- A recent survey of 2,000 Brits found that women are generally perceived to be at their “most attractive” at the ripe old age of 31. Researchers also found that confidence was more importance than looks in defining beauty.
- AIDS researchers Prof Alan Whiteside and Dr Justin Parkhurst have proposed that Kenyans pledge to participate in a “no-sex” month in attempts to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS. They believe that the month without sex would disrupt the infection chain by putting a lag period between the newly-infected and the soon-to-be infected. Since HIV has the highest transmission rates in the first six weeks after exposure (anywhere from 10 to 45% of new HIV infections are passed on by individuals in this phase), asking everyone to abstain could act as a “fire break” in the progress of the disease.
- Ugh: A 64-year-old Florida man has been accused of raping a dog named Christie Brinkley. Armand M. Pacher allegedly told his vet’s office that his Great Dane “doesn’t seem to enjoy it as much when we have sex.” After examining the dog – and finding evidence of forced sexual activity – the vet called the cops.
- A new study has linked higher rates of cancer to in vitro fertilization, but researchers are quick to point out that IVF is probably not causing the disease. Instead, it might be the parents and their faulty genetics, rather than the method of conception, that is causing the spike in childhood cancer.
- British politician Caroline Spelman caused quite a stir on Sunday when she said she thought wearing a burka could be “empowering” for Muslim women. In her discussion of the French veil ban, Spelman said she thought the covering could “confer dignity.” She added: I don’t, living in this country as a woman, want to be told what I can and can’t wear. One of the things we pride ourselves on in this country is being free, and being free to choose what you wear is a part of that, so banning the burka is absolutely contrary I think to what this country is all about.”
- Good news ladies: We’ve won the gender war! At least, we’ve got men beat when it comes to multi-tasking. According to a psychologist from the University of Hertfordshire, who tested his thesis on 50 men and 50 women, women are better equipped to handle multiple tasks – which included chatting on the phone – at one time.
- According to human rights groups and health officials, Uzbek President Islam Karimov has ordered the forced sterilization of hundreds of women in the past couple months. Although the decree – issued in the late 1990s – did not specifically mandate sterilizations, doctors say they are coming under direct pressure from the government to perform them to fight population growth.
- Two former porn actors have been charged with the murder of a Florida tattoo shop owner. Jason Andrews and Amanda Logue allegedly teamed up to kill Dennis “Scooter” Abrahamsen with a sledgehammer in his Tampa-area home. Police found texts that link the two accused killers, several of which describe their murderous plans – and Logue’s desire to have sex as soon as they finished the job.
- As Chinese women get more independent (and wealthier) they’re more likely to pick up a pack of smokes, according to health experts. Currently, only 4% of Chinese women smoke (versus 60% of men), but WHO officials fear that women will begin to associate smoking with emancipation, and start puffing away as a form of rebellion.