rooted in Mexican culture, it has become a common event in many Latin American families and even in regions outside of the continent where Christmas is celebrated. A Tradition Embraced by Tourists In tourist destinations like Puerto Vallarta and other parts of Mexico, visitors often eagerly participate in the recalentado for reasons that go beyond mere curiosity. Here are some of the motivations that make this tradition appealing: Cultural Immersion: For tourists, the recalentado is a unique opportunity to experience one of Mexico’s most heartfelt traditions. Visitors seek authentic experiences, and this celebration provides a meaningful way to connect with the community through food and family bonds. Mexican Hospitality: Known for its warmth, Mexican hospitality naturally extends to the recalentado. Locals often invite tourists to join the festivities, treating them like family for the day. This inclusivity creates a sense of belonging and a memorable cultural exchange. Culinary Experience: The recalentado is a feast of traditional flavors, offering dishes like tamales, bacalao, turkey, and more. For tourists, sampling these homemade delicacies is a special culinary journey, deepening their connection to Mexican culture. Relaxed Atmosphere: Compared to the formal Christmas Eve dinner, the recalentado is more casual and welcoming. Tourists appreciate the laid-back ambiance filled with music, laughter, and a sense of community. Learning Traditions: The recalentado provides an opportunity for visitors to learn about Mexican gastronomy, rituals, and customs. Participating in this tradition allows them to gain insights into the everyday lives and festive practices of locals. Cultural Exchange: The recalentado fosters conversations and connections between locals and tourists. While visitors learn about Mexican traditions, residents also gain perspectives from different parts of the world, creating a rich exchange of ideas and experiences. Sense of Belonging: For tourists far from home during the holidays, the recalentado offers warmth and familiarity. Even if they don’t celebrate Christmas in the same way, participating in this tradition gives them a sense of inclusion and shared humanity. The recalentado is not just about enjoying delicious food; it’s a moment of cultural connection, hospitality, and shared joy. Tourists join in this cherished tradition not only to savor the cuisine but also to celebrate community and the authentic spirit of Mexican Christmas.

The Guardian view of global justice at a crossroads: war crimes demand accountability | EditorialThe year in review: Influential people who died in 2024The Arizona Diamondbacks made one of the biggest moves of the MLB offseason early Saturday morning when they inked Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million contract, emerging seemingly out of nowhere to reel in one of the biggest fish of the offseason. With Blake Snell, Max Fried, Sean Manaea, Nathan Eovaldi and Yusei Kikuchi also already signed in free agency, and both Garrett Crochet and Jesús Luzardo on the move via trade, the starting pitching market has dwindled considerably since the start of the offseason. However, there are still some impact arms looking for a new home, led by Japanese League star Roki Sasaki and World Series champion Jack Flaherty. Ahead is an updated look at the top remaining free agency and trade targets on the starting pitching market in the wake of the Burnes signing. Free Agents RHP Kyle Gibson RHP Lance Lynn LHP Martín Pérez RHP Cal Quantrill LHP José Quintana RHP Colin Rea RHP Spencer Turnbull RHP Trevor Williams LHP Ryan Yarbrough Trade Candidates LHP Steven Matz, STL LHP Jordan Montgomery, ARI 10. RHP Michael Lorenzen, Free Agent (Age: 32) Stats: 26 G, 24 GS, 7-6, 3.31 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 60 BB, 97 K, 130.1 IP, 2.6 WAR After an All-Star selection in 2023, Lorenzen was one of the last notable free agents to sign last winter, agreeing to a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Rangers on March 22. He doesn't miss many bats, striking out just 18.1 percent of the hitters he faced this past season, but he is a solid back-of-the-rotation option capable of pitching above that level at times. 9. RHP Justin Verlander, Free Agent (Age: 41) Stats: 17 GS, 5-6, 5.48 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 27 BB, 74 K, 90.1 IP, -0.3 WAR Verlander had a 4.16 ERA over 67 innings through his first 12 starts in 2024 before a brutal month of September, so his overall performance was not as bad as his final numbers might suggest. He no longer possesses elite velocity, but he is a future Hall of Famer who knows how to pitch, and he is still capable of being an effective back-of-the-rotation option. 8. RHP Max Scherzer, Free Agent (Age: 40) Stats: 9 GS, 2-4, 3.95 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 10 BB, 40 K, 43.1 IP, 0.4 WAR A shoulder issue limited Scherzer to just nine starts last season, so his health is a question mark, but he was still an effective option when he did take the mound. He profiles more as a four- or five-inning guy at this point rather than a workhorse, but in the right situation he can still be an asset to the staff. 