Los Angeles, (IANS) Actress Eva Longoria thinks becoming a mom later in life was "perfect" for her as there is so much more “wisdom and patience in your 40s”.
The actress and her husband Jose Baston welcomed their son Santiago when she was aged 43.
Longoria told The Sunday Times' Culture Magazine: "You have so much more wisdom and patience when you become a mother in your 40s.
"It was all about me for so long. 40 years of me was enough time, so I was really blessed to have my child later in life because I had travelled, I’d done everything I needed to do for my career. Now everything I do is just icing on the cake, and I get to do that with my son.”
The Desperate Housewives actress will only agree to roles if it is fulfilling because her family comes first, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
Longoria said that her family is her priority, “so if I’m saying yes to something and it’s taking time away from them, it’s got to be something I’m really going to enjoy and people I really want to work with."
The actress, who was previously married to the late actor Tyler Christopher and 43-year-old former professional basketball player Tony Parker and Jose were introduced by mutual friends in 2013, and he popped the question to her during a romantic getaway to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2015.
In 2016, they tied the knot in front of 200 guests during their sunset garden ceremony on May 21, 2016, at his lakeside home outside Mexico City.
Eva, who is stepmom to Jose's daughter Natalia and twins Mariana and Jose, from a previous relationship, feels lucky to have him in her life.The Christmas Karma actress gushed: “I’m busy and my career is very important to me, but I’m really fortunate that I met my match in that. He’s totally supportive of my dreams and my goals and what I want to get done.” Eva Longoria: You have more wisdom, patience when you become a mother in your 40s | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
New Delhi, (IANS) Leaders from the tech industry on Friday said that women are at the forefront of technology, breaking barriers and leading with vision.
In a statement to IANS, Poonam Puthran, Executive Vice President - Banking at Aurionpro, said that women play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape in the dynamic world of technology.
"With their leadership and resilience, we chart a course towards excellence, driving our organisation forward with purpose and determination," she added.
A report by AIM Research titled 'Women in Tech 2023 (India)' found that out of the total pool of tech professionals across India, the share of women tech professionals is only 29 per cent.
Anjali Sharma, Director, Global Head of L&D, Fulcrum Digital, said the ascent of women in tech in India is both a triumph and a call to action.
"Despite the challenges within the traditionally male-dominated realm, we have witnessed a remarkable shift as women rise through the ranks, particularly in cutting-edge fields like deep tech," she added.According to Sharma, the journey towards gender equality in tech is a shared responsibility, with collaboration needed from individuals, organisations, and policymakers. Women at forefront of technology, leading with vision: Industry leaders | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
Navi Mumbai: India’s players celebrate with the trophy during the presentation ceremony after winning the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Monday, November 3, 2025. (Photo: IANS)
New Delhi, (IANS) In a watershed moment for Indian cricket, the national women’s team etched their name in history by winning their first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a pulsating final at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday night.
Celebrations erupted across the country as BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia reportedly announced a ₹51 crore reward for the players and support staff, hailing the victory as a “monumental achievement that will take Indian women’s cricket to a new level.”
Meanwhile, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal lauded the team’s historic feat, drawing parallels with India’s iconic 1983 men’s World Cup triumph.
“It’s a red-letter day for Indian women’s cricket. What the men’s team achieved in 1983, the Indian women have recreated today in Mumbai. This historic triumph will give a tremendous boost to women’s cricket in the country, and I’m confident our game will now reach new heights,” Dhumal told IANS.
Earlier, batting first, India posted a commanding 298/7, powered by Shafali Verma’s fluent 87, Deepti Sharma’s composed 58, and valuable contributions from Smriti Mandhana (45) and Richa Ghosh (34). A solid 100-run opening stand between Mandhana and Verma set the platform for a big total before South Africa clawed back late to keep India just under the 300-mark.
Chasing 299, South Africa began confidently as Tazmin Brits and Laura Wolvaardt put together a brisk fifty-run opening partnership. But a sharp direct hit from Amanjot Kaur ended Brits’ stay, and from there, India seized control of the contest.
Young pacer Sree Charani struck in her first over, trapping Anneke Bosch LBW, before Shafali Verma — shining with the ball as well — produced a game-turning spell, removing Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp in quick succession.
Deepti Sharma then delivered a dream performance, claiming 5 for 39 to crush South Africa’s middle order. Despite Wolvaardt’s fighting 101, the Proteas fell short, bundled out for 246 in 45.3 overs, as India sealed a famous 52-run victory amid roaring home support.
As the tricolour soared high and the players embraced in tears of joy, the moment marked not just a World Cup triumph — but the dawn of a new era for Indian women’s cricket.
DonnaJean Wilde setting the plank record – Guinness World Records
A woman in Alberta just set a new world record for the longest time spent in an abdominal plank position, managing 4 hours, 30 minutes, and 11 seconds.
DonnaJean Wilde realized that a plank was an excellent exercise to do in a cast after she broke her wrist 10 or so years ago and needed something to do to get her heart rate up.
Strangely enough, the previous record was also held by a Canadian who was also from Alberta and also named Dana, who managed 4 hours, 19 minutes, and 55 seconds.
“Growing up, whenever we woke up, our mom had already run 4 miles. And that just progressed,” said Ray Wilde, DonnaJean’s son.
“If I’m going to watch a movie and she wants to watch a movie with me, she’ll watch it in the plank position,” said her husband, Randy Wilde.
“She did her entire master’s degree planking,” said daughter Laura Stevenson.
When the mother of 5 with 12 grandchildren went to university about 20 years ago for the masters, she contracted something called transverse myelitis, which manifests in pain and numbness.
A farmer in Kansas had an idea for an anniversary gift, but it was going to take eight months, one mile of land, and 65 million wheat seeds.
Jesse Blasi and his wife Sarah were set to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary this year. And he was inspired by another Kansas farmer who had planted a field of sunflowers for his wife—a story and video that GNN shared in 2023.
