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Water scarcity is one of the most pressing challenges facing global agriculture today. With India being one of the largest agricultural producers, the role of water conservation in agriculture cannot be overstated. Indian water conservation in agriculture startups are stepping up to revolutionize farming practices by offering innovative solutions for efficient water usage, helping farmers adopt sustainable methods and combat climate challenges. Here’s a look at the top 10 Indian startups for water conservation in agriculture in 2025, leading the way toward a greener future. 1. Fasal Fasal leverages IoT and AI technologies to help farmers monitor soil health and optimize irrigation schedules. Their smart solutions ensure that water is used efficiently, reducing wastage and improving crop yield. Key Features : Real-time monitoring of soil moisture and weather conditions Customized irrigation recommendations Reduction in water usage by up to 40% Why It’s a Leader : With its data-driven approach, Fasal empowers farmers to make informed decisions, ensuring sustainable water usage. 2. Khethworks Khethworks focuses on providing affordable and solar-powered irrigation systems, enabling small-scale farmers to conserve water and reduce dependence on traditional energy sources. Key Features : Solar-powered irrigation pumps Low maintenance costs High efficiency even in remote areas Impact : Khethworks’ innovative systems help farmers cultivate crops year-round while significantly reducing water consumption. 3. Ecozen Ecozen’s solutions blend renewable energy with cutting-edge technology to transform agricultural practices. Their focus on water-efficient solutions has made them a pioneer in sustainable farming. Key Features : Smart irrigation management systems Renewable energy-powered cold storage AI-based analytics for resource optimization Recognition : Ecozen has received accolades for its contributions to energy-efficient and water-saving agricultural practices. 4. Kritsnam Technologies Kritsnam Technologies offers IoT-based water management solutions that help farmers track water usage, prevent over-irrigation, and promote conservation. Key Features : Water flow monitoring devices Mobile app for real-time data tracking Alerts for optimal water usage Why Farmers Love It : Kritsnam’s user-friendly tools make water conservation accessible and practical for all. 5. Aibono Aibono’s AI-powered platform helps farmers improve resource management, including water, by offering precise predictions and actionable insights. Key Features : Predictive analytics for irrigation needs AI-driven water optimization Enhanced crop productivity Innovative Edge : Aibono integrates cutting-edge technology to ensure that every drop of water contributes to better yields. 6. FlyBird Innovations FlyBird Innovations focuses on smart irrigation controllers that optimize water usage based on weather conditions and soil requirements. Key Features : Automated irrigation scheduling Weather-based water management Increased water-use efficiency by up to 50% Market Reach : FlyBird’s solutions are widely adopted across India, especially in water-scarce regions. 7. CropIn CropIn’s AI and big data-driven platform provides comprehensive insights into farm operations, enabling efficient water management for farmers and agribusinesses. Key Features : Field mapping for water conservation Predictive models for irrigation planning Integration with sustainable farming practices Social Impact : CropIn has improved water efficiency for thousands of farmers across India, promoting a culture of sustainability. 8. RainGrid RainGrid focuses on rainwater harvesting and storage systems tailored for agricultural use, helping farmers maximize natural water resources. Key Features : Cost-effective rainwater harvesting solutions Long-term storage capabilities Improved resilience to water scarcity Why It Matters : RainGrid’s solutions help farmers reduce dependence on groundwater, ensuring sustainable water usage. 9. SustLabs SustLabs combines IoT and machine learning to offer actionable insights for water conservation in agriculture. Their precision-based approach helps farmers save water while boosting productivity. Key Features : Real-time irrigation control AI-powered water-saving algorithms Soil moisture tracking Result : SustLabs enables farmers to save water without compromising crop quality or yield. 