2024: A year of partnership and progress In 2025, we hope Pakistan will unlock additional US investment by making bold progress on economic reform A State Department contractor adjusts a Pakistan national flag before a meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Pakistan's Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on the sidelines of the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism at the State Department in Washington February 19, 2015.— Reuters THE 2024 has been a consequential year for the US-Pakistan relationship, marked by partnership and progress toward a more prosperous future for both countries. It’s not hyperbole – the numbers speak for themselves. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); Together the United States and Pakistan are creating jobs, increasing trade and investment, and growing Pakistan’s economy. The United States remains Pakistan’s largest trade partner, with exports expanding by an average of 11% annually and reaching more than $5 billion in 2023. Total bilateral trade topped $6.3 billion in just the first ten months of 2024, with textiles accounting for more than half of total exports, and the IT sector exports to the United States hitting $1 billion for the first time. In 2025, the resumption of US soy exports to Pakistan will further boost trade, lower food costs and enhance Pakistan’s food security. US companies are deeply invested in Pakistan. In 2024, more than 80 US companies directly employed 120,000 Pakistanis and indirectly supported the livelihoods of more than a million more. Unlike some international partners, US companies offer high paying jobs, advanced training, bring the best of American technology and innovation, and give back to local communities. For example, PepsiCo invested almost $1.5 billion in Pakistan over five years, localizing its manufacturing and agriculture supply chains while introducing US technology and processes. The United States has also promoted high quality investment in Pakistan, particularly in innovative start-ups. Through a $16.8 million USAID-funded investment promotion initiative, we’ve improved the investment climate, boosted bilateral trade by $40 million, locked in $14 million in foreign direct investment deals for Pakistani companies and have more than $80 million more in the investment pipeline. In 2025, we hope Pakistan will unlock additional US investment by making bold progress on economic reform. By reducing risk and providing greater certainty to investors, Pakistan can further increase exports and create even more high paying jobs for the Pakistani people. Through strategic investments in energy, water, agriculture, and infrastructure, our countries are building for the future. US-funded upgrades at the Mangla, Tarbela and other dams have improved electricity access, reliability, and affordability. Increased capacity from US funded upgrades to Mangla alone provides power for an additional two million people and extends the life of the plant for another 40 years. US investments in smart infrastructure have mitigated floods, restored groundwater, and provided year-round access to clean water for communities, farmers, crops and livestock. In 2024, the United States partnered with organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, Coca Cola Foundation, and the Green Climate Fund to leverage $77.8 million for projects that reduce flood and drought risks across the Indus River Basin. This year, Pakistani farmers – the backbone of the country’s economy – also benefited greatly from US partnership. A new $24 million Climate Smart Agriculture project provided farmers with improved seeds; modern planting techniques; irrigation, monitoring and harvesting technology; and market access; boosting yields and incomes. Our agricultural partnerships have increased sales by more than $1.47 billion and created more than 100,000 new jobs. Expanding access to quality healthcare has also been a priority. This year, the United States partnered with Pakistan to combat polio and TB, and strengthened Pakistan’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks like mpox. Together, we’ve prevented the spread of disease and improved health outcomes by increasing access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation through large infrastructure projects in places like Jacobabad and Peshawar. Since 2022, the United States provided $100 million in lifesaving assistance to 300,000 women and children impacted by acute malnutrition, including more than 486 metric tons of food, and training for 779,000 front-line healthcare workers. Pakistan’s young people are innovative, enterprising, and inspiring. To empower them to reach their full potential, the United States worked with Pakistan to expand access to high-quality basic education, create new models for school administration, and help more children learn to read. In 2024, the United States and Pakistan completed the Sindh Basic Education Program, a ten-year, $159 million initiative that built 106 schools and provides quality education to more than 80,000 children. Teacher training, research, and new materials promoted literacy and learning. Higher education partnerships fostered joint research and improved academic standards. We also celebrated the 20th year of the Access English Scholarship Program, equipping nearly 30,000 underserved Pakistani youth with critical English and leadership skills. In 2025, we’ll continue to invest in Pakistan’s future through education, English, and exchange programs. Taken together, these collective achievements demonstrate the strength of our partnership, and our deep and abiding commitment to Pakistan and its people. The United States is invested in Pakistan. Together, we are building the future. The author is spokesperson of US Embassy, Islamabad.10 years ago, LeGarrette Blount quit on the Steelers — and then won a Super Bowl with New Englandgba777 com 。

Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat sent to restaurants nationwide. Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli, which can cause life-threatening infections. No illnesses have been reported outside of Minnesota. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.”Coleen Rooney's close friend has hinted she's the true winner – for one reason. The Liverpudlian star has become a firm favourite amongst ITV I'm A Celebrity fans. Coleen, 38, goes up against Reverend Richard Coles and McFly's Danny Jones in tonight's grand final. Over the past three weeks, she's been put through her paces with her fair share of Bushtucker Trials, as well as a capsized boat while entering the Australian jungle. But those close to the businesswoman have insisted that viewers are seeing the real Coleen on screen. Many had taken to social media to share their preconceptions about Coleen, who found fame while dating now-husband, Wayne Rooney . In recent years, she's proven she's more than just a WAG and has built a name for herself. Speaking on behalf of Applied Nutrition, who Coleen is a brand ambassador for , her close friend Danielle Gibson said: "She is exactly who she's showing herself to be in the jungle. She is strong, independent and I can really see how the other campmates are gravitating towards her. "Keep going, you are my Queen of the Jungle for sure, I'm so proud of you. Everyone is rooting for you. She's got to win, I just feel like if we can all get behind her for one last push, I really do believe we can make her Queen of the Jungle." This is a sentiment echoed by Coleen's mum, Colette, who spoke exclusively to the Mirror in Australia. Speaking about reuniting with the Claire House ambassador during Friday's episode, Colette said: "As I held her, one of the things she said to me was 'Mum, have I been boring?' It broke my heart hearing that but I said, 'No, you've been yourself and that's all that matters.'" "She is obviously thinking about what people are thinking, but she needn’t worry," she says. "If she went in shouting and being loud, that wouldn't be her. We've seen the true Coleen." In a rare interview, Colette said that her daughter’s jungle experience has been just the tonic needed after a tough two years centered around her High Court battle. But watching her daughter on screen, she firmly believes that the show has helped get her zest for life back. Absolutely, the show's helped it come back, and also her confidence, because she was really lacking in it," Colette says. Asked what it was like as a mum seeing her daughter struggle during this time, she said: “Horrendous, because at one time during the trial, we lost Coleen. Coleen wasn't Coleen. She couldn't be herself. We didn't know before the trial what was going on because she didn't tell us. We noticed a difference in her behaviour, in her attitude, she even distanced herself. "So when it all came out, it was a relief for us, really, because then we knew what was going on. But now we've got her back fully." During her stint, fans have praised Coleen's glowing skin and it appears it's all down to her Applied Nutrition collagen. A show insider said: "She’s always looked after herself, and this is just part of her routine. She absolutely swears by collagen and it was non negotiable. It’s one of her secret weapons for staying healthy. Most people would be sneaking in bars of chocolate, but she's packed plenty of collagen sachets to keep up with her daily regime!" Ahead of tonight's final, Everton legend Wayne recorded a moving video for his wife alongside his sons Kai, 15, and Kit, 8, and urged fans to vote for her to be crowned Queen of the Jungle. He said: "Hi Col, we just want to wish you all the best in the final tonight, we've all been so proud of you. You've shown everyone who you really are and your character. No matter what you'll be our queen, no matter what happens we're all really excited to see you. All the best, we love you." Meanwhile, son Kai said down the camera: "Hi mum, excited to watch tonight. You've shown everyone who you really are and you've done us all proud and we all love you so much." Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

The protest of Majlis-e-Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM) continued for the 5th consecutive day in the city on Saturday, with central sit-in at Numaish Chowrangi which was attended by several religious, political and social leaders. Sit-in protests hugely affected the flow of traffic on main arteries including Kala Chhapra - Sharea Faisal, M.A. Jinnah Road, Malir Kala Board, Sohrab Goth, Al Asif Square and Abbas Town as well as the link roads across the city. All vehicular traffic to the upcountry came to a halt due to protests and traffic jams. Traffic police were not seen controlling or diverting the traffic to alternate routes. Among notable figures were former Governor of Sindh Imran Ismail, PTI leader Mehmood Maulvi and MQM Pakistan leaders. Lawyers, human rights activists and social figures also joined the protest to express their solidarity. Addressing the sit-in, MWM central leader Allama Hassan Zafar Naqvi responded to the statement of the Mayor of Karachi regarding the sit-ins. He said that Murtaza Wahab had become the mayor on a fake mandate, and is now speaking the language of the establishment. He (Wahab) has not spoken on the closure of the roads of Parachinar for 80 days. It is pity that 130 innocent children died due to the closure of the road in Parachinar, but Murtaza Wahab remained silent. Criticising Wahab further, the MWM leader said that the authorities are more worried