A long-awaited appeal for convicted double murderer Alex Murdaugh was filed Tuesday in the South Carolina Supreme Court. In the 132-plus page brief, Murdaugh’s lawyers lay out two main prongs of attack they say should be grounds for granting Murdaugh a new trial: First, they allege that former Colleton County clerk of court Becky Hill, a state official, improperly swayed one or more jurors to vote to find Murdaugh guilty. Hill’s intrusion denied Murdaugh “infected the trial with unfairness” and denied him his right to a fair trial by an impartial jury, they argue. Second, they allege that the extensive information about Murdaugh’s financial crimes that state Judge Clifton Newman allowed the jury to hear about from 10 witnesses unfairly prejudiced the jury against Murdaugh (Murdaugh had not pleaded guilty to the crimes at that point). Those 10 witnesses testified “over a span of six days” about various Murdaugh financial crimes that involved 19 victims, the brief said. The brief also attacks various evidence offered by prosecution witnesses. The brief was submitted to the State Supreme Court nearly two years after the five-week Murdaugh murder trial, which began in January 2023 and ended in early March of that year. The trial was followed by millions on television, social media and mainstream media. The delay was caused in part by the time it took to prepare a 6,000-page transcript of the three-week trial and by an appeal Murdaugh’s lawyers made to the S.C. Court of Appeals on the alleged jury tampering issue. Normally, appeals in non-death penalty murder cases are first heard by the Court of Appeals. But in this case, Murdaugh’s attorneys sought and received permission from the Supreme Court to appeal directly to the high court. The State Attorney General’s office now has 30 days to file a reply. However, due to the holidays, and the complexity of the issues, the Supreme Court will probably grant an extension if prosecutors request one. The filing i s the latest move in a case that shocked and riveted South Carolina and the world with its unexpected twists and fatal blend of violence, family dysfunction, big money and white collar crime. Murdaugh was convicted in March 2023 of murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul in what prosecutors argued was a cold-blooded attempt to distract suspicion from the looming threat of public disclosure that the attorney had stolen millions of dollars from his clients and his family’s 110-year-old law firm. His trial and conviction was a stunning downfall for a fourth-generation member of a prominent South Carolina legal and political family. The murders took place on June 7, 2021, at the dog kennels on the Murdaugh 1,700-acre family estate, called Moselle, just after nightfall, in rural Colleton County. Maggie was killed with an assault rifle; Paul, by a shotgun. No weapons were ever recovered. Murdaugh, 56, who is serving two life sentences for murder in a S.C. prison, claims he is innocent and that someone else did the killing. The appeal comes almost two years after Mardaugh was sentenced to life in prison for shooting and killing his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. The delay was partly due to a pause put on the normal appeals process while his attorneys attempted to win Murdaugh a new trial following bombshell allegations that Becky Hill, the clerk of court who served on his trial, tampered with the jury. That attempt failed. Hill, who gained a small measure of celebrity during the trial, was accused of encouraging the jury to doubt Murdaugh’s testimony, pressuring the jury to reach a quick verdict and working to ensure a juror who had indicated that she was not convinced of Murdaugh’s guilt be dismissed. After the trial, she published a book based on her insider’s position at the trial, a position in which she oversaw the jury and had confidential conversations with the judge. Her goal, Murdaugh’s attorneys argued, was to ensure Murdaugh’s conviction in order to drive sales of the book she planned to write about the trial. The book was published in August 2023 and later withdrawn from publication after she admitted plagiarizing passages from a BBC’s reporter’s article. At a hearing last January before former South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Jean Toal, Hill denied the charges against her. While Toal found Hill “not completely credible,” she declined to grant Murdaugh a new trial, arguing that the state supreme court did not have the authority to grant a “a new trial in a very lengthy trial such as this on the strength of some fleeting and foolish comments by a publicity-influenced clerk of court But the controversy over Hill’s actions has not died down. Hill resigned from her position as the elected clerk of court and has been facing ethics and criminal investigations into jury tampering and allegations that she abused her position for financial gain . Defense lawyers on Murdaugh’s brief include Dick Harpootlian, Jim Griffin, Phil Barber, Andrew Hand and Maggie Fox. This story was originally published December 10, 2024, 4:37 PM.Hyperscale Data, Inc. Announces Notice of Noncompliance with NYSE American Listing Standardspg fortune ox 。

Trump: Hegseth ‘support is strong and deep’ amid Senate fightNuclear sector pins hopes on 2026 for ‘low-carbon’ hydrogen label Nuclear energy advocates are pushing for the European Commission to label nuclear-derived hydrogen as ‘low-carbon’, but several industry sources told Euractiv that would prefer the decision is brought forward to 2026 instead of the scheduled 2028. In late September, the European Commission released for consultation a draft legal text, or ‘delegated act’, setting out criteria to determine whether hydrogen can be officially labeled as ‘low carbon’. This move drew the wrath of nuclear defenders, as the draft text proposed postponing a decision on whether hydrogen produced exclusively with nuclear energy can be eligible for the low-carbon label until 1 July 2028. Hydrogen produced exclusively with nuclear energy would entail a hydrogen producer signing a power purchase agreement, known as a ‘nuclear PPA’ with a nuclear energy provider. The nuclear industry wants a decision made much sooner. told The inclusion of nuclear PPAs would enhance predictability, mobilising private financing for new net zero technologies needed to meet EU climate goals,” a spokesperson for Fortum, the largest Finnish energy producer, In its response to the Commission’s public consultation, Fortum for an earlier recognition of nuclear PPA and said that the Commission should accelerate work by initiating a study in early 2025. Four corroborating sources from European industry and decision-makers suggest that the industry could be satisfied if the review date was brought forward from 2028 to early 2026. Industry sources argued that the move is necessary to meet Europe’s 2030 hydrogen production targets. “This would avoid delaying certain investment decisions in industrial projects requiring low-carbon hydrogen,” one source told Euractiv. In France, for example, Gravithy, which wants to produce ‘carbon-free’ iron, “expresses serious concerns about the proposal to postpone in [sic] 4 years the potential inclusion of nuclear PPAs,” it said in . With the text, “We can now say that Europe will be a long way from achieving its target of installing 40 GW of electrolysis capacity by 2030,” French electrolyser producer McPhy argued in its . Antoine Bizet, Deputy