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There are few clearer signs of the destructive power that Hurricane Beryl unleashed on Barbados in July than the scene at the temporary boatyard in the capital, Bridgetown. Scores of mangled and cracked vessels sit on stacks, gaping holes in their hulls, their rudders snapped off and cabin windows broken. Yet these were the lucky ones. At least they can be repaired and put back out to sea. Many others sank, taking entire family incomes with them. When Beryl lashed Barbados, the island's fishing fleet was devastated in a matter of hours. About 75% of the active fleet was damaged, with 88 boats totally destroyed. Charles Carter, who owns a blue-and-black fishing vessel called Joyce, was among those affected. "It's been real bad, I can tell you. I had to change both sides of the hull, up to the waterline," he says, pointing at the now pristine boat in front of us. It has taken months of restoration and thousands of dollars to get it back to this point, during which time Charles has barely been able to fish. "That's my living, my livelihood, fishing is all I do," he says. "The fishing industry is mash up," echoes his friend, Captain Euride. "We're just trying to get back the pieces." Now, six months after the storm, there are signs of calmer waters. On a warm Saturday, several repaired vessels were put back into the ocean with the help of a crane, a trailer and some government support. Seeing Joyce back on the water is a welcome sight for all fishermen in Barbados. But Barbadians are acutely aware that climate change means more active and powerful Atlantic hurricane seasons - and it may be just another year or two before the fishing industry is struck again. Beryl, for example, was the earliest-forming Category 5 storm on record. Few understand the extent of the problem better than the island's Chief Fisheries Officer, Dr Shelly Ann Cox. "Our captains have been reporting that sea conditions have changed," she explains. "Higher swells, sea surface temperatures are much warmer and they're having difficulty getting flying fish now at the beginning of our pelagic season." The flying fish is a national symbol in Barbados and a key part of the island's cuisine. But climate change has been harming the stocks for years. At the Oistins Fish Market in Bridgetown, flying fish are still available, along with marlin, mahi-mahi and tuna, though only a handful of stalls are open. At one of them, Cornelius Carrington, from the Freedom Fish House. fillets a kingfish with the speed and dexterity of a man who has spent many years with a fish knife in his hands. "Beryl was like a surprise attack, like an ambush," says Cornelius, in a deep baritone voice, over the market's chatter, reggae and thwack of cleavers on chopping boards. Cornelius lost one of his two boats in Hurricane Beryl. "It's the first time a hurricane has come from the south like that, normally storms hit us from the north," he said. Although his second boat allowed him to stay afloat financially, Cornelius thinks the hand of climate change is increasingly present in the fishermen's fate. "Right now, everything has changed. The tides are changing, the weather is changing, the temperature of the sea, the whole pattern has changed." The effects are also being felt in the tourism industry, he says, with hotels and restaurants struggling to find enough fish to meet demand each month. For Dr Shelly Ann Cox, public education is key and, she says, the message is getting through. "Perhaps because we are an island and we're so connected to the water, people in Barbados can speak well on the impact on climate change and what that means for our country," she says. "I think if you speak to children as well, they're very knowledgeable about the topic." To see for myself, I visited a secondary school – Harrison College – as a member of a local NGO, the Caribbean Youth Environmental Network (CYEN), talked to members of the school's Environmental Club about climate change. The CYEN representative, Sheldon Marshall, is an energy expert who quizzed the pupils about greenhouse gases and the steps they could take at home to help reduce carbon emissions on the island. "How can you, as young people in Barbados, help make a difference on climate change?" he asked them. Following an engaging and lively debate, I asked the pupils how they felt about Barbados being on the front line of global climate change, despite having only a small carbon footprint itself. "Personally, I take a very pessimistic view," said 17-year-old Isabella Fredricks. "We are a very small country. No matter how hard we try to change, if the big countries – the main producers of pollution like America, India and China – don't make a change, everything we do is going to be pointless." Her classmate, Tenusha Ramsham, is slightly more optimistic. "I think that all great big leaps in history were made when people collaborated and innovated," she argues. "I don't think we should be completely disheartened because research, innovation, creating technology and education will ultimately lead to the future that we want." "I feel if we can communicate to the global superpowers the pain that we feel seeing this happen to our environment," adds 16-year-old Adrielle Baird, "then it would help them to understand and help us collaborate to find ways to fix the issues that we're seeing." For the island's young people, their very futures are at stake. Rising sea levels now pose an existential threat to the small islands of the Caribbean. It is a point on which the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, has become a global advocate for change – urging greater action over an impending climate catastrophe in her speech at COP29 and calling for economic compensation from the world's industrialised nations. On its shores and in its seas, it feels like Barbados is under siege - dealing with issues from coral bleaching to coastal erosion. While the impetus for action comes from the island's youth, it is the older