about roads than the sit-ins, so the mayor should better do what is he is supposed to do rather than adding injury to the wounds of the victims. He added that Karachi has always been the centre of protest politics. He demanded of Pakistan Peoples Party leadership take notice of Murtaza Wahab's anti-people statements. Addressing the participants of the sit-in, MQM leader Shabbir Qaimkhani said, "We are against oppression. As a party, we have been raising our voice against terrorism for the past 40 years. We condemn the incidents of terrorism in Parachinar." He urged that the roads to Parachinar should be opened immediately. We will raise an effective voice in the provincial assembly against this atrocity in Kurram Agency. Former Governor Sindh Imran Ismail said that the terrorist incident in Parachinar is not the first. Pilgrims were targeted by terrorists in Quetta and Balochistan earlier. "We do not accept those who spread sectarianism. All units in the country should express solidarity with the people of Parachinar," he stressed. Addressing the sit-in, Mehmood Maulvi said that he has heartfelt sympathy for the families of the martyrs and injured in Parachinar. "We stand with the people of Parachinar in this hour of difficulty," he said, adding that the current situation reflects the incompetence of the federal and provincial governments, who have not been able to open the roads there. The sit-in was attended by MQM's Coordination Committee Member Masood Mehmood, MNA Abdul Hafeez, MPA Najam Mirza, MPA Amir Siddiqui, Allama Manzar-ul-Haq Thanvi, Allama Baqir Hussain Zaidi, Allama Nisar Ahmed Qalandari, Maulana Muhammad Hassan Raisi, Shamsul Hassan Shamsi, Ishaq Quraiti, Malik Ghulam Abbas, Hassan Sagheer Abidi and others. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see ourHow Soros protege went from Hilary Clinton donor to Trump’s Treasury secretary pickNone

BALTIMORE (AP) — Nendah Tarke's 24 points helped Towson defeat Morgan State 64-60 on Sunday night. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * BALTIMORE (AP) — Nendah Tarke's 24 points helped Towson defeat Morgan State 64-60 on Sunday night. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? BALTIMORE (AP) — Nendah Tarke’s 24 points helped Towson defeat Morgan State 64-60 on Sunday night. Tarke added seven rebounds for the Tigers (4-2). Tomiwa Sulaiman scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds. Christian May scored nine. The Bears (3-5) were led in scoring by Wynston Tabbs with 19 points. Kameron Hobbs had 13 points and Ahmarie Simpkins finished with nine points, three steals and two blocks. Towson went into halftime leading Morgan State 35-26. Tarke scored 14 points in the half. Towson used a 7-0 run in the second half to build an 11-point lead at 58-47 with 5:51 left in the half before finishing off the win. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement

Algorized has been named to Fast Company's 2024 Next Big Things in Tech list for its AI-powered people-sensing platform, marking its second nomination in two years. BERKELEY, Calif., Nov. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Algorized , an AI-powered platform pioneering advanced people-sensing and positioning software platform, today announced that it has been named to Fast Company 's fourth annual Next Big Things in Tech list, honoring emerging technology that has a profound impact for industries-from education and sustainability to robotics and artificial intelligence. This year, 138 technologies developed by established companies, startups, or research teams are featured for their potential to revolutionize the lives of consumers, businesses, and society overall. While not all technologies are available in the market yet, each is reaching key milestones to have a proven impact in the next five years. This is Algorized's second nomination, following last year's recognition in the Fast Company 's World Changing Ideas awards. "It's an honor to have Algorized's innovations recognized by Fast Company ,” said Natalya Lopareva, CEO of Algorized. "This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We are developing an AI platform, built on sensor fusion and multi-sensor modalities, that can be seamlessly integrated with existing ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless sensor infrastructure. We're excited to see our technology making such a profound impact on safety, efficiency, and human-machine interaction, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.” "The Next Big Things in Tech provides a fascinating glimpse at near- and long-term technological breakthroughs across a variety of sectors,” says Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company . "Spanning everything from semiconductors to agricultural gene editing, the companies featured in this year's list are tackling some of the world's most pressing and vexing problems.” CEO Natalya Lopareva led the evolution of the company from research at the University of Zurich (ZHAW), where a team spent months analyzing buildings, environments, and how children and adults breathe and move. The company has now formed strategic partnerships with chip manufacturers and conducted pilot programs in the automotive and industrial automation sectors. Click here to see the final list. About Fast Company Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. The editor-in-chief is Brendan Vaughan. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication, Inc., and can be found online at fastcompany.com. About Algorized Founded on extensive academic research, Algorized enables groundbreaking sensing and positioning applications through a software-only upgrade to existing commodity sensors. The platform leverages proprietary machine learning algorithms to access a wealth of data, facilitating real-time positioning and vital sign detection in any environment. The company is pioneering innovative solutions for sectors ranging from automotive to human-machine interaction in robotics and beyond. Visit Algorized for more information. Contact: Megan Liu [email protected]Taste Masking And Taste Assessment Services And Technologies Market Trends, Key Drivers, Opportunities, Leading Players And Forecast To 2033

