Hong Kong violence and England in World Cup semi-final
Reuters Hong Kong protests: Carrie Lam appeals for calm after parliament stormed Police in Hong Kong have fired tear gas and evicted protesters who occupied its parliament. The territory’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, has appealed for peace following what she called an “extreme use of violence”. But the protesters show little sign of backing down. […]
Arsenal: WSL title hopefuls finding answers but questions remain after uneven start
After a shock Champions League elimination and a home defeat in front of a record Women’s Super League crowd, there are now signs of life in Arsenal’s rebuild. The Gunners showed their intentions over the summer with several big-name signings after slipping behind Manchester United in the race to catch Chelsea last season. Primary among […]
Catherine Marks on working with Kanye West and The Amazons
BBC “Oh, did I mention Kanye West?” Catherine Marks asks as she lists some of the huge acts she’s worked with. Foals, Kelly Rowland and Boy George got name-checks, but she’d neglected to mention a 3am producing session with the rapper (more on that later). Catherine is one of the top female music producers in […]
From child refugee to president: Latvia’s Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Vaira Vike-Freiberga Riga, 1942: Vaira aged five – she soon became a refugee The little girl who fled from war-torn Latvia spent more than 50 years in exile – but soon after returning she became president. Not only that, Vaira Vike-Freiberga became the first female head of a former Soviet bloc state. “My parents never […]
Will Facebook’s digital money Libra be good for Africa?
Getty Images In our series of letters from African journalists, technology writer Andile Masuku looks at what the launch of Facebook’s digital money could mean for Africa. From early next year, Facebook intends to let its two billion-odd users – more than 139 million of whom are in Africa – make digital payments through its […]
Pregnant teenagers tell their story
We Are Middlesbrough: Pregnant teenagers tell their story Middlesbrough has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in England and Wales. But one 16-year-old from the town says getting pregnant saved her life. Robyn used to “get mortal” (drunk) and “end up at random parties”. But when she was pregnant, she vowed to change. She stopped […]
Plaid’s new leader wants to get ‘respect agenda back on track’
BBC Rhun ap Iorwerth said it was important for the party to get its “respect agenda… back on track” The new leader of Plaid Cymru has pledged to ensure that women feel “empowered” in party roles. “I want women to feel empowered to become members and to become activists,” said the new leader. Last week, […]
Fitbit faces anger for setting limits on women’s periods
Fitbit Fitbit added a female health tracker earlier this year Women who have signed up to Fitbit’s period tracker have complained that it only allows them to log periods of 10 days or fewer. Many women pointed out that they can last much longer, making the tracker on the wearable fitness device useless. Fitbit confirmed […]
Women’s Six Nations 2022: ‘Our journey hasn’t finished’, says England captain Sarah Hunter
There are still five months to go until the World Cup – perhaps enough time for New Zealand and France to turn things around. England will return to their clubs for the conclusion of the Premier 15s season before taking up international training again in July for a series of warm-up fixtures in September. New […]
UK cuts its pledge to UN family planning by 85%
Sheena Ariyapala/DFID/FLICKR The UK government has been accused of going back on its promises by cutting 85% of aid funding pledged to the United Nations global family planning programme. The UN Population Fund says the UK had pledged £154m for its projects but now says it will get around £23m this year. Advocates for family […]