fishing rod parts
In the aftermath of Dogecoin’s extraordinary rise in the cryptocurrency market, investors are on the lookout for the next significant opportunity. Lightchain AI has emerged as a potential frontrunner, merging artificial intelligence with blockchain technology. Unlike Dogecoin, which primarily gained fame as a meme coin, Lightchain AI emphasizes practical applications, utilizing its Proof of Intelligence consensus mechanism and Artificial Intelligence Virtual Machine. These innovations support scalable, intelligent applications across diverse industries, suggesting that Lightchain AI is more than a speculative venture. The token, currently offered in a presale at $0.003, is gaining traction among investors seeking substantive growth in value and utility. Dogecoin’s surge, driven by social media and celebrity endorsements, highlights the power of community support and viral growth. However, it faces criticism due to its limited technical advancements and utility. This shortfall leaves room for other projects like Lightchain AI, which offers groundbreaking technology aimed at solving real-world issues. Lightchain AI, with its advanced technology, presents a credible alternative to the meme coin phenomenon. The project integrates AI-driven solutions within blockchain framework, targeting industries like healthcare and finance. As the digital currency market evolves, emphasis is shifting towards projects promising long-term value and scalability. Lightchain AI stands out in this regard, backed by its innovative approach and potential for widespread application. There are no certainties in investment, but Lightchain AI’s strategic positioning and development roadmap suggest a promising future. It has drawn significant interest from investors and established partnerships across various sectors. The ongoing presale and the rising buzz around Lightchain AI hint at its potential for success, although only time will reveal its full impact.
Sri Lanka is known as a country that provides labour. It’s our most enduring national export. But we are also known as the nation that encourages any type of foreign remittances. A massive number of Sri Lankans — perhaps a majority — would give anything to settle down abroad with family in a Western country, or in South Korea perhaps. We in Sri Lanka have taken these proclivities for granted. We have encouraged them. Reason being that these nations have large populations of the Sri Lankan diaspora so-called, that remit money that keeps our economy ticking. But this expectation of being bankrolled by a diaspora is a sellout. Yes, we are glad the money comes in at a time we most need it. But we should target to rid our country of the bad reputation as the nation that everyone wants to leave. Any country that can live with such a bad rap is not self-respecting. This narrative of cheap labour has become the story of Sri Lanka, and no doubt there are two sides to it. Our political parties get a boost from diaspora support, and the Sinhala diaspora so-called was extremely engaged in this year’s elections. HARASSED Their support was mostly for the same party that Sri Lankans overwhelmingly voted for this year. This was a happy coincidence. Those abroad saw things the same way those who are toiling here back at home did. One reason may be that in a strange way a large number of those who are here, are also trying their best to leave, so they too could hopefully contribute to the national effort from abroad. But it’s delusional to think that all Sri Lankans want to contribute to the national effort from overseas. Most are merely ensuring that the relatives back home get a fair share. They are in effect remitting money to whom they think are less fortunate. This is not a state of affairs we should hanker after. It is why this country should plan on replacing remittances as the number one foreign exchange source of the country. Previous Governments largely didn’t lend their minds to it. If people went abroad and sent money, they were considered assets. The fact that national pride was in tatters was never considered. That no country should be proud of the fact that its citizens for the most part want to live overseas, was not considered relevant. That most of the manpower “exported” abroad in this fashion is harassed, or feels harassed and exploited in their new domiciles, was also never considered. Our national narrative cannot and should not be that we provide labour and know-how to the world. It is true that we have also exported brain-power with our doctors and engineers and scientists contributing to the GNP of Uber-rich nations. But that’s a small part of the equation. Most Sri Lankans who go abroad are low-paid workers or immigrants who provide low-cost labour to do the work that the citizens in rich countries are loathe to do themselves. It is true that a magic wand cannot be waved and revenue sources created to replace the tidal wave of citizens leaving for better opportunities abroad, while incidentally helping to earn the much needed foreign exchange to fund our purchases of fuel and other essentials. But, we cannot be a country that didn’t try, or didn’t consider it necessary to stem this tide. Singapore’s founder premier Lee Kwan Yew famously said that if his country was rife with corruption, Singaporean women would have to work as housemaids in the kitchens of Middle Eastern countries. The gentleman was concerned about the collective dignity of Singaporeans, and the effect that would have on the nation’s psyche. In contrast, successive Sri Lankan Governments couldn’t care less. It was as if the poor were encouraged to work for a pittance abroad so that the rich could make merry on the spoils that were remitted back to the country. That’s not