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2 / 20 The Oura ring will soon help you monitor your blood sugar The Oura ring will soon help you monitor your blood sugar Oura smart rings will soon be able to give users deeper insights about their blood sugar levels through a new partnership with Dexcom ( DXCM ), the maker of the U.S.’s first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor. Read More 3 / 20 Airbus CEO says SpaceX is successful because it’s a selfish American company Airbus CEO says SpaceX is successful because it’s a selfish American company The CEO of France’s Airbus ( AIR ) is both impressed and envious of success at its American rival SpaceX. Company head Guillaume Faury told attendees at a German aviation event that SpaceX would never have been able to achieve all it has if it were a European company, Reuters reports. Read More 4 / 20 Costco is basically giving away a membership with this Black Friday deal Costco is basically giving away a membership with this Black Friday deal Black Friday is nearly here, and Costco’s ( COST ) latest membership deal could be hard to pass up. Read More 5 / 20 The 5 safest states in America — and the 5 most dangerous The 5 safest states in America — and the 5 most dangerous Safety is about a lot more than just crime rates. Are you safe if your local roads aren’t designed to prevent crashes? If your state lacks emergency preparedness infrastructure should a natural disaster strike? If there isn’t a robust safety net to ensure that your family won’t be out on the street if times get tough? Read More 6 / 20 Amazon, Walmart, and Target’s top 10 Black Friday deals Amazon, Walmart, and Target’s top 10 Black Friday deals Amazon ( AMZN ), Walmart ( WMT ), and Target ( TGT ) are racing to capture the attention – and wallets – of budget-conscious shoppers as Black Friday and Cyber Monday quickly approach. Read More 7 / 20 An AI CEO was arrested for defrauding investors — and allegedly using the money to pay for her wedding An AI CEO was arrested for defrauding investors — and allegedly using the money to pay for her wedding The founder of an AI startup once featured on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list was charged Tuesday with defrauding investors. Read More 8 / 20 Top FDA vaccine official says RFK Jr. nomination is a chance for scientists to make the case for vaccines Top FDA vaccine official says RFK Jr. nomination is a chance for scientists to make the case for vaccines The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) head of vaccine safety says that President-elect Donald Trump’s embrace of vaccine skeptics could be an opportunity for the science community to teach the public about the value of these life-saving drugs. However, if these efforts fail it could lead to “natural consequences.” Read More 9 / 20 2 airlines that could get a big boost from the Spirit bankruptcy, according to Deutsche Bank 2 airlines that could get a big boost from the Spirit bankruptcy, according to Deutsche Bank As the bankruptcy of Spirit Airlines winds its way through the courts, the rest of the industry is likely trying to figure out how the development will affect their own operations. Deutsche Bank ( DB ) says that two Spirit-familiar names, JetBlue Airways ( JBLU ) and Frontier Airlines ( ULCC ), could stand to benefit more than other players in the field. Read More 10 / 20 The 3 fastest-charging electric cars, according to Edmunds — and the 3 slowest The 3 fastest-charging electric cars, according to Edmunds — and the 3 slowest It’s no secret that it takes longer to recharge an electric car than to fill up a gas tank. Read More 11 / 20 A stronger Ozempic is coming. What to know about CagriSema, Novo Nordisk’s new weight loss drug A stronger Ozempic is coming. What to know about CagriSema, Novo Nordisk’s new weight loss drug Novo Nordisk ( NVO ) — the company credited with ushering in the current weight-loss drug revolution when it launched its blockbuster diabetes treatment Ozempic in 2017 — is working on its next act, a weight-loss drug called CagriSema Read More 12 / 20 Spirit Airlines is officially a penny stock Spirit Airlines is officially a penny stock Spirit Airlines ( SAVEQ ) is enduring another inevitable embarrassment of its recent bankruptcy declaration : Its stock has been delisted by the New York Stock Exchange . Shares, which are practically at zero, will now trade in the “pink sheet” market outside of the major venues. Read More 13 / 20 Bezos denies Musk’s claim he told people to sell Tesla and SpaceX stock since Trump would lose Bezos denies Musk’s claim he told people to sell Tesla and SpaceX stock since Trump would lose Jeff Bezos has officially thrown cold water on Elon Musk’s latest claim about his billionaire rival. Read More 14 / 20 The Trump tariffs are coming for wine. American restaurants could die The Trump tariffs are coming for wine. American restaurants could die Is Donald Trump about to pull the plug on the U.S. food and wine industry? If his plan for 10% to 20% tariffs on all imported goods goes into effect, wine tariffs are likely to devastate the middle- and upper-ends of the restaurant business, while doing nothing to help U.S. producers. Read More 15 / 20 Dr. Oz is Trump’s pick to oversee Medicare. He owns healthcare stocks that could benefit Dr. Oz is Trump’s pick to oversee Medicare. He owns healthcare stocks that could benefit President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to oversee the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has reported owning as much as $600,000 in stock from companies benefiting from private Medicare services. Read More 16 / 20 Mortgage rates are suddenly going up again. Why? Mortgage rates are suddenly going up again. Why? Mortgage rates are back up to almost 7% in a reversal of some of the declines in recent months, pointing to growing concerns about future inflation. Read More 17 / 20 Weight loss drug makers want more insurance plans to cover Wegovy and Zepbound Weight loss drug makers want more insurance plans to cover Wegovy and Zepbound Weight-loss drug makers are directly targeting employers in a campaign to expand health insurance coverage of their popular, but pricey, medications. Read More 18 / 20 The 2 biggest stock market risks in 2025, according to Goldman Sachs The 2 biggest stock market risks in 2025, according to Goldman Sachs As 2024 comes to a close, the U.S. stock market has posted considerable returns on a red-hot rally led by major technology stocks that have benefited from artificial intelligence. But Goldman Sachs ( GS ) is warning of two major risks that could put a damper on the stock market party in 2025. Read More 19 / 20 Move over chatbots, AI agents are the next big thing. What are they? Move over chatbots, AI agents are the next big thing. What are they? A future where everyone has an artificial intelligence-powered assistant might not be too far off. Read More 20 / 20President-elect Donald Trump has promised swift immigration action during his second term in office. He has repeatedly pledged to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and implement a mass deportation program targeting millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally. On Dec. 8, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Trump suggested he is considering deporting entire families, including children who are U.S. citizens with undocumented parents. “I don’t want to be breaking up families, so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back,” Trump said, echoing remarks his border czar Tom Homan made in October. Multiple people on social media claim the president