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PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- Carnegie Learning has been named to the 2025 edition of the GSV 150 : GSV’s annual list of the top 150 private companies transforming digital learning and workforce skills. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212349001/en/ For the third time, Carnegie Learning has been named to the 2025 edition of the GSV 150: GSV’s annual list of the top 150 private companies transforming digital learning and workforce skills. (Graphic: Business Wire) To select the GSV 150, GSV evaluated 2,500+ global companies across five key factors: revenue scale, revenue growth, user reach, geographic diversification, and margin profile. The 2025 cohort of the GSV 150 collectively reaches 3B learners and generates over $25B in annual revenue. “I am deeply honored that Carnegie Learning has been recognized by ASU+GSV in their prestigious annual GSV 150 list of the Top 150 Private Companies,” said Carnegie Learning CEO Barry Malkin . “As pioneers in AI-driven education and leaders in HQIM , this recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. I am incredibly proud of our dedicated team—this honor reflects their hard work, passion, and the shared vision we bring to empowering learners everywhere.” “The rapid rise of generative AI is fueling knowledge and creating opportunities we had not imagined before,” says Luben Pampoulov, Partner at GSV Ventures. “Multi-modality is making education more engaging, AI tools are driving personalization and productivity, and learning is happening at the speed of light. Effectively everyone across the 2025 GSV 150 has generative AI deeply embedded in their offering.” Of the 2025 GSV 150, 58% are based in the US; 4% are based in Canada; 11% are India-based; 15% are Europe-based; and, notably, after two years’ absence, Chinese EdTech companies are back on the list. A meaningful shift towards profitability is evident throughout, with the estimated EBITDA score of the 2025 cohort up 21% versus last year. See the list at https://www.asugsvsummit.com/gsv-150 , and join many of them at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit, April 6-9 in San Diego. About Carnegie Learning, Inc. Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Learning is at the forefront of ed tech companies using data and AI to dramatically improve learning outcomes for students. A leader in K-12 education for 26+ years, Carnegie’s award-winning math , literacy , world languages , professional learning , and high-dosage tutoring products are used by over 5.5 million students and educators in all 50 states and Canada. Born out of Carnegie Mellon University, the company continues to conduct research with over $90M in grant funding from the Gates Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, Department of Education, among others. Visit carnegielearning.com , LinkedIn , Twitter , and Instagram . ABOUT GSV Founded in 2011, GSV is a global platform that drives education and workforce skills innovation. Our mission is that ALL people have equal access to the future, and we believe that scaled innovations in “PreK to Gray” learning and skills are crucial to achieving this goal. The GSV platform includes the ASU+GSV Summit, hosted annually in San Diego with 7,000+ attendees; the India-based ASU+GSV & Emeritus Summit, now entering its third year; and The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, an immersive exploration of the AI Revolution in education, which welcomed 10,000+ attendees this year. GSV Ventures, GSV’s investment arm founded in 2015, is a multi-stage venture fund investing in the most transformational companies across the global “PreK to Gray” landscape. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212349001/en/ CONTACT: Eden Bloss, VP of Communications 336-706-1372 (m) ebloss@carnegielearning.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA PENNSYLVANIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOFTWARE CONTINUING TRAINING DATA ANALYTICS PRIMARY/SECONDARY EDUCATION ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOURCE: Carnegie Learning, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 04:26 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 04:26 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212349001/enBuccaneers looking to beat NFC South-rival Panthers and bolster hopes for a playoff berth
Pepper, cocoa continue to be resilient in 2024, 2025End of an EraTexas' abortion pill lawsuit against New York doctor marks new challenge to interstate telemedicine Texas has sued a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. It appears to be the first challenge in the U.S. to a state shield law that's intended to protect prescribers in Democratic-controlled states from being punished by states with abortion bans. Prescriptions like these, made online and over the phone, are a key reason that the number of abortions has increased across the U.S. even after state bans started taking effect. Most abortions in the U.S. involve pills rather than procedures. Anti-abortion groups are increasingly focusing on the rise of pills. Syrians cheer end of 50 years of Assad rule at first Friday prayers since government fell DAMASCUS (AP) — Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad, gathering in the capital’s historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule. The newly installed interim prime minister delivered the sermon at the Umayyad Mosque, declaring that a new era of “freedom, dignity and justice” was dawning for Syria. The gatherings illustrated the dramatic changes that have swept over Syria less than a week after insurgents marched into Damascus and toppled Assad. Amid the jubilation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region and called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” interim government. US military flies American released from Syrian prison to Jordan, officials say WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has brought an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country. That's according to two U.S. officials, who said Friday that Travis Timmerman has been flown to Jordan on a U.S. military helicopter. The 29-year-old Timmerman told The Associated Press earlier Friday he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightings TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into the ongoing investigation of mysterious drone sightings being reported in the state and other parts of the region. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious drone activity. Murphy and other officials say there is no evidence that the drones pose a national security or a public safety threat. A state lawmaker says up to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18. Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she 'sustained an injury' from fall on official trip to Luxembourg WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi is 84. She was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure with a massive attack by cruise missiles and drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia fired 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones in Friday's bombardments. He says it is one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago. He says Ukrainian defenses shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by F-16 warplanes provided by Western allies earlier this year. Zelenskyy renewed his plea for international unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin. But uncertainty surrounds how the war might unfold next year. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the war and has thrown into doubt whether vital U.S. military support for Kyiv will continue. Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA's idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it 'absurd' NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers are again urging a judge to throw out his hush money conviction. In a court filing Friday, they balked at the prosecution’s “absurd” idea for preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies before sentencing. The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen's friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to bring big changes to seafood, one of the oldest sectors of the U.S. economy. Some in the industry believe the returning president will be more responsive to its needs. Economic analysts paint a more complicated picture, as they fear Trump’s pending trade hostilities with major trading partners Canada and China could make an already pricy kind of protein more expensive. Conservationists also fear Trump’s emphasis on deregulation could jeopardize fish stocks already in peril. But many in the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries said they expect Trump to allow fishing in protected areas and crack down on offshore wind expansion. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. Paula Abdul settles lawsuit alleging sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paula Abdul and former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show. Abdul filed a notice of settlement in a Los Angeles court Thursday. The lawsuit filed nearly a year ago had also accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left “American Idol” and became a judge on Lythgoe’s other show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Lythgoe said at the time that the allegations were “an appalling smear.” Both sides said in statements Friday that they were glad to put the case behind them.
By CLAIRE RUSH PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Googly eyes have been appearing on sculptures around the central Oregon city of Bend, delighting many residents and sparking a viral sensation covered widely by news outlets and featured on a popular late-night talk show. Related Articles National News | Today in History: December 16, the Boston Tea Party National News | Today in History: December 15, Dylann Roof convicted of killing 9 Black church members in South Carolina National News | Paying homage to veterans on Wreaths Across America Day National News | Today in History: December 14, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting National News | Court denies TikTok’s request to halt enforcement of potential US ban until Supreme Court review On social media, the city shared photos of googly eyes on installations in the middle of roundabouts that make up its so-called “Roundabout Art Route.” One photo shows googly eyes