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NoneFormer NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt might find a landing spot with an American League playoff team for 2025. Goldschmidt is drawing interest from the Detroit Tigers , according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. The interest still appears to be preliminary at this stage, and no deal seems to be close. The Tigers are showing interest in free agent 1B Paul Goldschmidt, sources say. Goldschmidt, 37, is two years removed from winning the NL MVP. He hit 22 HR with a .716 OPS this year while playing in 154 games with the Cardinals. @MLBNetwork — Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 9, 2024 Goldschmidt remains a vaunted power hitter, though his numbers have started to decline from his peak. He was limited to a .245 batting average and 22 home runs last season with the St. Louis Cardinals , and his .716 OPS was the worst single-season mark of his career. Given his age, that is a somewhat worrying drop, and one the Tigers would have to be wary of. On the other hand, Goldschmidt has been an above-average contributor for his entire career, and the Tigers certainly need right-handed power in their lineup. That is why they have also been linked to one of Goldschmidt’s former teammates . Goldschmidt’s value is likely down after a rough 2024, which might make it easier for the Tigers to land him on a short-term deal. This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.
Representative image (Picture credit: Reuters) The United States is accelerating its effort to find and secure the release of Austin Tice , an American journalist abducted in Syria 12 years ago. Roger Carstens , the US special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, travelled to Beirut as part of the ongoing mission to gather information on Tice’s whereabouts. State Department officials confirmed that these efforts have intensified following the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's government. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasised the importance of this operation, stating, “We are ready to engage with any organisation that might have information about the whereabouts of Austin Tice.” He reiterated the US government's commitment, noting, “We will not rest until he is returned home safely to his loved ones.” Tice, a freelance photojournalist working for outlets such as The Washington Post and CBS, was detained at a checkpoint near Damascus on August 14, 2012. In a video released weeks later, he appeared blindfolded and surrounded by armed men, but the identity of his captors has remained unknown. Syria has consistently denied holding him. Biden administration pledges action President Joe Biden underscored the urgency of the mission, saying on Sunday, “The US government believes Austin Tice is alive. We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence of that yet.” Biden also called for anyone with credible information to assist in the effort. Austin Tice’s parents, Marc and Debra Tice, remain hopeful. In a recent statement, they shared, “Austin Tice is alive, in Syria, and it’s time for him to come home. We are eagerly anticipating seeing Austin walk free and are asking anyone who can assist to please do so”, reported the news agency Reuters. Years of frustration and hope Efforts to secure Tice’s release have been fraught with difficulty. According to Reuters, US intelligence received over the summer from a Lebanese source suggested that Tice was alive and possibly held by a group linked to Hezbollah . However, determining the accuracy of such reports has been challenging. Carstens’ visit to Lebanon aims to renew hope, as secretary of state Antony Blinken noted during a recent event, “With every party we engage, we’ll continue to seek information about Austin Tice so that we can find him and bring him home to his family and loved ones.” A $1 million FBI reward for information leading to Tice’s safe return remains active, further reflecting the US government’s commitment to resolving the case.
However, some state workers failed to return to their jobs and a United Nations official said the country’s public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt”. Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighbouring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Mr Assad’s brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant, who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the UN official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali for the first time. Mr Jalali stayed in Syria when Mr Assad fled and has sought to project normalcy since. “We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said that judges were ready to resume work quickly. “We want to give everyone their rights,” Mr Haddad said outside the courthouse. “We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.” But a UN official said some government services had been paralysed as worried state employees stayed at home. The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt,” said Adam Abdelmoula, UN resident and humanitarian co-ordinator for Syria, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. “This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonised by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” Mr Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. “I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.” In a video shared on a rebel messaging channel, Mr al-Sharaa said: “You will see there are skills” among the rebels. The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Mr Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Mr Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Mr Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets.
