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Renowned British perfumer Jo Malone has expressed her surprise and sadness after being sued for over £200,000 in damages by Estée Lauder Companies, the owner of her former perfume brand, Jo Malone London. The lawsuit claims that Malone infringed trademarks by using her name on fragrances she created for the fashion chain Zara.In 1999, Malone sold her perfume brand to Estée Lauder, a US-based multinational cosmetics group that owns brands such as M.A.C, Bobbi Brown, and Estée Lauder. As part of the agreement, Malone was prohibited from using her name for certain commercial activities, including marketing fragrances.Malone stepped down as creative director of Jo Malone London in 2006 and later regretted selling the rights to her name, calling it the “biggest mistake of my life.” In 2011, after a non-compete clause ended, Malone launched the Jo Loves brand. In 2019, Jo Loves collaborated with Zara on a line of eight fragrances, priced at £35.99 each.Estée Lauder took issue with the packaging of these fragrances, which clearly stated that they were created by Jo Malone CBE, founder of Jo Loves. The company claims that this use of Malone's name undermines the brand equity of Jo Malone London and is seeking damages of over £200,000.In response, Malone has defended her use of her name, stating, “My name is Jo Malone. I am the person, the fragrance creator, the entrepreneur, the cancer survivor, the person. I never expected to receive a high court claim with my name on it.” She emphasized that when Zara approached her, they did so as an individual, not as a company or brand.Malone added, “I sold a company, I did not sell myself.” She expressed her concerns about the implications of the lawsuit, asking, “Where do I go from here? Who can I be? I can’t stop being a person. Nobody can stop being the character and the person that you are.”

The UK government has pledged £380 million to accelerate the build‑out of a new battery factory in Somerset that will supply Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) with cells for its forthcoming electric Range Rover and Jaguar models. The plant, operated by Tata’s battery subsidiary Agratas, was highlighted during a site visit by Business Secretary Peter Kyle, who emphasized the grant’s role in safeguarding jobs and driving economic growth. When fully operational, the gigafactory is projected to employ 4,200 workers and deliver up to 40 GWh of battery capacity annually—enough for hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles. It will become the UK’s second high‑volume battery facility after the Chinese‑owned AESC plant in Sunderland. Construction remains in its early stages, with only a steel frame erected so far. Although the original timetable targeted production start‑up in 2026, delays have pushed the expected commencement to the end of 2027. Agratas has reduced the footprint of the first building but claims the change reflects more efficient process design rather than a cut‑back in output. JLR, the nation’s largest automotive employer, had planned to launch its electric Range Rover in 2025, but the debut has slipped to 2026 and the vehicle is still not on sale. The postponement follows a broader trend of EV manufacturers worldwide scaling back or postponing battery projects after over‑optimistic forecasts of rapid consumer migration from petrol. Recent spikes in petrol prices—spurred by geopolitical tensions linked to Donald Trump’s war in Iran—could make electric cars more appealing, potentially justifying the sizeable capital commitments required for a transition to EV production. Until the Somerset facility becomes operational, JLR will continue to source batteries from AESC. That arrangement was confirmed last year by investment bank Société Générale, though references to JLR have since been removed from public statements. In addition to the battery grant, Tata previously secured a £500 million pledge to modernise its Welsh steelworks with electric arc furnaces, underscoring the government’s broader push for greener industrial capacity. Peter Kyle said the investment, alongside other automotive research initiatives announced on the same day, would “boost economic growth, secure jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.” He added that the UK’s “modern industrial strategy” provides the stability needed for long‑term planning. Earl Wiggins, Agratas’s vice‑president for UK manufacturing, welcomed the funding, noting it will enable the company to “deliver net‑zero goals and strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in battery manufacturing.” He projected that over 2,200 staff would be on‑site within the next year, with further growth thereafter.

The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) announced that Noa‑Lynn van Leuven is barred from competing in any Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) women‑only events with immediate effect, after the governing body ruled that only biological females may participate in women’s tournaments.Under the new policy, van Leuven – a 29‑year‑old who has claimed six titles in the PDC Women’s Series – will be ineligible for the series and the Women’s World Matchplay, a competition she was on track to qualify for this summer.The DRA justified the decision by referencing a report commissioned from Dr Emma Hilton, a developmental biologist who has published extensively on sex categories in sport. The study concluded that darts is a "gender‑affected sport" and identified several physical differences that give males an advantage, including greater height, longer limbs, broader shoulders, increased muscle mass and stiffer tendons. These attributes, the report argued, enhance reach, stability and throwing mechanics, thereby influencing consistency and precision.This ruling arrives shortly after the International Olympic Committee announced a ban on transgender women from female Olympic events, set to take effect at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.Van Leuven responded on Instagram, describing the decision as a forced retirement. She wrote, "I just got an email… apparently I’m retired, not by choice, but because I am no longer allowed to compete." She added, "This isn’t just about me; it’s another huge hit for the trans community. Every day it is getting harder for trans people just to exist, to compete. If you think this stops with me, it doesn’t. We just want to be."While barred from women‑only events, van Leuven could still aim for the open professional tour, which is gender‑neutral. Currently, Beau Greaves is the sole female player on the tour, and former women’s world champion Lisa Ashton held a two‑year tour card in 2020‑2021.

