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The PM Vishwakarma scheme of the Central government “strengthens the system of caste-based vocation”, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin said in a letter to Union minister Jitam Ram Manjhi on Wednesday, informing the MSMEs minister that the state government will not implement the scheme in its present form. Instead, Stalin said, the Dravida Munnetra Khazhgham-led Tamil Nadu government will develop a more inclusive and comprehensive scheme for artisans that does not discriminate on the basis of caste. “In light of the concerns raised that the scheme strengthens the system of caste-based vocation, the Government of Tamil Nadu had constituted a committee to study the scheme,” Stalin said on Wednesday. Following an analysis, the committee recommended changes to the scheme which were communicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter from Stalin on January 4. While there was a reply to the chief minister’s letter from the MSME ministry on March 15, there was no mention of the recommendations made by the government of Tamil Nadu, Stalin said. Hence, Stalin, in Wednesday’s letter, said: “The government of Tamil Nadu, will, therefore, not be taking forward the implementation of the PM Vishwakarma scheme in its present form. “ The MSME ministry launched the PM Vishwakarma Yojana to provide training, technology, credit and market support to the traditional artisans and craftspeople. It covers 18 trades including carpentry, tailoring, and washing. Giving details of his government’s plans, Stalin said, “To empower artisans in Tamil Nadu under the overall principle of social justice, the government of Tamil Nadu has decided to develop a more inclusive and comprehensive scheme for artisans, which does not discriminate based on caste.” “This scheme will provide holistic support to all artisans in the state, irrespective of caste or family occupations. Such a scheme will serve to provide them with financial assistance, training and all required support for their development, more comprehensively and inclusively,” he said. The state government appointed panel recommended removing the mandatory need for the applicant’s family to be traditionally engaged in a family-based trade and instead allow any person pursuing any of the occupations listed in the guidelines to be eligible for assistance under the scheme. It sought for the minimum age criterion to be increased to 35 years so that only those who have made an informed choice to continue their family trade can avail of benefits under this scheme. It also recommended for the onus of verification of the beneficiaries in rural areas to be vested with the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) in the Revenue Department instead of the head of the Gram Panchayat. An MSME spokesperson could not respond to HT’s request for comment on the matter till the time of going to print.Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia

One in five young Spaniards spend more than two hours a day on TikTok and exceeds the recommended limits for the use of social media, which may lead to an increase in the likelihood of experiencing mental health problems. The proportion of girls whose use is above this risk threshold (24.37%) is considerably higher than that of boys (15.45%). These are the results of a study involving the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) and Pompeu Fabra University (UPF). The paper was published in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications . While previous studies had examined the impact of social media on young people 's mental health in general terms, this research is pioneering in its analysis of the specific effects of TikTok on adolescents' digital well-being. TikTok differs from other social media networks such as Instagram, X and Facebook, primarily because it encourages a more passive consumption of videos, and less interaction between its users. It is also the most popular social network among young people all over the world, especially in Spain, which is the country where the highest percentage of teenagers use it. The study surveyed more than 1,000 young people between the ages of 12 and 18 from all over Spain, to find out how much time they spend on TikTok, and the types of content they view. The researchers also examined their self-perception of their digital well-being. Digital well-being is deemed to be the state of optimal balance between time spent online and cognitive and emotional well-being. This study measured three variables related to digital well-being: the young people's ability to set limits for the time they spent using the application; their ability to create social connections and community; and their capacity for emotional resilience. The authors of this research were Mireia Montaña, of the Learning, Media and Entertainment (GAME) research group, in the Faculty of Information and Communication Sciences at the UOC, with Mònika Jiménez, of the Communication, Advertising and Society (CAS) group in the Department of Communication, and Clara Virós, who both work at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF). More than half of the young people spend more than an hour a day on TikTok The research shows that more than half of the young people surveyed—53.19%—spend more