Jakob Ingebrigtsen described living with “no free will” during a violent childhood as he testified against his father and former coach Gjert at a trial on Tuesday.
Gjert Ingebrigtsen denies physically abusing two of his children, one of whom is double Olympic champion Jakob. The younger sibling cannot be named for legal reasons. The 59-year-old Gjert faces up to six years in prison, with the trial due to run until 16 May in Sandnes, Norway.
“My upbringing was closely tied to fear,” Jakob said. “I’ve been aware of a fear-based culture for a long time. As a teenager, it was a concept I really identified with, because I felt I had no free will or say in anything. I was in an environment where everything was controlled and decided for me. There was an enormous amount of manipulation.”
During the first day of the trial on Monday, Gjert Ingebrigtsen told the court he was innocent of the charges against him. He is due to testify next week.
Gjert’s intense training methods were the subject of the popular documentary Team Ingebrigtsen which shone a light on the family’s almost cult-like obsession with sporting excellence, with the children put on strict professionalised training programmes at a young age.
Jakob’s older brothers, Henrik and Filip, are also professional athletes, and in October 2023 the trio publisheda joint-letter in Norwegian outlet VGspelling out the behaviour of their father.
A courtroom sketch of Gjert Ingebrigtsen during the trial (AP)
“We have grown up with a father who has been very aggressive and controlling and who has used physical violence and threats as part of his upbringing,” the brothers alleged in an interview with the newspaper. “We still feel discomfort and fear which has been in us since childhood.”
The Norwegian state prosecutor later charged Gjert with beating two of his children at a time when he was also their coach. According to the court indictment, he allegedly hit and kicked Jakob and threatened to “beat him to death”.
Jakob, 24, told the court about several incidents of violence. Prosecutors allege Gjert struck Jakob several times after he received a negative report about his behaviour from school when he was aged eight.
“I remember being extremely scared. Now I’ve done something seriously wrong. I’m terrified of what’s going to happen,” Jakob told the court about the lead-up to the incident.
Jakob also told the court that when at age 16 he met Elisabeth Asserson, who is now his wife, his father tried to put a stop to the relationship, fearing having any relationship would harm his son’s sporting career.
“I found it extremely difficult that someone like my own father could speak that way about Elisabeth, someone I cared about,” he told the court.
Gjert coached his three sons until 2022, helping Jakob to secure his first Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020 in the 1500m as he forged a glittering career as one of the world’s leading athletes. After the split, Jakob added 5000m success at Paris 2024 along with a large collection of other global medals.
All three of the athlete brothers are set to testify at the trial.
TV chef Graham Hornigold has reflected on losing his family after he said his long-lost biological mother scammed him out of £100,000 cash as seen in Netflix’s Con Mum.
He told Yahoo UK: “There’s forgiveness but it’s not for her, it’s for me. So I can move on and regain my power and mind. So that’s really why there’s forgiveness. As for her, not to say that she is what she is, but I mean that’s where we are and you just have to learn to accept it.”
Adopted aged two but later raised by his father, Hornigold grew up never knowing who his mother was. Now he has no desire to meet his birth mother ever again, saying: “I’ve got no reason to see her anymore.”
Graham Hornigold says his happy place is in the kitchen. (Netflix)
At 45 years old, the TV chef almost had it all. The former Junior Bake Off judge was at the top of his successful career running the gourmet doughnut brand Longboys after years of working in the finest restaurants and hotels.
It was an exciting time for him in his personal life too: Hornigold had a loving partner Heather by his side and they were about to become parents for the first time. Months later — he would lose his family and his home.
True story of Con Mum
Graham Hornigold grew up never knowing who his mother was. (Netflix)
The lives of that young family changed forever when Dionne, a woman claiming to be Hornigold’s birth mother, reached out over email in 2020.
In the Netflix documentary, Hornigold revealed he got into debt after Dionne presented herself to him and Heather as a multi-millionaire with only six months to live due to a cancer diagnosis but asked to borrow money. Hornigold told Yahoo UK that he was being “love bombed”, in reference to a manipulative tactic that someone uses to overwhelm their target with attention and gifts to gain control and even dependence.
Over a period of 15 months Hornigold transferred around £100,000 in cash to his mother, covering the cost of five star hotel stays and designer gifts — all with the promise that she would pay him back and more. But it never materialised.
Graham Hornigold has a successful cooking career. (Netflix)
As well as the £100,000 cash, the debt that stacked up against Hornigold included £300,000 in car repayments which he said Dionne presented to him as gifts but she only paid for the deposits — leaving him and Heather liable to pay the rest.
Hornigold told us: “You lose your home, you lose your family, you lose your mum again, you lose your partner, you lose your baby, you have to try to figure out how to pay for everything.
You lose your home, you lose your family, you lose your mum againGraham Hornigold
“You have the family in New Zealand who are questioning you and everyone talking, you really do find out who your friends are — who’s in your corner. You really find out who you can or can’t trust because everybody goes.”
Dionne wasn’t a millionaire who was descended from Brunei royalty and she was never dying of cancer — the blood in the toilet was from food colouring and her medication wasn’t related to cancer treatment.
What happened to Graham Hornigold?
