Latest news with #Form
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Policy shift puts tremendous stress on students
BUKIT MERTAJAM: At a secondary school in Bukit Mertajam, the phones have been ringing off the hook ever since the new requirement for matriculation entry was announced. The school's Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairman, who wished to remain anonymous, said around 15 students had scored 10As, but many included A-. 'Frantic parents have been calling to ask if we can help after their children's applications were rejected. We can only explain that it's a government ruling and there's very little we can do. 'It's not fair. The new guidelines caught many off guard, and that's what we've been telling concerned parents,' he said. SMK St Mark Butterworth PTA chairman C. Mugilan urged the government to show more leniency, noting that many hardworking students who achieved 10As may now miss out on matriculation opportunities. Meanwhile, parent R. Murugeson, whose daughter will sit for her SPM this year, said the policy shift is putting immense pressure on families, particularly those from middle income groups who rely on matriculation as a pathway to higher education. ALSO READ: Students rattled by A- issue 'What's going to happen next year? Maybe only a few dozen will get in if the criteria keep getting stricter,' he said. On Friday, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong posted a video on Facebook criticising the Education Ministry's revised entry criteria, which no longer recognises A- as equivalent to an A. Under the new policy, only students with 10 straight A+ and A grades will be automatically offered matriculation places for the 2025/2026 session. Dr Wee said the change marks a major shift from last year's policy, which considered students with 10As and above for matriculation, following a commitment made by the Prime Minister. He added that the new rule was confirmed by Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh via an official circular issued on April 30. Krish Ritesh Ramani, 17, from Kampung Lapan, Melaka, expressed his gratitude to Dr Wee and other leaders for highlighting the challenges faced by high-achieving students in securing places in public education programmes. He said the intervention was timely, as scoring straight As in SPM no longer guarantees admission into the matriculation programme. 'I sat for the SPM last year and achieved 7As and one A-. I was deeply disappointed when all my applications were rejected,' he said in an interview yesterday. Krish shared that his only remaining option is to continue with Form Six, as his single A- disqualifies him under the current criteria. 'I worked extremely hard to earn those As because I didn't want to go through Form Six. Now I have no choice but to accept it,' he added. His father also explored private higher education options but the fees proved unaffordable. 'My dream of fast-tracking into a public university has been dashed. Some of my friends who scored 10As, including A-, are facing the same situation,' he added. Meanwhile, Form Five student Muhamed Ikram Shah Mohamed Jefri, 17, from Jenjarom, voiced concern over the mounting pressure students now face. 'The goal of obtaining straight A+ just to enter matriculation is going to be a long and hard journey,' said the SMK Bandar Saujana Putra student. 'They shouldn't impose perfection as it causes students unnecessary stress. I understand the need for high standards, but students who score A or A- are also high achievers. I hope the ministry reconsiders.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Mom Alexandra Daddario Calls Her Growing Son ‘Clam Man' in These Rare & Adorable Travel Photos
Alexandra Daddario's son is growing up so fast, and these new pics show why she's calling him her lil 'clam man.' Earlier this week, Daddario shared a series of photos to her Instagram with the caption reading, 'This time last year I was in Monaco pregnant with my little clam man happy as a clam little man! And now we get to explore even more places and things!!' More from SheKnows Melania Trump Defends Son Barron Amid Messy Claims He Was Rejected by Harvard In the photos, we see a bunch of pics of her traveling: showing off her food, the landscape, and posing with statues. However, slides six and seven have us wondering where the time went. It seems like yesterday when Daddario announced the birth of her son, and now, he looks so big! In the slides, we see her son in star pajamas, doing tummy time on the bed (and nailing it, might we add). Not only is this a cuteness overload, but it shows her 'clam little man' is her traveling buddy. For those who don't know, Daddario and Form started dating in 2020 during a chance encounter during the COVID-19 pandemic. By June 2022, they were married and then she became the stepmother to Form's two sons (whom he welcomed with ex-wife Jordana Brewster): Julian, born in 2013, and Rowan, born in 2016. On July 10, 2024, Daddario announced that she and Form were expecting a child together, a rainbow baby! 