What if Blasi created a message in a wheat field?
He began plotting his surprise back in October. He used some modern farming methods, a John Deere Air Seeder, and two varieties of wheat to outline the message “Jesse + Sarah, 20 Years”.
He nurtured the two colors of wheat and waited for it to grow. It was a labor of love, but just like the old ‘Hall and Oates’ song, he knew it would make Sarah Smile.
“I knew it would make her smile,” Jesse told KAKE in Kansas. “That was kind-of the whole goal, to get the little grin out of her that I like.”
Jesse and Sarah met at a bar while attending Kansas State, and fate led them to the same stoplight on the way home. Their love has been going strong ever since, with a farm that’s been running for two decades and a family that includes two daughters, Reagan and Avery.
Jesse was determined to deliver his ‘golden wheat anniversary’ surprise, but had to work hard to keep it a secret when other farmers saw the message early.
Then, in early June, the couple went up over the fields in an airplane—and when she looked out the window, she saw it.
Jesse + Sarah. 20 Years.
The words were laid out in a red chaff wheat, with a lighter variety serving as the background. In all, the message is about one mile long and a half-mile wide. (Watch the video below…)
The anniversary love note should be visible over Kansas for the rest of the summer growing season—and it could linger all the way into October.
New Delhi, (IANS) A team of researchers has said that lipolysis is more effective in women than in men, which could partly explain why women are less likely to develop metabolic complications than men, despite having more body fat.
The research focused on lipolysis, the process through which triglycerides – lipids stored in fat cells – are broken down to produce free fatty acids and glycerol, which can be used as energy, during exercise or between meals.
“The breakdown of lipids through lipolysis is essential for energy balance and it is believed that doing it effectively may prevent type 2 diabetes and other metabolic complications of overweight and obesity,” said Professor Peter Arner, of the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
“Indeed, lipolysis is more effective in women than in men, which could be one reason why women are less likely to develop metabolic complications than men, despite having more body fat,” Arner added.
Hormones called catecholamines play a key role in activating lipolysis and regulating the various steps in the process and it is known that when levels of these hormones increase, due to psychological stress or during exercise, for example, lipolysis is activated more strongly in women than in men.
According to the study, a better understanding of how this occurs could pave the way for drugs and other treatments that lower the risk of type 2 diabetes in men with overweight and obesity.
To find out more, Professor Arner and Dr Daniel P Andersson of the Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge in Stockholm, measured lipolysis in abdominal subcutaneous fat cells from adult women and men.
The cells were incubated alone or with increasing concentrations of several catecholamines that are known to act at different steps in lipolysis.
The amount of glycerol released was used to measure the amount of lipolysis.
This revealed that the fat cells from the women were less sensitive to the catecholamines than the fat cells from the men, meaning that that higher concentrations were needed to activate and regulate lipolysis.
Melanie Barratt out in the English Channel – credit SWNS
A Paralympic gold medalist has become the first blind woman to swim across the English Channel, and she finished under time.
She said that being blind has left her feeling “isolated,” but thanks to swimming, she has a “newfound confidence” and hopes her feat “inspires others”.
49-year-old Melanie Barratt took on the challenge after falling in love with open-water swimming.
She swam the Channel, from Shakespeare Beach in Dover to Cap Gris Nez Beach in France, in 12 hours and 20 minutes, faster than the expected 14 hours, and described it as “a dream come true.”
“My life has been filled with challenges because of my blindness, and it often led me to feel isolated and unsure of myself,” said Barratt.
Melanie, now a special needs assistant after winning two gold medals, two silvers, and a bronze at the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Paralympics, said she “never thought it would be possible to achieve something like this.”
It’s no mean feat, even for an Olympian, as the Channel weather regularly takes the lives of sailors and refugees in crossing.
Melanie Barratt with her haul from the 1996 and 200 Paralympics – credit SWNS
Melanie was born with scarred eyes after her mom contracted congenital toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. She grew up virtually blind and was only able to make out bright colors and shapes. She first began swimming with the British Blind Sport charity.
“I loved the water,” she remembers. “The charity helped me by teaching me to swim straight and how not to bump my head into the pool ends.”
“I struggled to fit in at school because of my blindness, so I often turned to the pool as an escape.”
Slowly improving, a swimming partner invited her to the Paralympic games, which lit a fire underneath her that pushed her to succeed. After Sydney, Melanie retired from competitive swimming and wanted “something more.”
“Sadly, my guide dog doesn’t swim,” she said, according to English news media outlet SWNS. “But I became friends with an incredible open-water swimmer who took me under her wing.”
“The shock of the cold water made me aware of every single cell of my body, and it was freeing.”
Once hooked on open-water swimming, Melanie competed in several races, including a 10k lake swim, the Thames Marathon, and a relay race in Lake Geneva in July 2023.
It was as freeing as it was frightening, since there were no indicative surfaces or objects for her to use as a reference point. A solution presented itself as her husband paddling alongside her in a kayak, the bright colored paint of which she could see.
“I also started using bone-conducting headphones that allowed him to communicate with me throughout my swims,” she says. “It made open-water swimming more accessible.”
Two years before her Geneva feat, Melanie signed up for the English Channel swim, describing it as “the Everest of swimming,” and on August 28th, 2024, she swam the Channel in 12 hours and 20 minutes, receiving a Guinness World Record for the feat two months later.
“Halfway through the swim, I felt scared and sick. I didn’t think I was going to make it,” she said. “But I had the most amazing team and I was really determined.”
“Life is incredibly difficult being blind, and it’s very limiting, but sport and open-water swimming have given me a newfound confidence and made me proud of who I am.”“My husband and two boys always know I love to push myself and that I always need something to work towards, and I hope I’ve inspired others to do the same.” 49-Year-old Becomes First Blind Woman to Swim English Channel: ‘Nothing is Impossible’
Australians love a good sport story, because we love our sport.