10. Unnati Unnati’s digital platform empowers farmers with tools and resources to adopt water-efficient practices, fostering long-term sustainability. Key Features : Access to water-saving technologies Digital tools for irrigation planning Educational resources for sustainable practices Why It’s Essential : Unnati’s commitment to empowering farmers with knowledge and technology makes it a key player in water conservation. The Importance of Water Conservation in Agriculture The startups listed above are addressing critical challenges faced by Indian agriculture: Water Scarcity : Efficient use of water resources ensures long-term agricultural viability. Sustainability : Adopting innovative solutions reduces environmental impact and promotes sustainable farming practices. Cost Efficiency : Advanced irrigation systems and monitoring tools help farmers save money while boosting productivity. For more information on global innovations in water conservation, visit FAO’s Water Management Resources . Conclusion The top 10 Indian startups for water conservation in agriculture are making a significant impact by leveraging technology, innovation, and sustainable practices. These startups for water conservation in agriculture not only help farmers optimize water usage but also pave the way for a resilient agricultural future. With continued support and adoption, these startups for water conservation in agriculture promise to transform Indian agriculture and set an example for the world.Hokies head coach Brent Pry announced Thursday that three members of his staff have been let go. Eleven of Virginia Tech's 20 losses under Pry have been decided by a touchdown or less. 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COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINAL | Fiesta Bowl STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State players have watched Ashton Jeanty make opponents look silly all season. They don't want to be the next defenders Boise State's star posterizes with jukes, spin moves, stiff arms and heavy shoulders. But they also know that slowing down Jeanty, who finished second in Heisman Trophy voting, will be their toughest task yet when the two teams meet in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31. "In any other year, I think the guy wins the Heisman," Penn State coach James Franklin said. "You could make the argument that he should have won it this year. He is hard to tackle. He is compact, 5-(foot)-10, he has the ability to run away from you. He has the ability to make you miss." Jeanty led the nation with 2,497 rushing yards on 344 carries this season. He scored more touchdowns (30) than any player since Najee Harris scored 30 times with Alabama in 2020. Additionally, Jeanty's yards after contact (1,889) exceed every FBS running backs' rushing total since Oklahoma State's Chuba Hubbard led the NCAA with 2,094 total rushing yards in 2019. Jeanty also forced an NCAA-record 143 missed tackles this season. The junior did it all behind an offensive line that has been forced to shuffle its parts in the wake of numerous injuries. Only left tackle Kage Casey and left guard Ben Dooley have started every game up front for the Broncos this season. "He's a beast in terms of his production on the field, but then also his durability," Franklin said. "There's not too many people that are able to get clean shots on him. All of it is super impressive. But I think the stat that I mentioned earlier, the most impressive stat is the yards after contact." This could be Jeanty's biggest challenge to date, too. Although he's helped Boise State churn out 250 rushing yards per game, good for fifth among FBS programs, the Nittany Lions are well stocked to defend the run. Their defense is seventh nationally allowing just 100 rushing yards per game and has tightened up down the stretch. In its last six games, Penn State is allowing just 2.7 yards per rush and has only given up three rushing touchdowns, two coming in the Big Ten championship game against No. 1 Oregon. "They've had our backs throughout the whole year," Penn State quarterback Drew Allar said. "They have made me a lot better throughout the year, just going against the best defense in America and just glad I got to go against them every day in practice and not against them out on the field in a game setting." In the opening round of the CFP, Penn State held SMU to just 58 rushing yards on 36 carries. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions notched 11 of their 50 tackles for loss over the last six games against the Mustangs. Most of those came from a defensive line that regularly rotates run-stuffing tackles Zane Durant, Dvon J-Thomas and Coziah Izzard between dynamic ends Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton. Carter alone has 21 1/2 of his team's 102 stops behind the line of scrimmage this year. He's hoping to add a few against Jeanty and stay off the star back's own long-running highlight reel. "I'm living in my dreams," Carter said. "I'm having the most fun I ever had playing football and I've been playing since I was 8 years old. I'm very blessed. I'm just very humbled to have this opportunity. I just want to keep taking advantage of all the opportunities that I have." Get local news delivered to your inbox!NEW DELHI: India Inc is likely to accelerate its headcount expansion in the coming year with most of the hiring focused on new technologies