English in Madrid

Zara faces boycott from pro-Palestine activists over ' tone deaf ' ad campaign Fashion giant Zara is under fierce criticism from pro-Palestine activists after images were posted on the brand 's Instagram of supermodel Kirsten McMenamy with a mannequin in bubble wrap Activists are calling for a mass boycott of high street fashion giant Zara after an image was used on its Instagram that many claimed was exploiting the war in Gaza. The brand came under scrutiny over the weekend after an image was published showing model Kirsten McMenamy posing with a mannequin wrapped in bubble wrap. While Zara has previously been known to picture models in odd stances to advertise its clothing, some people drew comparisons with the horrendous images of body bags in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Another image showed a model standing in a wooden box surrounded by bits of debris , which some compared to images of those trapped between rubble in the current war zone. Social media use

Is this Oxford's most Gen Z word of the year ever? 'Rizz' (which is internet slang for romantic appeal ) is chosen by lexicographers - seeing off rivals to the top spot including 'de-influencing', 'beige flag' and 'Swiftie'  Language dons have chosen 'rizz' as their Oxford 2023 word of the year - seeing off rivals 'Swiftie' and 'de-influencing' to the top spot.  The term, internet slang for 'romantic appeal' or charm , was crowned after a Tom Holland interview fuelled a boom in its use among younger people in Generation Z - defined as those born between the mid to late -1990s and early 2010s.  It beat seven other contenders to become the word of 2023, in a list narrowed down by a public vote before Oxford lexicographers decided the winner.  Recorded uses of the word peaked in June when Spider-Man star Holland was asked about his 'rizz' in a widely shared interview.  The actor said: 'I have no