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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.”

Korean fried chicken, also known as yangnyeom chicken, has become a global phenomenon, with a presence in over 60 countries and more than 1,800 stores worldwide.The dish, which originated in South Korea, was introduced by American soldiers after the Korean War. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that a Korean chicken shop owner, Yoon Jong-gye, developed a sweet and spicy recipe that made it distinctly Korean.The cultural breakthrough for Korean fried chicken came in 2014 with the Korean drama My Love from the Star, which became a sensation in China and triggered a surge in popularity for Korean chicken restaurants.Today, Korean fried chicken is the most popular Korean food among international consumers, according to a South Korean government survey. The dish has become a staple in many countries, with chimaek, the portmanteau meaning 'fried chicken and beer,' entering the Oxford English Dictionary.The success of Korean fried chicken can be attributed to its simplicity, technique, and adaptability. Korean chicken brands have expanded internationally, with many offering a range of recipes tailored to local tastes.At the heart of Korean fried chicken's success is its unique cooking technique, which involves double-frying the chicken to achieve extra crispiness. The batter, typically made with potato or corn starch, holds up well under the sauce, allowing it to stay crisp even after being boxed up for delivery.Prof Joo Young-ha, a cultural anthropologist, argues that Korean chicken's global success stems from its simplicity and universal appeal. 'Unlike pork, chicken crosses religious prohibition boundaries,' he says. 'And unlike kimchi, which is treated like a side dish, or bibimbap, which isn't immediately obvious as a dish, fried chicken is immediately recognizable as a meal.'

The Strategic Duality of Amazon's AI PortfolioAWS CEO Matt Garman has officially validated a strategy that seemed contradictory on the surface: investing billions in both OpenAI and Anthropic. Speaking at the HumanX conference in San Francisco, Garman addressed the inevitable questions regarding the $50 billion investment in OpenAI following the long-standing $8 billion investment in Anthropic.Garman, a veteran of Amazon since 2005, argued that this is not a conflict of interest, but a standard operating procedure for the cloud giant. He explained that AWS has long accepted the reality that it must compete with the very partners that help it succeed.Analyzing the $50 Billion Dual-Track StrategyThe core of Garman's argument lies in the interconnected nature of technology. He noted that in AWS's earliest years, the company realized it could not build every cloud offering itself. Instead, they built a "muscle" for navigating the complex market where partners often become competitors.Historical Context: In 2006, it was radical for partners to compete with those who helped them succeed.Current Reality: Today, even Oracle sells its database services directly on AWS, a direct competitor to Amazon's own database offerings.Competitive Promise: AWS has promised partners they will not grant themselves an unfair competitive advantage.Redefining the Cloud Partner EcosystemThe AI landscape is mirroring this historical shift. When Anthropic raised its latest $30 billion round in February, it included investors who were also backing OpenAI, such as Microsoft. Garman pointed out that this is the new normal in the "wild, money-grabbing world of AI."For AWS, the OpenAI investment was a strategic imperative. Both OpenAI and Anthropic models were already available on Microsoft's cloud, AWS's biggest rival. By investing in OpenAI, Amazon ensured it remained a technology development partner rather than being locked out of the loop.The Future of Model Routing and Homegrown IntegrationGarman predicts that the industry will move toward AI model-routing services. These services will allow customers to automatically switch between different models based on task requirements—such as using a cheaper model for code completion and a powerful model for complex reasoning.This routing capability is the key to how Amazon and Microsoft will slip their own homegrown models into usage, effectively recreating the "competing with your partners" dynamic that defines the modern cloud era.