stated in jest. Sri Lankan Embassies in the Middle East notoriously couldn’t care less about the plight of some workers who were mistreated. But they made sure that every facility was made available to remit the money that was realised by these servants to the Sheiks. All of the above should make clear that dependence on foreign remittances should be a last and not first resort. We were forced to sell our labour abroad because of the dearth of employment and business opportunities within the country. It is as simple as that. Powers Once it was clear that the powers that be didn’t mind if the poor toiled abroad, and were salivating for the money they brought in, the system became institutionalised. The ruling cabals didn’t want to think of policy solutions that would help grow the economy. They could lord it over the toiling hordes, as long as they could ensure that there would be enough of a labour-force that could be forced to go abroad and effectively sell their souls for a mess of pottage that would sustain the corrupt ruling classes back home. It’s time to regain national dignity, and eschew the selling of cheap labour as a source of national revenue. The policymakers must generate alternative sources of income for the country if this ideal is to be realised. But it’s the psychology that matters too. If the rulers are intent on retaining the status quo in which the sale of cheap labour is considered our primary source of national income, the country would continually languish in the doldrums. People should consider themselves as something more than domestic servants, nurses for old people, drivers and hospital attendants, if they want to envision a country that offers dignity, opportunities, and a standard of living that makes people want to stay back, and not leave the country. But, foreign remittances have been the opium of the masses. The rulers have ensured that the revenue earned from selling the people’s labour cheap, helps keep our heads just above water. The people in turn have got used to existing on the barest minimum and not aspiring to anything more. They have cultivated a fatalism about their general plight and that’s not surprising as the rulers have always “showed them their place” as the servants and odd job men for foreigners. SHORING As outlined earlier, it doesn’t mean that all Sri Lankans abroad are menial workers. There are top-echelon scientists and other professionals. But these are in the minority. The vast majority have forgotten what it is to hail from a country that is interested in keeping the dignity of its average citizen intact. It’s not the work ethic of the Singaporeans that helped the country make that quantum leap from backwater to Asian Tiger. It was also the mindset. If people buy into the mythology that they are only suited to be domestics abroad or odd-job men to rich foreigners, they cannot envision a better country for themselves. In other words, they cannot make the mental leap towards considering themselves worthy of comfortable living conditions. As of last month, however, we should make that mental leap. We seem to be in a place where we can at least try to stop wallowing in our plight. But the policymakers cannot be satisfied with the status quo. They cannot be satisfied with shoring up our two major revenue streams, foreign remittances and tourism-earnings. They have to ensure that the nation grows out of this two-track mindset. There could be a blowback. People could say that our revenue earners abroad are being maligned, that the dignity of their labour is not being appreciated. The problem is that they don’t have dignity of labour in the first place. They are for the most part doing jobs that foreigners won’t do in their own countries because those jobs don’t offer dignity of labour. Their foreign employers seldom offer them the dignity they deserve. That’s the truth for the most part, and there is no point glossing over it.
Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi Motors sign MoU
DETROIT (AP) — Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don’t buckle up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren’t fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver’s seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don’t fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn’t be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver’s seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. RELATED COVERAGE TikTok asks the Supreme Court for an emergency order to block a US ban unless it’s sold Man sentenced for helping pregnant Chinese women travel to give birth in the US Trump says he’s a ‘believer’ in polio vaccine, and other news conference takeaways Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its five-star auto safety ratings to include driver assistance technologies and pedestrian protection. Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.
St. Petersburg Development Property Sells for $13 MillionNone
US alleges China hacked calls of 'very senior' political figuresTimAbramowitz GigaCloud Is Discounted For Good Reasons - Reiterate Hold We previously covered GigaCloud Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: GCT ) in August 2024, discussing its significant volatility after the short attacks , along with the market rotation from high Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. The analysis is provided exclusively for informational purposes and should not be considered professional investment advice. Before investing, please conduct personal in-depth research and utmost due diligence, as there are many risks associated with the trade, including capital loss. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Schrödinger (NASDAQ:SDGR) Shares Down 6.7% – Time to Sell?
