Meghan Trainor

"Mother" is a song by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor (pictured) from the deluxe edition of her fifth major-label studio album, Takin' It Back (2022). She wrote the song with Sean Douglas, and its producers, Gian Stone, and her brother Justin. Epic Records released it as the lead single on March 27, 2023. A pop song with doo-wop influences, "Mother" interpolates "Mr. Sandman". Inspired by men who said Trainor's pregnancy would end her career, the song is about women's empowerment; she asks the male subject to stop mansplaining and to listen to her. Critics were complimentary about the composition but criticized the use of the term "mother". The song reached the top 30 in Belgium, Ireland, Suriname, and the United Kingdom. Charm La'Donna directed the music video, which stars Kris Jenner; critics praised the fashion choices and described it as glamorous. Trainor performed the song on Today, Capital's Summertime Ball, and the Timeless Tour (2024). (This article is part of a featured topic: Takin' It Back.)

Ra enge, a Fijian noblewoman, tattooed with veiqia (hips, buttocks and upper thighs) and qia gusu (mouth)

Veiqia is a female tattooing practice in Fiji. The term refers to both the practice and to the tattoos. Women or adolescent girls who have reached puberty may be tattooed in the groin and buttocks area by older female tattooing specialists called dauveiqia or daubati. The practice was common prior to the arrival in the 1830s of Christian missionaries who discouraged it, but it was revived in the twenty-first century. In Fijian culture, the tattoos were considered to heighten a women's beauty and could be an important factor that enabled her to marry. Receiving veiqia was highly ritualised, with many regional variations. Preparation for the process could include abstinence from food or from sexual relations, or inducing vomiting to purge the body. The process of tattooing was closely associated with the gift of a young woman's first fringed skirt to wear once their veiqia was complete. Motifs for tattoos included turtles, wandering tattlers, pottery and basketwork. (Full article...)

A model of a Nasutoceratops skull

Nasutoceratops is a genus of ceratopsid dinosaur that lived in North America about 76.0–75.5 million years ago. The first known specimens were discovered in Utah in 2006. A subadult skull with a partial postcranial skeleton and rare skin impressions was made the holotype of the new genus and species Nasutoceratops titusi. It later featured in Jurassic World films. The holotype skull of Nasutoceratops is approximately 1.5 m (4.9 ft) long, and its body length has been estimated at 4.5 m (14.8 ft) and its weight at 1.5 t (1.7 short tons). Its brow horns are notable for pointing forward and being approximately 40% of total skull length. The functions of ceratopsian frills and horns have been debated, suggestions include signalling, combat, and species recognition; the forward oriented brow horns of Nasutoceratops may have enabled interlocking with opponents. During Nasutoceratops' lifetime its environment was dominated by wetlands supporting a diverse fauna, including other ceratopsians. (Full article...)