like AI and data analytics, besides sustainability and diversifying talent. ET Year-end Special Reads Take That: The gamechanger weapon's India acquired in 2024 10 big-bang policy moves Modi government made in 2024 How governments tried to rein in the social media beast Executives at firms like Colgate-Palmolive , DS Group , KPMG , Deloitte , Tata Steel , Tech Mahindra and Meesho are updeat on 2025. For most of these companies, overall hiring is likely to surpass the current year's levels, while for others, it will be in line with 2024. Companies are also likely to focus on upskilling the existing workforce. According to CIEL HR 's hiring analysis of all sectors, shared exclusively with ET, 2025 will mark at least a 10% increase in jobs compared to the current year. "The highest number of jobs will be added in sectors like semiconductor, startups, cybersecurity, renewable energy, AI and GCCs," said chief executive officer Aditya Mishra. FMCG conglomerate DS Group is looking to grow its headcount next year to support new product launches and expansion plans. Colgate-Palmolive will also be growing its workforce in India, which it considers a "strategic priority" market. IT services company Tech Mahindra and e-commerce firm Meesho are looking at fresh recruitments through the campus route. "The global organisation is looking to seriously grow the India business," said Balaji Sreenivasan, EVP HR, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd. 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Building a Talent Pipeline Chief human resources officer Ashish Kumar Singh said Meesho hired in 2024 to drive rapid growth. It now has 1,700 employees including 500 women, he said. Seesho is looking to continue this trajectory next year at the same pace by attracting a diverse pool of young professionals from leading institutions across the country, he added. "Campus hiring efforts have scaled significantly, with an intake nearly three times higher than the previous year, reaffirming our commitment to building a robust and future-ready talent pipeline." Tech Mahindra plans to hire about 5,000 people from engineering campuses this year, said chief people officer Richard Lobo. He said it will undertake its campus hiring in phases. "We are looking at pivoting more on new-age skills like AI, ML, data analytics, etc." For 2025, KPMG is looking to hire aggressively too. "This is on the back of strong demand across all our businesses. We will remain focused on attracting top talent with diverse backgrounds and expertise," Reena Wahi, partner and head of people, performance & culture at KPMG in India, said. The firm is looking at recruiting talent in in-demand skills like data science/analytics, Cloud, AI/ML, IoT, ESG, digital transformation, people with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, and women re-entering the workforce. Tata Steel is looking at building a talent pipeline from within, besides hiring externally. "Our primary focus is to build a future workforce that is not only skilled but also adaptive, innovative, and geared towards future growth and expansion," said a spokesperson.



Fastly Stock Gets IBD Rating Upgrade

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NEW HOPE, Pa. (AP) — Dayle Haddon, an actor, activist and trailblazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination by reentering the industry as a widow, has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found Haddon, 76, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man police later identified as Walter J. Blucas of Erie was hospitalized in critical condition. Responders detected a high level of carbon monoxide in the property and township police said Saturday that investigators determined that “a faulty flue and exhaust pipe on a gas heating system caused the carbon monoxide leak.” Two medics were taken to a hospital for carbon monoxide exposure and a police officer was treated at the scene. As a model, Haddon appeared on the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle and Esquire in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1973 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She also appeared in about two dozen films from the 1970s to 1990s, according to IMDb.com , including 1994’s “Bullets Over Broadway,” starring John Cusack. Haddon left modeling after giving birth to her daughter, Ryan, in the mid-1970s, but then had to reenter the workforce after her husband’s 1991 death. This time she found the modeling industry far less friendly: “They said to me, ‘At 38, you’re not viable,’” Haddon told The New York Times in 2003. Working a menial job at an advertising agency, Haddon began reaching out to cosmetic companies, telling them there was a growing market to sell beauty products to aging baby boomers. She eventually landed a contract with Clairol, followed by Estée Lauder and then L’Oreal, for which she promoted the company’s anti-aging products for more than a decade. She also hosted beauty segments for CBS’s “The Early Show.” “I kept modeling, but in a different way,” she told The Times, “I became a spokesperson for my age.” In 2008, Haddon founded WomenOne, an organization aimed at advancing educational opportunities for girls and women in marginalized communities, including Rwanda, Haiti and Jordan.’ Haddon was born in Toronto and began modeling as a teenager to pay for ballet classes — she began her career with the Canadian ballet company Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, according to her website . Haddon’s daughter, Ryan, said in a social media post that her mother was “everyone’s greatest champion. An inspiration to many.” “A pure heart. A rich inner life. Touching so many lives. A life well lived. Rest in Light, Mom,” she said.Edmunds: Five dream-worthy vehicles you wish you got for the holidaysRetirement: 4 ways to maximize your 401(k) contributions before the year ends

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Maharashtra to Hold Local Body Elections in 2025 if SC Rules on OBC Quota by January: BawankuleFintech thrives on innovation, but cybersecurity requires a proactive approach. AI, predictive intelligence, and tailored strategies safeguard against risks, ensuring trust, resilience, and growth. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Let’s be honest, there are moments when the fintech industry seems like the Wild West . Risk is rising along with innovation. We’re creating amazing things like smooth mobile payments, blazing-fast cryptocurrency transactions, and AI-powered lending systems. Still, hackers are just as creative and are always using new methods to take advantage of weaknesses. Furthermore, reactive cybersecurity, which involves rushing to address issues after they arise, is just insufficient in this digital gold rush. Riding a bucking bronco and attempting to herd cats is like that. Even while you may capture a few, most will undoubtedly escape, leaving you pummeled and injured. “In the fintech world, reactive cybersecurity is like trying to outrun a wildfire with a garden hose,” says Maksym Ishchenko, Founder/CEO of Azerux . “It’s simply not sustainable. Proactive security is about building a firebreak preventing the fire from ever starting in the first place.” The High Cost of Playing Catch-Up Remember Equifax? The significant data breach in 2017 was an avoidable failure brought on by a known vulnerability that was not fixed, not an unanticipated act of God. The outcome was billions in penalties, legal action, and a permanently damaged reputation. The list of businesses hampered by reactive security measures is endless and includes Target , Yahoo , and Marriott . The absence of aggressive defences drove these titans to their knees; they were not little players. These breaches have consequences that go beyond financial ones. It has to do with trust. It’s very hard to get back once that’s gone. Investors pause, customers go away, and regulatory scrutiny increases. This vicious loop has the potential to swiftly derail even the most promising fintech endeavors. “It’s a fundamental shift in mindset,” says Azerux CEO. “We’re not just talking about technology; we’re talking about building a culture of proactive security. It’s about anticipating problems before they arise, and that requires more than just software.” Azerux: Building a Fortress, Not Patching Holes Azerux gets it. By offering complete, individualized cybersecurity solutions designed to prevent, not just respond to, cybersecurity threats, they specialize in building that stronghold. Their emphasis on preventing DDoS attacks is especially important for finance since a single, well-planned assault has the potential to knock down a whole business. How do they do it? It’s not a magic bullet, but a multi-layered strategy: Predictive threat intelligence : Azerux uses sophisticated threat intelligence to foresee assaults rather than passively waiting for them to occur. Imagine having a spy network that continuously scans the digital underworld to spot new dangers and weaknesses before they ever propagate. AI-powered threat detection : Forget clunky, outdated antivirus software. Azerux uses artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate vast volumes of data in real-time, spotting suspicious patterns and minute irregularities that conventional systems often miss. This makes it possible to identify and react to even the most complex threats quickly. It’s similar to having a highly skilled security guard who can identify problems before they become serious crises. Multi-layered DDoS mitigation : Azerux doesn’t rely on a single solution to protect against DDoS attacks. To successfully neutralize assaults of any size, they use a layered defense that combines application-level security, sophisticated filtering algorithms, and automated response systems. Massive volumes of harmful traffic may