British novelist Gwendoline Riley has been recognized with a $175,000 Windham-Campbell prize, one of eight writers to receive the prestigious award. Riley is celebrated for her short novels that delve into complex relationships, family tensions, and the inner lives of women. Her notable works include First Love, which was shortlisted for the Women’s prize for fiction, and My Phantoms.Riley expressed her gratitude, stating, “This is very hard for me to take in. I am more grateful than I can say. This unimagined vote of confidence will not go wasted on me.” Her work has been praised for recasting ordinary lives into something remarkable and new. Clare Clark noted in a review of her latest novel, The Palm House, that Riley is “the laureate of disconnection, her bone-dry humour edged with the vertiginous lurch of despair.”The Windham-Campbell prizes, which award $1.4 million annually, aim to support writers by providing financial security, allowing them to focus on their work without financial pressures. Michael Kelleher, director of the Windham-Campbell prizes, emphasized that the arts face significant challenges, and this grant offers writers “the time, space and creative freedom to think, write and nurture their talent.”Other recipients of the prize include S Shakthidharan, an Australian playwright known for his multigenerational epic Counting and Cracking; Adam Ehrlich Sachs, an American writer recognized for his exploration of the history of knowledge; and Lucy Sante, a Belgian-born American writer celebrated for her memoir I Heard Her Call My Name: A Memoir of Transition.

Emma Sing, a 25‑year‑old Rugby World Cup winner and multiple Six Nations grand‑slam champion, says she is aiming to secure the England full‑back jersey for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations. Despite her impressive résumé – three Premiership Women’s Rugby titles with Gloucester‑Hartpury, 13 England caps since 2022 and three appearances at the 2025 World Cup – Sing insists there is no personal rivalry with fellow full‑back Ellie Kildunne, the Harlequins star who finished second in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards after her breakout World Cup performances. "The media love to pit us against each other, but in camp we lift each other up," Sing explained. "She is incredibly fast and agile, while I bring a more physical presence – I’m roughly 10 kg heavier – and I add reliable goal‑kicking to the mix." Sing’s background is equally diverse: she holds a degree in bio‑veterinary science from Hartpury University and grew up on a Devon farm, a heritage she jokes gives her "farm strength" on the field. Statistically, Sing has been a prolific scorer. Over the past two league campaigns she topped the points table, primarily through accurate place‑kicking, and currently sits as the second‑highest points scorer in the season, trailing only Zoe Harrison. Her consistency earned her four player‑of‑the‑match awards, even after a recent knee injury sidelined her for a few games. Coach John Mitchell acknowledges the competition at full‑back but hints at a broader role for Sing. "We may explore her in the midfield," he said, noting her strong ball‑carrying and defensive fend. The prospect gains urgency after regular No 12 Tatyana Heard was ruled out with a foot injury. Former England captain Katy Daley‑McLean echoed the sentiment, observing that Sing’s traditional full‑back skill set – solid defence and dependable kicking – offers a different dynamic to Kildunne’s "X‑factor" flair. As the tournament approaches, Sing remains focused on translating her club form – highlighted by Gloucester‑Hartpury’s 22‑17 victory over Saracens in March – into more England starts. "I’m training hard and leaving the selection to Mitch; whichever style suits the game will win the shirt," she affirmed.

János Bődey's photograph of two elderly ladies dressed as bride and groom in a Hungarian retirement home has captured the essence of joy and love in old age. The image is part of his series Carnival at the Retirement Home, which showcases the fulfilling lives of pensioners who have overcome difficulties.In Hungary, the average pension is approximately £500 a month, making it challenging for retirees to afford leisure, culture, or travel. Additionally, the health of Hungarian pensioners often falls short of Western standards, and securing a spot in a retirement home can be a lengthy process.Bődey's subjects, Magdolna, 87, and Irén, 86, have lived with their husbands for over 50 and 62 years, respectively, until their spouses passed away. They attribute their long and happy lives to a combination of good genes, an active lifestyle, and a healthy marriage.The photographer's series aims to serve as a role model for both peers and the middle generation, demonstrating that it's possible to lead a fulfilling life in old age. The elderly ladies recommend a healthy, active life with plenty of walking and traveling, as well as avoiding debt.Bődey's work is a departure from his usual coverage of conflicts and social issues. He finds inspiration in the happiness and playfulness of the carnival celebrations, which begin in February to mark the end of winter.The photographer's experience has taught him the importance of preparing for retirement by gathering emotional and financial resources, setting goals, and being creative. His series has been shortlisted for the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 and will be exhibited at Somerset House in London from April 17 to May 4.