Hornigold said he had to “keep moving forward” and kept what happened to him mostly secret until now. “I’ve had a ton of messages going, ‘I didn’t even realise mate, why didn’t you call me? Why didn’t you tell me?’” He said.
Graham Hornigold wanted to do the documentary to warn others. (Netflix)
He explained why: “It’s work. You don’t necessarily talk about these types of things, people obviously gossip about me and Heather because we’re in the same industry but apart from that, you try not to take it into the workspace because that’s your happy space. Why would you want to destroy the only place of happiness?”
By throwing himself into work, Hornigold has been able to move on from his life. “I’m quite resilient in the sense that on the professional side, you’re flying, you’ve got the businesses, you’ve got all the people around you that are there and they rally around you,” he said.
“It’s just on the private, it’s a bit darker, isn’t it? When you’re sitting at home at night, so you surround yourself with even more work.”
What happened to Graham’s partner Heather and son?
Graham Hornigold’s former partner Heather now lives in New Zealand. (Netflix)
Four years have gone by since Hornigold last saw his ex-partner Heather and their son in 2021 who are both now living with her family in New Zealand. Would they have been together if Dionne had never come into their lives? “Probably,” Hornigold said.
“It’s not a question of amends because ultimately if myself or Heather wanted to be together, then we would be,” he explained. “But in terms of being there for our son; yes, we obviously do need to become amicable so that we can do that and maintain that relationship for him, not for anybody else. Getting down there [to New Zealand] is tricky because obviously still dealing with the ramifications of the debts and trying to get down there cos it’s not gonna be cheap, is it?”
Graham Hornigold’s former partner Heather turned detective. (Netflix)
Twice a week Hornigold video calls his son. “It’s a bit difficult in that sense [of not being able to see him],” he said. “But we have video calls, we have boxes that go down, we send him the Arsenal kits, of course. Artwork comes back. So it’s OK, but it’s just that it’s 115,000 miles away and that is as far as you can get on the planet.”
It was his son who kept him going through the toughest of times. “There were definitely days when you thought about, you know, when you thought about things like that [dark thoughts] but you put your picture of your kids on your watch and it’s easier,” he said.
Is Dionne Graham’s real mum?
Graham Hornigold has shared his experience with Netflix. (Netflix)
Perhaps one of the most shocking reveals in the Netflix expose is that Dionne is Hornigold’s biological mother. “It’s sickening because it’s actually your mum,” he said. “It’s part and parcel of why we’re here because I lost everything. We’re regaining and life moves on but you lost everything at that stage because of this intervention.”
Con Mum gave a voice to other people who have shared their experiences of losing thousands to Dionne in the form of designer gifts and bank transfers when she told them that she was investing in their businesses but never did.
The businessman decided to make the documentary Con Mum to warn others because he felt it was his “duty” after experiencing “dark thoughts” himself.
“Because in society normally, when you are conned, it is to hide away and feel shame and not say anything,” he said.
Graham Hornigold in his role as a TV job, appearing on Top Chef in 2006. (Getty)
“But the fact is that obviously now you know that this is my mum and she’s now going around using my name as part of her con. So on my professional side I’ve got full of integrity, light and bringing people up and stuff like that. But obviously it’s a bit of a mess on the private life but you can’t go around destroying families.”
Hornigold hasn’t let the experience break him as he shared his hopes for more success with his businesses and to be able to see his son in New Zealand. “If you allow it to take you down, it will, the moral of the story is to keep getting up,” he said.
Dionne has never faced criminal charges for the allegations made in the documentary. She did not respond to requests for comment when Netflix reached out to her.
Con Mum is streaming on Netflix now.
For confidential emotional support contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org
If you’re a parent of a teenager who loves to read, there’s a good chance they have probably come across fanfiction. They can’t get it at the library or the bookstore, but these sometimes book-length pieces of fiction are an increasingly popular way for young people to consume literature.
Maybe you’ve overheard your child discussing the popular Dramoine pairing (which imagines a world where Harry Potter characters Hermoine Granger and Draco Malfoy end up together). Or scrolled past a TikTok explaining why Adam Driver lookalikes started appearing on real-life book covers (it’s because the relationship between Star Wars characters Kylo Ren and Rey became a full-blown phenomenon on fanfiction websites). All these pop culture moments stem from fanfic, and solidify its place as a central facet of teen culture.
But what exactly is fanfiction? And is it safe and appropriate for your kid to read? Simply put, fanfiction is reimagining of books, movies, and television shows written by and for fans that is posted and read online. We spoke to two experts to help answer all the rest of your fanfiction questions.
What Parents Should Know About Fanfiction
Before we go any further, it’s important to get key facts about fanfiction out of the way. Fanfiction is exactly what it sounds like: fiction written by (and for!) fans. These stories can range in length and are inspired or based on by characters or stories that already exist or have been professionally published. Harry Potter, Teen Wolf, Star Wars, Supernatural, Doctor Who, Marvel comics, and more popular media have all inspired fanfiction stories.
Fanfiction reimagines these already existing characters and universes, building on their storylines or creating new ones, elaborating on relationships they wish had existed in the original material (those are called “ships,” short for relationships), sometimes creating entirely new, alternate universes for their favorite characters.
