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Meet the Viral “Sad Horse” Taking Over China’s Lunar New Year

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Culture news

Hello Kitty at 50 – What’s the secret to her enduring appeal?

Half a century since the “birth” of pop icon Hello Kitty, the cute character’s fame shows no sign of fading – and she’s still bringing in billions for parent company Sanrio.

Culture news

Avo-cuddle: Plush toy company Jellycat celebrates its 25th anniversary

Connoisseurs of all things cute and cuddly, Jellycat turns 25 this year - and highlights a huge boom in adults collecting fluffy foods with a face.

Lifestyle

You’ve got to be kitten me! Hello Kitty not a cat, creators reveal

The famous character celebrates her 50th anniversary this year, after appearing on a children’s coin purse in Japan after her creation in 1974. And now, Hello Kitty's creators have made some revelations, saying she’s not a cat, and actually has a cat of her own. And a boyfriend, to boot!

Culture news

You won't believe what this Star Wars figurine is worth

An extremely rare Star Wars action figure has become the world's most valuable toy after it sold for a record $525,000 (approx. €482,000).

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Greece

Christmas shoppers get a festive boost from Greek government

To help Greek consumers cope with the increased burdens of the festive season, the Ministry of Development - in cooperation with toy stores - has introduced the so-called "Santa Claus basket” consisting of some toys sold at a discount.

Culture news

Nearly 50-years on Rubik's Cube remains an elusive enigma

Practice and persistence usually pay off when seeking results but patience and much more is needed when trying to solve the puzzle that is the Rubik's Cube.

Culture news

Life in plastic, it’s fantastic: 'Barbie' will “change cinema”

Life in plastic, it’s fantastic: 'Barbie' teaser trailer drops and it will “change cinema”

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Royals attend Braemar Highland Games event without queen

Queen Elizabeth II will not attend a traditional highlight of her summer trip to Scotland because of persistent health worries, British media said Friday.

France

Child with toy gun sparks police alert in French city of Lille

Police were called to reports of a "Kalashnikov" weapon in the city centre but later found the alert was triggered by a child's toy.

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Ice maze provides winter fun for Minnesotans

Minnesotans make the most of the cold winter weather at a huge ice maze in Stillwater. More than 2,900 blocks of ice were used to build the labyrinth, which also features a frozen slide.

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Venezuelan children return to traditional game

Children raced in handmade carts on the streets of Caracas on Saturday as part of a revival of a tradition of speed dating back decades.

Art

The world's largest teddy bear exhibition delights visitors in Russia

Hundreds of teddy bears, all under one roof and some with a price tag of $700. More than 500 exhibitors brought their cuddy toys to 'Hello Teddy' in Moscow for the annual teddy bear display.

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Pinball Museum in Russia

It's one of the most unusual museums in Moscow, the Russian capital's pinball museum is based on the private collection of owner Alexander Kazmin.

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Taliban fighters hit a Kabul fairground as Afghans fear for freedoms

Taliban fighters hit a Kabul fairground as Afghans fear for freedoms

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Life-size pinball machine becomes playground for freerunner Pasha Petkuns

Latvian freerunner and Red Bull Art of Motion champion, Pasha Petkuns, as he takes on a life-size pinball machine

Germany

Bomb squad scrambled to German forest for sex toy

A suspected WWII hand grenade found in a Bavarian forest was actually a rubber sex toy, German police have said.