cannot legally deport U.S. citizens because doing so would be unconstitutional. Recent online search trends show many people online are wondering if this is true. Is it unconstitutional to deport U.S. citizens? Yes, deporting U.S. citizens is a violation of the U.S. Constitution. Sign up for the VERIFY Fast Facts daily Newsletter! The president cannot deport U.S. citizens, including those with undocumented parents, because doing so would be unconstitutional, according to immigration law experts. The U.S. Constitution protects natural-born citizens from being deported by the government. But citizens may choose to renounce their citizenship voluntarily. “It is unconstitutional to deport U.S. citizens,” said Michelle Mittelstadt, a spokesperson for the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute. U.S. citizenship through birth, which is known as “birthright citizenship,” comes via the 14th Amendment , which was ratified after the Civil War to secure citizenship for newly freed Black Americans. It was later, after multiple court challenges, used to guarantee citizenship to all babies born on U.S. soil regardless of the citizenship of their parents. Section 1 of the 14th Amendment reads: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Trump has repeatedly said he would attempt to end birthright citizenship through executive action in his second term. However, we previously found that the president cannot end birthright citizenship by executive order because it would also violate the Constitution. Amending the Constitution would require congressional action and ratification by three-quarters of the states. Law experts agree that any executive order by Trump or any president to terminate birthright citizenship would likely be subjected to legal and judicial challenges. On Dec. 8, immigration attorney Allen Orr Jr. wrote on X that a president cannot deport U.S. citizens because “U.S. citizenship cannot be revoked arbitrarily” under the 14th Amendment. Orr added that in 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a landmark case known as Afroyim v. Rusk “that the government cannot involuntarily strip a citizen of their citizenship, meaning a person can only lose their citizenship if they voluntarily relinquish it.” Jean Reisz, a law professor and the co-director of the USC Immigration Clinic, told VERIFY it is unclear if Trump actually plans to forcefully deport U.S. citizens with undocumented parents, which she agrees he cannot legally do because it would be unlawful. “It seems to me Trump is addressing a situation that often occurs in mixed-status families with young U.S. citizen or LPR [legal permanent resident] children, and/or spouses where a noncitizen family member is going to be deported and the family must decide whether they will go with the noncitizen to the country to where the noncitizen is being deported and start a life there, or stay in the U.S. and be separated from the noncitizen,” Reisz explained. VERIFY reached out to the Trump transition team for clarification but did not hear back before publication. Although deporting U.S. citizens is unconstitutional, it has happened illegally in the past, according to Mittelstadt and Maureen Sweeney, the director of the Chacón Center for Immigrant Justice at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. “U.S. citizens have been deported, unlawfully, during prior instances of significant deportations, including during local ‘repatriation drives’ that took place around the U.S. during the Great Depression and during ‘Operation Wetback ’ in the Eisenhower administration,” Mittelstadt said. “These deportations were illegal then, as they would be now,” Sweeney noted. The Associated Press contributed to this report .

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Cam Carter hit five 3-pointers and finished with 23 points, Vyctorius Miller added 20 points and LSU never trailed Sunday night in a 110-45 win over Mississippi Valley State, the Tigers' 21st consecutive victory when scoring at least 100 points. LSU's 65-point margin of victory was its largest since the Tigers beat Grambling by 75 (112-37) on Nov. 20, 1999 and is the third biggest against a Division-I opponent in program history. The 110 points were the most by LSU since a 119-108 win over North Florida on Dec. 12, 2015. Carter scored 11 points — including three 3-pointers — in the first six minutes to make it 18-6 and LSU led by double figures the rest of the way. The Delta Devils went 0 for 6 from the field and committed five turnovers as LSU scored 17 consecutive points to take a 28-point lead with 7:44 left in the first half and led 55-13 at halftime. The Tigers allowed the seventh-fewest points in a half by an opponent in program history. Mississippi Valley State (2-11) is averaging 46.2 points and is winless with a scoring margin of minus-44.2 in 11 games against Division-I opponents this season. LSU (11-2) has won three games in a row since a 74-64 loss to SMU at the Compete 4 Cause Classic in Frisco, Texas, on Dec. 14. Jordan Spears and Daimion Collins added 15 points apiece for the Tigers, who shot 66% (46 of 70) from the field and made 12 3s. Alvin Stredic led Mississippi Valley State with eight points. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballWhile the rest of the Notre Dame community figures out whether it's worth paying four figures for a ticket to the College Football Playoff first-round home game against Indiana, the men's basketball team continues to figure out how to survive without Markus Burton. Notre Dame (5-5) hosts its next-to-last nonconference game Wednesday night against Dartmouth (4-4), which plays its sixth contest of a seven-game road trip. The Fighting Irish took a promising step -- and snapped a five-game losing streak -- on Saturday by edging Syracuse 69-64 in their ACC opener. "We needed to be in a close game and we needed to win a close game so our guys can build some belief back," head coach Micah Shrewsberry said. "We can't take any steps back on Wednesday." Without Burton -- the stat sheet-stuffing sophomore point guard who injured the medial collateral ligament in his knee Nov. 26 against Rutgers -- the Irish are struggling to find someone to run the offense, as evidenced by their seven assists versus 15 turnovers against Syracuse. At the same time, players are filling the scoring void. Braeden Shrewsberry poured in a career-high-tying 25 points versus the Orange while hitting 6 of 11 3-point attempts. Tae Davis averaged 12.4 points and 7.2 shots per game when Burton was healthy, but he has upped his mean production to 16.6 points and 12.2 shots in the past five games. Micah Shrewsberry, though, prefers to measure progress on a possession-by-possession basis. "Just the toughness," he said. "There have been times when we haven't gotten the key stop. We haven't gotten the bucket when we quite need it. It gets deflating sometimes." Dartmouth knows that feeling. On Sunday, the Big Green took a one-point lead with 4:03 left in overtime at UIC -- and then failed to score on their final six possessions to suffer a 69-68 loss. The Big Green, who haven't posted a winning season since 1998-99, believe whole-heartedly in launching 3-pointers as they take 48 percent of their shots from behind the arc. Senior Cade Haskins (13.6 ppg) has hit a team-high 28 of 68 3-pointers this season, though fellow senior Ryan Cornish stacks up as the team's top scorer (14.3 ppg), passer (3.0 assists per game) and defender (2.3 steals per game). In its only previous game against a power-conference opponent, Dartmouth upset Boston College 88-83 on Nov. 29. --Field Level Media