Some popular books even started as fanfiction like After by Anna Todd which was inspired by One Direction, Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James, which started as Twilight fanfic, and even best-selling novel The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, which is an alternate universe (AU) Star Wars-inspired story.
Because fanfiction is consumed primarily online—the most popular sites include Archive of Our Own (AO3), Wattpad, Tumblr, and FanFiction.net—it might be a little bit more difficult for parents to actually track what their kids are reading because they won’t be bringing home a physical book—and not all fanfiction is kid-friendly.
Should Your Kids Be Reading Fanfiction?
Fanfiction can be a normal way for kids to delve more deeply into the shows and books they love while expressing their creativity—it’s not uncommon for young people to become obsessed with a certain show and seek out other people who have the same fixation.
Older teens especially have strong emotions, and exploring their sexuality, and to a certain extent its likely developmentally normal for them to seek out risque material that might reflect their feelings. But parents need to keep a close eye on what types of media their kids consume. Fanfiction websites actually make it pretty easy to stumble across material that is far too mature for young people.
But that doesn’t mean parents need to ban fan fiction from their household. When it comes to asking whether or not your kids should be ready this material, there is some room for nuance.
“It depends on what type of fanfiction (slash fiction for instance is usually sexual in nature) and your kid’s maturity level,” says Gayle MacBride, PhD, a licensed psychologist with Veritas Psychology Partners.
She notes that many of these sites offer filters for specific stories, so as a parent, you can filter out fanfiction that includes darker or more mature themes—as long as your child is open about what types of material they are reading, which isn’t always going to be the case.
Tamara Soles, PhD, psychologist and director of The Secure Child in Montreal, Canada, echoes Dr. MacBride, adding that fanfiction can be a great way to encourage kids to read and engage with some of their favorite stories and characters in new ways.
“[Reading fanfiction] also allows them to flex their creativity, especially if they are inspired to write their own,” she adds.
What Age Is Best for Reading Fanfiction?
Because of the array of themes that fanfiction covers, the stories you allow your teen to read may be on a case by case basis. While Dr. Soles says much fanfiction may be better suited to older teens, tweens might be able to handle fanfiction stories that are filtered for non-sexual relationships between characters, adventure, or humor. Remember, not all fanfiction is romantic, so don’t worry if you discover your tween has been reading it.
“Some fanfiction sites include ratings and theme warnings to help readers and parents make informed decisions. Parents can use these tools to curate appropriate content for their kids who aren’t ready for mature themes or whose critical thinking skills are still too emergent to make good choices for themselves,” Dr. Soles adds.
She notes that teens are often already exploring themes about sex and relationships through other forms of media and fanfiction may be a safer way to immerse themselves in that exploration without the “graphic intensity of explicit visual material as seen in TV and movies.”
She adds that if your teen is already engaging in unsafe behaviors, it may be best to limit their exposure to explicit themes overall.
Communication with your child is crucial
When in doubt, you may want to read the story your kid is interested in beforehand to make sure the content is okay for a younger audience—but that would requite an honest and nonjudgemental conversation about your child’s interests that feels like an attempt to understand and compromise them, rather than control or shame them.
Ultimately, Dr. Soles says having safe and open lines of communication with your child can allow you to discuss fanfiction in a thoughtful way that acts as both a teaching tool and a safety buffer. Your child is likely to be closed off or even hide that they are reading fanfiction if they feel judged or think they will get in trouble—which doesn’t help parents monitor their media consumption at all.
“When parents have a track record of approaching situations with genuine curiosity and a desire to understand our children’s needs, interests and desires, children trust that they can be open with their parents safely, which allows for more honesty and transparency,” she explains.
“Parents should maintain that stance of curiosity to understand what it is about the fanfiction that interests their child,” she adds, “allowing them to discuss ways to engage with fanfiction safely.”
10 Fanfiction Terms Parents Should Know
Canon — The original source material that fanfiction is based on or anything that exists and is true in the original source material; ex. Hermione Granger being a Gryffindor is canon in Harry Potter
Crossover — A combination of multiple canons; ex. Nancy Drew joining the Supernatural brothers on an adventure
Dead Dove: Do Not Eat — This is code for check the warnings before deciding to read as the content in the fanfic may be disturbing
Drabble — A fanfic that is exactly 100 words, although some use it to describe shorter fanfics in general
Dubcon — This term stands for “dubious consent” to describe gray areas within a sexual relationship in the fanfic; ex. If a college student is having relations with their professor, they might not be able to give true consent due to the power dynamics
Fluff — Used to describe fanfiction that is cutesy and low-conflict; usually romantic fanfictions without gore or graphic depictions of sexuality
Hurt/Comfort — This is used to describe a type of fanfiction in which one character suffers and is then comforted or helped by other characters
Ship — This is a shortened version of “relationship” and is used when readers support two or more characters getting together romantically in a story, whether it is canon or not; ships are often denoted using a slash between the name; ex. A fanfiction story might pair up Niklaus Mikaelson and Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries
Slash — This is one of the most common fanfiction terms, indicating that two characters are romantically involved, as opposed to an ampersand (&) which implies a non-romantic relationship; some fanfiction writers specifically use it to describe shipping male characters and use femslash to denote shipping female characters
Smut — This term refers to a story that contains explicit sexual content
Baby Stroller Market Size and Forecast 2025 to 2034
The global baby stroller market size accounted for USD 2.72 billion in 2024 and is predicted to increase from USD 2.88 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 4.88 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 6.01% from 2025 to 2034.The growth of the baby stroller market is driven by the rise in spending on infant care items across the world.
