Disinformation vs. Misinformation: What’s the Difference?
The difference between misinformation and disinformation boils down to the intent behind it (or lack thereof). Plus, a handy trick for knowing which term to use when the time comes.
2023-10-20 00:27
Mahsa Amini awarded EU's Sakharov human rights prize
The 22-year-old died in custody after allegedly violating Iran's strict dress code, sparking mass protests.
2023-10-20 00:16
Sydney Opera House: The story of an icon in photos
As Australia marks 50 years of the Sydney Opera House, here are some of its most defining moments.
2023-10-20 00:15
Ukraine war: Kyiv troop build-up reported across Dnipro river
Ukraine appears to be expanding its forces on the Russian-occupied left or eastern bank of the river.
2023-10-19 23:26
Irish police give evidence in Ashling Murphy murder trial
First responders to the scene tell a Dublin court there were no signs of life when they found her.
2023-10-19 23:17
Victoria’s Secret ditches feminist makeover after sales slump
Victoria’s Secret is dropping its feminist makeover and bringing back “sexiness” as it tries to reverse a slump in sales. The lingerie brand ditched its glamorous catwalks and signiture ‘angels’ in 2018, and instead promoted a more diverse array of female ambassadors including Megan Rapinoe and Priyanka Chopra who modelled a line of relaxed loungewear. But executives are now reportedly re-embracing “sex appeal” after the short-lived makeover failed to boost sales. During a presentation last week, a top executive said Victoria’s Secret would be the subject of an image overhaul, adding “sexiness can be inclusive”. “Sexiness can celebrate the diverse experiences of our customers and that’s what we’re focused on,” Greg Unis, brand president of the company’s youth-focused venture Victoria’s Secret & Pink, told investors on Thursday (13 October). The reboot is part of a larger strategy to revive its sales after a five-year marketing overhaul fell short of expectations. According to the Business of Fashion, Victoria’s Secret is projecting $6.2bn in earnings this fiscal year – a five per cent drop on sales in 2022, and well below the $7.4bn sales reported in 2018. Now, Victoria’s Secret has laid out a roadmap to bolstering its revenue, including cost-cutting, reviving its swimwear and activewear ranges, and further expanding its offerings to include products such as sweaters, slip dresses, and corsets. Giving its stores a more “welcoming” facelift is also part of the plan. Chief executive Martin Waters added that the retailer’s inclusivity initiatives and campaigns had “not been enough to carry the day”, referring to the company’s performance in recent years. Once the purveyors of Swarovski-studded undergarments and unrealistic body standards, Victoria’s Secret has, in recent years, embarked on a journey to shed its hyper-sexualised image and pay attention to changing social norms. The attempt to rehabiliate its public perception also followed criticism that it promoted typically thin, white models as the preferred beauty standard. Its initial attempt to adjust its image came hot on the heels of declining sales due to the emergence of inclusive and diversity-friendly brands such as Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty and Third Love, as well as several controversies including top management at L Brands – the former parent company of Victoria’s Secret. In 2018, L Brands’ then-marketing boss Ed Razek sparked a backlash when he declared that Victoria’s Secret would never cast transgender and plus-size models in its annual Fashion show because it’s a “fantasy”. Razek resigned the following year after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour with models – allegations he called “categorically untrue, misconstrued or taken out of context”. Around the same time, an investigation by The New York Times uncovered ties between L Brands’ former chief executive Lex Werne and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, which further sullied the reputation of Victoria’s Secret. In an effort to rehabilitate its image, the brand’s recent campaigns have featuring stars such as former US women’s football captain Megan Rapinoe, plus-size models Paloma Elsesser and Ali Tate-Cutler, and Brazillian transgender model Valentina Sampaio. Last month, Victoria’s Secret: The Tour ‘23 was released on Amazon Prime, with the company declaring the televised catwalk event was the “ultimate expression” of its commitment to a new Victoria’s Secret that’s more in step with the times. Despite its struggles, Victoria’s Secret still owns a lion’s share of the north American market today. “We’ve been insufficiently differentiated in this difficult market,” Waters said, during the meeting last Thursday. “[But] our ambition of being the world’s leading fashion retailer of intimates apparel is unchanged.” Read More Victoria’s Secret was never feminist – why are they bothering to try now? Victoria's Secret overhauls its racy fashion catwalk in its latest moves to be more inclusive From Naomi Campbell to Hailey Bieber: All the top models and celebs in Victoria Secret’s new Icons campaign Black magic: Go back to black this season with the catwalk-inspired trend From collars to gloomy garments: How to dress like Wednesday Addams for Halloween Why Travis Kelce relies on ‘instinct’ and ‘panic’ when getting dressed
2023-10-19 23:16
Water usage on the Colorado River is way down as the West begins planning for a future with less
As the Biden administration kicks off a years-long negotiation process to divvy up the shrinking water supply of the Colorado River, there are finally some signs of optimism after several bleak years.
2023-10-19 22:58
Trump attorney Sidney Powell pleads guilty in Georgia election subversion case
Former Donald Trump attorney Sidney Powell has pleaded guilty in the Georgia election subversion case, one day before her trial was set to start.
2023-10-19 22:20
State Department official resigns over Biden administration's handling of Israel-Hamas conflict
A State Department official has resigned from the agency over the Biden administration's approach to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the official announced on LinkedIn Wednesday.
2023-10-19 22:17
10 Common Words With Spooky Etymologies
Ghosts, ghouls, and monsters turn up everywhere at Halloween—including in our language, and sometimes where you least expect.
2023-10-19 21:52
EU gives Meta and TikTok formal Hamas disinformation deadline
Both firms must respond within a week to the request for information under the EU's new tech rules.
2023-10-19 21:48
NBA Rumors: James Harden's 76ers no-show fueled by Clippers disappointment
As the James Harden saga continues toward the opening days of the season, it seems like the Clippers rejected a Terrence Mann-centered deal for the former MVP
2023-10-19 21:25