generations who have borne witness as the changes unfold. Steven Bourne has fished the waters around Barbados his whole life and lost two boats in Hurricane Beryl. As we look out at the coastline from a dilapidated beach-hut bar, he says the island's sands have shifted before his very eyes. "It's an attack from the elements. You see it taking the beaches away, but years ago you'd be sitting here, and you could see the water's edge coming upon the sand. Now you can't because the sand's built up so much." By coincidence, in the same bar where I chatted to Steven was Home Affairs Minister Wilfred Abrahams, who has responsibility for national disaster management. I put it to him that it must be a a difficult time for disaster management in the Caribbean. "The whole landscape has changed entirely," he replied. "Once upon a time, it was rare to get a Category Five hurricane in any year. Now we're getting them every year. So the intensity and the frequency are cause for concern." Even the duration of the hurricane season has changed, he says. "We used to have a rhyme that went: June, too soon; July, standby; October, all over," he tells me. Extreme weather events like Beryl have rendered such an idea obsolete. "What we can expect has changed, what we've prepared for our whole lives and what our culture is built around has changed," he adds. Fisherman Steven Bourne had hoped to retire before Beryl. Now, he says, he and the rest of the islanders have no choice but to keep going. "Being afraid or anything like that don't make no sense. Because there's nowhere for we to go. We love this rock. And we will always be on this rock."Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State's Michael Van Buren Jr., Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke and Cal's Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal. Mensah, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men's basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils (9-3) will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Mensah, viewed as one of the top players in the portal, threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns and completed 65.9% of his passes. He led the Green Wave to a 9-4 record and the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they lost 35-14 to Army. Tulane will play Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Sunday. Van Buren, Mendoza and Locke announced on social media they had entered the portal. Van Buren started eight games as a true freshmen for the Bulldogs. He threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference). He took over as the starter when Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21. Shapen has said he plans to return next season. Van Buren, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland, had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against Georgia. Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards in 2024 with 16 TDs, six interceptions and a 68.7 completion percentage. "For the sake of my football future this is the decision I have reached," he posted. Locke passed for 1,936 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Wisconsin this season. He said he will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school. ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has joined defensive tackle Mason Graham in the NFL draft. Johnson declared for the draft on Wednesday, one day after Graham decided he would also skip his senior season with the Wolverines. Both preseason All-America players are expected to be first-round picks. Johnson was limited to six games this year due to an injury. He had two interceptions, returning them both for touchdowns to set a school record with three scores off interceptions. Johnson picked off nine passes in three seasons. Graham played in all 12 games this season, finishing with 3 1/2 sacks and seven tackles for losses. He had 18 tackles for losses, including nine sacks, in his three-year career. Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is The Associated Press offensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference and South Carolina defensive lineman Kyle Kennard is the top defensive player. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was voted the top newcomer on Wednesday while the Gamecocks' Shane Beamer is coach of the year in voting by the panel of 17 media members who cover the league. Sampson led the SEC and set school records by rushing for 1,485 yards and 22 touchdowns. He is tied for third nationally in rushing touchdowns, recording the league's fifth-most in a season. Sampson was chosen on all but two ballots. Mississippi wide receiver Tre Harris and his quarterback, Jaxson Dart, each got a vote. Kennard led the SEC with 11-1/2 sacks and 15-1/2 tackles for loss. He also had 10 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles. Beamer led the Gamecocks to just their fifth nine-win season, including a school-record four wins over Top 25 opponents. They've won their last six games and ended the regular season with a win over eventual ACC champion Clemson. South Carolina plays Illinois on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl. Pavia helped lead Vandy to its first bowl game since 2018 after transferring from New Mexico State. He passed for 2,133 yards and 17 touchdowns with four interceptions. He ran for another 716 yards and six touchdowns, directing an upset of Alabama. AMES, Iowa — Matt Campbell, who led Iowa State to its first 10-win season and became the program's all-time leader in coaching victories, has agreed to an eight-year contract that would keep him with the Cyclones through 2032. University president Wendy Wintersteen and athletic director Jamie Pollard made the announcement Wednesday, four days after the Cyclones lost to Arizona State in the Big 12 championship game. “Given all the uncertainty currently facing college athletics, it was critical that we moved quickly to solidify the future of our football program,” Pollard said. “Matt is the perfect fit for Iowa State University and I am thrilled he wants to continue to lead our program. Leadership continuity is essential to any organization’s long-term success." The Cyclones won their first seven games for their best start since 1938 and are 10-3 heading into their game against Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 28. BRIEFLY FLAG PLANT: Ohio Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. MALZAHN: Gus Malzahn, who resigned as UCF’s coach last month to become Mike Norvell’s offensive coordinator at Florida State, said he chose to return to his coaching roots rather than remain a head coach distracted by a myriad of responsibilities. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Government to block incinerators that do not contribute to green plans

