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ADRE, Chad — For months, Aziza Abrahim fled from one village in Sudan to the next as people were slaughtered. Yet the killing of relatives and her husband’s disappearance aren’t what forced the 23-year-old to leave the country for good. It was hunger, she said. “We don’t have anything to eat because of the war,” she said, cradling her 1-year-old daughter under the sheet where she now shelters, days after crossing into Chad. The war in Sudan created vast hunger, including famine. It pushed people off their farms. Food in the markets is sparse, prices spiked and aid groups say they struggle to reach the most vulnerable as warring parties limit access. Some 24,000 people were killed and millions displaced during the war that erupted in April 2023, sparked by tensions between the military and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces. Global experts confirmed famine in the Zamzam displacement camp in July. They warn that about 25 million people — more than half of Sudan’s population — are expected to face acute hunger this year. “People are starving to death at the moment ... It’s man-made. It’s these men with guns and power who deny women and children food,” said Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council. Warring parties on both sides are blocking assistance and delaying authorization for aid groups, he said. Between May and September, there were seven malnutrition-related deaths among children in one hospital at a displacement site in Chad run by Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF. Such deaths can be from disease in hunger-weakened bodies. In September, MSF was forced to stop caring for 5,000 malnourished children in North Darfur for several weeks, citing repeated, deliberate obstructions and blockades. U.S. President Joe Biden called on both sides to allow unhindered access and stop killing civilians. Still, the fighting shows no signs of slowing. More than 2,600 people were killed across the country in October, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, which called it the bloodiest month of the war. Violence is intensifying around North Darfur’s capital, El Fasher, the only capital in the vast western Darfur region that the RSF doesn’t hold. Darfur experienced some of the war’s worst atrocities, and the International Criminal Court prosecutor said there are grounds to believe both sides may be committing war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide. Abrahim escaped her village in West Darfur and sought refuge for more than a year in nearby towns with friends and relatives. Her husband left home to find work before the war, and she hasn’t heard from him since.She struggled to eat and feed their daughter. Unable to farm, she cut wood and sold it in Chad, traveling eight hours by donkey there and back every few days, earning enough to buy grain. But after a few months the wood ran out, forcing her to leave for good.Others who fled to Chad described food prices spiking three-fold and stocks dwindling in the market. There were no vegetables, just grains and nuts.Awatif Adam came to Chad in October. Her husband wasn’t making enough transporting people with his donkey cart, and it was too risky to farm, she said. Her 6-year-old twin girls and 3-year-old son lost weight and were always hungry.“My children were saying all the time, ‘Mom, give us food,’” she said. Their cries drove her to leave.As more people stream into Chad, aid groups worry about supporting them. Some 700,000 Sudanese entered since the war began. Many live in squalid refugee camps or shelter at the border in makeshift displacement sites. The number of arrivals at the Adre crossing between August and October jumped from 6,100 to 14,800, according to government and U.N. data., though it was not clear whether some people entered multiple times. Earlier this year, the World Food Program cut rations by roughly half in Chad, citing a lack of funding. While there’s now enough money to return to full rations until the start of next year, more arrivals will strain the system and more hunger will result if funding doesn’t keep pace, said Ramazani Karabaye, head of the World Food Program’s operations in Adre. During an AP visit to Adre in October, some people who fled Sudan at the start of the war said they were still struggling. Khadiga Omer Adam said she doesn’t have enough aid or money to eat regularly, which complicated breastfeeding her already malnourished daughter, Salma Issa, 35. She gave birth during the war’s initial days, delivering alone in West Darfur. It was too dangerous for a midwife to reach her. Adam clutched the baby as she fled through villages, begging for food. More than a year later, she sat on a hospital bed holding a bag of fluid above her daughter, who was fed through a tube in her nose. “I have confidence in the doctors ... I believe she’ll improve, I don’t think she’ll die,” she said. The MSF-run clinic in the Aboutengue camp admitted more than 340 cases of severely malnourished children in August and September. Staff fear that number could rise. The arid climate in Chad south of the Sahara Desert means it’s hard to farm, and there’s little food variety, health workers said.