than an hour a day on TikTok, 35.28% spend more than an hour and a half, and 20.22% spend more than two hours. Among girls, this latter percentage is significantly higher, at 24.37%. Several previous studies have found that using social media for more than two hours a day is associated with low self-esteem related to body image, a negative self-perception of mental health, and an increased risk of psychological distress and suicidal ideation. The time young people spend on TikTok stands in contrast to their self-perception of their level of digital well-being, which is generally positive. On a scale of 1 to 5, they rated their ability to set limits on their consumption time at 3.22; their emotional resilience to the content they viewed at 3.31, and their ability to generate social connections and community at 3.64. The more time spent, the less ability to set limits Jiménez said, "The more time young people spend on TikTok, the less they are able to set limits on the time they spend using the app." The young people who spent more than two hours a day on TikTok rated their ability to set limits at 2.93 out of 5, while those spending between half an hour and an hour on it rated it as 3.33. Those who spent between 11 minutes and half an hour were more able to set limits (3.47), as were those who spent less than 10 minutes (3.53). Persistence of traditional gender roles The research also reveals significant differences in the types of content consumed on TikTok by teenage boys and girls, as Montaña explained. "Boys are mainly interested in content about video games and professional sports, while girls tend to consume content related to beauty and fashion, highlighting a persistence of traditional gender roles in their digital consumption preferences." The young people surveyed rated the frequency with which they watch different categories of videos from 1 to 5, with 1 meaning never, and 5 meaning always. Apart from comedy and music videos , which are among the three most frequently watched categories by both sexes, the rest of the most content consumed differs between the genders. Among girls, the five most viewed content categories were: comedy (3.24), music (3.22), fashion (3.02), beauty (3) and dance, and people lip-syncing (2.88). For boys, they were comedy (3.50), video games (3.19), music (3.06), professional sports (3.01) and news related to influencers and streamers (2.92). Young people's digital well-being does not only involve parental control In view of the above, the study argues that measures to improve young people's digital well-being must not be limited to parental control of the application or digital disconnection. Educational programs with a gender perspective to foster healthy digital habits among young people and to provide their families with more support strategies to make this possible are also required. The study warns that measures involving indiscriminate restriction are not effective, and instead suggests that each young person should be encouraged to consume social media in moderation, in a way appropriate to their interests and needs. It also points out that regular audits of the algorithms used by media such as TikTok must be considered in order to prevent their potential addictive effects. More information: Clara Virós-Martín et al, Can't stop scrolling! Adolescents' patterns of TikTok use and digital well-being self-perception, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-03984-5

NoneOn Sunday, I was one of 170 people arrested for blocking the world's largest coal port. Like most doctors, I have not previously engaged in activist activities that put me at risk of legal sanctions. I have until now justified my lack of action or engagement with the climate crisis by my preoccupation with my professional responsibilities. But we have long-since reached a critical time when urgent action is needed, and I cannot in good conscience continue thus. Login or signup to continue reading I am a behavioural neurologist and clinical director of the neuropsychiatry service in the Hunter New England Region. In my professional life, I am expected to practice medicine based on the best available evidence. I am also a research scientist conjoint professor in medicine and psychology at the University of Newcastle and, as such, must collect data scrupulously, present study findings honestly and accurately and describe how they relate to what is already known within the scientific world. If, as a doctor, I give inappropriate treatment and a patient suffers, I should, at the very least, apologise and try to correct the harm. To do less would be malpractice and I could be sanctioned. As a research scientist, if I were to play fast and loose with the facts, and omit reference to important existing work in the field, because I was afraid of its implications, I would expect strong criticism and would lose my credibility. The planet on which we all live is sick and getting sicker from the effects of human activity, including the mass release of heating greenhouse pollution from the burning of coal and gas, the major cause of climate change. This is a dire international public health crisis. My perspective on what we could and should do about this crisis is informed by my role as a clinician-scientist. The "diagnosis" of global warming with catastrophic and deteriorating