Baby Stroller Market Key Takeaways
North America dominated the market by holding more than 37% of share in 2024.
Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period.
By product, the lightweight segment accounted for the highest market share of 39% in 2024.
By product, the travel system segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% in the coming years.
By distribution channel, the specialist retailers segment contributed the biggest market share of 56% in 2024.
By distribution channel, the online retailers segment is anticipated to witness the quickest growth between 2025 and 2034.
Role of AI in Baby Strollers
The integration of innovative technologies into daily aspects of life is becoming more common, expanding the scope of applications of artifical intelligence. The adoption of AI technologies can streamline several tasks of daily routine. Integrating AI features transforms baby strollers into smart devices, which enhance convenience for caregivers with self-folding mechanisms, controls through apps, and GPS tracking. These smart strollers can connect with smartphone apps, enabling parents to monitor their babies even from their workspace.
AI-powered smart baby strollers drive themselves, reducing parents’ discomfort. These strollers detect obstacles in the path and alert parents to any immediate hazards. This smart feature further enhances convenience and safety. Many smart strollers come with advanced suspension systems that keep the baby comfortable, even in uneven terrain. Features like integrated speakers and temperature control further add to engagement for the infants while offering comfort at the same time. Thus, AI has the potential to change the landscape of the baby stroller market.
In January 2023, a Canadian startup, Glüxkind Technologies, unveiled a baby stroller that is integrated with AI technology at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the U.S. This stroller, known as Ella stroller, is battery-powered and integrated with AI technology that pushes and rocks the stroller by itself.
U.S. Baby Stroller Market Size and Growth 2025 to 2034
The U.S. baby stroller market size was evaluated at USD 754.80 billion in 2024 and is projected to be worth around USD 1,372.50 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.16% from 2025 to 2034.
North America dominated the baby stroller market in 2024. This is mainly due to the high disposable income in the region, allowing parents to invest heavily in premium strollers. The presence of major market players and the easy accessibility to a wide range of baby strollers with advanced features further bolstered regional market growth. The U.S. plays an important role in the North American baby stroller market. The rise in disposable income with dual-income households in the country and the growing awareness of safety for babies are key factors boosting the market growth in the U.S. The rising necessity of efficient and convenient baby transportation solutions is further fueling market growth in the country.
The Asia Pacific baby stroller market is poised to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. The rising birth rates and rapid urbanization in Asian countries are anticipated to propel the growth of the market in the region. Growing economies, rising disposable incomes, and heightened awareness about child safety among the population further boost market growth. The rapid expansion of e-commerce businesses is also boosting accessibility to a wide range of baby strollers.
India is expected to have a stronghold on the market. Moreover, rapid urbanization and increasing per capita income are likely to support the market in India. For instance, India’s per capita income grew by 8% in FY2024. Well-established baby care brands and efforts of regional market players to expand their footprints are expected to support market growth in the country. In addition, the growing number of dual-income families and the rising tech-savvy population are expected to boost the demand for baby strollers with advanced safety features.
Europe is projected to witness notable growth in the foreseeable future. There is a high focus on child safety, which is expected to boost the demand for high-quality baby strollers. A rise in working parents’ populations and the increasing disposable income support the European baby stroller market growth. The heightened need for easy and convenient transportation solutions for infants and rising preferences for innovative products will contribute to market expansion. The established network of specialized baby product stores and online retailers across the region further supports regional market growth. Germany is anticipated to play a major part in the market in Europe. The increasing demand for premium products and the presence of numerous retail stores that stock baby strollers are anticipated to support market growth in the country
Market Overview
The baby stroller market has witnessed rapid growth over the years. The convenience and ease of transportation that baby strollers provide make them a popular choice among parents. The rising consumer disposable income across the world is boosting the growth of this market. The growing concerns among parents about the safety and comfort of their babies are expected to boost the growth of the market. Parents are increasingly prioritizing the safety and comfort of their babies, leading to the increased adoption of baby strollers, especially with smart features like self-folding mechanisms, autonomous drive, and alert systems. The comfort and ease of maneuverability of these strollers make them a preferred choice, especially in urban areas.
Changing consumer preferences can significantly impact the market. As consumer preferences change, so does the desire for new features. Busy lifestyles encourage people to seek baby strollers that are easy to fold and maneuver, while tech-savvy people often prioritize smart features. Moreover, key players operating in the market are constantly expanding their product portfolio to cater to varying consumer demands.
Baby Stroller Market Growth Factors
The increasing purchasing power of people is boosting the growth of the market.
Rising birth rates worldwide are expected to boost the market’s growth in the coming years.
The rising trend of nuclear families is boosting the necessity for convenient baby products, supporting market growth.