While many of us think of sporting narratives playing out on fields and courts, there are some wonderful sporting stories captured in our country’s rich literature. And just as women have always been playing sport, they have also been writing about it.
Here are some books by women and non-binary writers for your summer reading list. They look at sport in a range of ways. Whether you enjoy histories, non-fiction, poetry, crime or even romance, there is a sporting story to suit all readers. These books seek to connect with diverse sports fans, or anyone looking for something a little different.
The first women’s Ashes
Marion Stell’s The Bodyline Fix: How Women Saved Cricket delves into a fascinating yet often overlooked chapter of cricket history. The book explores how Australian women cricketers in the 1930s played a crucial role in restoring the integrity of the sport, following the infamous men’s Bodyline series of 1932-33, which strained relations between Australia and England.
Stell is one of Australia’s foremost sports historians. She has gathered the stories of women’s sport in Australia, tracking down documents from scrapbooks kept by athletes and their families, mining storage units and garages for historical gems, and peering through miles of microfilm.
In The Bodyline Fix, Stell tells the story of the inaugural women’s test series, played against England in the summer of 1934-35. The series put women’s cricket in the spotlight. It brought together players from diverse backgrounds and social classes, and different levels of cricketing experience, to represent Australia. The women who played defied societal norms, family pressure and public scrutiny to pursue their passion. Their trailblazing spirit has contributed the strong Australian women’s cricket culture we have today.
The series is now known as the first women’s Ashes. The event’s 90th anniversary will be celebrated with a historic test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, starting on January 30, 2025. Now is the perfect time to learn more about those pioneering women and their legacy.
Footy in literature
When we think of books about Australian rules football, we tend to think of the many memoirs, biographies and other non-fiction works documenting the game’s history, cultural influence and place in collective memory.
Despite the game being the country’s dominant football code, it has not strayed too far into the world of fiction. Fictional footy narratives are rare. Those written by women even rarer. In 2014, Ed Wright observed in the Australian that “for something so culturally unique, Aussie rules football is under-represented in our literature, especially given the obsession with the game of our UNESCO City of Literature, Melbourne”.
Yet around this time three intriguing novels written by women about Australian rules football were published: The Family Men by Catherine Harris (2014), Game Day by Miriam Sved (2014) and The Whole of My World by Nicole Hayes (2013).
These books depicted the ways women work to connect with the game and the joy that fandom can bring. They also examined the dark side of the sport, such as the effects of toxic masculinity.
More recently, Sarah Thornton published Lapse, a crime thriller set in rural Australia, where the protagonist, former lawyer Clementine Jones heads to the country and ends up coaching at the local footy club.
Lapse is an interesting look at Australian rural life, racial tensions in small communities and the dynamics of country footy through the tropes of the thriller genre. The novel has lots of suspense to keep you turning the pages. The plot is a refreshing take on the “stranger arriving in a small town with a secret”, featuring a woman protagonist who comes into a hypermasculine environment.
Another footy book to add to your reading list is the newly published The Season by Australian literary legend Helen Garner.
The Season depicts Garner’s experience following her grandson’s under-16s football team for a season. It is full of reflections on developing masculinity and the role of sport in crafting identity. Garner also writes about connection to her AFL team the Western Bulldogs and what being a supporter means to her.
The book is a valuable contribution to the footy book genre. Seeing the sports we love through the eyes of those not as close to the game helps us see it in a new light.
Matildas’ momentum
Who didn’t get caught up the excitement of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup? One of the successes of the event was how many new fans were welcomed into the women’s football family.
Now we have some fantastic publications to speak to those new fans, celebrate the trailblazers, and reflect on the future of women’s football.
Football historian and academic Fiona Crawford has been busy over the last couple of years documenting the increased focus on Australia’s national women’s team the Matildas.
Her recently released The Rise of the Matildas reflects on the Matilda’s World Cup experience. Crawford writes with expertise, consideration for the game’s pioneers, and respect for fans. Her engaging style instantly connects you to the historic moment that we hope will change Australian women’s football forever.
Through essays, reflections and poems, van Neerven explores the intersections of sport, culture and identity, with a focus on their lived experience as a queer, non-binary First Nations person.
Personal Score is incredibly powerful, alternating between intimate reflection and sharp political critique. It explores what it means to play sport on stolen land, to love football – and questions the game’s colonial history.
The book tells stories of trauma and resilience. Van Neerven’s considered writing not only provides hope that Australian sport can change to become more inclusive, it details practical steps we can all take.
Tennis anyone?
Romance fiction book sales are on the rise. You might be surprised to learn that sports romance has become a major player in this growing market – so much so that from February 28 to March 2, 2025, the world’s first Sports Romance Convention will be held in Minneapolis, USA.
As we gear up for the Australian Open, a timely title is Abra Pressler’s Love and Other Scores. Pressler tells the story of an international tennis star with a secret coming to compete in Melbourne’s grand slam tournament. When he falls in love with a local, he finds he can’t hide his secret much longer.
Pressler’s novel explores how diverse sexualities are still stigmatised in men’s sport, at the same time as it depicts an environment where there are more intersectional identities. And of course, as is necessary in the romance genre, it gives us a “happily ever after” ending that allows us to imagine a sporting world where these issues are not only resolved, but celebrated.
Love and Other Scores is a sexy, queer romance with a diverse cast of characters. It is an excellent example of intersectional representation in sport and it is also a fun summer read.
Zoe Aldcroft is set to lead England at this year's Women's Rugby World Cup on home soil after being named Thursday as the team's captain for 2025.
Gloucester-Hartpury lock Aldcroft, capped 58 times by England, will skipper the Red Roses in the upcoming Women's Six Nations and the home Rugby World Cup, which starts in August.
The 28-year-old, who succeeds Marlie Packer as skipper, has previously led England on several occasions, with her first match as captain an 89-0 thrashing of the United States in November 2021.
England women's coach John Mitchell hailed Aldcroft as a "phenomenal rugby player", saying: She leads by example through her world-class actions, on and off the field, and is an integral member of our leadership group."