be absorbed by them, protecting genuine users in the process. It is very difficult for attackers to get past the defenses, much like having many overlapping security checkpoints. Customized security architectures : Azerux recognizes that one size doesn’t fit all. They provide a custom-fit security solution that tackles vulnerabilities particular to their operations by customizing their solutions to each client’s demands and risk profile. It’s comparable to creating a custom suit of armor, offering optimal defense where it’s most required. Expert support & training : Azerux offers more than simply technology; they also provide knowledge. Working directly with customers, their team of seasoned cybersecurity experts offers continuing assistance, instruction, and direction to guarantee that security procedures are successfully put into place and kept up to date. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Beyond the Technology: A Culture of Proactive Security Azerux’s strategy focuses on creating a culture of security rather than simply technology. This includes thorough training for staff members on optimal security procedures and phishing awareness, which helps lower the possibility of human error, a startlingly frequent source of breaches. “Proactive cyber security is a marathon, not a sprint,” adds Ishchenko. “It requires constant vigilance, adaptation, and a commitment to continuous improvement.” Reactive security is a risk you cannot afford in the high-stakes, fast-paced world of fintech. The cost of a single major breach, financial losses, reputational damage, legal battles; far outweighs the investment in a proactive approach. One sturdy castle at a time, businesses like Azerux are constructing the financial security of the future. RELATED TOPICS Fortifying FinTech: Building Resilient APIs for Security Biggest Crypto Scam Tactics in 2024 and How to Avoid Them Navigating the Complex World of Capital Markets with Technology Digital Transformation in the Financial Industry: The Role of Fintech Role of Blockchain, Smart Contracts in Securing Digital Transactions

Barring a market meltdown in the second half of December, it looks like 2024 will be a very successful year for the Mickleboro ASX share portfolio. As things stand, I am poised to record a return of over 40% for the 12 months. How did I get here? My exposure to high-quality companies in the tech, retail, and healthcare sectors helped my portfolio outperform this year. The star of the show was undoubtedly my overweight position in ( ). At the time of writing, the location technology company's shares are up 200% year to date. The now departed also gave me significant funds to reallocate elsewhere after being taken over by Renesas this year. I didn't stick around to see the takeover complete. Instead, I locked in the gains in April and reinvested them back into the tech sector through ( ) and ( ). Both of these ASX tech stocks have rocketed in value since then, compounding the funds even further. I like to buy high-quality companies when an opportunity presents itself. This proved successful with ( ) and ( ) last year. ResMed's shares were down heavily because of weight loss wonder drug concerns. They have returned approximately 50% this year. Whereas doom and gloom in the retail sector dragged youth fashion retailer Universal Store to very inviting levels. Its shares are up approximately 85% in 2024. Also contributing to the good performance were ASX share portfolio holdings such as ( ) and ( ), ( ), and the ( ). I also took advantage of a sharp pullback in the ( ) share price. This high-quality company's shares have rallied over 30% since then. It's not all sunshine and rainbows I would love to say that all portfolio holdings performed well in 2024, but that isn't the case. And will almost never be the case. This is why is so important. I was let down by ( ) and ( ), and ( ) underperformed the market. Nevertheless, I believe the quality of these companies remains high (certainly CSL!) and I expect them to perform better in 2025. I may even take advantage of this weakness to add to positions in 2025. There were also plenty of missed opportunities. ( ) and ( ) shares are two that I planned to buy and never did. They are up in the region of 45% to 70% in 2024. Another one I missed was ( ). I had intended to purchase the coffee chain giant's beaten down shares the same day I bought Disney shares. But the announcement of a new CEO that day saw Starbucks rocket 30% before I could and left me wondering what could've been. What's the plan in 2025? I'm confident in my ASX share portfolio as we head into 2025. But as always, I will look for opportunities to buy high-quality companies when they are trading at fair (or cheap) prices. I will also continue to stay clear of speculative stocks that promise the world and deliver nothing but losses. After all, it's just as important to avoid bad stocks as it is to buy great ones.