Constant innovations in baby strollers, such as lightweight materials, improved safety features, folding mechanisms, and app-based control features, significantly fuel the market’s growth.
The rise of e-commerce is expanding the reach of the market, even in underserved areas, by increasing accessibility to baby strollers with innovative features.
Increasing social media influence and online shopping trends further contribute to the market expansion.
The rising awareness regarding the comfort and safety of infants amongst parents is expected to boost the sales of baby strollers.
Market Scope
Report Coverage
Details
Market Size by 2034
USD 4.88 Billion
Market Size in 2025
USD 2.88 Billion
Market Size in 2024
USD 2.72 Billion
Market Growth Rate from 2025 to 2034
CAGR of 6.01%
Dominated Region
North America
Fastest Growing Market
Asia Pacific
Base Year
2024
Forecast Period
2025 to 2034
Segments Covered
Product, Distribution Channel, and Regions
Regions Covered
North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa
Market Dynamics
Drivers
Increased Disposable Income
The rising disposable income is one of the major factors driving the growth of the baby stroller market. As disposable income rises, the purchasing power of consumers also rises, encouraging them to spend on high-quality baby products. The rising number of dual-income families is expected to support market growth. Dual-income families often have high disposable income, encouraging them to invest in safety and convenience features for their babies, leading to increased demand for baby strollers. In addition, the increasing number of childcare centers, especially in emerging and highly urbanized countries, drives the growth of the market. Childcare centers often require baby strollers to transport children for outdoor activities. The rising government initiatives to support childcare centers, including grants and funding, further contribute to market growth.
Restraint
Economic Challenges
Economic challenges, including low disposable income, especially in underserved areas, hamper the growth of the baby stroller market. In regions where the substantial population lives in rural areas with lower disposable income choose not to spend too much on infant care. People in such areas often focus on traditional childcare practices, limiting baby strollers’ adoption. The penetration of the market in such regions is extremely low because people cannot afford baby strollers due to their high costs. In fact, premium or smart baby strollers are costlier, discouraging potential buyers, including middle-income people, from investing in them.
Opportunity
Rising Demand for Sustainable Products
Increasing environmental awareness creates immense opportunities for baby stroller manufacturers. As people are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of their purchasing, they are shifting their preferences toward sustainable options. This, in turn, boosts the demand for baby strollers made from recycled materials, non-toxic components, and natural materials, such as wood. This further helps manufacturers to expand their product portfolio and tap into those marketplaces where eco-conscious population is rapidly growing.
In March 2023, Bugaboo, a company that makes parental products such as pushchairs for infants and toddlers, launched its new premium all-terrain stroller, the Bugaboo Fox 5. This stroller is made from bio-based material, which reduces CO2 emissions by up to 20%. The Bugaboo Fox 5 is designed and produced in line with the brand’s “Push to Zero” commitments to become net zero by 2035.
Product Insights
The lightweight segment dominated the baby stroller market with the largest share in 2024. Lightweight baby strollers are preferred for their ease of use and convenience. Modern parents often prioritize convenience, making lightweight strollers a popular choice. These strollers can be maneuvered easily, helping parents and caregivers navigate easily, especially in urban settings. With rapid urbanization, families are seeking portable baby strollers, making lightweight baby strollers suitable. The need for strollers that are compact and easily foldable has increased. Durability and safety features, the use of high-quality materials, and constant improvements in the design of lightweight strollers can maintain the segment’s dominance.
The travel system segment is projected to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The travel system combines strollers with car seats. The provision of an easy transition from the car seat to the stroller without disturbing the infant is a major advantage of the travel system. This system provides enhanced safety and comfort for infants during travel. Improvements in designs and safety features with compatibility with several car models contribute to segmental growth.
Distribution Channel Insights
The specialist retailers segment led the baby stroller market with the largest share in 2024. Specialty stores often provide detailed demos regarding product use. This personalized service helps customers make informed decisions. These stores allow customers to physically check the product’s quality and features before making a purchase, enhancing the shopping experience and consumer satisfaction. The vast range of products available in one place offers the option for customers to compare and choose what suits their needs the best. The specialist retailers regularly stock the latest models and premium brands to cater to consumers who seek quality and innovative products, attracting more customers.
The online retailers segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the coming years. The rapid expansion of the e-commerce industry and the growing trend of online shopping worldwide are expected to boost segmental growth. Online platforms allow consumers to check comprehensive product descriptions and compare products with multiple brands, further helping them make informed purchasing decisions. These platforms offer discounts and doorstep delivery. This convenience factor attracts a large consumer base. Moreover, online platforms allow manufacturers to expand their reach and tap into new marketplaces, supporting the segment’s growth.
Industry Leader Announcement
In August 2024, Mima USA announced the availability of the Mima Creo Stroller in the U.S. Royal Chu, Director of Mima USA, said that, “The Creo will set a new standard for luxury and sustainability with Mima and in the baby gear market.” The Mima Creo Stroller is a statement of luxury, innovation, and eco-consciousness. With a 25% lower carbon footprint, the Mima Creo is designed for parents who prioritize sustainability without compromising luxury.