New Zealander Mitchell, a former All Blacks coach, said it was a difficult choice to remove the 35-year-old Packer as captain.
"As with many positions, there is intense competition for places in the back row and Marlie's ability to deliver big performances on the pitch needs to be her focus," he explained.
"Making decisions like this is never easy, but I believe it will push us to perform at our best and ultimately benefit the Red Roses."
Aldcroft was named 2021 World Rugby women's player of the year and led Gloucester-Hartpury to the last two Premiership titles.
"It's an incredible honour to be awarded the Red Roses captaincy," she said.
Saracens flanker Packer captained England to two Six Nations Grand Slams, as well as being crowned 2023 World Rugby women's player of the year.England went undefeated in 2024 and are favourites for the World Cup, where they hope to avenge agonising defeats by New Zealand in the past two finals. Aldcroft named England captain ahead of 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup
Chelsea signed United States defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave on Sunday in a reported world-record deal for a female footballer.
Girma is believed to have cost Chelsea £900,000 ($1.1 million), surpassing the previous world record of £685,000 paid by Bay FC for Racheal Kundananji in February 2024.
The 24-year-old was unveiled on the pitch by the Women's Super League champions ahead of Sunday's game against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
"I'm so happy and really excited to be here. It doesn't feel real," Girma told Chelsea's website.
"There are a lot of things about Chelsea that made me want to come here, the culture, the winning mentality, staff and players. It's a top environment to learn and grow in."
Girma becomes Chelsea Women's boss Sonia Bompastor's first signing of the January transfer window.
She was targeted by Bompastor after Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that could rule her out for the rest of the season.
The fee eclipses the previous British record set when Chelsea signed striker Mayra Ramirez from Levante for £384,000 a year ago.
Girma played every minute of the United States' victorious Olympic campaign in Paris last year and was also named US Soccer's female player of the year in 2023.Chelsea head of women's football Paul Green said: "Naomi is a world-class defender who is now coming into the prime years of her career." Chelsea sign Girma in reported world record deal for female footballer
Imnainla Jamir with her National Youth Icon Award trophy and citation. (Photo Courtesy: X)
NEW DELHI, (MExN): In a proud moment for Nagaland, Imnainla Jamir, Global Ambassador of MasterPeace COOLeaders, was awarded the prestigious 'National Youth Icon Award' during the National Youth Day celebrations in New Delhi. The event, which commemorates the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, celebrated Jamir's remarkable contributions to youth empowerment and social development.
Hi-Tech Group of Institutions presented the award at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi on January 12 to mark National Youth Day. The award ceremony was graced by Jual Oram, Minister of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, as the chief guest, along with a host of other dignitaries. Jamir, who follows in the footsteps of Olympic Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra—a former recipient of the award—was recognized for her tireless work in promoting youth leadership and fostering global peace.
The prestigious National Youth Icon Awards are presented to honour youth success in various fields. This year, 30 outstanding youths from across the country were given the honour. Jamir's efforts in youth empowerment, social progress, and peacebuilding earned her this recognition as she continues to inspire others globally.
In a message on social media, Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, congratulated Jamir, calling it a "proud moment for Nagaland" and a "terrific new benchmark for Girl Power."
Reflecting on her achievement, Jamir said, "Receiving the National Youth Icon Award is an indescribable honor. It’s not just a personal achievement but a testament to the incredible potential we all carry within us. This award reminds me that no dream is too big when we believe in ourselves and remain committed to our purpose. I hope it serves as an inspiration to others, showing that with passion and perseverance, we can overcome challenges and achieve greatness. I am deeply grateful for this recognition and for everyone who has been part of my journey."
Jamir also shared an empowering message for the youth of Nagaland, urging them to dream big and embrace their unique heritage.
“My message to the youth in Nagaland is to dream big, stay determined, and never underestimate the power of hard work. Our culture and heritage are rich and unique, and we have so much to offer the world. I encourage every young person to embrace their passions, remain grounded in their values, and strive to make a positive difference in their communities. Together, we can show that our talents and voices matter on a global stage.”Imnainla Jamir, known for her talent as a guitarist, gained national attention when she performed the Indian national anthem on her electric guitar at the 2022 Hornbill Festival. Her passion for social change was further recognized when she was honored with the H.E.R Award at the 6th edition of the ‘We The Women Festival’ in Jaipur in March 2023. Nagaland's Imnainla Jamir honoured with 'National Youth Icon Award' | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
New Delhi, (IANS) The Indian startup ecosystem has seen major changes in the last few years and there has been an unprecedented rise in the participation of women entrepreneurs as the funding of female-led startups increased by over 90 per cent in 2024.
Women entrepreneurs are not only becoming founders and co-founders, but a large number of investors are also investing in women-led startups.
According to the Indian Startup Funding Report 2024 by Inc42, women-led startups raised around $930 million across 136 deals in 2024. This figure was $480 million across 118 deals in 2023, showing a growth of 93.75 per cent year-on-year.
The fintech sector topped the funding received by women-led startups. It had a share of 28.7 per cent or $266.91 million in the total funding. It was followed by the e-commerce sector with a share of 22.8 per cent or $212 million and enterprise tech at third place with a share of 14 per cent or $130 million in total funding.
The fintech sector has received this funding in only 17 deals. Meanwhile, E-commerce has received $212 million in funding in 53 deals.
Apart from this, the share of health tech and cleantech in the total funding was 11 per cent ($ 102.3 million) and 14.1 per cent ($ 130.93 million) respectively.
Additionally, in 2024, a total of 13 new-age companies launched their initial public offerings (IPOs), as startups cumulatively raised more than Rs 29,200 crore from the stock market.
The 13 startups cumulatively raised Rs 29,247 crore from the cash market. Out of this, the fresh issue was nearly Rs 14,672 crore and Rs 14,574 crore Offer for Sale (OFS).