placed on a sculpture of two deer, while another shows them attached to a sphere. It’s not yet known who has been putting them on the sculptures. “While the googly eyes placed on the various art pieces around town might give you a chuckle, it costs money to remove them with care to not damage the art,” the city said in its posts. The Facebook post received hundreds of comments, with many users saying they liked the googly eyes. “My daughter and I went past the flaming chicken today and shared the biggest laugh,” one user said, using a nickname for the “Phoenix Rising” sculpture. “We love the googly eyes. This town is getting to be so stuffy. Let’s have fun!” Another Facebook user wrote: “I think the googly eyes on the deer specifically are a great look, and they should stay that way.” Others said the city should focus on addressing more important issues, such as homelessness, instead of spending time and money on removing the googly eyes. Over the years, the city’s sculptures have been adorned with other seasonal decorations, including Santa hats, wreaths, leis. The city doesn’t remove those, and views the googly eyes differently because of the adhesive, Bend’s communications director, Rene Mitchell, told The Associated Press. “We really encourage our community to engage with the art and have fun. We just need to make sure that we can protect it and that it doesn’t get damaged,” she said. The post and its comments were covered by news outlets, and even made it on a segment of CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert .” The city regrets that its post was misunderstood, Mitchell said. “There was no intent to be heavy-handed, and we certainly understand maybe how that was taken,” she said. “We own this large collection of public art and really want to bring awareness to the community that applying adhesives does harm the art. So as stewards of the collection, we wanted to share that on social media.” The city has so far spent $1,500 on removing googly eyes from seven of the eight sculptures impacted, Mitchell said, and has started treating some of the art pieces, which are made of different types of metal such as bronze and steel. The “Phoenix Rising” sculpture might need to be repainted entirely, she said. For some, the googly eyes — like the other holiday objects — provide a welcome boost of seasonal cheer. “I look forward to seeing the creativity of whoever it is that decorates the roundabouts during the holidays,” one social media commenter said. “Brings a smile to everyone to see silliness.”
Facebook X Email Print Save Story On Christmas Day, Donald Trump issued his traditional holiday greeting. Posting on Truth Social, the social-media site created to serve as a platform for both his personal enrichment and his political aggrandizement, he reprised his threats to reclaim the Panama Canal from its current state of being controlled by the country in which it exists, tweaked Canada as America’s future “51st state,” pushed his plan to purchase Greenland “for National Security purposes,” and wished a merry Christmas to the “Radical Left Lunatics” he so recently defeated in “the Greatest Election in the History of Our Country.” Would it be too 2016 of me to suggest that this is absurd, embarrassing, worrisome stuff? As 2024 ends, the prevailing attitude toward the manic stylings and overheated threats of the once and future President, even among his diehard critics, seems to be more one of purposeful indifference than of explicit resistance; call it surrender or simply resignation to the political reality that Trump, despite it all, is twenty-five days away from returning to the Oval Office. A year ago, a Trump victory was far from inconceivable—the grimly anti-incumbent mood of the American electorate, and the former President’s almost comically easy dispatch of a host of G.O.P. primary challengers who were, for the most part, afraid to criticize him, suggested that it was not only a possible outcome but even a likely one. Yet it is also true that, as 2024 began, Trump’s win was far from inevitable—an alternate reality that, like the half of the country that could not countenance his return to office, has been erased from the Trumpian narrative about his “unprecedented and powerful mandate.” In the weeks since Election Day, it’s been as if Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and all the polite technocratic debates of their polite, technocratic Administration have vanished into the mists of time—were the past four years in Washington all some strange dream sequence, like that entire season of “Dallas” back in the nineteen-eighties? Radical revisionism—by Trump and on his behalf—is a strong contender for the theme of this disruptive year, in which some unique property of political alchemy managed to transform a defeated and disgraced ex-President facing four criminal indictments into a perfectly electable Republican candidate with a quirky communications style, a host of more or less legitimate grievances, and a plan to Make America Great Again by empowering his billionaire sidekicks and rolling back laws, regulations, geopolitical trends, and social norms that he and his voters don’t like. Rewriting history, relitigating old fights, plain old revanchism—these worked for Trump in 2024, and it’s