Recent Developments
In March 2025, automobile giant Lamborghini and Silver Cross, a British nursery brand, collaborated to develop a luxurious baby stroller called Reef AL Arancio. This stroller is a limited edition with just 500 units available worldwide, priced at approximately USD 5,000. The stroller has an all-terrain design with full suspension wheels and a brake pedal, which is inspired by supercars.
In November 2024, Momcozy, a maternity brand, announced the launch of two new innovative strollers. These Momcozy ClickGo Lightweight Stroller and ChangeGo Baby Stroller have advanced functionality and ease that puts comfort and convenience first.
David and Max Scutchings aboard a twin-seat DG-1000 glider in the skies over Gawler, South Australia on January 26, 2025. — Guinness World Records
A duo of an Australian father and son has achieved a Guinness World Record as they took to the skies in a glider and performed 45 consecutive inside loops.
David Scutchings, the father, said he wanted to go for a world record as he approached his 50th birthday, so he decided to recruit his 16-year-old son, Max, to join him in a twin-seat DG-1000 glider and took to the skies over Gawler, South Australia, according to UPI.
“Throughout my whole life I’ve been trying to set myself as a role model for young people, in particular my family, to show that goal setting, working hard, having discipline and really trying hard is the way to get what you want to achieve, and that’s what we did with this record,” the father told Guinness World Records.
The duo achieved the record on Australian Day, January 26 and completed 45 consecutive loops and smashed the previous record of 24 consecutive indie loops which had stood since 2001.
The father, who flies helicopters for the South Australian Police, said he hoped to inspire young people to go into aviation, saying it is “one of the best things you can do in your life”.
A visit to the Basilica of the Assumption reminded me of the importance of following Mary’s lead.
There is little that is noteworthy about Nazareth, at least that’s how it was 2,000 years ago.
Located north of the Sea of Galilee and built into a hillside, Nazareth was a sleepy town; it was insignificant.
Most of the houses were built into the hillside utilizing existing caves. Nobody significant lived in the town; in fact, only a few hundred or so people called Nazareth home.
The town was not fit for a king. Yet this is where God chose to bring his Son into the world.
In this small town, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and delivered a life-changing, world-shattering message: Mary would be the Mother of God. In this tiny room, built into a cave side, God became flesh and dwelt among us.
Now, 2,000 years later, an ornate basilica celebrates Mary’s “Yes” and the incarnation of the Lord. Built in 1969, the basilica was constructed on top of an old Jewish home.
Whether or not this is the exact site of the Annunciation has been debated by scholars for decades. Tradition holds that this was the site, as archeologists have found the ruins of an ancient church.
The current basilica has two levels. Visitors enter the bottom level through large bronze doors adorned with images telling the story of Jesus’ life. The doors open into a large, cavernous space, where, located off to the left side, is the traditional site of the Annunciation.
Situated in a rock cave, an ornate altar sits in the center. Pilgrims come close, blocked by a steel fence from entering the sacred area.
Above is a wide skylight leading into the upper church. Various images of the Blessed Virgin Mary, donated by different countries to commemorate the church’s completion, line the upper-church walls.
The focal point, however, is the large mosaic of Christ sitting in heaven with the Blessed Mother by his side. Every piece of art, every design choice helps visitors contemplate this incredible mystery.
Throughout the church, a prominent theme is Mary’s fiat, her “Yes” to God. Praying before the altar in the cave, one can’t help but contemplate the great “Yes” that Mary gave to God.
Mary did not have to accept the request. She could have said “No” and continued living her life in Nazareth. But she surrendered to God’s will and placed complete trust in him.
What would our lives be like if we followed Mary’s example?
So often I find myself doubting God’s plan for my life. I try my plan. Time and time again, it fails or it doesn’t live up to my expectations.
But when I say “Yes” to God’s plan, whether it is something small, like talking to the person alone at a gathering, or something bigger, like taking a leap of faith to accept a new job, it always works out better, I have found.
God knows best. He knows our deepest desires, what we are capable of, and what is best for us. Sometimes that requires us to step out of our comfort zones. That’s what Pope Francis encouraged the faithful recently, reminding us that, in Jesus, “we find the hope to face the changes in our lives and be born again.”
Just like Mary from a backwater village took the largest leap of faith and gave God her “Yes,” we can follow her lead wherever we are and say “Yes” to whatever God has in store for us, too.
Parents 4 Palestine and the Stop JCB Demolitions Campaign mobilised for the series of creative protests at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, in London. This was to call out the its sponsorship agreement with JCB.
JCB: complicit in human rights violations across Palestine, India, and Kashmir
On Saturday 22 March, the two groups came together in a series of powerful acts of creative resistance.
Using art, crafts, and poetry, families and children learnt about resistance to occupation, dispossession, and home demolitions:
JCB is responsible for the demolition of homes, water sources, schools and places of worship in Palestine, India and Kashmir. They made connections between the struggles in each, and JCB’s murderous role. And to illustrate how rebuilding is a form of resistance, they built a model Palestinian village.
