An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump’s political coalitionNEW YORK , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of iLearningEngines, Inc. (NASDAQ: AILE) between April 22, 2024 and August 28, 2024 , both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of t the important December 6, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline. So what: If you purchased iLearningEngines securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the iLearningEngines class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=28305 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 6, 2024 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) iLearningEngines' "Technology Partner" was an undisclosed related party; (2) iLearningEngines used its undisclosed related party Technology Partner to report "largely fake" revenue and expenses; (3) as a result of the foregoing, iLearningEngines significantly overstated its revenue; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about iLearningEngines' business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the iLearningEngines class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=28305 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aile-deadline-today-aile-investors-have-opportunity-to-lead-ilearningengines-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit-302325082.html SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
Historic San Jose farmhouse saved after collaborative effortCharles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Arrow Electronics, Inc. ( NYSE:ARW – Free Report ) by 2.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 483,936 shares of the technology company’s stock after buying an additional 10,340 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned about 0.92% of Arrow Electronics worth $64,281,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in Arrow Electronics by 794.6% in the second quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 331 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 294 shares during the period. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new position in shares of Arrow Electronics during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $73,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new stake in Arrow Electronics in the 3rd quarter valued at $78,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in Arrow Electronics in the third quarter valued at $88,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of Arrow Electronics by 24.6% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 695 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $92,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.34% of the company’s stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have weighed in on ARW. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Arrow Electronics from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Friday, August 2nd. Raymond James decreased their price target on Arrow Electronics from $140.00 to $135.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Truist Financial cut their price objective on Arrow Electronics from $141.00 to $120.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, November 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $124.25. Arrow Electronics Price Performance ARW opened at $120.30 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.46 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.43 and a beta of 1.27. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $126.96 and its 200-day simple moving average is $127.18. Arrow Electronics, Inc. has a one year low of $108.51 and a one year high of $137.80. Arrow Electronics ( NYSE:ARW – Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The technology company reported $2.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.23 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $6.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.73 billion. Arrow Electronics had a return on equity of 10.71% and a net margin of 1.71%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 14.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $4.14 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Arrow Electronics, Inc. will post 10.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Arrow Electronics Profile ( Free Report ) Arrow Electronics, Inc provides products, services, and solutions to industrial and commercial users of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Global Components and Global Enterprise Computing Solutions. Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than Arrow Electronics What Are Dividend Challengers? The Latest 13F Filings Are In: See Where Big Money Is Flowing How to Plot Fibonacci Price Inflection Levels 3 Penny Stocks Ready to Break Out in 2025 Energy and Oil Stocks Explained FMC, Mosaic, Nutrien: Top Agricultural Stocks With Big Potential Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ARW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Arrow Electronics, Inc. ( NYSE:ARW – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Arrow Electronics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arrow Electronics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Harris: Fine Gael ‘will gain seats’ amid further fragmentation of Irish politicsCES Energy Solutions Corp. (CESDF) to Issue Dividend of $0.02 on January 15thStocks closed lower as Wall Street ended a holiday-shortened week on a down note. The S&P 500 fell 1.1% Friday and the the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 333 points, or 0.8%. The Nasdaq composite dropped 1.5%. The “Magnificent 7” stocks weighed on the market, led by declines in Nvidia, Tesla and Microsoft. Even with the loss, the S&P 500 had a modest gain for the week and is still headed for its second consecutive annual gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose slightly. On Friday: The S&P 500 fell 66.75 points, or 1.1%, to 5,970.84. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 333.59 points, or 0.8%, to 49,992.21. The Nasdaq composite fell 298.33 points, or 1.5%, to 19,722.03. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies dropped 35.60 points, or 1.6%, to 2,244.59. For the week: The S&P 500 is up 39.99 points, or 0.7%. The Dow is up 151.95 points, or 0.4%. The Nasdaq is up 149.43 points, or 0.8% The Russell 2000 is up 2.22 points, or 0.1%. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,201.01 points, or 25.2%. The Dow is up 5,302.67, or 14.1%. The Nasdaq is up 4,710.68 points, or 31.4%. The Russell 2000 is up 217.52 points, or 10.7%.South Carolina has won six straight games, and one of the catalysts has been the improved free-throw shooting of Nick Pringle. When South Carolina (9-3) faces Presbyterian (7-7) in the final nonconference game for both teams on Monday in Columbia, S.C., the Gamecocks won't have to hold their breath when Pringle toes the line. During South Carolina's surge, which includes wins over three power conference teams, Pringle has made 26 of 30 (86.7 percent) free-throw attempts. It's a remarkable improvement from his 51.7 percent career success rate entering the season. Last month, in his South Carolina debut after transferring from Alabama, Pringle's foul shooting woes continued as he shot 3-for-8 in stunning 74-71 upset at the hands of the visiting North Florida. But video work with coach Lamont Paris convinced Pringle that he needed to quicken his routine and tweak his set point, which is where a player's eyes focus on the rim. "How long it was taking him to release the ball once he started his free throw process was really long, really, really long," Paris said. "So he shortened it." In a 74-48 win over Radford on Dec. 22, Pringle made all 10 of his free throws. His work at the line is no small matter, as he has taken the second-most free throws on the team (61). Pringle averages 10.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, combining with Collin Murray-Boyles (16.2 points, 9.3 rebounds) to give the Gamecocks a formidable duo inside. Presbyterian enters after suffering its first home loss this season, 86-81 in overtime to Manhattan on Dec. 21. It was a frustrating defeat after the Blue Hose led by 19 points in the first half. There was a positive, however, as Carl Parrish delivered 23 points and nine rebounds, both career highs. It was a performance that sixth-year coach Quinton Ferrell has been awaiting. "Seeing him play like that offensively is not a shock to me because that's really what he's capable of," Ferrell said. "He's a big-time offensive player." Parrish combines in the backcourt with the Blue Hose's top two threats: Kory Mincy, who averages 14.9 points and 4.6 assists per game, and Kobe Stewart, who scores at a 14.4 ppg clip. Located just 60 miles apart, South Carolina and Presbyterian (Clinton, S.C.) have a long history, with their first game coming nearly 108 years ago. The Gamecocks lead the series 33-8. --Field Level Media
TORONTO — Losses in the tech sector led Canada's main stock index lower Friday, while U.S. stock markets also fell. The S&P/TSX composite index ended down 50.42 points at 24,796.40. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 333.59 points at 42,992.21. The S&P 500 index was down 66.75 points at 5,970.84, while the Nasdaq composite was down 298.33 points at 19,722.03. The Canadian dollar traded for 69.37 cents US, compared with 69.51 cents US on Tuesday. The February crude oil contract was up 98 cents at US$70.60 per barrel and the February natural gas contract was up six cents at US$3.38 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was down US$22 at US$2,631.90 an ounce and the March copper contract was down less than a penny at US$4.12 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) The Canadian PressNow that Christmas is over, families are bracing for the hefty costs that come with outfitting children for the new academic year. From clothing and supplies to electronics and extracurricular activities, the price tag can quickly add up. However, there are several strategies that can help save money and ease the financial burden. Take Advantage of Sales and Discounts Retailers often offer back-to-school sales, especially in late summer. Look for discounts on clothing, shoes, and school supplies, both in-store and online. Many stores also run “buy