effects on world ecology and human health is well established. We all need to recognise this crisis and do what we can. Governments have a special role with their levers of power and resources to apply evidence-based practice in response ("prevention" and "treatment"). Newcastle is the largest coal-exporting port in the world. The coal exported through the port contributes about 1 per cent of global emissions, a massive amount, given our relatively small population. Knowing this, best practice is to dramatically reduce and, as fast as possible, cease coal production and use. As United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said, 'investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure is moral and economic madness'. Our current governments are committing ecological malpractice by failing to plan for dramatic reductions in coal production and export that the evidence would mandate and by failing to adequately fund transitions to alternative energy. The patient, the Earth, is deteriorating at an alarming rate, and the government has neither apologised nor adjusted its practices accordingly. That's why almost 200 ordinary citizens, including myself, entered the coal shipping channel in Newcastle at the weekend. Protests like these serve a hugely important role in highlighting to the public that our government is concealing the urgency of the climate crisis. We are urging our government to stop approving new coal mines and fund new industries so Hunter workers can continue having good union jobs for decades to come. Rising Tide has been focused and effective in highlighting Newcastle's unique role in fueling climate change. As a Newcastle resident, I love this city. Lord mayor Ross Kerridge, with whom I have worked professionally, also loves this city and has acted courageously, with principle, and in the best interests of public safety. But without dramatic changes to Newcastle's role as a coal export port, history will condemn us. Workers in the valley will be left to fend for themselves with no orderly transition. My hope is that the People's Blockade will escalate into a large, vocal, and effective movement that will push governments towards an evidenced-based response to a clear and present threat to our country and the world. By subjecting myself to arrest by entering restricted waters in Newcastle Harbour I hoped to contribute to this outcome. It was a privilege to do so. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. 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ATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. People are also reading... “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!Uganda: Major survey brings new light to carnivore conservation December 4, 2024 Griffith University Lion numbers in the country are at a critical low while hyenas are faring well across four major protected areas in Uganda, according to new survey findings. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email Lion numbers in the country are at a critical low while hyenas are faring well across four major protected areas in Uganda, according to new survey findings co-led by Griffith University, Southern University of Science and Technology (China) and Northern Arizona University. Researchers unveiled the first comprehensive population estimate of Uganda's lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas in nearly two decades. Conducted across six major protected areas -- including the 4000 km 2 Murchison Falls and the 2400 km 2 Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area -- this innovative study was a collaborative feat involving more than 100 conservation stakeholders. Using advanced spatial capture-recapture methods set a new standard for wildlife monitoring in Africa, the findings are already influencing conservation policy, and served as the foundation for Uganda's new Strategic Action Plan for Large Carnivore Conservation (2023-2033). Lions are in decline across most protected areas while hyenas show resilience The study showed that populations of lions in the Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo Valley National Parks were critically low, with fewer than 40 and 20 individuals remaining respectively. In contrast, spotted hyena populations appear to be faring well with the Murchison Falls National Park population holding Africa's largest density recorded to date at 45 individuals per 100 km2. The radically different numbers of hyenas displaying resilience could be indicative of a trophic imbalance. "We could be seeing a release in hyena numbers as populations of lions decline," Dr Braczkowski said. "However in places like Murchison Falls, we are seeing high densities of all three species, lions, hyenas, and leopards." Murchison Falls National Park is the last critical lion stronghold in Uganda The study identified the Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda's largest protected area) as a vital area for lion conservation. The region supported high lion densities (seven lions per 100 km 2 ) and an abundance of 240 individuals in a 3233 km 2 sampling area compared with Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo Valley despite significant pressures from wire snare poaching and oil exploration, making it a critical priority conservation area in the country. Leopards holding