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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.”

Several readers have voiced alarm over the unfolding US‑Israel war on Iran, describing it as a chaotic and unjustified conflict that threatens regional stability and global order.One contributor likens the situation to a “spectacle of two rogue nations armed with nuclear weapons fighting to prevent a third from acquiring similar capabilities,” warning that the resulting chaos could embolden other territorial disputes, from China’s claim on Taiwan to Argentina’s claim on the Falklands. The writer urges individuals to emulate the anti‑apartheid boycott campaign, suggesting a coordinated boycott of US and Israeli products and a disengagement from the upcoming FIFA World Cup as potential levers to pressure the belligerents.Another letter critiques the tone of the original editorial, arguing that the war’s justification—purported nuclear compliance and regime change—was merely “grist to throw into the media mill.” The author characterises President Trump’s approach as a personal crusade, describing it as a “hyperbolic truth” that seeks to vent anger and claim divine credit, with the war ending only when Trump’s interest wanes.A third commentator questions the UK’s role, noting that despite initial resistance, British bases have quietly accommodated US and Israeli forces, mirroring the pattern seen in Gaza. The writer warns that the conflict could inflict a “disaster for our economy and that of Europe” that may last for years, calling the war both “immoral” and “illegal” and urging a policy reversal.Concern is also expressed about China’s silence. Citing a recent Guardian editorial, a reader points out that Beijing’s proclaimed “major‑country diplomacy” has not translated into constructive mediation, similar to its restrained stance on the Ukraine war. The letter argues that the global benefits of peace outweigh any short‑term advantage China might gain from allowing two wars to continue, and calls on allies of China to press the government into action.Collectively, these letters highlight a growing perception that the war in Iran is driven more by political posturing than by clear strategic objectives, and they advocate for a combination of economic pressure, public dissent, and diplomatic engagement to halt the escalation.

Lush has launched a new range of skincare and bathing products tied to the Super Mario Galaxy movie, following the success of their previous Minecraft and Super Mario Bros ranges. The collection includes body sprays, shower gels, lip balms, and bath bombs, all inspired by the Mario universe.The products feature sweet and fruity fragrances, such as the Princess Rosalina lip scrub with edible stars, the Protect the Galaxy shower gel with a sparkly lustre, and the Luma bubble bath star filled with tiny stars. The Yoshi Egg bath bomb contains a shower gummy that comes in one of four colours, which has gone viral due to its unexpected behaviour in water.The author, Keith Stuart, reviews the products and finds them to be as nice as the original set, with some notes on their texture and scent. He concludes that the shower and bath products are easy to use and smell gorgeous, making amusing stylistic nods to the Super Mario Galaxy universe.The article highlights the unexpected partnership between Lush and a major video game franchise, which has proven successful and led to further collaborations. The author's experience with the products is filled with nostalgia, recalling childhood memories of pick 'n' mix counters and retro sweets.

Korean culture is taking Latin America by storm, with K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean skincare products leading the charge. In Santiago, Chile, a group of young girls can be seen dancing to the beat of Blackpink's 'How You Like That', a song with over 1.3 billion views on YouTube. The phenomenon, known as hallyu or the 'Korean wave', has been spreading rapidly across the region, with Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil being key markets. Online personalities like Sujin Kim, known as Chingu Amiga, have become incredibly popular, sharing their love of K-dramas and skincare products with millions of followers. In Colombia, K-pop fan Zion Hwang has set up a string of karaoke restaurants to capitalize on the trend, while in Brazil, Korean-Brazilian influencers like Arthur Paek are promoting Korean culture and cuisine to their millions of followers. The Korean wave has also led to an increase in interest in Korean language and culture, with universities offering Korean studies programs and language classes becoming increasingly popular. Dr. Jinok Choi, director of the Universidad Central's Rey Sejong Institute in Santiago, notes that young Chileans are showing a 'real commitment to learning about Korea beyond just its culture'. The growth of Korean culture in Latin America is also being driven by a decline in the US's international appeal, with some observers suggesting that the US's flagging popularity under Donald Trump has led to a shift in interest towards Asian culture. Brazil's health minister, Alexandre Padilha, notes that 'perhaps the US is no longer, in people's imagination, the place they want to go'. As the Korean wave continues to sweep across Latin America, it's clear that Korean culture is here to stay. With K-pop concerts and K-drama fan events becoming increasingly popular, it's likely that the trend will only continue to grow in the coming years.

A Russian-flagged tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, has arrived in Cuba with a cargo of 730,000 barrels of oil, marking the first oil tanker to reach the island in three months. The vessel, under US sanctions, was permitted to deliver fuel for humanitarian reasons.The tanker docked in the Bay of Matanzas, Cuba's largest supertanker and fuel storage port, on Tuesday. Much of the nearby city and the majority of Cuba were without power when the tanker arrived. Cuba has been experiencing an energy crisis, with President Miguel Diaz-Canel stating that the country has not received an oil tanker in three months.The fuel shipment is expected to provide breathing room for Cuba's communist-run government amid growing pressure from the US. The crude on board will take days to process domestically and turn into motor fuel and refined products. The ship is carrying Russian Urals, a medium sour crude, suitable for Cuba's ageing refineries.Cuba produces only 40 percent of its required fuel and relies on imports to sustain its energy grid. Experts estimate that the anticipated shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to meet Cuba's daily demand for nine or 10 days.The arrival of the tanker has been welcomed by Cubans, including Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy, who expressed gratitude to the Russian government and people for their support. The energy crisis in Cuba has led to long blackouts and severe shortages of food and medicine.