By HILLEL ITALIE NEW YORK (AP) — Even through a year of nonstop news about elections, climate change, protests and the price of eggs, there was still time to read books. U.S. sales held steady according to Circana, which tracks around 85% of the print market, with many choosing the relief of romance, fantasy and romantasy. Some picked up Taylor Swift’s tie-in book to her blockbuster tour, while others sought out literary fiction, celebrity memoirs, political exposes and a close and painful look at a generation hooked on smartphones. Here are 10 notable books published in 2024, in no particular order. “House of Flame and Shadow,” by Sarah J. Maas Asking about the year’s hottest reads would basically yield a list of the biggest hits in romantasy, the blend of fantasy and romance that has proved so irresistible fans were snapping up expensive “special editions” with decorative covers and sprayed edges. Of the 25 top sellers of 2024, as compiled by Circana, six were by romantasy favorite Sarah J. Maas, including “House of Flame and Shadow,” the third of her “Crescent City” series. Millions read her latest installment about Bryce Quinlan and Hunter Athalar and traced the ever-growing ties of “Maasverse,” the overlapping worlds of “Crescent City” and her other series, “Throne of Glass” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses.” “The Anxious Generation,” by Jonathan Haidt If romantasy is for escape, other books demand we confront. In the bestselling “The Anxious Generation,” social psychologist Jonathan Haidt looks into studies finding that the mental health of young people began to deteriorate in the 2010s, after decades of progress. According to Haidt, the main culprit is right before us: digital screens that have drawn kids away from “play-based” to “phone-based” childhoods. Although some critics challenged his findings, “The Anxious Generation” became a talking point and a catchphrase. Admirers ranged from Oprah Winfrey to Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee, who in a letter to state legislators advocated such “commonsense recommendations” from the book as banning phones in schools and keeping kids off social media until age 16. “War,” by Bob Woodward Bob Woodward books have been an election tradition for decades. “War,” the latest of his highly sourced Washington insider accounts, made news with its allegations that Donald Trump had been in frequent contact with Russian leader Vladimir Putin even while out of office and, while president, had sent Putin sophisticated COVID-19 test machines. Among Woodward’s other scoops: Putin seriously considered using nuclear weapons against Ukraine, and President Joe Biden blamed former President Barack Obama, under whom he served as vice president, for some of the problems with Russia. “Barack never took Putin seriously,” Woodward quoted Biden as saying. “Melania,” by Melania Trump Former (and future) first lady Melania Trump, who gives few interviews and rarely discusses her private life, unexpectedly announced she was publishing a memoir: “Melania.” The publisher was unlikely for a former first lady — not one of the major New York houses, but Skyhorse, where authors include such controversial public figures as Woody Allen and Trump cabinet nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And its success was at least a minor surprise. Melania Trump did little publicity for the book, and offered few revelations beyond posting a video expressing support for abortion rights — a break from one of the cornerstones of GOP policy. But “Melania” still sold hundreds of thousands of copies, many in the days following her husband’s election. “The Eras Tour Book,” by Taylor Swift Taylor Swift was more than a music story in 2024. Like “Melania,” the news about Taylor Swift’s self-published tie-in to her global tour isn’t so much the book itself, but that it exists. And how well it sold. As she did with the “Eras” concert film, Swift bypassed the established industry and worked directly with a distributor: Target offered “The Eras Tour Book” exclusively. According to Circana, the “Eras” book sold more than 800,000 copies just in its opening week, an astonishing number for a publication unavailable through Amazon.com and other traditional retailers. No new book in 2024 had a better debut. “Intermezzo,” by Sally Rooney Midnight book parties are supposed to be for “Harry Potter” and other fantasy series, but this fall, more than 100 stores stayed open late to welcome one of the year’s literary events: Sally Rooney’s “Intermezzo.” The Irish author’s fourth novel centers on two brothers, their grief over the death of their father, their very different career paths and their very unsettled love lives. “Intermezzo” was also a book about chess: “You have to read a lot of opening theory — that’s the beginning of a game, the first moves,” one of the brothers explains. “And you’re learning all this for what? Just to get an okay position in the middle game and try to play some decent chess. Which most of the time I can’t do anyway.” “From Here to the Great Unknown,” by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough Lisa Marie Presley had been working on a memoir at the time of her death , in 2023, and daughter Riley Keough had agreed to help her complete it. “From Here to the Great Unknown” is Lisa Marie’s account of her father, Elvis Presley, and the sagas of of her adult life, notably her marriage to Michael Jackson and the death of son Benjamin Keough. To the end, she was haunted by the loss of Elvis, just 42 when he collapsed and died at his Graceland home while young Lisa Marie was asleep. “She would listen to his music alone, if she was drunk, and cry,” Keough, during an interview with Winfrey, said of her mother. “Cher: The Memoir, Part One,” by Cher Meanwhile, Cher released the first of two planned memoirs titled “Cher” — no further introduction required. Covering