Ruben Amorim says he is “the smiling one” but Manchester United’s new head coach warned he can be ruthless when he needs to be. The 39-year-old takes charge for the first time in Sunday’s Premier League trip to promoted Ipswich having been confirmed as Erik ten Hag’s successor at the beginning of November. Amorim has made a positive impression since starting work at the United in an international fortnight that ended with an impressive first appearance in front of the media. 🆚 Ipswich Town.🏟️ Portman Road.⏰ 16:30 GMT. 🫡 We will be there. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/0eHCSDYmhE — Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 21, 2024 The Portuguese was gregarious, engaging and smiley throughout Friday’s press conference but that warmth comes with a ruthlessness edge if players do not adhere to his approach. “You can be the same person,” head coach Amorim said. “Be a positive person that can understand this is one place to be, then there is the dressing room, there are some places to have fun, there are some places to work hard. “So, I can be ruthless when I have to be. If you think as a team, I will be the nicest guy you have ever seen. If there is someone just thinking about himself, I will be a different person. “I’m not that type of guy that wants to show that he is the boss. “They will feel it in the small details, that I can be the smiling one but then when we have a job to do I will be a different person, and they understand that.” ‘The Smiling One’ follows ‘the Special One’ as United’s second Portuguese manager, with Jose Mourinho one of five managers to try and fail to reach the heights scaled by Sir Alex Ferguson. The Scot retired as a Premier League champion in 2013 and the Red Devils have failed to launch a sustained title bid since adding that 20th top-flight crown. Asked about whether he will lean on Ferguson to understand the history of United and whether he has met him, Amorim said: “No, not yet. I didn’t have that opportunity. “It’s hard to copy someone, so I have to be me. Of course I’m not the best person in here to show the history of Manchester United. “It should be the club first and also me because I’m always paying attention on those details and try to focus our players in the history of the club, not the recent history. “You have to be very demanding. This is a club that needs to win, has to win, so we have to show that to our players but it’s a different time. “I cannot be the same guy that Sir Alex Ferguson was. It’s a different time. “I have to have a different approach, but I can also be demanding with a different approach, so that is my focus.” Like Ferguson in 1986, Amorim starts life at United in the November of a season that started with a paltry points tally. The 39-year-old acknowledges the timing makes “it’s so much harder” for him to imprint his style at a club whose youth foundations look in safe hands. “It’s the project of Manchester United,” Amorim said. “Nowadays, you need young guys, guys from the academy for everything. “To bring that history of the club because they feel the club in a different way. “And also because you have all these rules with financial fair play, when a player from our academy is so much different to the players that we bought and then we sell. “So, everything is connected. I will try to help all the players, especially the young ones.” Amorim’s first match will be a fascinating watch for onlookers, who have kept a particularly close eye on his work during his farewell to Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese managed three final matches after being confirmed as United head coach, including a 4-1 Champions League win against Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side have dominated English football in recent years and the City boss this week signed a new deal until 2027. “I think it’s a problem for everybody here, but we have so much to do, we cannot focus on anyone,” Amorim said. “We just have to focus on our club, improve our club and not focus on the other clubs, so let’s focus on Manchester United. “It’s amazing (the test) – if you can beat that team it’s a good sign but, like I said, we are focused on Manchester United.”Samsung loses Qualcomm contract to TSMC for making next-gen Snapdragon chips
Five Point Holdings, LLC (NYSE:FPH) Short Interest Up 28.3% in December
Mississippi blows opportunity at making the College Football Playoff with Florida lossDANBURY, Conn., Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ethan Allen recently held its 2024 International Convention live at the Company's headquarters and livestreamed across the world. With the theme of Focused on the Future , the program honored the Company's 92-year history, reviewed current and future initiatives in manufacturing, logistics, technology, marketing and retail, and celebrated its annual Spirit Awards, honoring interior designers both for achievement in written sales and design excellence. Led by its Chairman, President and CEO Farooq Kathwari, the convention highlighted five key areas of focus for Ethan Allen: talent, service, marketing, technology, and social responsibility. "It was good to review all areas of our vertically integrated enterprise, to share new products and initiatives, and to celebrate the work and achievements of our team members. We take pride in sharing this special event with about 4,000 in attendance both watching and participating each year." Ethan Allen's annual convention