'I'm pregnant and it's all successful and everything's healthy,' Daddario said in an interview with Vogue. 'I had been pregnant. Then I had a loss. It's long and complicated, so I don't want to be too specific. Those kinds of losses and trauma are very hard to explain unless you've been through them.' Then on Oct 31, she announced they had welcomed their child together. Then, in a previous interview with People back in Feb 2025, she made rare comments about her son. 'Fashion Week is a breeze compared to a hungry little baby,' she joked. 'I'm very lucky. He's a great baby. He's just brought so much joy and peace in my life, so I recommend it to anyone who wants a kid.' Before you go, check out these celebrity parents who welcomed after experiencing pregnancy loss. Best of SheKnows 19 Celebrity Parents With Trans & Nonbinary Kids 20 of Serena Williams' Most Adorable Motherhood Moments 30+ Baby Names With Ivy League Vibes — No Degree Required
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Buxar DM flags delays, orders action in disciplinary cases
Buxar: Buxar DM Anshul Aggarwal on Thursday inspected the Establishment Branch and expressed concern over delays in disciplinary proceedings. Establishment deputy collector Alma Mukhtar informed the DM that one revenue employee has been suspended, 10 face departmental action and Form 'A' proceedings involve five others. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Among clerks, one has been penalised, four are under inquiry and one has received Form 'A'. Two amins are also under investigation. Unsatisfied with progress, the DM directed that final reports and disciplinary proposals be submitted by June 15. He also ordered the withholding of May salaries of withdrawal and disbursing officers who failed to submit required reports. The DM found the human resource system lacking in leave management, service verification and cadre control. Cleanliness at the workplace was also found poor, prompting instructions for immediate improvements. He ordered the roster for vacant posts under the Collectorate be finalised and sent to the general administration department within 15 days. Clerk Jagnarayan Rai was asked to explain a false report and discrepancies in letter records were found.
Business Wire
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ADTN Investors Have Opportunity to Join ADTRAN Holdings, Inc. Fraud Investigation with the Schall Law Firm
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of ADTRAN Holdings, Inc. ('Adtran' or 'the Company') (NASDAQ: ADTN) for violations of the securities laws. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Adtran filed a current report on Form 8-K with the SEC on February 20, 2024. According to the filing, that 'on February 20, 2024, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the 'Audit Committee') of ADTRAN Holdings, Inc. (the 'Company') concluded, after considering the recommendations of management, that the presentation of the results attributable to the non-controlling interest and of the net loss attributable to the Company and, as a consequence, of the loss per common share attributable to the Company, were materially misstated in (i) the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2023, (ii) the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2023 included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2023, and (iii) the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2023 included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023, respectively (collectively, the 'Non-Reliance Periods'), and such financial statements should no longer be relied upon.' If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at or by email at bschall@ The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Community Is At The Core Of Form's First New York City Pop Up
Form co-founders Sami Clarke and Sami Bernstein Spalter Since its inception in 2021, Form has gained notoriety for its fitness app, Transform podcast, activewear line, and nationwide community. Co-founded by Sami Clarke, a certified fitness trainer and Pilates instructor, and Sami Spalter, a marketing expert and wellness advocate who lost 80 pounds, the two have built a community of millions of women who want to grow with them through their own wellness journeys. Together, the duo created Form, a digital platform with video fitness classes, nutrition advice and other wellness resources, with memberships costing $28 a month or $179.99 a year. The online shop sells activewear, from sports bras to leggings, to biker shorts and more. Inside Form's NYC pop up Their platform, which has over 60,000 subscribers earned $2.5 million in their first year and $6.5 million in their second year. When they released their first apparel line in 2023, it sold out in a day. Their success is driven by social media engagement and a community-first approach. 