her life from birth to the end of the 1970s, she focuses on her ill-fated marriage to Sonny Bono, remembering him as a gifted entertainer and businessman who helped her believe in herself while turning out to be unfaithful, erratic, controlling and so greedy that he kept all the couple’s earnings for himself. Unsure of whether to leave or stay, she consulted a very famous divorcee, Lucille Ball, who reportedly encouraged her: “F— him, you’re the one with the talent.” “James,” by Percival Everett A trend in recent years is to take famous novels from the past, and remove words or passages that might offend modern readers; an edition of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” cuts the racist language from Mark Twain’s original text. In the most celebrated literary work of 2024, Percival Everett found a different way to take on Twain’s classic — write it from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. “James,” winner of the National Book Award, is a recasting in many ways. Everett suggests to us that the real Jim was nothing like the deferential figure known to millions of readers, but a savvy and learned man who concealed his intelligence from the whites around him, and even from Twain himself. “Knife,” by Salman Rushdie Salman Rushdie’s first National Book Award nomination was for a memoir he wished he had no reason to write. In “Knife,” he recounts in full detail the horrifying attempt on his life in 2022, when an attendee rushed the stage during a literary event in western New York and stabbed him repeatedly, leaving with him a blinded eye and lasting nerve damage, but with a spirit surprisingly intact. “If you had told me that this was going to happen and how would I deal with it, I would not have been very optimistic about my chances,” he told The Associated Press last spring. “I’m still myself, you know, and I don’t feel other than myself. But there’s a little iron in the soul, I think.”This is what each member of the Trump family will or won't do in the White House. During his second term, a few members of the Trump family will act as unofficial White House advisors. Ivanka Trump , who was a senior advisor during Trump's first term, has decided not to return to politics. Unless she is appointed to the Senate by Governor Ron DeSantis, Lara Trump will remain the co-chair of the RNC, as quoted in a report by Insider. Family members of President-elect Donald Trump will continue to play a significant role in his political campaign even though they may not have as many official White House positions as they did during his first term. Lara Trump is the most seasoned leader, serving as cochair of the RNC, with Melania Trump returning as first lady. Senate seat for Marco Rubio in the event that he is confirmed as secretary of state. Barron Trump , Donald Trump's youngest son, has also started getting involved in politics and giving his father advice on how to win over younger voters. Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump, two other members of the Trump family, will not be in the spotlight. Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Future of Marketing & Branding Masterclass By - Dr. David Aaker, Professor Emeritus at the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley, Author | Speaker | Thought Leader | Branding Consultant View Program Data Science MySQL for Beginners: Learn Data Science and Analytics Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Web Development Advanced Java Mastery: Object-Oriented Programming Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Web Development Advanced C++ Mastery: OOPs and Template Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Marketing & Sales Strategies for Startups: From Concept to Conversion By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Finance Tally Prime & GST Accounting: Complete Guide By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Web Development Master RESTful APIs with Python and Django REST Framework: Web API Development By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Strategy ESG and Business Sustainability Strategy By - Vipul Arora, Partner, ESG & Climate Solutions at Sattva Consulting Author I Speaker I Thought Leader View Program Finance AI and Generative AI for Finance By - Hariom Tatsat, Vice President- Quantitative Analytics at Barclays View Program Web Development Intermediate C++ Skills: Master Pointers, Structures and File Stream By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Leadership From Idea to Product: A Startup Development Guide By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Leadership Boosting Startup Revenue with 6 AI-Powered Sales Automation Techniques By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Leadership Validating Your Startup Idea: Steps to Ensure Market Fit By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Web Development Java 21 Essentials for Beginners: Build Strong Programming Foundations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Melania Trump carried out her responsibilities as first lady during Donald Trump's first term, including organising state dinners, advocating for children's welfare through her Be Best campaign, and decorating the White House for Christmas. Nevertheless, she was also known to defy the role's expectations and break White House tradition. Melania Trump made infrequent appearances with her husband during the 2024 campaign and declined Jill Biden's invitation to meet at the White House after the election. She is unlikely to live at the White House full-time. Donald Trump Jr. will work for a venture capital firm called 1789 Capital, cofounded by former Bank of America executive Omeed Malik. The firm focuses on "EIG," or entrepreneurship, innovation, and growth, and Trump Jr. will join as a partner. Trump Jr.'s fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle, does not have an official role in the