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Model Erin O'Connor has spoken out against Instagram's inconsistent application of its nudity policy after the platform repeatedly removed her pregnancy photos celebrating her heavily pregnant body.The photos, taken in 2014 when O'Connor was eight and a half months pregnant, were posted on Mother's Day but removed and reinstated multiple times by Instagram. O'Connor argues that the platform's guidelines are unclear and context-insensitive, leading to double standards in how women's bodies are represented online.O'Connor's post included two nude portraits: one where she touches her baby bump with a blissful expression, and another highlighting her pregnant belly. Despite Meta's assurances of 'freedom of expression,' the post was flagged as 'sensitive' and removed twice.O'Connor expressed her frustration with the process, stating, 'It feels inconceivable that a heavily pregnant naked woman could be perceived as offensive when she stands in her full power, her body at its most extraordinary, embodying its innate ability to grow, birth and sustain new life.'The incident has sparked a broader conversation about body positivity, pregnancy representation, and the need for clearer guidelines on social media platforms. O'Connor emphasized the importance of context-sensitive policies to prevent the mistaken removal of meaningful content.Meta has stated that its default response is to remove 'sexual imagery' to prevent non-consensual or underage content, but allows exceptions for 'real-world art and certain medical, educational, and awareness-raising content.'

The Denver Summit made history on Saturday by drawing a crowd of 63,004 fans to their match against the Washington Spirit at Mile High Stadium, shattering the previous National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) attendance record of 40,091.The previous record was set last season at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, during a match between Bay FC and the Spirit. This significant milestone highlights the growing popularity of women's soccer, with fans like Karmryn Eversole expressing their enthusiasm: 'This is a big deal, and it’s very important… We want more women’s sports, and we’re here supporting it.'The Denver Summit, established as the 16th NWSL franchise in January 2025 for a reported expansion fee of $110m, played their first home game in Colorado after starting the season with three away matches, going 1-1-1. The match against the Spirit ended in a scoreless draw.Fan Nicole DeLue emphasized the significance of having a professional women's soccer team in Denver: 'If you look at the amount of Denver women’s players that have gone to the World Cup, made the national team… So to finally have a home base here is just incredible.'The Summit will play future home games at Dick's Sporting Goods Park and later move to a temporary stadium while awaiting the completion of a new women's soccer stadium in downtown Denver, expected to be finished by the 2028 season.

Leicester City Women are staring down the barrel of relegation to the second tier after a disheartening 1-0 loss to Brighton in the Women's Super League. The defeat, which came on a soggy afternoon at the King Power Stadium, has left them four points adrift at the bottom of the table with only four games remaining.The sight of two young girls proudly waving 'Foxes never quit' flags in the rain-soaked stands encapsulated the never-say-die attitude required for a relegation battle that Leicester now finds itself in. Despite the bleak outlook, manager Rick Passmoor and the fans remain optimistic about their chances of survival.The latest setback came against Brighton, who showed their class on the ball, particularly in the first hour. Fran Kirby's movement and creativity caused significant problems for the Leicester defense. The decisive moment arrived when Kiko Seike broke the deadlock by tucking home Rosa Kafaji's unselfish pass, following a sublime through ball from Kirby.Leicester's struggles this season can be attributed largely to operating on what is believed to be the lowest budget in the top tier, compounded by the loss of key players such as Ruby Mace and the Japan duo Saori Takarada and Yuka Momiki last summer. The team is on a seven-match losing run in the league, which has coincided with Liverpool's significant upturn in results following their January transfer activity.There is still a potential lifeline for Leicester in the form of a one-leg playoff fixture against the third-placed team in the second tier, scheduled for May 23. However, their opponents have yet to be determined, with Crystal Palace and Birmingham keeping the automatic promotion race on a knife-edge.The women's predicament comes at an uncertain time for the football club as a whole, with the men's team in the Championship relegation zone, a point from safety after being deducted six points for overspending. It could yet be a campaign to forget for both the men's and women's sides.