Alongside this, they focused on the JCB branded Lift at the site. They highlighted it as a disturbing reminder of the blood money sponsoring the South Bank Centre and the Royal Festival Hall:
The Lift which connects to the World Poetry Library on the 5th floor tries to portray JCB as a poetry – and fun-loving benefactor and educator of children. Meanwhile countless children are being traumatised, made homeless and destitute, and some are dying, as a direct result of its activities in Palestine, India and Kashmir.
JCB’s owner, billionaire Lord Anthony Bamford, a major donor to the Conservative Party, is reaping huge profits from this displacement, destruction of livelihoods, and death.
Poems of resistance
Outside the National Poetry Library, protesters read out poems of resistance from Palestine, India, and Kashmir. They did so in solidarity with the ongoing struggle against JCB’s role in landgrab and ethnic cleansing.
These included poems by:
Rashad Abu Sakhilah, who, at 23, was the youngest poet in Palestine to publish a book of poetry. Rashad was killed in cold blood by Israeli forces. His compilation titled Letters of the Earth has been described as “the heartbeat of Palestine”.
GN Saibaba, a 90% disabled professor of English, human rights activist and poet who wrote about the struggles of India’s oppressed and marginalised. Saibaba died soon after he was finally released following nearly a decade of incarceration in the Modi regime’s monstrous solitary Anda cell in the notorious Nagpur prison.
Asiya Zahoor, a Kashmiri poet and filmmaker whose collection Serpents Under My Veil was written in the period after August 2019 when the Indian government revoked Kashmir’s limited autonomy and intensified repression and violent military occupation.
The South Bank Centre’s so-called ‘Singing Lift’
Protesters set out the clear demand that the Southbank Centre must immediately end JCB sponsorship.
On top of this, it demanded all traces of JCB branding to be removed from the so-called ‘Singing Lift’. Instead, they called for the lift to be named after Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer, who Israeli forces murdered.
A copy of the book Letters of the Earth by Rashad Abu Sakhilah, the youngest published poet in Palestine, will be presented to the National Poetry Library and must be accepted and given due importance.
JCB’s murderous activities
While Israel violates the ceasefire agreement and resumes its genocide in Gaza, Israeli military and Zionist settlers are using JCB bulldozers daily for the ongoing demolition of Palestinian communities in the West Bank. JCB has long been a key supplier of machinery used in the Israeli state’s systemic violations of human rights. It operates through its sole dealer, the Israeli company Comasco, which holds contracts with Israel’s Ministry of Defence.
Meanwhile, in India, JCB’s bulldozers have become symbols of the Hindu supremacist Narendra Modi government’s ethnic cleansing of Muslims. The government sanctions the demolition of homes and places of worship, often without notice, both randomly or to punish people who disagree with the government. Hasina Bi, a 56 year old widow from the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh testified:
Everyone at home was asleep that noon, from the fatigue of fasting for Ramzan. Suddenly we heard a lot of commotion outside. We came out and saw four or five JCB machines coming towards our house. The machines directly attacked our house.
The situation in Kashmir bears striking similarities as well. In one of the most militarised zones on earth, where the Indian army acts with total impunity, the army uses JCB bulldozers for demolition drives in the name of development. They ignore ownership documents and destroy homes. Houses of non-BJP leaders are singled out for demolition.
JCB: an ‘obscene symbol of destruction’ and ‘blood money’
The Stop JCB Demolitions Campaign is also filing a complaint with the UK National Contact Point, under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, alleging JCB UK’s failure to take necessary actions to address the adverse human rights impacts resulting from the use of its heavy machinery products in “punitive demolitions” in India.
Stop JCB Demolitions Campaign said:
Visitors to the South Bank trying to reach the poetry library are confronted with an obscene symbol of the destruction of homes and lives in Palestine, India and Kashmir – a JCB sponsored and branded Lift. This has no place in an institution dedicated to enjoying and celebrating the arts. Shamefully the Southbank Centre is taking JCB’s blood money as sponsorship. This must end.
Parents 4 Palestine commented:
As parents who regularly visit the Southbank Centre with our children and enjoy its rich programme of activities we strongly believe that it should be a space free of discrimination. We recognise the traumatising effect of the JCB branding on families from Palestine and those who have been made aware of JCB’s role in Israel’s ongoing violent ethnic cleansing of Palestine. As we watch helplessly as Israel resumes its genocide in Gaza, we hope that Southbank will heed our call by disassociating itself from JCB and honouring communities which are facing erasure and genocide, from Palestine to India and Kashmir. By taking a stand the Southbank can help build real solidarity and a better world for all.
Feature image via Stop JCB Demolitions Campaign/Parents 4 Palestine
The father of the two girls, Michael Tejeda, 24, left his handgun at home.
Michael Tejeda, 24, fell asleep after allegedly placing his loaded firearm on a fireplace while his children were in the home
A tragic incident unfolded when a three year old girl accidentally shot her one year old sister after discovering a loaded firearm in their residence.
The fatal event occurred shortly after the girls’ father, 24 year old Michael Tejeda, left the weapon unattended at their Wichita, Kansas home on the evening of February 28. In his call to local law enforcement, Tejeda reported that his elder daughter had shot her younger sibling.
The 911 operator recorded hearing Tejeda ask his three year old “why she did that,” and stated that she had killed her sister. Upon arrival, Wichita Police Department (WPD) Sargent Keply witnessed a firefighter carrying the toddler from the house.
