A resurfaced tweet from animal rights organization PETA that claimed cow’s milk is a ‘symbol of white supremacy’ has gone viral and amassed millions of interactions.

In a 2017 tweet, the activist group said that dairy milk is a common drink among white supremacists because ‘the dairy industry inflicts extreme violence on other living beings.’

‘Cow’s milk has long been a symbol used by white supremacists. One more reason to #DitchDairy,’ People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said. 

The tweet was picked up and reshared at the weekend and got 4.2 million views. 

PETA also claims on its website that ‘drinking dairy milk is bad for human health’, but studies increasingly show that switching to plant-based versions can have lasting health consequences.

In a resurfaced tweet, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said that dairy milk is a common drink among white supremacists because ‘the dairy industry inflicts extreme violence on other living beings’

‘Aside from “lactose-tolerant” white supremacists, cow’s milk really is the perfect drink of choice for all (even unwitting) supremacists, since the dairy industry inflicts extreme violence on other living beings,’ PETA wrote on its website

In a longer article on PETA’s website, the agency pointed to research that has found that white Europeans can digest lactose better. 

They said that white supremacists have used that as an excuse to consider themselves the ‘master race.’

‘Aside from “lactose-tolerant” white supremacists, cow’s milk really is the perfect drink of choice for all (even unwitting) supremacists, since the dairy industry inflicts extreme violence on other living beings,’ the agency wrote.

‘PETA is trying to wake people up to the implications of choosing this white beverage and suggesting that they choose something else pronto.’ 

However, science has repeatedly shown that cow’s milk has more nutritional benefits than plant-based alternatives like oat and almond milk. 

Earlier this summer, a major study found that nine out of 10 plant-based milks are ‘nutritionally inferior’ to cow’s milk. 

These milks contained less of at least one of three vital nutrients than cow’s milk: calcium, vitamin D, and protein.

Dr Abigail Johnson, the epidemiologist who led the study, said: ‘Our results provide evidence that many plant-based milk alternatives are not nutritionally equivalent to cow’s milk.’

She even said people who drink plant-based milk exclusively should consider supplements to ensure they do not miss any vital vitamins and minerals. 

Overall, the plant-based milks had about 350 milligrams (mg) of calcium and three micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D per 8.1 fluid ounces (fl oz) (240 milliliters, ml) on average.

They also contained about two grams (g) of protein per 8.1 fl oz (240ml).

For comparison, the US Department of Agriculture says that whole milk contains about eight grams of protein per 8.1 fl oz (240ml).

It also has about 306mg of calcium and nearly three mcg of vitamin D per serving.

Additionally, a report from the United Nations‘ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which looked at more than 500 studies, concluded that animal sources of food offer ‘crucial sources of much-needed nutrients.’

These include protein, fat and carbs, iron, calcium, and zinc.  

Not getting enough calcium has been linked to several health issues, including brittle nails, slower hair growth, and thin skin.

It can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, brittle or weakened bones, because when the body doesn’t get enough calcium, it has to draw it from the bones. 

In kids, calcium is essential for growth and development.

This isn’t the first time PETA has tweeted strong opinions about dairy with little evidence to back them up. 

Also this weekend, the agency posted: ‘Drinking dairy milk is so embarrassing.’ 

They did not give any explanation. When a user asked what other kinds of milk are out there, PETA responded: ‘Oat, pea, macadamia, soy, tigernut, cashew, almond, coconut, rice, hemp, hazelnut, flax milk… all great alternatives.’

The organization also tweeted a video last week claiming that ‘cheese destroys families’ of cows because calves are ‘pulled away’ so their milk can be turned into cheese.

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have responded to backlash over letters written to the judge in the case of convicted rapist Danny Masterson, prompting even more wrath from the public.

‘We are aware of the pain that has been caused by the character letters we wrote on behalf of Danny Masterson,’ Ashton, 45, began in a short video shared on Instagram after it was revealed that he and his wife had vouched for their former That 70s Show co-star and friend, 47.

‘We support victims,’ Mila, 40, added. ‘We have done this historically through our work and will continue to do so in the future.’ The comments on the post were disabled.

Critics were quick to take to X, formerly known as Twitter, to unleash their dismay over the ‘lawyered’ apology. 

Journalist Yashar Ali wrote on the site, ‘It’s important to note that the letters weren’t just character letters you’d write for a friend. The letters, which contained a great deal of Scientological phrasing, were intended to undermine the victims who were drugged by Danny.’

Masterson was handed a 30 years to life sentence earlier this week after a jury found him guilty of raping two women in the early 2000s.

Their friend: After he was found guilty of raping two women, the Hollywood A-listers pleaded for leniency

Ashton informed viewers in the clip, ‘A couple months ago, Danny’s family reached out to us and they asked us to write character letters to represent the person that we knew for 25 years so that the judge could take that into full consideration relative to the sentencing.’

Mila went on to say, ‘The letters were not written to question the legitimacy of the judicial system or the validity of the jury’s ruling.’

‘They were intended for the judge to read. And not to undermine the testimonies of the victims or re-traumatize them in any way. 

‘We would never want to do that. And we are sorry if that has taken place,’ Ashton emphasized.

‘Our heart goes out to every single person that has ever been a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse or rape,’ Mila said to conclude their statement.

Since the actors’ letters were released, fans have reacted with outrage online.

One former supporter wrote on a recent Instagram post of Kutcher’s, ‘I’m not a fan of cancel culture, but I make an exception for you two.’

Someone else added, ‘Hard f*****g pass on you two. How the mighty have fallen.’

Disgraced: Ashton and Mila wrote letters to the judge of Danny Masterson’s case vouching for his character, igniting backlash from fans

Slammed: Journalist Yashar Ali wrote on X/Twitter, ‘It’s important to note that the letters weren’t just character letters you’d write for a friend. The letters, which contained a great deal of Scientological phrasing, were intended to undermine the victims who were drugged by Danny’

Hot take: One fan noted that their brief video seemed like a ‘hostage video’

Disappointed: A dismayed fan asked, ‘WTF is wrong with you?’ and received thousands of likes

Choice words: The comments on the video were turned off, but fans flocked to one of Kutcher’s recent social media posts to leave their thoughts

Their defense: ‘We support victims,’ Mila said in the video, adding, ‘We have done this historically through our work and will continue to do so in the future’

The couple supported their former That 70s Show castmate by making individual submissions to the court, despite him already being convicted for raping two women.

