If you’re wearing jeans, you’ll probably spot some tiny metal rivets surrounding the front pockets. Like a lot of details in life, we’ve become accustomed to seeing them. So why are they there?

Fast fashion retailer Shein has been accused by independent designers of infringement-related racketeering activities in a new lawsuit. According to The Fashion Law, a lawsuit was filed on Tuesday (11 July) in California federal court that accused the clothing giant of using a “secretive algorithm” to identify trending art and allegedly reproducing the independent designs for its fast fashion website. The three independent artists suing Shein – Krista Perry, Larissa Martinez, and Jay Baron – claimed both Shein and its parent company, Zoetop Business Company, Ltd, engaged in “produc[ing], distribut[ing], and selling exact copies of their creative works,” which they allege is “part and parcel of Shein’s ‘design’ process and organizational DNA.” In the suit, Perry, Martinez and Baron claim Shein replicated “truly exact copies of [their] copyrightable graphic designs” such as Berry’s artwork titled “Make It Fun” and Blintz’s “Orange Daises” design. Barron’s “Trying My Best” artwork, which they claim was also copied by Shein, is not only a registered copyright but the phrase was also trademarked by Barron. As a result, the plaintiffs argue that they “have suffered and will continue to suffer substantial damage” to their businesses and “a diminishment in the value of their designs and art, their rights, and their reputations”. In the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that Shein created a “secretive algorithm” to identify growing fashion trends and “produce very small quantities of [its] item for sale” – as 100-200 units per SKU – in the case that an artist claims “the design was stolen”. “The brand has made billions by creating a secretive algorithm that astonishingly determines nascent fashion trends – and by coupling it with a corporate structure, including production and fulfillment schemes, that are perfectly executed to grease the wheels of the algorithm, including its unsavory and illegal aspects,” the artists argue in the suit. “When Shein copies a small or independent designer, the most likely outcome (without brand protection specialists and specialized software on the lookout) is that the infringement will go unnoticed,” the complaint reads. The lawsuit named Chris Xu as the maker behind the algorithm, a “mysterious tech genius” who has allegedly made Shein “the world’s top clothing company through high technology, not high design.” While Shein has faced many lawsuits in recent years, the newest complaint is notable for its Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) claim. RICO is a federal law designed to combat organized crime in the United States, and individuals or organisations can use the RICO Act to file civil claims against racketeering activities performed as an ongoing criminal enterprise. Another requirement to file a RICO claim is that the offending party is not just an individual or business but a criminal organization, as the suit claims Shein’s alleged infringement activity is “committed not by a single entity, but by a de-facto association of entities.” The plaintiffs claim that Shein’s “confusing corporate structure” allows the company to “avoid liability” in the case of intellectual property infringement, adding that the brand’s “first line of defense” when facing a copyright or trademark cease and desist is “removing the product from its sites with blaming the misconduct on another [Shein entity] actor (implying such actor is independent).” As a result, the artists have accused Shein of “multiple acts of racketeering and criminal copyright infringement” and are seeking past and future damages, as well as compensation for legal fees and injunctive relief to “prevent further racketeering activity”. This is not the first time Shein has faced accusations of infringement. In May, artist Maggie Stephenson settled with Shein for an undisclosed amount after she filed a $100 million lawsuit last year. That same month, Italian fashion designer Giuliano Calza claimed the retailer stole shoe designs from his streetwear label, GCDS. The new lawsuit comes after a Shein-sponsored influencer trip made headlines for promoting Shein’s factory in Guangzhou, China. The influencers were invited to tour Shein’s “innovation factory”, as they posted videos showing a clean, brightly lit factory with automated bots assisting in processing and packaging orders. However, the influencer trip faced backlash as many pointed out the fast fashion company’s accusations of labour abuse and its negative impact on the environment. The Independent has contacted Shein for comment. Read More Italian designer launches scathing attack on Shein over ‘stolen ideas’: ‘Maybe I am the fool’ Influencers face backlash for promoting Shein factory during PR trip in China Parent company of fast-fashion brand Shein to pay New York state $1.9m for data breach Barbie premiere: All the best pink carpet looks as Margot Robbie film shows in London Why these women are – and aren’t – shaving their armpits this summer These are the summer bag trends you need to know about

Republicans are escalating their legal threats against Target, pressuring the company to remove merchandise for transgender customers and backtrack on its initiatives to hire minorities and diversify vendors.

From sunscreen to tiny umbrellas, the best summer products can help you enjoy everything under the sun this season while still staying safe.