The union representing about 55,000 striking postal workers said it is “disappointed and frustrated” with Canada Post’s proposals as the labour disruption drags into its fourth week. However, in a statement Sunday afternoon, the Crown corporation told the Star that it has yet to receive a formal response from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) through the federally-appointed mediator after its latest proposal on Friday. “We continue to operate within a confidential process, which was agreed to by Canada Post and CUPW,” Canada Post wrote in a statement. “While we strongly disagree with the responses the union has shared publicly, we encourage CUPW to share their positions through the formal process.” In an email to the Star, CUPW said it “respects” the bargaining process and noted that its representatives met with the mediator Saturday afternoon to discuss the proposals, which they argue contain “drastic changes and rollbacks that no union in the world would ever accept.” CPP and OAS cheques will still be delivered. However, cheques for many social assistance “We urge Canada Post to bring forward proposals that reflect the value of its workforce,” the union said. “While no counterproposal has been made yet, CUPW negotiators remain committed to working toward a fair deal and are ready to return to the table.” Details of the proposals exchanged between the two sides during the mediation process have not been shared publicly. The Crown corporation said it remains committed to getting people “back to work.” “Our proposals include significant moves to close the gap on key issues like weekend delivery, pensions and wages to reach new agreements,” a Canada Post spokesperson said. The strike began on Nov. 15 and will hit the four-week mark this Friday. In the last three weeks, most mail and parcels have not been processed or delivered, except for some . Both parties have been informally communicating via the meditator to find a solution, but have not been back to the official bargaining table since were suspended last week. As the strike continues, especially amid a crucial holiday period for many small businesses and customers, pressure has been building on the federal government to step in. But in a statement on Saturday, Ottawa signalled it’s not planning to intervene and force the postal employees back to work through binding arbitration. “We urge the parties to get back to the negotiating table,” Matthieu Perrotin, press secretary to Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon, stated in an email to the Star Saturday morning. “Parties must do the work necessary to reach a deal, as Canadians are counting on them. Those with passports being held by Service Canada can arrange to pick them up in person, “Negotiated agreements are always the best way forward,” he wrote. CUPW president Jan Simpson told the Star in an interview Saturday that the government not intervening is a “good thing.” The union had called for a cumulative wage hike of 24 per cent over four years, while the company previously countered with wage increases totalling 11.5 per cent over four years and additional paid leave, while protecting the defined benefit pension and job security provisions. “The proposals that they put forward are not adequate. This strike highlights there’s so many unresolved systemic issues. And it’s not an overreach of the unions to try to fix these,” Simpson said.BERLIN (AP) — Harry Kane scored a hat trick including two penalties for Bayern Munich to beat Augsburg 3-0 in the Bundesliga on Friday. The win stretched Bayern’s lead to eight points ahead of the rest of the 11th round, and Kane took his goals tally to a league-leading 14. The England forward is the fastest player to reach 50 goals in the Bundesliga in what was his 43rd game. However, coach Vincent Kompany should be concerned by his team’s ongoing difficulty of scoring in matches it dominates. Bayern previously defeated St. Pauli and Benfica only 1-0. Kompany’s team had to wait until stoppage time before Kane sealed the result with his second penalty. Two minutes later, Kane scored with a header after controlling Leon Goretzka's cross with his first touch for a flattering scoreline. “We had to be patient,” Kane said. “And at halftime that’s what we said, to keep doing what we’re doing. We had a few chances in the first half and we just had to be a bit more clinical and obviously, thankfully, we got the penalty to kind of open the game up.” Mads Pedersen was penalized for handball following a VAR review and Kane duly broke the deadlock in the 63rd. Bayern continued as before with 80% possession, but had to wait for Keven Schlotterbeck to be penalized through VAR for a foul on Kane. Kane sealed the result in the third minute of stoppage time and there was still time for him to grab another. It’s Bayern’s seventh consecutive win without conceding a goal since it conceded four at Barcelona (4-1) on Oct. 23 in the Champions League. “You can see now that we have a solid defense and that's the basis, also in games like today's,” Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich said. “When it's a game of patience, then it's important for us to know that sometimes one goal will have to do. Like today we added two more before the finish, but in the end you only need to score one more than the opponent.” Bayern next hosts Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, then Borussia Dortmund away in the Bundesliga next weekend, before defending champion Bayer Leverkusen visits in the third round of the German Cup. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday of trading, tacking a touch more onto what’s already been a stellar year so far. The S&P 500 edged up by 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It’s climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 76 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 4.6% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 8%. President-elect reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also the acquisition. Tesla sank 1.6% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. All told, the S&P 500 rose 2.73 points to 6,049.88. The Dow fell 76.47 to 44,705.53, and the Nasdaq composite gained 76.96 to 19,480.91. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could remain out of a recession that many investors had earlier worried was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump’s preferences for and could spur along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the will at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the , which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday’s jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea’s currency fell 1.1% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where and then later said he’d lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.6% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats , including for goods . Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In China, stock indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about , where the government is battling over the budget. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed.Woman who preyed on Chinese students fined $3.3 million by BC Securities CommissionNebraska faces Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024 (12/28/24) at Yankee Stadium in New York City. How to watch: Fans can watch the game for free via a trial of DirecTV Stream or fuboTV . You can also watch via a subscription to Sling TV , which is offering half off your first month. Here’s what you need to know: What: Pinstripe Bowl Who: Nebraska vs. Boston College When: Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024 Where: Yankee Stadium Time: Noon ET TV: ABC Live stream: DirecTV Stream or fuboTV AP Story: The last time Nebraska sat out the bowl season for seven years in a row, the Big 12 was still the Big 8, the 10 schools in the Big Ten didn’t include the Cornhuskers, and Yankee Stadium was still the House that Ruth Built. That slump ended with an appearance in the short-lived Gotham Bowl at the original Yankee Stadium. The ballpark has been replaced, and so has the bowl game played in it. The Huskers (6-6) will play Boston College (7-5) in the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday, ending the longest active bowl drought in any of the power conferences. Nebraska last appeared in the postseason in 2016, a stretch of losing seasons that was its longest in more than 60 years. “It’s been a while,” athletic director Troy Dannen said after accepting the bowl invitation. The trip ends Nebraska’s longest bowl drought since the one that ended in 1961. The program would go on to postseason appearances in 56 of the next 60 years, including a 35-year streak that included four national championships. “Nebraska has a great, storied history,” Dannen said. “A lot of people are making references back to the Gotham Bowl in ‘62, which is the last time Nebraska was in the city. For our fans to get back into the bowl mix again, to get to do it in the city in December, there is something special.” After beating Wisconsin last month to gain bowl eligibility, coach Matt Rhule said he wants Husker fans to be thinking big again. “This will be the last time we ever celebrate six wins,” he said. Keying the Huskers’ turnaround is quarterback Dylan Raiola, who has thrown for almost 2,600 yards and 12 touchdowns as a freshman. More importantly, Raiola has reaffirmed his desire to stay in Lincoln while almost two dozen of his teammates entered the transfer portal, including running backs Dante Dowdell and Gabe Ervin, defensive lineman Jimari Butler and linebacker Princewill Umanmielen. Cornerback Tommi Hill (foot), offensive lineman Micah Mazzccua (shoulder) and receiver Isaiah Neyor (opt out) have said they will sit out the Pinstripe Bowl, leaving a depleted roster to face an Eagles team that lost coaches after last season and changed quarterbacks in the middle of this one. After a victory over SMU in last year’s Fenway Bowl, Jeff Hafley left to become the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers and was replaced by former Penn State and Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien. O’Brien has the Eagles on the verge of what would be their first eight-win season since linebacker Luke Kuechly led them to an 8-5 mark in 2009. This year’s defense is led by lineman Donovan Ezeiruaku, a consensus All-American and the winner of the Hendricks Award for the best defensive end. “The guy just had a special, special year,” O’Brien said, standing in front of a wall of Eagles who went on to play in the NFL. “His picture will be up here soon.” The Eagles switched quarterbacks midseason, with Florida International transfer Grayson James replacing Thomas Castellanos, who started 20 games over the past two years. After losing to SMU in his first start, James led BC to wins over North Carolina and Pittsburgh to end the regular season. Christmas in the city As part of their trip to New York, the teams will hit all the Christmas highlights: Checking out the tree at