Director of European Affairs at EDF, suggests that rather than waiting for the 2028 deadline, this period should be used to establish a so-called in Brussels ‘regulatory sandbox’, i.e. allowing experimenting with nuclear PPAs and then take stock of their contribution, he tells Euractiv. An energy industry source in Brussels argued that another approach would be for the EU Commission “to retain its approach for this delegated act, but to ensure that it comes back to (i.e. endorses) nuclear PPPs in 2025 or 2026, through another legislative vehicle such as a hydrogen strategy or the Clean Industrial Deal.” The text poses problems on other points, particularly regarding legal certainty, through the possibility given to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP) of imposing additional criteria to qualify or not hydrogen is low-carbon to benefit from state aid. said Having completed the consultation process, the EU Commission will return to the delegated act as soon as the College of Commissioners is in place, according to Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s energy services. Wörsdörfer was speaking the EU Hydrogen Week in Brussels on 19 November. This could happen as soon as 1 December, after the European Parliament’s expected vote of confidence on 27 November. Industry sources do not expect any announcements from the Commission before the beginning of 2025. READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Nuclear sector pins hopes on 2026 for ‘low-carbon’ hydrogen label, Cavendish Hydrogen ASA: Invitation to Q3 2024 results and live Q&A session The quarterly report and a pre-recording of the third quarter presentation will be made available on the company’s... After provisional insolvency, Quantron’s business continues thanks to a core team of employees Constantin Graf Salm-Hoogstraeten from the restructuring law firm BBL, provisional insolvency administrator of Quantron... Five million euros for HydroPulse Stuttgart – hydrogen filling stations, fuel cell transporters and high-temperature fuel cells planned Stuttgart – Stadtwerke Stuttgart (SWS) is delighted to have received a further five...NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A scruffy little fugitive is on the lam again in New Orleans, gaining fame as he outwits a tenacious band of citizens armed with night-vision binoculars, nets and a tranquilizer rifle. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A scruffy little fugitive is on the lam again in New Orleans, gaining fame as he outwits a tenacious band of citizens armed with night-vision binoculars, nets and a tranquilizer rifle. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A scruffy little fugitive is on the lam again in New Orleans, gaining fame as he outwits a tenacious band of citizens armed with night-vision binoculars, nets and a tranquilizer rifle. Scrim, a 17-pound mutt that’s mostly terrier, has become a folk hero, inspiring tattoos, T-shirts and even a ballad as he eludes capture from the posse of volunteers. And like any antihero, Scrim has a backstory: Rescued from semi-feral life at a trailer park and adopted from a shelter, the dog broke loose in April and scurried around the city until he was cornered in October and brought to a new home. Weeks later, he’d had enough. Scrim leaped out of a second-story window, a desperate act recorded in a now-viral video. Since then, despite a stream of daily sightings, he’s roamed free. The dog’s fans include Myra and Steve Foster, who wrote “Ode to Scrim” to the tune of Ricky Nelson’s 1961 hit, “I’m a Travelin’ Man.” “I’m a travelin’ dog and I’ve made a lot of stops/All over this town...” Leading the recapture effort is Michelle Cheramie, a 55-year-old former information technology professional. She lost everything — home, car, possessions — in Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and in the aftermath, found her calling rescuing pets. “I was like, ‘This is what I should be doing,’” Cheramie said. “I was born to rescue.” She launched Zeus’ Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that now averages 600 cat and dog adoptions a year and offers free pet food to anyone who needs it. She helped Scrim find the home he first escaped from. It was Cheramie’s window Scrim leaped from in November. She’s resumed her relentless mission since then, posting flyers on telephone poles and logging social media updates on his reported whereabouts. She’s invested thousands of dollars on wildlife cameras, thermal sensors and other gear. She took a course offered by the San Diego Zoo on the finer points of tranquilizing animals. And she’s developed a network of volunteers — the kind of neighbors who are willing to grid-search a city at 3 a.m. “...And at every stop I own the heart, of at least one lovely ... “ People like writer David W. Brown, who manages a crowd-sourced Google Map of all known Scrim sightings. He says the search has galvanized residents from all walks of life to come together. As they search for Scrim, they hand out supplies to people in need. “Being a member of the community is seeing problems and doing what you can to make life a little better for the people around here and the animals around you,” Brown said. And neighbors like Tammy Murray, who had to close her furniture store and lost her father to Parkinson’s disease. This search, she says, got her mojo back. “Literally, for months, I’ve done nothing but hunt this dog,” said Murray, 53. “I feel like Wile E. Coyote on a daily basis with him.” Murray drives the Zeus’ Rescues’ van towards reported Scrim sightings. She also handles a tactical net launcher, which looks like an oversized flashlight and once misfired, shattering the van’s window as Scrim sped away. After realizing Scrim had come to recognize the sound of the van’s diesel engine, Murray switched to a Vespa scooter, for stealth. “...If you’re ever in the 9th Ward stop and see/My cute little mini poodle ...” Near-misses have been tantalizing. The search party spotted Scrim napping beneath an elevated house, and wrapped construction netting around the perimeter, but an over-eager volunteer broke ranks and dashed forward, leaving an opening Scrim slipped through. Scrim’s repeated escapades have prompted near-daily local media coverage and a devoted online following. Cheramie can relate. “We’re all running from something or to something. He’s doing that too,” she said. Cheramie’s team dreams of placing the pooch in a safe and loving environment. But a social media chorus growing under the hashtag #FreeScrim has other ideas — they say the runaway should be allowed a life of self-determination. The animal rescue volunteers consider that misguided. “The streets of New Orleans are not the place for a dog to be free,” Cheramie said. “It’s too dangerous.” “... and my Shar-Pei doll down in old Treme/Waits for my return ...” Scrim was a mess when Cheramie briefly recaptured him in October, with matted fur, missing teeth and a tattered ear. His trembling body was scraped and bruised, and punctured by multiple projectiles. A vet removed one, but decided against operating to take out a possible bullet. The dog initially appeared content indoors, sitting in Cheramie’s lap or napping beside her bed. Then while she was out one day, Scrim chewed through a mesh screen, dropped 13 feet to the ground and squeezed through a gap in the fence, trotting away. Murray said Cheramie’s four cats probably spooked him. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “I wholeheartedly believe the gangster-ass cats were messing with him,” Murray said. Cheramie thinks they may have gotten territorial. Devastated but undeterred, the pair is reassessing where Scrim might fit best — maybe a secure animal sanctuary with big outdoor spaces where other dogs can keep him company. Somewhere, Murray says, “where he can just breathe and be.” ___ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96 Advertisement Advertisement