The child was subsequently transported to Wesley Medical Centre where she was declared dead around 9:30pm that night. A neighbour informed police that he overheard an unidentified man’s voice discussing a shooting over the phone, as per documents obtained by news outlet KAKE.
(Image: 12News)
The children’s mother arrived later and was escorted to the police station for questioning. She alleged that Tejeda had contacted her via FaceTime to inform her about the horrific incident involving their daughters, reports the Mirror.
She recounted how she began to panic and instructed him to dial 911 while she rushed back home. Upon reaching, she found her three year old repeatedly apologising.
Tejeda was also brought to the police station where he explained that he had been caring for the children while their mother was away. He mentioned that they were napping and watching TV, and he dozed off in the living room around 6pm.
A statement acquired by the media reveals that Tejeda reportedly woke around 8pm, realising he had dozed off with his holstered handgun. He then removed it and placed it on a fireplace approximately four feet high.
Upon waking a second time, Tejeda allegedly informed officers that he went to change his clothes in the bedroom. During this, he heard a loud bang, followed by his daughter rushing into the room in tears.
Tejeda is said to have questioned the source of the noise, to which his daughter reportedly confessed it was his gun and apologised.
The document further states: “He went into the living room and found [the 1-year-old] with a gunshot wound to her head while she was lying on the couch,” adding, “Tejeda said he found his firearm lying on the couch next to [the child].”
The affidavit noted that the girl seemed more interested in play than discussing the incident but did mention an earlier injury for which she received a Band-Aid.
Tejeda now faces charges of first-degree murder in commission of a felony, two counts of aggravated child endangerment, and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon.
Data from the Gun Violence Archive, a US-wide shooting database, indicates that since January 1, 54 children aged between 0 and 11 have been fatally shot in the country. In 2024, the same age group saw 250 fatal shootings.
Two weeks ago, for the first time in ten years, my father and I had our first civilized conversation regarding American politics. I have Donald Trump to thank for that.
Since that surreal moment a decade ago, when Trump ceremoniously descended the golden escalator in Trump Tower and announced his candidacy for president, my father was enraptured. He somehow found Trump’s audacity and cult of personality appealing. Ironically, my father believed that he was working for the benefit of the Indian-American community.
While he thankfully never reached the MAGA-merchandise-adorning-our-house stage, my father was never discreet about his support for Trump. My progressive self was constantly clashing with his fiscal conservatism. I eventually gave up on having any political conversations with him. If he brought up anything within the realm of Trump or politics, I would tactfully shift gears to prevent what my mother likes to call “World War III.”
Our recent conversation went something like this:
“Read the news lately?” my dad asked as he drove me home.
Here we go again. I knew where this conversation was headed. I was not interested in a screaming match following a grueling week of midterms, so I decided it was safest just to respond in as few words as possible.
“No,” I lied through my teeth. “Been busy.” Clenching my jaw, I silently drafted the most pacifist and politically correct response possible. Before I could complete this routine mental exercise, he interrupted.
“Trump is destroying this nation. I thought he was going to help us, but he is making everything worse.”
At that moment, I realized that I had judged my father a little too quickly. Perhaps other conservative parents are following suit, leaning further away from the right as Trump bulldozes longstanding and fundamental American institutions. Within three months of holding office in his second term, Trump has issued a federal hiring freeze and established the Department of Government Efficiency (led by tech billionaire Elon Musk) to destroy countless well-established federal jobs. He further abolished diversity, equity and inclusion, withdrew from the World Health Organization and pardoned Jan. 6 rioters, among a laundry list of executive orders. Let’s not forget that Trump is convicted of 34 felony convictions himself.
Whether Mum loves classic roses, elegant lilies, cheerful daffodils, or delicate posies, the supermarket has them stocked.
Delivery costs range between £4 and £6, but if you opt for their ‘click and collect’ service, you needn’t pay extra.
Thanks to the cashback site Quidco, you can potentially avoid spending a single penny on these flowers.
Quidco offers a £15 bonus to all new members, meaning you can pick out a bouquet from Morrisons and get the entire order for free – or at a seriously reduced cost.
If you’ve not yet sorted your Mother’s Day gift, this deal is the perfect opportunity to pick up some gorgeous flowers while saving money.
No need to tell her. Mum’s the word, right?
How to get free Mother’s Day flowers with Quidco
Follow these step-by-step instructions to claim Quidco’s bonus and save on your Mother’s Day flowers from Morrissons.
Sign up to Quidco. Head to the Quidco website and create a free account. As a new member, you’ll automatically qualify for their £15 bonus.
Shop on the Morrisons website. Once signed up, visit the Morrisons website via the Quidco platform. Remember, you must shop through Quidco to ensure your cashback is tracked.
Claim your bonus and cashback. Select your bouquet and complete your purchase. Quidco will credit your £15 bonus to your account, plus you’ll earn additional cashback on your order.
Celebrate with Mum! Collect your flowers or have them delivered straight to your mum’s place.
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, there’s no better time to treat your mum to something beautiful without spending a fortune.
This clever sign-up trick makes it easy to save money while showing her she’s loved.