In the letters obtained by DailyMail.com, both Kunis and Kutcher – who is credited as a co-founder and board chair of a non-profit purported to help fight child sex exploitation – spoke highly of Masterson, claiming he always ‘treated people with decency, equality, and generosity.’

In his letter to the judge, Kutcher wrote: ‘He’s an extraordinarily honest and intentional human being.

‘Over our 25-year relationship I don’t recall him ever lying to me. He’s taught me about being direct and confronting issues in life and relationships head-on, resolving them, and moving forward.’

Joe Biden softened his campaign pledge to reopen most of the nation’s schools only eight days after taking office, a new book has claimed, in a bid to appease the powerful head of a teachers’ union, Randi Weingarten.

Biden in July 2020 laid out a plan, on the campaign trail, to bring students back to classrooms.

After the election, on December 8, 2020, he reiterated his intention to reopen most schools within the first 100 days of his presidency.

‘It should be a national priority to get our kids back into school and keep them in school,’ said Biden.

‘If Congress provides the funding, we need to protect students, educators and staff.

‘If states and cities put strong public health measures in place that we all follow, then my team will work to see that the majority of our schools can be open by the end of my first 100 days.’

Yet almost immediately on taking office, his stance shifted, writes author Franklin Foer in a new book about Biden’s first two terms, The Last Politician. 

The move has been condemned as devastating for children’s educations – particularly those already deprived who were less likely to be supported with online learning. 

COVID school closures and mask wearing have also been blamed for serious issues with children’s psychological development and mental health.

Joe Biden is seen with Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers – which contributes millions to Democrat causes

Weingarten looks on as Biden addresses an AFT event in 2019. The pair have been friends for decades

Children are seen wearing face masks in the classroom in California in January 2022

Weingarten was a major Democrat fundraiser, through her union, and the new president needed to keep her on side.

Foer, in excerpts of his book analyzed by The New York Post, called the watering down of the campaign promise ‘the price of peace’.

Foer’s book will be published on Tuesday

Foer writes that, on January 28, 2021, Biden rang Weingarten – who had initially welcomed his campaign plan to reopen schools, but was now calling for the pace to be checked.

Biden, Foer writes, told Weingarten that ‘he knew she was taking a lot of heat around the reopening of schools.’

Teachers were concerned about resuming in-person classes, and Biden told Weingarten that he heard their fears, and that ‘he was an abiding friend.’

He told her: ‘I am not abandoning you on schools. I want you to know that.’

The week before, on January 21 – Biden’s first full day in office – his wife Jill, herself a teacher, had invited Weingarten and Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, to the White House.

Jill Biden told the pair that Weingarten was the ‘type of general who is never far from the front lines.’

Jill Biden is seen with Randi Weingarten in December 2022. She welcomed Weingarten to the White House on her husband’s first day in office

A child in a face mask is seen in January 2021 attending school, with socially-distanced desks

Biden pledged on the campaign trail to reopen most schools, but that pledge rapidly eroded

The first lady added, according to Foer: ‘I said I was going to bring you with me into the White House. And on day one, you’re here.’

On February 9, the White House subtly adjusted the guidance on school reopening, to water down the promise to reopen ‘the majority of our schools’ within Biden’s first 100 days.

Under the new plan, only schools up to 8th grade would reopen – and they would be considered ‘open’ if they had students in their classrooms one day a week.

‘His goal that he set is to have the majority of schools — so, more than 50 percent — open by day 100 of his presidency,’ said Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary.

‘And that means some teaching in classrooms.

‘So, at least one day a week. Hopefully, it’s more.

‘And obviously, it is as much as is safe in each school and local district.’

Subsequent text messages and emails between Weingarten and Biden administration officials showed Weingarten worried about reopening schools too quickly.

Weingarten’s group is a significant force in Democrat politics. She is seen in March 2017 in Boston

On February 12, 2021, guidance on school reopening was issued by the government.

In a draft copy obtained by The New York Times, the guidance said ‘all schools can provide in-person instruction’.

Weingarten objected, Foer writes, and the language was changed to to ‘all schools have options to provide in-person instruction.’

Weingarten’s union, the AFT, gave more than $2.6 million to Democratic candidates during the 2020 election cycle, according to the political donation tracking website OpenSecrets.

Pringle’s group, the NEA, gave more than $2.4 million.

Biden himself received more than $245,000 from teacher’s unions during the campaign, more than four times the amount taken in by the next-closest candidate, Bernie Sanders.

Joe Biden has been slammed for taking off his face mask while standing next to an 81-year-old war hero – despite his wife Jill testing positive for COVID the day before.

The President, who was awarding a Congressional Medal of Honor to Captain Larry Taylor, entered the White House wearing a black face mask, but removed it during the prayer portion of the ceremony.

He did not replace it when he stood beside Taylor for four minutes, and fastened the medal around his neck.

The president remains negative after being tested on Monday night and Tuesday morning and shows no symptoms.

President Joe Biden awards the Medal of Honor to Capt. Larry Taylor, an Army pilot from the Vietnam War who risked his life to rescue a reconnaissance team that was about to be overrun by the enemy

Biden escorts Medal of Honor recipient retired Army Captain Larry Taylor – they are both wearing face masks as they enter the East Room

The White House said before the event he would follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevent guidelines when it comes to testing and masking.

But his extended time in close proximity to Taylor raised eyebrows.

‘I’m floored by his behavior. There’s no point walking in masked to then unmask & put everyone at risk,’ remarked one woman. 

President Biden removes his face mask during the ceremony

President Biden removed his face covering to award the Medal of Honor to Captain Taylor

‘I hope their families sue if they get sick,’ said another critic.

Another shared on Twitter a screenshot of an unmasked Biden standing next to an unmasked Taylor, and said: ‘Look at this.’