Oil and gas markets rallied on Thursday as investors grappled with the shaky outlook for the two‑week Iran‑Israel ceasefire. Brent crude rose more than 2% to $96.77 a barrel, while New York light crude climbed nearly 3% to $97.23, still shy of the $100 threshold that many traders watch. The previous session had seen Brent plunge 13.29% to a four‑week low of $94.75. In the gas sector, the UK month‑ahead contract rebounded 1% to 115.35p per therm after a 15% drop the day before. European natural‑gas futures also recovered, edging toward €46/MWh from a five‑week trough of €45.30. The price uptick reflects growing scepticism about the durability of the ceasefire announced a day earlier by the United States and Iran, which included a pledge to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. UAE and Kuwait reported intercepting Iranian drones, and Iran’s parliamentary speaker accused the United States and Israel of breaching several agreement points. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned of a “regret‑inducing response” if Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue. The latest Israeli barrage killed at least 254 people and wounded 837, prompting the Fars news agency to note that oil‑tanker traffic through the strait had been halted. Former President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform to threaten that U.S. forces would remain in the region until a “real agreement” is fully honoured, warning that any non‑compliance would trigger “stronger than anyone has ever seen before” military action. Asian equity markets reacted negatively: Japan’s Nikkei slipped 0.7%, South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.7%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged down 0.4%. In Europe, the FTSE 100 dipped 0.1%, Germany’s DAX fell 0.6%, France’s CAC 40 dropped 0.3%, and Italy’s FTSE MIB slipped 0.2%. The pan‑European Stoxx 600 trimmed 0.1% after a near‑4% rally the day before, while U.S. futures pointed to a lower opening on Wall Street. Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid noted that market stress has eased compared with 24 hours earlier, as the ceasefire news generated renewed optimism and reduced fears of a stagflationary shock. On the diplomatic front, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Vice‑President JD Vance will lead a delegation to Islamabad, with initial talks slated for Saturday morning. Jefferies chief European economist Mohit Kumar argued that, despite its fragility, the truce is likely to hold because of the “mutually assured destruction” calculus. He added that both sides now see a ceasefire as the lesser‑evil, given the escalating costs of continued conflict and the strategic challenges of securing cheap drone interceptors and a reliable Hormuz passage.