a safe bet that, along with revenge and retribution, they will be the themes of the new Trump Administration that takes office on January 20th. Whether it’s peremptory attacks on a 1977 Panama Canal treaty whose terms he now wants to reject or the resurrection of nineteenth-century economic protectionism or the fantastical reimagining of the January 6th rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol as innocent martyrs, Trump is a conservative in an entirely different sense than the one we have come to know: he is not a Republican who sticks to the status quo but instead a would-be strongman whose attachment to a past of his own imagining will now, once again, become the country’s governing ideology. Every year since 2018 , I have written a version of this year-end Letter from Washington. What’s striking reading back through them now, on the eve of Trump’s return to the White House, is not so much his continued dominance of our politics as it is the consistency of how he has accomplished it—the manic governing by social-media pronouncement, the bizarro news cycles, and the normalizing of what would have previously been considered the politically un-normalizable. Even his targets are remarkably similar year in and year out—the Radical Left Lunatics, windmills, Justin Trudeau. In Trump’s 2023 Christmas social-media post, he wished the nation a happy holiday while praying that his enemies “ROT IN HELL.” What we have managed to forget about Trump in these past few years would fill entire books about other Presidents. This year-end exercise has been a small effort in trying to remember. This strikes me as more important than ever in 2024, after an election year in which tapping into the American capacity for collective forgetting proved to be one of Trump’s superpowers. Many of the year’s signal events were so dramatic that they don’t need much recounting now: Trump’s unprecedented criminal trial and his thirty-four felony convictions in a New York state court last May; the incoherent June 27th debate that effectively ended Biden’s career; the attempted assassination of Trump as he spoke at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13th, and the remarkable images of him thrusting his fist in the air and mouthing “Fight!” immediately after a bullet grazed his ear but spared his life. It was just a few days later that Biden dropped out of the race, reinvigorating Democrats with sudden hope that they might beat Trump, after all—only to have Harris, despite a surge of joyous online memes and more than a billion dollars in campaign contributions, suffer an even bigger defeat to Trump than Hillary Clinton’s shocking loss to him in 2016. Even the subsidiary plotlines of 2024 were epic, from the spectre of the world’s richest man leaping around Trump’s rallies like an overheated schoolboy to the scorching success of a Republican ad campaign that portrayed America as a dangerous hellscape of invading illegal immigrants, rampant inflation, and intolerant leftists eager to force transgender surgery on your children. Soon after the election, Trump tried to appoint Matt Gaetz as Attorney General, even knowing that the Florida Republican had been investigated by his own congressional colleagues for paying a minor for sex—a choice that resulted in one of the fastest implosions of a Cabinet selection in modern history. We will not soon forget all that. Where Trump benefits more from this failure to remember is in the common practice, among his allies and detractors alike, of disregarding much of what he says and does, whether it is his vow to close the U.S. border and begin the largest mass deportations in American history on the first day of his Presidency, to end the war in Ukraine in twenty-four hours, or to nullify the Constitution’s guarantee of birthright citizenship. So that’s what I’m most hoping does not get lost in this apathetic moment, when his enemies are averting their gaze and his allies are so confident in the imminent arrival of a MAGA utopia that they have little need to sweat the details. (A new Associated Press / NORC poll, released Thursday, says sixty-five per cent of American adults now feel the need to limit their consumption of news about politics and the government—the Great Tune-Out is real.) Heading into 2025, I do not believe that warnings about the dangers of an unchecked Trump are overstated. Instead, it is the creeping sense that Trump is entering office largely unopposed that more and more worries me. It is a major warning sign, among many, that the ideological policing of Trump’s adversaries as shrill, hysterical, and hypocritical has been so very effective. I am bracing for impact, and not only fearing but expecting the worst. But while Trump may now believe himself so powerful that he can rewrite history on his own behalf, it’s also fair to anticipate that his past will serve not only as prologue but as precedent for 2025. If neither the American voters nor the Republican Party could stop Trump, his many personal weaknesses just might. Presidents, especially second-term Presidents, often stumble. Many occupants of the White House find themselves bogged down in scandal and infighting, victims of their own overreach, hubris, or just sheer incompetence. This was the story of the first Trump Administration, and there is plenty of reason to believe that it will be what happens in his second term, too. Should one root for the failure of an American President? Half of the country, Trump’s half, did this, to great effect, in 2024; in 2025, it will be everybody else’s turn. ♦ 2024 in Review The best movies . The best jokes . The best books . The best podcasts . Our most popular cartoons on Instagram. The animals that made it all worth it . Sign up for our daily newsletter to receive the best stories from The New Yorker .
