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Italian regulators have launched an investigation into Sephora and Benefit Cosmetics, both owned by the French luxury group LVMH, over allegations of using 'covert marketing strategies' to sell beauty products to young girls. The probes aim to determine if these brands have been targeting minors with skincare products, such as face masks, serums, and anti-ageing creams, potentially fuelling an unhealthy obsession with skincare known as 'cosmeticorexia'.The Italian Competition Authority stated that the investigations were opened over concerns that important information – such as warnings and precautions for cosmetics not intended for, or tested on, minors – may have been omitted or presented in a misleading manner. The regulator expressed concerns that the frequent and combined use of a wide range of cosmetics by minors, without proper awareness, may be harmful to their health.The trend of young girls and teenagers being drawn to high-end beauty products has been driven by skincare content produced by beauty influencers, many of whom are tweens and teens themselves. This phenomenon, known as 'Sephora kids', has met a backlash from dermatologists who argue that children do not require beauty products and that this early focus on appearance can create anxiety over how their skin looks.Sephora has previously sought to distance itself from this trend, with its North America CEO, Artemis Patrick, stating in a 2024 interview that 'we do not market to this audience'. However, the regulator alleges that the company has adopted a 'particularly insidious marketing strategy' involving the use of 'very young micro-influencers who encourage the compulsive purchase of cosmetics among young people, a particularly vulnerable group'. LVMH said that it, Sephora, and Benefit would 'fully cooperate with the authorities' but declined to comment further, reaffirming their strict compliance with applicable Italian regulations.

The Reykjavik Open, a prestigious nine-round chess tournament commencing at the Harpa Conference Centre, carries significant historical weight as it takes place near the site of the legendary 1972 Bobby Fischer versus Boris Spassky match. First established in 1964 with Mikhail Tal as the inaugural winner, this year's event has attracted a substantial field of 422 players.The top seed is Iran's Amin Tabatabaei, the sole 2700-rated competitor in the tournament, followed by Romania's Bogdan-Daniel Deac (2655) and veteran Ukrainian Vasyl Ivanchuk (2654) as the fourth seed. England has dispatched a contingent of over 20 players, though most are amateur competitors. Grandmaster Matthew Wadsworth (2522) is seeded 21st, while Grandmaster Simon Williams (2443) holds the 39th position. Notably, 11-year-old Women's International Master Bodhana Sivanandan is pursuing her second Women's Grandmaster norm.In the opening rounds, the English trio secured victories, including Williams' impressive 20-move triumph. Sivanandan drew against a 2484-rated Chinese International Master in the second round.For the author, any chess event in Reykjavik evokes memories of 1973, when Fischer was anticipated to return to competitive play following his victory over Spassky. The author recounts an ambitious plan to organize a match involving Fischer, which included a two-game match against British champion William Hartston and an eight-board simultaneous exhibition against England's junior players. Despite personal connections to Fischer—including participation in a BBC-recorded consultation game in 1960—the proposed event never materialized after a negative response from Fischer's representatives.The author speculates that had the match occurred, it would have significantly advanced English chess, with Fischer likely prevailing 6-2 to 7-1 against the promising English juniors who would later achieve grandmaster status.The article concludes with a chess puzzle solution for position 4017, demonstrating the tactical complexity that characterizes high-level chess competition.

The weekend's sporting calendar features major events across Formula 1, football, and the Women's Super League, with fans treated to a diverse range of high-profile competitions.On Saturday, the action begins early with Formula One's Japanese Grand Prix qualifying at 6am GMT. Mercedes and Ferrari have emerged as the early favorites after adapting best to Formula One's most radical changes in power and chassis in over a decade. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have won the first two races, while Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have consistently finished third and fourth. The Suzuka circuit presents a different challenge with its figure-eight layout, narrow twisting sections, and limited passing opportunities. Philip Cornwall will provide live coverage of qualifying, with Giles Richards reporting from Suzuka.Football fans can follow Matchday live from 8am-12.15pm as Billy Munday brings updates on international and domestic action. The coverage will include follow-up from Friday's England international against Uruguay at Wembley, managed by former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa, and Scotland's World Cup warm-up against Japan. The day also features three significant Women's Super League derby matches.The first WSL derby kicks off at 1.30pm with Manchester United facing Manchester City. Andrée Jeglertz's pacesetters enter the match on a high after a 5-2 victory over Spurs, featuring Khadija Shaw's record-setting quickest hat-trick in WSL history. Manchester United, meanwhile, secured three points against Everton but suffered a 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in their Champions League quarter-final first leg. Xaymaca Awoyungbo will host the live blog, with Tom Garry reporting from Old Trafford.At 5pm, Scotland hosts Japan in an international friendly. This match provides Steve Clarke's side with an opportunity to fine-tune their squad before their World Cup campaign in North America, where they will face Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti in Group C. With only club games remaining before the squad announcement in May, numerous players are eager to impress. Scott Murray will host the live blog, with Ewan Murray reporting from Glasgow.The second WSL derby of the day follows at 5.30pm with Arsenal taking on Tottenham. Renée Slegers' Arsenal side sits fourth in the table, unbeaten in the league since October, and coming off victories over Chelsea and West Ham. Tottenham, managed by Martin Ho, have lost their last two matches and have beaten Arsenal just once in their previous encounter. Rob Smyth will manage the live blog for this north London derby, with Sophie Downey reporting from the Emirates.Sunday's action begins with the Japanese Grand Prix live coverage at 6am BST. Oscar Piastri has raised hopes of a non-Mercedes victory after setting the fastest time in Friday's practice. McLaren has struggled since winning last season's drivers' championship, failing to even start the Chinese Grand Prix due to technical issues. This race is particularly significant as it will be followed by a five-week break before the next F1 event in Miami on May 3rd. Joey Lynch will provide lap-by-lap coverage, with Giles Richards again reporting from Suzuka.Football coverage continues with Matchday live from 8am-12pm as Emillia Hawkins brings updates on Sunday's action and previews England's upcoming World Cup warm-up against Japan. The blog will also cover buildup to three WSL fixtures, with breaking news and match reports. Fans can email [email protected] with their views.The weekend's WSL action concludes at 12pm with Chelsea facing Aston Villa. This match between third-placed Chelsea and an Aston Villa side that recently beat Leicester promises to be particularly compelling. Chelsea has struggled in the title race and suffered Champions League defeat to Arsenal, while also dealing with injuries including Aggie Beever-Jones. There is the possibility of Sam Kerr's return after the Asian Cup. Daniel Harris will host the blog for this fixture.