7. LHP Andrew Heaney, Free Agent (Age: 33) Stats: 32 G, 31 GS, 5-14, 4.28 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 41 BB, 159 K, 160.0 IP, 0.8 WAR Heaney led a banged up Rangers staff with 31 starts and eclipsed 150 innings pitched for the second time in his career in 2024, and he more than earned his two-year, $25 million deal the past two seasons. With 1,070 strikeouts in 1,014.1 career innings, he has always missed plenty of bats, and he could provide solid value on a similar deal. 6. RHP Erick Fedde, Trade Candidate (Age: 31) Stats: 31 GS, 9-9, 3.30 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 52 BB, 154 K, 177.1 IP, 5.6 WAR Fedde won KBO MVP honors in 2023 when he finished 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 209 strikeouts in 180.1 innings, and he returned stateside a different pitcher last year after inking a two-year, $15 million deal with the White Sox. He was traded to the Cardinals at the 2024 deadline, and now that they are headed for a youth movement, he is squarely on the trade block and carries wide appeal thanks to a team-friendly $7.5 million salary. Age: 31 Stats: 27 G, 26 GS, 6-12, 4.14 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 36 BB, 172 K, 145.2 IP, 1.8 WAR Nick Pivetta was one of the few legitimate candidates to potentially accept a qualifying offer this winter, but he ultimately turned down the one-year, $21.05 million contract in favor of testing the free agency waters. The right-hander has quietly posted four straight seasons with at least 170 strikeouts, and he also posted a career-low 2.2 walks per nine innings during the 2024 season, down significantly from 3.5 BB/9 over the first seven years of his career. The draft pick compensation tied to signing him is a factor, but he can slot in as a solid No. 3 starter on a contending team thanks to his swing-and-miss stuff. Age: 32 Stats: 30 GS, 11-12, 3.64 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 47 BB, 175 K, 175.1 IP, 1.8 WAR The emergence of up-and-coming arms Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo has put the Seattle Mariners in an enviable position where they can potentially trade from an area of strength by shopping Luis Castillo. The three-time All-Star had another solid overall season in 2024, and while his stuff took a slight step backward and his strikeout rate dropped from 27.3 to 24.3 percent, he was still a solid No. 2/3 starter. He will make $24.15 million annually each of the next three seasons, and he also has a $25 million vesting option for 2028 based on health and innings pitched. Age: 29 Stats: 28 GS, 13-7, 3.17 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 38 BB, 194 K, 162.0 IP, 3.1 WAR After years of battling injuries and then command issues in 2023, Jack Flaherty signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Tigers last winter hoping to rebuild his stock, and he ended up being one of the best value signings of the offseason. He ended up serving as the co-ace of the staff for the Dodgers during their run to the World Series after joining them at the trade deadline. He struggled to a 7.36 ERA in 22 innings of work during the playoffs, though he did turn in a terrific start in Game 1 of the NLCS (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER). His age is a major chip in his favor in a market littered with pitchers on the other side of 30 years old, and he has strikeout stuff when everything is clicking, but his inconsistent track record and shaky October might be the reason he is still looking for his next contract. Age: 29 Stats: 33 GS, 14-11, 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 65 BB, 224 K, 189.1 IP, 4.2 WAR Could the San Diego Padres be major players on the trade market once again this offseason? Last winter, they traded away Juan Soto ahead of his final season of arbitration control, only to turn around and acquire Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox. Now they are reportedly shopping Cease. "There is no indication any deal is imminent, but this is more than just fielding phone calls. League sources characterized the talks regarding Cease as being anywhere from "trying to unload Cease" to the Padres being "open to" trading the right-hander," wrote Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune shortly after the winter meetings. Cease is poised to be one of the most sought after pitchers on the free-agent market next winter, and if the Padres don't plan to sign him long-term, then now is the time to sell high. Trading him could also be part of a domino effect set off by them signing the No. 1 player on this list... Age: 23 Stats: 18 GS, 10-5, 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 32 BB, 129 K, 111.0 IP It's not every day that a 23-year-old who is capable of stepping right into a big league rotation and potentially pitching at an ace-caliber level hits the open market. Roki Sasaki has officially been posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines, and teams now have until Jan. 23 to negotiate with the Japanese League star, though spending will be limited by the international bonus pool limitations. The assumption is that he will wait to sign until after the new international signing period begins on Jan. 15, when all 30 teams will have a full bonus pool at their disposal, though money will likely not be the determining factor in where he lands. The Dodgers and Padres are the heavy favorites to sign him, but there is still time for a mystery team to make its move. Armed with a 70-grade fastball that regularly touches triple-digits, a lethal splitter and a plus slider, he checks all the boxes to be a star on the mound for the next decade.