Caster Semenya, the South African two-time Olympic 800m champion, has expressed strong disapproval of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to reinstate sex verification tests for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Semenya, who has been a symbol of the struggle for hyperandrogenic athletes, described the move as 'a disrespect for women'.The IOC's new policy, announced on Thursday, limits eligibility for female category events to biological females, determined through a one-time SRY gene screening. This move effectively bans transgender athletes and a large number of intersex athletes from women's sports.Semenya, who has male XY chromosomes, is a well-known athlete with a difference in sex development (DSD). She has been a vocal advocate for the rights of athletes like herself, who are often subjected to sex verification tests and scrutiny.The IOC's decision has been met with criticism from Semenya and others, who argue that such tests are ineffective and discriminatory. Semenya stated, 'For you as a woman, why will you be tested to prove that you fit? You know, it's like now we need to prove that we are worthy as women to take part in sports. That's a disrespect for women.'The new policy is set to be implemented starting with the 2028 Olympics, and will be carried out through a saliva sample, cheek swab, or blood sample. This move has sparked controversy, with many arguing that it undermines the rights and dignity of transgender and intersex athletes.

Jocelyn Bioh's Jaja's African Hair Braiding is a comedy that follows a day in the life of a Harlem braiding salon, owned by Jaja, who is on the cusp of marrying a white American and gaining citizenship. The play, directed by Monique Touko, has captivated audiences on Broadway with its infectious energy, humor, and charm.The story centers around the salon's staff, a diverse and lovable group of characters, each with their own story to tell. From Bea, the judgmental old-timer, to Ndidi, the no-nonsense newcomer, and Miriam, the sweet-natured optimist, the characters are skilfully drawn and larger than life, bringing the salon to life.The play tackles themes of identity, community, and the American Dream, highlighting the contrasts between the west African immigrants who work at the salon and their middle-class Black American customers. Through the characters' experiences, Bioh lays bare the gulf between them, revealing the complexities of citizenship, privilege, and belonging.Touko's direction and the performances of the cast, including Zainab Jah and Sewa Zamba, have been praised for their expert comic timing and charisma. The play's use of music and dance, featuring African pop numbers, adds to its vibrant and energetic atmosphere.Ultimately, Jaja's African Hair Braiding is a story about the strength and resilience of women and the power of community, making it a joyful and uplifting experience for audiences.

For the first time, a team of researchers has successfully mapped out the intricate network of nerves within the clitoris, a crucial organ responsible for female sexual pleasure. This achievement comes almost 30 years after a similar mapping was completed for the penis. The 3D scans of two female pelvises, donated through a body donor program, have provided unprecedented detail on the five complex tree-like branching nerves running through the clitoris. The widest of these nerves measures 0.7mm across. Led by Ju Young Lee, a research associate at Amsterdam University Medical Center, the study challenges existing knowledge about the anatomy of the clitoris. For instance, previous research suggested that the dorsal nerve of the clitoris diminished as it approached the glans, but the new scans show that it continues strongly to the end. The clitoris, one of the least-studied organs in the human body, has been neglected by researchers for far too long, according to Melbourne urologist Helen O'Connell. She notes that cultural taboos around female sexuality have hindered scientific investigations, and it wasn't until 1995 that the clitoris was included in standard anatomy textbooks. The mapping of clitoral nerves is expected to inform reconstructive surgery after female genital mutilation, which affects over 230 million girls and women worldwide. A better understanding of the nerve pathways could reduce the number of women who experience a decline in orgasmic experience after surgery. This breakthrough also has implications for vulvar cancer treatment, gender reassignment surgery, and genital cosmetic surgeries. As Lee hopes to open a clitoris exhibition to expand knowledge about the organ, inspired by the Vagina Museum in London, the study marks a significant step forward in understanding female sexual function and anatomy.