TAZEWELL, Va. — A major loan will help bring a new project to the Bluestone Regional Business and Technology Park in Tazewell County. The Tazewell County park was among almost $5 million in grants and loans announced this week by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority. Two loans, including one for an as yet unannounced new jobs project and one for an existing business expansion, as well as 13 grants — which all combined totaled $4.57 million — were approved Thursday during a meeting of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Board (VCEDA). An up to $3 million loan to the Tazewell County Industrial Development Authority for an as yet unannounced project to be located in the Bluestone Regional Business and Technology Center shell building was the new jobs project approved, VCEDA officials said. The money will be used for site development, paving, installation of utilities, building construction and upfits as well as for workforce development and training, on-the-job training and/or the purchase of equipment, machinery and tools. The approvals agreed to Thursday bring total VCEDA funding approved in 2024 to $13,342,233 in the form of six approved loans totaling $11,529,000 and 31 approved grants which make up the remainder of the approved 2024 funding, VCEDA officials said. Most of the activity has been in manufacturing and in seed capital matching grants. Eleven seed capital matching grants were also approved last week to assist new small business start-ups. VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher said that staff are currently working around 34 active business development projects, adding, year-to-date in 2024, VCEDA has closed two loans and 27 grants totaling $4.4 million for a projected 317 new full-time and 117 part-time jobs and $23.9 million in private investment. He also said in 2024 year to date, VCEDA has attended 29 outreach marketing events throughout the United States. In other action, the VCEDA Board approved an up to $1.315 million loan for an as yet unannounced existing business new jobs expansion to be used to finance the purchase of equipment, machinery and tools, workforce development and training. Two projects related to tourism were approved and included an up to $100,000 grant to the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority to be used to finance a preliminary engineering report and construction of a scenic wildlife viewing pullover along Corridor Q in Buchanan County. Eleven seed capital matching grants for $10,000 each were approved for The Athlete’s Bakery & Blends LLC and Triple J Angus Farms, LP in Tazewell County; Little Notions Quilt Shop LLC in Dickenson County; MT.3D Printing LLC and Outsiders Pizzeria and Bar in Lee County; Stay Fly Drone Service, LLC in Russell County; J Starnes Enterprises LLC d/b/a Blue Line Treats, Franco’s Gate City Bistro LLC, Revolutionary Market LLC and ELH Investments LLC d/b/a The Edison in Scott County; and Foam Solutions LLC in Wise County. In other business, a request from non-profit Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens to forgive and convert into a grant the outstanding balance of $154,166.82 on a $250,000 loan was approved by VCEDA to AASC on Feb. 6, 2017 for the Falls Mills adult day care center project was also approved. Board members also approved the extension of disbursement deadlines for the following: – Southwest Virginia Community College Foundation/Solar Accelerator project, to a new disbursement deadline of Nov. 18, 2026. – Breaks Interstate Park in Buchanan County for a February 2023 grant approved for improvements at the park, to a new grant disbursement deadline of Feb. 16, 2026. The board also approved a request from Simmons Equipment Company in Tazewell, Va. to amend and modify its $250,000 loan from VCEDA.I'm all about people having the right to express themselves in virtually every way out there. It's what makes America great. Bumper stickers may be a fun way of showing who you are, what you believe in, or even a little bit of your humor, but they do not come without risks to you or your privacy. They won't usually cause accidents directly, but slapping them on your vehicle can put you at risk in unexpected ways. Local officials warn residents that displaying specific bumper stickers may put them in danger for several reasons. Privacy Stickers showing your child’s school, your partner’s hobbies, the number of relatives who served in the army, or even your political beliefs can overshare personal information that others could use against you. Sadly, we are living in a divisive time. Road Rage A bumper sticker that you find humorous may not play the same way to another driver. Others may find displays irritating, causing them to take aggressive action. Reduced Resale Value At the very least, "controversial" bumper stickers may lower the price of your vehicle. Over time, these stickers will peel and damage the paint on your ride, lowering the trade-in value. Listen, you do you. I'm just pointing out another way to look at bumper stickers that give out private information. We often aren't even aware that the risk is even there. Be you, but be safe. Local officials are asking you to reconsider these specific bumper stickers to ensure your and your family's safety on the road and at home. 16 Bumper Stickers You Should Remove From Your Car Right Now Gallery Credit: Ryan Antoinette Valenzuela

LIZ Kendall today tells Brits “if you can work - you must” as she prepares to take benefits away from young adults who refuse jobs and training. Britain spends an eye-popping £150 billion a year on benefits for people of working age, according to official numbers. And the bill is set to balloon as record numbers are signed off sick. Work and Pensions Secretary Ms Kendall vowed to crack the whip to get people off benefits, telling The Sun on Sunday: “I’ve always believed, if you can work, you must. “For young people, this is not only about the opportunity to work, it’s also about skills and training, because today’s world is brutal if you don’t have skills.” Shocking stats show nearly 1 million under-25s are not in education, employment or training - dubbed NEETs. Read more on benefits “That is terrible for them, it’s terrible for businesses, many of whom are desperate to recruit, and it’s terrible for taxpayers seeing an ever higher benefits bill”, Ms Kendall said . She will this week announce plans for a radical shake up of the welfare system aimed at driving people back to work. She will offer every Brit aged 21 and under, work or training. Those who refuse will be stripped of their handouts. Most read in The Sun Ms Kendall said: "My commitment to young people is this - I value you. I believe in you. I will offer you the chances and choices you deserve. “But in return for that, you have a responsibility to take them up.” This ‘youth guarantee’ is part of a new carrot and stick approach to welfare. These are tougher sanctions than those faced by other adults, who just have their benefits reduced if they refuse to look for work. Ministers are braced for a possible backlash from faint-hearted Labour MPs. But Ms Kendall said it would be a betrayal to leave youngsters on the jobs scrapheap. The welfare white paper - out on Tuesday - will also confirm that £3bn a year will be cut from welfare by reassessing people in disability and sickness benefits for work. This is known as the work capability assessment. Although precise details of how this will be done will come out next year. Job centres will also get more cash to turn them into better careers advice services - open to those who want to change jobs not just benefit claimants.