One commented: ‘He doesn’t seem very consistent in his mask wearing, unfortunately.’ 

The video of Biden placing the medal around Taylor’s neck was shared online, with one remarking: ‘Aaaaand he took it right off to breathe on an elderly veteran’s neck.’ 

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden would remove his mask indoors when ‘sufficiently’ distanced from others.

‘He will be masking while indoors and around people in alignment with CDC guidance and as as has been the practice in the past. 

‘The President will remove his mask when sufficiently distance from others indoors and while outside as well,’ she said on Tuesday, before the ceremony.

The president didn’t put his mask back on to walk out of the East Room but did give a thumbs’ up when asked how his wife was doing, saying she was ‘well.’

Meanwhile, Jill Biden missed the first day of school on Tuesday. The first lady, who teaches English at the Northern Virginia Community College, is arranging a substitute for her classes. 

‘She’s working with NOVA to ensure her classes are covered by a substitute,’ her office said.

The first lady remains at the couple’s Rehoboth Beach home, which is where she was when she tested positive. 

The Bidens spent a long holiday weekend at their vacation house and traveled to Florida together on Saturday to see damage from Hurricane Idalia.

Jill Biden ‘is experiencing mild symptoms and will remain in Delaware for the week. President Biden tested negative last night for COVID-19 and tested negative again today. He’s not experiencing any symptoms,’ Jean-Pierre noted. 

‘There are currently no updates to the White House COVID-19 protocols,’ she noted. 

COVID cases are on the rise throughout the country. 

Nationwide COVID hospitalizations increased by nearly 19% in a single week and deaths by more than 21%, according to late August data from the CDC.

There are two new variants: the Omicron variant EG.5, nicknamed Eris, has become dominant in the U.S., while BA.2.86 is starting to spread.

The first lady, 72, usually teaches classes on Tuesday and Thursday. It’s unclear when she will return to the White House and her regular schedule. 

Jill Biden also was scheduled to attend a dinner on Tuesday night for U.S. athletes competing at the Invictus Games, the games for wound warriors founded by Prince Harry.

She had to cancel that appearance. 

President Joe Biden remains negative for COVID while Jill Biden missed the first day of school after testing positive

President Biden remains negative despite the close contact with his wife. 

The couple spent Sunday night together at their Rehoboth Beach home before Joe flew to Philadelphia Monday to mark Labor Day with a speech to union workers. 

In a statement released Monday, Jill’s spokesman Elizabeth Alexander said: ‘This evening, the First Lady tested positive for COVID-19.

‘She is currently experiencing only mild symptoms. She will remain at their home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware,’ Alexander said. 

Jill Biden previously had COVID last August and got stuck at the property the couple had vacationed at on Kiawah Island in South Carolina. 

She was prescribed the antiviral Paxlovid and tested positive with a rebound case of COVID several days later. 

President Biden tested positive for COVID last July. He also was treated with Paxlovid and suffered a rebound case days later.

Both the president and first lady are vaccinated and boosted. 

The president is expected to leave Thursday for the G20 summit in New Delhi, India. 

‘All travelers including the President will test before traveling to India,’ Jean-Pierre said, noting that Biden will test on a ‘regular cadence.’

She would address questions on what happens if Biden tests negative in route to the trip or how often he would test while there. 

The first lady was not expected to attend. 

Jill Biden visiting a school in Wisconsin last week

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden traveled to Florida together on Saturday

While COVID cases are on the rise, neither the president nor the first lady have worn a mask in public recently. 

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently turned heads by conceding that data was lacking on whether masks stopped the spread of the virus. 

‘When you’re talking about the effect on the epidemic or the pandemic as a whole, the data are less strong,’ Fauci recently said on CNN. 

‘But there are other studies, that show at an individual level, for individuals, they might be protective.’ 

Facebook has found itself in hot water after wading into the debate over whether off-shore wind farms are responsible for a surge in whale deaths across the east coast.

Environmentalist Michael Shellenberger has accused the internet giant of ‘censoring accurate information’ after it slapped a content warning on a post about the beaching of 300 whales since 2017.

Officials admit there has been an ‘unusual mortality event’ on the east coast in the last six years with strandings reported from New York to North Carolina, but have insisted the string of new wind farms are not responsible.

The controversy blew up days after Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was threatened with contempt of Congress amid claims the social media firm removed posts at the direction of the Biden White House.

‘Facebook is censoring accurate information about the relationship between industrial wind energy development and the increase in whale deaths off the East Coast,’ Shellenberger said.

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has been accused of deleting Facebook posts on White House orders

Environmentalist Michael Shellenberger triggered the fact checkers at Facebook when he linked the latest east coast whale death to wind farms 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tracks humpback and right whale deaths. These are some of the locations they have washed ashore since December, with some seeing multiple beachings 

‘Why is Facebook censoring accurate information and spreading disinformation?’

Construction is underway on two new wind farms off Rhode Island and Massachusetts after the White House pledged to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030, enough to power 10 million homes.

Two are already operating off Rhode Island and Virginia Beach despite fury from conservationists and commercial fishing operators, and the $10billion Virginia development is expected to feature more than 175 wind turbines by 2026.

In January, the Clean Ocean Action environmental group asked President Joe Biden to step in and halt the wind farm projects, saying there was evidence it was related to the whale deaths.

‘We’ve gone too far, too fast,’ Clean Ocean Action executive director Cindy Zipf said.

‘Over 2.2 million acres is being allocated to offshore wind and 10,000 miles of cables.

‘This alarming number of deaths is unprecedented in the last half century, the only unique factor from previous years, is the excessive scope, scale, and magnitude of offshore wind powerplant activity in the region.’

The latest dead whale washed ashore on Takanassee Beach in New Jersey on Saturday, and this year is on course to be the worst on record for fatal strandings on the east coast.

Environmentalist Michael Shellenberger claims he Facebook boss is helping government officials distort the truth about whale deaths

More than 175 wind turbines are planned for the development off Virginia by 2026.