Steelers QB Russell Wilson is spreading the wealth on offense PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington was minding his own business during practice recently, doing his due diligence while running his route when the ball suddenly came his way. Will Graves, The Associated Press Dec 5, 2024 2:40 PM Dec 5, 2024 3:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, third from left, looks for an open receiver during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean) PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington was minding his own business during practice recently, doing his due diligence while running his route when the ball suddenly came his way. Washington wasn't sure what option he was on the play. he certainly wasn't first. Probably not even second. Maybe not even third. Washington was on the back side all by his lonesome while a sea of wide receivers and running backs zig-zagged across quarterback Russell Wilson's field of vision. Only, Wilson didn't like what he saw. Not enough to throw it anyway. So he pivoted to his left and found Washington wide open for a big gain. Asked if he was surprised to find the ball in his hands, Washington nodded. “A little bit,” he said. “I don't know. I don't know what was going on with the other people.” Wilson did. He almost always seems to these days for the first-place Steelers (9-3), who find themselves atop the AFC North behind the play of their resurgent 36-year-old quarterback, who has taken a decidedly democratic approach to resurrecting his career. The nine-time Pro Bowler threw the ball to 10 different players while piling up 414 yards last week against the Bengals . Sure, mercurial star George Pickens got the ball. But so did Washington. And third tight end MyCole Pruitt. And wide receiver Ben Skowronek, who turned his second catch of the season into a 23-yard gain on a drive that ended with one of Wilson's three touchdown passes. “You never know when it’s coming your way,” Skowronek said. Not with Wilson at the controls. Fourteen different players have at least one catch this season for the Steelers. That includes Mike Williams, whose lone grab a month since being acquired from the New York Jets is a 32-yard rainbow for the winning score in the final minutes against Washington. It also includes Skowronek, who spent the early portion of the season on injured reserve and worried he'd sort of lost his place in line while he rehabbed. Skowronek and his teammates have quickly learned that with Wilson, there is no “line." During his six starts since returning from a calf injury, Wilson has thrown it wherever, whenever. “It’s like in baseball,” said Wilson, a former minor league second baseman. “You’ll never hit a home run if you don’t swing. And I really believe that you’ve got to swing, you’ve got to trust guys. You’ve got to be able to trust yourself.” Something that hasn't been an issue for Wilson for years, even if he arrived in Pittsburgh at a crossroads following an abrupt fall from grace in Denver. The Steelers couldn't sign Wilson to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum fast enough, and Wilson wasted little time building a rapport with players who were relative strangers. What began with throwing sessions in San Diego has morphed into team dinners and Friday nights where Wilson and first-year offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will hole themselves up in the team facility poring over tapes and bouncing ideas off each other until their wives call wondering where they are. On game days, that work manifests itself in various ways. It's tight end Pat Freiermuth drifting toward an open area while Wilson scrambles, as he did two plays after Skowronek's grab for a 25-yard touchdown. It's Wilson calling an audible at the line of scrimmage late against Cincinnati to hit Van Jefferson for a 43-yard gain that led to a clinching field goal. It's not just good for the stat sheet, it's good for the vibes. “Morale is a big part,” Smith said. Guys who want to be invested. Spreading it around is beneficial in a myriad of ways. It means players don't feel they are “decoys on every play,” as Smith put it. It also means once you put it on film, it means opponents have to find a way to defend it. And the more things an opponent has to defend, the better for an offense, particularly one led by a quarterback who will make his 195th start on Sunday when Cleveland (3-9) visits. “Russ has seen every coverage,” Skowronek said. “He’s ran all these concepts before. So he knows progressions like probably the back of his hand.” Besides, Wilson knows he can't just