Free Republic

It is called reader loyalty. And it still exists. But only just. “What we have recently experienced is that a growing number of readers have been phoning in to our offices to let us know how important it is for them that we are still putting out a print version of our paper.” Those are the words of Benjamin Piel, the editor-in-chief of the MindenerTageblatt, a daily newspaper published in the town of Minden in the northwestern German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Its circulation is currently running at around 26,000. But that number is shrinking — despite those loyal subscribers...

Spain's main fashion show is to turn away models if they are too thin, striking a blow for fuller-figured women. Organisers of the Pasarela Cibeles have devised a formula to calculate the models' body mass index and 30 per cent of them are expected to fail, said the Association of Fashion Designers of Spain. The move is part of a voluntary agreement with the Madrid regional government, said designer Jesus del Pozo. The association said it wanted models to project "an image of beauty and health" and shun a gaunt, emaciated look at the show, which begins on Sep 18....