Miles Jupp, a well-known actor, writer, and comedian, recently shared his thoughts on how the 2005 Ashes series had a profound impact on his life. Sitting at the Oval cricket ground, a place he considers one of his favorites, Jupp reminisced about the life-changing experience of watching the final day of the series on September 12, 2005. Jupp was in his early 20s at the time, working as a standup comedian and actor. He had won the So You Think You're Funny? competition in 2001, which helped launch his career. However, it was the 2005 Ashes that truly altered his path. The series, which ended with England's first victory in 18 years, sparked something in Jupp. He recalls feeling inspired by the journalists in the press box and decided that he wanted to be part of that world. Jupp's passion for cricket and his desire to be part of the action led him to blag his way into the press corps for England's Test tour of India in March 2006. He documented his experiences in his standup show and book, Fibber in the Heat. While Jupp admits that part of him thought the experience would be good material for a story, he claims he was genuinely invested in becoming a cricket journalist. Jupp's journey as a cricket journalist was not without its challenges. He struggled to understand the workings of the press box and found it difficult to maintain the theatrical neutrality required. Ultimately, he concluded that he preferred to watch cricket as a fan, enjoying the excitement of the stands rather than the press box. Despite the difficulties, Jupp's love for cricket runs deep. He reflects on his experiences, including battling a brain tumor and undergoing surgery, and emphasizes that cricket remains massively important to him. His story serves as a testament to the power of sports to inspire and transform lives.

Wayne Koestenbaum's latest novel, 'My Lover, the Rabbi', defies expectations with its unapologetically obsessive prose and exploration of desire. The story centers around a man who works as an antique furniture restorer and his overwhelming desire for a man who works in a synagogue. This central fact is accepted by all characters, and the writing treats realist conventions with a kind of exalted scorn.The book's 188 chapters are short and plunge the reader into a world of carnality, confusion, and bizarrely specific detail. The title of the book is reiterated throughout, becoming almost a mantra. This insistent and anxious formality is at the heart of the book's uncanny life, matching style to subject in a brilliant and unconventional way.As the plot emerges, it seems almost 19th century in its storyline, with themes of infidelity, illegitimacy, madness, shopping, coincidences, and death. The narrator's need to discover the secret of his rabbi's attractiveness drives the plot, much like Proust's Swann. The mystery of the rabbi's allure and the death of his three-year-old son become central to the narrative, revealing vistas of unknowability.The book's whirlwind invention culminates in a final, fugue-like recapitulation, where the narrator's obsessive desire morphs into a vision of the unknowability of any object of desire. This gloriously original evocation explores what it might feel like to admit to the inability of love to triumph over death. Koestenbaum's writing is like that of the best kind of angel, unafraid to come down to earth and explore the complexities of human desire.

The Black Death, which occurred between 1346 and 1353, was a pandemic that killed an estimated 100 million people, making it the most lethal natural disaster in human history. Historian Thomas Asbridge argues that the plague was more global than previously thought, affecting not just Europe but also the medieval world, including Sicily, Egypt, Syria, Spain, Sweden, and Russia.In his book, 'The Black Death: A Global History', Asbridge explores the social and economic impact of the pandemic, including the rise of antisemitism and the blaming of Jews for the plague, which led to massacres and persecution. He also examines the long-term consequences of the pandemic, including the end of serfdom and the weakening of the Byzantine Empire.Asbridge's work is based on a thorough analysis of contemporary chronicles and bureaucratic records, which provide a vivid picture of life during the pandemic. He also highlights the resilience of society during this time, with most people continuing to work and care for their loved ones, even in the face of overwhelming death and destruction.The book is a magisterial survey of the Black Death, offering a comprehensive and engaging history of one of the most significant events in human history. Asbridge's work is a timely reminder of the ongoing threat of pandemics and the importance of understanding their impact on human society.