Father Gareth, son Liam, mother Sarah, and their newborn Lowri wrapped in a blanket at Cinema World
Welsh news media described it as a “blockbuster” arrival at a local movie theater—no not Deadpool 2—a beautiful baby girl whose mom gave birth in the lobby.
Sarah Vincent was 39 weeks-pregnant when she went to the Cinema World in her hometown, near the capital city of Cardiff, with her 3-year-old son Liam and her parents when, 20 minutes into the screening of Sing 2, she began to feel discomfort.
Adjourning to the restroom, the discomfort grew until she had to lay down in the lobby and that’s when her water broke. The cinema staff were quickly there to help, and help they did—calling an ambulance and assembling screens to block the sight of passersby.
On the instructions of the paramedic who picked up the phone, cinemagoer Amy Screen, and the manager on duty at the cinema Jacey Howcroft, arrived to help should the baby be unwilling to wait for the ambulance.
And it’s all a good thing too, because Lowri, the newborn baby girl, did not in fact wait for the ambulance.
With Screen and Howcroft’s assistance, Lowri Miles was born 7 pounds just 10 minutes from the point at which Vincent had gone into labor.
Missing the momentous occasion, father Gareth Miles was working in Cardiff when he got a call from Vincent’s dad explaining what was happening. He rushed down to the cinema to find his baby girl waiting for him.
“The staff were great,” he said. “Jacey was the staff member who went to get Sarah’s parents from the cinema and helped with delivery, Andrew at Cineworld rang the ambulance and talked with paramedics on phone to help with the birth, the rest of the staff were great at putting up screens, also one member of the public, Amy, helped with delivery as well.”
He told Wales Online that Liam, their son, was also born extremely quickly but in a car rather than a movie theater.
“It’s one we’re never going to forget. I thought the car was bad enough, and we’ve got the cinema story to tell as well now!”Mo Williams, the General Manager of the Cinema World, said his staff were understandly proud of their teamwork during the unexpected emergency. He added that little Lowri is now an honorary Cinema World Member for life, and will never have to pay for a movie ticket as long as she lives. Woman Gives Birth in Lobby of Welsh Cinema and the Daughter Now Has Free Movies for Life
Marion Bamforth (left), Susan Morris, Carol Ansbro, Mary Helliwell (right) on holiday in Torquay in 1972 and 2024 – SWNS
A group of fun-loving friends have recreated a photo from their first girls getaway—more than 50 years ago.
The four gal-pals, who are now nearly 70, recalled their week-long stay in a seaside resort so fondly that they vowed to do it again to celebrate their 70th birthdays.
Carol Ansbro, Marion Bamforth, Susan Morris, and Mary Helliwell all went on holiday together in 1972 to the town of Torquay, in Devon, England.
The women from West Yorkshire returned to the town this year to recreate their cherished getaway—and they wore outfits as close to the original as possible.
“Our first holiday in Torquay was truly amazing,“ said grandmother-of-five Susan.
“We were only kids and so excited about staying in a cramped caravan and sharing each other’s clothes.
“It felt really exotic and grown-up being on our own without parents in the English Riviera.”
Pictured in 1972 in Torquay (left to right) Marion Bamforth, Susan Morris, Carol Ansbro, and Mary Helliwell – SWNS
COOL!
“The picture was taken by those photographers who used to roam the promenade preying on unsuspecting tourists like us.”
Mary, a grandmother-of-four, said the pals struggled at first to find the exact location of where the 1972 snapshot was taken.
“Nobody could remember where the photo took place but, luckily, a member of staff at the hotel where we were staying, guided us to the exact spot.
“The white building in the 1972 photograph had been demolished but the same bridge is still in the background.”
The seniors, who’ve been friends since primary school, changed into their 1972-inspired outfits in a public toilet.
Marion Bamforth (left), Susan Morris, Carol Ansbro, and Mary Helliwell together again in Torquay -SWNS
Carol said it was worth it, because “the photo is amazing.”
The Indian Women Dubai Awards 2024 took place in Dubai on Saturday night, honoring the achievements of Indian women who have contributed in various fields of excellence across the UAE. Held at Taj Exotica, Palm Jumeirah, the event celebrated empowerment, resilience, and unity, showcasing the impact of women who are shaping the community. More than 30 awards were presented, recognizing women for their achievements in areas such as technology, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and the arts.
The gala featured influential voices, with Mrs. Vandana Sudhir, wife of Indian Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir, sharing insights on self-reflection and personal growth. ‘Indian Women in Dubai (IWD) is an incredible platform for women to find support and strength,’ she said, encouraging women to engage in self-care practices such as journaling. Bollywood actress Sameera Reddy, the guest of honor, delivered a heartfelt speech about authenticity and the power of women supporting each other. “People often think women judge each other, but the reality is, we are each other’s biggest allies,” she shared, adding that women should not hesitate to prioritize their own well-being.
The evening was packed with memorable moments, including fashion shows where designers showcased collections that blended traditional Indian elegance with modern styles. A standout performance was a moving qawwali act by the Divyang Children, which resonated deeply with the event’s theme of empowerment. The awards ceremony, hosted by Ms. Reema Mahajan, founder of Indian Women Dubai (IWD), showcased the power of women supporting one another. The event concluded with a call for continued advocacy for women’s empowerment and community building. Indian Women in Dubai is a vibrant community platform created by Reema Mahajan to connect and empower Indian women in the UAE. It serves as a space for members to collaborate, grow, and unlock their full potential while fostering a strong sense of unity and support. Indian women’s contributions across UAE honoured at Indian Women Dubai Awards 2024
Dianne Travis-Teague remembers clutching her chest as she navigated the chaos of a crowded hospital parking lot, searching for a space amid the throng of vehicles. For weeks a clinic in her hometown of Santa Barbara had been telling her the chest pain was merely the result of anxiety or indigestion.