preach about the importance of being unselfish without practicing it a little bit too. That means giving opportunities to those who have worked for it, no matter where they might fall on the depth chart. “I think that the best part about it is that we’re all super close,” Wilson said. “And I think that bond is really everything too, and just the understanding of each guy and the relationships that we have together, it’s fun. We’re having a great time.” It sure looks like it. The Steelers are averaging a healthy 28.7 points since Wilson recovered from a calf injury that forced him to watch the first six games from the sideline. For the first time in a long time, Pittsburgh no longer has to rely exclusively on its defense to get by. While Mike Tomlin will never get comfortable with the idea of getting into a shootout — blame his defensive coaching roots before taking over in Pittsburgh in 2007 — it's nice to know his team can match opponents score for score if necessary. Another one could be looming against the Browns, who piled up more than 500 yards in a loss to Denver on Monday night. If one materializes, Wilson is ready to do whatever is necessary and find whoever is necessary, regardless of pedigree, salary or resume. “We got to love that part of it,” Wilson said. “We can’t fear it. We’ve got to want it. We’ve got to expect it. We’ve got to embrace it. We’ve got to challenge that. We’ve got to be in those moments and be locked into that moment. I think we do an extremely good job of that.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Will Graves, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Giants will try to snap a 7-game losing streak when they host the Saints Dec 5, 2024 3:29 PM Rookie Bucky Irving relishes opportunity to help Buccaneers any way he can against skidding Raiders Dec 5, 2024 3:29 PM The Titans have issues to fix and hope to keep slim playoff hopes alive when they host the Jags Dec 5, 2024 3:20 PM

Cricket Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News. The cricket world was all left saying the same thing as Shane Warne’s kids spread the legend’s message during the Boxing Day Test. Aussie cricket great Darren Lehmann said the Spin King would have had a tear in his eyes watching children Jackson and Brooke conduct themselves on the biggest day of the cricketing year. It was Jackson in particular that caught the eye with commentators struck by how much the 25-year-old sounds like his father. The siblings conducted a number of interviews throughout the Test between Australia and India at the MCG , with the annual contest now largely devoted to the Victorian, who sadly died at the age of 52 in March, 2022, leaving behind his three children — Brooke, Jackson and younger sister Summer. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer . Warne died of a heart attack in Thailand, leading to the creation of a hearth health check through the Shane Warne Legacy, which has been a feature of the past two Boxing Day Tests. Jackson and Brooke, 27, spoke with ABC Grandstand during the opening day and their classy behaviour had plenty of people applauding the pair. “Well done guys, extremely proud,” Lehmann said at the end of the interview. “Warnie would be down there with a tear in his eyes with something like that, with his kids running around. “The legacy you’ve started, the Warne family would be extremely proud, so well done guys.” It was remarkable to note the similarities between Jackson’s commentary and his father’s TV presentation style as a Fox Cricket analyst and during his playing career. Brooke and Jackson Warne take a selfie. Picture: Michael Klein Brooke and Jackson Warne honour their dad Shane Warne on the boundary rope at 3.50pm. Picture: Michael Klein. ABC producer Ben Cameron wrote on X that a listener had texted into the broadcast to praise the siblings. “SMS line said it, ‘I always heard Warnie had good manners, it shows in his children’,” he posted. Other listeners said the same thing. “Jeez Jackson Warne speaks well. His dad would be so proud,” one fan wrote on X. Another posted: “Lovely chat. Warnie would be very proud of his children.” Sport commentator Ralph Horowitz also wrote: “How good Jackson Warne on Channel 7 giving the Shane Warne legacy a plug, but pausing on his points as each delivery is bowled. Natural. “Jackson Warne speaks very well. Seems a genuine young fella. The great man would be very proud.” During the conversation, Jackson was keen to spread the heartbreaking message that they don’t want any other family to receive the sort of call they did when they learned of their famous dad’s