With the holidays taking up much of your time, you may not be concentrating on retirement moves to make before 2025. But if you’re the type of person who does everything to the max, investing in your future retirement now could be a game changer. In 2024, you can invest up to $23,000 into your 401(k) retirement plan as per IRS contribution limits. If you’re over 50 and need to play catch-up, you can invest an extra $7,500. That means your total possible contribution for 2024 is $30,500. If that seems like a lot, it is. But you don’t have to max out your contributions if you can’t afford it. Employer matching can help. In 2025, you can invest $23,500, bringing your possible contribution up to $31,500. If you’re over 50, the catch-up contribution remains at $7,500 for 2025. But a huge change was made in SECURE 2.0 for employees aged 60 to 63 who participate in workplace retirement plans. Starting in 2025, this super catch-up contribution limit is $11,250 instead of $7,500. People are also reading... Beatrice house suffers severe damage from Christmas fire Is John Dutton real? Meet the powerful rancher seemingly inspiring the 'Yellowstone' legend Beatrice church starts construction on fellowship hall At the courthouse, Dec. 21, 2024 City employee retires after 47 years Gage County supervisors vote down FOP contract offer Former Beatrice man sentenced for sex assault of runaway Two faces charges in January vehicle thefts Beatrice's Schroeder wins at Junior Angus show Downtown Beatrice festive for the holidays What’s open and closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2024? BPD and Yellow Cab want to provide a safe ride Beatrice man pleads guilty to receiving child sex abuse images Restored Palmer-Epard Cabin reopens to the public at Homestead Main Street welcomes new director 1. Figure out how much you contributed. If you’ve contributed as much as possible for the year, you’re in good shape going into 2025. If you’re not sure, you changed jobs or haven’t contributed consistently in 2024, you still have time to make adjustments to max out your 401(k) contributions for the year. 2. Check your employer’s match. Employer matching is a job benefit not to be overlooked. After all, for every dollar you save in your 401(k), your employer matches your contributions dollar-for-dollar or offers a partial match up to a certain percentage of your wages. Knowing where you stand can help you make the most of this opportunity. For example, let’s say you earn $50,000 per year and contribute $3,000 to your 401(k), or 6% of your salary. If your employer offers to match 50 cents of each dollar you contribute up to 6% of your pay, they would add $1,500 each year to your 401(k) account, boosting your total annual contributions to $4,500. 3. Look at your budget. Maxing out your 401(k) is always a good move. However, retirement planning can be a balancing act; sometimes, your budget is downright against it. If you have high debt or no money set aside for emergencies, you may want to hold off a bit. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t contribute to your retirement plan at all. Maintaining contributions is important, even if it means not maxing it out. Still, if you wait too long to save, you’ll have to play catch-up. If you save too much, you may have to tap into your account early, which can mean early withdrawal penalties if you are under age 591⁄2. 4. Boost your contributions. If you have enough cash stashed away to cover a large lump sum contribution to your 401(k), you could max out your 401(k) contributions before the end of the year. You can do this by increasing the percentage you contribute monthly from your paycheck. You’ll want to speak with your employer or HR department to see if this is possible and fill out the necessary paperwork. Keep in mind that how often you increase it or even if you can will depend on your plan rules. You may also want to check to be sure your contributions are still automatic. Since it’s usually easier to save money if it’s automatically deducted from your paycheck, it may be worth reviewing your budget to see if you can boost your contribution amount to max out your 401(k). If you haven’t set up automatic payroll contributions, now is a good time to do so. 1 in 4 people say they’ll go into debt for the holidays. Is social media to blame? Katie Kelton, Bankrate.com Maxing out your 401(k) has some clear benefits. This is especially true if you’ve fallen behind on your savings goals or you simply want to grow your retirement nest egg faster. The main advantage is that you’ll have more money saved for retirement. According to Northwestern Mutual’s 2024 Planning & Progress Study, most retired Americans believe they will need nearly $1.5 million in the bank to retire comfortably. That’s a 15% increase — which far outpaces the 3% to 5% inflation rate — over 2023 and is up 53% from 2020. The money you put into your 401(k) lowers how much you’ll pay in taxes for the year, which may put you in a lower tax bracket. Also, 