one, get one free” promotions or offer student discounts. Be sure to shop early, as the best deals often appear in the weeks leading up to school. Buy in Bulk Stock up on items that are required in large quantities, such as notebooks, pens, and folders. Purchasing these supplies in bulk can result in significant savings. Additionally, consider sharing supplies with other families or pooling resources to take advantage of bulk pricing. Repurpose and Reuse Check if your child has leftover supplies from the previous year that are still in good condition. Backpacks, binders, and pens can be reused, which will save money. A fresh set of notebooks or a new lunchbox may be all that’s needed to give old supplies a new life. Shop at Discount Stores For essentials like uniforms, shoes, and backpacks, consider shopping at discount stores or thrift shops. You can often find high-quality items at a fraction of the cost of brand-name retailers. Embrace Digital Learning For students in need of laptops or tablets, consider buying refurbished models or taking advantage of school or government programs offering discounted technology. By being strategic and planning ahead, families can significantly reduce back-to-school expenses while still providing everything students need to succeed.Cam Carter scored LSU's first eight points and finished with a game-high 23 and LSU raced to a 37-8 lead on its way to a 110-45 victory against outmanned Mississippi Valley State on Sunday in Baton Rouge, La. Vyctorius Miller added 20 points and Jordan Sears and Daimion Collins scored 15 each for the Tigers (11-2), who led 55-13 at halftime. It was their final game before opening Southeastern Conference play against visiting Vanderbilt on Saturday. LSU, which defeated Mississippi Valley 106-60 last season, shot 65.7 percent (46 of 70) from the floor. The Delta Devils (2-11) had no player score in double figures. The closest was Alvin Stredic with eight points. Mississippi Valley State remained winless against Division I opponents and have an average margin of defeat of 44.2 points heading into their Southwestern Athletic Conference opener at Alabama State on Jan. 4. Stredic's field goal tied the score at two before Carter made a tie-breaking 3-pointer to give LSU the lead for good. Carter made another 3-pointer during a 7-0 run that increased the lead to 12-4. Another field goal by Stredic ended that run before Carter and Sears each made a 3-pointer and the Tigers pushed the lead to 20-6. Stredic made another field goal, giving him six of his team's first eight points, before Carter made a 3-pointer and another basket to help fuel a 17-0 run that enabled LSU to build the 37-8 bulge. Johnathan Pace made a field goal to stop the run, but Sears and Curtis Givens III each made a 3-pointer to complete a 10-0 run that expanded the lead to 47-10. Jair Horton answered with the Delta Devils' only 3-pointer of the half before Miller and Sears each scored four points and the Tigers led by 42 at the break. Carter (16 points) and Sears (10) combined to score twice as many points as Mississippi Valley State in the half. Carter made 6-of-10 3-pointers and Sears made 4 of 8. --Field Level Media
The year 2024 is one for the books for many on Guam, describing it as a year filled with firsts and overcoming challenges. For Ipan resident Kiana Luper, 2024 marked the start of her journey into motherhood. She gave birth to her first child — a son — in June. “That was the best part, obviously, of the whole 2024. A lot of changes, because I became a parent for the first time,” Luper said. “A lot of new oncoming stuff, my job, work, family-wise, all these different things. It’s just like a whole year of new experiences.” While Luper is enjoying parenthood and the milestones that come with it, the most unforgettable moment was discovering her pregnancy. “When I found out, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m gonna be a mommy’. I’ve thought about it for so long, and now that it’s here, it’s like, what a special moment to take in,’” Luper said. “Obviously the baby’s here, but that first experience, that first feeling—it just was memorable to me.” Looking ahead to a new year, Luper hopes to improve her ability to balance work and family. “I just hope that I get better at whatever I’m doing now, with my work, and do time managing my family, myself,” Luper said. Another first for Luper is her new role as supervisor at the anticipated Crab Daddy location opening in Tumon. Clara Hollow-Grass, an archaeologist, moved to Guam four months ago and talked about her positive yet unpredictable experience settling into the island to work with an independent archaeological company. “Meeting new people, moving to this new place, experiencing a new side of the world and kind of seeing how everything ticks and moves was the highlight,” Hollow-Grass said. She noted the importance of integrating traditional CHamoru culture with modern scientific discoveries, noting the need for local expertise. “Obviously, there’s not a lot that we can always talk about, but I do think that there is a level of shared community and historical preservation that’s involved, especially with the finding of remains and