Dolls renamed after first lady objects

THE US toy company that makes the popular Beanie Babies is to drop the names Marvellous Malia and Sweet Sasha from its Ty Girlz collection following criticism from first lady Michelle Obama.

The dolls have been renamed Marvellous Mariah and Sweet Sydney, said chief executive Ty Warner of Oak Brook, Illinois-based Ty Inc.

The original names were inspired by what Mr Warner called “this historic time in our nation’s history”, but he said the dolls were not intended to look like President Barack Obama’s daughters.