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The 70‑year‑old grandson of H. B. Reese, the man who created Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, has publicly accused the $42 billion Hershey Company of quietly swapping the original milk‑chocolate and peanut‑butter formulas for cheaper compound coatings and “peanut‑butter‑style crèmes.”Brad Reese’s complaint, first aired on LinkedIn on Valentine’s Day, claims the confectionery giant has been “rewriting recipes” across flagship brands, a practice he describes as an “ingredient drift” that undermines both brand integrity and shareholder value.At a recent investor conference, Hershey announced it would restore the classic recipes for roughly 3 % of select products by next year, while insisting that the iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have never been altered.Chief Growth Officer Stacy Taffet explained that the company is “transitioning our sweets portfolio to colors from natural sources” and is committed to aligning all Hershey and Reese’s offerings with their historic milk‑ and dark‑chocolate formulas.Reese, however, dismissed the move as a “board‑level accountability problem,” arguing that the delayed rollout has already prompted shareholders to sell stock and that “your consumers are revolting.”In an interview with the New York Times, Reese labeled Hershey’s actions a “PR stunt,” insisting that a genuine commitment would mean an immediate return to the original recipes.Hershey counters that the recipe revisions are not a reaction to Reese’s criticism but stem from a strategic decision made after a 25 % increase in research and development spending aimed at talent, technology, and nutrition science.The dispute has taken on a personal dimension for Reese, who alleges the changes began after Hershey acquired the Reese’s brand in the 1960s. He recounts a recent taste test of Reese’s Unwrapped Chocolate Peanut Butter Creme Mini Hearts, stating, “I had to spit it out—it wasn’t real milk chocolate or real peanut butter.”Reese’s family, speaking to USA Today, clarified that his statements are his own and do not reflect the family’s view, adding that they continue to respect Hershey’s leadership and believe H. B. Reese would be proud of the brand’s current stewardship.Undeterred, Brad Reese retorted on LinkedIn that Hershey is “shooting the messenger,” accusing the company of managing perception rather than fixing the alleged product issues and warning that “the evidence chain isn’t going away.”

Winsome Pinnock’s latest play, The Authenticator, opens at the Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre, London, and immediately subverts expectations by pairing a serious examination of erased Black histories with a lively, comedic tone.The story follows Fen (Sylvestra Le Touzel), a direct descendant of the 18th‑century enslaver Henry Harford, who discovers a cache of his Jamaican farm diaries. She entrusts the documents to two Black academics – Abi (Rakie Ayola), an Oxford‑educated scholar of Nigerian descent, and her mentee Marva (Cherrelle Skeete), a bright working‑class woman whose grandfather’s mysterious disappearance ties back to the Harford estate.Their investigative partnership feels like a modern Holmes‑Watson dynamic, allowing Pinnock to explore the tangled intersections of class, race, and inherited privilege. Abi’s privileged background and Marva’s grassroots perspective highlight how historical complicity can span generations.While the plot leans on some convenient coincidences reminiscent of an Agatha Christie puzzle, the play’s strength lies in its razor‑sharp dialogue and satirical wit, which keep the narrative brisk and entertaining.Visually, the production leans into a haunted‑house aesthetic: designer Jon Bausor’s set features gilt‑edged frames, trapdoors leading to a cellar of “dirty secrets,” and atmospheric lighting that flickers like candle‑lit torches, underscored by a nervous string quartet.Much of the humour centres on Fen, portrayed as a “tweedy do‑gooder” eager to atone for her family’s sins yet quick to deflect blame. Her self‑portrait as a former Oxford punk adds a layer of absurdity, drawing parallels to the post‑colonial satire of films like Knives Out.Pinnock also skewers the modern aristocracy that monetises heritage properties, illustrated by a grime‑artist filming by the estate’s fountain and a fabricated ghost tour designed to attract tourists.The play does not shy away from genuine hauntings. A Blackamoor statue is hidden away after the 2020 debates over colonial monuments, and missing diary pages hint at violence against an enslaved woman named “Black Sarah.”Director Miranda Cromwell navigates the tonal shifts deftly, ensuring that the humour never eclipses the underlying guilt and pain embedded in the characters’ histories.Ultimately, The Authenticator succeeds by delivering a “lightness of touch” that makes confronting toxic colonial legacies both accessible and thought‑provoking, offering audiences a disarming yet incisive look at how societies reckon with their past.

The Alpine F1 team has strongly condemned the online abuse directed at drivers Franco Colapinto and Esteban Ocon following recent incidents in the Japanese and Chinese Grands Prix. Colapinto was involved in a high-speed crash with Oliver Bearman at Suzuka, while Ocon accepted blame for a clash with Colapinto in Shanghai.The team dismissed suspicions of sabotage and claims that Colapinto was not provided with the same quality equipment as his teammate Pierre Gasly. Alpine emphasized that such hateful behavior is unacceptable and not in the spirit of the sport.“Esteban took full responsibility and apologised to Franco, seeking him out in the media pen and also apologising on social media. The resulting abuse that followed was not in the spirit of the sport and it was an oversight not to call it out sooner,” the team said.Alpine also addressed concerns about their treatment of drivers, stating that any questions about sabotage or unequal treatment are unfounded. The team aims to be transparent about upgrades and performance, emphasizing that it is not in their interests to withhold information or hinder performance.The team also highlighted that Gasly has scored 15 of Alpine’s 16 points this season, with Colapinto’s lone point scored in China. Alpine reiterated its commitment to fair treatment of all drivers and condemned the hateful messages aimed at Colapinto and Ocon.