Daily Post Nigeria BREAKING: Tax reform here to stay — Tinubu Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport News BREAKING: Tax reform here to stay — Tinubu Published on December 23, 2024 By Ochogwu Sunday President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday insisted that there is no going back on the controversial tax reform bills. DAILY POST reports that the tax reform bills have generated controversy and met with pushback, especially from Northern leaders, who claimed that the bills aimed to impoverish the region. Addressing the matter during the presidential media chat in Lagos State, Tinubu stated: “The tax reform is here to stay. The reform is pro-poor, and it is meant to widen the tax net so we can have more people paying. “The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to do what you have to do at the time it ought to be done.” Related Topics: breaking Tax reform Tinubu Don't Miss Otti appoints Abia State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board You may like Tinubu blames Abuja, Oyo, Anambra stampedes on organisers’ error I’ve no regrets about removing fuel subsidy – Tinubu Christmas: Tinubu to address Nigerians today on first media chat Tinubu unveils 2024 Christian pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan Tinubu is a listening President – Orji Uzor Kalu Tinubu Approves N95Bn for Kano dams rehabilitation, construction of Eastern Bypass Road Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd

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A Mexican actress has died after participating in a native “cleansing” ceremony that included taking the venom of a poisonous tree frog. Marcela Alcázar Rodríguez, 33, quickly became stricken after being administered the venom of an Amazonian tree frog named the Phyllomedusa bicolor during a native “Kambo” ritual meant to cleanse her of trauma and illnesses. It is not clear if Rodríguez took the venom on Friday, November 30 or Saturday, December 1. But by Saturday afternoon she had already fallen very ill from the ceremony. According to Mexican authorities, Rodríguez soon began vomiting and having severe diarrhea after taking the venom. The ritual reportedly includes blistering the skin with a hot stick, then applying the venom over the burn wound to allow it to enter the bloodstream. The venom is reportedly 40 times stronger than morphine, according to the Daily Star . It was not clear how long she had the severe symptoms before being taken to a hospital, but she died of her condition shortly after coming under a physician’s care, the Daily Mail reported. Police in Mayocoyani, Durango, say they have launched an investigation into the retreat where the Kambo ceremony took place. The Attorney General’s Office of the State of Durango announced its own investigation, as well. Witnesses say that the shaman of the retreat warned the actress that she could not leave but he fled after telling her to stay. Some local reports noted that Rodríguez was attending the ceremony as part of a “Training of Healers” course she was reportedly taking. The Kambo ritual is banned in many countries because of the dangers is presents to participants, but it is a popular purging ceremony in the Amazonian jungle and among the Matis Indians tribe in Brazil. Rodríguez has been acting since 2010 and has appeared in ten movies and short films, including the acclaimed 2010 indie film, New Low . Mapache Films, who worked with Marcela in previous projects, sent condolences to her family in a public statement, and wrote, “With deep regret, today we say goodbye to our partner and friend Marcela Alcazar, also wishing for healing for her closest family and friends.” The Durango Film Guild said in a post on X that, “she leaves a void in the hearts of the people who knew her working in what she loved: cinema.” Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook at: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Huston , or Truth Social @WarnerToddHuston

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records Friday after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation . The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 123.19 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.8% to set its own record. The quiet trading came after the latest jobs report came in mixed enough to strengthen traders’ expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again at its next meeting in two weeks. The report showed U.S. employers hired more workers than expected last month, but it also said the unemployment rate unexpectedly ticked up to 4.2% from 4.1%. “This print doesn’t kill the holiday spirit and the Fed remains on track to deliver a cut in December,” according to Lindsay Rosner, head of multi-sector investing within Goldman Sachs Asset Management. The Fed has been easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high since September to offer more help for the slowing job market, after bringing inflation nearly all the way down to its 2% target. Lower interest rates can ease the brakes off the economy, but they can also offer more fuel for inflation. Expectations for a series of cuts from the Fed have been a major reason the S&P 500 has set an all-time high 57 times so far this year. And the Fed is part of a global surge: 62 central banks have lowered rates in the past three months, the most since 2020, according to Michael Hartnett and other strategists at Bank of America. Still, the jobs report may have included some notes of caution for Fed officials underneath the surface. Scott Wren, senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, pointed to average wages for workers last month, which were a touch stronger than economists expected. While that’s good news for workers who would always like to make more, it could keep upward pressure on inflation. “This report tells the Fed that they still need to be careful as sticky housing/shelter/wage data shows that it won’t be easy to engineer meaningfully lower inflation from here in the nearer term,” Wren said. So, while traders are betting on an 85% probability the Fed will ease its main rate in two weeks, they’re much less certain about how many more cuts it will deliver next year, according to data from CME Group. For now, the hope is that the job market can help U.S. shoppers continue to spend and keep the U.S. economy out of a recession that had earlier seemed inevitable after the Fed began hiking interest rates swiftly to crush inflation. Several retailers offered encouragement after delivering better-than-expected results for the latest quarter. Ulta Beauty rallied 9% after topping expectations for both profit and revenue. The opening of new stores helped boost its revenue, and it raised the bottom end of its forecasted range for sales over this full year. Lululemon stretched 15.9% higher following its own profit report. It said stronger sales outside the United States helped it in particular, and its earnings topped analysts’ expectations. Retailers