is an important, decades-long tradition that gives its associates the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from all over the world while they review the progress the Company has made over the past year. The Spirit Awards highlight Ethan Allen's interior design network, one of the world's largest, and emphasize the Company's unique combination of technology and personal service. The celebratory event concluded with Mr. Kathwari saying, "We are just getting started," as the Company is Focused on the Future . ABOUT ETHAN ALLEN Ethan Allen ETD , named America's #1 Premium Furniture Retailer by Newsweek for the second year in a row, is a leading interior design destination combining state-of-the-art technology with personal service. Our design centers, which represent a mix of independent licensees and Company-owned and operated locations, offer complimentary interior design service and sell a full range of home furnishings, including custom furniture and artisan-crafted accents for every room in the home. Vertically integrated from product design through logistics, we manufacture about 75% of our custom-crafted products in our North American manufacturing facilities and have been recognized for product quality and craftsmanship since 1932. Learn more at www.ethanallen.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. CONTACT: Catherine Plaisted Senior Vice President, Marketing catherine.plaisted@ethanallen.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/03602b41-d7d5-4e48-89b9-c4cf8d11a28f https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f03d7cf2-d8e6-433e-afb3-45d6616ed037 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6dd9c843-54d2-4f8e-970f-e8a2d90d71ae © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
There is perhaps no more quintessentially American phenomenon than widespread panic over strange lights in the sky and the unknown implications thereof. From Orson Welles' panic-inducing broadcast of "The War of the Worlds" to popular culture's obsession with flying saucers outside of Roswell, New Mexico, ours is a country that seemingly cannot help but look up and wonder: "What the heck is that?" For the past several days, that has been the question on the minds of New Jersey residents baffled and unnerved by a sudden proliferation of supposed drones hovering over the Garden State without warning or explanation. The mysterious lights have prompted demands for federal investigation as speculation about the unmanned aerial vehicles runs rampant throughout the state and across the eastern seaboard. As theories abound and lawmakers urge calm, here's what people know about the unexplained drone swarms, and why some officials are ringing the alarms about what they might mean. What did the commentators say? The Biden administration has worked to preempt panic over the drone swarms. There is "no evidence at this time" that they "pose a national security or a public safety threat or have a foreign nexus," White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said last week. Nevertheless, "something's going on," Washington Township Mayor Matthew Murello said on " Good Morning America ." "I'm not trying to stir anything up, but we all know — if you just turn on the television — that drones can be used in an aggressive fashion." With recent unexplained drone sightings in "at least eight states," there remains "significant confusion about the exact nature of the sightings," CNN said. "There's a lot of us that are pretty frustrated right now," Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said on " Fox News Sunday. " For officials to say "'We don't know' is not a good enough answer," Himes said, demanding the government "put more information out there" to ease public concern. "More federal resources are needed to understand what is behind this activity," New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said in a letter to the Biden administration requesting aid in investigating the drones. "Existing laws limit the ability of state and local law enforcement" to conduct their own inquiries and counter-operations effectively. Those limitations haven't stopped some New Jersey officials from engaging in their own examinations. Over the weekend, Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) documented his own excursion with local police across Hunterdon County to get "different vantage points" on suspected drone activity. Ultimately, "most of the possible drone sightings that were pointed out to me were almost certainly planes," Kim said. Even so, Kim said, it's "hard to understand how with the technology we have we aren't able to track these devices to determine origin" — a challenge that made the senator "much more concerned about our capabilities more broadly when it comes to drone detection and countermeasures." Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) has been even more aggressive, accusing defense officials of "hiding the truth" about the drones' origins from an Iranian "mothership," Politico said. Drew's allegation, at which officials "balked," only serves to highlight "how drones, once the play toy of amateur photographers, are fast becoming a national security concern." What next? Biden administration officials have begun acting on requests from local lawmakers, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D). Her "calls for additional resources" prompted "our federal partners" to send a "drone detection system to New York," Hochul said on X. Still, "Congress must pass a law that will give us the power to deal directly with the drones," Hochul said. Accordingly, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is "working to pass a bill in the Senate to give local law enforcement more tools for drone detection," he said on X . The incidents have also become partisan fodder in the waning days of the Biden administration. The White House's lack of transparency on the sightings is a "reminder that the general attitude of this White House towards the American people has been, 'you don't need to know that,'" said Fox News ' David Marcus. And while President-elect Donald Trump "can't imagine it's the enemy," the Biden administration would be "better off saying what it is our military knows and our president knows," Trump said on Monday.Expert Outlook: StoneCo Through The Eyes Of 4 Analysts
Shares of Enghouse Systems Limited ( TSE:ENGH – Get Free Report ) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as C$26.85 and last traded at C$26.85, with a volume of 31888 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$27.29. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts recently weighed in on ENGH shares. TD Securities cut their target price on shares of Enghouse Systems from C$34.00 to C$29.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 16th. CIBC dropped their price objective on shares of Enghouse Systems from C$37.00 to C$31.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of Enghouse Systems from C$43.00 to C$40.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Enghouse Systems Enghouse Systems Price Performance Enghouse Systems Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 29th were issued a $0.26 dividend. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 15th. Enghouse Systems’s payout ratio is 68.42%. Insider Activity at Enghouse Systems In other Enghouse Systems news, Senior Officer Vincent Mifsud sold 16,200 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, October 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$32.87, for a total transaction of C$532,494.00. 21.95% of the stock is owned by insiders. Enghouse Systems Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Enghouse Systems Limited, together with its subsidiaries, develops enterprise software solutions worldwide. It operates through two segments, Interactive Management Group and Asset Management Group. The Interactive Management Group segment provides customer interaction software and services to facilitate remote work, enhance customer service, increase efficiency, and manage customer communications across various types of interactions, including voice, email, web chats, text, and video. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Enghouse Systems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enghouse Systems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen returns to a tournament after a dispute over jeans is resolvedWhile the horror in Palestine continues, political drama has suddenly flared in other parts of the world, namely South Korea and France. At the same time, the bloody Ukraine War in Eastern Europe grinds on with very powerful contesting military forces dangerously poised in that region. Numbed as we are from constantly watching the sick bloodletting in Gaza, we Sri Lankans could wonder whether, equipped as we are with a most stable and proficient Government in Colombo, we should offer our ‘good offices’ to the West. Sri Lanka’s recent record of most peaceful elections that has placed a reformist national leadership surely qualifies us to mediate in the volatile politics of those very centres of power that, for decades, preached to us about ‘peace’ and ‘democracy’. Sri Lankan civic organisations that already share their expertise on election conduct with other Asian states, such as PAFFREL (People’s Alliance for Fair and Free Elections) and CMEV (Centre for Monitoring Election Violence), may now be needed to help out further afield, perhaps Westwards. After all, do we not want competence and decency in those centres of world power that could, at their nefarious whim, upturn what is left of the so-called ‘World Order’? Political intrigue Former French Premier Michel Barnier French President Emmanuel Macron Those familiar with the history of political intrigue and debauchery at the heart of the ancient Roman Empire during its long decline, now keenly note the similar features increasingly characterising the United States, the latest geopolitical hegemon in decline. The world today watches bemused as Washington’s future Government appoints new top officers already known for their sordid sexual decadence, opportunism and constitutional antics. ‘Bemused’, it might be, but the world community, whose sensibilities are lacerated by the public Gaza genocide and the openly cynical posturing of the perpetrators, may no longer care if those perpetrating States and their societies are tied up in knots. A weaker hegemon is possibly better than a strong, efficient one, some of its victims could argue. The problem is that some of America’s incoming Government officials, with pasts of near-criminality and obvious mediocrity, may soon be in charge of the world’s dominant economy and most powerful and most globally interventionist military. How will such ‘governance’ in Washington impact on the rest of humanity? To realise possible impacts, people need to read up, for example, on US