Rihanna

In Sudan, women moving to shed pounds as ideal body image changes

Health & Medicine

It’s been Sudanese tradition for generations to encourage women to weigh as much as possible when they marry. But, as the importance of health, and the impact of obesity on health, has become more apparent, and as global images of women have become more prevalent, that’s all starting to change.

Viral Video “Kony 2012” sparks activism, criticism

Global Politics

Tweets about Chris Brown fuel discussion of the perception of domestic violence

Arts, Culture & Media

Super Bowl 2012 halftime show presents Madonna opportunity to reconnect

Arts, Culture & Media

Poetry drives the top-rated Arab TV show

Arts, Culture & Media

Global Images of Beauty Push Sudan Women to the Gym

Health & Medicine

Sudan traditionally prized plumpness in women, but rising rates of diabetes, combined with global images of beauty, are convincing middle-class women in Khartoum to head to the gym to lose weight.

The World

The xx: The UK’s Shyest Pop Stars

Arts, Culture & Media

Four years ago, a group of 20-year-olds from South London who craft quiet, soulful electronic music suddenly made a huge noise. They called themselves The xx, and their debut album was an unexpected hit.

The World

Hollywood’s Blonde Obsession

Arts, Culture & Media

In the movies, blonde is more than just a hair color: it’s a moral judgment.

The World

Chris Brown and Rihanna put spotlight on teen partner violence

Arts, Culture & Media

It’s still not clear if Chris Brown will face charges for allegedly assaulting and threatening his girlfriend, pop star Rihanna. But the incident provides an occasion to talk about the high rates of physical violence between teenaged romantic partners.

The World

Rockabye Britney

Arts, Culture & Media

New York Times Motherlode Blog author Lisa Belkin discovered that the sound of the lullaby is changing. What songs do you croon to cajole the little ones to bed?