One of the dead humpback whales is removed from New York’s Lido Beach after being washed up in January

Shellenberger has called the issue the ‘biggest environmental scandal in the world’ and delivered a series of angry posts to his thousands of Facebook followers this week.

‘The government says it’s not because of the wind industry’s high decibel pile driving and boat traffic in previously pristine waters,’ he wrote.

‘They’re lying. And now we have the proof.’

That triggered Facebook watchdogs to slap a warning, claiming the post was ‘missing context and could mislead people’.

It also linked to an article by Facebook partner Factcheck.org insisting there is no reason to believe wind farms are to blame.

‘Several factors, experts and officials have said, could be increasing the risk of these hazards,’ the checkers wrote.

‘For one, climate change is warming oceans and changing the distribution of prey that marine species depend on.

‘As a result, whales are altering their migration routes and moving out of protected areas and closer to the shores, where they are more vulnerable to ship strikes and entanglement with fishing gear.’

It pointed to autopsies carried out by the official National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggesting that 40 per cent of dead humpbacks were killed by hitting boats or getting tangled in ropes.

But they admit: ‘The causes for the other 60 per cent have been inconclusive, in part, officials say, because the carcasses decompose quickly, making it difficult to determine a cause of death.’

Facebook automatically moves reduces the visibility of posts flagged by its fact-checking partners, including AFP, reducing the visibility of false or misleading content.

But earlier this month its parent company Meta changed its settings allowing users to partially disable the fact-checking that they see.

‘We’re giving people on Facebook even more power to control the algorithm that ranks posts in their feed,’ a Meta spokesman told AFP.

Right whales are among the species which have been washing up dead on east coast beaches

Some environmental groups have blamed the deaths on off-shore wind turbines. A whale is pictured beached on Seaside Park in New Jersey in March 2023 

We’re doing this in response to users telling us that they want a greater ability to decide what they see on our apps.’

‘For the last 20 years, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said that his social media company is the “digital equivalent of a town square,” committed to factual accuracy, and protecting the natural environment,’ Shellenberger said.

‘Facebook knows its “fact checks” are just their “opinion”.

‘Thus, labeling FactCheck.org, which in this case is simply repeating US government misinformation, as a “fact-checker” is disinformation.’

Thousands of unhappy Wizz Air customers are set for refunds after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) acted on complaints from passengers over compensation claims.

The regulator has forced the budget airline into a shake-up of its ‘policies, procedures and passenger communications’ after high volumes of complaints about cancelled flights and its poor record on issuing refunds. 

The enforcement applies to ‘welfare’ claims only, meaning extra costs in areas like airline tickets, hotel accommodation and ground transportation. Cash compensation for when flights are delayed or cancelled is not covered.   

Hungary-based and London-listed Wizz Air will be forced to make changes and reconsider previously rejected claims from over the last 15 months.

And in a warning to the rest of the industry, CAA joint-interim boss Paul Smith said the enforcement action taken against Wizz Air sends a clear message to other airlines on compliance standards. 

Hungary-based and London-listed Wizz Air will be forced to make changes and reconsider previously rejected claims from over the last 15 months 

Requests can also be made for complaints stretching as far back as six years ago to ensure that ‘passengers who made claims to Wizz Air in the past, but had their claims incorrectly rejected.. receive the money they are legally owed’.

Smith said: ‘This enforcement action sends a clear message that airlines must meet their obligations to passengers when they cancel or delay a flight. We will not hesitate to step in if we believe that airlines are not consistently doing this.

‘Passengers have every right to expect their complaints and claims to be resolved quickly and efficiently and to be treated fairly by airlines, in line with regulations. We made it clear to Wizz Air last year that the way it was treating passengers was unacceptable.

‘We will continue to watch the situation closely to check that passengers receive what they are owed and that Wizz Air’s policies have improved, so that consumers have a better experience if things go wrong.’

Commenting on the CAA’s decision, Marion Geoffroy, managing director at Wizz Air UK, highlighted ‘operating challenges’ that affected ‘all airlines’ last summer, which were ‘driven mostly by the external environment’. 

‘[This includes] ATC disruptions, airport constraints and staff shortages across the whole supply chain,’ she said.

‘As a result, we were unable to meet our own high standards of service. Flights were too often late or cancelled, disruption management overwhelmed our internal and external resources, and claims took too long to process and pay.

‘We have learned from this experience and have taken significant steps to make our operation more robust and customer-centric.’ 

Wizz Air shares were up 0.8 per cent in early trading to 2438p.  

Back in February, Money Mail found that Wizz Air had received more complaints than any other airline. 

A dossier of claims for more than £4,000 was sent to the company.

And one passenger impacted by Wizz Air not paying its customers what they owed was Mrs J.O.

She told the Financial Mail On Sunday: ‘I was due to fly by Wizz Air from Doncaster to Cyprus. We were waiting to board the plane when I heard a woman scream that the flight had been cancelled. I looked at my phone and found a text saying we would fly the next day.

‘Emails said we would get vouchers for food and drinks, but we never did. We were told accommodation would be sorted out, nothing was.

‘Wizz Air staff had no clue what was going on. I eventually received £700 from Wizz Air, but they still owe me £1,500.’

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel responded to the news that the CAA are taking an enforcement action said: ‘Wizz Air has an abysmal record on meeting its legal obligations under consumer law, racking up millions in pounds in county court judgments after continually failing to appropriately reroute passengers from delayed or cancelled flights and then refusing to reimburse those passengers for its failure. 

‘It is right the CAA is finally stepping in but it desperately needs to be given stronger powers to faster hold airlines to account. 

‘The CAA should be ready to swiftly take Wizz Air to court if it continues to break the law.’

However, he identified ‘weaknesses in the CAA’s powers’, in that the the regulator is  ‘reliant on undertakings from Wizz Air to comply with their enforcement’. 

‘The regulator urgently needs new powers in the King’s Speech so that the threat of fines forces airlines into faster action,’ Boland added.

An influencer who describes herself as an ‘investigative journalist’ is facing furious backlash after posting a glowing review of her trip to budget fashion brand Shein’s factory in China – while ignoring the company’s long history of labor abuse allegations. 