NEW YORK , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The toys market in europe size is estimated to grow by USD 9.27 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.39% during the forecast period. Expanding product portfolio influencing product premiumization is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing number of strategic alliances. However, availability of low-quality counterfeit products poses a challenge. Key market players include 4M Industrial Development Ltd., Clementoni Spa, Evertoys, First Celtic Toys and Learning Ltd., Goliath Games, HABA Group B.V. And Co.KG, Hamleys of London Ltd., Hasbro Inc., JWS Europe Ltd., Kids2 Inc., Learning Resources Ltd., LEGO System AS, Mattel Inc., MGA Entertainment Inc., Ravensburger AG, Simba Dickie Group GmbH, Takara Tomy Co. Ltd., The Toy Co., Theo Klein GmbH, and VTech Holdings Ltd.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver The European toys market is thriving, with a focus on providing children with toys that foster play, creativity, and social interaction. Action figures, dolls, puzzles, board games, building blocks, and electronic devices are popular choices, developing motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities. Educational toys, including letters, numbers, shapes, and STEM toys, are essential for cognitive skills and technological literacy. Traditional toys and technology-driven toys coexist, with movies, TV shows, and video games influencing toy trends. Parents seek quality toys that promote skill development, critical thinking, and social skills. E-commerce platforms cater to a global audience, offering eco-friendly practices, recycled materials, and interactive features. Urbanization and living spaces influence the shift towards indoor toys, while outdoor play areas remain essential for physical development and a healthy lifestyle. The European toys market is highly competitive with numerous vendors offering distinctive products. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter facilitate active funding for toy development by partnering with manufacturers and distributors. Vendors are forming strategic partnerships to expand their businesses through new product offerings and distribution channels. In February 2021 , Hasbro, Inc. Announced a collaboration with Epic Games, introducing the first-ever Hasbro character integration with Fortnite as a special Snake Eyes Outfit. These initiatives enable vendors to gain a competitive edge and sustain their market positions. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The European toys market is a vibrant industry that caters to children's play and entertainment needs. With a focus on creativity, social interaction, and skill development, this market includes various types of toys such as action figures, dolls, puzzles, board games, building blocks, electronic devices, and more. Parents seek quality toys that enhance motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving abilities, and cognitive development. Traditional toys and technology-driven toys coexist, with educational components and media franchises playing a significant role. Societal values and cultural significance are reflected in toys, promoting social skills like sharing, cooperation, and negotiation. Interactive features, digital interfaces, and augmented reality add to the enriching experiences. E-commerce platforms cater to a global audience, offering eco-friendly practices and recycled materials to reduce packaging waste. The market continues to evolve, responding to urbanization, living spaces, and the need for physical activity and healthy lifestyles. Counterfeit toys in Europe pose a significant challenge to the legitimate toys market. These products, made from substandard raw materials, can be hazardous to children. The rise of e-commerce has expanded the distribution network for counterfeit toys, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish authentic from imitation products. This market fragmentation leads to decreased price standardization, eroding brand equity for major vendors, and an uneven competitive landscape. The affordability of counterfeit toys increases demand, negatively impacting sales and pricing strategies for genuine products. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This toys market in Europe report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Activity toys and accessories 1.2 Soft toys and accessories 1.3 Outdoor and vehicle toys 1.4 Games and puzzles 1.5 Infant and preschool toys and Others 2.1 Specialty stores 2.2 E-retailers 2.3 Hypermarkets 2.4 Department stores 3.1 Europe 1.1 Activity toys and accessories- The European toys market encompasses construction toys, activity toys, action figures, and accessories. Construction toys consist of building blocks, construction vehicles, sets, and worker models, primarily made of plastic, metal, or wood. These items have a low replacement cycle due to their usage. Activity toys include frisbees, hula hoops, and other outdoor recreational items. Children aged two and above often engage with these toys. The demand for outdoor and sports toys is projected to rise due to health concerns and increasing birth rates. Brands like Melissa & Doug, LEGO System AS, and TOMY Co. Ltd. Dominate the activity toys sector. Macroeconomic factors, such as expanding middle-class population, increasing disposable income, decreasing child mortality, and rising birth rate, fuel the toys market growth. The expanding target market for the activity toys and accessories segment offers opportunities for vendors. Additionally, increasing disposable income and household final consumption expenditure enhance consumers' purchasing power, enabling them to buy premium and branded construction toys, thereby driving the value sales of construction and activity toys. Consequently, the rising demand for activity toys and accessories, including Lego sets and skipping ropes, will boost the growth of the European toys market. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The European toys market is a vibrant and diverse industry that caters to the play and entertainment needs of children. It offers a wide range of toys that foster creativity, social interaction, and intellectual growth. From action figures and dolls to puzzles, board games, building blocks, electronic devices, and educational toys, there's something for every child's developmental stage and interest. Toys play a significant role in a child's life, helping them develop essential motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving abilities, and imaginative play. They also promote emotional and physical growth, as well as social skills such as sharing, cooperation, and empathy. Moreover, toys hold cultural significance and reflect societal values. They can help children learn letters, numbers, and shapes, and provide opportunities for intellectual growth and exploration. With a focus on fun and learning, the European toys market continues to evolve, offering innovative and engaging toys that inspire and delight children. Market Research Overview The European toys market is a vibrant and diverse industry that