Rockefeller Center, seeing the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, visiting the Sept. 11 memorial and the Statue of Liberty. The captains and head coaches will ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The Huskers will practice at the New York Giants’ stadium and at Fordham’s field, with one walkthrough in Central Park and another at Yankee Stadium. “We aren’t going there for an experience. We are going there to win the game,” Rhule said. “We will have experiences along the way.” Nebraska is celebrating the end of its bowl drought by bringing around 150 members of the marching band, cheerleaders and others to root on the team. “It’s also going to be a new experience for everybody else that gets to be a part of this,” Dannen said. “The band, for Pete’s sakes, is going to be on the field in Yankee Stadium. Who would have imagined when you signed up as a freshman, when you signed up for band at the University of Nebraska, that this is something you get to do in your career?” O’Brien was also looking forward to experiencing the city’s culinary scene. “I’m looking forward to eating. I enjoy eating. I know the restaurants and all those things are great,” said the Boston native who has never been to Yankee Stadium. “I think it’s going to be a cool four or five days in New York City. I’m looking forward to the whole thing.” Thank you for supporting journalism you can trust.Salt Lake City, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intermountain Health has named Ryan Smith as its next chief digital and information officer (CDIO), following an extensive national search. He will begin his new role in early 2025. Intermountain’s search for a CDIO included a thorough recruiting process that involved internal and external partners who vetted candidates throughout the United States. Smith is a seasoned leader with deep roots in healthcare technology and an impressive portfolio of experience with Intermountain. He served in several senior leadership roles across the enterprise for nearly 20 years. He then held executive roles with Health Catalyst and served as senior vice president of technology and chief information officer at Banner Health. Following those positions, Smith returned to Intermountain as chief information officer (CIO) from 2020 to 2022 before joining Graphite Health as its chief operating officer. Ryan now serves as Graphite’s interim president and chief executive officer, advancing the nonprofit organization’s endeavor to make healthcare data more universal, accessible, and scalable. “This opportunity is deeply meaningful to me,” said Smith. “I'm excited for the opportunity to make healthcare an easier, safer experience for patients, members, and caregivers alike.” “I’m confident that Ryan is the right leader to help Intermountain successfully navigate both opportunities and obstacles as a model health system in the complex world of healthcare that lies ahead,” said Rob Allen Intermountain Health president and CEO. “He will lead DTS to support our mission, vision, and strategy to simplify, expand proactive care, and improve the healthcare experience for our caregivers, patients, members, and communities.” As Intermountain’s CDIO, Ryan will report directly to Dan Liljenquist, chief strategy officer. He will also serve as a member of the Enterprise Leadership Team. Smith will lead Intermountain's Digital Technology Services (DTS), including DTS Operations, Digital Services, Data Services, Clinical Informatics, Information Security, and Information Technology. Leaders of each team will report directly to Smith and will continue to serve on the DTS Leadership Team. ### Attachment Ryan Smith

From two catfish records broken less than three weeks apart (by the same angler) to one of the “smallest” state record fish ever caught in Idaho, it’s time to wrap up the top “big fish” stories from 2024. In total, 2024 had 7 new state records, which included 4 certified-weight records and 3 new catch-and-release records. Making the cut in 2024 were the following angler trophy stories. Two record catfish, one angler Lucas Barnett knew he had hauled up a monster channel catfish on Oct. 7, 2024, a 34 1⁄4-inch tank that had been calling Caldwell’s Rotary Pond home for quite some time. Lucas was so confident that the fat cat might wind up being the new state catch-and-release record that he submitted the state record application later that day. Before State Sportfish Coordinator Martin Koenig could even process the Oct. 7 application, he received another telegram from the same angler—this time reporting an even larger 37 1⁄2-inch channel catfish from the same pond caught on Nov. 1. Amazingly enough, both records would have put Lucas at the top of the state catch-and-release record board, edging out the previous record-holder by an inch or two. But, it was the second catfish that ultimately solidified his name in the record books. Tiger King In yet another incredulous record fish story that passed torches in a matter of weeks, Montpelier resident Austin Christensen capped off his June 1st fishing trip with a 27 1⁄4-inch tiger trout. (For those unfamiliar, a tiger trout is a sterile hybrid between a brown trout and a brook trout.) Christensen was fishing his home waters of Montpelier Reservoir when he landed the 9.13-pound trout, clinching a new certified weight state record. Funny enough, Christensen’s tiger trout snuffed out fellow Montpelier resident Tyson Lutz’s record tiger trout...which had been caught just 15 days earlier. Lutz had hauled in his 8.3-pounder on May 17 from, you guessed it, Montpelier Reservoir. Tiger trout were introduced to Montpelier Reservoir in 2016 and can be found in a few select places across Idaho. You can find stocking information using the Idaho Fishing