Dani Carbonari, 30, who is better known as Dani DMC online, has been slammed for posting numerous videos praising Shein – after the company paid to have her, and a slew of other online stars, fly to Guangzhou to visit one of its main facilities.

Dani, who is originally from New York but now lives in LA, documented the vacation on her Instagram account, where she has gained more than 481,000 followers, and she defended the fast-fashion retailer against reports that claimed it doesn’t treat its workers fairly.

In one of her videos, Dani called the visit to the factory ‘one of the most life-changing trips of her life.’

An influencer who describes herself as an ‘investigative journalist’ has come under fierce fire for offering a gushing review of a Shein factory after she was sent to tour it on a sponsored trip

Dani Carbonari, better known as Dani DMC online, 30, has been slammed online for posting numerous videos praising Shein

The company paid to have her, and a slew of other online stars, fly to Guangzhou, China, to visit one of its main facilities. She’s seen during her travels

‘Getting to see the whole process of Shein clothing [being made] from beginning to end with my own two eyes was so important for me,’ she said.

‘Shein is such a developed and complex company, it was so beautiful to see first hand.’ 

Dani documented the vacation on her Instagram account, where she has gained more than 481,000 followers, and she defended the fast-fashion retailer against reports that claimed it doesn’t treat its workers fairly

The video featured a montage of clips taken from inside the factory, which showed workers sewing clothes as Dani and the other influencers watched on.

‘I was really excited and impressed to see the working conditions,’ added the 30-year-old.

Dani explained that she ‘interviewed’ one of the employees who ‘works in the fabric cutting department’ – and that the worker was ‘surprised by the rumors’ of mistreatment.  

‘I was able to interview a woman who works in the fabric cutting department, and you know me, [I’m] an investigative journalist, so I asked her all of our questions,’ she continued.

‘She answered them honestly and authentically. She was very surprised by all the rumors that have been spread in the US.’

Dani concluded: ‘I think my biggest takeaway from this trip is to be an independent thinker – get the facts and see it with your own two eyes. 

One of her videos featured a montage of clips taken from inside the factory, which showed workers sewing clothes as Dani and the other influencers watched on

‘Getting to see the whole process of Shein clothing [being made] from beginning to end with my own two eyes was so important for me,’ she said

‘I was really excited and impressed to see the working conditions,’ added the 30-year-old

‘There’s a narrative fed to us in the US and I’m one that always likes to be openminded and seek the truth, so I’m grateful for that about myself and I hope for the same for you guys.’

The video was one of several that Dani posted during the trip – which resulted in her producing six TikTok videos and three Instagram posts documenting her time in China with the brand. 

And while none of the videos appear to have been paid for by Shein, the trip is understood to have been entirely comped for all of the online stars who were invited. 

Other influencers who were also on the trip included Destene Sudduth, Aujené Butler, Fernanda Stephany Campuzano, Kenya Freeman, and Marina Saavedra. 

In a post of her own, Aujené – who has wracked up one million followers – similarly defended Shein.

‘As a public figure, I feel a responsibility to shed light on certain topics and bring awareness to a few of the many issues we have in the world,’ she captioned a video that she posted from her trip to China.

‘Child labor and fair wages are serious topics and were some of the q’s you guys were curious about and wanted me to ask. 

‘When asking a few of the workers and employees about these topics everyone we came across was content with their salary and the idea of child labor was something they looked at me crazy for. 

‘A lot of the people are just trying to make an honest living and said their kids and the children they know are just like our kids in the states. 

Dani explained that she ‘interviewed’ one of the employees who ‘works in the fabric cutting department’ – and that the worker was ‘surprised by all the rumors’ of bad working conditions

‘[I’m] an investigative journalist, so I asked her all of our questions,’ Dani continued. ‘She answered them honestly and authentically. She was very surprised by all the rumors’

‘They aren’t trying to work in factories, they’re tryna be on Tiktok and IG. Seeing how advanced Guangzhou was first hand was pleasantly surprising.’

 Dani concluded: ‘I think my biggest takeaway from this trip is to be an independent thinker – get the facts and see it with your own two eyes’

Shein, which began in 2008 as a ‘low-cost Chinese apparel merchant,’ has become a worldwide phenomenon, earning more than $100 billion in sales last year, according to Time magazine.

Back in October 2022, however, an explosive report emerged from Channel 4 in the UK which claimed that Shein workers got as little as four cents for each item they made, and that they were often forced to work 18-hour shifts, seven days a week, with only one day off per month. 

Swiss watchdog Public Eye also reported a month later that the brand was running ‘informal factories’ set up in residential buildings and didn’t provide employees with any contracts, which is against Chinese labor laws.

It’s also been said that some of Shein’s factories lacked important safety infrastructures – like fire exits – and that there were bars on its windows. 

In December 2022, Shein announced that it would be investing $15 million into improving standards in its factories.

Many were furious over Dani and the other influencer’s positive posts about their trip, and tons of online users quickly flooded her Instagram posts with angry messages

At the time, the retailer said in a statement: ‘We know we have a responsibility to safeguard the welfare of workers in our supply chain. 

‘In light of the recent report in the news, we launched an investigation into the claim that two of our suppliers had unacceptable working conditions at their facilities.’

Many were furious over Dani’s – as well as the other influencer’s – positive posts about the trip.

And while she turned off the comments on her videos, tons of online users quickly flooded her other Instagram posts with angry messages.

‘Your dress looks just as cheap as your morals,’ one person wrote on a photo that Dani posted following the trip, in which she was modeling a Shein gown.

‘This is disgustingly irresponsible,’ said someone else. Another user added, ‘The worker that made that dress got paid four cents.’

‘The way you got paid more to wear that dress than the person that made it probably ever will,’ read a fourth comment.

A different person commented, ‘You should be ashamed.’

‘This hurts my heart. The things people do for money and clout, despite knowing others will suffer for it,’ someone else wrote. 

Married At First Sight star Ines Basic is slammed by fans over her OnlyFans career: ‘What the heck are you doing with your life?’