passing. Brooke and Jackson Warne honour their dad Shane Warne on the boundary rope at 3.50pm. Picture: Michael Klein “We just want to have as many families (as possible) not get the same phone call we got,” he said. “If we can have a tangible product like these machines that does check for your heart, it means that’ll go down, and we just want to spread as much awareness for heart health possible. “I think we’re doing pretty good.” Brooke was also asked about the family’s resilience in continuing to do their dad proud after such a tragedy in their lives. “We’ve been brought up very well,” she said on the ABC. “We’ve been brought up to be strong and tough and be respectful. “We’re just grateful we have amazing parents and dad’s taught us amazing life lessons and we just take them every day. “We’re going good. We’ve got a good family and partners and friends and we’re very grateful.” Jackson also said the siblings are trying to be strong because that is how they were raised. “You’re exactly right, we saw dad go through so much, negative and positive, and throughout his entire life he’d always come out the other end stronger,” he said. Brooke, Jackson and Summer Warne. Picture: Supplied/Instagram “So for me, Brooke and Summer, and all of his friends speak about him with such joy and happiness. “Obviously it is very sad that he isn’t here, but he was such a strong person that when we talk about him, we have to be strong. “To be able to spread the message of heart health and make sure dad’s memory stays alive, whether it be through cricket or not, is really powerful. “Everybody’s just trying their best and we know we’re doing something right and helping people along the way.” Brooke and Jackson performed the now-traditional Boxing Day hat flip to honour their father. Many fans in the record crowd at the MCG were wearing wide brim hats in a nod to the leg-spin legend who often wore one instead of his baggy green. Brooke and Jackson stood on the MCG field and tipped their caps at 3.50pm as the stadium honoured Warne with a brief ceremony. Warne was Australia’s No. 350 Test cricketer. More Coverage ‘Jealous’ Kohli slammed over key moment Alex Blair and James Dampney ‘Serial pest’ set for huge fine over stupid act James Dampney Originally published as ‘Tear in his eye’: Everyone says same thing about Warne kids Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Sport How Aussie legend created phenom’s ‘fearless’ superpower From ramp shots to revving up the MCG crowd, Sam Konstas is the teenage cricket star making Australians stand up and take notice. Here’s the secret behind Australia’s new ‘fearless’ freak. Read more Cricket India battling in MCG massacre as Kohli’s ‘schoolboy error’ lashed India is massively on the back foot at the MCG - and superstar Virat Kohli is still creating headlines, and copping heat from back home, for his game-changing runout. FOLLOW LIVE INSIDE. Read moreFollowing a three-year ( three months!) wait, another season of Netflix’s has come and gone. And coming out of Season 2, we’ve got lingering questions. Already this season, TVLine has recapped ... the outcome of in Episode 6... and , which teed up Season 3 with a tragic death. in our Performer of the Week column. Now, let’s review the burning questions that we have about Season 2, kicking off with... and he/she was quietly replaced after “Red Light, Green Light”? Or did they gamble that no one would notice a Player 001 was missing from the first game? 4 You had 365 players, which divides into 73 five-person teams. Running two five-minute races run at a time, with maybe 10 minutes for ( ) clean-up between... that equals of sitting, if you were among the last to compete! Speaking of which.... By picking up on hacks and tips and no-nos? Was there a plan to use “blanks” on him, or...? or was he just making his team sweat? Um, had they not found it...? In Season 1 (when Sae-byeok went there to access/crawl through the air ducts), it seemed like it was just off the dormitory. (Then again, Season 1 was ago.) doesn’t it seem like the game masters would have the option to simply flood the dorm with knockout gas? Gi-hun’s good friend Jung-bae being among the players... a son his mother... pregnant Jun-hee her baby daddy... or No-Eul (aka Soldier 011) and the father (Player 246) of the little girl she bonded with at the amusement park? Or were those all on purpose, because the game masters are sick of bastards? var pd_tags = new Array;pd_tags[“14833797-src”]=”poll-oembed-simple”; var pd_tags = new Array;pd_tags[“14830867-src”]=”poll-oembed-simple”; Sign up for . For the latest news, follow us on , , and .