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By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 13: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed Tribhuvan University (TU) to make appointments of vacant deans and campus chiefs based on meritocracy and in a way that ensures effective functioning of the university. Speaking at TU’s Senate Meeting held in Kirtipur on Thursday, PM Oli, who is the Chancellor of TU, emphasised that the responsibility of the university operation lay with the Vice-Chancellor. He reiterated that he has consistently stressed to the Vice Chancellor the need for impartial and merit-based operations at TU. After the Senate members raised concerns about the delay in appointing recommended deans and campus chiefs, PM Oli instructed that these appointments be completed by December 22. “Everyone should have access to quality education. Social issues must be fully integrated into the education system. While the education sector should function with open mind, Tribhuvan University must adhere to its established rules and legal framework,” he said. Stating that TU’s autonomy is not personal and a matter of delegating authority through the Senate, Prime Minister Oli said, “Meritocracy at TU is desirable, but it must be genuine. There should be no drama in the name of meritocracy.” He clarified, “Media reports have speculated about Chancellor’s interference, but as the Chancellor, it is my duty to ensure the right actions are taken. I do not interfere, but I have emphasised that meritocracy must prevail.” He further questioned, “Is it not my responsibility to tell this to the Vice Chancellor?” He stressed the need to conduct Senate meetings in a dignified, structured, constructive, and mature manner instead of engaging in prolonged debates and disputes. He urged the officials to bring well-prepared agendas to the table and called on Senate members to actively contribute to presenting agendas that lead to positive outcomes. Representatives from community campuses, professors, staffs, and students expressed dissatisfaction during the meeting, citing inadequate preparation by TU officials for the proposals presented and a lack of adherence to TU’s established procedures. In response, PM Oli conducted discussions on the meeting’s agenda. Prime Minister Oli affirmed his commitment to addressing the problems and demands faced by universities in a systematic manner. He also called on the relevant stakeholders to remain vigilant and exercise due diligence during the amendment of TU’s Act and Rules. The meeting approved a 12-point policy, including the introduction of a service eligibility training exam for entry into TU services. Prime Minister Oli has scheduled an informal discussion on various university reform issues for December 22.Soup often comes to mind when summer gives way to sweater weather. It’s delicious, usually pretty easy to make, works well with whatever is lingering in your fridge and/or pantry, and warms both the body and soul as soon as a spoonful touches your lips. Remember how a big bowl of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle helped chase away a head cold when you convinced your mom or dad you were really, really sick and needed to take the day off from school? Such is the magic of soup. There’s another reason soup strikes a chord with so many home cooks. Even though inflation is easing, going to the grocery store can still be a gut punch. So any way we can get a good meal onto the table and not break the budget is a good thing. Soup is economical because it lends itself to cheaper cuts of meat and simple ingredients such as canned beans and dried noodles, no-nonsense veggies like carrots and cabbage and spices that most people already have in their spice rack. This warm and filling wonton soup that headlines our latest installment of “Dinner for Two” is a pretty good example. Honestly, it probably takes longer to shop for all the ingredients than it does to stir a pot together — about 20 minutes — though you can let it simmer longer if you’re not in a rush and want to deepen the flavor. And except for the (optional) white miso paste in the broth, it won’t have you running down any fancy ingredients. This soup requires only boxed broth, some everyday greens, carrots and a bag of Trader Joe’s Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons, which was my biggest purchase. Total cost: $10.45 for two (and more likely three) generous servings. I used the whole 12-ounce, $3.49 bag in the soup, which is technically four servings instead of two, so it would have cost even less if I hadn’t been such a fool for dumplings and added half the bag. (Sorry, but I really like them, especially when they’re so cute!) Both the appetizer — a