President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees for Washington’s Departments (equivalent to Government Ministries in other countries) of Defence, Justice, Homeland Security, and Education among other vital arms of the American Government. Just query the internet on these nominees to learn of their ‘qualifications’. Their various antics could make entertaining reading if not for the serious implications of their assuming office. Wise to the governance implications, the electorally triumphant Republican Party (GOP) has already rejected some other Trump nominations. But, still, Americans are faced with the possible appointment of a head of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) who has previously vowed to disband some of that world famous Bureau’s most vital intelligence and investigative units. Another nominee wants to ‘abolish’ the entire Department of Education. And, whether the world’s richest man, Elon Musk of Tesla, X and SpaceX fame will accept a non-existent ‘Department for Government Efficiency’ (GOE) remains to be seen, though it has no Cabinet rank. Surely, by now, he must realise that national governance is very different from business. Perhaps his Artificial Intelligence (AI) apps could advise him. Meanwhile, in an act of classic nepotism, outgoing US President Joe Biden has given a pardon to his already convicted son (on gun and tax evasion charges) Hunter Biden. Of course, Hunter Biden had not committed murder like some Sri Lankan political assassins who have been favoured with Presidential pardons here. Bemused as we are with all these goings-on in some of the ‘Great’ powers, the sudden political drama in South Korea briefly diverted attention. South Korea Last Tuesday evening, elected President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, suddenly publicly announced ‘Martial Law’ status in his country. However, after a brief period of shock and alarm, the political Opposition rallied and forced through a vote in the National Assembly that overruled the Presidential Declaration. It all happened within about six hours, according to news agencies. By late morning Wednesday, Koreans were learning that President Yoon had withdrawn the Martial Law status and normal Government had been restored, removing the prospect of a revival of military dictatorship for which South Korea was notorious just over 40 years ago. Yesterday, the President apologised to the Korean nation for imposing Martial Law. He was due to face an Impeachment Motion yesterday. By Wednesday evening, even as things began to calm down, demonstrators continued to crowd the stairways of the National Assembly building in Seoul with posters reading, ‘Impeach Yoon Seok Yeol’. Giving a sudden televised address to the nation, President Yoon had proclaimed the need to “protect the country from North Korean communists and eliminate anti-State elements”. Yoon, known to be facing possible prosecution for governance irregularities, and rapidly losing popularity, had claimed a need to “rebuild and protect the country from falling into ruin”. News agencies reported that by deploying troops to blockade the National Assembly building overnight, Yoon attempted to stop Parliamentarians from interfering in his plans. But backed by angry massed supporters, Legislators entered Parliament and voted to lift Martial Law, which eventually lasted for only around two hours. By Wednesday morning, South Korea had survived its first attempted coup in more than 40 years. National life resumed a semblance of normality. But hundreds of protesters and citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly to join demonstrations led by members of the Opposition Democratic Party who, a few hours earlier, had put forward a Bill to impeach Yoon. Previously, South Korean Presidents have been impeached for mis-governance, especially massive corruption and the Korean Supreme Court has upheld such decisions. Analysts said that the Korean Armed Forces, one of Asia’s most powerful and with a long history of political authoritarianism in the past, had carefully remained largely neutral. However, the Korean Defence Minister, who has resigned, is regarded as being involved in Yoon’s coup attempt and is expected to face criminal prosecution along with Yoon. Yoon was expected to resign by yesterday but many democracy activists are remaining vigilant for any further disruptions. Business circles were happy that the Korean economy, one of the world’s strongest, was able to resume business without serious interruption. South Korea, a close US military ally since the Korean Civil War in the early 1950s and during the entire Cold War, has a history of decades of brutally repressive military rule that ended only in 1988. The establishment of democracy took decades of struggle, including the famous Gwangju uprising, a mass protest in May 1980, in the southern city of Gwangju. Hundreds of protesters were killed in the subsequent crackdown by the military dictatorship. France Last week also saw France, Europe’s strongest economy after Germany, thrown into political instability when French Legislators on the Right and Left combined to vote out the Centre-Right Government appointed a few months ago by Centrist President Emmanuel Macron. Last Wednesday evening, 331 French Legislators from Left and Right-wing parties, out of 577 Legislators in the National Assembly, voted in favour of removing the European Union’s (EU) former Brexit negotiator Premier