Back in 2019, Shiza Shahid set out to transform the cookware market forever. According to the Pakistani entrepreneur and social activist, the $23 billion category was “tired” and urgently needed “design and innovation.” And so, she launched Our Place, a brand specializing in aesthetically pleasing, multifunctional, nontoxic cookware. Nearly six years later, the company is a certified hit: It’s a social media sensation (largely because of its sleek designs and multiple color ways) and just recently, the new titanium version of its now-iconic Always Pan was named one of Time’s Best Inventions of 2024. @shiza | Instagram RELATED: Is Enamel Cookware Non-Toxic? Our Top Picks According to Shahid, the key to Our Place’s continued success is its commitment to forward-thinking innovative designs in a great-looking package. “It was very important for us to bring joy and inspiration to the kitchen,” she told Forbes recently. “That’s what beautiful design is—it inspires you. Before Our Place, everything in the kitchen looked the same—black and stainless steel—and was hidden in the back of our cluttered cabinets.” She added: “We say our Always Pan is 10-in-1, but it’s really 11-in-1—enchantment is the eleventh function!” If you want to add a little bit of that enchantment to your kitchen, we’ve picked some of our favorite products from the brand below—from Always Pans to tableware to ovens and more. What is the Our Place pan made of? Our Place offers a wide range of pans and other cookware and bakeware items in a variety of materials. Its classic Always Pan design, for example, features a proprietary long-lasting ceramic non-stick coating called Thermakind, which is entirely free of PFAS. The pan is also available in “heirloom-quality” enameled cast iron , and as of 2024, the ultra-durable Titanium Always Pan Pro is available, too. Our Place BECOME A VEGNEWS VIP : Get exclusive product deals, freebies, and perks galore! According to the brand, the new titanium pan features a patented NoCo (“no-coating”), non-stick technology and a surface that is 300-percent harder than stainless steel. “It’s the first nonstick with zero coating,” Shahid told Forbes. “You can throw it in the dishwasher, scrub it with metal, light it on fire—it’s so easy to use and made to last a lifetime.” 7 product picks from Our Place Our Place offers great-looking, long-lasting, durable pans, but you can also buy everything from knives to ovens from the brand, too. Our Place When it comes to multi-purpose cookware, the new, sleek, hydrophobic Titanium Always Pan Pro is hard to beat. You can use it to sear, fry, bake, roast—you name it, the pan can do it. “It’s not too heavy or lightweight - feels great in my hand and everything cooks evenly without sticking,” says one reviewer on the Our Place website. Another adds: “Size is perfect and finish is beautiful.” Find it here Our Place If you’re short on cabinet space and don’t need to cater family-sized meals, the Mini Always Pan 2.0 is a great alternative to the larger options. Despite its size, it can do everything the original design can do, including baking, sautéing, braising, and so much more. Of course, it comes in multiple colors, including Sage, Spice, and Blue Salt. “Perfect pan for cooking a small meal for one person. Easy clean and healthy,” says one reviewer on the Our Place website. Find it here Our Place Our Place also offers a handy range of kitchen tools, including kitchen shears, a knife block, and a serrated slicing knife, but for a premium tool you can rely on to chop and mince multiple ingredients, check out the Everyday Chef’s Knife. “The best knife there is,” reads one Our Place website review. “Love the selection of colors, how comfortable it is to hold, and the sharpness of it.” Find it here Our Place With 36 pieces, Our Place’s premium, restaurant-grade, chip-resistant Complete Stacking Set has everything you need to fully stock or refresh your tableware, including mugs, platters, serving bowls, and salad plates. The glossy satin exterior of each piece will bring a touch of sophistication to your kitchen. “They stack perfectly and take up so little space,” says one buyer on the Our Place website. Find it here Our Place The Wonder Oven may be small—but do not underestimate its capabilities. The super efficient, high-performance countertop appliance can perform multiple functions, including air-frying, roasting, and baking, and it has multiple levels, so you can fit plenty of food inside. Plus, it looks great, thanks to its colorful retro design. “I’m surprised so much functionality can fit into such a small machine,” says one Our Place customer. Another added: “I don’t think I’ve needed my full-sized oven once since it arrived.” Find it here Our Place A Dutch oven is a kitchen must-have, especially if you enjoy cooking stews, casseroles, curries, and roasts. This one from Our Place comes with enameled cast iron , which means it won’t require any work to season before you use it. The design ticks all of the boxes: It’s sleek, good-looking, durable, and multifunctional. “The color is perfect and is great to even leave out on the counter. Has been perfect for soups & baking sourdough,” said one Our Place reviewer. Find it here Our Place Can’t decide between the Always Pan, the Perfect Pot, and bakeware? The Ultimate Cookware Set gives you the chance to buy everything. It boasts eight of the brand’s most popular pieces, making it the perfect investment for a full kitchen restock. Find it here DON'T MISS OUT : Get breaking news, recipes, and our weekly vegan deal by signing up for our FREE VegNewsletter Love Good Strong Coffee? Check Out These Top Espresso Makers How Important Is a Good Quality Kitchen Knife? Plus, the Best Blades to Try Now Ditch Toxic Black Plastic and Use These Safer Kitchen Utensils Instead JUMP TO ... Latest News | Recipes | Guides | Health | Subscribe Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England's southern coast. Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.Global stock markets mostly retreated Tuesday as traders eyed looming US inflation data and a key European interest rate call amid global political upheaval. After winning numerous records in the weeks since the November 5 US presidential election, US stocks fell for the second straight day as analysts pointed to profit-taking. But Alphabet jumped more than five percent after Google showed off a new quantum computing chip that it described as a significant breakthrough in the field, arguing it could lead to advances in drug discovery, fusion energy and other areas. The Paris stock market retreated as French party leaders gathered at President Emmanuel Macron's Elysee Palace office to chart a route towards a new government. The euro also fell ahead of the European Central Bank's monetary policy meeting on Thursday. The ECB is expected to lower interest rates by 25 basis points amid weak eurozone growth. Independent analyst Andreas Lipkow said traders were taking a cautious approach ahead of the ECB meeting. The main US indexes struggled as traders eyed US consumer price inflation (CPI) data due Wednesday, which could play a role in whether the US Federal Reserve decides to cut interest rates next week. On Wall Street, "tomorrow's CPI report is in full focus with a looming rate-decision from the Fed coming," analyst Bret Kenwell of trading platform eToro said in a note. Following recent spending and jobs data "traders have felt even more emboldened to bet on a December rate cut, while the Fed has done little... to quiet that expectation," he added. Earlier, stock markets weighed "concerns that China's economic stimulus measures might not have a long-lasting effect", noted Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell. The growth plan comes as Beijing contemplates Donald Trump's second term in the White House. The US president-elect has indicated he will reignite his hardball trade policies, fueling fears of another standoff between the economic superpowers. The Shanghai stock market ended higher but Hong Kong fell. Seoul's Kospi index rallied more than two percent after tumbling since President Yoon Suk Yeol declared short-lived martial law on December 3. On the corporate front, shares in Stellantis rose around one percent on the Paris stock exchange after the car giant and Chinese manufacturer CATL announced plans for a $4.3-billion factory making electric-vehicle batteries in Spain. Walgreens Boots Alliance soared 17.7 percent following reports that it could be acquired by private equity firm Sycamore Partners. Boeing jumped 4.5 percent as it announced it was resuming production at two Seattle-area plants that had been shuttered for nearly three months due to a labor strike. More from this section New York - Dow: DOWN 0.4 percent at 44,247.83 (close) New York - S&P 500: DOWN 0.3 percent at 6,034.91 (close) New York - Nasdaq Composite: DOWN 0.3 percent at 19,687.24 (close) Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 1.1 percent at 7,394.78 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.1 percent at 20,329.16 (close) London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.9 percent at 8,280.36 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 20,311.28 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.6 percent at 3,422.66 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.5 percent at 39,367.58 (close) Seoul - Kospi: UP 2.4 percent at 2,417.84 (close) Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0529 from $1.0554 on Monday Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2773 from $1.2757 Dollar/yen: UP at 151.92 yen from 151.21 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.42 from 82.73 pence West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.1 percent at $68.59 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.1 percent at $72.19 per barrel burs-jmb/nro
NEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with the AI impact on market trends - The global fantasy sports market size is estimated to grow by USD 9.72 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.05% during the forecast period. Launch of various apps for fantasy sports is driving market growth, with a trend towards use of fantasy sports for brand promotion. However, uncertain future of fantasy sports and ill effects of gaming on health poses a challenge. Key market players include APKMozo.com, Blitz Studios Inc., Dream Sports, FantasyPros.com, Fantrax, Flutter Entertainment Plc, Fox Corp., GamesKraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd., GDC Media Ltd., Head Digital Works Pvt. Ltd., i3 Interactive Inc., MyTeam11, NFL Enterprises LLC, Paramount Global, Playerzpot Media Pvt Ltd, Premier League Ltd., RealTime Fantasy Sports Inc., Sachar Gaming Pvt. Ltd., Sorare, and Yahoo. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The Fantasy Sports Market is experiencing significant growth, with popular sports leagues and tournaments like the NFL, Premier League, IPL, and more driving fan engagement. Fantasy sports platforms are thriving in the online gaming sector, thanks to high-speed internet and mobile applications. Football, baseball, basketball, hockey, cricket, and other sports are all represented in this industry. Trends include daily fantasy contests, virtual trading, and fan interaction through social media. New technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are also gaining traction. However, online gambling and sports betting remain controversial. Key players include Reignmakers and Fantasy Football, offering NFT-based games and premium subscriptions. The market is expanding into new areas like soccer, FIFA, and various other sports. The mobile application sector is booming, with secure payment methods and blockchain-based apps ensuring safety. Software engineers, data scientists, and cyber security professionals are in demand to develop user-friendly interfaces and ensure fair gameplay. Internet penetration and sports tech are driving growth, with advertising, in-app purchases, and sponsorships providing revenue streams. Despite challenges, the future looks bright for this dynamic industry. Many major brands have adopted fantasy sports as a marketing strategy. Unilever, for example, launched the Dove Men+Care fantasy football hub, offering exclusive football recommendations and advice from ESPN analysts to consumers. Toyota secured advertising space for the Yahoo fantasy football league recaps. Hilton introduced a free-entry fantasy racing contest for members of its hotel chains. These companies utilize fantasy sports to target high-income consumers aged 25 to 50 years. Global brands leverage this platform to boost their brand visibility and customer engagement. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges The Fantasy Sports Market is a thriving industry that allows fans to engage with their favorite sports leagues and tournaments, such as the NFL, Premier League, IPL, and more, through fantasy sports platforms. With the rise of high-speed internet and online gaming, fans can now participate in daily fantasy contests for football, baseball, basketball, hockey, cricket, and other sports from anywhere. Fantasy sports platforms offer user-friendly interfaces, social interaction, and virtual trading. The market includes mobile applications, eSports, and even NFT-based games like Reignmakers and Fantasy Football. The online gaming business is growing, with secure payment methods, blockchain-based apps, and fantasy chatbots. However, it's important to note that illegal sports betting and online gambling are not part of this market. The market includes freemium models, in-app purchases, advertising, and premium subscriptions. The sports tech sector is driving innovation with software engineers, data scientists, and cyber security professionals. The market's growth is fueled by increasing sports viewership, sponsorships, and internet penetration. The mobile application sector, including sensor tower, plays a significant role in the market's success. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are also emerging trends. The fantasy sports market experiences continuous evolution, with companies like FanDuel and DraftKings emerging as major players, generating substantial revenues. However, their business practices faced scrutiny in 2015 due to allegations of illegal gambling . This incident led regulators and lawmakers to intervene, ensuring consumer protection and fair distribution of profits. It is essential to acknowledge potential health risks associated with fantasy sports, such as gaming addiction causing physical inactivity and related health issues, including carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, migraines, sleep disturbances, and chronic back pain. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This fantasy sports market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Fantasy soccer 1.2 Fantasy baseball 1.3 Fantasy basketball 1.4 Fantasy football 1.5 Others 2.1 Mobile application 2.2 Website 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Fantasy soccer- Fantasy soccer is a popular game where participants build teams of real-life soccer players and earn points based on their actual on-field statistics. This game involves selecting eleven players for four positions. Soccer's global appeal fuels the fantasy soccer market's growth. Notable leagues include Draft Fantasy Football, McDonald's FIFA World Cup Fantasy, Fantasy Premier League, and UEFA Champions League Fantasy Football. Players can make transfers before the season, with a cap on the number during the season. Some websites offer unlimited transfers but deduct points. Player performance determines transfer fees. The increasing viewership on various media platforms, such as the internet and mobile, is expected to boost the segment's expansion in the global fantasy sports market during the forecast period. 