Crime Reports: Police and sheriff’s office activity through Wednesday, Dec. 11Five takeaways from the Miami Heat’s 104-100 win over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night at Toyota Center to close its three-game trip at 2-1 and reach the 30-game mark at 16-14. The Heat now returns to Miami to begin a three-game homestand on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans: The Heat, short-handed and playing on the second night of a back-to-back, earned a gutsy road win over a quality Rockets team behind another excellent performance from Tyler Herro. But the game ended with an unfortunate moment for both teams. The Heat and Rockets went back and forth in a first half that included seven lead changes and five ties before Miami entered halftime with a narrow 53-50 lead. The second half was also a battle, even after the Rockets opened the third quarter on a 23-8 run to turn a three-point deficit into a 12-point lead midway through the period. That’s because the Heat responded with a run of its own, closing the third quarter on a 20-9 spurt to trim the deficit to one point by the end of the period. That set up for a tight finish, with the game decided in the final seconds. The Rockets led by one point with 2:47 to play, but the Heat won the game behind a strong finish just one day after wilting at the end of Saturday’s loss to the Hawks in Atlanta. Herro hit a contested midrange jumper to give the Heat a one-point advantage with 1:56 left. Then after two defensive stops, the Heat pulled ahead by four points on a clutch three-pointer from Nikola Jovic 47.4 seconds to play. The Rockets, which entered with the third-best record in the Western Conference, never regained their footing or composure. Rockets guard Fred VanVleet was ejected from the game for arguing with an official after committing a five-second violation on an side out-of-bounds situation. Then with the Heat ahead by five points and with possession of the ball in the final seconds of the game, Herro and Rockets forward Amen Thompson exchanged words before Thompson grabbed Herro’s jersey and threw him down to the court. Players and coaches from the Heat and Rockets immediately rushed over, as a brief skirmish unfolded before officials took control and separated the two teams. After a review of the incident, six were ejected with 35.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter. For the Heat, Terry Rozier and Herro were ejected. For the Rockets, Jalen Green and Thompson were ejected. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and assistant coach Ben Sullivan were also ejected. Despite being thrown out of the game after being thrown to the court in the final seconds, Herro was the star of the night. Herro led the Heat to the win with 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field and 3-of-7 shooting from three-point range, six rebounds and nine assists. Heat center Bam Adebayo contributed another double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. The Heat’s defense was also impressive down the stretch, limiting the Rockets to 18 points on 6-of-25 (24 percent) shooting from the field in the fourth quarter. The Heat improved to 9-0 this season when holding its opponent to 100 points or fewer. There’s a new Heat injury to monitor, but the hope is it’s not a long-term issue. After scoring 16 points in 38 minutes during Saturday’s loss in Atlanta, Robinson missed Sunday’s game against the Rockets because of right foot inflammation. It marked just the second game that Robinson has missed this season, as he also was unavailable for the Heat’s Nov. 2 win over the Wizards in Mexico City because of personal reasons. Robinson hurt his foot during Saturday’s game loss to the Hawks, but kept playing to finish the contest. After Robinson underwent treatment on the injury Sunday, the determination was made to hold him out against the Rockets. “I don’t have a timeline,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Sunday when asked about Robinson’s status. “But he really wanted to try to go today, just didn’t really pass his protocols. So we don’t think it would be a long-term thing.” The Heat also remained without Jimmy Butler (return to competition reconditioning), Josh Richardson (right heel inflammation) and Dru Smith (left Achilles surgery) on Sunday. Butler, who has been at the center of trade speculation this month, missed his fifth straight game after battling a flu-like illness over the last 10 days. The Heat expects Butler to return for its next game — Wednesday against the Pelicans at Kaseya Center. The Rockets were without two rotation players on Sunday, as Tari Eason (left leg injury management) and Jae’Sean Tate (illness) did not play against the Heat. With Butler and Robinson out, the Heat moved Rozier and Kevin Love back into the starting lineup. The Heat opened Sunday’s game with a lineup of Rozier, Tyler Herro, Haywood Highsmith, Love and Bam Adebayo. It marked the fifth game that this group has started this season, but the first one since Nov. 17. Sunday also marked Rozier’s first start since Nov. 17. Rozier opened the season in a starting role, but moved to the bench to play as a reserve in 14 straight games before the team’s