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Chris Haskins, Lord Haskins, who has died at the age of 88, was a highly influential figure in British business and politics. He was a key supporter of Tony Blair's New Labour project and played a crucial role in advising on regulatory reform and rural affairs. Early Life and Career Born in Dublin, Ireland, Haskins studied modern history at Trinity College Dublin, where he developed a reputation as a radical. He began his career in journalism, covering the Aldermaston marches for the Irish Times, before moving into business. In 1959, he traveled to England, married Gilda Horsley, and joined his father-in-law's company, Northern Dairies, which later became Northern Foods. Business Achievements Under Haskins' leadership, Northern Foods grew into Britain's leading food manufacturer. He was instrumental in developing chilled food techniques, which enabled the mass production of ready meals and convenience foods. A significant partnership with Marks & Spencer was established, which became a cornerstone of the company's success, generating annual sales of half a billion pounds. Public Service and Politics Haskins was a vocal advocate for various public causes, including European monetary union, English regional devolution, and the reduction of subsidies to British agriculture. He served as a 'rural tsar' during the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 and authored a rural recovery report for Defra, which proposed a shift towards environmental concerns and a long-term reduction in subsidies. Legacy Throughout his life, Haskins was known for his 'no-nonsense approach' and his commitment to telling the truth as he saw it. He was a passionate advocate for regional devolution and took an active role in various Yorkshire economic bodies. Despite facing disappointment as governments wound down bodies he chaired, Haskins remained dedicated to his causes, reflecting on his life's work: 'Most of the campaigns of my life have failed, largely, I comfort myself, because I have been ahead of my time.' He is survived by his wife, Gilda, their five children, nine grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

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.”

Nearly three decades after the groundbreaking debut Endtroducing….. first hit shelves, DJ Shadow is once again revisiting his back catalogue. Following a celebrated 25th‑anniversary reissue that was remastered at Abbey Road Studios, the Californian producer is preparing a new archival release.In May, Shadow will issue The Mo’Wax Singles 1993‑1997, a meticulously curated box set that compiles eight 12‑inch records of his original singles for James Lavelle’s Mo’Wax label. The collection also includes alternative mixes, brand‑new artwork, and material recovered from dusty DAT tapes and original master mixes.“This box wasn’t made for the casual listener, it was made with the hardcore fan in mind,” Shadow explained in a statement. “I’ve always felt, if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right, and every step of the process was made with this philosophy firmly in mind.”With the release timed to a period of reflection, Shadow is opening the floor to fans and journalists alike. He invites readers to submit questions about his pioneering sampling techniques, collaborations ranging from Wong Kar‑wai and Zack de la Rocha to Danny Brown and Deftones, and even the infamous Miami Beach show that was halted for being “too future.”Submit your queries in the comments by 6 pm BST on 8 April, and the most compelling answers will be featured in an upcoming issue of Film & Music.

A federal judge has dismissed 10 out of 13 claims made by Blake Lively against director Justin Baldoni, including allegations of sexual harassment, conspiracy, and defamation. The lawsuit, which centers around the filming of 'It Ends With Us,' a domestic abuse drama where Lively and Baldoni starred as characters with intimate scenes, will proceed to trial next month on claims of a retaliatory campaign against Lively.Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, described the defendants as 'very good people who have not engaged in this sexual harassment as alleged.' He expressed satisfaction with the court's ruling, stating it confirms what his legal team believed from the start.The judge's 152-page opinion emphasized that Lively's claims must be viewed in the context of the film's production, noting that creative artists need space to experiment within scripted scenes without fear of liability for sexual harassment. The court also determined Lively was working as an independent contractor, not an employee, which impacted her ability to bring sexual harassment claims.Lively's attorney, Mike Gottlieb, responded that the ruling was based on 'legal technicalities' and not an endorsement of the defendants' conduct. A trial is scheduled for May 18.

The Artemis II crew has made contact from space, marking a crucial step in their mission. While details of the communication are scarce, the achievement underscores the progress of NASA's Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon.The crew's ability to establish communication from space highlights the advancements in space technology and the resilience of the spacecraft's systems. This development is a positive indicator for the mission's overall success and future endeavors in space exploration.

The world of Major League Baseball has witnessed a significant transformation in pitching, with velocity and accuracy reaching unprecedented levels. This arms race is largely attributed to advances in pitching analytics, often developed by individuals without a traditional baseball background.Rob Friedman, known as PitchingNinja online, has authored a new book titled 'Unhittable: How Technology, Mavericks and Innovators Engineered Baseball's New Era of Pitching Dominance.' The book explores how technology and data analysis have revolutionized the art of pitching.In the past, pitchers like Bob Feller were renowned for their speed, but today's pitchers routinely exceed triple digits on the radar gun. Friedman notes that technology brings out the best in everybody, allowing pitchers to refine their skills and achieve remarkable results.The use of heat maps, slow-motion cameras, and AI has become commonplace in analyzing pitching performance. These tools help quantify not just velocity but also accuracy, enabling pitchers to deliver the ball to the plate with precision.Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, last year's National League Cy Young winner, and Nolan McLean of the New York Mets are examples of pitchers benefiting from analytics. Friedman praises McLean's exceptional skills, describing his stuff as 'absolutely nasty.'The debate surrounding pitcher-friendly conditions continues, with some arguing that the game has become too favorable to pitchers. Friedman counters that pitchers are on offense, and their performance is a reaction to the hitter's actions.Injuries to pitchers are on the rise, and while there is no consensus on the cause, Friedman suggests that excessive velocity may contribute to the problem. He cites Trevor Bauer as an example of a pitcher who successfully adopted analytics and training methods to enhance his performance.The intersection of analytics and tradition remains a contentious issue, with some players and coaches skeptical of data-driven approaches. Friedman advocates for a bridge between both sides, emphasizing that analytics provide valuable information to inform pitching decisions.