overall have been offering mixed signals on how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain amid the slowing job market and still-high prices. Target gave a dour forecast for the holiday shopping season, for example, while Walmart gave a much more encouraging outlook. A report on Friday suggested sentiment among U.S. consumers may be improving more than economists expected. The preliminary reading from the University of Michigan’s survey hit its highest level in seven months. The survey found a surge in buying for some products as consumers tried to get ahead of possible increases in price due to higher tariffs that President-elect Donald Trump has threatened. In tech, Hewlett Packard Enterprise jumped 10.6% for one of the S&P 500’s larger gains after reporting stronger profit and revenue than expected. Tech stocks were some of the market’s strongest this week, as Salesforce and other big companies talked up how much of a boost they’re getting from the artificial-intelligence boom. All told, the S&P 500 rose 15.16 points to 6,090.27. The Dow dipped 123.19 to 44,642.52, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 159.05 to 19,859.77. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury yield slipped to 4.15% from 4.18% late Thursday. In stock markets abroad, France’s CAC 40 rose 1.3% after French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to stay in office until the end of his term and to name a new prime minister within days. Earlier this week, far-right and left-wing lawmakers approved a no-confidence motion due to budget disputes, forcing Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his cabinet to resign. In Asia, stock indexes were mixed. They rallied 1.6% in Hong Kong and 1% in Shanghai ahead of an annual economic policy meeting scheduled for next week. South Korea’s Kospi dropped 0.6% as South Korea’s ruling party chief showed support for suspending the constitutional powers of President Yoon Suk Yeol after he declared martial law and then revoked that earlier this week. Yoon is facing calls to resign and may be impeached. Bitcoin was sitting near $101,500 after briefly bursting above $103,000 to a record the day before. AP Writers Matt Ott and Zimo Zhong contributed.By Vinnie Romano, chief marketing officer, MySocial.ai For many years, I’ve seen an increase in the misuse of the word “strategy” and what it means to be “strategic” . Throughout my career, I’ve had colleagues and peers glamourise the term, yearning to be a part of the strategic thinking for the firm and its clients. It’s a word thrown around in daily business conversations—sometimes with purpose, but far too often recklessly. Perhaps the reason these longed-after, strategic conversations happen behind closed doors – because you’re not meant to be in the room. “Strategy” is a term that is, ironically, both overused and misunderstood. And that misunderstanding is dangerous. When we confuse “strategy” with “plan” or “tactics,” we risk losing sight of what it takes to make informed, impactful decisions. In an era when artificial intelligence is redefining industries, automating tasks, and even challenging the traditional roles of knowledge workers, this lack of clarity is not just problematic—it’s a liability. In their book Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works , A.G. Lafley, former CEO of Procter & Gamble, and Roger Martin, former Dean of the Rotman School of Management, define strategy as the act of “making specific choices to win in the marketplace.” According to this definition then, strategy is not (and should not be) a buzzword or a fuzzy concept; it is a disciplined framework for decision-making and a sequence of decisions/choices needed to be made, alongside a plan, using tactics to get there. Here’s where I see things often go wrong – people conflate strategy with planning or tactics (or both), losing sight of their distinct roles. • A strategy is a sequence of decisions and choices designed to achieve a specific outcome, centred around the “what” and “why” you are looking to accomplish. It’s about understanding the game you’re playing and making the moves necessary to arrive at the desired destination. • A plan is the blueprint. It starts by identifying where you are now, where you want to go, the targets you need to hit along the way (made visible from the strategy), and how you’ll connect the dots (the tactics). • Tactics are the specific actions you and your team take to execute the plan and achieve your strategic goals. Think of it like this: If strategy is the “why” and “what,” the plan is the “where,” and tactics are the “how.” They’re interconnected but distinct, and using the wrong term dilutes the power of all three. Promotional phrases like these used by “subject matter experts” on LinkedIn only add to the confusion: “Five strategies you can use to [insert goal here] in 2025.” “I help you take the necessary steps in achieving [insert goal here] by implementing a list of strategies...” “Steal my strategies so you can [insert goal here].” I dare say, you’re selling tactics. And if you’re selling us tactics, that’s OK – just be clear on what you’re selling. To illustrate further, consider this: Strategy isn’t just about answering questions like, “How do we increase our market share?” It’s about making specific choices, such as, “We will focus on dominating this particular segment of the market because we can serve it better than anyone else.” It’s not the execution; it’s the insight and intent behind the execution. So, you cannot sell me strategies without speaking to me first and understanding my “why”. You can however flog me your tactics – but if you call them strategies, the chances of me buying your tactics have significantly decreased. In a blog entry from Seth Godin, I came across recently, he framed strategy in a particularly insightful way: “Who we will become, who we will be of service to, and who they will help others to become. This is strategy.” This concept reframes strategy as not just a sequence of business decisions, but as a process of defining identity and purpose. In a world dominated by AI, where algorithms increasingly handle operational tasks, our humanity—our capacity for empathy, vision, and meaningful connection—becomes the cornerstone of true strategic thinking. As AI continues to advance, we face a profound question: What sets us apart? Renowned Marketing Leadership author and former CMO and Partner of McKinsey, Thomas Barta and I discussed the topic of “If AI had the answer, what’s your question?” – where when you think about it, is a polite way of reframing “put shit in and get shit out.” The answer then, lies in our ability to think critically, interpret nuance, and define the words we use with precision. Misunderstanding or misapplying terms like “strategy” is more than an intellectual faux pas—it reflects a lack of rigour and commitment to growth. And I want us to stop this madness. Now is the time to reclaim our words. Let’s stop throwing terms around without understanding their meaning. Strategy, planning, and tactics are not interchangeable—they are interdependent. Understanding these distinctions is the first step toward making choices that truly matter. In a world where AI challenges our roles and redefines the concept of expertise, clarity isn’t just a virtue; it’s a necessity. So, let’s commit to being precise, intentional, and right—because if we don’t, the machines just might do it better.

