As we enter into Christmas week, the holiday season is peaking. And as many gather with family and friends around the Christmas tree, it shouldn’t be forgotten that it truly is a joyous holiday season. Because this time of year is of special importance to many peoples and faiths. From the day the baby Jesus arrived in his unique incarnation as God-made-man, to the menorah that miraculously burned for eight days in the ruined Temple of Jerusalem, to the celebration of family, community and culture that is Kwanzaa. And during occasions that are often diminished by commercialization, it is time to stress the simple joys of the season; the common thread running through December holidays is a focus on togetherness with loved ones and celebrating the joys of life. Because in times often clouded by uncertainty and fear of what might loom ahead, these few weeks in December offer opportunities to appreciate the truly valuable elements in life. Things not found in our paychecks, stock portfolios and television sets, or even under our decorated trees, but in our relationships with each other and in our capacity to love and cherish love. That could be the love of our families, our neighbors, or love expressed through stretching out a helping hand to those less fortunate and reconciling with those whom we have wronged or have wronged us during the year. It is a time to put our petty cares aside and embrace all that is joyous in our lives. And while it may seem an overly romanticized notion of the holidays in a world pocked with injustice, inhumanity and bloodshed, those small acts of kindness that the power of the season, and the true meaning behind it, can bring out in us shouldn’t be left unacted upon. All of the world’s wickedness can be outdone only by the good. While it is especially easy, these days, to ruminate on all that is bad in the world, do take the time to remember and reflect on the fact that there is plenty of good in the world, too. Plenty of good that each and every one of us can do for each other today and tomorrow. So as you gather between now and the new year, remember not your material wants but the reasons we gather in the warmth of our homes and share these times with those we care about most — not for the gifts off our wish lists, but for the love of each other and the gifts that life brings. Merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah and happy holidays to all. A version of this editorial was first published by the short-lived Long Beach Register in 2013NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points. Judge had discussed the MVP award with Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper, the NL winner in 2015 and ’21. “I was telling him, `Man, I’m going to try to catch up to you with these MVPs here, man,’” Judge recalled. “He’d say, hopefully, he could stay a couple ahead of me, which I think he’ll do.” Ohtani was unanimously voted the AL MVP in 2021 and 2023 as a two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels and finished second to Judge in 2022 voting . He didn’t pitch in 2024 following elbow surgery and signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December. He was the first player to twice become an unanimous MVP. He combined with Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2023 for the first year both MVPs were unanimous. Ohtani hit .310, stole 59 bases and led the NL with 54 homers and 130 RBIs exclusively as a designated hitter, becoming the first player with 50 or more homers and 50 or more stolen bases in a season. He helped the Dodgers to the World Series title , playing the final three games with a torn labrum in his left shoulder . Ohtani became the first primary DH to win an MVP. He joined Frank Robinson for Cincinnati in 1961 and Baltimore in 1966 as the only players to win the MVP award in both leagues. Ohtani is the 12th player with three or more MVPs, joining Barry Bonds (seven) and Jimmie Foxx, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout (three each). Balloting was conducted before the postseason. Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Witt topped the big leagues with a .332 average, hitting 32 homers with 31 stolen bases and 109 RBIs. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs. When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. When Judge won his first MVP award in 2022, he received 28 first-place votes while Ohtani got the other two. He is the Yankees' 22nd MVP winner, four more than any other team. Judge was hitting .207 with six homers and 18 RBIs through April, then batted .352 with 52 homers and 126 RBIs in 127 games. “March and April were not my friend this year.” Judge said. “Just keep putting in the work and things are going to change. You can’t mope. You can’t feel sorry for yourself. Especially in New York, nobody’s going to feel sorry for you. So you just got to go out there and put up the numbers?” Balloting was conducted before the postseason. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLBBBC Strictly Come Dancing fans issue same complaint minutes into quarter-final and demand 'justice'
If you have $1,500 to invest in the share market and want exposure to , then it could be worth checking out the two ASX shares in this article. That's because they come highly rated by analysts at Morgans and could generate big returns over the next 12 months. Here's what the broker is saying about them: ( ) While Morgans notes that this ASX oil share has disappointed the market in 2024, it believes that its shares are "trading at deep value levels." As a result, the broker sees it as a good option for investors wanting exposure to this side of the market. It said: New management has had three attempts in 2024 of 'clearing the decks' and resetting a baseline for market expectations. But the numerous downgrades, combined with consistent optimistic messaging, has gradually eroded investor confidence in BPT's ability to execute on its plans and its valuation re-rate as a result. Similar to the market's apparent concerns, we also hold some reservations over short-term execution risks but do view BPT as trading at deep value levels. Investment view: We maintain an ADD rating but continue to caution that patience may be required. Morgans has an add rating and $1.75 price target on Beach Energy's shares. This implies potential upside of 27% for investors from current levels. ( ) Another ASX oil share that could be a no-brainer buy with $1,500 is energy giant Woodside. The broker thinks that the market is undervaluing the company's shares and believes that attractive long-term value is on offer here. It explains: The tide is certainly out in terms of investor sentiment on WDS. Despite Brent oil trading in line with our long-term forecast, WDS' share price implies a near cycle-low oil price level. We do not see this as capable of being explained by WDS' growth profile (comfortably funded) or risks around non-core assets such as Browse. While the share price performance has been disappointing, supported by a strong balance sheet and high margins, we see WDS investors as capable of being patient. Investment view: We maintain an ADD recommendation believing WDS offers attractive long-term value. Morgans currently has an add rating and $33.00 price target on Woodside's shares. This implies potential upside of 37% for investors over the next 12 months. It also expects a very generous ~6% from its shares in FY 2025.
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