on across most of the country While leopard densities varied, Murchison Falls recorded some of the highest in Africa at 14 individuals per 100km 2 , the highest recorded to date in Africa. Similarly to the national parks' lion populations, it is highly probable that the anti-poaching efforts by the government and several non-government organisations (including Uganda Conservation Foundation, Snares to Wares, and ICON) were preventing the low densities observed in other parts of the country. Collaboration and training key to such a large effort Griffith University lead researcher Dr Alexander Braczkowski said one of the most striking results from the survey was that it brought together more than 100 participants from 20 different NGOs, lodges, and conservation groups, meaning people who may not have had an opportunity to be involved in science previously now had an opportunity to survey and engage in science on the animals they lived closest to. He added that this was critical for the long-lasting capacity needed to maintain a solid understanding of how these carnivore populations performed over time, especially against conservation action. "This survey highlights both the challenges and successes of Uganda's carnivore conservation," Dr Braczkowski said. "The collaborative nature of this work -- spanning governments, NGOs, and local communities -- is a testament to what's possible for wildlife conservation. More importantly, these are the kinds of training exercises that are most needed if we hope to build the science capacity in the places that need it most" Dr Braczkowski said the results sounded an alarm for Uganda's iconic carnivores, whose survival was jeopardised by poaching, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. His team also emphasised the critical role of community engagement in conservation success. The study has been published in Global Ecology and Conservation . Story Source: Materials provided by Griffith University . Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Cite This Page :

IU's Cignetti wins National Coach of the YearNebraska women’s basketball player Callin Hake summed it up as well as anyone could. “I think in South Dakota we shot the crap out of it, which is awesome,” the guard from Minnesota said. On that night last weekend in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Huskers made a school-record 20 3-pointers on 58% shooting beyond the arc in a 113-70 win against South Dakota. That was three more than the previous record, from 2010. Now comes another game against Creighton where the series at times has at times been defined by the 3-point line — both the ability to make and defend it. The 3-point line is something to watch closely again when the Huskers and Bluejays play at 4 p.m. Friday at Sokol Arena in Omaha, a few hours before the men’s teams from the same schools play at CHI Health Center Omaha. Creighton (1-2) has won two straight in the series. Last year, Morgan Maly made three 3-pointers in the first three minutes of the game and Creighton led the entire game while winning 79-74. Creighton didn’t keep its hot 3-point shooting going the entire game but made nine and outscored the Huskers by 18 points beyond the arc. Nebraska was 3-for-21 on 3-pointers. In 2022, Creighton blasted the Huskers 77-51 after making five of its first eight 3-pointers. “One thing I know is they (Creighton) all shoot it pretty well,” Nebraska coach Amy Williams said. “Last year we gave up eight made threes in the first quarter. That’s something we’ll have to shore up. They’re very, very good off the ball with their movement and cuts so you’re positioning really matters. We’ll have to make the hustle plays and not give them second-chance opportunities.” Creighton has won seven of the last eight meetings with the Huskers. The Bluejays are averaging 10.4 made threes per game during the stretch, while Nebraska is averaging 3.6. The 5-0 and 21st-ranked Huskers faced a major dose of adversity this week when sophomore forward Natalie Potts sustained a season-ending knee injury during Tuesday’s game against North Alabama. She’s scheduled for surgery in two weeks. Williams called the injury is “devastating.” “What a start she’s had to the season, leading our team in scoring and rebounding,” Williams said. “She worked really hard this offseason.” Creighton has reached the NCAA Tournament the past three seasons, making the Elite Eight in 2022, the first round in 2023 and the second round in 2024 with several of the same players that are on the team this year. Creighton may be the most experienced team the Huskers face all season, as the Bluejay playing rotation includes five graduate students, two seniors and two juniors. “We’re incredibly familiar with their roster, and they’re incredibly familiar with our roster,” Williams said. Creighton guard Lauren Jensen has already gone off this season, scoring a career-high 32 in an 80-72 win against Drake. She was 6-for-10 on threes and made each of her six two-point shots. One thing new to the series for Nebraska is Britt Prince, the freshman from Elkhorn North getting her first taste of playing against her hometown school. In the past two games combined, Prince is 15 for 21 shooting. She’s driving to the basket, and also shooting 3s. “She’s gotten more aggressive, and I’d like to see her be even more