working with individual people within the Guam political system that might have a say in that,” Hallow-Grass said. “I think there’s a lot of ways that we can bring in traditions like CHamoru culture and history and tradition in that, and kind of wrap it into the new science that we’re uncovering now.” Although Hallow-Grass has been on island for only a few months, she values the insights she has gained from the local community and the significance of respecting indigenous knowledge. “I think also as a white person who’s coming into this culture, it is really important for us to have that kind of expertise that we obviously just cannot have,” she said. “No matter how much we study, we won’t have the same experience as somebody who’s born here, lived here, knows the ins and outs. So I think that it’s vital that we have other people that are helping us through that process. I’m very grateful that we got that.” Joe Cruz, a Sånta Rita-Sumai resident, reflects on 2024 as a year of personal growth and new challenges as he reaches his ‘40s. “So I lived the first half of my life the way I needed to, and then the second half, I’m hoping I’m reaping the rewards,” Cruz said. One of the new things he tried was Brazilian jiu-jitsu. “I’m just trying new things, testing my abilities, seeing how far my body can go, health-wise, like exercise and new sports, like jiu-jitsu,” Cruz said. “It’s a new thing for me. So it’s a new challenge, new obstacles, new things to learn, everything starting from the beginning.” As a corrections officer at the Department of Corrections, Mike Cruz is no stranger to handling difficulties. In fact, he described 2024 as challenging, especially being separated from his family, who are off island. “It’s just me here, I only get to see them once a year,” he said. “It’s also where I work, so every day is challenging, especially around the holiday season.” Despite the struggles, Cruz finds strength to press on and prioritizes supporting his children. “That’s the way I try to take it: even though it’s a challenge, you still have to try to always push forward. That’s what I always tell my children,” he said. “No matter how hard it gets, you’ll find a way to just push forward. You need help. I’m always here to help.” A highlight for Cruz this year was the opportunity to watch his son, who plays football stateside, play with the Guam Raiders. “When I did go spend time with my sons and my daughter, I was able to watch him play football. So that was always a plus,” he said. “Every chance I get to watch him play, anytime I get a chance to spend with my children, it’s always a plus for me.” As 2025 approaches, residents have shared their hopes for the upcoming year. For Hallow-Grass, she hopes for global peace and understanding in the next year. “I hope that we can have more peace, and that the world can find a way that we can just let people be people and be happy in the way that they need to,” she said. Like Luper, Cruz also hopes for personal growth. “Well, like everybody else, we all want to make ourselves better, physically and so forth,” he said. “For me, I started practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu a couple of years ago, so I just want to keep moving forward there and get better at it in the next year.” Additionally, he hopes he’ll be able to bring his children back to Guam for the summer. “They miss home, and we’ll see how it goes from there,” Mike Cruz said. In approaching what he calls “the second half of his life,” Joe Cruz is aiming for continued personal development and a peaceful life for himself and his family in 2025. “So everything I’ve done up to my 40 years has nothing to do with my next 40. Kind of interesting, this new life,” Joe Cruz said. “I just want to make a better me, one day at a time, living for myself and my family, and I’m just enjoying the ride. I just want a peaceful life for [my family].” He also hopes for great success for the island post-COVID, underscoring the significance of collective progress for the island’s well-being. “I’m hoping the whole island overall can achieve better success from what it was in 2024 or since COVID,” Joe Cruz said. “I’m hoping for the best for our island, not just for myself. I’m hoping the island recovers, for tourism to make a boom, our economy grows, and our people grow as a whole.”Logility Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Financial ResultsSEATTLE (AP) — It wasn’t pretty, but the Seattle Seahawks pulled off a 6-3 slog of a victory Thursday over the Chicago Bears. The win featured an outstanding effort from Seattle's defense, a near disappearance from the offense and a game-sealing pick that ended Caleb Williams' rookie record for the most pass attempts without an interception at 353. The Seahawks sacked Williams seven times to tie the team’s season high as the Bears lost their 10th consecutive game in the lowest scoring contest of the season. The Bears had a chance to pull off an upset when they had the ball at Seattle's 40-yard line late in the fourth quarter, but Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen picked off Williams with 20 seconds left. It was a nice bounce-back win for Seattle, but had little