Toys

Modern Toys, Old Childhood: Barbie and Lego at a Crossroads

As Mattel unveiled its first autistic Barbie yesterday, developed over 18 months with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the $11.87 doll raised familiar questions about whether modern toys widen childhood or quietly narrow it.

No Longer Child’s Play: Shein and Europe’s Digital Coming-of-Age

It took a doll listed on a global marketplace to drag the debate about online age verification into the harsh light of a real-world scandal.

Popular

Davos Boss Exit Signals Revamp for a Tired WEF

The fall of the Davos president over Jeffrey Epstein has arrived precisely as a military standoff in the Gulf threatens to sever the world economy at the neck.

Berlinale and De Niro: Art Under Pressure from Both Sides

Germany moved to fire the Berlinale director and Trump threatened to deport De Niro in the same week, pressing on cultural speech from two opposite directions.

Israel: A One Way Ticket Out of the Holy Land

While the government focuses on immediate battles, a quieter and more permanent defeat is taking place at the boarding gates of Israel's main airport hub.

Somaliland’s Top Visit to Israel: The Appointment to Rework the Map

A republic that has spent thirty five years waiting for a seat at the table is sending its president to Israel, an action that is forcing every capital in the Gulf to rethink how the Red Sea is organised.

Dubai After Iran: Young Professionals Relocate for Speed, Not Sunshine

Dubai added 53,000 new member companies in FY25, as younger professionals treat relocation as a career strategy: something that will sustain beyond the sparks of war.