aggressive,” Williams said. The 113-70 win against South Dakota showed the Huskers what it can look like this season. The Huskers zipped passes around the perimeter to get lots of good 3-point chances. Nebraska had 33 assists on 41 field goals. Hake felt like a lot of inside-outside passes helped the Huskers to the fourth-best scoring total in program history. “When you have posts that are willing to kick it out and give you dimes for passes that makes shooting in a guard’s job a lot easier,” Hake said. “I think we really wanted to carry that forward. But we don’t want to live and die by the three.” Nebraska (5-0) G – Britt Prince; 5-11; Fr.; 13.0 G – Callin Hake; 5-8; Jr.; 6.0 G – Alberte Rimdal; 5-9; Sr.; 10.4 G – Logan Nissley; 6-0; So.; 8.0 C – Alexis Markowski; 6-3; Sr.; 13.8 Creighton (1-2) Player; Ht.; Yr.; PPG. G – Molly Mogensen; 5-7; Sr.; 6.0 G – Lauren Jensen; 5-10; Sr.; 21.3 G – Kiani Lockett; 5-8; Jr.; 11.3 G – Mallory Brake; 6-0; Sr.; 2.7 F – Morgan Maly; 6-1; Sr.; 15.3 Reach the writer at 402-473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com . On Twitter @LJSSportsWagner. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

The Beyoncé Bowl, Squid Game, and Everything Else You Should Watch This WeekendAlyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join GuardiansAP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:35 p.m. EST

Rachel Christian | (TNS) Bankrate.com Just because retirement planning involves some guesswork doesn’t mean it has to be a total mystery. Related Articles Business | Tech review: Earbuds and phones for those on your holiday list Business | The year in money: inflation eased, optimism ticked upward Business | Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen’s friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish Business | Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn’t install more automated systems Business | 6 ways to avoid a financial hangover Whether you’ve been saving since your first job or you’re getting a late start, you can leverage expert-recommended strategies to gauge your progress on the road to retirement. And if you’re not quite on track, don’t sweat it — the experts we spoke to offered actionable tips to help you close the gap. You might have a general idea of how much money you need to save for retirement . A few quick calculations can give you an estimate, but to truly appreciate where you stand, you’ll need to dive into the numbers. Here’s how to get started. A good rule of thumb to estimate your retirement savings goal is the Rule of 25 . Simply multiply your desired annual retirement income by 25. The result is roughly how much you’ll need to save before hitting retirement. For example, if you plan to spend $50,000 a year, you’ll need about $1.25 million to make it a reality. The Rule of 25 is based on the idea that withdrawing 4% annually from your retirement savings should last you about 30 years. While it’s not an exact science by any means — health care costs and lifestyle changes can skew the numbers, for example — the Rule of 25 can be a good starting point to figure out how much you need to save. Fidelity Investments, a behemoth in the retirement planning space, offers savings guidelines to help you determine if you’re on track . —By age 30: Save 1x your annual salary —By age 40: Save 3x your annual salary —By age 50: Save 6x your annual salary —By age 60: Save 8x your annual salary —By age 67: Save 10x your annual salary For example, if you earn $60,000 annually, you should aim for $600,000 in savings by age 67. But like the Rule of 25, Fidelity’s guidelines offer a 10,000-foot look at retirement goals, and they’re not customized to your situation. Maybe you earned a low salary in your 20s, but you’re working hard in your 30s to make up for it. Use these estimates as a benchmark — but don’t get discouraged if you’re lagging behind. Now it’s time to zoom in a little. To get a clearer snapshot of your progress, use an online retirement calculator. These tools factor in your age, current savings, income and lifestyle goals to estimate whether you’re on track. You’ll get a more refined estimate without crunching the numbers yourself. Bankrate’s retirement calculator even lets you input different rates of return on your investments and accounts for estimated annual salary increases. Having a general savings goal is nice, but to avoid falling short in retirement, you’ll need more than a ballpark figure. Experts recommend creating a retirement budget to get an up-close-and-personal look at how much you’ll really need once you leave the workforce. First, estimate how much you’ll spend per month in retirement. While some costs will increase, like health care, others will likely decrease, like dining out and commuting. “Estimating expenses can be challenging for some people, so as a starting point, I often use your net take-home pay,” says Jeff DeLarme, a certified financial planner and president of DeLarme Wealth Management. For example, if you receive a direct deposit of $2,500 every two weeks from work, use $5,000 as your estimated monthly spending in retirement. “Assuming this was enough to pay the bills while working, we can use $5,000 a month as a starting budget to plan for,” says DeLarme. Next, map out your sources of income in retirement. Social Security is the largest