In a primetime address to the nation, Donald Trump claimed that the US war in Iran is 'nearing completion' and that the US has accomplished 'all of America's military objectives.' However, the conflict continues to escalate, with thousands of deaths in Iran and across the Middle East, and oil prices soaring due to the closure of the strategic strait of Hormuz.Trump argued that Iran's navy and air force have been decimated, leaving the country weak and 'no longer a threat' to the US and the world. He also claimed that the US has become energy independent and blamed Iran for a 'short-term' rise in gas prices. However, the economic pain caused by the conflict is evident, with the cost of gas surging past an average of $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022.The conflict has also caused significant human suffering, with estimates suggesting that at least 1,900 people have been killed and 20,000 injured in Iran since the war began. In Lebanon, more than 1,300 people have been killed, and in Israel, 19 people have been killed and 515 injured. Additionally, at least 13 American service members have been killed, with hundreds more troops wounded.Despite Trump's claims of progress, the war is grinding on, with thousands of US troops remaining positioned in the region, providing the option of a broader ground campaign after weeks of airstrikes targeting Iran. The US president has also faced criticism for his handling of the conflict, with mixed and contradictory signals about the US's objectives and lashing out at US allies for not joining the war effort.

Thomas Tuchel admitted with a wry smile that trying to assemble a cohesive side in just three days for the Uruguay friendly was "ridiculous," underscoring the chaotic nature of England’s recent international window. The match at Wembley ended in a 1‑1 draw with Uruguay, followed three days later by a 1‑0 loss to Japan. Tuchel framed these results as preferable to a harsher narrative, but the underlying issues were far more complex. Tuchel’s strategy hinged on a 24‑man squad for Uruguay, with the intention of auditioning fringe players, before bolstering the team with eleven established internationals for the Japan game. However, a cascade of injuries crippled his plans: John Stones withdrew with a fitness problem, Reece James was sidelined, Jude Bellingham arrived unfit, and later Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane all pulled out. These absences forced Tuchel to experiment with formations – a 4‑2‑4 against Japan featuring twin No 10s Cole Palmer and Phil Foden, and a hurriedly assembled setup against Uruguay after only four training sessions in three days. The result was a lackluster performance, with moments of technical skill but no decisive attacking thrust. Tuchel emphasized the concept of load management, noting the heavy minutes his players logged during a grueling club season. He argued that the friendlies allowed a lighter touch, yet the fatigue was evident, especially in the Japan match where he observed “clear signs of tiredness.” Despite the setbacks, Tuchel took responsibility for the tactical choices, stating, “I am responsible for changing the structure because I wanted to give us more security.” He also highlighted that the squad’s resilience in September, October and November will be crucial as they head toward the World Cup. Looking forward, Tuchel stressed that avoiding over‑exertion now could pay dividends in the summer, insisting, “We will not start doubting. We will not let go of our dream.” The manager’s candid assessment suggests a cautious approach to player workload as England prepares for the next competitive phase.

Recent commentary on the Iran school bombing rightly challenges the knee‑jerk tendency to blame artificial intelligence for the tragedy. The deeper issue, however, lies in the emerging linguistic habit of labeling incidents as "AI errors," which subtly removes the human actors from the narrative.When responsibility is shifted from people to systems, moral accountability becomes vague. Human designers, authorisers and operators remain the decision‑makers, even if the technology automates the final act. Concealing this fact is not a technical flaw; it is a civic failure that hampers accountability.Beyond accelerating warfare, AI is fostering a subtler shift: using automation as an alibi. If public discourse cannot pinpoint who acted, the public cannot hold anyone to account.Critics also note that the language used to describe rogue AI agents—terms like “connived,” “lied,” or “cheated”—anthropomorphises machines and further obscures responsibility. As Dr. Felicity Mellor of Imperial College London observes, such phrasing assigns moral agency to large language models instead of the people who deploy them.Consider a hypothetical where a company releases high‑speed vehicles without functional brakes. We would not say the cars "connived" to cause accidents; we would blame the company’s reckless leadership. Similarly, if uncontrolled AI ever harms civilians, we must be able to hold technology firms and the governments that endorse them accountable, which requires clear attribution of moral agency in our language.Anthony LawtonMarket Harborough, LeicestershireDr. Felicity MellorDirector, Science Communication Unit, Imperial College London