caters to the play and entertainment needs of children. It encompasses a wide range of toys, from traditional building blocks and puzzles to modern electronic devices and STEM toys. The market prioritizes creativity, social interaction, and skill development, offering children opportunities for imaginative play, educational growth, and cognitive development. Toys serve as cultural significance and societal values, promoting social skills such as sharing, cooperation, and negotiation. Interactive features, digital interfaces, and e-commerce platforms expand the reach of toys to a global audience. Parents seek quality toys that foster motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving abilities, and technological literacy. The market includes action figures, dolls, board games, and puzzles, as well as outdoor toys, eco-friendly practices, and sustainable materials. Urbanization and living spaces influence the market, with a growing emphasis on indoor toys and outdoor play areas. The toys industry continues to evolve, integrating cutting-edge technology, educational components, and media franchises, while prioritizing eco-friendly practices and sustainability. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Activity Toys And Accessories Soft Toys And Accessories Outdoor And Vehicle Toys Games And Puzzles Infant And Preschool Toys And Others Distribution Channel Specialty Stores E-retailers Hypermarkets Department Stores Geography Europe 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 Technavio

Carter hits 5 3s, scores 23 to help LSU beat Mississippi Valley State 110-45

LAHORE – As the fastest-growing smartphone brand in the world, realme has cemented its place as a trailblazer in the tech industry. With an impressive 11% market share in Pakistan, a staggering growth from just 3% last year, realme now ranks among the top four smartphone brands in the country, surpassing industry giants. Globally, the brand achieved 1443% YOY growth in the first half of 2024, a feat that underscores its relentless innovation and consumer focus. In Pakistan, realme has doubled its monthly sales volume in 2024, assembling devices locally to meet growing demand. This surge in popularity reflects the brand’s commitment to making cutting-edge technology accessible, while also contributing to the economy with a workforce of 412 employees and expanding job opportunities. realme also became the first smartphone brand in Pakistan to introduce a 24-month extended warranty across its product lineup in 2024. This groundbreaking initiative reflects realme’s unwavering confidence in the reliability of its devices and its dedication to providing unparalleled value to its users. The commitment to quality is further reinforced with the realme C75, which comes with an exclusive one-year water damage warranty, setting a new benchmark for industry standards. Priced at just PKR 49,999, the realme C75 brings flagship-level features to an entry-level smartphone, including: IP69 Rating: Unprecedented water and dust resistance, capable of withstanding high-pressure and high-temperature water jets. 6000mAh Battery with 45W Fast Charging: Offering all-day power with quick recharge times, ensuring seamless connectivity. ArmorShell Glass Protection: Enhanced shock resistance for durability in everyday and rugged conditions. Helio G92 Max Chipset with 90Hz Display: A powerful 4G chip with an octa-core design and clock speeds up to 2GHz delivering smooth gaming and multitasking experiences with crystal-clear visuals. Up to 8GB + 16GB dynamic RAM provides enough memory for games and apps to run smoothly. The C75 reflects realme’s philosophy of balancing affordability and premium features, setting new standards in the tech space. Designed with an IP69 rating, the C75 offers unparalleled water and dust resistance, making it perfect for users with active lifestyles and even redefining how they clean and maintain their smartphones. Whether rinsing under water or enduring harsh environmental conditions, the C75’s durability redefines expectations for smartphones. This launch marks not just the introduction of an innovative product but also a celebration of realme’s extraordinary year, including record-breaking sales of its flagship GT 6, the popular realme 12+ and 13+, and the affordable yet powerful C-series models. With a strong focus on the needs of young and dynamic users, realme continues to prove that it is not just a brand but a partner in technology for the modern generation. As it closes 2024 with a momentous event in Lahore, realme looks forward to scaling even greater heights in 2025 with plans to expand its mid-range and flagship offerings further.

How co-writing a book threatened the Carters’ marriageArogo Capital Acquisition Corp. Announces Binding Letter of Intent with Bangkok Tellink Co., Ltd, a Provider of Innovative Telecommunications and IoT Solutions, in Connection with a Proposed Business Combination Transaction

Liverpool manager Arne Slot gestures on the touchline Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was far from happy with his side’s performance in the 1-0 victory at Girona which extended the Champions League leaders’ perfect start to six matches. Mohamed Salah’s 63rd-minute penalty – his 50th goal in the competition – was the difference but it was far from plain sailing with the first half particularly disturbing for Slot. “If you ask me about all the six games, I’m really pleased with all the results,” he said. “I’m really pleased with the five games, the way we played. I am far from pleased about the performance tonight.” Asked what had made him so unhappy he added: “A lot. Especially two things. “If you play against a team who has such a good idea about football and know how to bring the ball out from the back like some other teams we faced recently, like (Manchester) City or Real Madrid then you have to be so intense if you want to make it difficult for them. “But if every time you are waiting a few seconds and then if you do press, you are so easily out-played as this team can cause you problems and this is what they showed during the whole Champions League campaign, except for PSV Eindhoven away. “I almost feel sorry for them because they deserve so much more in this campaign than the three points they have now. “And every time we lost the ball we were not aggressive enough, almost every time they just went all the way to our goal. “We had hardly any control in the game, maybe the second half was better – I’m trying to be positive.” The low intensity meant goalkeeper Alisson Becker had a busier night than he would have expected after returning from two months out with a hamstring injury. He made five saves in the first half to help extend the club’s run without conceding for close to nine hours and Slot was indebted to the Brazil international. “We have an incredible goalkeeper. I said as a joke, maybe the players wanted to see how fit he was to give him so much work,” he added. “He showed today he is probably one of the best – in my opinion the best goalkeeper – in the world. “Let’s hope he can continue to keep bringing these performances and hope more he can stay fit.”