In a night that felt more theatrical than competitive, Paris Saint‑Germain secured a 2‑0 victory over Liverpool at the Parc des Princes, leaving the English champions questioning their own identity ahead of the second leg.While Liverpool’s players showed resilience by refusing to abandon the fight, the result underscores a deeper issue: the team has lost five of their last eight matches and currently sits fifth in the Premier League, just three points clear of Everton in eighth place. The margin is razor‑thin and the pressure is mounting.PSG’s performance was a masterclass in flair and efficiency. Their first goal set the tone, but it was the second strike at the 66‑minute mark that captured headlines. Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia received a swift pass from João Neves, surged past two Liverpool defenders with remarkable balance, evaded Ryan Gravenberch’s challenge, and finished with a composed right‑footed shot that left the Anfield side scrambling.The goal highlighted PSG’s technical edge: their movement was fluid, their ball control assured, and their finishing clinical. In contrast, Liverpool’s pressing strategy, orchestrated by manager Arne Slot, appeared tentative. Slot’s early enthusiasm has given way to a more nervous demeanor, as reflected in his subdued sideline presence.Beyond the scoreline, the match exposed Liverpool’s structural deficiencies. The team’s lack of a clear pattern and the absence of a recognizable “Liverpool goal” raise questions about the effectiveness of Slot’s tactical overhaul, often dubbed “Slot 2.0”.Adding to the narrative, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai walked off the tunnel alone, a symbolic gesture that contrasted sharply with the collective pursuit of the manager by his teammates. The moment, while minor, hinted at a growing disconnect within the squad.PSG’s dominance was not limited to the goals. Their pre‑match spectacle—flashing lights, dramatic sound cues, and a flamboyant PA announcer—set a tone of confidence that translated onto the pitch. The French side’s control of possession and spatial awareness suggested they could have added another goal with more ruthless finishing.For Liverpool, the defeat is a sobering reminder of the challenges ahead. After a heavy loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup, the Reds entered Paris with evident apprehension. The 2‑0 result, while disappointing, may serve as a catalyst for introspection before the return leg at Anfield.Looking forward, the upcoming fixture at Anfield will test whether Liverpool can summon the “deep Anfield voodoo” that fans often cite as a turning point. The stakes are high: a positive result could revive their European ambitions, while another setback may cement doubts about their season trajectory.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awards the Nobel Peace Prize, has publicly condemned Moscow’s latest effort to label the human‑rights organisation Memorial as an "extremist organisation". Chairman Jørgen Watne Frydnes said the committee is "deeply alarmed" by the Russian authorities’ attempt to dismantle a co‑recipient of the 2022 Peace Prize. According to the statement released on Wednesday, Russia’s Supreme Court is set to review a petition from the Ministry of Justice that seeks to add Memorial to the nation’s list of “undesirable” entities. If approved, the designation would ban the group from operating within Russia and expose anyone associated with it to up to four years in prison and substantial fines. Memorial, already branded a “foreign agent” and ordered dissolved by the Supreme Court at the end of 2021, would see all of its activities criminalised under the new petition, Frydnes warned. He added that even sharing the organisation’s published material could lead to imprisonment. “To designate such an organisation as extremist is an affront to the fundamental values of human dignity and freedom of expression,” Frydnes asserted, urging Russian officials to withdraw the claim immediately and cease all harassment of Memorial and its members. Memorial shared the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize with Ukraine’s Centre for Civil Liberties and Belarusian activist Ales Bialiatski. Founded in 1987, Memorial specialises in documenting human‑rights violations across Russia and once operated a network of roughly 50 affiliated groups both inside and outside the country. Several of these affiliates continue their work from bases in Germany, France and Italy. Key figures from Memorial have faced criminal proceedings in Russia. Notably, activist Oleg Orlov, who was sentenced for speaking out against the war in Ukraine, was released in a 2024 prisoner exchange and now works abroad to continue documenting abuses. The committee’s statement concludes with a direct appeal: Russian authorities should immediately rescind the extremist label and halt any further intimidation of the organisation and its supporters.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) chief Patrice Motsepe arrived in Dakar this week, marking his first visit to Senegal since the body’s controversial decision to strip the nation of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown and hand it to Morocco.Motsepe announced the itinerary at the end of March, pledging to meet leaders in both countries to stress the need for "working together to grow African football" as CAF confronts mounting criticism.President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is scheduled to receive Motsepe at the presidential palace, followed by a joint news conference intended to calm tensions.The visit comes in the wake of CAF’s surprise reversal of the January 18 final, where Senegal had defeated hosts Morocco 1‑0. Citing a breach of regulations concerning players leaving the field, CAF retroactively recorded a 3‑0 victory for Morocco on March 17.During the match in Rabat, Senegal’s squad, head coach Pape Thiaw and staff walked off after Morocco were awarded an added‑time penalty, which forward Brahim Diaz ultimately missed.In response, the Senegalese Football Federation lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), while the Senegalese government demanded an international probe into alleged corruption within CAF.Motsepe, speaking late last month, affirmed that he would respect and implement the CAS ruling, adding that his personal view on the matter was “irrelevant.”

Celebrations erupted in Tehran after officials announced a two‑week ceasefire with the United States, creating a window for diplomatic talks aimed at de‑escalating the regional conflict.Iran consented to suspend hostilities, with negotiations slated to begin on Friday in Pakistan. President Donald Trump pledged to halt military operations provided Tehran fully reopens the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime corridor. Iran’s foreign minister added that safe passage through the strait will be coordinated with Iranian armed forces throughout the truce.The breakthrough followed a direct appeal by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who urged Trump to extend his negotiation deadline and called on Iran to restore strait access.Iranian officials framed the ceasefire as a “victory”, asserting that their preconditions for talks were accepted and that Trump’s acknowledgment of progress on key disputes validates Tehran’s stance. They emphasized that national unity, patience, and military resilience were decisive factors.In their assessment, the earlier U.S.–Israeli strategy of targeting Iranian leadership failed, while the ensuing conflict demonstrated Iran’s capacity to sustain prolonged military operations.Trump, speaking to AFP, described the agreement as a “total and complete victory”, insisting that Iran’s uranium stockpiles would be “perfectly taken care of” under the deal and crediting China for facilitating the negotiations.Despite the truce, Democratic lawmakers announced they will continue impeachment efforts against Trump, condemning his rhetoric toward Iran as “genocidal” and “unhinged.”

Chinese swimming authorities have initiated an investigation into cyberbullying targeting Quan Hongchan, the 19-year-old diving champion who has won three Olympic gold medals. The General Administration of Sport's swimming management centre announced the probe on Wednesday, stating that it is working with officials in Quan's home province of Guangdong to address the issue.Quan, who won her first gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at just 14 years old and added two more golds at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has faced intense scrutiny and pressure. She has spoken publicly about the toxic online commentary she has faced, particularly regarding her weight and diet.The cyberbullying has been described as 'malicious' and has included false information and abnormal fan culture. Chinese authorities have pledged to crack down on such behavior, which has been termed 'toxic fandom'. Quan's swimming club has also reported the case to police, emphasizing that athletes are a valuable national asset and that such acts of slander and insult are unacceptable.Quan's success has made her a popular figure in China, with her hometown becoming a tourist destination. However, this has also led to intense media scrutiny and pressure to conform to certain standards. The investigation aims to address these issues and ensure a safer online environment for athletes.