injury issues pushed him back into the starting lineup on Sunday. For Love, Sunday’s start represented his first game action of any kind since playing three minutes in the Heat’s Dec. 20 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He had not played in four straight games — missing the first one because of personal reasons and then receiving three straight DNP-CDs (did not play, coach’s decision) with rookie Kel’el Ware taking over as the Heat’s backup center. Rozier was strong at the start, scoring 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field in the first half. But he cooled off, totaling just two points on 0-of-8 shooting from the field in the second half. Love ended the night with five points on 1-of-7 shooting from the field, six rebounds and one assist 14 minutes. The Rockets grabbed plenty of offensive rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their inefficient shooting. The Rockets are the best offensive rebounding team in the NBA, entering Sunday with the league’s top offensive rebounding percentage (the percentage of available offensive rebounds a team grabs) for the season. Early on, the Rockets’ dominance on the offensive glass was on display. Houston totaled six second-chance points on six offensive rebounds in the first quarter. The Rockets went on to finish the game 19 offensive rebounds. But all those second-chance opportunities didn’t matter because the Rockets only scored nine second-chance points. That’s because the Rockets struggled to make shots for most of the night, shooting 39.2 percent from the field and 13 of 40 (32.5 percent) on threes in the loss. The Heat, which entered the game with the NBA’s 22nd-ranked offensive rebounding percentage this season, actually finished with more second-chance points than the Rockets. Miami totaled 15 second-chance points on 15 offensive rebounds Sunday. Jovic provided an important spark and Ware continued to contribute quality off the bench for the short-handed Heat. Jovic made his presence felt from the start, recording eight points, three rebounds and three assists in 15 first-half minutes on Sunday. Jovic ended the night with 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 31 minutes. Ware recorded seven points, seven rebounds and two asssits in 14 minutes. The Heat outscored the Rockets by five points with Ware on the court, and he now holds a plus/minus of plus 34 while playing in each of the Heat’s last five games. Jovic and Ware were part of a four-man Heat bench rotation that also included Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Alec Burks. The only available Heat players who did not get into Sunday’s game were Pelle Larsson, Josh Christopher, Keshad Johnson and Isaiah Stevens. ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Newly-minted Victoria Liberal leader Brad Battin believes he can be the man to unite what has been a deeply divided party room, and he has the support of John Pesutto’s former deputy David Southwick. Despite Battin picking former tennis star Sam Groth to be his second-in-charge, the former shadow minister for police, corrections, youth justice and crime prevention attended the Pillars of Light festival celebrating Chanukah alongside Southwick at Melbourne’s Federation Square on Dec. 29. Battin emerged victorious after the Liberal leadership vote on Dec. 27, defeating Kew MP Jess Wilson and Mornington MP Chris Crewther, who both sought the top job. Pesutto stepped down as opposition leader after exiled MP Moira Deeming was readmitted to the party room, achieving majority support 23-4 in a vote from her colleagues. Earlier this month, Deeming successfully sued Pesutto for defamation over comments he made while attempting to expel her from the Liberal Party, after she attended a Let Women Speak rally which was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis last year. Battin—seen by political pundits as a conservative-leaning Liberal—said he still had some work to do to mend fractures which might still remain in his party. But appearing alongside Southwick at the Pillars of Light festival on Dec. 29 was a big step forward in his ambition to bring his colleagues together. “David’s fantastic. I’ve had David with me since 2010, and David’s as passionate as ever,” Battin told The Epoch Times. “So we’ll be working together continuously.” He has retained his shadow minister portfolios for major projects, transport infrastructure, trade and investment, and cost of living. “It has been an immense pleasure to serve as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party over the past three years,” Southwick said in a statement. “I have worked tirelessly to position our party for success at the next election, and I am incredibly proud that the Liberal Party is now in a winning position for the 2026 election.” Southwick said loyalty was important to him, which was why he previously stood by the embattled Pesutto, and also why he has now thrown his support behind Battin. “Loyalty in both good and bad times is important to me, and I am proud of the steadfast loyalty I demonstrated as Deputy Leader to both John Pesutto and Matthew Guy,” he said. “To John Pesutto, thank you for your service as leader. You have approached this role with strength and determination during a particularly difficult period. Battin added he had received a lot of support from his Berwick electorate, and across Greater Melbourne and Victoria, in response to him becoming the new Victoria Liberal leader. Sunday’s Chanukah celebration appearances—also alongside Southwick in his Caulfield electorate—were his first as the opposition leader. “In the party we’ll all get together and have our chat, but outside of the party the response has been fantastic,” he said. “(Being Liberal leader feels) very good. Obviously we’ve got a lot of work to be done. “We’re going to have a busy time and I’ve got to get out and about on days like today, but also start to develop what we’re going to do as the party moves forward.” The Epoch Times asked Wilson if