By Ciara O’loughlin For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 20:04 EDT, 23 June 2023 | Updated: 21:42 EDT, 23 June 2023

It’s now commonplace for reality stars to cash in on their momentary fame by creating OnlyFans accounts.

And while Ines Basic isn’t the only Married At First Sight star making bank on the adult subscription site, she has been receiving hate from trolls for her raunchy career. 

Ines recently posted a racy photo to her Instagram account but has since restricted comments after she received an abundance of hate. 

One person wrote: ‘For someone who had so many opportunities to do so many wonderful things with her life, which I admired, you chose not to. Time to unfollow’. 

While another commented: ‘What the heck are you doing with your life?’

While Ines Basic (pictured) isn’t the only former Married At First Sight star making bank on the adult subscription site, she has been receiving hate from trolls for her raunchy career

And a third said: ‘Self respect?’

In the racy photo, Ines almost bared all while flaunting her tanned and toned figure in black lingerie as she arched her back. 

The OnlyFans model posed sultrily for the camera as she kept her dark locks down and straight and wore a full-glam makeup look.  

Ines recently posted a racy photo to her Instagram account, but has since restricted comments as she received an abundance of hate

One person wrote: ‘For someone who had so many opportunities to do so many wonderful things with her life, which I admired, you chose not to. Time to unfollow’

Despite the hate, Ines is making bank on the adult-only website, where she charges subscribers $10 a month to few her explicit content. 

She first created her account in July 2021, and she revealed that she earned a whopping $80,000 in her first month.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the time, Ines said: ‘My fans are eating up everything I post, I am having to create content daily to keep up with demand so I’m just working.’

Ines said that while she was apprehensive about joining the platform at the start, she had no problem sitting down with her family to let them know she was doing it.

Despite the hate, Ines is making bank on the adult-only website, where she charges subscribers $10 a month to few her explicit content

‘They fully supported the decision,’ she added.

The former reality star, who found fame after appearing on the 2019 season of MAFS, said that she has ‘no regrets’ about joining the website and she wishes that she signed up sooner.

‘As soon as I made an announcement saying I was doing OnlyFans I had hundreds of message requests,’ she said.

‘My fans are so respectful and it creates an environment where I feel comfortable to truly be myself and bring out my sexual alter ego. My fans love her!’

The former reality star, who found fame after appearing on the 2019 season of MAFS, said that she has ‘no regrets’ about joining the website

The 76th annual Tony Awards, held at United Palace Theater on Sunday, were not without controversy.

The annual show celebrating all things Broadway received backlash after Lifetime Achievement Award winners Joel Grey, 91, and John Kander, 96, were not allowed to speak after receiving their award.

The iconic duo were announced as winners and joined on stage by host Ariana DeBose and Julianne Hough.

However, just as soon as they appeared they were awkwardly ushered off, all without saying a word.

Grey was previously given the opportunity to make a speech as he accepted the award, however it was at the pre-show. Kander also received his award at the pre-show from New York, New York writing partner Lin-Manuel Miranda – who dropped out as writer of the opening segment in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America Strike.

Backlash: The 76th annual Tony Awards received backlash after Lifetime Achievement Award winners Joel Grey, 91, and John Kander, 96, were not allowed to speak onstage 

The pair stood on stage for a quick beat while getting a standing ovation, before the ladies walked them back out. 

Fans quickly took to social media to point out the situation, with one writing on Twitter, ‘So why Joel Gray and John Kander not allowed to say something about their lifetime Tony awards.’ 

‘I wanted to hear Joel Gray and John Kander speak for their lifetime achievement awards,’ another added. 

Comments from disappointed fans continued to pour in, with someone else writing, ‘Please, there is NO REASON that these aren’t in the “main” show. It’s infuriating.’ 

‘Disrespectful to John Kander and Joel Gray. They are living legends. Stop pandering to people who were born since 2000.’ 

‘Wait no recap for Joel Gray and John Kander?? Good thing they and their moment moment in Act 1,’ someone else chimed in.

Earlier on Sunday Grey received his award from daughter Jennifer Grey, 63, during the Tony Awards: Act One, Live Pre-Show.

‘It’s ultimately the people, the community… all of you… who have made this ride more outstanding than I could have imagined,’ the actor proudly stated.

No speech? The iconic duo were announced as winners and joined on stage by host Ariana DeBose and Julianne Hough

Leaving without a word: However, just as soon as they appeared they were awkwardly ushered off, all without saying a word

Pre-show: Grey was previously given the opportunity to make a speech as he accepted the award, however it was at the pre-show

Writing partner: Meanwhile Kander received his award from New York, New York writing partner Lin-Manuel Miranda, also at the pre-show

Upset: Fans quickly took to social media to point out the situation, with one writing on Twitter, ‘So why Joel Gray and John Kander not allowed to say something about their lifetime Tony awards’

Infuriating: ‘Please, there is NO REASON that these aren’t in the “main” show. It’s infuriating’

Unfair: ‘I wanted to hear Joel Gray and John Kander speak for their lifetime achievement awards,’ another added

Living legends: ‘Disrespectful to John Kander and Joel Gray. They are living legends. Stop pandering to people who were born since 2000’

Disappointed: ‘Wait no recap for Joel Gray and John Kander?? Good thing they and their moment moment in Act 1’

Meanwhile an emotional Jennifer teared up as she watched her father accept the honor. 

She introduced him earlier saying, ‘Hello, friends and colleagues of my dad.’

The star added that it was an ‘honor’ to present the award to her father, who is best known for playing the Master of Ceremonies in the film and stage versions of Cabaret, which earned him an Oscar, a Tony and a Golden Globe award.

She already started getting choked up before a video package was played showing footage from her father’s work.

After the presentation she concluded by presenting, ‘your hero, my hero, Joel Grey’ to the stage, earning a standing ovation.

‘My daughter, my beauty, my sweetness. Seven pounds, 11 ounces, no more. No more! Thank you, darling!’ Joel said.

Eight years earlier, Jennifer Grey also presented her father Joel with another lifetime achievement award, and she also got teared up as well.

Jennifer honored Joel with the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award at the 33rd Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards in New York City back in 2015.