At the emergency room, doctors quickly discovered that the two-time breast cancer survivor was having a heart attack. Surgery to unblock her arteries saved her life, but for the next four months, her pain continued. “I was feeling worse off after the stent than before,” she said. “I suffered, sometimes silently. My family suffered as well.”
It wasn’t until she visited a women’s heart specialist that she found answers. Her doctor asked questions about her life, family and stress related to her work as the director of alumni relations at a graduate school. Her physician, C. Noel Bairey Merz, director of the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, also explained the link between mental and cardiac health, especially in women.
Bairey Merz prescribed a new blood pressure medication and a lifestyle regimen focused on stress reduction. Travis-Teague was feeling better within a few weeks.
“It was like all of a sudden, somebody could hear me,” Travis-Teague said. “Now I know the importance of work-life balance.”
A growing body of evidence suggests the effects of mental health has a disproportionate impact on women’s bodies. Recent findings presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in April indicate that depression and anxiety accelerate the development of new cardiovascular disease risk factors, particularly among young and middle-aged women.
The researchers followed 71,214 people participating in the Mass General Brigham Biobank for 10 years. Those with a history of anxiety or depression before the study were about 55 percent more likely to develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes compared to those without. The finding was most pronounced among women with anxiety or depression who were under 50, who were nearly twice as likely to develop cardiovascular risk factors compared with any other group.
“The aim of our project is to suggest that if a physician has a patient with anxiety or depression, he or she should also think about screening for cardiovascular risk factors,” said lead author Giovanni Civieri, a cardiologist and research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
Previous studies have also shown that stress and emotional health can have an outsize impact on women’s hearts.
One study of more than 3,600 men and women from Framingham, Mass., looked at married partners who typically bottled up their feelings during a fight with their spouse. Women who “self-silenced” during marital conflict were four times as likely to die during the 10-year study period as women who always spoke their mind. (The effect wasn’t seen in men.) Whether the woman reported being in a happy marriage or an unhappy marriage didn’t change her risk.
An 18-year study of 860 Australian women concluded that having a depressive disorder is a risk factor for coronary heart disease in women. The strength of association between depression and heart disease was of a greater magnitude than any other risk factor.
“The literature supports an even stronger association between depression and heart disease and bad outcomes in women than men,” said Roy Ziegelstein, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins.
Ziegelstein pointed to a condition called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy – also known as “stress cardiomyopathy” or broken heart syndrome – that is more common in women. As many as 90 percent of cases occur in women between the ages of 58 and 75. While many people recover, the condition can be life-threatening and is often triggered by intense physical or emotional stress.
Across the spectrum of age, ethnicity and socioeconomic status, there are numerous tales of women whose symptoms are ignored, only to later discover that they have experienced a heart attack or developed cardiovascular disease.
For Marianna Knopov, several New York physicians she saw over three years were unable to pinpoint the cause of her intense heart palpitations and chest tension. In 2013, the then 51-year-old Russian immigrant was a busy mother of two teenage sons steering her own thriving dental clinic. “My life was basically like a roller coaster,” she said.
After years of the same cycle – pain, hospitals and home without relief – Knopov said she was ready to give up on her search for answers. “You go to one after another and they don’t listen to you. They don’t hear you. They just want to dismiss you, and that’s how I felt.”
By the time she met Evelina Grayver in 2016, a cardiologist specializing in women’s heart health who is now at Katz Institute for Women’s Health at Northwell Health in Queens, the vessels in her heart had become constricted and calcified, and there was “absolutely nowhere” to attach a new bypass.
Doctors placed seven stents in all three of her major arteries – and Grayver prescribed a lifestyle regimen to better regulate the anxiety and chronic stress that helped get her there. Knopov said the diagnosis had a “profound” effect on her. “I had to change something,” she said.
She eventually sold her practice, traded in New York’s bustling streets for Florida’s serene beaches, and recently became a grandmother.
“I’m living a totally different life,” she said. Now 62, Knopov has incorporated meditation, yoga and abdominal breathing exercises into her daily routine, and she walks 10,000 steps per day.
Knopov said her doctors’ advice helped her “experience a different state of mind and being.” There is a lot of joy each day,” she said.
In the intricate web of mental health and cardiovascular well-being, there isn’t a clear explanation why the connection is so strong in women.
Studies from Emory University have found that women experiencing acute mental stress are more susceptible than men to constriction of their small peripheral arteries, leading to diminished blood flow. Researchers found that the microvascular response to stress was also associated with adverse outcomes in women but not in men.
One reason for this could be that women’s blood vessels are smaller in caliber and consistency than those found in men. While men are prone to centralized plaque buildup in the largest arteries that supply blood to the heart, women typically have diffused, small blockages throughout their blood vessels, “which is very dangerous” because they can be more difficult to detect and treat, according to Grayver.
Additionally, experts say stress in women appears to disrupt lipid balance, increase platelet aggregation and impair glucose regulation. Chronic stress may further exacerbate coronary heart disease progression by fueling inflammation, a risk factor more pronounced in women. This heightened inflammatory response elevates their chances of major adverse cardiovascular events.
“We know that anxiety and stress and depression are bad. Now, let’s figure out how to best identify and treat people who are at risk,” said Puja Mehta, director of women’s translational cardiovascular research at the Emory Women’s Heart Center. “How do we help them manage stress so that it improves blood flow to the heart?”
One key area of interest for researchers is whether addressing mental health concerns, using existing medications such as antidepressants or traditional talk therapy could mitigate cardiovascular risk. Others are studying a potential genetic link between depression and heart disease, with the hope of discovering novel drugs capable of treating both conditions simultaneously.
While understanding why women’s hearts are particularly vulnerable to stress is valuable, it’s more important for doctors to acknowledge the connection from the outset.
“What tends to happen is that younger women who have risk factors, for example, may only see their OB/GYN for birth control, and by the time they come to the cardiologist they’ve already developed heart disease or heart failure,” Mehta said. “We have to do a better job of identifying and early prevention.”