she had ambitions for the leadership role while she met with residents in her Kew electorate on Dec. 14, and she said her sole focus was delivering better education and financial alternatives for Victorians. “I’m just focused on doing my job; that’s why I’m out in the community listening to people,” she said at the time. “I’m the shadow minister for education and the shadow minister for finance. That’s my focus. “We are firmly focused on the fact that we are in record debt and we’re seeing a housing crisis.” Battin also praised the Victorian Police “for the exceptional work they do in protecting our community, and they continue to protect our community.” Victoria Police have been in an ongoing pay dispute with the Allan Labor government, but Battin said rebuilding the state’s police force would be one of his top priorities. “It’s a beautiful community (uniting) through a tough period,” he said. This month’s firebombing at a Ripponlea synagogue saw millions of dollars of holy texts, handwritten Torah scrolls, artefacts and furniture destroyed or badly damaged. It was the latest of many acts of antisemitism towards Melbourne’s Jewish community following the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, which led to over 1,200 innocent Jews being killed. “Many Jews do not feel safe in their own city,” Battin said. “And that is a sad state of affairs ... It is simply not on and not good enough. “As a former police officer, as a very proud member of the Victorian Liberal Party with the opportunity to lead that party over the next few years as we go to the election, the one thing I want to remind you is every single day we will stand with you. “And we will make sure that any changes that we want to put forward as policy are there to protect your rights and your freedoms when you go to your place of worship.”

The Redbirds are 9-2 (6-2 Missouri Valley Conference) and are looking to reach the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2019 and sixth time in Brock Spack's 16 seasons as head coach. Illinois State opened the game with some trickery. Eddie Kasper pulled up on a fleaflicker and launched a 30-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Loyd to cap a seven-play, 70-yard opening drive. Simon Romfo tied it on North Dakota's only touchdown of the day, throwing 20 yards to Nate DeMontagnac. Wright scored from the 10 to make it 14-7 after a quarter, and after C.J. Elrichs kicked a 20-yard field goal midway through the second to make it 14-10 at intermission, Wright powered in from the 18 and Mitch Bartol caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Rittenhouse to make it 28-10 after three. Seth Glatz added a 13-yard touchdown run to make it 35-10 before Elrichs added a 37-yard field goal to get the Fighting Hawks on the board to set the final margin. Rittenhouse finished 21 of 33 passing for 187 yards for Illinois State. Loyd caught eight passes for 121 yards. Romfo completed 11 of 26 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown with an interception for North Dakota (5-7, 2-6). Illinois State faced North Dakota for just the fourth time and third time as Missouri Valley Conference opponents. The Redbirds lost the previous three meetings. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

NEW YORK — The last of the crystal triangles that make up this year's Times Square New Year's Eve ball were installed Friday morning. It's the first time in 10 years that all 2,688 were replaced at once. Singer Pitbull attends the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Crystal Installation on Friday at One Times Square in New York. Yuki Iwamura, Associated Press Rapper Pitbull and inventor Joy Mangano were among those on hand to help the organizers of the celebration put the final pieces in place atop One Times Square, the skyscraper from which the 11,875-pound geodesic sphere drops to mark the new year. Singer Pitbull, left, and Joy Mangano, right, founder of CleanBoss, install a crystal Friday during the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Crystal Installation at One Times Square in New York. Yuki Iwamura, Associated Press A New Year's Eve ball was first dropped in Times Square in 1907. Built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, the 700-pound, 5-foot diameter ball was made of iron and wood and featured 100 25-watt lightbulbs. People are also reading... Six newer versions of the ball were featured in the century-plus since that first celebration. Times Square New Year's Eve Ball is displayed Friday at One Times Square in New York. Yuki Iwamura, Associated Press The only years no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly "dimout" during World War II to protect itself from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square. How to set your 2025 mental health new year's resolutions How to set your 2025 mental health new year's resolutions As the new year approaches, many people begin thinking about their resolutions—typically focusing on physical health, saving money, or spending more time with family. One area that often gets overlooked is mental health. The pressure to "get fit" or "eat better" is well-known, but taking care of mental well-being is just as important as improving physical health, especially since mental health impacts every aspect of life.At first glance, mental health goals can seem intangible and subjective, but there are scientifically-proven ways to set achievable, measurable, and personalized mental wellness goals that will help anyone thrive in 2025. Vivian Chung Easton, a mental health therapist at Blueprint, a company focused on building AI-powered tools to help therapists, shares recommendations for setting mental health resolutions.Prioritize Self-Compassion and Resilience BuildingOne of the most important mental wellness goals for 2025 is to prioritize self-compassion and resilience. In a culture that often celebrates hustle and perfection, it's easy to push yourself too hard, setting unrealistic expectations that only add