401(k) investments grow tax-deferred, so you won't pay taxes on the money until you withdraw the funds in retirement. If you have a Roth 401(k), you don't get a tax break on contributions because you fund your account with after-tax dollars. But the money you contribute grows tax-free and you won’t pay any taxes on your withdrawals in retirement. Maxing out your 410(k) each year may not be enough to retire comfortably, but it is a great start. That’s why enlisting the help of a financial adviser in 2024 can help you get a head start on 2025 and a happy retirement down the road. 4 tips to help you experience exceptional cruise dining | PennyWise podcast Nat CardonaLee Media Studio You need to make $108,000 to afford a home in America Samantha DelouyaCNN Americans who bought homes in 2024 were older and richer than ever Samantha DelouyaCNN Why you shouldn't store your money in payment apps By CORA LEWISAssociated Press Kathryn Pomroy is a contributing writer at Kiplinger.com . For more on money topics, visit Kiplinger.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!For a radio station that doesn't care about ratings, 2MBS Fine Music Sydney has found an audience of loyal listeners all over the world. or signup to continue reading Veteran Drive program presenter Michael Morton-Evans even has one dedicated fan on the Isle of Wight in the UK, who sits by her fireplace to listen to his show. 2MBS was Australia's very first station on the FM radio band, hitting the airwaves at noon on December 15, 1974, beating Melbourne's 3MBS and Brisbane's 4ZZZ by a matter of months. The station in Sydney's St Leonards is celebrating 50 years of filling the airwaves with music - classical for the most part, but also jazz, blues and other genres. Morton-Evans has penned a history of 2MBS to mark the milestone, and believes it's the only volunteer-run station in the world to have lasted half a century. "It means everything to real lovers of classical music, we all love doing it, they all love listening to it," he told AAP. Ahead of a recent program, he's in the studio lining up traffic alerts and weather reports and just the right music to keep Sydney motorists calm during peak hour, starting with Russian composer Anton Arensky and Frenchman Georges Bizet. On a good day, the FM radio signal travels all the way to Newcastle and Wollongong, and Berrima in the southern highlands, while listeners further afield can tune in via the station's online stream and listening app. Three times a day the flow of classical music is interrupted by jazz programs, for those who happen to like that sort of thing, said Morton-Evans. "There's a sort of feeling around here among the jazz people that I don't like jazz, but it's not true - I do like jazz," he said. "Our jazz presenters are fantastic, they are so knowledgeable, they're almost worth listening to." One of those presenters, Jeannie McInnes, airs her popular program Jazz Rhythm with a different topic each week, ranging from Jackson Pollock's jazz playlist, to the sound of the colour green. "If you just want to hear the music, put on Spotify - if you want to learn something about the music, listen to the radio," she told AAP. Presenters such as Planet Jazz host Xavier Bichon revel in music of all kinds: a recent weekend saw him at a classical performance in the afternoon, and a Pearl Jam concert a few hours later. 2MBS does not rely on government grants and is entirely funded by its loyal listeners, some of whom have been very generous indeed. In 2010 one donor, Stefan Kruger, left the station $3 million in his will, enabling 2MBS to build a recording studio complete with grand piano, broadcast studios and a massive music library. Though most of the library is stored digitally these days, old technology is still kept on stand by including turntables, a reel to reel tape player, and a cassette deck. Before there was any of this equipment - or even a station to broadcast from - David James was the very first manager of 2MBS, helping it win a broadcast licence. Half a century later he still volunteers at the station, probably because he likes punishment, he jokes. "Radio is in my blood ... I just don't want to look at any other voluntary job anywhere." It's the people as much as the music, helped by the station's monthly wine and pizza nights, he said. There's also tea, coffee and biscuits on hand to fuel the station's 200 volunteers, such as former presenter Di Cox, 84. Cox has been volunteering at the station for 45 years and is still a regular visitor, selecting music for an upcoming program From Handel to Haydn. "Obviously I love it, because I've always said I'll never leave," she said. 2MBS is marking its milestone with a special retrospective program on Sunday at midday - exactly 50 years to the hour since its very first broadcast. It will also host a station open day on February 1, to commemorate its very first such event 50 years ago. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. 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