The UK government is faced with a critical decision on whether to adopt a new law that would require online pornography providers to verify the consent of participants in their content. This move is aimed at curbing the rampant abuse and exploitation prevalent in the industry. The need for such a law has become increasingly evident following several high-profile cases, including a New York Times investigation into Pornhub, which found that the platform hosted videos featuring underaged and sex-trafficked subjects. Similarly, the trial of Dominique Pelicot exposed the horrific abuse of a woman who was raped while unconscious, with the perpetrator sharing videos of the assault online. The proposed legislation, championed by Conservative peer Gabby Bertin, would compel digital pornography businesses to verify the identities of all those featured and confirm that their consent has been obtained. This measure has garnered support from senior Labour figures and influential peers, including Beeban Kidron and Helena Kennedy. The UK's online safety act, introduced last year, brought in age verification for sites hosting user-generated content and gave the regulator, Ofcom, powers to fine or block businesses. However, concerns about consent in relation to professionally produced pornography remain. The Labour MP Diana Johnson was the first to propose consent verification and a new right for performers to withdraw it. The government now faces a choice: accept the bill as amended and make the UK a pioneer in online pornography regulation, or strip the new clause out. The outcome is far from guaranteed, but the pressure from Bertin and her allies has already led ministers to agree to outlaw strangulation imagery and scenes purporting to show incest. Campaigners argue that the regulation is crucial in tackling online misogyny and the soaring rate of child sexual abuse in the UK. The National Crime Agency has blamed online image-sharing and chatrooms for the increase in child sexual abuse, with livestreams featuring children available for as little as £20. The proposed law would also address the issue of deepfake pornographic images, which were outlawed last year thanks to the courage of survivors and a group of women in parliament. As the bill returns to the Commons, the government should throw its weight behind a new, stronger model of consent, ensuring that those who agree to be filmed having sex have the right to withdraw permission for others to watch.

Meta's attempt to shift the blame for a young user's mental health issues away from its platforms and onto her family and offline social problems has backfired in a landmark social media addiction trial. The company, parent of Facebook and Instagram, employed a aggressive defense strategy that included highlighting the plaintiff's complaints about her mother in her teenage text messages and personal writings.The jurors, however, were not convinced by Meta's arguments and decided 10-2 in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding $4.2m in damages from Meta and $1.8m from co-defendant YouTube. This verdict could set a precedent for thousands of similar trials already in the works against social media companies.Meta's defense strategy drew backlash from parental advocates, who argued that the company was attempting to shift the blame away from its own design choices and onto parents and users. "For the biggest tech executives, I want to say something: stop blaming the parents. It's on you," said Julianna Arnold, a co-founder of advocacy group Parents Rise!.The trial's outcome reflects a growing distrust of social media companies and their impact on society. A Pew Research Survey found that around 64% of US adults believe that social media platforms have a negative impact on the country, and around two-thirds of Americans have a negative view of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.The verdict has been celebrated by advocates for reining in big tech, who see it as a significant step towards holding social media companies accountable for their role in shaping societal harms. "This trial was proof that if you put CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg on the stand before a judge and jury of their peers, the tech industry's wanton disregard for people will be on full display," said Sacha Haworth, executive director of The Tech Oversight Project.

Nepal's police have arrested former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and ex-Home Affairs Minister Ramesh Lekhak over their alleged involvement in a deadly crackdown on protesters last year.The detentions on Saturday came a day after Prime Minister Balendra Shah and his cabinet were sworn in after the first elections since the 2025 uprising that toppled Oli's government.According to The Kathmandu Post, Oli, 74, was taken into custody from his residence in Bhaktapur, a suburb of the capital, Kathmandu. Images later showed Oli walking into a hospital, dressed all in white, and surrounded by police officers.Lekhak was also detained on Saturday from another area of Bhaktapur, his personal secretary Janak Bhatta told the Post.In a statement on Facebook, new Home Minister Sudan Gurung wrote, "promise is a promise: No one is above the law"."This is not vengeance against anyone, it is simply the beginning of justice. I believe the country is now headed in a new direction," said Gurung.Oli has yet to issue a statement regarding the arrest.At least 77 people were killed in the anticorruption uprising on September 8-9, 2025, which began over a brief social media ban but tapped into longstanding fury over economic hardship.At least 19 young people were killed in the crackdown on the first day of protests.The demonstrations spread nationwide the following day as parliament and government offices were set ablaze, resulting in the government's collapse.During the caretaker administration, a government-backed commission into the deadly uprising recommended the prosecution of Oli and other senior officials.Its report said it was "not established that there was an order to shoot", but said "no effort was made to stop or control the firing and, due to their negligent conduct, even minors lost their lives".Oli has previously denied ordering security forces to open fire on protesters. During his failed bid for re-election in the March 5 poll, he blamed "infiltrators" for the violence.Prime Minister Shah, 35, a rapper-turned-politician, and his Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections this month on a platform of youth-driven political change.Shah challenged and defeated Oli in the four-time ex-prime minister's own constituency.At Shah's first cabinet meeting on Friday, it was decided to implement the recommendations made by the investigative commission.