The rising cost of gaming consoles and components, such as the recent £90 price hike of the PlayStation 5, can be attributed to the growing demand for computing power driven by artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. This surge in demand has led to increased prices for RAM and storage, affecting not only console manufacturers like Sony but also PC gamers.AI data centers require massive amounts of computing power to present information, which has driven up the demand and pricing for critical components. The 30% rise in the cost of living over the past half-decade, coupled with Nvidia's market cap hitting £5 trillion, highlights the significant economic impact of AI investment.The situation is further complicated by global economic disruptions, including the wars in Ukraine and Iran, which have contributed to rampant inflation. The video game industry, including major players like Valve, Nintendo, and Sony, is feeling the strain. Valve has run out of Steam Decks, and Nintendo has raised the price of physical games by $10 in the US.Critics argue that the focus on AI is misguided and that it doesn't need to be this way. As Chris Person notes, "I'm tired of these useless jackasses making the computer expensive." The emphasis on AI over consumer needs has led to frustration among gamers, who feel that technology is being forced into everything, making desirable products prohibitively expensive.The article concludes that the issue isn't just about Sony's greed but an indication of a closed economic system in big tech, which prioritizes profits over consumer needs. This shift has resulted in consumers paying more for products like the PlayStation 5 so that a select few can benefit financially from AI advancements.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, specifically the US-Israel war on Iran, has sent shockwaves through the global economy, with the Bank of England predicting that over 1.3 million more UK households could face increased mortgage payments. Financial markets have reacted swiftly, with banks pulling around 1,500 mortgage products and raising interest rates on their remaining 7,000 home loan products in recent weeks, according to the Bank's financial policy committee (FPC). The FPC warns that approximately 5.2 million borrowers, or roughly 58% of borrowers across the country, could face higher mortgage payments by the end of 2028, up from 3.9 million before the conflict began. The data provider Moneyfacts reported that the average two-year fixed residential mortgage rate has risen to 5.84%, up from 4.83% at the start of March. Caitlyn Eastell, a personal finance analyst at Moneyfacts, noted that the impact on borrowers has been almost immediate, with borrowing costs sharply rising. The FPC emphasized that a prolonged war increases the possibility of large, frequent and possibly overlapping shocks that could put global financial stability at risk. The UK's economic outlook has deteriorated, increasing pressure on households and businesses, with the FPC adding that a prolonged conflict could amplify risks that were already present before the conflict began. The Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, cautioned that markets may be getting ahead of themselves by pricing in interest rate hikes in response to the Iran war, stating that the Bank's remit is to cause the least damage to the economy and jobs.

Ukrainian unmanned aircraft have targeted the Russian Baltic port of Ust‑Luga for the fifth time within a ten‑day span, intensifying Kyiv's campaign against Russia's oil‑export infrastructure. Regional governor Alexander Drozdenko reported that three individuals, two of them children, received medical care after the latest overnight raid, and several structures sustained damage. He added that regional air‑raid alerts have since been lifted, though details on port damage remain scarce. Located on the southeastern coast of the Gulf of Finland, Ust‑Luga comprises an extensive network of oil‑processing plants and export terminals. The facility moved 32.9 million metric tonnes of oil products in the previous year and typically handles around 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The series of strikes on March 22, 25, 27, 29 and 31 forced temporary suspensions of export operations. According to market‑based calculations, the cumulative effect of drone attacks, a contested pipeline strike and the seizure of tankers has halted roughly 40 % of Russia's oil export capacity. The disruption has contributed to a surge in global oil prices, with Brent crude climbing above $116 a barrel – its highest level in nearly two weeks amid escalating conflicts involving the United States, Israel and Iran. While Kyiv continues to press its aerial campaign, the European Union dispatched senior diplomats, including top envoy Kaja Kallas, to the Ukrainian capital. Their visit, timed with the fourth anniversary of the Bucha massacre, underscored EU commitment to holding Russia accountable for alleged war crimes. Kallas posted on X, describing Bucha as a symbol of Russian brutality, and affirmed that the EU will not allow such atrocities to go unpunished. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed the message, urging international partners to keep their focus on Ukraine despite the widening war in the Middle East. Financially, the EU’s planned €90 billion loan for Ukraine has been stalled by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who objects to Russia's oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline and is also impeding Ukraine's EU accession talks. In parallel, Kyiv announced that its air‑defence forces intercepted 267 of 289 Russian drones launched overnight, while Russian officials claimed control of the village of Mala Korchakivka in the Sumy region. The convergence of intensified drone attacks on Russian oil assets, soaring energy prices, and high‑level EU diplomatic activity highlights the expanding geopolitical ripple effects of the Ukraine conflict across Europe and the broader Middle‑East theater.

The Group of Seven (G7) countries have committed to taking all necessary measures to stabilize the energy market, which has been roiled by the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. In a statement released after a teleconference organized by France, the G7 emphasized its readiness to preserve the stability and security of the energy market in close coordination with its partners. The meeting came as Brent crude prices surged above $116 a barrel due to Iran's retaliatory actions against Gulf oil producers and the effective blockade of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The G7, comprising the US, Canada, Japan, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, also called on countries to refrain from imposing unjustified export restrictions on oil, gas, and related products. The International Energy Agency (IEA) had earlier agreed to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from strategic stockpiles to combat spiking global crude prices. The G7 central banks have committed to maintaining price stability, with monetary policy to be based on data. The conflict has raised fears of further escalation that could drive oil and natural gas prices even higher.