future Trump administration but will likely continue her speaking engagements, media appearances, and hosting duties on The Kimberly Guilfoyle Show on Rumble. Jared Kushner will likely continue leading the Trump Organization, overseeing the Trump family's luxury real estate portfolio. Lara Trump, Trump's wife, will continue her tenure as co-chair of the Republican National Committee unless Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints her to the Senate. Tiffany Trump, a Georgetown Law School graduate, has only made occasional public appearances with her father and is expected to remain distanced from politics. Barron Trump could continue serving as Donald Trump's unofficial Gen Z advisor. FAQs: Will Ivanka Trump become involved in the White House? No, Ivanka has chosen to prioritise her family and private life, avoiding politics entirely. What role will Lara Trump play in Donald Trump's administration? Lara Trump will remain RNC co-chair unless Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appoints her to replace Marco Rubio in the Senate. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Syracuse, Albany each hoping to get right at expense of the otherArtificial Intelligence (AI) in Education Market to grow by USD 2.32 Billion (2024-2028), driven by demand for AI-based customized learning, report highlights AI trends - Technavio
There’s still time to “rock around the Christmas tree” with frazzled main character Mary for one final weekend of shows for “The Twelve Dates of Christmas” at Chicago Street Theatre. Scene after scene of funny frenzy shares the good, the bad and the ugly of Mary’s dozen courtships throughout a year that culminates at the holidays. From doctors, chefs, bartenders, ex-convicts and dudes with fanny packs, Mary’s quest for true love is never a dull moment in this silly romp stage stocking stuffer. The remaining shows are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $22 or a $20 option for seniors 62 and older, students under age 21, and military. Located at 154 W. Chicago St. in Valparaiso, box office contact is 219-464-1636 or www.chicagostreet.org. Acrobatic antics Cirque Dreams Holidaze returns once again to the Four Winds Casino and Hotel Silver Creek Event Center to dazzle with a brilliant and whimsical family holiday spectacular. As the longest-running cirque holiday theatrical event, this annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts. As the lights dim and the music swells, audiences are artistically transported to a holiday storybook with fantasy fun characters brought to life. Imaginative and entertaining for everyone from children to seniors, Cirque Dreams Holidaze features a world-renowned cast of performers accompanied by an ensemble of aerial circus acts, sleight-of-hand jugglers, fun-loving skippers, breath-catching acrobatics, and much more. An original music score includes new twists on seasonal favorites such as “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Carol of the Bells” performed by singers, dancers, costumed penguins, toy soldiers and reindeer. Performances are at 7 p.m. CST Dec. 14 and 5 p.m. Dec. 15 on stage at Four Winds Silver Creek Event Center, 11111 Wilson Road, New Buffalo, Michigan. Tickets start at $25 at 866-494-6371 or fourwindscasino.com. Artist celebration Join in a toasting celebration of the Annual Members’ Exhibit, open now and continuing through Jan. 11 at Chesterton Art Center, 115th South 4th Street in Chesterton. The Artists’ Reception is from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 and free and open to the public. The annual exhibition highlights the diverse and exceptional talents of Chesterton Art Center’s members who represent a vibrant and growing creative community in the region. These participating local artists are key to CAC’s mission of fostering artistic expression and supporting regional talent. The exhibition features hundreds of artworks in a wide array of media, including painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, glass, wood, ceramics and more. Many pieces are available for purchase at a variety of price points for special gift opportunities. To learn more as well as information about art classes and other opportunities and membership options visit www.chestertonart.org or call (219) 926-4711. Santa breakfast and show The Women’s Association of Northwest Indiana is hosting its fourth annual Breakfast with Santa in the East Ballroom of The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster. A complete multi-course kid-friendly breakfast menu is served at 9:30 a.m. along with the opportunity for free photo opportunities with Santa in his sleigh. There are also 22 themed Christmas trees on display in the lobby atrium and raffle baskets, all of it to raise money for the Symphony Orchestra of Northwest Indiana. The $30 adult price and $25 per child price also includes admission to see the 11 a.m. special performance of “Dickens for Kids A Christmas Carol” across the lobby on the Theatre at the Center stage. Reservations required by calling 219-836-1930 Ext. 2 or call 219-836-0525. Kingly Christmas Jimmy Holmes is an award-winning world champion Elvis tribute artist from Demotte and he’s welcoming the holidays with an Elvis-themed Christmas concert in Hobart. He has traveled across the country and abroad showcasing his authentic tribute to the King of Rock. The complete entertainer, Holmes considers it an honor and a dream come true to be able to travel the world paying tribute to the greatest entertainer of all time, but loves to spend the holidays close to home. Concert is at 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at Art Theater, 230 Main St. in Hobart. Tickets start at $29 by calling (219) 942-1670 or brickartlive.com. Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at Philip.M.Potempa@powershealth.org.
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