to stress and anxiety. But research shows that self-compassion and resilience are critical factors in coping with stress and maintaining long-term mental well-being.A 2021 study by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer highlights that self-compassion—treating yourself with kindness when things don't go as planned—can reduce emotional distress and improve resilience. Instead of criticism for not meeting a goal or making a mistake, practice affirmations or positive self-talk. A simple goal, like being kinder to yourself during setbacks, can help reduce stress and boost mental wellness.A goal can look something like this: Create 10 positive affirmations (like "It's ok, I'm doing the best I can") to use for positive self-talk when you make a mistake.Practice mindfulness for 10 minutes a day, five days a week. Practicing mindfulness doesn't have to just mean meditating, being present in the moment can look different for everyone. The goal of mindfulness is to do one thing and only that thing—not multi-tasking. Whether reading, stretching, or washing the dishes, do what makes sense for your life.Use three coping strategies during stressful situations each week, like grounding exercises, breaking things down into smaller tasks, or rethinking a challenge positively. This can improve your ability to handle different situations with resilience and self-compassion. Making room for self-compassion this year can be a transformative step toward building resilience and enhancing overall mental health.Incorporate Social Connections Into Your Mental Health GoalsSocial connection is one of the most important factors in mental wellness, yet it's often overlooked in favor of individual self-improvement goals. Physical isolation can lead to loneliness, but social isolation is also strongly linked to mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, according to a study by Juliannee Holt-Lundstad. Meaningful relationships and community support can improve how satisfied you feel in your life on a day-to-day basis. This year, make it a goal to strengthen and nurture social connections, whether that means reconnecting with old friends, regularly scheduling family time, or joining social groups and clubs—like a book club, gym, or church group. For example, a social wellness goal can look like:Reconnect with a friend or family member once a month.Join a support group to build a community of people who understand individual challenges.Attend social events (virtual events count too) to foster a sense of belonging.Building mental wellness isn't just about managing thoughts and feelings; it's also about fostering a strong support network. Social connections are integral to building emotional resilience.Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques as a FoundationJust as physical fitness is associated with physical health, mindfulness is often associated with mental fitness. However, practicing mindfulness is just as important as going for a run or lifting weights when it comes to mental wellness. Mindfulness-based practices—such as meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises—have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve focus, and boost emotional well-being according to research by Stefan Hofman in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.Incorporating mindfulness into a routine doesn't have to be time-consuming or difficult. Start small by committing to 5–10 minutes of mindfulness practice a few times a week. Focus on breath, practice guided meditation, or even engage in mindful walking or eating.A simple goal might be:Meditate for five minutes daily.Practice mindful eating by turning off electronic devices, like your phone, TV, and computer when eating.These exercises are called a practice for a reason: doing them consistently and often can strengthen your ability over time. These practices not only reduce stress in the moment but also help to build resilience over time, making it easier to handle future challenges.Set Realistic and Achievable SMART GoalsWhatever New Year's resolution you might have, a large obstacle is setting goals that are too ambitious or unrealistic. Whether it's aiming to exercise every day or cutting out all sugar, overambitious goals can lead to burnout and disappointment when progress isn't immediate. This is especially true for mental health goals, which often require patience and consistency. Using these suggestions for mental health goals, focus on how to personalize them to make them realistic and achievable for your life. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that people are more likely to succeed in their resolutions when they set realistic and incremental goals. Instead of vague, broad goals like "be happier" or "stress less," focus on small, concrete actions that can lead to big changes over time.One effective approach is to use SMART goals—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.For example:Instead of resolving to "be happier," aim to journal for 10 minutes every morning, identifying one thing that brought you joy that day.Instead of "reduce stress," try committing to eating one meal without your electronic devices.Rather than "improve mental health," set a goal to find activities that lead to better mental health for you—like hiking or meeting a friend for coffee—and do it once a month. These specific, measurable actions make it easier to track progress and feel a sense of accomplishment along the way. Plus, they're more realistic and achievable, which increases your chances of success. Monitor Progress and Adjust Mental Health Goals Throughout the YearIt happens every year—gyms always seem to empty out before spring starts. One of the challenges of New Year's resolutions is that many people abandon their goals as early as January. However, mental health goals require ongoing attention and flexibility. Unlike weight loss or fitness goals, mental wellness is a journey, not an endpoint.Regularly tracking progress is essential. By setting