Friko, the Chicago‑based indie outfit, is gearing up for the launch of their second LP, Something Worth Waiting For, slated for 24 April. The record, described as a “radiant ramble” through modern indie rock, reflects the band’s recent touring experiences and explores themes of yearning, growth, and stability.The lead single, "Choo Choo", bursts with a road‑trip vibe, pairing vocalist‑guitarist Niko Kapetan’s urgent, quavering delivery with guitarist Korgan Robb’s atmospheric riffs. Critics note a vocal timbre reminiscent of Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock and Sparks’ Russell Mael, while the track’s lyrical nods to classic American road food add a playful, homespun charm.Since their 2024 debut Where We’ve Been, Where We Go From Here, Friko has expanded from a duo (Kapetan and drummer Bailey Minzenberger) to a full four‑piece, adding Robb and touring bassist David Fuller. The new album also benefits from the touch of Grammy‑winning producer John Congleton, known for work with Mannequin Pussy, The Mountain Goats, and St Vincent. His influence shines on the Bowie‑esque chamber‑pop ballad "Seven Degrees", underscoring the group’s evolving sound.In addition to the album news, the Guardian’s weekly Add to Playlist roundup spotlights a curated selection of fresh tracks. Highlights include Wallis’s techno‑laden “Biscuit,” Beth Orton’s intense “The Ground Above,” Toronto pop‑star Chxrry’s catchy “Hall of Fame,” and a collaborative anti‑immigrant‑detention compilation track by Wendy Eisenberg’s trio Darlin’. The list also features Jeff Parker’s hopeful “Like Swimwear (Part One)”, a dubstep‑rap hybrid “Duro” from Skrillex and Young Miko, and Cass McCombs’s garage‑rock anthem “Seeing the Elephant”.Listeners can stream the full playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, or other services, ensuring the week’s most inventive indie and electronic releases are just a click away.

SpaceX has submitted paperwork for an initial public offering that could debut as early as June or July, targeting a capital raise of $75 billion. If the market pricing aligns with analysts’ forecasts, the launch could lift the company’s valuation to nearly $1.5 trillion, roughly double its worth in December. Such a valuation would place founder Elon Musk on a clear trajectory toward becoming the planet’s first trillionaire, a milestone that would eclipse the $25.6 billion record set by Saudi Aramco’s 2019 IPO. Renaissance Capital’s data analyst Angelo Bochanis told Reuters that, much like Tesla, SpaceX’s market price will hinge on investor confidence in Musk’s long‑term vision. "Investors are clamouring for any exposure to SpaceX," he added. Despite Musk’s controversial public persona and his involvement in multiple high‑profile ventures, industry experts remain bullish. Kat Liu, vice‑president at IPOX, noted that SpaceX is "operationally mature, technologically ahead in several key areas, and profitable," providing a solid foundation for a public listing. The company’s recent merger with Musk’s artificial‑intelligence startup xAI and the continued dominance of its Starlink satellite network—now the world’s largest satellite communications platform—have reinforced investor interest. SpaceX’s ambitious roadmap includes a lunar base and a crewed Mars mission, though timelines remain uncertain. Musk has previously admitted a "50‑50 chance" of delivering an uncrewed Starship to Mars by the end of 2026. Financial data firm Pitchbook estimates the IPO could nearly double the company’s market cap, underscoring the scale of potential investor demand. If realized, the offering would not only reshape the space‑tech sector but also set a new benchmark for public market fundraising.

OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, has made a significant move into the media business by acquiring TBPN, a technology-focused talkshow closely watched by Silicon Valley insiders. The show, hosted by John Coogan and Jordi Hays, broadcasts live for three hours every weekday from Los Angeles, featuring guests such as founders, venture capitalists, and major figures in the technology world. The acquisition is part of OpenAI's efforts to engage more authentically with the public at a pivotal moment for artificial intelligence. Fidji Simo, OpenAI's chief of strategy, stated that the company aims to create a space for real, constructive conversation about the changes AI creates. She emphasized that TBPN will continue to run its programming, choose its guests, and make its own editorial decisions, ensuring its credibility is maintained. TBPN is known for its unique ritual where guests announce their latest fundraising haul, accompanied by the hosts banging a gong. The show is broadcast on X, YouTube, and Spotify, and will continue to air daily at its regular time. Coogan expressed his excitement about the acquisition, calling it a 'full circle moment' given his longstanding ties to OpenAI's chief executive, Sam Altman, who funded his first company in 2013. This strategic move comes on the heels of OpenAI closing a $122 billion funding round amid the AI boom, highlighting the company's growing influence and investment in the technology sector.