Vanuatu has urged the top United Nations court to recognise the harm caused by climate change in its judgement on the legal obligation of countries to fight it and address the consequences of them contributing to global warming. Vanuatu, one of the small island states that has spearheaded the effort to get the World Court to give a so-called advisory opinion, was the first of more than 100 states and international organisations to give its views during two weeks of proceedings. "We find ourselves on the front lines of a crisis we did not create, a crisis that threatens our very existence," Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu's special envoy for climate change and the environment, told the court. Regenvanu said there was an urgent need for a response to climate change that was rooted in international law rather than politics. Meet the young people who could outlive their own country "We look to the court for recognition that the conduct which has already caused immense harm to my people and so many others is unlawful, that it must cease, and that its consequences must be repaired," he said. Australia was one of the countries to join with Vanuatu last year to petition for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue an advisory opinion, but Regenvanu said those signatures of support for a hearing should not be confused with support for their position. "I wouldn't say they're behind us," he said. "There'll be countries for and against ... states will be arguing for less responsibility, less obligations, less consequences, and there will be states pushing the other angle." 08/09/2024 04:56 Play The hearings began a week after developing nations condemned as woefully inadequate the outcome of the COP29 summit , where richer countries agreed to provide $300 billion in annual climate finance by 2035 to help poorer nations cope with climate change. While advisory opinions from the World Court are not binding, they are legally and politically significant. Experts say the court's eventual opinion on climate change will probably be cited in climate change-driven lawsuits in courts from Europe to Latin America and beyond. Solomon Islands youth climate activist Cynthia Houniuhi told the judges the future for the young people in small island states was uncertain and currently determined by a handful of greenhouse gas-emitting countries that caused climate change. More than half of Vanuatu's visitors are Australian. Could climate change hurt tourism? "As judges of the World Court, you possess the power ... to help us course correct and renew hope in humanity's ability to address the greatest challenge of our time," she said. The hearings so far On the first day of hearings the court also heard from Saudi Arabia which urged the court to be cautious in its legal opinion, arguing that United Nations treaties on climate change already provided a complete answer to what states must do. 10/02/2024 05:50 Play Earlier on Monday Germany also argued that the obligations of states in regard to climate change were established in the Paris climate agreement. Aside from small island states and numerous Western and developing countries, the court will also hear from the world's top two emitters of greenhouse gases — China will speak on Tuesday and the United States is slated to give its views Wednesday. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will not address the court, according to a revised schedule the court issued late on Monday. The hearings will continue until 13 December and the court's opinion is expected to be delivered in 2025.Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened weekProperty of the Week: 8 Wild View Drive Bartlett NH

Tommy Banks, who owns two restaurants and a pub in North Yorkshire, posted on Instagram on Monday morning to say his van with £25,000 of stock in the back had been taken from just outside Ripon. Mr Banks said in the video that the stock – including steak and ale, turkey and butternut squash pies, as well as gravy and custard – was for York Christmas Market. A post shared by Tommy Banks (@tommybanks) He urged the thieves to drop the pies somewhere such as a community centre, adding “I know you’re a criminal, but maybe just do something nice because it’s Christmas and maybe we can feed a few thousand people with these pies that you’ve stolen, do the right thing”. Mr Banks also asked anyone who is offered pies from someone who is not him to report them to the police. North Yorkshire Police said it had been informed of the theft and asked anyone with information to get in touch, the BBC reported. Mr Banks’s video contained the caption: “So @matthewalockwood went into @madeinoldstead this morning to pick up the van and it has been stolen. “These guys had loaded up the van with stock for @tommyspieshop today and left plugged in overnight. “I’m guessing the thieves didn’t realise they were stealing 2,500 pies along with the van! The pies are all in boxes with my name on so not very easy to sell. “If you are the thieves and read this I urge you to drop the pies off somewhere. So we can at least give them to people who need food and they are not wasted.” Mr Banks told the PA news agency: “What was really making me sad this morning, I thought suddenly they’re going to realise what’s in the back and ditch the food. “We talk about zero waste and when you’ve got just short of a tonne of food that’s probably been ditched, it would be good if it could find its way to people who need it.” He added that his team were “much less bothered about the van as they’re bothered about the pies” as it was a week’s worth of stock. The chef said they are planning to create a chicken pie this week and one of his team came up with the name “bandit butter chicken pie”, as he said the situation was “all a bit Home Alone – at Christmas with the pie bandit stealing our pies”.Arcadium Lithium Announces Shareholder Approval of Proposed Rio Tinto Transaction and Provides Regulatory UpdateBucs with Bowles on the plays that mattered in critical overtime win over Panthers

EDMONTON — Muriel Stanley Venne, a trail-blazing Métis woman known for her Indigenous rights advocacy, has died at 87. Venne, born in Lamont, Alta., was one of the first appointees to Alberta's Human Rights Commission in 1973 and later served as chair. She founded the Women of the Métis Nation as well as Esquao, the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. She also created programming for the Métis Nation of Alberta before serving as provincial vice president from 2008 to 2012. "Muriel devoted her life to advancing the rights and well-being of Métis and other Indigenous peoples," reads an online tribute to Venne made by the Métis Nation of Alberta. "Through her remarkable leadership, she transformed advocacy into action, creating lasting change in employment, education and justice." In 2017, Venne had a provincial government building named after her in Edmonton. It was the first time a provincial building was named after an Indigenous woman in Alberta. In a statement, the Women of the Métis Nation, also known as Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, said Venne was an inspiration to many Indigenous women. It said her advocacy work for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls was a catalyst for change in the justice system, as was her advocacy for Cindy Gladue. In 2011, Gladue was found dead in a hotel bathroom. Ontario truck driver Bradley Barton was initially charged with murder but was found not guilty in 2015. Barton was found guilty in 2021 of manslaughter, but the initial trial drew outrage as Gladue was repeatedly referred to as a "prostitute" and "native" throughout proceedings. "She brought attention to incidents of discrimination, such as in the case of Cindy Gladue, as emblematic of the broader mistreatment of Indigenous women within the criminal justice system," the Women of the Métis Nation statement said. "Her work in justice profoundly influenced how Canadian law and the criminal justice system respond to systemic violence against Indigenous women." Women of the Métis Nation president Melanie Omeniho said in the statement that Venne's legacy will carry on for generations to come. "She was a true gift to us all, and her presence will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her," Omeniho said. Venne was the recipient of numerous accolades throughout her life. She was awarded the Alberta Human Rights Award in 1998 and, in 2005, was the first Métis person to receive the Order of Canada. She was named to Alberta's Order of Excellence in 2019. In a statement Monday, Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson said the province "lost a guiding light" with Venne's passing. "Muriel leaves behind a lasting legacy of advocating for the rights of Indigenous women and people," Wilson said. Venne ran as an NDP candidate in the 2012 provincial election, and the party said on social media Friday that "her life was an inspirational model of leadership, and her legacy is profound." "She made a real difference in many lives," said then NDP-leader and former Alberta cabinet minister Brian Mason on social media. "Her list of accomplishments and awards could take pages." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2024. Jack Farrell, The Canadian PressBamboo Technology's HereHear Virtual AI Therapist Joins Berkeley Skydeck IPP Program

Zaluzhny Warns of Global Conflict Amidst Russia-Ukraine EscalationFor more than a decade, the United States has sought to keep out of Syria's political debacle, seeing no viable partner. Islamist rebels' toppling of strongman Bashar al-Assad has forced a change of tune -- and a debate over just what US interests are. Donald Trump, who returns to the White House in little more than a month, on the eve of Assad's fall called Syria "a mess" and stated in his plain-speaking style that the United States should not be involved.