impact on their postseason outlook. The more important game will come Saturday, when the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals face off with Seattle’s postseason fortunes on the line. A win by Arizona keeps the Seahawks in the hunt — but still needing a win over the Rams next weekend to clinch the NFC West. A Rams win this weekend would dash Seattle’s hopes as Los Angeles would win the tiebreaker over Seattle even if the Seahawks win the regular-season finale. “We’re in the mode of controlling what we can control,” coach Mike Macdonald said. “We know what’s coming next week. We’re going to spend this weekend getting our minds and bodies and spirits right to go play a game. "Yeah, we’re praying that it’s for the division championship.” What’s working Leonard Williams continues to be a force for the Seahawks. The defensive tackle dominated the Bears' offensive line with two of Seattle’s seven sacks, four quarterback hits and three tackles for loss. Williams been the key to Seattle’s defensive resurgence. A unit that was among the worst in the league earlier in the season has become one of the NFL's most productive in the second half with Williams' big-time impact up front being a major reason Seattle is still in the playoff hunt. “He should be up for all the accolades,” Macdonald said. “I don’t know what the awards are out there, but I would give it to him,” Macdonald said. “He’s just a phenomenal player, phenomenal human being. I’m glad he’s a Seahawk. Glad he’s with us.” What needs help Seattle’s offense was full of stops and starts, but two field goals proved to be enough. Geno Smith managed just 160 passing yards and nearly threw yet another interception in the red zone on Seattle’s first drive of the game. Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh combined for 103 yards on 22 carries, with McIntosh’s 25-yard first-quarter run marking Seattle’s longest offensive play of the day. Charbonnet, starting in place of the injured Kenneth Walker III, was held to just 3.8 yards per carry. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has spent the season trying to figure out how to get the running game going, with little success. Stock up The Seahawks' defense put up a lockdown performance after struggling in losses against Green Bay and Minnesota, holding the Bears to just 179 yards of total offense and finishing with 10 quarterback hits. Along with Leonard Williams big day, Devon Witherspoon had six tackles with a sack and three tackles for loss as the Seahawks recaptured some of the momentum it had lost the past two weeks. Under constant pressure from Seattle’s pass rush, Caleb Williams threw for 122 yards, while completing 16 of 28 pass attempts. Stock down WR DK Metcalf. He had a tough day, with just three receptions for 43 yards. He also drew a pair of personal fouls on a single play, one coming after he head-butted Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson in the second quarter. Metcalf hasn’t had more than 70 yards receiving in a game since Seattle’s win over Atlanta on Oct. 20. He has only had more than four receptions in three games this year, and has just four touchdown catches in what has been a bit of a disappointing season for the sixth-year receiver. Injuries The Seahawks put Walker (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday, marking the end of his regular season. Walker has to miss at least the next four games, but could return if Seattle makes it deep into the playoffs. Key number 7 — Seattle’s seven sacks made it 67 on the year for Caleb Williams, 15 more than any other quarterback in the league and fourth-most in league history. Up next The Seahawks finish the regular season at the Los Angeles Rams on either Jan. 4 or 5. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Shane Lantz, The Associated Press
( MENAFN - media OutReach Newswire) HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 30 December 2024 - AS Watson Group and Al-Futtaim Group jointly announce the opening of Watsons' new flagship store at City Centre Bahrain Mall, signifying the Watsons' entry into a new market alongside the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Qatar. This also marks the third store opening in three months in Bahrain, strengthening its presence across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Strategic Market, Huge Potential Bahrain is one of the six countries of the GCC, presenting a dynamic and potential market with a surging demand for health and beauty products, driven by a predominantly young population – over two-thirds of Bahrainis are under the age of 35 – who are pursuing high-quality products. Increased awareness of beauty trends, influenced by social media and lifestyle shifts, has led customers to greater spending on personal grooming. As a trusted beauty expert, Watsons is well-positioned to bring world-class brands and products that meet their needs, ensuring a seamless O+O (Offline plus Online) customer experience while celebrating and enhancing Arabic beauty. With a projected market growth of USD38.8 million at a compound annual growth rate of 5% from 2024 to 2029, Bahrain presents an exciting opportunity for Watsons as part of its expansion strategy. Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group , expressed her excitement about this milestone, "The expansion of Watsons health and beauty retail experience into Bahrain is an important milestone in our commitment in the GCC region. Just as important, this new flagship store further strengthens our partnership with Al-Futtaim Group to serve customers in this vibrant region where high-quality beauty and health products are increasingly in demand." Mr. Simon Naga, V ice President of Al-Futtaim Group , emphasised the strategic importance of this expansion, "The opening of our flagship Watsons store in Bahrain is a testament to our commitment to enhancing customer experiences across the region. As we continue to expand our footprint in the GCC market, we focus on delivering innovative retail solutions that meet the evolving needs of consumers." Watsons is "Where Beauty Comes to Shine" The 200-square-meter flagship store leverages Bahrain's strategic location in the Gulf, showcasing over 200 local and international brands across meticulously designed zones. Key areas include the innovative Derma Zone, which features internationally-renowned products alongside personalised skincare recommendations, and the enticing Skincare Zone, where customers can explore popular K-beauty and J-beauty brands. Additionally, the store includes a chic Makeup Zone and Sustainable Zone, each thoughtfully tailored to meet a diverse range of customer needs. As Watsons continues to expand, it remains committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and high-quality products that empower customers to Look Good, Do Good, and Feel Great. MENAFN29122024003551001712ID1109040284 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.Could Chiefs bring Eric Bieniemy back around team like last year?’s former foreman has opened up about his experience on and revealed why he decided to step back this year. The carpenter and builder, often referred to as ‘The Blockinator’, starred on 16 seasons as chief foreman but only made a handful of appearances this season. While he previously said he chose not to appear on 2024 in a full-time position so he could spend more time with his two daughters, he’s now revealed that his decision also had to do with the contestants. Speaking on this month, Keith admitted that he had grown tired of dealing with difficult cast members who didn’t respect his authority. “Imagine you’re a builder and you’ve got some contestants who’ve got no idea about building, and you’re giving them an instruction and they tell you to get stuffed,” he remarked. “All these amateurs have got no idea what they’re doing. We’re building beautiful homes for people, and I never got why people would argue with me. It just didn’t make sense. If I’m a subbie [subcontractor] going on site and I’ve got a foreman giving me instruction, you’ve just gotta follow it. There’s no ifs or buts, otherwise, you’re off.” He continued: “I used to get grumpy on telly, but there was a reason for it. [I had] some d**khead just giving me grief, and it wasn’t warranted.” Keith famously clashed with several contestants during his time on the show, including 2023 couple . He “spat the dummy” after the Queensland couple repeatedly asked for feedback on their build, with Keith arguing that his job wasn’t to “hold every builder’s hand for every piece that goes in”. Elsewhere in the interview, Keith admitted he had fond memories of and described the experience as a “big adrenaline rush”. “I must admit, when I was doing initially, I was actually doing other projects, and when I was on those other projects it was quite boring,” he said. “One thing we did learn was how to do things quickly, and we had to work hard.” While he is yet to announce whether he will return for , he admitted he’s been enjoying his time away from the show and “not having the stress of working 24 hours a day”. This year’s season saw , who previously competed on the show in 2012 and 2013 before joining as a foreman in 2015, step up to take over Keith’s role. fans when he made a brief appearance on this year’s season of , with the 50-year-old sporting a brand new set of teeth. Keith underwent a dental transformation earlier this year and shared videos on social media in collaboration with in February documenting his journey. Dr Belinda Feldman explained in one of the that they used a procedure called DSD Direct, an evolution of an injectable resin guide technique, to reshape Keith’s teeth and give him a brand new smile. “I didn’t like my teeth and my smile, and being a TV presenter, it’s very important to have a good smile and good teeth,” he said in the video. “I was finding I was actually hiding my teeth from the camera.” Keith’s transformation certainly didn’t go unnoticed on social media, with one person commenting: “Keith has new teeth!” “Yes! They look great,” another replied, while a third said, “Yes, they are very noticeable”. “Looking good Keith,” someone else shared, followed by a different user who remarked, “Living for this transformation of Keith”.