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Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai paid homage to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, lauding him as a 'giant of economics.' Sai expressed deep sorrow over Singh's passing at AIIMS Delhi, where the esteemed former leader died at age 92. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel echoed these sentiments, honoring Singh as a 'great national worker.' Both leaders reflected on Singh's remarkable contributions to India's economic and political landscape, notably his roles as Finance Minister, Reserve Bank Governor, and Planning Commission Head. Honoring Singh's legacy, former CM Raman Singh acknowledged the immeasurable loss his death represents for Indian politics. Leaders united in grief, emphasizing Singh's enduring influence on the nation's history. (With inputs from agencies.)Improbably, one of the great viral hits of the 2000s has returned this holiday season: Charlie the Unicorn. Created by Jason Steele of FilmCow, the original “ Charlie the Unicorn ” Flash animation short was released on Newgrounds in 2005 and slammed in to the cultural vernacular of terminally online millennials. Steele’s Charlie shorts had a tight formula featuring a pink and blue pair of tooth-erodingly saccharine unicorns who would relentlessly bother the skeptical and foul-mouthed Charlie into traveling with them on ceaselessly capricious adventures stocked with classic mid-aughts random humor. At the climax of each short, Charlie would, despite himself, give in to their relentless cheerfulness and start to enjoy himself — at which point they would conk him on the head and traffic one of his organs. When you write it all out like that it really does make you think: You know what? Skibidi Toilet is fine. Steele followed up with some sequels, parodies, and spinoffs throughout the ’00s and early teens, eventually culminating in a Charlie “finale” in 2021. But lo, on the second day of Christmas my YouTube algorithm gave to me “Charlie the Unicorn Enjoys a Moment of Peace.” And, spoilers, but, the title is accurate. In the new vid, nothing bad happens to Charlie at all, and he is allowed to engage earnestly with a moment of true whimsy without any negative consequences. I’m happy for him. I wish that for you as well, reader, and for all of us, in this holiday season and the new year to come. Animation Entertainment Fantasy Special Issues Yuletide YouTube

When Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, then Vice-President handed over copies of cheques to President Jomo Kenyatta at State Hoiuse Nairobi in 1965. [File, Standard] The strong bond of friendship between Kenya’s founding President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, and independence Vice-President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga instilled a sense of confidence and hope among the citizens of the newly formed state. As has been recorded in the country’s political history, Odinga turned down a clever request by colonial power brokers to form a government and ascend to power as Prime Minister as Mzee Kenyatta languished in prison. In a move that shocked the British government, Odinga outrightly rejected the offer declaring that there would be no independence without Kenyatta who he described as the undisputed leader of the African people. Later responding to a question by a British journalist in early 1960 months before Kenyatta was released from prison, on why he refused that offer, Odinga said; “How can we be better than our father? Mzee Kenyatta is our teacher and we all stand solidly behind him. There is no independence without Mzee Kenyatta.” Odinga had in 1952 mobilised resources to hire lawyer Dennis Pritt, then a Queen’s Counsel, and a team of other lawyers to defend Kenyatta following his arrest and others by the British government on October 20. The charges were supporting the Mau Mau movement. Daytime meeting Odinga’s loyalty did not waver while Kenyatta served a sentence in Lokitaung and later Maralal. During the formation of Kanu on May 18, 1960, at a daytime meeting at the current Kirigiti stadium in Kiambu, the leaders elected were Kenya African Union’s (KAU) James Gichuri and Kenya Independence Movement’s Tom Mboya who had collapsed his party into Gichuru’s KAU to make Kanu, becoming secretary-general. Gichuru became chairman and Odinga vice-chairman. However, both Gichuru and Odinga considered Kenyatta the leader and Gichuru would give way after Kenyatta was finally set free from Maralal later that year. Upon changing the 1963 Constitution turning Kenya into a republic and Kenyatta becoming President in 1964, Odinga became the natural choice for the position of Vice-President. However as has happened with the Ruto-Gachagua ‘prayerful’ political union, the political bliss of the two founding fathers — Kenyatta and Jaramogi – lasted for only two years. The two political soul mates parted ways and ushered the country into a season of heightened ethnic rivalry, tensions, and intense mistrust. Odinga who had built a solid support base in his Nyanza backyard and across other parts of the country resigned from office in 1966 citing frustration within the government which had made it difficult for him to serve the people. Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter A year before he resigned tensions had already built between the two leaders whose tipping point was the assassination of Odinga’s loyalist, Pio Gama Pinto, in 1965 which triggered continued disagreements. Political commentators and historians have said the fallout between the two leaders sowed the seed of Kenya’s politics of betrayal between presidents and their deputies which has been the hallmark of politics in Kenya over the years. Veteran politician and long-serving Molo MP Njenga Mungai told The Sunday Standard that the Kenyatta-Odinga conflict re-configured the country’s political landscape as each of the two leaders solicited the support of their ethnic communities to fight their political battles. Mungai said the conflict which was based on political differences and conflicting ideological inclinations undermined the country’s spirit of nationalism, social integration, and cohesion. The retired lawmaker, currently serving as the chairperson of the Jubilee Party’s Council of Elders said; “The intrigues of the complex Cold War being perpetrated by influential forces from outside Kenya impacted negatively the relationship between Kenyatta and Odinga leading to their fallout. “The political challenges facing the country today owe their genesis to the seeds of disunity and ethnic rivalry that were sowed amongst members of the big ethnic communities over the struggle for political power and influence shortly after the country attained independence,” Mungai told The Sunday Standard during a recent interview at his Molo home. Former Subukia MP Koigi wa Wamwere, a key figure in the second liberation, attributed the fallout between the two leaders to what he described as; “the concentration of State power in the hands of a cabal of ethnic chauvinists.” Wamwere, once a celebrated political prisoner forced to flee and find refugee in Norway, said although there were invisible external forces that created a wedge between Kenyatta and Odinga the competition for control of State power and acquisition of material possession amongst the ruling elite caused fissures in the newly formed government. The former fiery politician and assistant minister, who was first hurled into detention without trial by Kenyatta said the fallout between the two leaders was a result of “political power having fallen in the hands of individuals who