'Form gives women a space to feel seen, strong, and supported—and when something feels that good, you share it,' said Spalter. 'Our growth has come from the inside out: members telling their friends, roommates, teammates, group chats. The result is an organic, word-of-mouth movement that's as real as it gets.' Inside the Form fitness studio pop up in NYC The brand arrived in New York City this past week to host their very first pop-up shop and fitness studio, which ran from Thursday to Sunday. The 'Form Experience,' as they call it, featured a 3-day schedule of classes for their community, led by Form trainers such as Sami Clarke, Brynley Joyner, and Calyn Brooke. The pop-up also included an in-person Transform discussion with health guru Jay Shetty and an athletic wear shop featuring their latest Form Athletics Collection, which goes live on their website today. Outside the pop-up on 17th Street, the text on the wall reads: 'Forming the best version of you.' 'There's nothing like putting the energy of our community into one space,' said Spalter. 'When we're all moving, connecting, growing together IRL, it's beyond words. We can't even come close to describing the kind of emotional release, joy, self-love, and connection that happens.' Founded in 2021, the Form platform offers Pilates, yoga and strength training classes on various levels, from beginner to advanced, as well as meditation classes. Ideally, they're for women on the go who want to still prioritize fitness and health. There's a big focus on core workouts, too. The Athletics Collection by Form in their New York City pop up 'Since our inception, we've been dedicated to meeting the FORM Fam where they are; supporting them in feeling their best, inside and out,' said Clarke. 'It is a dream come true to connect with our members in such a meaningful and immersive way.' Clarke and Spalter started Form during the pandemic, creating at-home workouts when they were the only option. The brand's Instagram and YouTube community has grown to over a million followers, built on a movement of signature strength workouts and transparent marketing. 'Our community grew completely organically, rooted in a deep emotional connection that began during the pandemic,' said Spalter. 'Sami Clarke started sharing her own wellness journey, her daily routines, and her mindset tools on Instagram—not to market a product, but to connect. There was no hard sell, just a genuine and consistent presence that built real trust. Our community wasn't built from a campaign; it was built from care.' Inside Form's pop up in New York City The Form athletic wear line followed in 2023 as a natural evolution for the brand from workouts to apparel. 'Our community already trusted us to guide their movement and mindset, so creating pieces that supported their lifestyle was the next step,' said Clarke. 'Every piece in our activewear line reflects the same intention as our workouts; thoughtful and designed to make you feel amazing. We've expanded because our community wanted more ways to bring FORM into their day-to-day lives.' Their latest Athletics Collection is inspired by vintage New York City sportswear with a Form touch. The launch includes a criss-cross tank top, a onesie, cropped hoodie, baby tees, and new summer colorways. 'Think of timeless, varsity-style silhouettes reimagined for movement, comfort, and everyday wear,' said Spalter. 'It's performance-driven but still something that moves with you from yoga mat to matcha.' Inside Form's pop up in New York City Though Clarke and Spalter are the face and heart of the brand, they've made it their mission to champion other women and experts in the space, often welcoming new Form faces to add to the brand's rolodex of offerings. Most recently, dietician Shira Barlow and trainer Grace Freyre Sands were introduced with Barlow's nutrition-based program, Transform from Within, and Sand's 14-day bridal program. 'It's not about adding more faces; it's about expanding our perspective and reaching more women where they're at,' said Clarke. 'Every trainer we bring on brings something new and beautiful to the table, and our community feels that.' Up next, the Form co-founders plan on bringing their pop-up to other cities. Their next pop-up will be in Los Angeles in October. 'This pop-up is a celebration of how far we've come and a love letter to our members,' said Clarke. 'We've always met our community where they are—and now, we get to be where they are, in person. This moment isn't just an event. It's a reflection of our evolution, our values, and our future.' Follow @form on Instagram.