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 (2018 - 2022) The Fantasy Sports Market is experiencing exponential growth, fueled by the increasing popularity of sports leagues and tournaments across the globe. NFL, Premier League, IPL, and various other leagues have a massive fan base, driving the demand for fantasy sports platforms. High-speed internet and smartphones have made online gaming more accessible than ever before. The market size is projected to expand significantly due to the rise of the Online gaming business. Secure payment methods and the integration of blockchain-based apps ensure a safe and transparent user experience. Fantasy chatbots offer personalized recommendations and real-time updates, enhancing fan engagement. However, the market faces challenges from illegal sports betting and the need for regulatory frameworks. Sports Tech is revolutionizing the industry, with software engineers and data scientists at the forefront of innovation. Baseball, Cricket, Football (rugby), Volleyball, and other sports continue to captivate audiences worldwide, fueling the growth of the Fantasy Sports Market. Internet penetration is a key factor, with more regions embracing digital platforms for sports consumption. Market Research Overview Fantasy sports market is experiencing exponential growth, fueled by the popularity of sports leagues and tournaments across the NFL, Premier League, IPL, and more. Fan engagement reaches new heights with fantasy sports platforms, enabling high-speed internet users to enjoy online gaming experiences, including eSports, football, baseball, basketball, hockey, cricket, and more. Gameplay is enhanced through user interfaces, social interaction, and daily fantasy contests, as well as virtual trading and NFT-based games like Reignmakers and Fantasy Football. The mobile application sector is a significant driver, with platforms offering mobile applications and virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experiences. Online gambling and sports betting are also integral parts of the fantasy sports ecosystem. However, it's essential to maintain secure payment methods and adhere to regulations against illegal sports betting . Software engineers, data scientists, and cybersecurity professionals are crucial in developing these innovative platforms, ensuring seamless user experiences and protecting against potential threats. The online gaming business continues to evolve, with freemium models, in-app purchases, advertising, and premium subscriptions driving revenue. Emerging sports like badminton, football (rugby), volleyball, and others are also gaining traction in the fantasy sports world. Internet penetration and the rise of Sports Tech have played a significant role in the market's growth. As more users access these platforms, the importance of sensor tower data and advertising opportunities increases. The future of fantasy sports lies in the integration of blockchain-based apps, fantasy chatbots, and the potential of in-app advertisements, pay-per-download, and subscription services. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Fantasy Soccer Fantasy Baseball Fantasy Basketball Fantasy Football Others Platform Mobile Application Website Geography North America Europe APAC South America Middle East And Africa 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: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE TechnavioEvery year, there's a must-have holiday toy that parents hope to surprise their children with. Some wait in lines, scour stores and cross their fingers in hopes of snagging the hottest toy before it sells out. Throughout the decades, these toys would leave a dent in parents' wallets. When Slip 'N Slide first hit the market in 1961, it retailed for $2.99. That might not sound outrageous, but adjusted for inflation, that's about $31.64 today for a simple plastic slide. A similar 16-foot slide can still be purchased today for $19.58. Meanwhile, one of 2024's trendy toys, the Hex Bot Wall Crawlers Gecko, is priced at $26.49. Pretty reasonable for a high-tech toy that can scale walls and perform spin tricks via a wireless remote control. Using the top holiday toy gift list compiled by experts at The Strong National Museum of Play and newspaper archives, Hearst Television revisited 24 must-have toys through the decades, stretching back to the 1950s. This nostalgic journey includes the price at which the toy debuted and what that price would be in today's dollars according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation calculator. CPI is an aggregate measure of common expenses a household would encounter, such as groceries, housing, transportation, consumer goods, etc. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' CPI inflation calculator uses that index to adjust a sum of money from one time period to another, giving us a clearer picture of what households were actually shelling out for an Easy-Bake Oven in the '60s. For consistency in inflation calculations, all values compare the toy's price for November of the year it was a top holiday item, not its release year, against its projected value in October 2024. Toy retail values were pulled from newspaper archival. Can't see the interactive toy graphics? Click here . Mr. Potato Head (1952) Today, we know Mr. Potato Head for his silly plastic parts and iconic role in the "Toy Story" movies. However, when he debuted in 1952, his plastic attachments were paired with a real potato as the head. Due to complaints of rotting vegetables and new government regulation, manufacturers swapped the spud to plastic in 1964. Mr. Potato Head's debut sparked kids’ creativity by letting them craft silly faces on vegetables and fruits. For just 98 cents, the kit included eyes, a nose, lips, a mustache, ears and a hat. Given his everlasting status, Mr. Potato Head is still available for purchase for just $7.99 , or grab the whole family set for $19.99 on Amazon. Silly Putty (1955) Engineer James Wright accidentally created Silly Putty when he dropped boric acid into silicone oil. The reaction produced a stretchy, bouncy material that soared higher than a rubber ball. In 1955, an ounce of the stretchy material sold for $1. After being featured in a New Yorker magazine article, more than 250,000 units were ordered within a span of three days. Silly Putty is still available for $21.24 , about $9.22 more than its original price back in the day. Barbie (1959) Described as a "living doll, real grown-up fashion," and dressed in a black-and-white striped bathing suit, blonde hair and black heels, Mattel’s first Barbie doll made a splash in the toy market. Parents could buy this iconic doll for $3 in 1959. Now, a Barbie doll costs around $20.99 on Amazon. Easy-Bake Oven (1963) The first Easy-Bake Oven hit the shelves in yellow and turquoise options in 1963. Despite the toy's steep $15.95 price tag, more than half a million kids nationwide convinced their parents to buy them the toy, eventually selling out the toy during the holiday season. In 2006, Hasbro officially retired the light bulb design for a heating element and rebranded the toy as the “Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven." The Easy-Bake Oven continues to be a household name and the current version can be purchased for $95.99 on Amazon. Lite-Brite (1967) The toy that let kids create glowing artwork on a plastic panel with small light-up pegs originally retailed for $7.98 Today, however, you can grab a Lite-Brite set for just $15.49 . Lego Building Sets (1969) Though the beginning of Lego can be traced back to 1932, the building blocks reached a new level of popularity in 1969. The start of the 1960s marked a new era for Lego as it began to expand themes, trying to become a versatile and innovative toy brand. Curiously, one of the best-performing sets of the '60s was a Quaker Oats cereal box set. Now, the Lego world is vast and diverse, including exciting sets from the world of Star Wars, Harry Potter, NASA missions, and much more. A bulk set of bricks without a specific theme starts around $24.99 , while other more intricate sets, like the international space station can go as high as $158.00 . Pet Rock (1975) A pet rock might be hard for today’s generation of kids to understand, but when the creator, Gary Dahl, introduced the toy, it was a smashing success. Despite its $4 price tag, the humorous manual that came with it convinced many to shell out for this trendsetter. Within the first year, more than one million Pet Rocks were sold, becoming the hottest Christmas gift of the year. If you want to experience the joys of a pet rock, it’s still available on Amazon for $19.99 . Star Wars Action Figures (1978) A year after the release of the first Star Wars movie, miniature action figures became the must-have Christmas gift for kids. Priced between $2.26 and $2.29, these figures were a hit. Many kids waited in anticipation during the holiday season of 1978, hoping to unwrap a Star Wars action figure. However, a backlog in the production of the figures caused many to be disappointed. Kenner’s Star Wars toys sold 40 million units within their first year, generating $100 million in revenue. You can find a set of three action figures on Amazon for $29.99 . Simon (1979) It looks like a flying plastic saucer with four color panels. Simon was a quirky game that challenged players to test their memory by matching color sequences to musical tones. Inspired by the Atari arcade game Touch Me, inventors Ralph Baer and Howard J. Morrison were inspired to replicate a music sequence on a handheld device. The game was originally titled Follow Me but the name was changed before its launch to Simon after the game Simon Says. Players can still test their memory muscle with the toy for $19.68 on Amazon. Rubik’s Cube (1980) It has six colors, some 3 billion combinations and just one solution. The Rubik’s Cube had many scratching their heads in 1980, leaving the store with a $7.49 cube to solve once they got home. The Rubik’s Cube can be found in almost any toy store and is available for $9.36 on Amazon. Cabbage Patch Kids (1983) Who can forget the chaos caused by Cabbage Patch Kids when they debuted in 1983? Parents were willing to do almost anything to snag the $24.97 doll. Many even paid more to buy from resellers. If you missed your chance to own one in the 80s, you’re in luck, the dolls are still available on Amazon for $24.99 . Transformers (1984) After the Cabbage Patch Kids fiasco, parents vowed to never endure such chaos again – until Transformers hit the market the very next year. These small model cars and trucks that transformed into robots became the next must have toy. Ranging from $3 to $5, kids nationwide were hoping to find a Transformer toy under the Christmas tree. The toy is still available for $24.99 on Amazon. Super Soakers (1993) Super Soakers revolutionized water toys, letting kids drench their friends with buckets of water from 50 to 200 feet away! Originally priced between $14.99 and $19.99, depending on the model, this was the toy every kid hoped to stay cool with over the summer. Today's versions hold more water, shoot farther and are available for as low as $11.76 . Tickle Me Elmo (1996) Twelve years after the release of the Cabbage Patch Kids, Tickle Me Elmo sparked another chaotic holiday craze. Parents nationwide scoured stores for the $29.99 toy . Tyco, the manufacturer, shipped one million Tickle Me Elmos to the United States, but didn’t anticipate how quickly the toy would fly off the shelves. Desperate buyers turned to newspaper ads, where the toy was auctioned or sold at overinflated prices, reaching as high as $1,500! Currently, the toy retails for $39.99 on Amazon. Tamagotchi (1997) Bandai first released Tamagotchi in Japan in 1996, selling four million units in the country during its first four months on the market, becoming an instant success. Tamagotchi made its way to America the following year, repeating the success it had in Japan. Many compared it to the pet rock — but virtual. Housed in a plastic egg-shaped device, this engaging virtual pet sold for $15 to $20. You can still feed, play and check on a Tamagotchi pet for $19.99 on Amazon. Bratz Doll (2001) Often considered the "anti-Barbie," Bratz Dolls made their fashionable first appearance in 2001 for $14.99. Within a year, the dolls grossed $97 million in global sales. By the following year, the Toy Association crowned Bratz Dolls the Toy of the Year. The chic quartet — Cloe, Yasmin, Jade, and Sasha — are still strutting the latest fashion trends on Amazon for just $24.99 . Robosapien (2004) Priced at $100, the 14-inch Robosapien featured 67 pre-programmed functions, including dancing, picking up objects, belching and more. Within its first year of releasing Robosapien, WowWee sold one and a half million units of the toy worldwide. It became the top holiday toy of 2004 and later won the title of Toy of the Year. A more modern and tech-savvy version of the robot can be purchased on Amazon for $20.99 . SillyBandz (2009) Robert Croak first introduced colorful rubber bands known as SillyBandz to American consumers in 2008. But these rubber bands weren't just any ordinary bands, they were shaped like animals, objects, numbers, letters and more. SillyBandz mania brought chaos to playgrounds in 2009, with young kids feverishly trading the neon bands, resulting in some schools banning them outright. A pack of six can be bought for $4.95 on Amazon. "Frozen" Dolls (2014) Following the success of the "Frozen" movie, many kids hoped to rip open a present with a "Frozen" princess doll inside. Whether it was Elsa or Anna, the dolls retailed for $10 and above. Shopkins Toys (2015) Miniature toys weren't a new concept when Shopkins Toys first hit stores in 2014. What made Shopkins unique was its collectability, affordability and surprise element. The blind basket left many to anticipate the mini everyday grocery item that awaited them inside. Fingerlings (2017) At first glance, WowWee's Fingerlings looks like an ordinary monkey that latches onto a finger. The robotic monkey, however, had the ability to respond to voices, movement and touch by babbling, blowing kisses and blinking. With the help of influencers and content creators, WowWee sold more than 100,000 units within their debut week. Fingerlings are still on the market for $14.99 . Note: "Today's Price" is based on what the toy would have cost in today's dollars according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic's Consumer Price Index inflation calculator. Interactive graphics created by Susie Webb.Del Bigtree, a leading voice in the anti-vaccine movement, brought in a record windfall last year for the nonprofit group he founded, according to the latest tax filings. The Informed Consent Action Network, known as ICAN, reported $23 million in revenue for 2023, a 74% increase from the previous year. The group spent nearly $17 million on efforts including legal battles and anti-vaccine advocacy, an increase of about 25% from the year before. The tax documents, obtained by NBC News from ICAN, show the increasing prominence and profitability of the anti-vaccine movement in the ongoing fight over vaccine policies and public health. The pandemic supercharged groups like ICAN , which