did not believe in the values of the liberation struggle and who were interested in serving their selfish ends.” “Bildad Kaggia, one of the freedom fighters who was jailed together with Mzee Kenyatta but later aligned himself with Odinga would always say the struggle for independence was a struggle for land and freedom, and without the two, it would mean that the struggle had been betrayed,” Wamwere recalled. During the struggle for independence, Kenyatta and Odinga championed the cause of a unitary state of Kenya as their counterparts in Kadu agitated for a federal system of government that would create independent regions fairly free from the centre in Nairobi. Kadu drew the bulk of its support from the minority ethnic communities which in the late 50s and early 60s were the Coastal communities, Luhya, Kalenjin, Maasai, while the Kenyatta-Odinga-led Kanu political party had the support of the Kikuyu and Luo which were Kenya’s largest communities at the time. The leaders of the Kadu party were elected members from the smaller communities; Ronald Ngala (party leader) from the Coast, Masinde Muliro (secretary-general) Luhya, Daniel Arap Moi (deputy party leader), Kalenjin. The fallout between the two leaders sparked off a wave of enmity that pitted Kenyatta’s populous Kikuyu community against Odinga’s Luo. The two communities had worked together to champion the cause of freedom with Central Kenya and Nyanza regions forming the independence party, Kanu, political bastion at the height of the freedom struggle. Political pundits and historians contend that Kenyatta and Odinga were trapped in a complex web of interests driven by both local and external forces. Analysts add that the different political backgrounds and personalities who formed the independent government shaped their perception of the exercise of power and acquisition of personal wealth hence triggering conflicts amongst themselves. At the local political scene, Kenyatta is said to have fallen hostage to a cabal of Kikuyu elites who wielded power and influence in the newly established State where they used their position to acquire power and wealth. Odinga on his part advocated for the redistribution of wealth including land previously owned by the departing white settlers, hence stepping on the toes of the influential Kikuyu political elite. On the external front, Kenyatta and Odinga had different ideological orientations that were defined by the Cold War era and the after-effects of World War II. Duncan Sanys (left), Jomo Kenyatta and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. [File, Standard] Following the defeat of Adolf Hitler’s fascism, the two emerging powers that had been allies and victors of the 1939-45 war, began competing on a myriad of things including ideological ones. The US and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) engaged in a battle of wits through indirect conflict where smaller nations and freshly independent States such as Kenya found themselves right at the centre of the war. Capitalist system The US and its allies including the British government advocated for a capitalist system of government on Kenya against communism which was espoused by the Soviet Union and China. Kenyatta enjoyed the backing of the British and the US governments in their efforts to bolster their support in the region against the Soviet Union. READ: Exposed: Power struggles that set Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Jomo Kenyatta on warpath Odinga had been calling for closer ties with China and the Soviet Union where he had political networks. He was, however, not a communist at heart and never supported the communistic ideology. He was by all accounts a capitalist - owning huge tracts of land, had investments in transport, agriculture, retail. The tag of communism was therefore a label that hit its target at a politically bad time. The tag came from his pronouncements where he pushed for no full alignment with the East or West but borrow what works from either. “For me capitalism and communism is like food, you can today eat nyoyo and tomorrow you eat ugali.’’ The Western press working in Nairobi would report such statements with a tweak “Communism is like food, Odinga says”. In his autobiography, Not Yet Uhuru, published in 1967, Odinga states that the use of public offices for the accumulation of personal wealth and oppression of the opposition by the government meant the country was yet to attain real freedom. African leaders Historians argue that the US was wary of a crop of African leaders who had ushered their countries to freedom and were agitating for closer working relationships amongst the newly independent states. READ: How a powerful group frustrated Oginga Odinga's efforts to meet Jomo Kenyatta President Kwame Nkurumah (Ghana), Leopold Senghor (Senegal), Julius Nyerere (Tanzania), Patrice Lumumba (Congo) and Kenyatta (Kenya) whose countries had attained independence from colonialists in the late 50s and early 60s were calling for the emancipation of other African countries from the yoke of colonialism. The Soviet Union had rendered support to some of the countries in the liberation struggle and even supported liberation movements hence the need for the US and the Western block to woe independent African states to their side. “Though the two leaders were great friends at both political and personal levels they fell prey to intense manipulations and intrigues orchestrated by the US and British forces which sought to prevent the Soviet Union from establishing a sphere of influence in the region,” Wamwere added. Confidential documents from the US’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and those from the British government depicted Odinga as a power-hungry leader who was plotting to topple the Kenyatta administration. The two governments shared their intelligence briefs with the Kenyatta administration which enhanced its plot to isolate Odinga from the government. The love-hate relationship between the Kikuyu and the Luo communities came to define the trajectory of the country’s politics over the years. Candidates from the two communities have on numerous occasions found themselves key protagonists during presidential elections since the country reverted to multi-party politics. Occasional marriages of convenience between the two communities have also influenced the outcome of major political events in the country including the agitation for the second liberation and enactment of the new Constitution. ALSO READ: Jomo and Jaramogi: A tale of Kenya’s enduring political dynasties The Kenyatta administration used Tom Mboya to undermine and reduce the influence of Odinga in the Luo community —where he belonged. Mboya, who harboured presidential ambitions, was shot by an assassin in Nairobi in an incident linked to Kenyatta succession politics in 1969. The assassination of Mboya jostled the country’s political scene and provided an ethnic shift to Kenyatta-Odinga differences. Mboya’s assassination had been preceded by that of Pio Gama Pinto, a former freedom fighter of Goan descent who was perceived to have been the brain behind Odinga’s communist ideology and his lead political strategist. The killing of Pinto was interpreted as an attempt to politically weaken Odinga who was kicked out of the ruling party Kanu forcing his to seek a refugee in the Kenya People’s Union (KPU) which he founded to further his political cause. In 1969, barely months after the murder of Mboya, Kenyatta made a trip to Kisumu to open the New Nyanza General Hospital which had been constructed with the support of Russia through Odinga led to fracas that forced presidential guards to open fire