Sweet moment: Earlier on Sunday Grey received his award from daughter Jennifer Grey, 63, during the Tony Awards: Act One, Live Pre-Show

Touching: ‘It’s ultimately the people, the community… all of you… who have made this ride more outstanding than I could have imagined,’ the actor proudly stated

Emotional: Meanwhile an emotional Jennifer teared up as she watched her father accept the honor

Cute: At one point she sweetly cuddled up to her dad 

Fab trio: The duo later posed with host Ariana backstage 

No hard feelings: They appeared to have no hard feelings about being snubbed from the main show and smiled for snaps

Relaxing: They relaxed at the event sitting side by side backstage 

‘I didn’t expect to feel like that,” Jennifer said to the crowd at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, already getting choked up.

She joked, ‘I feel like Liza [Minnelli], all gaspy and stuff!’ She started to speak again but added, Just give me a moment, sorry about that,’ as the crowd broke out in applause.

‘I’m so inspired by my dad. By the sheer breadth of his work, his love of life,’ Grey continued.

‘As someone who has clung to his every move my entire life his incredible career only pales in comparison to the accomplishment of how he lives his life, his gigantic heart. This world is just markedly better for him being here,’ she added.

This year’s ceremony was the latest production to have been impacted by the ongoing Writers Guild of America Strike. 

It marks the first time in 35 years that the Tonys had been afflicted by the WGA strike. 

The ceremony aired on CBS in an unscripted format, and the union agreed not to picket the event. 

TONY AWARD WINNERS 2023

Best Musical

& Juliet

Kimberly Akimbo — WINNER

New York, New York

Shucked

Some Like It Hot

 

Some Like It Hot

Best Play

Ain’t No Mo’

Between Riverside and Crazy

Cost of Living

Fat Ham

Leopoldstadt — WINNER

 

Best Musical Revival

Bob Fosse’s Dancin’

Camelot

Into The Woods

Parade — WINNER

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

 

Best Revival of a Play

 A Doll’s House

The Piano Lesson

The Sign In Sidney Brustein’s Window

Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog — WINNER

 

Best Leading Actress of a Musical

Annaleigh Ashford — Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

Sara Bareilles — Into The Woods

Victoria Clark — Kimberly Akimbo — WINNER

Lorna Courtney — & Juliet

Micaela Diamond — Parade

 

Jessica Chastain, A Doll’s House

Best Leading Actress of a Play

Jessica Chastain — A Doll’s House

Jodie Comer — Prima Facie — WINNER

Jessica Hecht — Summer, 1976

Audra McDonald — Ohio State Murders

 

Best Leading Actor of a Musical

Christian Borle — Some Like It Hot

J. Harrison Ghee — Some Like It Hot — WINNER

Josh Groban — Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

Brian D’Arcy James — Into The Woods

Ben Platt at the Met Gala 2023

Ben Platt — Parade

Colton Ryan — New York, New York

 

Best Leading Actor of a Play

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II — Topdog/Underdog

Corey Hawkins — Topdog/Underdog

Sean Hayes — Good Night, Oscar — WINNER

Stephen McKinley Henderson — Between Riverside and Crazy

Wendell Pierce — Death of a Salesman

 Best Book of a Musical

 & Juliet — David West Read

Kimberly Akimbo — David Lindsay-Abaire — WINNER

New York, New York — David Thompson & Sharon Washington

Shucked — Robert Horn

Some Like It Hot — Matthew López & Amber Ruffin 

 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Jordan E. Cooper — Ain’t No Mo’

Samuel L. Jackson — August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson

Arian Moayed — A Doll’s House

Brandon Uranowitz — Leopoldstadt — WINNER

David Zayas — Cost Of Living 

 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical 

Kevin Del Aguila — Some Like It Hot

 Kevin Cahoon — Shucked

Justin Cooley — Kimberly Akimbo

Jordan Donica — Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot

Alex Newell — Shucked — WINNER

 

Best Scenic Design of a Play 

Tim Hatley & Andrzej Goulding — Life Of Pi — WINNERS

Miriam Buether — Prima Facie

Rachel Hauck — Good Night, Oscar

Richard Hudson — Leopoldstadt

Dane Laffrey & Lucy Mackinnon — A Christmas Carol 

 

Best Costume Design of a Play

Brigitte Reiffenstuel — Leopoldstadt — WINNER

Tim Hatley, Nick Barnes & Finn Caldwell — Life Of Pi

Dominique Fawn Hill — Fat Ham

Emilio Sosa — Ain’t No Mo’

Emilio Sosa — Good Night, Oscar

 

Best Lighting Design of a Play 

Neil Austin — Leopoldstadt

Natasha Chivers — Prima Facie

Jon Clark — Jon Clark

Bradley King — Fat Ham

Tim Lutkin — Life Of Pi — WINNER

Jen Schriever — Arthur Miller’s Death Of A Salesman

Ben Stanton — A Christmas Carol 

 

Best Direction of a Play

Saheem Ali — Fat Ham

Jo Bonney — Cost Of Living

Jamie Lloyd — A Doll’s House

Patrick Marber — Leopoldstadt — WINNER

Stevie Walker-Webb — Ain’t No Mo’ 

Max Webster — Life Of Pi 

 

Best Sound Design of a Play

Carolyn Downing — Life Of Pi — WINNER

Joshua D. Reid — A Christmas Carol

Ben & Max Ringham — A Doll’s House

Ben & Max Ringham — Prima Facie

Jonathan Deans & Taylor Williams — Ain’t No Mo’ 

 

Best Choreography

Casey Nicholaw — Some Like It Hot — WINNER

Steven Hoggett — Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

Susan Stroman — New York, New York

Jennifer Weber — & Juliet

Jennifer Weber — KPOP 

 

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre 

Joel Grey

John Kander 

 

Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre

Victoria Bailey

Lisa Dawn Cave

Robert Fried 

Best Original Score (music and/or lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Kimberly Akimbo — David Lindsay-Abaire/Jeanine Tesori — WINNER