Sarah Strong, the 6ft 2in UConn forward, is chasing her second championship in as many years with an undefeated squad that hasn’t lost in 52 games dating back to last year. As a freshman, Strong thrived defensively in the 2025 NCAA tournament, while scoring the most points by a freshman in tournament history with 114.In her second season, Strong has been even more dominant. Her impact on both sides of the ball is so deep that she was named the Big East Player of the Year and the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. She’s the favorite to win the National Player of the Year award next month.This season Strong averaged 18.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 3.3 steals all while shooting 60.0% from the field. UConn coach Geno Auriemma praised her unique ability to play like a guard and play like a big guy.Unlike other collegiate women’s players with similar talent, such as Caitlin Clark, there is nothing flashy about Strong. She plays with certainty and lets her game do the talking. Her media commitments are increasing, but she remains uncomfortable with the spotlight.Strong’s poise, calm, and off-the-charts IQ have produced results impossible to ignore. Her parents, including former WNBA player Allison Feaster, instilled in her a respect for the game and family values.UConn assistant Jamelle Elliott quietly scouted Strong in ninth grade before the hype arrived and she became the country’s top recruit. Auriemma agreed with Elliott’s assessment, noting that Strong already had the skills that great players learn over time.With her star growing rapidly, Strong has inked NIL deals with Jordan Brand, Unrivaled, and Madison Reed. She had 18 points in each game as UConn rolled to first- and second-round wins last week, setting up Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup with North Carolina.

McLaren is looking to turn their disappointing start to the season around at the Japanese Grand Prix. The team, led by Lando Norris, has faced significant challenges with their new car, struggling to match the pace of Mercedes and Ferrari.After Mercedes dominated the opening two rounds, McLaren found themselves third fastest but a significant distance off the pace. The team acknowledged they had work to do on the aerodynamic side of the chassis and on understanding how best to exploit their new engines under the power management rules.Lando Norris remains optimistic about McLaren's chances, despite the difficult start. 'I believe we can get close but I also know how good Mercedes are,' he said. 'They've obviously got on the right track early and have understood the car better than we have been able to do.'Norris's teammate, Oscar Piastri, has shown promise in practice sessions, setting a strong pace in the afternoon session at Suzuka. The team is hopeful that they can capitalize on Ferrari's struggles with power deployment on the demanding figure-of-eight circuit.The Japanese Grand Prix represents another test for F1's new rules on energy recovery, which will play a key role in how the drivers approach a lap. Suzuka is a much-loved drivers' circuit that combines a requirement for inch-perfect judgment with a reward for pushing to the limit.

In the midst of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a heartwarming story of compassion and resilience has emerged. A woman, often referred to as a 'grandmother' by the local community, has taken it upon herself to care for an orphaned baby. The woman's selfless act has garnered attention and admiration, as she provides love, care, and support to the infant. The child affectionately refers to her as 'Mama', highlighting the strong bond they have formed. This story serves as a testament to the human spirit's capacity for kindness and generosity, even in the most challenging of circumstances. The woman's actions have inspired others in the community to come together and support those in need.

