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Mattel and OpenAI have partnered up – here’s why parents should be concerned about AI in toys

Mattel may seem like an unchanging, old-school brand. Most of us are familiar with it – be it through Barbie, Fisher-Price, Thomas Friends, Uno, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, MEGA or Polly Pocket.

The Conversation · Jun 25, 2025

‘Upcycled’ food is on the rise – here’s what you need to know

Whether customers are pleased to hear it or not, firms are selling “upcycled” food to tackle food waste internationally.

The Conversation · Jun 25, 2025

The South African apartheid movement’s close relationship with the American right – then and now

The allegations of a “white genocide” against Afrikaner farmers that emerged during the tense Oval Office meeting between the US president, Donald Trump, and South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, on May 21 shocked many around the world. But it was merely the latest example of what has been a long-running…

The Conversation · Jun 25, 2025

US attack on Iran lacks legal justification and could lead to more nuclear proliferation

After a stern warning from Donald Trump, Israel and Iran appear finally to be observing a US-brokered ceasefire announced by Donald Trump overnight on June 23. But just as it remains unclear what the state of the conflict is, many other uncertainties remain when it comes to the US strikes…

The Conversation · Jun 24, 2025

Brazil’s dangerous flirtation with counterterrorism

American pop star Lady Gaga delivered a free concert to over 2.1 million revellers on Copacabana beach in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro in May. Those attuned to security concerns saw a policing and public safety nightmare.

The Conversation · Jun 24, 2025

UK plan to cut energy bills for industrial firms threatens to leave small businesses out in the cold

The UK government aims to cut energy bills for large businesses by up to a quarter over four years, thanks to a £2 billion investment within its new industrial strategy. The aim is to make British manufacturers of steel, cars, chemicals, glass and other industrial sectors more competitive with foreign…

The Conversation · Jun 24, 2025

How restoring river catchments can minimise drought and flood risks

As Britain’s first heatwave of 2025 hits with temperatures climbing above 30°C, Yorkshire has joined the northwest in official drought status.

The Conversation · Jun 24, 2025

How aid cuts may be affecting humanitarian workers

Humanitarian work takes a profound emotional toll on workers. It places them at the frontline of global crises, at times witnessing the devastating impacts of war, famine, natural disasters, mass displacement and systemic injustice. Humanitarian workers have to cope with emotional exhaustion and burnout, with stress levels in some humanitarian…

The Conversation · Jun 24, 2025

Semen allergies may be surprisingly common – here’s what you need to know

Imagine itching, burning, swelling, or even struggling to breathe just moments after sex. For a small but growing number of women, that’s not an awkward anecdote – it’s a medical condition. It’s called seminal plasma hypersensitivity (SPH) – an allergy to semen.

The Conversation · Jun 24, 2025

Here’s why the public needs to challenge the ‘good AI’ myth pushed by tech companies

While there’s been much negative discussion about AI, including on the possibility that it will take over the world, the public is also being bombarded with positive messages about the technology, and what it can do.

The Conversation · Jun 23, 2025