Human rights court rules against Venezuela in 2013 election caseLagos State Government remains committed to intensifying collaborative efforts with captains of industries, the private sector and artisans, as a way to create employment opportunities for graduates from its five Technical Colleges. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated this on Monday at The-Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja, the venue of the graduation ceremony of over 2000 students of its Technical Colleges, which was coordinated by the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB). He also stressed that by investing in the skills and capabilities of youths, the state is building the foundation for a prosperous, inclusive, and self-reliant society. According to a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, the event is in line with the administration’s commitment to education and technology. In his speech during the event, the Governor urged the graduates to look beyond present challenges and strive for excellence using the skills garnered to compete favourably with their global counterparts in various vocational skills. He said, “Today, we celebrate not just the academic and technical achievements of over 2,000 graduates but also the remarkable potential they represent for the future of Lagos State and Nigeria. “The significance of technical and vocational education cannot be overstated. Institutions like LASTVEB equip young people with practical, industry-relevant skills that meet the demands of an evolving economy. Across trades such as engineering, construction, ICT, business, and the creative arts, our graduates have acquired the tools not just to participate in the workforce but to transform it through innovation and dedication. “This achievement aligns perfectly with our administration’s commitment to the Education and Technology pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda. By investing in the skills and capabilities of our youth, we are building the foundation for a prosperous, inclusive, and self-reliant society. “Beyond these individual accomplishments, technical and vocational education drives community development, reduces unemployment, and ensures our graduates are competitive globally. “For instance, technical education has been shown to increase graduation rates, improve employability, and foster entrepreneurship. Many of our graduates today will step into the world as job creators, while others will fill critical roles in high-demand industries, bolstering Lagos State’s economic standing both nationally and internationally. “This event also underscores the importance of collaboration between government, industries, and educational institutions. Through our partnerships, we have been able to ensure that the curriculum remains aligned with current industry standards and that our students receive hands-on, experiential learning.” Governor Sanwo-Olu, while congratulating the graduating students, urged them to use their skills for societal transformation. He said, “As you step into the next phase of your lives, remember that your skills are powerful tools—not only for personal success but for societal transformation. “I congratulate all our graduates and thank the management and staff of LASTVEB, parents, and stakeholders for their tireless contributions to this achievement. Together, we are shaping a future where technical education is celebrated and valued as a cornerstone of sustainable development.” Speaking earlier, Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Tolani Alli-Balogun, urged the graduating students to think deeply, aim higher and strive for excellence in their career path and help in stimulating the economic growth of the country, noting that no nation develops without an adequate and robust technical education for the advancement of skills, knowledge development. “I know that turning your dreams into reality is not always easy. It requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It demands that you be focused, disciplined, and committed to your goals. It necessitates that you be willing to take risks, to face your fears and overcome them, and to push beyond your comfort zones. “Our ever-dedicated, amiable Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has created leverage through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Ministry of Wealth Creation to further empower you to greater heights in your career path. So that you can fit into the labour market, be self-employed, and eventually become employers of labour,” the commissioner said. Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Ms. Moronke Azeez, noted that Sanwo-olu’s administration is tackling unemployment challenges through different initiatives, producing skilled technicians for technical development to create more employment for youths and make them self-reliant. Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Miss Daniella Okpako, thanked Lagos State Government for its unwavering commitment to advancing technical education in the State and advocated scholarship for deserving students to further their education and build on the skills acquired. During the event, David Uchendu, who majored in Mechanical Engineering Craft Practice from Government Technical College, Ikotun, emerged as Best Overall, while Daniel Salami from Government Technical College, Agidingbi, who studied Instrument Mechanic Works emerged as Best in Innovation. Ifeoma Abalogun, from Government Technical College, Epe, who majored in Painting and Decoration, and Daniel Okpako, who studied Blocklaying, Bricklaying and Concreting from Government Technical College, Ikotun, were also honoured as Best Female in Construction. Benedict Wisdom (Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works), Oluwapelumi Adedeji (Garment Making), Babatunde Boyejo (Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works), Moyosore Odofin (Instrument Mechanic Works), and Grace Arebisola (Garment Making) were also recognised as Best Students from the five Government Technical Colleges in Ado-Soba, Agidingbi, Epe, Ikorodu and Ikotun respectively.

ATLANTA (AP) — Already reeling from their November defeats, Democrats now are grappling with President Joe Biden’s pardoning of his son for federal crimes after the party spent years slamming Donald Trump as a threat to democracy who disregarded the law. The president pardoned Hunter Biden late Sunday evening, reversing his previous pledges with a grant of clemency that covers more than a decade of any federal crimes his son might have committed. The 82-year-old president said in a statement that his son’s prosecution on charges of tax evasion and falsifying a federal weapons purchase form were politically motivated. “He believes in the justice system, but he also believes that politics infected the process and led to a miscarriage of justice,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who along with Biden and other White House officials insisted for months that Hunter Biden would not get a pardon. That explanation did not satisfy some Democrats, angry that Biden’s reversal could make it harder to take on Trump , who has argued that multiple indictments and one conviction against him were a matter of Biden and Democrats turning the justice system against him. “This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis wrote of Biden on the social media platform X. “When you become President, your role is Pater familias of the nation,” the governor continued, a reference to the president invoking fatherhood in explaining his decision. “Hunter brought the legal trouble he faced on himself, and one can sympathize with his struggles while also acknowledging that no one is above the law, not a President and not a President’s son.” Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., said on X: “This wasn’t a politically motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his peers.” Certainly, the president has plenty of Democratic defenders who note Trump’s use of presidential powers to pardon a slew of his convicted aides, associates and friends, several for activities tied to Trump’s campaign and administration. “Trump pardoned Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort, as well as his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner — who he just appointed US ambassador to France,” wrote prominent Democratic fundraiser Jon Cooper on X. “Sorry, but Biden was right to pardon his son Hunter to protect him against Kash Patel’s weaponized FBI,” Cooper concluded, referring to Trump’s apparent plan to oust FBI Director Christopher Wray in favor of a loyalist who has talked of going after political opponents and journalists. First lady Jill Biden said Monday from the White House: “Of course I support the pardon of my son.” Democrats already are facing the prospects of a Republican trifecta in Washington, with voters returning Trump to the White House and giving the GOP control of the House and Senate. Part of their argument against Trump and Republican leaders is expected to be that the president-elect is violating norms with his talk of taking retribution against his enemies. Before beating Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump faced his own legal troubles, including two cases that stemmed from his efforts to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. Those cases, including Trump’s sentencing after being convicted on New York state business fraud charges, have either been dismissed or indefinitely delayed since Trump’s victory on Nov. 5, forcing Democrats to recalibrate their approach to the president-elect. In June, President Biden firmly ruled out a pardon or commutation for his son, telling reporters as his son faced trial in the Delaware gun case, “I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him.” As recently as Nov. 8, days after Trump’s victory, Jean-Pierre ruled out a pardon or clemency for the younger Biden, saying, “We’ve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no.” The president’s about-face came weeks before Hunter Biden was set to receive his punishment after his trial conviction in the gun case and guilty plea on tax charges. It capped a long-running legal saga for the younger Biden, who disclosed he was under federal investigation in December 2020 — a month after his father’s 2020 victory. The sweeping pardon covers not just the gun and tax offenses against the younger Biden, but also any other “offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024.” Hunter Biden was convicted in June in Delaware federal court of three felonies for purchasing a gun in 2018 when , prosecutors said, he lied on a federal form by claiming he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs. He had been set to stand trial in September in a California case accusing him of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. But he agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor and felony charges in a surprise move hours after jury selection was set to begin. In his statement Sunday, the president argued that such offenses typically are not prosecuted with the same vigor as was directed against Hunter Biden. “The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election,” Biden said in his statement. “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son. ... I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision.” Associated Press writers Will Weissert aboard Air Force One and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!EDMONTON — Muriel Stanley Venne, a trail-blazing Métis woman known for her Indigenous rights advocacy, has died at 87. Venne, born in Lamont, Alta., was one of the first appointees to Alberta's Human Rights Commission in 1973 and later served as chair. She founded the Women of the Métis Nation as well as Esquao, the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. She also created programming for the Métis Nation of Alberta before serving as provincial vice president from 2008 to 2012. "Muriel devoted her life to advancing the rights and well-being of Métis and other Indigenous peoples," reads an online tribute to Venne made by the Métis Nation of Alberta. "Through her remarkable leadership, she transformed advocacy into action, creating lasting change in employment, education and justice." In 2017, Venne had a provincial government building named after her in Edmonton. It was the first time a provincial building was named after an Indigenous woman in Alberta. In a statement, the Women of the Métis Nation, also known as Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, said Venne was an inspiration to many Indigenous women. It said her advocacy work for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls was a catalyst for change in the justice system, as was her advocacy for Cindy Gladue. In 2011, Gladue was found dead in a hotel bathroom. Ontario truck driver Bradley Barton was initially charged with murder but was found not guilty in 2015. Barton was found guilty in 2021 of manslaughter, but the initial trial drew outrage as Gladue was repeatedly referred to as a "prostitute" and "native" throughout proceedings. "She brought attention to incidents of discrimination, such as in the case of Cindy Gladue, as emblematic of the broader mistreatment of Indigenous women within the criminal justice system," the Women of the Métis Nation statement said. "Her work in justice profoundly influenced how Canadian law and the criminal justice system respond to systemic violence against Indigenous women." Women of the Métis Nation president Melanie Omeniho said in the statement that Venne's legacy will carry on for generations to come. "She was a true gift to us all, and her presence will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her," Omeniho said. Venne was the recipient of numerous accolades throughout her life. She was awarded the Alberta Human Rights Award in 1998 and, in 2005, was the first Métis person to receive the Order of Canada. She was named to Alberta's Order of Excellence in 2019. In a statement Monday, Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson said the province "lost a guiding light" with Venne's passing. "Muriel leaves behind a lasting legacy of advocating for the rights of Indigenous women and people," Wilson said. Venne ran as an NDP candidate in the 2012 provincial election, and the party said on social media Friday that "her life was an inspirational model of leadership, and her legacy is profound." "She made a real difference in many lives," said then NDP-leader and former Alberta cabinet minister Brian Mason on social media. "Her list of accomplishments and awards could take pages." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2024. Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press

WASHINGTON — A congressional task force investigating the attempts to kill Donald Trump during his presidential campaign is recommending changes to the Secret Service, including protecting fewer foreign leaders during the height of election season and considering moving the agency out of the Homeland Security Department. The 180-page report by the bipartisan task force released Tuesday is one of the most detailed looks so far into the July assassination attempt against Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania and a second attempt in Florida two months later. Like the series of other investigations and reports, the task force railed at the agency tasked with protecting the top echelon of America’s democratic leaders. “The events of July 13, 2024, were tragic and preventable, and the litany of related security failures are unacceptable,” the authors wrote. “The Secret Service’s zero fail mission allows no margin for error, let alone for the many errors described in this report.” In the July shooting, a gunman opened fire from the roof of a nearby building, wounding Trump in the ear, killing one rallygoer and wounding two others. He was killed by a countersniper. In another assassination attempt in September, a gunman waited for hours for Trump to appear at his golf course in Florida, but a Secret Service agent thwarted the attack by spotting the firearm poking through some bushes. Here are the highlights of the new report and its recommendations: The report’s authors noted that the number of people the agency is tasked with protecting has “greatly expanded.” At the same time, the presidential campaign season is getting longer and more intense. The agency is also tasked with protecting foreign dignitaries during the U.N. General Assembly, when heads of state and government flood into New York. That event happens every September, which comes at the “height of campaign season,” the report noted, adding to the agency’s staffing crunch. “Congress, DHS, and the USSS should jointly consider the protective role the USSS plays for foreign leaders and consider whether such duties can be transferred or abrogated in order to focus on the USSS’s primary duty: to protect the President and other critical U.S. leaders,” the report said. The Secret Service is known for its high-profile work of protecting the president, the vice-president, presidential candidates, their families and others. But agents also carry out a wide range of investigations not related to their protective mission — investigating fraud and financial crimes, for example. Stemming from when the agency was part of the Treasury Department, those investigations are an important part of training Secret Service officers for skills they’ll need on protective details, agency leaders say. But the task force recommended reviewing these investigative responsibilities — especially during campaign season — so the agency “can prioritize the protection of U.S. leaders and candidates running for office.” “These non-protective, investigative functions require systemic review because of the USSS’s stunning failure to protect President-elect Trump on July 13,” the report said. “The Secret Service’s protective mission is at the core of the agency’s purpose — anything that distracts or diverts resources from the agency’s zero fail mission must be reconsidered.” Questioning whether the Secret Service should stay in the Homeland Security Department After DHS was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the Secret Service was moved there from the Treasury Department. The task force suggested reevaluating that move. During the time Secret Service has been in the Homeland Security Department, “USSS has not benefited from stable leadership,” the lawmakers said. They said the structure “potentially weakens USSS, a small but critically important agency, in advocating for its budget and other priorities inside a much larger entity.” “A fresh look at whether USSS might benefit from the status of an independent agency, with more freedom to make budget requests and advocate for itself, would be a healthy discussion for former USSS leaders to have with Congress,” the task force said. The task force said the gunman in Butler, Pennsylvania, Thomas Crooks, exploited gaps in protection because of a lack of assets and staff. Specifically, the panel noted that the Secret Service, already dealing with the increased tempo of a presidential campaign, was protecting not one but two high-profile people that day in close vicinity to each other, with first lady Jill Biden at a nearby event. In one example highlighting the lack of resources at the Trump rally, the task force said there should have been a counter-surveillance unit in Butler, and if there had been one assigned that day, it might have spotted the shooter earlier. Such a counter-surveillance team was in place for the Biden event, the report noted, although that event was indoors. “From interviews with special agents on the ground, it appears that the main factor in the decision to not request (the counter-surveillance unit) was an assumption that the request would be denied due to the protectee’s status as a former President at the time of the event,” the report said. Much of the criticism in the aftermath of the July assassination attempt has centered on how the shooter could have gotten access to a roof with a clear line of sight to Trump and why there was such poor communications between the Secret Service and local law enforcement. The Secret Service often relies on local law enforcement to secure large events. The report detailed how local law enforcement had one idea of its responsibilities while the Secret Service had another. But the task force emphasized that ultimately the Secret Service is responsible for ensuring that coordination runs smoothly. “The Secret Service must own responsibility for the security of the site,” the report said.( ) is a digital healthcare company focusing on developing technology and services that could aid healthcare professionals in delivering positive patient outcomes. The company has witnessed healthy buying this year, with its stock price rising by 84.4%. Its solid quarterly performances and continued acquisitions have boosted its financials. Let’s assess whether WELL Health offers buying opportunities at these levels by looking at its third-quarter earnings and growth prospects. WELL Health’s third-quarter performance Last month, WELL Health reported an impressive third-quarter performance, with its growing by 27% to $251.7 million. Organic growth of 23% and acquisitions over the last four quarters drove its sales, while the divestments offset some of the growth. It had around 1.48 million patient visits and 2.24 patient interactions during the quarter, representing a year-over-year growth of 41% across both metrics. Amid the topline growth, its gross profits grew by 19%. However, its adjusted gross margin contracted by 150 basis points to 44.6% amid increased contributions from lower-margin recruiting revenue from the acquisition of CarePlus. The digital healthcare company’s adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) grew 16% to $32.7 million. However, the adjusted EBITDA to WELL’s shareholders rose by 10% to $25.1 million. Its adjusted net income stood at $13 million, slightly improving from $12.9 million in the previous year’s quarter. The company generated $16.2 million of adjusted free cash flow during the quarter, supported by its comprehensive cost-cutting program, which it implemented earlier this year. Now, let’s look at its growth prospects. WELL Health’s growth prospects Given their accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and convenience, more people are adopting digital healthcare services. Technological advancements and improving internet penetration have also contributed to the rising popularity of virtual services, thus expanding the addressable market for WELL Health. Meanwhile, the company continues to invest in advancing AI (artificial intelligence)-powered tech enablement for care providers, which could strengthen its position in the digital healthcare sector. The company’s acquisition pipeline looks solid, with 17 signed LOIs (letters of intent) and definitive agreements. Also, the company’s cost-cutting program would continue to improve its . Moreover, WELL Health has rebranded its subsidiary WELL Provider Solutions Group as WELLSTAR Technologies. This pure-play software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology company offers high-quality technology and services to around 37,000 healthcare providers to improve patient care. The company is also working on spinning out WELLSTAR, thus providing investors with an attractive investment opportunity in healthcare technology SaaS. It expects to complete the spinoff by the end of next year. WELLSTAR recently acquired two healthcare-focused technology companies, which could contribute $15 million in annualized revenue, thus raising its 2025 pro forma revenue to $70 million. Also, its gross margins could remain above 80% while its EBITDA margin would be around 20%. Considering all these factors, I believe WELL Health’s growth prospects look healthy. Investors’ takeaway Despite the substantial increase in its stock price, WELL Health’s valuation looks attractive. Its next-12-month and NTM multiples stand at 1.6 and 24.2, respectively. Given its solid growth prospects, improving profitability, and attractive valuation, I expect WELL Health to deliver superior returns over the next three years.

Analytic Partners Recognized as a Leader in Inaugural Gartner® Magic QuadrantTM for Marketing Mix Modeling SolutionsMariah Carey's reign as the "Queen of Christmas" continues. The Grammy-award-winning singer's holiday ballad, "All I Want For Christmas Is You," is now the first to have topped Billboard's Hot 100 list for six years in a row. It's the first song to top the Hot 100 in six distinct runs on the chart, according to Billboard . Only one other song, "The Twist" by Chubby Checker, has even led two stays on the chart. Carey has now placed at the top of the Hot 100 for a record-extending 20 years thanks to her holiday song, which was first released in 1994. RELATED STORY | Barbie released a new Mariah Carey doll for the holidays She also holds the record for number of weeks an artist has sat at the top of the Hot 100 chart with 94. Behind her is Rihanna with 60 and The Beatles with 59. In just the first week of December this year, “All I Want For Christmas Is You" drew 38.2 million streams and 24.4 million radio airplay audience impressions, according to data from Luminate. Carey has leaned into her reign as a Christmas queen since her song started to chart again, even attempting to file a trademark for "Queen of Christmas" but was ultimately denied. Each year, as the holiday season starts to peak over the horizon, she releases special videos on her social media saying, "It's time."