
A classic El Niño winter is expected this year, forecasters say. Here's what that means for snow and cold
El Niño will drive what could be a warmer or wetter winter in parts of the US this year, according to an outlook released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday.
2023-10-20 00:48

Venezuela's bonds rally after US trading ban lifted
By Rodrigo Campos and Mayela Armas NEW YORK/CARACAS (Reuters) -Venezuela's sovereign bonds rallied on Thursday, a day after the United
2023-10-20 00:27

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

The government secures a $9 million settlement with Ameris Bank over alleged redlining in Florida
The Justice Department has secured a $9 million settlement with Ameris Bank over allegations it avoided underwriting mortgages in predominately Black and Latino communities in Jacksonville, Florida, and discouraged people there from getting home loans
2023-10-20 00:19

EU asks Meta for more details on efforts to stop illegal and inaccurate content on Israel-Hamas war
The European Union has told Meta it has a week to explain in greater detail how it is fighting the spread of illegal content and disinformation on its Facebook and Instagram platforms following the attacks across Israel by Hamas.
2023-10-20 00:16

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

DraftKings NFL Promo: Win $200 INSTANT Bonus Betting $5 on Saints vs. Jaguars!
Find out how to claim an instant $200 bonus and three free months of NBA League Pass from DraftKings Sportsbook's exclusive NFL promo tonight.
2023-10-19 23:49

Jim Jordan will not hold a third ballot for US house speaker - media
Outspoken U.S. Republican Jim Jordan will not hold a third ballot to be speaker of the U.S. House
2023-10-19 23:28

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

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

New York AG accuses crypto firms of deceiving investors in $1 billion fraud
On Thursday, New York's attorney general filed a lawsuit against three digital asset firms that were caught up in the collapse of Bankman-Fried's empire last fall — Gemini Trust, Genesis Global Capital and Digital Currency Group, parent company of Genesis.
2023-10-19 23:15

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