The Israeli attacks on Lebanon have pushed the country's population to the brink of a humanitarian crisis, with millions of civilians suffering and nearly a quarter of the population displaced. The conflict, which began four weeks into the US-Israeli war on Iran, has resulted in 1,094 deaths and 3,119 injuries in Lebanon, according to the country's Ministry of Public Health.The displaced are extremely frustrated and fatigued, with many feeling the pressure of deadly Israeli attacks, increasing petrol prices, and a general slowdown in business. The crisis has hit the most vulnerable populations, including migrant workers, Syrians, and those with chronic diseases.The humanitarian situation is dire, with women, children, and those with psychological issues suffering the most. The mass evacuation orders have resulted in a massive displacement crisis, with at least 1.2 million people displaced, according to the Lebanese government. The crisis has also had a significant impact on the country's healthcare system, with many women displaced from their healthcare networks.The never-ending trauma of the conflict has also taken a toll on the mental health of the population, with three in five people in Lebanon screening positive for depression, anxiety, or PTSD. The National Lifeline in Lebanon (1564) for Emotional Support and Suicide Prevention Hotline has seen a substantial increase in calls, with almost 50 calls a day, up from 30 a day during the 2024 Israeli attacks.

Arsenal claimed their 11th consecutive win across all competitions with a dominant 5-2 victory over Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium. Alessia Russo was the star of the show, scoring a remarkable hat-trick in just 22 minutes, showcasing her impressive form this season.Russo's three goals took her tally to five in the last eight days, highlighting her exceptional goal-scoring ability. Her performance was praised by Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers, who described Russo as a 'complete footballer' with impressive finishing skills and other aspects of her game.The win moved Arsenal up to second in the Women's Super League table, level on points with Manchester United but with two games in hand. This positions them well in the race for automatic qualification for the Champions League group stage.Tottenham, on the other hand, suffered their third successive defeat and will look to address defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in set-piece situations. Despite a stronger second-half performance, they were unable to recover from Arsenal's strong start.Russo's goals exemplified her aerial ability and technical quality, while her third goal was facilitated by a gift from Tottenham keeper Lize Kop. Arsenal's Caitlin Foord and Stina Blackstenius also made significant contributions with their goals, marking Foord's return from the Women's Asia Cup and Blackstenius's third goal in four games.

Manchester City delivered a resounding statement of intent in their latest Women's Super League fixture, dismantling Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford in a derby that showcased the vast gulf between the two teams. The victory propelled City closer to securing their first league title in a decade, while simultaneously damaging United's hopes of European qualification next season.Vivianne Miedema was the star of the show, scoring twice with headers in the first half, while Kerstin Casparij added a third goal early in the second period. Lauren Hemp also hit the crossbar as City dominated throughout, with the home side fortunate not to concede more goals in a match that highlighted the disparity between the teams.Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner attributed his team's performance to fatigue following their Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich three days prior. In contrast, City has benefited from not competing in European competitions this season, allowing for crucial rest between matches. Skinner acknowledged the advantage enjoyed by City manager Andrée Jeglertz, who described his team's first-half display as "one of the best we've done this season."The result has effectively ended United's title ambitions, with Skinner's side now trailing by 11 points with only three games remaining. Chelsea's hopes of retaining their crown have also been extinguished, as they sit 12 points behind with an inferior goal difference. Arsenal remains the only mathematical challenger, though they would need City to falter significantly in their remaining fixtures.City's dominance was evident from the opening minutes, with Miedema opening the scoring from a corner just 21 seconds into the match. She doubled her tally before the break, finding herself unmarked in the penalty area as United's defense failed to deal with a cross from Casparij. Hemp struck the woodwork before a Rebecca Knaak goal was controversially disallowed, and Casparij sealed the victory with a clinical finish after the interval.With City now requiring just five points from their remaining three matches—all against bottom-four teams—the WSL title appears destined to return to the Etihad Stadium. Meanwhile, United faces an uphill battle to secure European qualification, with challenging fixtures against Tottenham and Chelsea still to come this season.