The film The Blue Trail (O Último Azul in Portuguese) has struck a chord with older women in Brazil, who see themselves in the protagonist Tereza, a tenacious woman who refuses to be defined by her age.The movie's themes of ageism and ageing resonate strongly in Brazil, where older women are increasingly prop up the community. The film offers a dark solution to the issue, depicting a dystopian future where senior citizens are banished to a remote housing colony.The film's director and screenwriter, Gabriel Mascaro, was inspired by his grandmother, who took up painting in her 80s after losing her husband. The film has been praised for its portrayal of older women as vibrant and full of life.Gilda Olinto, an 80-year-old woman who was given a prize at work recently, felt as if she was being told “nothing more is expected of you”. She relates to Tereza's story and sees her as a woman who “resists and is hungry for life”.The film's star, Denise Weinberg, puts her casting down to the fact that she is one of the few Brazilian actors her age who hasn’t had any cosmetic procedures. She joked with the director: ‘did you choose me because I have wrinkles?’Brazil is undergoing a rapid demographic shift, with the number of over-60s more than doubling between 2000 and 2023. This demographic is expected to account for a third of the population by 2050, prompting questions as to whether the country is prepared for this new reality.

Walking into Scisters Salon & Apothecary in southern California reveals what's immediately absent: no wall of plastic bottles, no chemical tang, and minimal waste. The salon's shelves feature large refill containers of shampoo and conditioner, houseplants adorn the space, and hair clippings are composted. The only trash can is a small basket mostly collecting clients' personal items, creating an environment that co-owner Melissa Parker notes clients immediately comment on: 'It smells good in here.' That never happens in a conventional salon.Opened 15 years ago by Parker and Easton Bajsec in La Mesa near San Diego, Scisters has evolved into one of the region's most prominent low-waste salons, diverting up to 99% of its refuse from landfills. Their business transformation addresses a significant industry problem: the beauty sector generates substantial waste, with North American salons sending an estimated 63,000lbs of hair to landfills daily, plus hundreds of tons of used foil and leftover hair dyes.The turning point came when Bajsec watched a documentary about the zero-waste movement while Parker developed health problems linked to prolonged exposure to salon chemicals. Studies have found that hairdressers' exposure to harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, ammonia and sulfates puts them at higher risk of asthma, skin conditions, reproductive illnesses and cancer. Rather than leave the industry, they transformed their business.They eliminated perms due to formaldehyde exposure and moved away from big-name products despite green marketing claims. When existing alternatives didn't meet their standards for performance, ingredient transparency and waste reduction, they created their own line. Element, launched in 2019, is made in a California lab and sold in refillable glass and aluminum containers, featuring recognizable ingredients like organic aloe, wheat protein and castor oil.The salon's waste reduction strategies extend beyond product packaging. They implemented hair composting, foil recycling, and replaced waxing with sugaring—a compostable hair-removal technique. They switched to LED lighting, installed water-efficient showerheads, and use washable cloths instead of paper towels. Though they still offer hair bleaching (which releases ammonia), they mitigate risks with industrial air filtration and air-purifying plants.Bajsec acknowledges that 100% zero waste is impossible due to regulatory constraints on reusable gloves and plastic pump tops. The salon ships its minimal plastic waste to Green Circle Salons for specialized processing, paying $200 per box. Despite this cost, Parker notes the overall approach has been financially beneficial: 'Overall, it's actually less expensive. We're not outsourcing to other beauty brands. We're mindful about systems.'Their commitment to sustainability proved critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. When mandatory closures threatened their survival, they pivoted to refill sales, meeting clients in the parking lot. This refill model kept revenue flowing, allowing them to pay full rent while many neighboring tenants struggled. 'Going green has been the greatest thing we've done for our business financially,' Parker says. 'We accidentally created a point of differentiation.'Denise Baden, a professor of sustainable business at the University of Southampton, confirms that eco-friendly practices often reduce costs. 'It's a misunderstanding that to be eco-friendly, you have to spend more money. In fact, usually, it's the reverse,' she notes, adding that hairdressers are uniquely positioned to influence their communities.Now, Parker and Bajsec are helping other salons adopt similar practices through speaking engagements and an online guide. 'We get calls from other salons all the time,' Bajsec says. 'It's not sustainable if we're the only ones doing it.'

Renowned Formula One journalist Giles Richards was ejected from a Max Verstappen press conference at the Japanese Grand Prix, a rare occurrence in the sport. The incident stemmed from a question Richards asked Verstappen at the end of last season regarding an incident involving Verstappen and George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.Verstappen had collided with Russell's car during the Spanish Grand Prix, resulting in a 10-second penalty that dropped him from fifth to 10th place and cost him nine points. When Richards asked Verstappen about the incident during the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen took umbrage, suggesting Richards was biased and only focused on negative aspects of his performance.Richards recounts that when he encountered Verstappen at the Japanese Grand Prix, the Dutch driver refused to speak until Richards left the press conference. Despite attempts to clarify the situation, Verstappen remained resolute, telling Richards to 'get out'.The incident has sparked a heated debate about driver-journalist interactions in Formula One, with many colleagues expressing shock and concern for Richards' wellbeing. While Richards admits to feeling uncomfortable about being the story, he emphasizes the importance of asking difficult questions in his line of work.Richards has covered Formula One for over a decade and has interviewed Verstappen on multiple occasions, describing their interactions as generally friendly and good-humored. He hopes that he and Verstappen can have a better relationship in the future.