spicy cold cucumber salad — and the maple-kissed baked pears I made for dessert were even more economical. The salad cost just $2.21, and the pears $2.30 — just a little more than $1 per person per course. Once again, I was able to cut down on costs by using ingredients I already had on hand such as the honey and chili crisp used to give the cucumbers their sweet and spicy kick and the vanilla and cinnamon that sweetens the dessert. I also just happened to have some shiitake mushrooms in my fridge leftover from another dish that I happily threw into the pot so they wouldn’t go to waste. But that’s the thing with this particular soup recipe. It’s completely adaptable to personal taste and what you have in your kitchen. Total cost for the entire meal, which had leftovers: $14.46, or 54 cents under my $15 budget. Bon appétit! Spicy Cucumber Salad Serves 2 This recipe is so easy, and starts the meal off with a pleasant crunch. I added chili crisp because I always have it on hand and I can’t get enough of its spicy, umami flavor. But you could substitute soy sauce or leave it out altogether. INGREDIENTS: 6 mini cucumbers 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt 21⁄2 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil 1 tablespoon chili crisp or garlic chili sauce, optional DIRECTIONS: Slice cucumbers into bite-sized disks and place in a large bowl. Toss with salt and set aside while you make dressing. In a small bowl, stir together rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil and chili crisp or chili sauce, if using. Strain the cucumbers (do not rinse) and place in a large bowl Pour dressing over cucumbers and toss to combine. — Gretchen McKay, Post-Gazette Dumpling Soup Serves 2 Soup is often an afterthought, a way to use up any stray veggies in your refrigerator crisper. But it also makes a great main dish, especially if you add a few (or a lot) meat-stuffed dumplings. The star that makes this dish so filling is Trader Joe’s Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons, which are a budget buy at $3.49 for a 12-ounce package. The fragrant vegetable broth is flavored with fresh ginger and ground turmeric, two spices that don’t just add depth, but are also are great for chasing away colds. You may not want to buy white miso paste, a fermented paste made from rice, barley and soybeans that is on the expensive side (you’ll find it in the Asian section of most larger grocery stores). You can substitute a little soy sauce instead. Even a packet that comes with takeout Chinese is enough to add some umami flavor. Baby bok choy (a type of Chinese cabbage) and broccoli florets provide a healthy serving of greens. INGREDIENTS: — Kosher salt 1 tablespoon sesame oil 4 shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced 1 (2-inch) piece ginger, finely minced 2 garlic cloves, finely minced 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 32 ounces vegetable stock — Salt 2 medium carrots, julienned 2 tablespoon white miso paste or 1 tablespoon soy sauce 12- ounce bag frozen dumplings (not thawed) 1 baby bok choy, trimmed and each cut into 4 pieces through the stem, or a handful of fresh spinach — Handful broccoli florets — Handful of cilantro or chopped scallions, for serving DIRECTIONS: Heat sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5-6 minutes. Add ginger and garlic. Stir and cook for 30 seconds, until aromatic. Add turmeric and stir for 15 seconds, until fragrant. Pour vegetable stock into the pot and season with 1 teaspoon salt. Add julienned carrots, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes on medium heat to allow flavors to meld. Remove the lid and add miso paste, stirring constantly until it is dissolved. Taste, and season with more salt, if needed. Increase the heat to medium-high, and carefully drop the dumplings into the broth. When they float to the top, add baby bok choy and broccoli, and cook for about 2 minutes, just until the broccoli is crisp-tender. Ladle the broth, dumplings, baby bok choy and broccoli into bowls. To serve, top with cilantro or chopped scallions. — adapted from nyt.com Maple Baked Pears Pears are in season throughout fall, and are as easy to cook with as apples. In this simple recipe, they’re halved, scooped and then drizzled with maple syrup for a quick bake in the oven. My budget didn’t allow for a scoop of vanilla ice cream, but the pears were delicious without. INGREDIENTS: 2 large pears, ripe but still slightly firm — Pinch ground cinnamon 1⁄4 cup pure maple syrup — Dash of pure vanilla extract DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Cut pears in half. (Don’t worry about peeling.) Using a melon baller or spoon, scoop out the core and seeds. Arrange pears, facing up, on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle evenly with a dusting of cinnamon. Whisk together maple syrup and vanilla extract. Drizzle over the tops of the pears. Bake uncovered until the fruit is soft and lightly browned on the edges, around 25-30 minutes. (Firmer pears will take a little longer.) Remove from the oven. Serve warm with granola and yogurt, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired. — Gretchen McKayGlobal Ship Lease Declares Quarterly Dividend on its 8.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares