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Top news of the day: 179 killed in South Korea plane crash; South Africa wins thriller against Pakistan, books WTC final spot, and moreAlabama's elected officials react to Jimmy Carter's death and his legacy of faith and serviceDELAWARE, Ohio, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF, GEF.B), a world leader in industrial packaging products and services, today announced fourth quarter and fiscal 2024 results. Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights: (all results compared to the fourth quarter 2023 unless otherwise noted) Net income decreased 6.5% to $63.4 million or $1.08 per diluted Class A share compared to net income of $67.8 million or $1.16 per diluted Class A share. Net income, excluding the impact of adjustments(1), decreased 46.4% to $49.6 million or $0.85 per diluted Class A share compared to net income, excluding the impact of adjustments, of $92.6 million or $1.59 per diluted Class A share. Adjusted EBITDA(2) decreased 2.0% to $197.6 million compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $201.6 million. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $16.3 million to $187.2 million. Adjusted free cash flow(3) increased by $8.5 million to $144.7 million. Fiscal Year Results Include: (all results compared to the fiscal year 2023 unless otherwise noted): Net income decreased 27.0% to $262.1 million or $4.52 per diluted Class A share compared to net income of $359.2 million or $6.15 per diluted Class A share. Net income, excluding the impact of adjustments, decreased 35.3% to $233.6 million or $4.03 per diluted Class A share compared to net income, excluding the impact of adjustments, of $361.2 million or $6.19 per diluted Class A share. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 15.6% to $694.2 million compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $822.2 million. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $293.5 million to $356.0 million. Adjusted free cash flow decreased by $291.4 million to $189.8 million. Total debt increased by $525.5 million to $2,740.6 million. Net debt(4) increased by $508.7 million to $2,542.9 million. The Company's leverage ratio(5) increased to 3.53x from 2.2x in the prior year quarter, and decreased from 3.64x sequentially. Strategic Actions and Announcements Hosting Investor Day on December 11, 2024, at Convene: 75 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Completed previously announced business model optimization project to fully leverage our core competitive advantages and facilitate accelerated growth. This operating model change will result in the following four new reportable segments beginning in the first quarter of 2025: Customized Polymer Solutions; Durable Metal Solutions; Sustainable Fiber Solutions; and Integrated Solutions. Related to our new segments, on Thursday, December 5, 2024, we will be releasing online the previous eight quarters of segment financial highlights to assist our investor community in modeling our new reportable segments. This information will be made available at our investor relations site https://investor.greif.com/ . Announcing targeted cost optimization effort to eliminate $100 million of structural costs from the business through a combination of SG&A rationalization, network optimization, and operating efficiency gains. More information on this effort will be provided at our upcoming Investor Day. Commentary from CEO Ole Rosgaard “I am pleased to report a solid fourth quarter and full year 2024 result, particularly in light of the continuation of this extended period of industrial contraction. While managing the business for the present, we also made significant strides under our Build to Last strategy towards the future, and our executive team and I look forward to sharing more information at our Investor Day next week. Our investors can expect an interactive and engaging half day session, and we highly encourage your in-person attendance as we look forward to 2025 and beyond.” Build to Last Mission Progress Recently completed our fourteenth wave NPS(6) survey, receiving feedback from nearly five thousand customers globally for a net score of 69, recognized as a world-class score within the manufacturing industry. At our upcoming Investor Day, we plan to further discuss the powerful correlation between NPS, an indicator of our Legendary Customer Service, and financial performance. We thank our customers for their continued feedback, which is critical in helping us achieve our vision to be the best performing customer service company in the world, and we are proud to continue to earn positive feedback from our customers throughout a difficult global operating environment. Note: A reconciliation of the differences between all non-GAAP financial measures used in this release with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included in the financial schedules that are a part of this release. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement, and should be read together with, our financial results. They should not be considered an alternative or substitute for, and should not be considered superior to, our reported financial results. Accordingly, users of this financial information should not place undue reliance on these non-GAAP financial measures. Segment Results (all results compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 unless otherwise noted) Net sales are impacted mainly by the volume of primary products(7) sold, selling prices, product mix and the impact of changes in foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. The table below shows the percentage impact of each of these items on net sales for our primary products for the fourth quarter of 2024 as compared to the prior year quarter for the business segments with manufacturing operations. Net sales from completed acquisitions of Reliance Products Ltd. (“Reliance”) and Ipackchem Group SAS ("Ipackchem") primary products are not included in the table below, but will be included in their respective segments starting in the fiscal first quarter of 2025 for Reliance and fiscal third quarter of 2025 for Ipackchem. Global Industrial Packaging Net sales increased by $65.9 million to $786.9 million primarily due to contributions from recent acquisitions and higher volumes. Gross profit increased by $12.6 million to $167.0 million due to the same factors that impacted net sales, partially offset by higher raw material, labor and manufacturing costs. Operating profit decreased by $0.1 million to $75.0 million primarily due to higher SG&A expenses from recent acquisitions, offset by the same factors that impacted gross profit. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $4.0 million to $109.4 million primarily due to the same factors that impacted gross profit, partially offset by higher SG&A expenses from recent acquisitions. Paper Packaging & Services Net sales increased by $42.9 million to $624.5 million primarily due to higher average selling prices as a result of higher published containerboard and boxboard prices. Gross profit decreased by $0.1 million to $118.7 million primarily due to higher raw material and labor costs, offset by the same factors that impacted net sales. Operating profit increased by $13.4 million to $48.7 million primarily due to lower non-cash impairment charges and restructuring charges related to optimizing and rationalizing operations in the prior year, partially offset by the same factors that impacted gross profit and higher SG&A expenses related to higher health, medical, incentive and pension expenses. Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $8.4 million to $85.3 million primarily due to the same factors that impacted gross profit and higher SG&A expenses related to higher health, medical, incentive and pension expenses. Tax Summary During the fourth quarter, we recorded an income tax rate of 21.8 percent and a tax rate excluding the impact of adjustments of 39.6 percent. Note that the application of accounting for income taxes often causes fluctuations in our quarterly effective tax rates. For the full year, we recorded an income tax rate of 10.6 percent and a tax rate excluding the impact of adjustments of 12.8 percent. Dividend Summary On December 3, 2024, the Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.54 per share of Class A Common Stock and $0.80 per share of Class B Common Stock. Dividends are payable on January 1, 2025, to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 16, 2024. Company Outlook Our markets have now experienced a multi-year period of industrial contraction, and we have not identified any compelling demand inflection on the horizon, despite slightly improved year over year volumes. While we believe we are well positioned for an eventual recovery of the industrial economy, at this time we believe it is appropriate to provide only low-end guidance based on the continuation of demand trends reflected in the past year, current price/cost factors in Paper Packaging and Services, and other identifiable discrete items which we will discuss during our fourth quarter earnings release call. Call-in details are provided below. Note: Fiscal 2025 net income guidance, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to Adjusted EBITDA, is not provided in this release due to the potential for one or more of the following, the timing and magnitude of which we are unable to reliably forecast: gains or losses on the disposal of businesses or properties, plants and equipment, net; non-cash asset impairment charges due to unanticipated changes in the business; restructuring-related activities; acquisition and integration related costs; and ongoing initiatives under our Build to Last strategy. No reconciliation of the 2025 low-end guidance estimate of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure which excludes restructuring charges, acquisition and integration related costs, non-cash asset impairment charges, and (gain) loss on the disposal of properties, plants and equipment, (gain) loss on the disposal of businesses, net, and other costs, is included in this release because, due to the high variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections of some of the excluded information, together with some of the excluded information not being ascertainable or accessible, we are unable to quantify certain amounts that would be required to be included in net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, without unreasonable efforts. A reconciliation of 2025 low-end guidance estimate of adjusted free cash flow to fiscal 2025 forecasted net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, is included in this release. Conference Call The Company will host a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and fiscal 2024 results on December 5, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). Participants may access the call using the following online registration link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BId6a2105d615e45438d7c615c6b1ce4d5 . Registrants will receive a confirmation email containing dial in details and a unique conference call code for entry. Phone lines will open at 8:00 a.m. ET on December 5, 2024. A digital replay of the conference call will be available two hours following the call on the Company's web site at http://investor.greif.com . Investor Relations contact information Bill D’Onofrio, Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations, 614-499-7233. Bill.Donofrio@greif.com About Greif Greif is a global leader in industrial packaging products and services and is pursuing its vision: to be the best performing customer service company in the world. The Company produces steel, plastic and fibre drums, intermediate bulk containers, reconditioned containers, jerrycans and other small plastics, containerboard, uncoated recycled paperboard, coated recycled paperboard, tubes and cores and a diverse mix of specialty products. The Company also manufactures packaging accessories and provides other services for a wide range of industries. In addition, the Company manages timber properties in the southeastern United States. The Company is strategically positioned in over 35 countries to serve global as well as regional customers. Additional information is on the Company's website at www.greif.com . Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “aspiration,” “objective,” “project,” “believe,” “continue,” “on track” or “target” or the negative thereof and similar expressions, among others, identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, expectations and other information currently available to management. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements have a reasonable basis, the Company can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those forecasted, projected or anticipated, whether expressed or implied. Such risks and uncertainties that might cause a difference include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) historically, our business has been sensitive to changes in general economic or business conditions, (ii) our global operations subject us to political risks, instability and currency exchange that could adversely affect our results of operations, (iii) the current and future challenging global economy and disruption and volatility of the financial and credit markets may adversely affect our business, (iv) the continuing consolidation of our customer base and suppliers may intensify pricing pressure, (v) we operate in highly competitive industries, (vi) our business is sensitive to changes in industry demands and customer preferences, (vii) raw material shortages, price fluctuations, global supply chain disruptions and increased inflation may adversely impact our results of operations, (viii) energy and transportation price fluctuations and shortages may adversely impact our manufacturing operations and costs, (ix) we may encounter difficulties or liabilities arising from acquisitions or divestitures, (x) we may incur additional rationalization costs and there is no guarantee that our efforts to reduce costs will be successful, (xi) several operations are conducted by joint ventures that we cannot operate solely for our benefit, (xii) certain of the agreements that govern our joint ventures provide our partners with put or call options, (xiii) our ability to attract, develop and retain talented and qualified employees, managers and executives is critical to our success, (xiv) our business may be adversely impacted by work stoppages and other labor relations matters, (xv) we may be subject to losses that might not be covered in whole or in part by existing insurance reserves or insurance coverage and general insurance premium and deductible increases, (xvi) our business depends on the uninterrupted operations of our facilities, systems and business functions, including our information technology and other business systems, (xvii) a cyber-attack, security breach of customer, employee, supplier or Company information and data privacy risks and costs of compliance with new regulations may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, (xviii) we could be subject to changes in our tax rates, the adoption of new U.S. or foreign tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities, (xix) we have a significant amount of goodwill and long-lived assets which, if impaired in the future, would adversely impact our results of operations, (xx) changing climate, global climate change regulations and greenhouse gas effects may adversely affect our operations and financial performance, (xxi) we may be unable to achieve our greenhouse gas emission reduction target by 2030, (xxii) legislation/regulation related to environmental and health and safety matters could negatively impact our operations and financial performance, (xxiii) product liability claims and other legal proceedings could adversely affect our operations and financial performance, and (xxiv) we may incur fines or penalties, damage to our reputation or other adverse consequences if our employees, agents or business partners violate, or are alleged to have violated, anti-bribery, competition or other laws. The risks described above are not all-inclusive, and given these and other possible risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. For a detailed discussion of the most significant risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those forecasted, projected or anticipated, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our most recently filed Form 10-K and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements made in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to such risk factors. Except to the limited extent required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. (8) EBITDA is defined as net income, plus interest expense, net, plus income tax (benefit) expense, plus depreciation, depletion and amortization. However, because the Company does not calculate net income by segment, this table calculates EBITDA by segment with reference to operating profit by segment, which, as demonstrated in the table of Consolidated EBITDA, is another method to achieve the same result. See the reconciliations in the table of Segment EBITDA. (9) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income, plus interest expense, net, plus income tax (benefit) expense, plus depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, plus acquisition and integration related costs, plus restructuring charges, plus non-cash asset impairment charges, plus non-cash pension settlement charges, plus gain (loss) on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, (gain) loss on disposal of businesses, net, plus other costs. (10) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income, plus interest expense, net, plus income tax (benefit) expense, plus depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, plus acquisition and integration related costs, plus restructuring charges, plus non-cash asset impairment charges, plus non-cash pension settlement charges, plus (gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, plus (gain) loss on disposal of businesses, net, plus other costs. However, because the Company does not calculate net income by segment, this table calculates adjusted EBITDA by segment with reference to operating profit by segment, which, as demonstrated in the table of consolidated adjusted EBITDA, is another method to achieve the same result. (11)Adjusted free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, less cash paid for purchases of properties, plants and equipment, plus cash paid for acquisition and integration related costs, net, plus cash paid for integration related ERP systems and equipment, plus cash paid for taxes related to Tama, Iowa mill divestment, plus cash paid for fiscal year-end change costs. (12) Cash paid for integration related ERP systems and equipment is defined as cash paid for ERP systems and equipment required to bring the acquired facilities to Greif’s standards. The impact of income tax (benefit) expense and noncontrolling interest on each adjustment is calculated based on tax rates and ownership percentages specific to each applicable entity. (13)Adjustments to EBITDA are specified by the 2022 Credit Agreement and include certain timberland gains, equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax, certain acquisition savings, deferred financing costs, capitalized interest, income and expense in connection with asset dispositions, and other items. (14)Adjustments to net debt are specified by the 2022 Credit Agreement and include the European accounts receivable program, letters of credit, and balances for swap contracts. (15) Leverage ratio is defined as Credit Agreement adjusted net debt divided by Credit Agreement adjusted EBITDA. The following table presents net sales by reportable segments and geographic operating segments, depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses by reportable segments, and capital expenditures by reportable segments for fiscal years 2024 and 2023. The following information is unaudited:

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Rodney Johnson Jr.'s 33 points led Tennessee Tech over NAIA-member Milligan 95-75 on Sunday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Rodney Johnson Jr.'s 33 points led Tennessee Tech over NAIA-member Milligan 95-75 on Sunday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Rodney Johnson Jr.’s 33 points led Tennessee Tech over NAIA-member Milligan 95-75 on Sunday. Johnson added five rebounds for the Golden Eagles (6-7). Kyle Layton scored 11 points and added five assists. Ray Glasgow had 10 points and went 4 of 7 from the field (2 for 4 from 3-point range). Handje Tamba finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Buffs. Sam Gold added nine points and six rebounds for Milligan. Jayme Peay also put up nine points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement

How a crash on New Year’s Day 2021 has led to attempts to equip vehicles with blood alcohol monitoring systems. Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | Five facts about electric vehicles in 2024 Crime and Public Safety | Thinking of buying an EV? You might want to move quickly Crime and Public Safety | ‘Alarming’ new car prices push Bay Area buyers toward used vehicles, but they’re pricey, too Crime and Public Safety | Car insurance premiums are rising: Which Bay Area cities pay more? Crime and Public Safety | California’s lemon law changes mean fewer protections for car buyers On Friday Jan. 1, 2021, a sport utility vehicle was traveling near Avenal in central California while a pickup truck — occupied by a driver and seven passengers, ranging in age from 6 to 15 years old — was traveling north on State Route 33. The SUV accelerated to a speed between 88 and 98 mph, then it ran off the shoulder to the right. The driver overcorrected to the left and the SUV crossed the centerline into the other lane, directly in front of the oncoming pickup truck. The SUV and pickup truck collided head-on and the truck immediately caught fire. The SUV driver and all eight (seven children) pickup truck occupants died. National Transportation Safety Board investigators found that the SUV driver had a high level of alcohol intoxication and was operating at an excessive speed. The issues of impaired driving and excessive speeding are both on the NTSB’s Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements. “Technology could’ve prevented this heartbreaking crash — just as it can prevent the tens of thousands of fatalities from impaired driving and speeding-related crashes we see in the U.S. annually,” said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. “We need to implement the technologies we have right here, right now to save lives.”​ With all the public service announcements and money spent on education and prevention, alcohol-related fatalities in the U.S. have increased over the past several years. The NTSB pushed legislation in the Investment and Infrastructure and Jobs Act (of 2021) that new vehicles sold in the U.S., as soon as 2026, to be equipped with passive alcohol detection systems . Passive alcohol detection systems are still in the developmental stages. The Department of Transportation is allowed to extend the period for mandatory implementation of these sensors, if technically necessary.Several legal groups such as the ACLU have voiced concern over how the data from these systems would be used. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says on its website that “in order to be considered for widespread deployment, the Driver Alcohol Detection System technology must be seamless, accurate, and precise, and unobtrusive to the sober driver. It must also be proven reliable to be installed in the vehicle fleet and publicly favorable.” Unlike the systems currently mandated by states for drivers convicted of DUI offenses, which require them to breathe into a tube before starting their vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and 17 automakers have been developing and testing a passive breath test and a touch-based system that uses infrared light to measure the blood alcohol level through the skin as part of the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety program. These systems would work by continually monitoring the alcohol level of the driver with sensors located near the steering wheel. The system would constantly monitor the driver’s breath in an unobtrusive manner. If the unit detects an elevated blood alcohol content level, the vehicle will become inoperable. Alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities were highest in Texas (1,495), followed by California (1,159) and Florida (871), and lowest in the District of Columbia (7). The percentage of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities among total traffic fatalities in states ranged from a high of 45% (Montana) to a low of 21% (the District of Columbia, Mississippi and Utah), compared to the national average of 30%. Of the 42,514 traffic fatalities in 2022, there were an estimated 13,524 people (32%) killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. The number of people killed in the U.S. by alcohol-related accidents in 2022 is more than 46 fully-loaded Boeing 757s (289 passengers each). Cannabis: As of April 2023, 38 U.S. states had legalized medical marijuana and 23 had legalized its recreational use. It’s illegal everywhere to drive impaired by the drug. Sources: University of Indiana; California Department of Motor Vehicles; MADD, NTSB, The Associated Press, Driver Alcohol Detection SystemFormer Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination as attorney general on Thursday as new allegations about sexual relationships he had with a minor emerged. Gaetz had already announced his immediate resignation from Congress, but it’s possible he could take his seat in the next Congress in January. How would this work? First, Gaetz would have to rescind his intention to not take the seat that he won in November in the Congress that begins in January 2025. He officially resigned from Congress on Nov. 13 when he submitted a letter declaring his resignation “effective immediately.” Adding, “I do not intend to take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress.” There is no existing precedent for a member of Congress resigning from one session of Congress, but then taking the same seat they were elected to in the next. That makes this a bit murky — and there are competing legal analyses for the situation. If Gaetz claimed that he now intends to take his seat in January, someone could sue to prevent him from doing so. That could be the Florida Secretary of State, who could claim that his resignation was official and the special election to fill his seat was already under way. It’s unclear how courts would rule in such a situation because it’s unprecedented. Alternatively, the House could refuse to seat him. But the Supreme Court ruled in the 1969 case of Powell v. McCormack that Congress cannot use criteria outside of the Constitution’s qualifications for office to refuse to seat a duly elected member. Again, courts have not adjudicated the question of a member rescinding their intention to not take their seat. If this were to happen, Gaetz could theoretically sue to claim his seat. The other option would be to let Gaetz take his seat and then expel him. Expulsion, however, requires a two-thirds vote of the House and is a step rarely taken. Only six members have ever been expelled from the House, with three of those expelled for siding with the Confederacy in the Civil War. This could all be moot if Gaetz decides not to go back on his resignation. And he has every incentive to do that. Among the aftereffects of his resignation is the fact it stopped the release of a report by the House Ethics Committee detailing allegations that he had sex with a 17-year old girl. Gaetz has denied the allegations. The committee voted against releasing the report on Wednesday since he was no longer a member of Congress. Were he to take his seat, the ethics investigation would remain live and the report would likely be released. The Florida Secretary of State’s office has already been tasked with setting a date for a special election to fill Gaetz’s seat. If he honors his resignation decision, that special election will go forward. Don't let this be the end of the free press. The free press is under attack — and America's future hangs in the balance. As other newsrooms bow to political pressure, HuffPost is not backing down. Would you help us keep our news free for all? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. So far, Gaetz has given no indication on his political future after pulling his attorney general nomination. Related From Our Partner

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. 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. 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. 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 Building One 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: 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 Goals Social 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: 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 Foundation Just 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: 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 Goals Whatever 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: 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 Year It 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: 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 Evolving The 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 stor y was produced by Blueprint and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. States Where New Businesses Are Most Likely to Succeed States Where New Businesses Are Most Likely to Succeed Photo Credit: Alberto Menendez Cervero / Shutterstock As 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. How Likely Are New Businesses to Remain Open? The chances of staying in business increase dramatically after the first few years Source: Simply Business analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Simply Business One 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 rates Source: Simply Business analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data | Image Credit: Simply Business New 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 / Shutterstock The 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. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

Reform ‘gains 20,000 members’ since Badenoch ‘fakery’ row

Article content BEIRUT — Syria’s de facto leader said Sunday it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans to dissolve his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview with Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011. Al-Sharaa said it would take time to hold elections because of the need for Syria’s different forces to hold political dialogue and rewrite the country’s constitution following five decades of the Assad dynasty’s dictatorial rule. Also, the war-torn country’s battered infrastructure needs to be reconstructed, he said. “The chance we have today doesn’t come every 5 or 10 years,” said al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani. “We want the constitution to last for the longest time possible.” Al-Sharaa is Syria’s de facto leader until March 1, when Syria’s different factions are set to hold a political dialogue to determine the country’s political future and establish a transitional government that brings the divided country together. There, he said, HTS will dissolve after years of being the country’s most dominant rebel group that held a strategic enclave in the country’s northwest. Earlier, an Israeli airstrike in the outskirts of Damascus on Sunday killed 11 people, according to a war monitor, as Israel continues to target Syrian weapons and military infrastructure even after the ouster of Assad. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the airstrike targeted a weapons depot that belonged to Assad’s forces near the industrial town of Adra, northeast of the capital. The observatory said at least 11 people, mostly civilians, were killed. The Israeli military did not comment on the airstrike Sunday. Israel, which has launched hundreds of airstrikes over Syria since the country’s uprising turned-civil war broke out in 2011, rarely acknowledges them. It says its targets are Iran-backed groups that backed Assad. Unlike his criticism of key Assad ally Iran, al-Sharaa hoped to maintain “strategic relations” with Russia, whose air force played a critical role in keeping Assad in power for over a decade during the conflict. Moscow has a strategic airbase in Syria. The HTS leader also said negotiations are ongoing with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in northeastern Syria, and hopes that their armed forces will integrate with the Syrian security agencies. The Kurdish-led group is Washington’s key ally in Syria, where it is heavily involved in targeting sleeper cells belonging to the extremist Islamic State group. Turkish-backed Syrian rebels have been clashing with the SDF even after the insurgency, taking the key city of Manbij, as Ankara hopes to create a buffer zone near its border in northern Syria. The rebels attacked near the strategic northern border town of Kobani, while the SDF shared a video of a rocket attack that destroyed what it said was a radar system south of the city of Manbij. In other developments: — Syrian state-run media said a mass grave was found near the third largest city of Homs. SANA said civil defence workers were sent to to the site in al-Kabo, one of many suspected mass graves where tens of thousands of Syrians are believed to have been buried during a brutal crackdown under Assad and his network of security agencies. — An Egyptian activist wanted by Cairo on charges of incitement to violence and terrorism, Abdulrahman al-Qardawi, was detained by Lebanese security forces after crossing the porous border from Syria, according to two judicial and one security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to to talk to the press. Al-Qardawi is an Egyptian activist residing in Turkey and an outspoken critic of Egypt’s government. He had reportedly visited Syria to join celebrations after Assad’s downfall. His late father, Youssef al-Qaradawi, was a top and controversial Egyptian cleric revered by the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. He had lived in exile in Qatar for decades. — Lebanese security forces apprehended an armed group in the northern city of Tripoli that kidnapped a group of 26 Syrians who were recently smuggled into Lebanon, two Lebanese security officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the information with the media. The Syrians included five women and seven children, and security officials are working to return them to Syria.