Almost Famous — Tom Kitt/Cameron Crowe & Tom Kitt

KPOP — Helen Park & Max Vernon

Shucked — Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally

Some Like It Hot — Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman

 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play 

Nikki Crawford — Fat Ham

Crystal Lucas-Perry — Ain’t No Mo’

Miriam Silverman — The Sign In Sidney Brustein’s Window — WINNER

Katy Sullivan — Cost Of Living

Kara Young — Cost Of Living 

 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical 

Julia Lester — Into The Woods

Ruthie Ann Miles — Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

Bonnie Milligan — Kimberly Akimbo — WINNER

NaTasha Yvette Williams — Some Like It Hot

Betsy Wolfe — & Juliet 

 

Best Scenic Design of a Musical 

Beowulf Boritt — New York, New York — WINNER

Mimi Lien — Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

Scott Pask — Shucked

Scott Pask — Some Like It Hot

Michael Yeargan & 59 Productions — Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot

 

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Gregg Barnes — Some Like It Hot — WINNER

Clint Ramos & Sophia Choi — KPOP

Susan Hilferty — Parade

Jennifer Moeller — Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot

Paloma Young — & Juliet 

 

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Ken Billington — New York, New York

Lap Chi Chu — Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot

Heather Gilbert — Parade

Howard Hudson — & Juliet

Natasha Katz — Some Like It Hot

Natasha Katz — Sweeney Todd: THe Demon Barber Of Fleet Street — WINNER

 

Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Arden — Parade — WINNER

Lear deBessonet — Into The Woods

Casey Nicholaw — Some Like It Hot

Jack O’Brien — Shucked

Jessica Stone — Kimberly Akimbo

 

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Kai Harada — New York, New York

Scott Lehrer & Alex Neumann — Into The Woods 

Gareth Owen — & Juliet

John Shivers — Shucked

Nevin Steinberg — Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street — WINNER

 

Best Orchestrations

Charlie Rosen & Bryan Carter — Some Like It Hot — WINNERS

John Clancy — Kimberly Akimbo

Daryl Waters & Sam Davis — New York, New York

Bill Sherman & Dominic Fallacaro — & Juliet

Jason Howland — Shucked 

 

Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award

Jerry Mitchell 

 

Regional Theatre Tony Award

Pasadena Playhouse 

Professional movie critics aren’t enjoying ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,’ the hotly anticipated and allegedly final adventure for Harrison Ford as the whip-cracking archeologist.

But those failing grades could mean that ‘Indy 5’ is shaping up to be a runaway summer sensation, according to University of California Davis researchers.

Scientists analyzed tens of thousands of reviews for 448 different movies, finding bad scores with formal and analytical writing styles often preceded a smash hit opening. 

However, a positive review by these same ‘out of touch’ critics, they said, could be used to predict a box office bomb on opening weekend accurately. 

Pre-release reviews for ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ have lead to a ‘rotten’ score of 50% at Rotten Tomatoes and a 52/100 at Metacritic. But a new study by researchers at UC Davis suggests that it would be a big mistake to count Indy 5 out as a top-grossing summer hit

Pre-release reviews for the new Indiana Jones film have led to a ‘rotten’ 50 percent score at Rotten Tomatoes, based on 46 reviews. 

And the aggregation site Metacritic gives the new Indy a score of 52/100, based on 24 reviews.  The film is expected to hit the big screen on June 30.

While well-established critics said that ‘this is not the goodbye Harrison Ford deserves,’ their bad reviews could pave the way for a Blockbuster hit. 

Using the text analytics software Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC), the researchers searched for any signs of similarity or differences in their ‘harbinger critics’ writing style, as first reported on by StudyFinds.org. 

They found that the critics whose taste aligned least with popular opinion tended to write more formally and analytically. 

These critics were less likely to frame their reviews as personal opinions, using fewer self-reference pronouns.

‘This indicates that harbinger critics show overconfidence in their abilities,’ the researchers write, ‘while non-harbinger critics are more self-reflective about the audience’s opinion and convey more confidence in their reviews.’

This pattern persisted even with top critics, suggesting that trusting the film experts would be a big mistake for Indy fans.

‘This surprising outcome challenges the prevailing belief that positive reviews equate to better box office revenues,’ Loupos said.

Even with commercial ‘big studio’ movies, including the 2017 Baywatch reboot (above), pre-release praise by clueless critics was found to be a clear predictor of an opening weekend dud

The researchers examined 28,884 pre-release reviews and commentary for 448 movies from the years 2015-2019, according to their paper in the peer-reviewed journal Marketing Letters. They then compared those critical hits and bombs to each film’s opening weekend box office.

The researchers called their sub-category of ‘out of touch’ movie reviewers — whose tastes repeatedly ran counter to public tastes — ‘harbinger critics.’ 

‘Interestingly, when these critics penned positive pre-release reviews,’ according to lead author Pantelis Loupos, ‘they signaled that the movie would be a flop.’

‘Conversely,’ said Prof. Loupos, an assistant professor of marketing and business analysis at the UC Davis’ Graduate School of Management, ‘their negative reviews hinted towards the film being a success.’

The researchers then took a look at 20 ‘sleeper hits’ from their 448-movie dataset. Sleepers, like 1994’s Shawshank Redemption (above), earn top dollar and accolades only after opening weekend. But here, some top critics studied were even more out of touch with popular opinion 

‘The stronger the sentiment in either direction,’ Loupos said in a press release, ‘the stronger the predictive signal.’

Two unusual examples in their investigation were the commercially oriented franchise flicks Baywatch (2017) and Tomb Raider (2018). Both garnered pre-release raves but netted dismal box office revenues upon opening weekend.

The researchers also double-checked their theory by doing a second analysis on ‘sleeper’ hits: 20 films from their 448 film dataset with bad opening weekends that then went on to generate big revenue and critical praise over the long haul. 

Even with those movies, films akin to The Shawshank Redemption and Children of Men, ‘harbinger critics’ proved to be even more out of sync with popular opinion, with their pre-release reviews having even more inverted predictive power.

But Loupos and his UC Davis team wanted to understand why. What makes these critics so far off from mainstream tastes?