As American Girl turns 40, Mattel struggles to introduce dolls into a new era

American Girl’s original six historical characters – Kirsten Larson, Samantha Parkington, Molly McIntire, Felicity Merriman, Addy Walker and Josefina Montoya – are on display at the brand’s flagship store, Luke fountain The flagship American girls place at Rockefeller Center in New York City it feels frozen in time. The air smells faintly of vanilla. Young […]

Oceania Cruises is going ‘adults only’ to create a more ‘peaceful environment’ for guests

A major cruise line is officially going adults-only, joining a growing group of brands betting that travelers seek tranquility over kid-friendly activities. Oceania Cruises, a Miami-based company that operates eight luxury ships cruising Europe, Alaska, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia, announced this month that it will only welcome guests 18 and older […]

Stop worrying about low fertility, the population cannot grow indefinitely on earth (letters)

More people on the planet is not the solution we should look for Re: “Why fathers, no ‘duds’, be important for the babybuste,” 3 September comments The commentary on the global falling birth rate misses a fundamental point: the population cannot continue to expand. Worldwide means are finite and the population levels must ultimately follow. […]