reported about $3.5 million in revenue in 2019, expanding the audience interested in anti-vaccine content and growing the coffers of those who produce it. Numerous studies have found that vaccines are safe and save lives , and are not linked to autism , but that hasn’t stopped misinformation from spreading. Revenue for Children’s Health Defense, the anti-vaccine organization founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., had been on the rise as well until last year, when it dropped more than 30% , to $16 million. This loss coincided with Kennedy taking a leave from his positions as chairman and chief litigation counsel to launch an unsuccessful presidential bid. But ICAN’s revenue continued to grow, and Bigtree’s profile has risen. The former television producer and anti-vaccine filmmaker, whose organization was known for attention-grabbing stunts and filing freedom of information requests , became communications director for Kennedy’s third-party presidential campaign and advised Kennedy as he prepared for his potential role as secretary of Health and Human Services . Bigtree and ICAN did not respond to requests for comment. Katie Miller, a spokesperson for Kennedy’s transition team who was recently named to join the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, said Bigtree was never involved in the transition, and his views “do not represent Mr. Kennedy’s or President Trump’s administration.” ICAN is not required to disclose individual donors, though tax documents filed last year show large donations from family foundations and donor-advised funds, philanthropic intermediaries that combine and anonymize donations. The group has celebrated what it characterizes as several big wins last year, including litigation that forced Mississippi to grant religious exemptions from vaccines. The group says it plans to pursue a similar strategy targeting the five other states that don’t allow religious exemptions. ICAN relies on individual supporters to fund production of anti-vaccine content, including “The HighWire,” a weekly anti-vaccine and conspiracy-laden internet show hosted by Bigtree that the group describes as its educational arm. Bigtree punctuates the show not with commercials but with impassioned pleas for donations, recently with multimillion-dollar fundraising goals associated with specific legal fights. ICAN’s largest expenditure last year, $6 million, was to the New York law firm Siri & Glimstad, which pursues public records requests, intervenes in state anti-vaccine fights and petitions the federal government to pause or revoke vaccines, including one for polio . Led by Aaron Siri, an attorney and Kennedy adviser, the firm, aided by dozens of attorneys working on vaccine cases, has been paid some $20 million by ICAN since 2017, according to tax documents. Siri defended his work in an email to NBC News, saying his petitions sought increased safety for vaccines and that ICAN’s financial support was “trivial” compared to spending by the pharmaceutical industry. Miller said Siri was no longer involved in the transition and that he does not represent Kennedy’s views. ICAN describes its legal efforts as “advocating for humanity’s right to informed consent.” Experts have described it as an exploitation of the courts. “Again and again, this anti-vaccine group misrepresented both the legal and the factual meanings of court decisions, settlements, and other legal actions to create a narrative to galvanize its followers and influence newcomers,” a 2022 article in the Northwestern Journal of Law and Social Policy read. (Siri called the article “replete with categorically false claims.”) The intent of other spending was less clear. ICAN paid $176,000 for “research consulting” to a U.K. company headed by a chiropractor who has lectured on what he claims are dangers from vaccines and 5G technology. The group also paid $152,000 for consulting to Uncover DC, a news website founded and edited by Tracy Diaz, known online as Tracy Beanz, a popular conspiracy theorist and early promoter in the QAnon movement. Diaz, who describes her site as “actual journalism,” posts news releases for ICAN and writes for the nonprofit’s website as a contributor. Bigtree took home a $234,000 salary from ICAN in 2023, in addition to his income from paid speaking engagements (he says he only charges for ticketed events). Bigtree also earned $350,000 for consulting and communications work on Kennedy’s presidential campaign over the past two years through KFP Consulting, a Texas organization registered to Bigtree. Bigtree now helms a super PAC (MAHA Alliance) and a nonprofit organization (MAHA Action), both short for Make America Healthy Again, a spin on Trump’s MAGA motto adopted by Kennedy after he dropped out of the race and endorsed the ultimately winning candidate. Bigtree acknowledged his multiple streams of income and endeavors on “The HighWire” in November. “I feel incredibly blessed by God that I had all these opportunities converging all at once,” he said.Daily Update Latest News Latest Audio Latest Free YouTube Video This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue Monday Update
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