Following a heart attack, women face a higher risk of mortality within the five years. While not fully understood, one theory suggests that the increased risk could be attributed to the adverse psychological reactions to the stress of experiencing a heart attack, according to JoAnn E. Manson, chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
Research also shows that fewer women than men are referred to cardiac rehabilitation programs, which can help limit the psychological stresses associated with cardiac disease, reduce the risk of associated mortality and improve cardiovascular function to help patients optimize their quality of life. In addition, women are less likely to be put on protective medications, such as cholesterol-lowering statins or beta blockers, to protect against future cardiovascular events.
Experts emphasize that lifestyle interventions are among the most effective and accessible tools for women managing both mental health and cardiovascular conditions. That includes regular exercise, improved diet and sleep patterns, as well as tools to manage stress, such as meditation and deep breathing.
Social support also seems to have a stronger heart benefit for women compared with men. The presence of family members or friends with whom women can maintain regular contact strongly predicts their cardiovascular health, according to Manson.Travis-Teague has continued to work with her doctors to manage her stress. Her advice to women facing similar challenges: “Understand that you need to listen to your body and be your own advocate. Do not be afraid to ask questions and to find the place where people will care for you.” The unique toll of stress and depression on women’s hearts
A woman who was facing only a 15 percent chance of conceiving a baby naturally was finally able to give birth to a child–after strangers donated $13,000 for her to undergo IVF.
Gem Baker had always dreamed of being a mom, but she never met the right man with which to start a family.
Furthermore, the now-38-year-old was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2017, which slashed her chances of conception dramatically. She endured eight procedures to remove the endometriosis the following year.
At her fertility clinic in England she was told she had a low egg count and just a 15 percent chance of conceiving.
“My chances were slim,” said the woman from Clacton-on-Sea. “I hit a brick wall. It’s soul destroying.”
She had started looking into in vitro fertilization (IVF)—but was shocked by the cost of it. So, Gem’s friend, Jen, urged her to set up a fundraising page to help pay for it and she agreed after first being apprehensive.
“It just went mental,” she said after donations began pouring in.
She managed to raise 13,000 in total, after being given 3k from her dad. She also invested her savings of 1.5k to reach the total amount needed for the IVF.
She also changed her lifestyle to lose 75 pounds—going from a size 16 to 8—ensuring she would give herself the best chance of conceiving. But, then COVID-19 hit.
Then COVID hit
After delays, due to the pandemic, she finally started her first round of IVF in August 2021. Sadly none of her eggs fertilized after the first round and doctors found an infection on her right fallopian tube.
They realized it was too damaged and removed it in May 2022. After recovering, Gem went for her second round in September and it produced just one egg.
But eight days later she took a pregnancy test—and it was positive. Finally, she was expecting, and months later she welcome her little girl, Clover-Iris, into the world.
Gem Baker’s baby daughter Clover Iris –SWNS
“I loved being pregnant,” said Gem, whose family was very supportive.
“I wasn’t incredibly fussy [with sperm donors], but I have a thing for redhead guys, and managed to get one. He is a baker and does charity work. He sounded grounded.”
When she first saw the 7lb-8oz baby, Gem said she was astounded: “she looked like me and my dad!”
“She was the spitting image of me as a baby.”
Today Clover-Iris is 11-months-old and her mother described her as “hilarious, inquisitive, and very clever.”
A mom created a fairytale dress made of more than 200 fresh flowers she grew herself, as part of her university studies in art and design.
Anita Lee-Archer created the dress on her daughter, Bella, spending around two hours arranging multi-colored dahlias, hand-picked from her garden in Australia.
The mother-of-five is pursuing a fine arts degree at the University of Tasmania at age 48. She decided to go back to college four years ago to pursue her dreams of a career in art.
Now she’s combining another passion—her love of gardening—to create impressive art installations.
To attach the flowers to the dress, she wrapped bird netting tightly around her daughter, Bella, who wore a black slip underneath (see the video at the bottom). She threaded the flowers through the holes, choosing colors from seven buckets of pre-cut blooms.
“It turned out how I wanted it,” said Anita, from Launceston, Tasmania. “It was really fun.”
Anita says she was discouraged from choosing a career in art as a teenager, so instead worked as a nurse and midwife.
“I have always been a creative. But, people always said, ‘you won’t earn any money doing art’.”
But Anita never forgot her love and when they moved to Tasmania she asked her husband, a neurologist, if she could enroll in university. She eagerly started classes in 2020 to finally fulfill her dreams.
“I really want to paint flowers. I breed different varieties and have always been a gardener.
Dahlia flower dress by Anita Lee-Archer / SWNS
“It’s nice to combine my loves. One lecturer told me ‘it’s your work, you need to do what you love’.”
She admitted the dress turned out to be “really heavy” and it was hard to walk in it.
“Initially it was going to be a strapless dress, but I had to fashion straps.”
Vishü Rita Krocha, Kohima , “If women have money, they would spend on health, education and very needful things. It is very important for women to have financial security in order to accelerate progress”, remarked Phutoli Shikhu Chingmak, Managing Director of the Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS), while asserting that investing in women is a human rights issue.
Speaking to The Morung Express on the occasion of the International Women’s Day (IWD), which falls on March 8, she added, “When the right of a woman is addressed, there is always progress in the society.”
‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress’ is the theme for IWD 2024.
Her work, over the past few decades, has revolutionised the lives of hundreds of rural women, enabling them to stand on their own feet and becoming financially secure through a banking concept she developed called ‘Edou Bank’ meaning ‘collectively working together.’
With over 600 Self Help Groups (SHGs) and 20 such micro banks self-managed by women spread across several districts of Nagaland, it is estimated that there are about Rs 7-8 crores in circulation among these rural women, who were once stricken with acute poverty. Through borrowing and investment in farming, the money keeps rotating within their groups.
Some of the SHGs are reported to have Rs 20-30 lakhs in circulation in their groups, while one in particular, comprising of groups from 3 villages, is said to have about Rs 70-80 lakhs in circulation. Some of the rural women have managed to buy lands for themselves, while some are running successful businesses.