A father has revealed the exact moment he knew that he wanted to leave the United States and raise his children in Spain. Luna, who goes by the username ​​@lunagoestospain on TikTok, frequently posts videos about preparing for her move with her family. In a recent clip, she noted that a lot of people who live in the US have told her that, while they also want to move abroad, their husbands don’t want to do the same. She went on to direct her camera towards her own husband, before explaining that he didn’t want to move at first either. However, he then shared the experience he had while visiting Spain that ultimately changed his mind about raising children outside of the US. “We go to a cafe and there’s a ton of people walking around,” he recalled about the trip to Spain. “Being from St Louis, that’s not a very comfortable place for me to be in. And you turn to me and say: ‘Have you seen all these people?’ And I’m like: ‘Uhuh,’ and you’re like: ‘None of them have guns.’” He concluded his message by describing his change in perspective about living in Missouri, which has allowed individuals to carry concealed firearms in most places without first obtaining a permit since 2017. “I realised that this weight that I’d been carrying around my whole life wasn’t necessary,” he said. “It’s like what we think is normal is not normal.” In the caption, Luna went on to describe her husband’s comments, writing: “Here’s what shifted for him. I’m sure this’ll piss the right people off. No pun intended.” The TikTok video has quickly gone viral, as it has amassed more than 121,600 views. In the comments, multiple viewers also expressed their interests in raising children outside of America, while also describing their positive experiences when taking trips abroad. “There’s so much mental energy we dedicate to simply existing in the US,” one person claimed. “We lived in Japan for three years. Feeling safe in any neighbourhood or at any time of day or night was amazing,” another wrote. @lunagoestospain Here’s what shifted for him. I’m sure this’ll piss the right people off. No pun intended. #movingabroad #spaindigitalnomadvisa #movingabroadwithpets #movingtospainwithkids ♬ 7AM (Slowed + Reverb) - adrian A third added: “As a father of two young boys, your husband’s explanation has me shook because I cannot disagree.” Earlier this month, Luna shared another video reflecting on her upcoming move to Spain. In the clip, she explained that she’ll miss her family and friends in Missouri, but highlighted some of the benefits to living abroad. “I won’t ever have to tell her she can’t wear light-up shoes because of safety,” she wrote. “No shopping for bulletproof backpacks. I’ll move mountains to make sure she’s as safe as humanly possible.” The Independent has contacted Luna for comment. Luna’s videos also come two years after Missouri enacted the “Second Amendment Preservation Act,” which “subjects local and state law enforcement officers to fines of $50,000 for helping to enforce a federal gun law,” according to the Giffords Law Center. In March of this year, a federal judge ruled the controversial law as unconstitutional, but “has since allowed the law to remain in effect pending appeals,” per Giffords. In recent years, research has found that more Americans are opting to move out of the US. According to the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), there were nearly 4.8 million Americans living overseas in 2018. This number has continued to grow, as the US Department of State estimated that in 2021, there were about 9 million US citizens living abroad. Read More A scientist's 4-decade quest to save the biggest monkey in the Americas One in six students at English universities taught overseas – watchdog Dylan Mulvaney leaves the US ‘to feel safe’ amid Bud Light backlash Schoolboy almost dies from swallowing magnets for TikTok challenge Woman shares honest review of New York City apartment TikTok mom slammed after making 5-year-old son run in 104 degree heat

Robert De Niro’s girlfriend Tiffany Chen told Gayle King in an interview on CBS Mornings that she was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy after giving birth to their daughter Gia Virginia. Bell’s palsy is a neurological disorder which temporarily paralyses one side of the face and causes it to appear droopy and lopsided. According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition “causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face. In most cases, the weakness is temporary and significantly improves over weeks.” However, it’s not uncommon to experience paralysis on both sides of the face as Chen did. Also known as “acute peripheral facial palsy,” the disorder is an inflammation of the nerve which controls the facial muscles and could potentially be the result of a prior viral infection. While there is no confirmed cause of the neurological condition, The Facial Paralysis Institute has linked many cases to women post-pregnancy. The typical time frame for women to develop symptoms after giving birth is seven to 10 days (about one and a half weeks), according to the institute. Symptoms are likely to worsen within 48 hours (about two days) of when they initially appear and begin to ease up in the following weeks. A full recovery typically won’t take place until six months after. The 45-year-old actress noticed her speech was slurred and she was unable to eat in the week after delivery. “Women who experience Bell’s palsy symptoms after childbirth should pursue treatment immediately. Bell’s palsy that goes undiagnosed or untreated can lead to permanent facial paralysis,” the institute asserted. If the neurological disorder develops during pregnancy, the chance of complete recovery is lower. Per The Facial Paralysis Institute report: “The prognosis for complete recovery isn’t as great as the general population, 52 per cent vs 80 per cent, respectively. It should be noted that the poorer outcomes reported are likely related to the past reluctance of physicians to prescribe steroids and antivirals in treatment.” After eight months of experiencing symptoms, the individual is encouraged to seek long-term treatment, but in general, pregnant women are encouraged to be treated with steroids as any other person experiencing the disorder would. “Botox, neuromuscular retraining, and selective neurolysis” are all “novel treatments” for the permanent condition, according to the institute. “Botox injections can provide safe, reliable, and painless treatment of permanent Bell’s palsy post-pregnancy. When administered to the normal side of the face, the nonsurgical injections relax the overactive muscles, restoring facial symmetry and improving facial appearance,” the institute reported. Neuromuscular retraining is often administered after the individual has also received Botox injections. As for selective neurolysis, “the surgery provides reanimation of the smile that is lost with persistent Bell’s palsy. The procedure involves intricate mapping of the facial nerves to weaken those nerves counterproductive to the smile mechanism.” Read More Robert De Niro’s girlfriend Tiffany Chen reveals she lost ‘all facial functions’ after giving birth ‘It’s like having your legs broken’: The truth about flying as a disabled traveller Vaping is on every corner – so why do we still not know if it’s safe? Robert De Niro’s partner Tiffany Chen says she had Bell’s palsy after giving birth Robert De Niro’s girlfriend Tiffany Chen reveals she had ‘postpartum complications’ How to sleep during hot weather, according to experts

Germany announced Thursday that it would reduce its dependence on China in "critical sectors" including medicine, lithium batteries used in electric cars and elements essential to chipmaking.

Karma is a cat … art show. (No, that’s literally the title of the exhibition.)

(Reuters) -The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the first over-the-counter contraceptive pill, paving the way for millions

More than one third of all U.S. energy consumption, and thus a significant source of climate change, is from heating and cooling homes and buildings

By Patrick Wingrove Americans without health insurance pay an average of $98 for Eli Lilly’s generic insulin despite

Shed Seven have reunited for their first album since 2017.