Planner and learn more about state record fish here. It’s a beaut, Clark Westslope cutthroat trout are found in rivers (and some lakes) primarily throughout central and northern Idaho. They rarely exceed 20 inches, making Daniel Whitesitt’s April 13 catch a memorable one. Whitesitt, of Post Falls, landed a new catch-and-release state record for Westslope cutthroat trout while fishing the Clark Fork River in northern Idaho. After landing the fish, Daniel recorded the required measurements and photos to document the fish's impressive length before releasing the trout to fight another day. At 25 inches long, the Daniel's fish eclipsed the previous record of 24 inches set by Madison Nackos in 2021 from nearby Priest Lake. Cutthroat trout are Idaho's state fish, and the Westslope cutties are one of three subspecies native to the state, along with the Bonneville and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. If you’re looking for a little cutthroat inspiration, check out these cool native trout in the new short film "A Cutthroat Story" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBhI7LihF0I. The smallest state record 'big fish' Here we go again with another Westslope cutthroat trout story, but this time it was tipping scales the other way. Chubbuck angler Spencer Smith was wetting a line up at Alpine Creek Lake #14 in the Sawtooth Mountains, enjoying a warm, August day with little to no hopes of hooking anything record-worthy. Now, before you accuse me of hot-spotting this one, Alpine Lake #14 isn’t your neighborhood fishing pond. You won’t find a parking lot, vault toilet, or even a campground for miles. This alpine mountain lake is like many other lakes found in the Sawtooth Mountains—remote, charming and holding mountain cutthroats. However, it happened to be Spencer Smith’s luck that fine August day when he hooked what he immediately thought might be a contender for a state certified-weight record Westslope cutthroat trout. While this trout’s size may not be impressive, the effort needed to certify it as a record sure it. Smith was successful in reeling in the 11-inch cutthroat, but then proceeded to pack the fish out of the mountains and had it weighed at a certified scale near his home. When the record application got dropped on Fish and Game Sportfish Coordinator Koenig’s desk later that week, the 0.56-pound fish marked the first Westslope cutthroat trout that made it into the certified-weight record books since 2016 when Fish and Game started keeping separate records for each sub-species (Westslope, Bonneville and Yellowstone cutthroat trout). "Back in 2016, we overhauled the State Record Fish Program and started awarding catch-and-release records, but we also made other changes," said Koenig. "One of those included making separate categories for each of the cutthroat trout sub-species. Westslope cutthroat are catch and release in most places, so it took a while before we got a certified-weight record application for a Westslope cutthroat trout.” Checking records in real-time Idaho’s list of certified weight state records is printed yearly in the Idaho Fishing Seasons and Regulations booklet, but a current list is available online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/record . Catch-and-release records are now only updated online to reflect the most current status. Anglers can also scan the QR code found on the State Record Fish page in the regulations booklet with their mobile phones to see up-to-date info on record fish. See Page 68 of the new 2025-2027 regulations book or check out the State Record Fish webpage for details and how to apply. With anglers breaking records left and right, Fish and Game staff are working to keep state record information accessible and current.Kane hat trick against Augsburg hides Bayern's concerning lack of goalsSuspect in UnitedHealth CEO murder Luigi Mangione was not a customer, company says

UCF and Tulsa will test their mettle against each other on Saturday afternoon in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic in Sunrise, Fla. The Knights will make their first appearance in the event since recording a two-point loss to Missouri in 2022, while Tulsa's last trip to the Orange Bowl Classic was a loss to Florida State in 2012. UCF (7-2) may have something to prove being away from Addition Financial Arena. The Knights are 7-0 at home, whereas a November trip to the Greenbrier Tip-Off in West Virginia produced an 86-70 loss to Wisconsin and a triple-overtime setback against LSU. The Knights relied heavily on their defense in Sunday's 66-51 win over Tarleton State. After a sluggish start offensively, UCF found its rhythm during a 37-point second half. Jordan Ivy-Curry finished with a game-high 16 points and freshman center Moustapha Thiam collected 10 points, nine rebounds and six blocks. UCF's Big 12 opener draws closer (at Texas Tech, Dec. 31), but head coach Johnny Dawkins remains focused on daily improvement. "I feel a sense of urgency to get better, not with regards to Big 12 play to be quite frank, but every game," Dawkins said. "I don't look too far in the future. Pretty much I've always been in the moment as a player and as a person, and so for me it's about just getting better because it's our standards." Tulsa (4-6) looks to stop a three-game slide following a 70-66 home loss to Southern University last Saturday. Keaston Willis scored in double figures for the sixth time this season, netting a season-high 23 points off the bench. But Isaiah Barnes, one of three Golden Hurricane players to start all 10 games, was injured in the first half and played only eight minutes. To complicate matters, head coach Eric Konkol's team is 0-6 when trailing at halftime. "We got to get some guys healthy that can be healthy for next Saturday (against UCF)," Konkol said. "We got a couple other guys dealing with some different things, but then (also) having some planning to figure out what's the best way going forward for this group." --Field Level Media