income stream for most retirees, but don’t neglect other inflows, such as: —Workplace retirement accounts, like 401(k)s —Personal retirement accounts, like a traditional or Roth IRA —Pensions —Annuities —Selling your home or business —Rental income —Inheritance “If there’s a gap between your expected expenses and income, you’ll have a good idea of how much you need to save,” says Mike Hunsberger, a certified financial planner and owner of Next Mission Financial Planning. From there, you can adjust your savings and investment strategy accordingly. For something as important (and complex) as retirement planning, it pays to speak with a professional. Financial advisers can analyze your savings, investments and retirement goals to create a personalized plan. Advisers use special planning software that account for more variables than an online calculator, giving you a much more precise, granular look at your financial life in retirement. Many financial advisers can also help you optimize your tax strategy, which can potentially save you thousands of dollars over time. Make sure the adviser you hire is a fiduciary , meaning they’re legally obligated to prioritize your interests over their own. A fiduciary won’t push investments to earn a commission or recommend products that aren’t aligned with your needs. A certified financial planner is one of the most well-recognized designations for fiduciaries. You can use Bankrate’s adviser matching tool to find a certified financial planner in your area in minutes. Maybe you did the math and realized you’re not quite where you need to be. Don’t panic if you’re behind schedule. Here are five strategies experts recommend to help you catch up on your retirement savings . Cutting expenses now frees up more cash to invest in your retirement accounts. Evaluate your budget and identify areas where you can cut costs, like dining out, streaming subscriptions or shopping. Don’t rule out bigger lifestyle changes either, especially if retirement is rapidly approaching. Housing is the biggest monthly expense for most people. Getting creative here can help amplify the amount you can sock away, says Joseph Boughan, a certified financial planner and managing member at Parkmount Financial Partners. It can also reduce your expenses in retirement, so you may not need to save as much as before. “Downsizing can be a great way to cut expenses,” says Boughan. “This can even free up cash if you don’t end up needing all that money for a new home.” Moving somewhere with lower property taxes or income taxes can also help bring your retirement plan back in line. And if you’re a renter, making tough short-term decisions, like taking on a roommate or moving to a lower cost-of-living area, can free up hundreds of dollars a month for your retirement. “Everyone’s plan is unique, so exploring all the options is important,” Boughan says. Joe Conroy, a certified financial planner and owner of Harford Retirement Planners, recommends taking a “retirement test drive” as you near your target date. “Start to live on what income you think you can afford in retirement and stash all the extra income into savings and investments,” says Conroy. “If you can make it through each month, you’re ready for retirement. If you run short, then adjust your plan accordingly.” Working a little longer can be a game-changer for your retirement nest egg. Not only does it give you more time to save, it also gives your investments room to grow. “Working longer or even just part time for a few years early in retirement is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of money you need to save,” says Hunsberger. Postponing retirement can also boost your Social Security benefits . “You can claim as early as 62, but your benefits will be reduced significantly,” says Hunsberger. Meanwhile, each year you delay claiming Social Security benefits beyond your full retirement age , your monthly check will increase by 8%, though this benefit maxes out at age 70. So waiting can really pay off. It may seem obvious, but if you’re behind on retirement savings, you’ll need to boost your contributions as much as possible. Here are a few ways to make saving for retirement easier: —Increase your contribution rate: Allocate a larger portion of your paycheck to a workplace retirement plan. Even bumping up your contributions by 1% or 2% can make a huge difference down the road. —Take advantage of your employer match: Don’t leave free money on the table. Many employers will chip in between 3 and 5% depending on your plan, so make sure you’re contributing enough to take advantage of the benefit. —Use “unexpected” money to catch up: If you get a raise or bonus at work, funnel part of it directly into your 401(k). And if you get a refund at tax time, siphon some of it off to beef up your IRA. If you’ve been investing in low-risk, low-return investments, you may not be keeping up with inflation, let alone growing your nest egg. Reallocating part of your portfolio to stocks or low-cost growth exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is one way to get your money working harder. Higher-risk investments like stocks carry more volatility but also offer higher potential returns. Work with a financial adviser or use a robo-adviser to strike the right balance between growth and your personal risk tolerance. Contribution limits for 401(k) plans and IRAs are higher for people over 50. For 2025, employees aged 50 and up who participate in most 401(k) plans or the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan can save up to $31,000 annually, including a $7,500 catch-up contribution . But thanks to SECURE 2.0 , a sweeping retirement law, a new higher catch-up contribution limit of $11,250 applies for employees ages 60 to 63. So, if you’re in this age group, you can squirrel away a whopping $34,750 a year during the final stretch of your career. Of course, you’ll need a big salary (think six figures) in order to take full advantage of such massive contribution limits. But if you can afford it, these catch-up allowances can put your plan back on track, especially if you struggled to save much early in your career. There’s no GPS to gauge your progress on the road to retirement. If you’ve veered off course or aren’t sure where to start, begin by getting a quick estimate of how much you’ll need before mapping out a retirement budget. And if you’re behind, don’t panic — adjusting your spending, boosting your contributions and speaking with a financial adviser can help you catch up. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.None

Bill Belichick didn't wait around for a call that he might not get from an NFL team. With no guarantees that another opportunity might come his way — only the Atlanta Falcons interviewed Belichick last offseason — and unsure whether he could find the right fit in the NFL, the 72-year-old future Hall of Fame coach decided to go back to school. Belichick took his eight Super Bowl rings to North Carolina on a mission to build a college program the way he constructed two dynasties during 24 seasons with the New England Patriots. It starts with doing things his way. The Patriot Way is legendary. Perhaps it'll translate into the Tar Heel way. That's to be determined. But Belichick is back doing what he loves: coaching. And, he's going to run the show with his guys around him. An NFL team giving Belichick full control the way he had in New England seemed unlikely. Success at North Carolina could change that thinking. For now, Belichick's quest to break Don Shula's all-time record for most wins in the NFL is on hold. He's 15 victories short but the buyout clause in his college contract — a $10 million fee if done before June 2025 and $1 million after that date — leaves the window open for a return to the league. If Belichick stays in college or retires without returning to the NFL, his legacy is already cemented. Winning at North Carolina will only enhance his reputation. Losing won't impact his NFL resume. "He's one of the all-time great coaches. What he's done for the NFL and the game, we all know where he'll end up — in the Hall of Fame with a gold jacket," Dallas Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said Wednesday shortly before Belichick agreed on a five-year deal with North Carolina that pays him $10 million in base and supplemental salary annually with up to $3.5 million in bonuses per year. Belichick has his detractors. There's no denying he couldn't win without Tom Brady. He was 29-39 and had no playoff wins without No. 12 in his final four seasons with the Patriots. Critics have labeled him a cheater because of the Spygate and Deflategate scandals. He overlooked Aaron Hernandez's issues. He was tough on players, even alienating Brady in the end and letting him walk him away in free agency in 2020 only to see him lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl in his first season there. But Belichick instilled in players the importance of doing their job and presided over an unprecedented two-decade run of dominance that withstood changing times, free agency, salary-cap restrictions and much more. Brady has always maintained how important Belichick was for his career, giving him credit for helping him become one of the best players in sports. Now, Belichick is onto Chapel Hill in a surprise twist after he spent most of the NFL season reinventing himself as an entertaining and engaging analyst. Belichick is a football genius and his knowledge came across on television. But he also displayed a fun personality, trading quips with the Mannings and cracking jokes with Pat McAffee. "College kind of came to me this year," Belichick said at his introductory news conference. "I didn't necessarily go and seek it out. I had many coaches, probably a couple dozen coaches, talk to me and say, 'Can we come down and talk to you about these things?' Let's call it the salary cap of pro football relative to college football. The headsets, the green dot, the two-minute warning, the tablets on the sideline. Those were all rules changes this year for college football that were either or the same or similar to what we had in the NFL. These coaches said, 'Hey coach can we talk to you about how you did this? How you did that? How did you use this?'