Tiong (third left) exchanging the MoU documents with Soon Koh. AS we look forward to 2025 with renewed hope and peace, let us also not forget to reflect on some of the major events that have shaped Sibu throughout the past 12 months. Two shooting cases The public and Sibu folks, in particular, were shocked by a shooting incident at a coffee shop in Jalan Wong King Huo on Jan 1. The three male victims were having drinks at the coffee shop at about 5pm that day when suddenly two other men, wearing full masks, arrived on a motorcycle and fired at the group before fleeing the scene. The Magistrates’ Court on Dec 19 released the suspect, in his 30s, after the expiration of his three-day remand. Months apart, on Oct 24, a 46-year-old man was shot by an unidentified gunman while he was in his vehicle, waiting to pick up his son from school at Lane 21 of Jalan Wong King Huo. The victim was allegedly shot through the windshield of his car. A nearby security guard, in sharing his accounts of the incident, had initially mistaken the sound of the gunfire as one from a bursting tyre. Alerted by other members of the public, he contacted the police upon seeing the victim lying in a pool of blood by the roadside. Both of the cases are being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder. Diesel smuggling On Aug 26, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested five individuals and seized 1.6 million litres of diesel during a raid on an oil storage depot in Sungai Bidut. RM3.7 million in cash was also seized from the syndicate, allegedly involved in the embezzlement and misappropriation of subsidised diesel belonging to a fishermen’s association. MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki, in a statement, reported that three men and two women, aged from 30 to 60 years old, were detained at the MACC branch offices in Sibu after their statements were recorded at 4pm on Aug 26. Through investigations and intelligence conducted by MACC, it is believed that the syndicate has been operating since 2012 and has amassed profits of up to RM400 million by selling subsidised diesel meant for fishermen. A follow-up operation also led to the arrest of an assistant enforcement officer and the director of an enforcement agency, to which all of the suspects were brought to the Sibu Magistrates’ Court. The case is being investigated under Section 16(b)(B) and Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009, in addition to Section 471 of the Penal Code and the Supply Control Act 1961. Kampung Hilir’s devastating fire On Sept 22, a fire swept through Kampung Hilir in Sibu on a Sunday evening, razing 15 wooden houses and leaving over 150 people homeless. Firefighters from the Sibu Central, Sungai Merah and Sibu Jaya Fire and Rescue (Bomba) stations battled to extinguish the massive fire due to the strong winds and the close location of houses, where fortunately no casualty was reported in the incident. The fire was reported to be the third to have struck Kampung Hilir, after the previous ones in 1992 and 2003. File photo shows the fire at Kampung Hilir, at its height. PSB-PDP merger Moving on to a more vibrant political scenario, Sibu also underwent a wave of change this year when former Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh made an announcement of the party’s dissolution. The announcement was made on Aug 19 during a grand ‘Unity Night’, gathering members from PSB and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) from all over Sarawak. At the event, Soon Koh, the Bukit Assek assemblyman, announced that PSB members had been accepted en bloc into PDP after the former’s dissolution approval letter was received from the Registrar of Societies (RoS) on March 19. The move, said Soon Koh, was to pave way for PSB to join the PDP under the helm of president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, so that together, they could be part of the state’s ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), and in manifestation of comradeship and unity spirit. Following the merger, Soon Koh was appointed as senior vice-president of PDP, while former PSB leaders Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian and Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa were appointed as the party’s vice-presidents. Earlier this year, during a Chinese New Year visit to Soon Koh’s residence, Tiong had said the PDP-PSB merger was done in accordance with the anti-party hopping laws. Merger talks between the two parties began after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on July 13, 2023, in Kuala Lumpur. PSB was first formed by Soon Koh as United People’s Party (UPP) in 2014, before it changed its name in 2019. Sarawak’s Sukma 2024 victory Meanwhile, the Sibu people were proud to have welcomed athletes, officials and visitors to the town for the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma), which ran from Aug 13 to 23 this year. The three sports events contested in Sibu were volleyball at Rejang Park Volleyball Stadium; badminton at Sibu Indoor Stadium; and football at Stadium Tun Ahmad Zaidi. Sarawak won gold medal from the women’s volleyball event, and claimed a bronze from the men’s team, alongside first-ever gold medal from Wong Ling Ching who competed in the women’s singles badminton event.