on the crowd killing tens of people. The violence broke out when agitated supporters of Odinga’s KPU party clashed with Kanu youth wingers. As the showdown continued the mob threw stones at the presidential dias where Kenyatta was speaking from prompting action by security forces. The incident coupled with the killing of Mboya created bad blood between the Kikuyu and the Luo with the Luos solidly backing Odinga. The radical wing within Kanu had also coalesced around Odinga whose support threatened those in power. Odinga’s supporters, most of whom had decamped from Kanu and were subjected to an election on a KPU ticket were arrested and hurled into detention as he was placed under house arrest to weaken him politically. Personal ambition Former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando, told The Sunday Standard that the fallout between Kenyatta and Odinga “epitomises how political intrigues, personal ambition and clash of ideology between the president and his assistant have defined the practice of politics in the country right from independence time hence undermining the sense of nationhood and national stability.” Kabando observes that at the time of independence candidates from different ethnic backgrounds would contest political seats in constituencies where there were few members of their communities. “For instance, Mboya would be elected in Nairobi in a constituency where the Kikuyu community formed the bulk of voters while Achieng Oneko was elected in Nakuru. John Keen, who had a Maasai background stood for a political seat in Kitale. The voters elected candidates based on the political agenda championed by a political party rather than based on ethnicity,” Kabando said. He added that the fallout between the two leaders had a profound impact on the country’s political landscape as ethnicity and support for a leader became the basis of political and mobilisation.2025 could be a busy year for young people in Burk’s Falls. Several Burk’s Falls residents, including parents, have created a youth centre proposal designed for 12- to 18-year-olds. Barry Burton of nearby Ryerson Township proposed the concept at the Burk’s Falls Dec. 17 meeting and received positive responses. According to the 2021 census, 20 per cent of Burk’s Falls population was made up of people under 20, and Burton says that the youth population has increased since that time. Burton adds that according to a Government of Canada State of Youth Report from 2021, many young people face issues like cyber bullying, social exclusion and mental health challenges. He adds the “numbers are staggering” because we have 53 per cent of young people aged 15 to 18 who struggle with depression and mental health. “And suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people in Canada,” Burton told town council. The proposed Burk’s Falls Youth Centre would be drug-free and bully-free and provide a safe environment. Burton says with the help from guest speakers and instructors, the centre would provide guidance and mentorship and leadership skills and explain the dangers of substance abuse. At the same time, the young people would be exposed to various programs, including the arts, music and technology, and learn the value of cooking one’s own meals. Burton is no stranger to helping to start a youth centre. In 2014, he was the deputy mayor of Clearview Township near Barrie, which includes the rural community of Stayner. Burton told Almaguin News Stayner “is very similar to Burk’s Falls” and there wasn’t much for young people to do. During an all-candidates debate in 2014, the people running for town council were asked by young people what their plan was for the youth of the township. Once elected, Burton and council set out to create the Stayner Youth Centre and raised $100,000 in three months, including $20,000 from the United Way, in addition to corporate grants and money from all three government levels. “We started with 12 young people coming in on a regular basis five days a week and now there are more than 200 youth who are part of the centre,” Burton said. Burton left Clearview Township two years ago for Ryerson Township in the Almaguin Highlands. He was at a local historical society meeting in 2023 when people began talking about the lack of things for young people to do. Burton told the group he could help thanks to his recent experience in Stayner. During 2023 and into 2024, parents and adults interested in ensuring young people have things to do began meeting, and the ad hoc group was formed. One of those parents who is part of the group is Mary Thomson, who has 10- and 12-year-old boys and also lives in Ryerson. “They’re excited,” Thomson said about her boys’ reaction upon learning there might soon be a youth centre in Burk’s Falls. “There are no hubs for them. They can just go to their friends’ homes.” Thomson understands what her sons experience because she grew up in Burk’s Falls and also faced the age-old question of what to do in a small, rural community. “It could be boring and you would get into trouble,” Thomson said, adding she wasn’t one of the trouble makers. Corinne Penstone is a Burk’s Falls mother with twin 12-year-old boys and a seven-year-old daughter. Penstone says one thing the group wants to do is go into the schools and ask the students themselves what they need. “We want to involve them in this,” Penstone said. “My boys are pumped that we care about what they want.” Penstone adds that assuming the youth centre becomes reality, the committee would like to see some of the students become volunteers and act as the bridge between the committee and the young people at the centre. Burton says the local group has created a $93,030 budget, with $18,000 of that paying for rent and a further $43,680 covering the salary of a youth engagement co-ordinator. Volunteers would help the co-ordinator. The group has looked at three sites in downtown Burk’s Falls, but has made no commitments. Burton doesn’t find the task of raising close to $100,000 daunting. “I have experience getting this kind of thing off the ground,” he said. “It’s a lot of work, but we have a great committee that is ready to go.” Burton says $3,200 is already in place “and we haven’t even started yet.” Burton says there are federal, provincial and corporate grants available, and one simply has to know how to go about accessing those funds. What he and the committee are requesting of the council is that the youth centre group become a committee of council. “This opens the doors to municipal resources for us,” he said. Burton said the committee could apply to become a non-profit organization, but the paperwork to launch and maintain that status eats up money that could be applied to the youth centre. As a committee of council, Burton explained, the mechanism already exists for the municipality to provide donation receipts to people and businesses who contribute to the centre. During the school year, the centre would operate weekdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Burton says a different format would be needed if the facility is also open on weekends and during the summers. Burton says the group has been asked to draw up terms of reference for council’s consideration and formally elect officers as council members discuss his request for the group to become a committee of council. Burton says he’s optimistic that council will agree to the request, and that word of that agreement could come early in the new year. Rocco Frangione is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter with Almaguin News. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

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