Developed in 2003, Edou bank is a microfinance institution wherein loans are given for a group venture at 2% interest, the interest generated serving as dividends for the group members.
Conceptualised in 1997, it happened at a time when women entrepreneurship was almost unheard of. She and her husband, Chingmak had established The Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS) in 1993 with the prime objective of tackling the problem of drug abuse and rehabilitation of the affected youth.
Women can...
Seeing her concept bearing fruit, she said, “It is so amazing to see that women can do so much.” She however pointed that most of the government programmes are men-centric.
In this regard, she underscored the need of equity wherein the government should also purposely initiate programmes for women. “And when women take initiative, make sure that they are given financial security to implement,” she said.
She further noted a perceived lack of “handholding” in the many government programmes, which, she held, do not result in good outcome because of the lack of monitoring.
“Make every programme accountable, then people cannot take advantage of the resources and then only, there will be progress,” she maintained.Phutoli Shikhu Chingmak has a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the University of London. She did her LLB from the same university. She is also a co-contributor of ‘Reparation to Indigenous Peoples: International & Comparative Perspectives’ published by Oxford University Press and a recipient of Governor’s Gold Medal for Distinguished Service in Health & Development.‘Investing in women is a human right issue’ | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
26% of female professionals from working-class backgrounds have received a promotion at their current company – less than half the number of female professionals from upper-middle-class backgrounds (59%).
In light of International Women’s Day this Friday (8 March), specialist recruitment company Robert Walters releases new figures on the pay and progression of women from working-class backgrounds in the UK & Ireland.
Social Mobility’s 2023 report found that on average, professionals from working-class backgrounds are paid 12% less a year – which means they are working one out of every eight days for free.
However – new research from Robert Walters’ annual ED&I report highlights how inequalities are disproportionately impacting working class women’s rates of progression and pay – as they are forced to carry the double burden of both class & gender pay gaps.
Coral Bamgboye, Head of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Robert Walters UK: “We are conscious of the glass ceiling stalling the progression of female professionals however, our research attests to ‘sticky floors’ placing further constraints on female professionals from working class backgrounds.”
Progression obstructed
Just a quarter (26%) of women from working class backgrounds have received a promotion at their current company – 20% less than their male counterparts and 34% less than women from upper-middle class backgrounds.
Not only that, but 32% of women from working class backgrounds report not being at all aware of what they need to do to get a promotion – the highest across gender & socio-economic class.
Coral comments: “The poor promotion rate of working-class women is closely tied in with their limited awareness of the steps necessary to secure one.
“Disparities start to form right from higher education when it comes to career advancement – with working class women struggling to easily access or afford career advice, work experience or unpaid internships at school, right through to mentorship opportunities goal-setting resources and clear pathways upwards at work. This has a knock-on impact on progression – leading them to become stuck in junior positions on significantly lower rates of pay.”
Rates of pay lag
Women from working class backgrounds bear a double burden when it comes to pay – grappling with both the class pay gap of 12% and the gender pay gap which sits at 7.7% for full-time employees in the UK.
The Robert Walters report found that 52% felt underpaid at work – 17% more than women from upper-middle class backgrounds.
Whilst 50% of women from working class backgrounds experience a salary ceiling of £21k – twice the rate of men from similar backgrounds (25%) and 32% more than female professionals from upper-middle class backgrounds (18%).
The gaps are even more pronounced further up pay brackets – just 1% of women from working class women are earning between £55-100k (group least likely to be earning in this bracket) – compared to 19% of women and 29% of men from upper-middle class backgrounds.
Cost of living bites
A recent study by money.co.uk found that on average, women save 35% less than men – so, they have less of a safety net from cost-of-living hikes.
Robert Walters’ report found that women from working class backgrounds are most likely to either be living paycheque-to-paycheque (31%) or relying on additional streams of income (20%) – 14% more than men from similar backgrounds and over double the number of men from upper-middle class backgrounds.
Negotiations falling flat
Despite being on the lowest rates of pay, over two-thirds (64%) of women from working class backgrounds haven’t negotiated for a raise in their entire career (the highest across all genders and socio-economic groups).
Factors preventing working class women from negotiating:
26% did not think their employer would offer them a pay-rise – 10% more than upper-middle class women
22% lacked the confidence to negotiate – 10% more than men from similar backgrounds
12% did not negotiate due to their company’s low profit / cost cuts – twice the amount of men from similar backgrounds
Of those who did negotiate, 26% received less than half of their desired raise and nearly a third (32%) did not receive any of raise at all. Whilst 64% of men from upper-middle class backgrounds received between 50-100% of what they negotiated for.
Coral comments: “It’s clear to see why rates of pay for women from working class backgrounds are lagging and the ‘sticky floor’ problem persists – with employees suffering increasing pay instability as the cost of living continues to rise.
“What is more, when this group feel empowered to negotiate for more, they are then faced with diminished chances of success. Therefore, as businesses we have a role to do more than simply advertise that ‘these advancement opportunities exist.”
Coral’s advice on how companies can clean up sticky floors and uplift working-class women:
Equal advancement opportunities – introducing mentorship programmes for professionals targeted at lower socio-economic classes can support their professional growth and prevent them hitting progression ceilings. It is not only important that all employees are provided with clear paths to progression but that promotion processes are always transparent.
Transparency on pay-gaps – women from working-class backgrounds are met with a double burden when to comes to pay – impacted by both the class pay gap and the gender pay gap. That is why it is more important than ever for companies to report transparently on their own pay gaps and coordinate a strategy to address them.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) – having specific ERGs can help provide a sense of community and support for professionals from similar backgrounds.
DonnaJean Wilde setting the plank record – Guinness World Records
Melanie Barratt out in the English Channel – credit SWNS
Melanie Barratt with her haul from the 1996 and 200 Paralympics – credit SWNS