New Delhi: Road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said the government is working on multiple fronts to reduce air pollution, bring down logistics costs, lower the import of fossil fuels and enhance farm income. "Transport ministry is responsible for 40% of the air pollution in Delhi and the national capital region. While a huge part of it is due to stubble burning in neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana, road construction and fossil fuels also add to the annual problem," he said, addressing the Times Network 's India Economic Conclave on Friday. "The problem of stubble burning will be solved in two years as we are working on 400 projects that will convert 200 lakh tonnes of rice straw every year to alternate fuels ." The minister said construction activities also add significantly to the air pollution but it can be reduced by using precast materials. "We have written to the finance minister seeking concessions on precast material to encourage their use. This will help reduce pollution and bring down cost," he said. Gadkari said the government is working on all green fuels and hopes to substantially reduce the import of fossil fuels, which costs ₹22 lakh crore per year. "Our aim is to raise production of alternate fuels to ₹10 lakh crore. This will help reduce import dependence, enhance farmers' contribution to the economy and increase their purchasing power, which in turn will push the overall economic growth in India," he said. 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"We need to strengthen the public transport in the country, make it world-class and co fortable to prompt people to use public transport instead of private cars," he said, adding that this would help reduce the number of cars in the country. On logistics cost The road transport and highways ministry is working on 36 green express highways which will help reduce the logistics costs in the country. "India's logistics cost is 14-16% compared to 8% in China and 12% in the US and EU," Gadkari said. "We aim to bring this down to 9% in two years. This will push India's exports by 1.5 times and help us become more competitive." On road accidents India is Number 1 in the world in terms of deaths due to road accidents, with 178,000 deaths from 500,000 accidents a year owing to faulty roads and automobile engineering, poor enforcement of law and lack of education and awareness, Gadkari said. "Despite trying hard over the last 10 years we haven't succeeded in reducing road accidents in the country," he said. The minister said the recent initiatives on rectifying black spots on national highways, tweaking the bidding norms for detailed project reports and introduction of star ratings for automobiles would help reduce the number of accidents in the country. On politics "Politics is not my profession. It is an instrument of socio-economic reform. I believe social service and good work will help win public support and I will go by my conviction instead of resorting to caste politics," Gadkari said. He said those who cannot win elections on the basis of their social work use the caste agenda to win elections. "Backwardness is becoming a political interest and so everyone wants to support the backward class. I feel everyone should get equal opportunity irrespective of caste, creed, religion or sex," he said. Commenting on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's pitch for three children per family, Gadkari said while he agreed with the idea, "it is time to see population growth in the country in proportion to the land, water, electricity and other resources". "It is time to think on economic terms and not on religion and caste lines," he said. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )De’Vondre Campbell isn’t the first player to quit on his team and walk off the field. Actually, he’s not the first this month. Twelve days ago, Ravens receiver Diontae Johnson refused to play in a game against the Eagles. He was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. Ten years ago, Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount did what Campbell did last night. Blount walked off the field during a game . The Steelers cut him the next day . And Blount got the last laugh. He landed with the Patriots, and he won a Super Bowl. (Along the way, he scored three touchdowns in the #DeflateGate game, a 45-7 thrashing of the Colts.) Blount later attributed his behavior to the failure of offensive coordinator Todd Haley to play him . “ Probably didn’t do it in the most ethical way ,” Blount told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh. “Everyone gets to a point where respect goes a long way. Whenever you respect someone, it goes a long way. When I’m going to Todd and asking him, ‘What is going on, why am I not playing?’ You are telling me we are going to make sure we get you in there. We are going to make sure we put this together for you. Then I go out there and have zero carries.” Blount pointed out that he left the field while the Steelers were in victory formation. Still, he wanted out — and he got what he wanted. Campbell has yet to give his side of the story for his refusal to play last night. At a time when fans and media are more sensitive to player mental health than ever before, it would be prudent to hear him out before labeling him as a traitor or a double agent or whatever. Maybe those shoes fit. But we should be willing to at least hear what he has to say about assuming the worst. Regardless of whether it looks that way, and just might be that way.