aside time to evaluate personal progress, it's easier to adjust your goals and make necessary changes to keep things on track. Research shows that regular goal check-ins increase the likelihood of long-term success.Consider setting quarterly check-ins with yourself to assess your mental health goals:Have you been practicing mindfulness regularly?Are you feeling more self-compassionate during setbacks?Are you meeting your social connection goals?If you're not meeting your targets, adjust them to make them more realistic. Mental health progress doesn't always follow a straight line, so it's important to be flexible and forgiving with yourself.Your Resolutions are Personal and EvolvingThe new year is inherently a time of change, and that can be a helpful mindset in seeing new potential for growth and taking action. As you set your resolutions for 2025, don't forget to prioritize mental wellness. By focusing on achievable, realistic goals—you're setting yourself up for a healthier, more fulfilling year. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and nurturing it can help to reach other goals more effectively.Even if, in a month or two, you feel like you're falling behind—mental health goals can and should be flexible and adaptable. You can always adjust your approach if things aren't serving you, and check in with yourself regularly to stay on track. Goals are personal, and you're always in control. Here's to a year of growth, balance, and emotional well-being in 2025.This story was produced by Blueprint and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock Prioritize Self-Compassion and Resilience Building Incorporate Social Connections Into Your Mental Health Goals Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques as a Foundation Set Realistic and Achievable SMART Goals Monitor Progress and Adjust Mental Health Goals Throughout the Year Your Resolutions are Personal and Evolving States Where New Businesses Are Most Likely to Succeed States Where New Businesses Are Most Likely to Succeed Photo Credit: Alberto Menendez Cervero / ShutterstockAs anyone who’s ever started a business knows, getting one off the ground is not for the faint of heart. Entrepreneurs face numerous challenges in the early years, from solidifying business plans to navigating the complexities of hiring employees and acquiring licenses and insurance. These hurdles often determine the fate of a startup, making the journey from an idea to a successful enterprise both difficult and uncertain.Each year, millions of Americans file new business applications, but only a fraction of these ventures transition to hiring employees. Among those that do, surviving the critical first few years can still be an uphill battle. However, survival rates differ significantly by location, influenced by a variety of factors such as economic conditions, state policies, and industry-specific demand. The good news is that businesses that weather the initial hurdles see a much greater likelihood of long-term success.This analysis explores the states where new businesses are most likely to survive their earliest years based on the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The findings reveal important insights into how location and time impact the chances of business success. Alberto Menendez Cervero How Likely Are New Businesses to Remain Open? The chances of staying in business increase dramatically after the first few yearsSource: Simply Business analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Simply BusinessOne of the most significant challenges for new business owners is simply staying in operation. The risk of failure is highest during the first year, but it diminishes considerably over time. For those businesses that survive the initial hurdles, the likelihood of long-term success grows each year.According to recent BLS data, only about 79% of businesses survive their first year, making it the most difficult period for startups. However, for businesses that survive their first year, roughly 85% make it to the next. By the fifth year, 91% of businesses manage to continue operations, and for those that reach the 10-year mark, an impressive 93% make it through to another year. These figures underscore the importance of persistence and adaptability, especially during the critical early years when the risk of failure is highest. They also highlight that while starting a business is undeniably challenging, those who endure the startup years enjoy far better odds moving forward. Where New Businesses Are Most Likely to Succeed Washington & California lead the country in new business survival ratesSource: Simply Business analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Simply BusinessNew business success varies widely across the United States, with some states providing a more favorable environment for startups to thrive. Based on survival rates for the first three years of operation, Washington and California stand out as the nation’s leading states.Washington claims the top spot, with businesses in the state enjoying an 86.4% chance of surviving their first year, 89.3% in their second year, and an impressive 91.8% in their third year. These figures highlight Washington's robust support for young businesses, likely fueled by its thriving tech ecosystem and a generally favorable economic climate.California ranks second, with survival rates of 86.0% in the first year, 89.8% in the second, and 91.4% in the third. Despite challenges such as high costs of living and regulatory complexities, California’s strong economy, innovation hubs, and access to venture capital contribute to its high ranking.Outside of the West Coast, West Virginia—whose economy is deeply rooted in energy production, natural resources, and manufacturing—ranks third, boasting the highest third-year survival rates at 91.9%. North Carolina—a major banking center and home of the Research Triangle—follows closely with similar numbers. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Minnesota businesses face the toughest challenges in their early years, with only 72.3% surviving their first year and 80.2% their second.These regional differences highlight the importance of local economic conditions in shaping a startup's odds of success. For entrepreneurs planning their next move, this analysis offers insight into where businesses are thriving and where challenges are more pronounced. Factors like industry presence, regulatory environments, and access to resources can create opportunities—or hurdles—that significantly affect survival rates in the critical early years. Choosing the right location isn’t just about personal preference; it can mean the difference between failure and success.This analysis was conducted by Simply Business—an online insurance marketplace for small businesses—using 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For complete results, see the original post: States Where New Businesses Are Most Likely to Succeed. Methodology Photo Credit: Alberto Menendez Cervero / ShutterstockThe data in this report comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Business Employment Dynamics. To determine the states where new businesses are most likely to succeed, researchers at Simply Business developed a business survival index. This index is based on a weighted average of the most recent survival rates for private-sector establishments during their first, second, and third years of operation, as of March 2024.The survival rates were calculated using sequential benchmarks. The first-year survival rate is the percentage of businesses still active one year after opening. The second-year rate is the percentage of those first-year survivors that remained operational for another year. Similarly, the third-year rate is the percentage of second-year survivors that continued into the following year. The data focuses exclusively on private-sector businesses with at least one employee.For complete results, see States Where New Businesses Are Most Likely to Succeed on Simply Business. Alberto Menendez Cervero Stay up-to-date on what's happeningBengaluru: India’s top five information technology services companies grew at a slower clip in the first nine months of this year, defying hopes that the $254 billion industry would rebound after reporting its weakest growth ever in 2023. Yet, save for Wipro Ltd, the shares of the remaining four IT services firms—Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, Infosys Ltd, HCL Technologies Ltd, and Tech Mahindra Ltd—have delivered better returns than both the Sensex and the Nifty 50 so far this year. In 2023, TCS and Infosys stocks fared worse than the Sensex, while the other three outperformed. The Nifty IT index has also vastly outperformed the two benchmark indices, gaining 22.48% in the year through 27 December. The Sensex has gained 8.89% so far this year, and the Nifty 50, 9.53%. Analysts say investors are loading up on Indian IT stocks in anticipation of a recovery in tech spending by Fortune 500 companies as the US Federal Reserve is set to cut its key interest rates further. The Fed has but indicated earlier this month that it may opt for fewer rate cuts next year as it battles stubborn inflation. “... As interest rates ease, discretionary spends can pick up, translating to more business for IT service providers," Pramod Gubbi, founder of Marcellus Investment Managers. “When the US Fed indicated (in September) that it was done with rate hikes from March 2023, the market had started to factor in growth." TCS, Infosys, HCLTech and Wipro saw their order books, or total contract value, decline in the first half of 2024-25 (April-September) compared to the corresponding year-earlier period, marked by the absence of ‘mega deals’ that are worth more than $1 billion. The second half of the fiscal year (October-March) is historically weaker for Indian IT services companies because of fewer billing days and more holidays. Even so, these companies have issued positive revenue guidance for FY25 and have been hiring more people. “This year, as growth is looking promising, the IT sector is outperforming out of expectation that things will get better, and hence the returns," said Sanjeev Hota, vice-president, head of research at Mirae Asset Sharekhan. Keith Bachman, an analyst with BMO Capital Markets, said in a 12 December report that increased hiring by India’s largest IT services firms in recent quarters was a leading indicator signalling better growth, which in turn could drive a rally in their stocks. Mint reported last week that a renewed hiring spree by Dublin-headquartered and NYSE-listed Accenture Plc painted a as it signalled a rebound in global IT spending. Yet, analysts are cautiously optimistic about the prospects of Indian IT services firms next year considering the rise of generative artificial intelligence, or GenAI, which could dash the sanguine outlook. “GenAI is deflationary in my view as it will mean that IT services will be delivered by fewer people, and therefore, the revenue can come down," said Gubbi, adding that the money saved by customers will go to more GenAI investments and new streams of work will come from GenAI. While AI and GenAI currently account for only a fraction of IT services companies’ revenues, these technologies are biting into their clients’ discretionary IT spending. “... We question if 2025 IT services market growth will benefit from net new demand, including new generative AI projects, more so than current pricing pressure and generative AI deflationary forces," said Bachman of BMO Capital Markets. “A plausible scenario could be that in 2025, IT services growth might improve over 2024 (with upside tension to consensus estimates in this scenario), and then as the capabilities of generative AI grow and improve, the deflationary impact is more pronounced in 2026 and beyond, leading to prolonged growth headwinds."High school highlights for Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024

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