Michel Barnier, 73. Barnier’s resignation came just as he was presenting the National Budget for 2025. French Legislators from the country’s Left-wing alliance, New Popular Front (NFP), tabled the vote in opposition to Barnier’s austerity budget. This was supported by the far-Right National Rally (RN) led by nationalist firebrand Marie Le Pen, when the Premier tried to push the Budget through the Assembly without a vote. Both the Right and Left forces are alert to the immense unpopularity of Barnier’s economic policies that are essentially the policies of the French President who is notorious for his neo-liberal outlook. The Budget included more cuts in social welfare spending and higher taxation. Macron himself is rejecting calls to resign. President of France since 2017, he has a mandate until 2027, when the country’s next Presidential Elections are due to take place. He is now expected to appoint a stop-gap Government to push through a modified Budget shorn of the social spending cuts that would otherwise provoke another negative vote in the Assembly. Analysts see this as a political triumph for both the French Right and Left groups.NEW YORK, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global natural and organic personal care product market size is estimated to grow by USD 11.67 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 9.45% during the forecast period. Increasing number of female customers opting for organic personal care products is driving market growth, with a trend towards rise of sustainable packaging. However, high cost of natural and organic personal care products poses a challenge. Key market players include Beiersdorf AG, Colgate Palmolive Co., e.l.f. Beauty Inc., Emami Ltd, Gabriel Cosmetics Inc., Groupe Clarins, Herbivore Botanicals, Honasa Consumer Pvt. Ltd., Korres, LOccitane Groupe SA, Miranda Kerr Pty Ltd., Organic Harvest, OSEA International LLC, Patanjali Ayurved Ltd., Purity Cosmetics, The Clorox Co., The Procter and Gamble Co., True Botanicals Inc., Weleda Group, and Yves Rocher Amerique du Nord Inc, VEDA Corp., The Body Shop International Limited, Hain Celestial, Amway Corp., bareMinerals, Arbonne International LLC, L'Oréal, Korres S.A., Shiseido Company Limited, The Clorox Company, Beiersdorf AG AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2017 - 2021 Segment Covered Product (Skincare, Haircare, Cosmetics, and Others), Distribution Channel (Offline stores and Online stores), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Beiersdorf AG, Colgate Palmolive Co., e.l.f. Beauty Inc., Emami Ltd, Gabriel Cosmetics Inc., Groupe Clarins, Herbivore Botanicals, Honasa Consumer Pvt. Ltd., Korres, LOccitane Groupe SA, Miranda Kerr Pty Ltd., Organic Harvest, OSEA International LLC, Patanjali Ayurved Ltd., Purity Cosmetics, The Clorox Co., The Procter and Gamble Co., True Botanicals Inc., Weleda Group, and Yves Rocher Amerique du Nord Inc, VEDA Corp., The Body Shop International Limited, Hain Celestial, Amway Corp., bareMinerals, Arbonne International LLC, L'Oréal, Korres S.A., Shiseido Company Limited, The Clorox Company, Beiersdorf AG, Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The personal care products market is thriving with a focus on clean label ingredients and organic beauty. Consumers are increasingly preferring natural oils like pomegranate, camellia, jojoba, argan, and grape seed over synthetic cosmetics. Airless packaging ensures product freshness and safety. ECommerce and online retailing have made buying beauty products more convenient. Millennials lead the trend in skincare, seeking solutions for skin irritation, dryness, and dullness. Herbal ingredients, free from BHA, parabens, phthalates, coal tar, and other chemicals, are in demand. Natural plant extracts offer alternatives, with brands like Refresh Botanical leading the way. Skin care and oral care concerns continue to drive growth. Allergies and sensitivities have increased the need for organic skincare products. Social media marketing, product reviews, recommendations, user comments, expert bloggers, and celebrity endorsements influence consumer decisions. Propylene glycol and formaldehyde are under scrutiny for potential health risks. Haircare concerns include anti-dandruff prevention and scalp problems. Stay tuned for more updates in the consumer products industry. The natural and organic personal care product market is witnessing a significant shift towards sustainable packaging. Brands like Juicy Chemistry, Mamaearth, WOW Skin Science, and Forest Essentials are leading this trend by introducing innovative eco-friendly packaging solutions. These include refillable containers and packaging made from recycled materials, such as biodegradable, compostable, or recycled ocean plastic. This shift is driven by growing consumer awareness of the environmental impact of traditional packaging. By adopting sustainable packaging, brands are differentiating themselves in the market and appealing to eco-conscious consumers. This trend signifies a broader movement towards sustainability and responsible consumption in the natural and organic personal care product industry. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This natural and organic personal care product market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Skincare- The natural and organic personal care product market comprises skincare items such as facial care, body care, and sun care products. These include organic offerings like lotions, creams, oils, moisturizers, face washes, cleansers, exfoliators, scrubs, soaps, body washes, and face and body serums. Natural and organic skincare products have gained significant popularity due to their absence of harsh chemicals, such as parabens and phenoxyethanol. Synthetic ingredients, like propylene glycol, petrolatum, and sulfates, can penetrate the skin, causing irritation, allergies, headaches, breathing difficulties, and hormone disruptions. Moreover, these ingredients may increase the risk of skin cancer. As consumers become more health-conscious, they prefer natural and organic skincare products for their skin health benefits and to avoid the harmful side effects of toxic ingredients. Vendors like Weleda, Rocher Amerique, and others cater to this demand with skincare products tailored to specific skin issues. For instance, acne and pimples are common skin concerns, and consumers often avoid chemical-based anti-acne products due to their perceived harm. Instead, they opt for herbal anti-acne skincare products, boosting the demand for natural and organic personal care products globally. Companies like The Himalaya Drug Co. And Emami Ltd. Provide herbal skincare solutions, such as the Purifying Neem Face Wash and Emami Naturally Fair Herbal Fairness Cream, respectively, to address these concerns. In conclusion, the growing preference for natural and organic skincare products to maintain skin health and avoid the harmful effects of synthetic ingredients is expected to fuel the growth of the skincare segment in the global natural and organic personal care product market. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2017 - 2021) Research Analysis The Natural and Organic Personal Care Product market is experiencing significant growth as consumers increasingly seek out clean label ingredients and organic beauty solutions. This market encompasses a wide range of consumer products, including skincare, haircare, and makeup, all made with natural oils such as pomegranate, camellia, jojoba, argan, and grape seed, and plant extracts. Airless packaging is a popular choice for these products to maintain their freshness and effectiveness. E-commerce and online retailing have revolutionized the way consumers purchase beauty products, allowing for the convenience of shopping from home and access to a wider selection of organic skincare products. Digital marketing and social media play a crucial role in reaching consumers and building brand awareness. However, natural and organic personal care products must still contend with skin irritation, dryness, and dullness, common issues for many consumers. Synthetic chemicals and allergens found in conventional beauty products can exacerbate these issues. By contrast, natural ingredients offer gentle, effective solutions. Despite the benefits of natural and organic personal care products, the challenge lies in maintaining a consistent supply chain and ensuring product quality. The use of synthetic cosmetics and chemicals in the industry can make this a complex issue. Nevertheless, the future looks bright for this market, with continued innovation and consumer demand driving growth. Market Research Overview The Natural and Organic Personal Care Product Market is experiencing significant growth as consumers increasingly seek out clean label ingredients and organic beauty solutions. This market encompasses a wide range of consumer products, including skincare, haircare, oral care, and more. Airless packaging and e-commerce platforms are driving innovation, making it easier than ever for consumers to purchase these products online. Key trends in this market include the use of natural oils such as pomegranate, camellia, jojoba, argan, and grape seed, as well as herbal ingredients. However, concerns over skin irritation, dryness, and dullness continue to drive demand for organic skincare products free from synthetic chemicals like BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), parabens, phthalates, coal tar, and allergens. Marketing in the natural and organic personal care product market is heavily influenced by social media and digital marketing. Product reviews, recommendations, user comments, expert bloggers, and celebrity endorsements all play a role in shaping consumer perceptions and driving sales. However, not all ingredients in personal care products are natural or organic. Some, like propylene glycol and formaldehyde, are synthetic and can cause haircare concerns, such as anti-dandruff prevention and scalp problems. As a result, transparency and education are crucial in this market. Millennials are a key demographic in the natural and organic personal care product market, with many prioritizing natural and organic options over synthetic cosmetics. Skincare is a particular area of focus, with consumers seeking out plant extracts and herbal ingredients to address a range of concerns. Overall, the natural and organic personal care product market is a dynamic and evolving space, driven by consumer demand for clean label, organic solutions and a growing awareness of the potential health risks associated with synthetic chemicals. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: SOURCE Technavio MENAFN16122024003732001241ID1108999987 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
‘The smiling one’ Ruben Amorim says he can be ruthless when he needs to beSuper Micro Computer and C3.ai Lead Another Amazing Week for AI Stocks