. "As those conversations started and then the personnel conversations started relative to salary cap and how you spend whatever the allotment of money you have. I'd say that started to make me a lot more aware of it because the first thing I would have to do is learn about it. .... As you learn different things about different programs you start to put it all together. There is some common threads and there's some variables." How will he do as a college coach? Nobody knows yet. Three of Belichick's former players were skeptical before he took the job. "There's a lot of things he can do, and obviously he's tremendous, and even showing his personality. But getting out there on the recruiting trail and dealing with all these college kids, that would be ..." Brady said before trailing off during a conversation on Fox's NFL pregame show last Sunday. Fellow former Patriots Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman also wondered the same. "Can you imagine NIL, and all that nonsense?" Gronkowski said. Edelman added: "Can you imagine Bill on a couch recruiting an 18-year-old?" But Belichick doesn't have to recruit kids on visits. These are new times in college sports. The NIL has dramatically changed the landscape. Plus, Belichick's name is enough. Just like Deion Sanders at Colorado. "I think it could be great for this game, honestly, if he can find a way to make college football more like this in terms of what's being asked of the coaches, the recruiting staff, the personnel, the NIL, and all those different things," Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Cohen said. "If he can make it a little bit less demanding on some of the coaches and create a great atmosphere and have success, I think it's great for our game. It's pretty cool to see, actually." Time for Belichick to do his job. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that he's launched an investigation into the Google-backed AI chatbot startup Character.AI over its privacy and safety practices for minors. The news comes just days after two Texas families sued the startup and its financial backer Google , alleging that the platform's AI characters sexually and emotionally abused their school-aged children. According to the lawsuit, the chatbots encouraged the children to engage in self-harm and violence. "Technology companies are on notice that my office is vigorously enforcing Texas’s strong data privacy laws," said Paxton in a statement. "These investigations are a critical step toward ensuring that social media and AI companies comply with our laws designed to protect children from exploitation and harm." According to Paxton's office, the companies could be in violation of the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, which requires companies to provide extensive parental controls to protect the privacy of their children, and the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA), which "imposes strict notice and consent requirements on companies that collect and use minors’ personal data." "We are currently reviewing the Attorney General's announcement," a Character.AI spokesperson told us. "As a company, we take the safety of our users very seriously. We welcome working with regulators and have recently announced we are launching some of the features referenced in the release, including parental controls." Indeed, on Thursday Character.AI promised to prioritize "teen safety" by launching a separate AI model "specifically for our teen users." The company also promised to roll out "parental controls" that will give "parents insight into their child's experience on Character.AI. Whether its actions will be enough to stem a tide of highly problematic chatbots being hosted on its platform remains to be seen. Futurism has previously identified chatbots on the platform devoted to themes of pedophilia , eating disorders , self-harm , and suicide . Alongside Character.AI, Paxton is also launching separate investigations into fourteen other companies ranging from Reddit to Instagram to Discord. How far Paxton's newly-launched investigation will go is unclear. Paxton has repeatedly launched investigations into digital platforms, accusing them of violating safety and privacy laws. In October, he sued TikTok for sharing minors' personal data. At the time, TikTok denied the allegations, arguing that it offers "robust safeguards for teens and parents, including Family Pairing, all of which are publicly available." Parts of the SCOPE Act were also recently blocked by a Texas judge , siding with tech groups that argued it was unlawfully restricting free expression. Paxton also subpoenaed 404 Media in October , demanding the publication to hand over confidential information into its wholly unrelated reporting of a lawsuit against Google. The attorney general has a colorful past himself. Last year, Texas House investigators impeached Paxton after finding he took bribes from a real estate investor, exploited the powers of his office, and fired staff members who reported his misconduct, according to the Texas Tribune . After being suspended for roughly four months, the Texas Senate acquitted Paxton for all articles of impeachment, allowing him to return to office. Paxton was also indicted in 2015 on state securities fraud charges. Charges were dropped in March after he agreed to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution. Besides suing digital platforms, Paxton also sued manufacturers 3M and DuPont for misleading consumers about the safety of their products, and Austin's largest homeless service provider for allegedly being a "common nuisance" in the surrounding neighborhood. More on Character.AI: Google-Backed AI Startup Announces Plans to Stop Grooming Teenagers Share This Article