Nearly 13 months after his beloved wife Rosalynn died in November 2023, former President Jimmy Carter passed away at the age of 100, the Carter Center confirmed on Sunday. The former president made a rare public appearance at her memorial service. He sat in a wheelchair with a blanket that had a picture of him and Rosalynn together. He would also make a rare public appearance on October 1 as his hometown celebrated his 100th birthday. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” President Carter said after his wife passed away. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.” The couple was married for 77 years. They met as children, both growing up in Plains, Georgia. Their storied romance started when Jimmy was 17 years old. After their first date, he reportedly told his mom, “She’s the girl I want to marry.” The pair would marry not long after — in 1946. The couple moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where Jimmy was stationed after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy. Like many military families, the Carters moved from city to city. Their three sons were born in three different states: Virginia, Hawaii and Connecticut. Their only daughter was born in their home state of Georgia. Jimmy left the military in 1953 and began a career in politics about 10 years later. RELATED STORY | Former President Jimmy Carter dies at age 100 Rosalynn was reportedly an important member of Jimmy’s campaign team when he ran for governor of Georgia, a race he won in 1970. After serving four years as governor, Jimmy decided to run for president. During the campaign, Rosalynn traveled the country independently, proving to be a strong advocate for her husband’s vision for the country. Jimmy Carter would go on to defeat President Gerald Ford and become the 39th president of the United States. Rosalynn was an active first lady. She attended cabinet meetings and frequently represented her husband at ceremonial events. Rosalynn shared in her husband’s efforts to work to make the U.S. government more “competent and compassionate,” the White House said. After leaving the White House in 1981, the couple returned to Georgia. They would go on to become some of the most notable philanthropists in the world. They founded The Carter Center, which is committed to protecting human rights around the world.

Opinion Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News. “Never read the comments.” It’s advice you often hear being given to prospective newspaper columnists or occasional contributors to the opinion pages about the need to brace themselves for the free-wheeling mosh pit that is unfettered feedback from the general public. It’s a sentiment with which I have never agreed, nor one I have understood. The comments are often the best part of a column. As columnists we should be honoured that people take the time to comment, whether we agree with their feedback or not. The comments are often funny. They’re insightful. They are frequently completely over the top. They can be personally abusive. Bring it on. Bring all of it on. To the readers I say go your hardest; to the writers, toughen up, princesses. Occasionally you read comments which are completely moronic. Comments from people who have totally missed every point you have made, and need to have the column re-read to them by a sentient adult. You also read comments which are based on false information or lies. Covid was a good time for that if you were a columnist writing in support of vaccinations. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman It was a red rag to every wellness weirdo and conspiracy nut out there, and they had a jolly old time of it jumping online saying that people like me had been “got to” by the likes of Anthony Fauci, the WHO cabal, and the faceless millionaire monsters running Big Pharma. When you write about issues involving race or religion, you invite comments which are sometimes demonstrably untrue, based on crap that does the rounds of the internet. You could classify some of those comments as disinformation or misinformation. Here’s where things get interesting – and politically dangerous – for our federal government. The last thing the Albanese government needs, given the way it’s going, is a new political headache. If it is not careful it will end up with one with its misinformation Bill. Like many things this government has done, or tried to do, it has been poorly explained. It seems to be a triumph of good intentions over practical implementation. And it risks impinging on one of our most important freedoms of all, freedom of speech. Now a lot of people would say that Elon Musk is a power-hungry, egotistical whack job who has turned Twitter, as X, into a clearing house for crackpot and extreme content around politics, crypto, vaccinations, lockdowns, with the racy added extra of a significant increase in smut. Some say the blogosphere is dangerous as it has no barriers for entry and no checks or balances meaning any old bit of deluded or dangerous nonsense can find its way into print. I will tell you what is more dangerous than all of the above combined – the federal government Department of Misinformation and Disinformation. A state-owned entity hovering above us all, telling us what we can and cannot say. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk speaks at a campaign rally for US President-elect Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York on October 27. Picture: Angela Weiss/AFP Now, the federal government has said that news organisations are exempt from these proposed new rules. But what is a “news organisation” and what is “news”. Is news an article? Is it a letter to the editor? Is it any one of your comments published online on the bottom of this piece? These are not rhetorical or mischievous questions. They’re the same questions every major news organisation, and the Australian Press Council and the Human Rights Commission have all put in relation to the mystery surrounding Albo’s disinformation Bill. Frankly, I am not even sure what the difference is between mis- and dis-information either. There have clearly been issues where false information spread online has been linked to terrible social outcomes. Indeed much of the impetus for this discussion internationally came from the stabbing in England of young children at a Taylor Swift dance concert earlier this year, where false information was spread like wildfire online wrongly decrying this outrage as an act of Islamic extremism. A cynic might argue that such baseless conclusions become more tempting when the politically-correct British Police has an ignoble history of trying to hush-up or airbrush genuine cases or Islamic terror from public discussion. It was a boy-who-cried-wolf scenario where the extreme right went hard on the basis of past PC silence in the face of uncomfortable truths. Riot police hold back protesters near a burning police vehicle after disorder broke out on July 30, 2024 in Southport, England. Picture: Getty Images/Getty Images Misinformation fighting an absence of honest information. Cans of worms don’t get larger than the one contained in this Albanese government brain bubble. The idea that the job can fall to government to decide what people can and cannot say is anathema in a democracy, end of story. And this isn’t some self-interested piece on my part, as my understanding of the Bill is that while columnists such as me could still write freely, the commentary pieces like this attracts may not. But to end in the joyful world of the comments section. The best argument against what the feds are considering comes from the comments section itself. It is the ultimate self-regulatory environment. If you get an accolade from a piece that’s been generally well-received, dozens of people will hit ‘like’ on that comment. If you get a powerfully-written counterargument from someone telling you you’ve missed the point, or are full of it, dozens of people will ‘like’ that too. But the truly nutty comments, the delusional comments pointing to conspiracies and making laughable claims – barely anyone (if anyone) ‘likes’ them because they are demonstrably stupid and absurd. Far better to let the readers judge for themselves than to go down the Orwellian path of filling some grey building in Canberra’s outer suburbs with an army of thought-police, making sure no-one is speaking impurely against the mandated strictures of the government of the day. More Coverage Labor trying to ‘ram through’ misinformation bill James Morrow Originally published as Governments deciding what we can and can’t say is anathema to democracy. End of story | David Penberthy David Penberthy Columnist David Penberthy is a columnist with The Advertiser and Sunday Mail, and also co-hosts the FIVEaa Breakfast show. He's a former editor of the Daily Telegraph, Sunday Mail and news.com.au. @penbo David Penberthy Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Opinion Why trans U-turn is a ray of hope in woke US If the Democrats do their walk of shame, learn their lesson and start to listen to ordinary people instead of lecturing them, then people like AOC might just be AOK, writes Joe Hildebrand. Read more Opinion This is every parents’ worst nightmare but we have to let them go While many Aussie parents are freaking out about their teenagers’ first coming of age trip, we can’t wrap them in cotton wool for life, writes Julie Cross. Read moreSPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Dez White's 26 points helped Missouri State defeat UCSB 68-56 on Sunday. White shot 6 for 11 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 11 of 12 from the free-throw line for the Bears (7-5). Vincent Brady II scored 13 points while going 4 of 8 and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line and added seven rebounds. Michael Osei-Bonsu finished 5 of 8 from the floor to finish with 10 points. Kenny Pohto led the way for the Gauchos (7-5) with 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Cole Anderson added 11 points for UCSB. Deuce Turner finished with seven points. Missouri State took the lead with 6:05 left in the first half and did not give it up. The score was 31-25 at halftime, with White racking up 17 points. Missouri State pulled away with an 8-0 run in the second half to extend a four-point lead to 12 points. They outscored UCSB by six points in the final half, as White led the way with a team-high nine second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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